Chapter 424: Showing Off Muscles

The trade lasted a full day.

Until night fell, the bustling safe zone returned to quiet.

After dinner, Cheng Shuili also, unusually leisurely, lay in her vehicle.

Though the safe zone's space is large, it's crowded, and nothing feels as comfortable as her own vehicle nook.

As for Su Rui, she's been picking a small house in the safe zone these days and is already moving in.

When this safe zone was only Cheng Shuili's territory, Su Rui had no entry permission, but now that it's a safe zone, Su Rui, as Cheng Shuili's servant, naturally has access rights.

Once Su Rui finishes moving, she'll have to work twelve hours a day, from eight in the morning to eight at night.

For Cheng Shuili and Su Rui, this is a good thing for both of them.

Cheng Shuili changed her posture, lifted a strawberry placed beside the sofa, shoved it into her mouth, and the sweet‑sour juice spread through her mouth.

She squinted contentedly, savored it for a while, then let a smile appear.

After a short rest, Cheng Shuili pulled the panel out, at first keeping her eyes closed, then taking a deep breath and opening a sliver, and after spotting the number she couldn't help sighing.

There were still over three million in debt.

Cheng Shuili felt a bit down, but on second thought sensed something off.

Today, however, dozens of shops in the safe zone had been selling all day!

Moreover, with her little scheme—limiting each player to one purchase, forbidding proxy buying, and charging each customer an extra entry fee—how could she have earned so little?

The more Cheng Shuili thought, the stranger it seemed, and she fixed her gaze.

A sudden shock made her sit upright, her eyes bulging, staring tightly at the string of numbers on the panel.

Game Coin balance:

It's not negative; it's positive!

Over three million!

Positive over three million!

Cheng Shuili rubbed her eyes, counted the digits again carefully, and after confirming they were correct, an indescribable euphoria instantly dispelled the earlier gloom and fatigue.

"It's paid off… really paid off!" she murmured, her voice trembling with incredulous joy: "I even earned so much! So much!"

Cheng Shuili stood up, hopped and spun several times in the vehicle's living room, glancing repeatedly at the numbers behind the Game Coin column, until the joy in her heart gradually settled.

She finally had money, finally had money.

Cheng Shuili's hand tightened slowly; within those three million and the now‑cleared debt, the entry fee to the safe zone was also substantial.

No wonder the system's protection fee was a full one million; what's a million anyway?

The thought surfaced, and Cheng Shuili let out a dumbfounded laugh.

People really do change when they get money; just days ago she was fretting over a million Game Coins, and now she can say "what's a million" casually.

Yet… times have changed.

The benefits promised by the Rat King, and the safe zone's steady income…

Cheng Shuili's account now holds only three million, but she knows the figure will keep growing!

Four million, five million… even up to ten million!

After daydreaming, Cheng Shuili curled her lips and reclined on the sofa again.

At eight o'clock the next day, the safe zone reopened.

In the dim morning light, Hei Yu An Quan Qu was already teeming with people.

Crowds gathered at the shops earlier and denser than yesterday, anxiously awaiting the gates to open.

In the regional channel, players who missed the queue, those who had gathered money, or families seeking rescue, had messages scrolling rapidly.

Cheng Shuili stood on high ground, overlooking the black‑mass crowd below, expression calm.

After yesterday's adjustments, the trading hub ran much smoother, and the newly added Great Wall Watch squad coordinated seamlessly with Black Feather's original staff, keeping order tidy.

The drug supply was also adjusted based on yesterday's consumption to ensure no shortage.

Cheng Shuili stood on the balcony watching for a while, turned around, and saw Xinxue hurrying, whose eyes suddenly brightened when she met Cheng Shuili's gaze.

Something's up.

Cheng Shuili saw the fine sweat at Xinxue's temples, stepped forward a few paces, and asked, "What's wrong, why the rush?"

Xinxue exhaled, lowered her voice: "Lao Da, the system just pushed a server‑wide regional‑connection notice, saying that in twenty‑four hours there will be a brief cross‑region connection test lasting ten minutes."

"At that time, players from different major regions can temporarily meet and exchange information via designated connection points!"

