Chapter 553: Threat

Besides the dazzling blade light, no one else had informed Nie Yan of any information. Had the other members of the Bull Tribe had contact with the Century Financial Group like Cui Can Dao Guang (Cui Can Dao Guang’s pinyin: Cui Can Dao Guang)? Had anyone reached an agreement with the Century Financial Group?

It was unreasonable to assume that the Century Financial Group had only approached Cui Can Dao Guang and not others.

Many members of the Bull Tribe might have already been bought by the Century Financial Group.

Nie Yan didn’t know how serious the situation was or how successful the Century Financial Group had been, but this had become a hidden danger lurking within the Bull Tribe.

At the crucial moment when they were about to attack the Mage Alliance, if any problems arose within the Bull Tribe, all the hard-earned achievements might be destroyed in an instant.

“Has anyone approached you about the Century Financial Group trying to recruit them?” Nie Yan asked. He needed to know more.

“Shui Se mentioned it, and Sun did too, but no one else,” Guo Huai replied. From Nie Yan’s question, Guo Huai understood Nie Yan’s concerns. Nie Yan was worried that besides Cui Can Dao Guang and others, more people might have had contact with the Century Financial Group but remained silent, either watching the situation or secretly defecting to the Century Financial Group.

Shui Se Yan Tou (Shui Se Yan Tou’s pinyin: Shui Se Yan Tou) and Sun had also had contact with the Century Financial Group. Nie Yan was deeply troubled by the question of exactly whom the Century Financial Group had approached.

He couldn’t let go of this concern. In his previous life, the War God Tribe had been extremely glorious, once surpassing the Triumph Empire, but in the end, it had still collapsed under the financial power of the Century Financial Group. Nie Yan feared history would repeat itself.

Thinking about these issues, Nie Yan felt a bit annoyed. He realized that at this moment, he couldn’t help but suspect some people, which was only natural, because Nie Yan was certain those people must have received invitations from the Century Financial Group.

“There’s nothing we can do about it right now. The Century Financial Group won’t stop their activities. What we should do is unconditionally trust our brothers in the Bull Tribe,” Guo Huai comforted Nie Yan. Suspicion would only distance the members further.

Nie Yan was silent for a moment. Guo Huai’s words made a lot of sense. With the high offers from the Century Financial Group, some members of the Bull Tribe would inevitably leave. This was unavoidable. What could he do at this point? He could only ensure that each member of the Bull Tribe was not ostracized and that he trusted them as much as possible, so they would feel a sense of belonging to the Bull Tribe.

Hadn’t the lessons from the War God Tribe of his previous life been profound enough? As more and more people left, the War God Tribe had fallen into internal chaos, mutual suspicion distancing them from each other, and this estrangement accelerated the collapse of the War God Tribe. Moreover, the War God Tribe had originally been composed of different studios, and the members weren’t that united, often forming small factions that easily led to conflicts. In addition, the studios were inherently profit-driven, so it was normal for them to fall into the Century Financial Group’s trap. However, the Bull Tribe was different; the Bull Tribe was much more united than the War God Tribe had been in his previous life. Even if some people would leave, as long as Nie Yan didn’t make any mistakes, it wouldn’t be easy for the Century Financial Group to break up the Bull Tribe.

Nie Yan immediately came up with some countermeasures, including improving the benefits for Bull Tribe players. Enhancing benefits could stabilize morale, and at the same time, the Century Financial Group would have to consider the Bull Tribe’s welfare situation when trying to recruit players, thereby increasing their offers accordingly. After assessing the Bull Tribe’s profitability, Nie Yan increased each player’s benefits by thirty percent. If the Century Financial Group wanted to recruit Bull Tribe players, they would have to offer at least three times the current benefits before some players would consider transferring, thus increasing the Century Financial Group’s costs.

Nie Yan did everything he could, accepting that some things were beyond his control. The Century Financial Group was an opponent he had to face. Previously, the Century Financial Group’s methods against the Bull Tribe had been limited to organizing their forces to surround and attack them, but now they had started using underhanded tactics, so Nie Yan had to be vigilant.

“Keep an eye on the Century Financial Group’s movements and send me any news immediately,” Nie Yan said, emphasizing the importance of this matter and insisting that any mistake was unacceptable.

“Don’t worry, I’ll notify you immediately if there’s any movement from the Century Financial Group,” Guo Huai replied.

After arranging everything, Nie Yan infiltrated the Mage Alliance’s main hall.

A large group of about twenty-six people had gathered in front of the main hall. Nie Yan counted carefully: twenty-six in total, Kuang Fa and Sheng Yan were both there. Besides them, there were six rogues, five paladins, seven mages, three priests, three warriors. Their equipment was excellent, and their levels were around seventy, making them the Mage Alliance’s top-tier players.

“The Century Financial Group has made a move against the Bull Tribe. I expect good news soon,” Kuang Fa said. This was the latest information he had received.

“The Bull Tribe’s five Frost Iron Siege Catapults have already entered the range of Flame City. They should arrive in Moonlight City in about eight hours. You’d better think about how to deal with them,” Sheng Yan replied beside him, noting that the effectiveness of the Century Financial Group’s methods still needed to be seen.

