CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 53: NEW DUNGEON GAMEPLAY (HAPPY FIRST DAY OF THE LUNAR YEAR)

Inside the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, Fluo’s words stirred the entire crowd of players into a frenzy.

"Sister Wu, it seems the new storyline is about unlocking a new quest." Twilight of the Gods looked at the proposing Fluo, speaking excitedly, "Although the number of participants this time has decreased, with only ten, those who take part are bound to receive a lot of rewards. If our entire team participates, we might be able to afford renting the transport vehicle afterward."

Although the three-wheeled vehicle’s transport capacity was good, after days of use, all three squads had grown a bit dismissive of it, still feeling that the medium-sized transport vehicle parked at the Martial Arts Hall was way better.

Just the size of the medium-sized transport vehicle alone was equivalent to four of them, and it moved much faster than the three-wheeler, also better able to defend against attacks from Apprentice Level experts.

If they could rent it for transporting ore and logs, earning contributions and points would be immensely satisfying.

Unfortunately, the rental cost for a medium-sized transport vehicle was too high, 40,000 points for a week, and it required the status of an Inner Sect Disciple to qualify for the rental.

"Currently, I’m still a bit short on contribution to become an Inner Sect Disciple, so this is indeed an opportunity." Luo Wushang nodded, her gaze sweeping over the nearby group where Fang Zhen and others had just come online, "However, taking all ten spots might be difficult; the other two squads can at least take four spots."

Luo Wushang felt very confident about the deathmatch mode of the new quest, but taking all ten spots in one go was indeed a challenge.

Since Li Ranxing joined Fang Zhen’s squad, their overall squad strength had skyrocketed, and now Li Ranxing had become an Apprentice Level expert as well, giving Fang Zhen’s squad four Apprentice Level experts.

Meanwhile, One Leaf Floating Cloud had attracted many players who preferred freedom, making it the largest in numbers among the three teams, and there were several players with Apprentice Level physical capabilities within those free players.

Calculating like this, even if Celestial Might had three top experts in charge and three members who just stepped into the Apprentice Level, getting half the spots would be considered good.

"Why do these members of the Gray Robe Gang seem so excited? Could it be they’re thrilled about getting 5% of the energy vein?" the Feather Race’s young guard looked puzzled at the players, who were suddenly in high spirits.

5% ownership of an energy vein is indeed a huge fortune for an ordinary gang, but that’s for the gang; the ten Apprentice Level deathmatch spots are practically a death list for the members, whoever goes dies.

No matter how you look at it, it’s not a good thing for the gang members, but the members of the Gray Robe Gang appear excited and seem to be discussing how to compete for these spots, which is simply bizarre.

At this moment, not only the Feather Race’s young guard was surprised, but even Fluo, who had proposed, felt bewildered.

"The rumors are indeed true; the Gray Robe Gang are a group of madmen." Fluo looked at Luo Wushang and others, who were still discussing how to compete for spots, and couldn’t help but feel curious about the management methods of the Gray Robe Gang.

He couldn’t understand how the leaders of the Gray Robe Gang had managed to make their members so devoted and concerned about the gang’s interests.

Even those big city fringe gangs raised with brainwashing methods couldn’t compare.

But precisely because of this, their Cyan Sparrow Gang approached the Gray Robe Gang; nurturing Apprentice Level experts was difficult, and each was a mid-level cadre in an outdoor gang. It’s impossible to send them to sacrifice randomly, only a gang of lunatics like the Gray Robe Gang would willingly provide ten Apprentice Level experts in one go.

"I’m not interested in this contract of yours." Lin Qi shook his head, "If there’s nothing else, you may leave."

With Lin Qi’s one sentence, everyone present was dumbfounded.

"What is the Hall Master trying to do?"

"Please, Hall Master, I beg you to sign this contract!"

"Did we trigger the plot incorrectly?"

"Could it be we stepped with the wrong foot when entering today, and the Hall Master is displeased?"

"Oh heavens! Our contract is gone!"

The players in the hall looked at Lin Qi, who had outright refused, and each was about to go crazy.

This scene left even Fluo’s trio stunned for a moment.

They were clearly rejected by Lin Qi, and they should have been the most confused and speechless, yet the members of the Gray Robe Gang looked more puzzled and anguished than they were?

"Honorable leader of the Gray Robe Gang, what flaw do you find in this contract?" Fluo decided not to give up and proactively inquired, "Maybe you think owning only 5% of the energy vein is too small, but you should know, not just any gang can possess an energy vein."

"After contributing a portion to that dignitary, there’s only half left, not to mention that more than one external gang will participate in this deathmatch; 5% is already significant."

"I understand that what you say is true." Lin Qi nodded, not denying Fluo’s words, "But our Gray Robe Gang is not inferior to the other external gangs you mentioned. If you want cooperation, let’s be more upfront."

"I’m offering twenty slots, and I want a 20% share of the energy vein, with each slot worth 1%. I think that’s fair."

He didn’t believe Fluo’s nonsense for half a word.

Though his time in the Gao Wu world was short, he had heard a lot about outdoor gangs from Luo Qi, especially about energy veins.

Energy ore was a valuable resource; it could supply ample electricity and accelerate physical fitness improvements.

The more energy-dense a place, the better the training and improvement effects, which is why the cities of the Gao Wu world are built on large energy veins; the closer to the city center, the higher the real estate prices.

In Chasing Light City, those without property in the city center aren’t allowed to stay long; if caught, they’d be fined, 1,000 Bits a day, enough to make official residents vow not to return next time.

As for the energy veins in the wild, due to the monster threats, the risks of mining were too high. The major city fringe gangs didn’t even consider smaller energy veins; only the daredevil outdoor gangs would be interested in micro energy veins, competing for them.

As for contributing 50% to that dignitary, that’s outright impossible. That’s like working for free. Not even giving it to those dignitaries living in the city center would take on such a task.

The so-called dignitary mentioned by the Cyan Sparrow Gang may have gotten a share, but it won’t exceed 20%. Their main role is to deter the White Feather Gang from causing trouble afterward.

So the Cyan Sparrow Gang must at least hold 80% of the share; it’s nowhere near as little as 50%.

"Twenty people? Each person gets 1% of the share?" Fluo was surprised; he didn’t think the Gray Robe Gang was stronger than expected, having twenty Apprentice Level experts but quickly smiled, "You indeed have a big appetite, I acknowledge that the Gray Robe Gang has some strength, but compared to the other external gangs, still falls a bit short. This deathmatch is very important, and having more people from one side isn’t necessarily better; it’s more about the strength."

"Of course, if the Gray Robe Gang can send twenty people, I can make the decision on behalf of the Gang Leader to offer the Gray Robe Gang 10% of the share."

"Fluo, please don’t refuse immediately." Lin Qi waved his hand, smiling, "Since you mentioned strength, why don’t we showcase it, and then decide?"

Lin Qi admitted he was asking a lot, but it’s business; you always have to negotiate. If he agreed without a word, he’d be a fool.

"How do you intend to showcase?" Fluo was somewhat curious.

At present, besides Lin Qi, who had reached Intermediate Apprentice level, the others in the Gray Robe Gang were all Basic Apprentices. What could a group of Basic Apprentices possibly demonstrate?

"How about we have two matches?" Lin Qi glanced at the two people behind Fluo, smiled, and said, "Didn’t you bring two experts? Let’s compete in two matches, stopping at three moves to determine the winner. Do you dare, Fluo?"