Cheng Shuili's eyes narrowed: "Regional connection?"

"Yes! And most importantly," Xinxue quickened, "the notice said that during the connection, temporary cross‑region trade permits will be granted! There are many limits—only through the connection points, item quantities and values are capped, and apparently a high fee must be paid!"

"Also, this is a test; there'll be another test next week, and the week after that the official merge! Server‑wide merge!"

Server‑wide merge!

Those four words thundered in Cheng Shuili's ears like a bolt of lightning!

Her pupils snapped shut, the hint of leisure on her face vanished without a trace, replaced by thoughts racing swiftly.

"Is the info accurate? Where's the original announcement?" her voice lowered, carrying a hint of tension she herself hadn't noticed.

Xinxue wasted no words and opened the regional channel right in front of Cheng Shuili.

This server‑wide notice had no bulletin, only a pinned notice.

Cheng Shuili read it carefully; the last few lines of the notice were especially striking:

【…The first test will commence 24 hours later (the fifth day of the Plague), lasting 10 minutes.】

【The second connection test is slated for next Friday, lasting about 30 minutes.】

【If the test meets expectations, the "server‑wide merge" process will officially begin at 0:00 the week after next. At that time, all existing regional barriers will be lifted, and all players will enter a new phase.】

【Special note: Cross‑region connections and the merge will bring new opportunities and challenges; all players should prepare in advance.】

"The week after next… official merger…" Cheng Shuili repeated softly, each word like a whisper.

Too fast!

This moment is far earlier than she expected.

The cross‑region trade test is the first probing step.

The other regional powers seething with anger will definitely not miss this ten‑minute window.

They will try every means to contact Black Feather, set conditions, or show off their muscle.

But…

Cheng Shuili curled her lips—show off muscle? She wants to show off too.

Especially that white‑tailed eagle!

She's been causing trouble all along, hasn't she? The chance for revenge, she finally has.

Cheng Shuili kept her head down, so Xinxue couldn't see her expression and thought Lao Da was as anxious as she was, asking, "Lao Da, what should we do now?"

"Once the announcement went out, the regional channels went into chaos! Players from other regions inside the safe zone acted as if they'd found a backbone, saying they'll come to talk properly once the connection opens, and some even claimed our previous pricing was regional discrimination, demanding we adjust immediately, or after the merger they'll make us look bad…"

"Within our Long Guo region, some people are restless, and the regional channel is full of unfavorable comments about us. The most outrageous part is that the few forces that were especially enthusiastic toward us have now shown a different face, as if after the merger we would no longer be Black Feather!"

Xinxue's words were filled with righteous anger, but Cheng Shuili showed no extra expression.

She waved her hand dismissively, "Got it, there's no need to deal with them now."

Cheng Shuili thought for a moment, then asked, "Did you know about the gift the Great Wall Watch sent yesterday?"

Xinxue nodded; although she has a time difference with everyone, the news still reaches her quickly.

"I know, they sent two elite squads to assist."

Cheng Shuili nodded, "Now, first contact Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie, tell him I invite him… no, in Black Feather's name, invite Great Wall Watch, Yanhuang, and all other top‑ranked Long Guo regional leaders. The time is about three hours later, and the discussion will take place in Black Feather's conference hall."

Xinxue was startled, "Lao Da, are you planning…"

"Time waits for no one." Cheng Shuili said firmly, "If we don't settle our internal people now, how can we deal with the external forces?"

Xinxue grew more excited as she listened; the phrase "settle them down" made her eyes light up. Lao Da's momentum! That confidence! She doesn't have to worry at all!

"Understood!" Xinxue straightened her back a few degrees, "I'll send the invitation right away! I guarantee the message gets delivered!"

Watching Xinxue's brisk departure, Cheng Shuili's mouth corner lifted a bit more.

It's good that the subordinates are motivated.

She turned, cast one last glance at the still‑busy yet orderly safe zone below, and left the balcony.

Cheng Shuili sat in the conference room; the seat beneath her hadn't warmed yet when 001 reported receiving a message from Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie.

