Chapter 1 "Remove the Advanced Membership?"

"Remove the advanced membership?" Yuan Tiexin looked at Shi Feng, momentarily stunned.

Beside Yuan Tiexin, Zi Qiong's small mouth gaped slightly as she stared at Shi Feng in disbelief, never expecting him to make such a decision.

Turning down benefits to strip Xinghuan of its advanced Star Ring membership?

This was utter madness!

"Guild Leader Black Flame, putting aside whether the higher-ups will agree to this, do you know the consequences of doing so?" Yuan Tiexin took a deep breath and said, "Star Ring paid a heavy price to obtain advanced membership. If they learn that Zero Wing pulled them down, they will fight to the death with you. It definitely won't be as peaceful as it is now."

"Elder Yuan is joking. We're just doing what Star Ring did before. If Star Ring really wants to fight all-out, Zero Wing will gladly oblige," Shi Feng said nonchalantly.

Others might fear Star Ring's full-scale assault, but within Star-Moon Kingdom, Zero Wing truly had nothing to fear.

On the front lines, they had war puppets and hell chariots, which second-tier players couldn't shake. They might not be a match for Star Ring in the wild, but with home-field advantage and control over the kingdom's leveling hotspots, time would only work in Zero Wing's favor.

On the contrary, Zero Wing's biggest headache was the economic war of attrition. The Guild's development already required massive resources and funds, and now they had to divert a large portion, which would undoubtedly impact the Guild's future development.

The advanced membership in Tianji Merchant Alliance was no small matter. The 5% profit-sharing alone was significant to any power. If Star Ring lost its advanced membership, it would not only severely impact its economy but also ease Zero Wing's burden. Why not do it?

"Alright! But I can't make the decision on this matter. I need to report it to the higher-ups. As for what they decide, I can't guarantee anything," Yuan Tiexin sighed, looking at Shi Feng's nonchalant attitude.

"Naturally," Shi Feng nodded.

Removing an ordinary member from the Tianji Merchant Alliance was already difficult, let alone an advanced member. But everything came down to benefits and losses, depending entirely on the Tianji Pavilion's attitude.

Whether ordinary or advanced, the shares exchanged with the Tianji Merchant Alliance were only 1%. Advanced members simply enjoyed better benefits. Before signing the contract, all contracts were one-sided, allowing the Tianji Merchant Alliance to cancel them at will, even for advanced members. However, the Tianji Pavilion wouldn't do so lightly, as advanced members brought significant benefits to the merchant alliance, far exceeding ordinary members.

Zero Wing's removal was due to Star Ring paying a sufficient price. Now, pulling Star Ring down depended on what price they were willing to pay.

Afterward, Yuan Tiexin hurried to a nearby reception room to contact his superiors and discuss the matter.

In less than half an hour, Yuan Tiexin returned from the reception room, his expression serious, indicating a decision had been made.

"Guild Leader Black Flame, the higher-ups have made a decision. But before that, I want to ask, how can you guarantee that Stone Forest Town will definitely be able to settle in the Abyssal Passage?" Yuan Tiexin asked earnestly.

"I can't guarantee it," Shi Feng said with a smile.

"Guild Leader Black Flame, do you know what advanced membership represents? If you can't provide a guarantee, then this deal is off the table," Yuan Tiexin said, his expression darkening.

"Elder Yuan, don't be hasty. Although I can't guarantee it, we can make a bet; it all depends on whether you dare to gamble," Shi Feng said, taking out a contract. "If the Tianji Merchant Alliance is willing to cancel Star Ring's advanced membership now, it can receive 30% of the shares after Stone Forest Town settles in the Abyssal Passage. Alternatively, you can cancel Star Ring's advanced membership after Stone Forest Town settles in the Abyssal Passage, but you'll only receive 20% of Stone Forest Town's shares."

"Guild Leader Black Flame, weren't you offering 40% of the shares before? Your change is a bit too fast, isn't it?" Yuan Tiexin raised an eyebrow.

"That was the price for Zero Wing to become an advanced member. Now, it's just canceling Star Ring's advanced membership, so the price is naturally different," Shi Feng said with a smile.

"Do you know that Star Ring offered shares of the Necromantic Ancient Country fortress to become an advanced member?" Yuan Tiexin felt like spitting blood. "I can tell you, Star Ring gave up 70%, a full 70% of the fortress shares. Yet, Guild Leader Black Flame, you're only offering a small town. Don't you think that's too little?"

"Indeed, but doesn't it also depend on the location?" Shi Feng didn't budge, responding calmly.

The difference between a town inside and outside a regional dungeon was like heaven and earth, especially a God-ranked regional dungeon. He didn't believe the Tianji Pavilion was unaware of the difference and value.

If it weren't to pull Star Ring down and obtain resources from the Tianji Merchant Alliance to alleviate the current situation, he would never sell Stone Forest Town's shares.

He would make a fortune just from the entrance quotas to Stone Forest Town.

"That's true, but the shares are too low. If you increase the shares by 20%, we can continue the discussion; otherwise, the higher-ups won't agree," Yuan Tiexin said.

"This is the bottom line Zero Wing can offer. If you're not willing, then we can't help it," Shi Feng shook his head.

He had considered using the auction house connection as a trump card, but he didn't want to expose that secret yet. He would keep it hidden for as long as possible. Anyway, the Stone Forest Town auction house was his. How many players were willing to sell items and how much the Guilds were willing to offer, others couldn't see. They would only know that there were many items in the auction house.

"This..." Yuan Tiexin was speechless, seeing Shi Feng's attitude of taking it or leaving it.

If the higher-ups weren't so interested in the Abyssal Passage, which would greatly benefit the Guild's future development, he would have turned around and left.

"Agree to his terms; we can cancel Star Ring's advanced membership first."

A dignified voice suddenly entered Yuan Tiexin's ears.

"Guild Leader?"

Yuan Tiexin looked at the dignified man in the lower corner of the screen in surprise. This transaction was important, so he had deliberately opened a video call so the Guild Leader could hear the entire conversation.

"We won't be at too much of a loss. I've seen that Stone Forest Town; it's already an advanced town, developing very well. If it can truly settle in the Abyssal Passage, then advancing to a beginner city is only a matter of time. However, we need a clear timeline. It can't be too long. If Zero Wing can't do it, then compensate us with the war puppet design blueprints!" The dignified man said with a faint smile.

"Yes, I understand." Yuan Tiexin immediately understood. The value of a city was far greater than a fortress. He had been somewhat shortsighted. He then looked at Shi Feng and said, "Guild Leader Black Flame, we can agree to the first condition you offered. However, you need to give us a time limit. If you can't do it, then compensate us with the war puppet design blueprints. That's the bottom line the Tianji Pavilion can agree to!"

The war puppets were something all the major superpowers wanted. If they could get the design blueprints and make them, their value wouldn't be lower than the entire Necromantic Ancient Country fortress.

"Of course, that's not a problem," Shi Feng said, surprised by Yuan Tiexin's sudden agreement, but he quickly responded, "As for the time, how about ten days?"

"Alright, then let's sign the contract," Yuan Tiexin nodded.

Liang Jing and Zi Qiong in the hall were dumbfounded by Yuan Tiexin's response. Just because of Shi Feng's words, the Star Ring Guild, one of the superpowers, was stripped of its advanced membership. No one would believe it if they heard it.

Soon, Shi Feng and Yuan Tiexin signed the contract. Less than half an hour after signing, the Tianji Merchant Alliance directly canceled the Star Ring Guild's advanced membership.

Although it was only announced internally, the news spread like wildfire, engulfing the entire God's Domain.