Chapter 1578: Preparing to Support the Seven Towers, A Precautionary Measure

Additionally, Xia Duo was also worried about whether these shares would be allowed to be transferred; once these shares fell into the hands of those who did not need them, it was very likely they would eventually fall into the hands of the Seven Towers.

In that case, the strong would only grow stronger, and the Matthew effect would be too obvious.

Perhaps the Northland Alliance, or even the Seven Towers, had not considered the issue of share transfer, but this matter was something that could be understood at a single touch.

Like some small Elf nations, since they already had most of the technology they needed and didn't have much capacity for further research, what use would they have for so-called large-scale magic activity shares? It would be better to sell them off to earn some immediate benefits.

If, according to the Seven Towers' distribution method, Netheril's shares were mainly distributed to Senior Arcanists and Great Arcanists, in the short term, the Seven Towers would indeed be taking advantage.

But in the long run, the speed at which Xia Duo mass-produced Arcanists would definitely far exceed the Seven Towers, and by then, he would be the one taking advantage.

Conversely, if it were another distribution method, a portion of the shares would always fall into the hands of those who didn't need them; not to mention the waste, the further into the future, the smaller the proportion of shares the Tower of Time's Arcanists would be able to obtain.

Therefore, Xia Duo hoped in any case that this distribution of shares would be based on units that could actually use them, so that no matter how many people the Tower of Time needed in the future, it could always obtain a relatively fixed share.

The thinking regarding the Tower Spirit also reminded Xia Duo that the situation in Seventon had not yet been settled; perhaps it was just missing a non-Seven Towers Great Arcanist who clearly and unequivocally supported the Seven Towers' distribution plan.

Moreover, this matter had to be finalized as soon as possible; once the Seven Towers realized that shares could be transferred, perhaps they would compromise with those who supported distribution based on Mage Towers.

This way, they could reap short-term benefits while also reaping (what they considered to be) long-term benefits.

But if that happened, it would be disadvantageous to Xia Duo!

Originally, Xia Duo had been concerned about Iolum's neutral status and had entrusted Buluode to act in unison on his behalf; now it seemed Buluode was likely also concerned about Iolum's status and had not publicly and clearly expressed support for the Seven Towers' plan.

Thinking of this, Xia Duo suddenly couldn't sleep; under Niya's puzzled gaze, he quickly threw on a piece of clothing, went to the small study next to the bedroom, and contacted Buluode.

Unlike the usual communication via magic background, which was an easily overlooked spell, he directly constructed an old-fashioned real-time communication spell; except for a few special circumstances, it was basically possible to make contact.

Before long, the red-eyed Buluode appeared in the projection created by the communication spell, "Xia Duo, what happened? Why are you contacting me so late?"

"Sorry to disturb you so late; I wanted to ask you about the internal distribution negotiations regarding the large-scale magic activity shares mentioned in the Northland Alliance's Magic Restriction Treaty in Seventon—what stage has it reached?"

"Is that all? It's still early! The Southern Verdant Tower Alliance and the Gray-White Spiral Tower have clearly opposed the Seven Towers' distribution plan, and the others haven't really stated their positions yet! Besides, the Snow Melting Competition over there hasn't ended; I estimate that even by the end of this month, there won't be any useful results."

Buluode's answer made the worry in Xia Duo's heart grow a layer deeper; share transfer was not an original idea, and something as transparent as this could pop up at any time.

It seemed he had to hurry!

"Buluode, in your view, besides Kaboer and Braun, what are the others' thoughts?" Xia Duo asked again.

"I am currently rushing to develop my Territory and am not in Seventon, but when I left, I heard the teacher mention that apart from Kelifu, the others probably all support Kaboer and Braun."

"I see!"

Xia Duo quickly took stock of the attitudes of the nineteen Great Arcanists currently on the surface in Netheril; the seven from the Seven Towers were undoubtedly one side that had clearly stated their position.

Kaboer and Braun were clearly opposed to the Seven Towers, while Weide, Magna, and Huo Ke were also vaguely supporting them.

Although Buluode said Kelifu's attitude was unclear, Xia Duo knew that Kelifu and Magna had a good relationship; if nothing unexpected happened, he should be supporting Magna, which was roughly equivalent to opposing the Seven Towers as well—that made six people.

Among the remaining people, Bailun, Kangjienio, and President Zhenna should not be participating in such discussions and negotiations, but it was hard to say what the final result would be; not participating did not mean they could not participate.

And Iolum, although he participated in discussions and negotiations, appeared more as an arbitrator and could hardly intervene in anything in practice.

However, there was still the issue of the Ether Plane Forward Base to be discussed between the Arcane Union and the Seven Towers, which might affect Iolum's choice.

Finally, there were him and Buluode.

Buluode would likely listen to Iolum's arrangements in the end, but Xia Duo had his own ideas.

It was just that while it seemed balanced at the moment, many people's attitudes were unclear.

There might even be those who flip-flopped back and forth; for instance, Zhenna might just be waiting for both sides to win her over, or perhaps she was already colluding with one side for benefits.

As a Great Arcanist who was using Ascension to Godhood in the commercial domain as a backup plan, talking about benefits was not shameful at all; talking about feelings was the real trouble!

Xia Duo did not like this guessing game; he preferred to use his own attitude to actively influence others. He was confident he could influence Zhenna and Kelifu.

As for the others, even Buluode, he didn't have much confidence in making them firmly support him.

For Zhenna, whether it was deeper interest-binding or a new vision for the commercial domain, both could become bargaining chips; and for Kelifu, perhaps he could show the Code Sculpture in his Territory, which contained a Divine Miracle of the Lord of Radiance, or use more Resurrection Nodes to exchange for the other's support.

Of course, the premise was not to let the other party know that he had once communicated with the Lord of Radiance, and that because of a disagreement, Laidun had lost part of his Divine Grace.

The Lord of Radiance might not care, but Kelifu could potentially stand on the opposite side because of it.

It was interesting to say that the Lord of Radiance had taken back the Divine Grace given to Laidun, but had not taken back the continuous radiation of Holy Power on the Code Sculpture.

According to Laidun's speculation, the Holy Power needed to maintain that Code Sculpture could support the daily consumption of at least a dozen High Priests.

Theoretically, as long as the seven from the Seven Towers, plus Xia Duo, Kelifu, and Zhenna, were together, they could force the Seven Towers' distribution plan through.

But it was very difficult to put into practice; a decision involving far-reaching consequences should not have too many opponents.

Only by first respecting those with different opinions and the interest demands they represented could those few with different opinions be made to give up some of their interests and submit to the majority's decision.

What's more, there wasn't just a small number of people with different opinions now.

It's hard!

Next, Xia Duo hinted to Buluode that he was prepared to support the Seven Towers, and Buluode immediately stuttered, "It's best to ask the teacher before making a decision on this!"

"I will; let's stop here for today, sorry to disturb you."

After interrupting the communication, Xia Duo did not continue to contact Iolum; come to think of it, what he was doing was indeed a bit underhanded. A neutral person's student clearly supporting one side in a head-on conflict was easily gossiped about and would affect Iolum's neutrality.

Better to let Buluode give Iolum a heads-up first!