Zhan Lang is the leader of the second‑largest force in the Long Guo region, so he's naturally on the whitelist that 001 mentioned.

【Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie】: Wu Ya, sorry to intrude. You should have seen the announcement; regarding Great Wall Watch, I have a few points to explain to you.

Cheng Shuili slightly raised an eyebrow, brushed her fingertip across the smooth panel, and pulled the message window into view.

To reach out so quickly and jump straight to the point…

It seems this "Brother Wolf" is sharper and more eager than she anticipated.

She didn't reply immediately, but waited quietly for his follow‑up.

【Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie】: First, the Mountain Range squad is handed to you; they are your troops. How you use them, for how long, is up to you. Their loyalty and discipline you can trust absolutely, but please also give them the corresponding trust and respect. This is not a bargaining chip attached to a trade, but my personal, and Great Wall Watch's, recognition and investment in your ability and character.

That statement is very clear.

If Cheng Shuili could have sent those two teams back after the mission before, now there's truly no need to send them back.

【Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie】: Second, regarding the server‑wide merger. Time is pressing; the Long Guo region cannot be chaotic, nor can it continue fighting each other and even self‑destruct as before. With Yanhuang, we've been in constant communication; their views align perfectly with ours. Since we must merge, we must unite! We need a spearhead that is strong enough, clear‑minded enough, and bold enough!

Cheng Shuili's mouth corner lifted slightly; that last sentence was almost a direct mention of Black Feather's name.

And she focused on the words "must unite"; she understood Zhan Lang's concerns.

Even if the Long Guo region doesn't unite, it doesn't break any heavenly law, but the premise is that these forces can bear the cost of fighting each other!

If forces from other regions band together and declare a joint war against a single force…

Not every force has Black Feather's resilience!

For Black Feather, if all those Long Guo forces disappear, it would be the classic case of "if the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold."

Cheng Shuili kept scrolling down.

【Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie】: During the ten‑minute cross‑region connection test, those forces hostile or covetous toward us—especially toward you and Black Feather—will definitely use the ten minutes to make moves: probing, deterrence, trade, even groups using duel cards to gang up on you…

【Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie】: We must pre‑emptively align our stance and devise precise response plans. I suggest that before any contact with forces from other regions, the top‑tier powers within Long Guo must first reach consensus.

These details are clear and concise, lacking only a direct ask: "Do you have anything to report?"

Cheng Shuili read it again; Zhan Lang's words contained no perfunctory politeness or lofty directives, but honestly laid out his stance, concerns, and willingness to cooperate.

Especially the final line about aligning stance, which essentially handed the initiative and leadership plainly into Cheng Shuili's hands.

Cheng Shuili stared at those lines, pondering briefly.

Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie… truly adaptable, far‑sighted, and highly proactive.

Yesterday they just delivered a blade; today they come straight to discuss how to swing it together.

Such a partner is far more valuable than those arrogant allies who can't read the situation.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Message received. I basically agree with your view. In three hours, Black Feather's conference hall, I will, in Black Feather's name, convene all current top‑ranked Long Guo regional leaders for discussion. The agenda is handling the merger; please be sure to attend.

The reply arrived almost the instant the message was sent.

【Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie】: I will definitely be on time. Also, should I pre‑coordinate with Yanhuang and a few others to ensure meeting efficiency?

This is proactively smoothing the way, reducing any resistance or hassle she might encounter.

Cheng Shuili's mouth corner twitched slightly.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Much obliged.

Convenient.

After Cheng Shuili turned off the panel, she felt at ease.

Time flew by in the tense yet orderly preparations.

Three hours passed in an instant.

Hei Yu An Quan Qu, Conference Hall No. 1.

The long table's both sides were filled with people; besides the initially arriving Zhan Lang Hun Bu Mie and Qing Ping Le of Yan Huang, another seven or eight people came one after another.

Once the table was full, a glance showed that almost all of the top twenty players on the Long Guo major region's current ranking, whether they had power or not, were here.

No one whispered; the leaders' gazes all focused on the vacant main seat above, each with a complex expression.

Meanwhile, the lone wolves who hadn't joined any faction were much more relaxed.