“How did they get here so quickly?” Kuang Fa frowned. The Bull Tribe’s progress had exceeded his expectations.

“The Bull Tribe attached carts to the Frost Iron Siege Catapults, which significantly increased their movement speed.”

“Carts?” Kuang Fa suddenly remembered this item. Carts indeed could increase the movement speed of war machines. He remembered that researching the cart technology required at least five or six hundred thousand gold coins, not to mention the additional costs of labor and materials. The Bull Tribe was spending money recklessly. Kuang Fa felt quite frustrated; he had no idea where the Bull Tribe was getting all this money from. They were like rich guys throwing money around. The assets of the Bull Tribe were beyond his imagination.

With the Bull Tribe about to lay siege to the city, Kuang Fa suddenly felt immense pressure.

What Kuang Fa and the others didn’t know was that, as they discussed these matters, several pairs of eyes were watching them.

“Report your positions.”

“I’m at 23.85.28.” Wang Zhe Tian Xia (Wang Zhe Tian Xia’s pinyin: Wang Zhe Tian Xia) said. This was the coordinate inside the hall.

After seeing this coordinate, Nie Yan looked toward the eastern corner of the hall, where there was pillar, and Wang Zhe Tian Xia was hidden there.

“I’m at 32.28.29.” Sun replied.

Quickly, Nie Yan determined the other people’s positions and examined the twenty-six people ahead. He recognized a few familiar faces, including three who were quite famous in his previous life: Su Da Shui (Soda Water), Suan Wei Nai Shu (Sour Milk Candy), and Xiao Yao Feng Tian (Free and Easy Maple Sky). The three of them were respectively a warrior, a paladin, and a priest, all top-tier players in their previous life, and they held significant roles within the Mage Alliance.

It would be somewhat challenging for five people to take on so many.

“Nie Yan Brother, shall we start?” Sun asked in the team chat.

If they focused on assassinating Kuang Fa and Sheng Yan, they could definitely succeed. Even without Nie Yan’s involvement, the four of them would be more than enough. However, a thorough plan was required beforehand.

Nie Yan was silent for a moment before coldly replying, “We kill them all!”

What were twenty-six people to them!

Nie Yan exuded a killing aura, and Wang Zhe Tian Xia, Sun, and the others felt a chill. To slaughter all twenty-six of them right here!

Sun pondered for a moment and said, “Nie Yan Brother, you lead the way.”

“What’s your plan?” Wang Zhe Tian Xia asked.

“Sun and Yi Chui Ding Qing (One Strike Decides), you two will handle Kuang Fa. Wang Zhe Tian Xia and Qing Wa (Frog), you two will deal with Sheng Yan. The rest I’ll handle. I’ll start first and create an opportunity for you.” Nie Yan arranged the plan. He decided to summon the Golden Earth Dragon!

Nie Yan explained his plan, and Sun and the others felt it was feasible, of course, provided Nie Yan was strong enough to hold everyone’s attention. However, with the Golden Earth Dragon, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Alright, let’s do it this way,” Nie Yan said. He moved toward the corner of the hall and concealed himself behind a pillar next to it.

Meanwhile, Sun, Wang Zhe Tian Xia, and others had already slowly approached Kuang Fa and Sheng Yan’s location. If they were in the wild, they could easily eliminate Kuang Fa and Sheng Yan. With their strength, two against one would be very easy. As long as no one interfered, they could complete the mission smoothly.

After receiving messages from Sun and Wang Zhe Tian Xia indicating they were ready, Nie Yan said in the team chat, “Begin!”

Upon hearing Nie Yan’s words, Sun, Wang Zhe Tian Xia, and others felt a chill in their hearts and slightly crouched, ready to spring into action at any moment.

Nie Yan chanted an incantation, and a golden light flashed. The massive body of the Golden Earth Dragon appeared in the center of the hall.

Kuang Fa, Sheng Yan, and others were chatting when suddenly one of their subordinates shouted in alarm, “It’s Kuang Zei Nie Yan’s Golden Earth Dragon! Be careful!”

Kuang Fa and Sheng Yan turned around and saw the massive Golden Earth Dragon in the center of the hall.

How did Kuang Zei Nie Yan get here!

“Watch out for Kuang Zei Nie Yan’s ambush!” Kuang Fa said solemnly. His first thought was that Kuang Zei Nie Yan was definitely targeting him.

As soon as he spoke, the Golden Earth Dragon exhaled a stream of dragon breath, a wave of scorching flame sweeping toward them.

Flash!

Jump!

Charge!

The top-tier players of the Mage Alliance immediately displayed their skills, dodging and evading.

With a loud boom, the dragon breath struck the ground, sending debris flying.

The warrior named Soda Water rushed to the front of the Golden Earth Dragon and performed an impact attack. With a dull thud, the Golden Earth Dragon was pushed back a step, triggering a Counterattack Storm!

Two damage numbers floated above Soda Water’s head, nearly killing him instantly.

Healing Spell!

A healing spell landed on Soda Water, restoring his health.

Almost all the players focused their attention on the Golden Earth Dragon.

Nie Yan dashed forward, slicing down a mage with one strike before dashing away using his Haste Step.

“It’s Kuang Zei Nie Yan, there he is!”

“Stop him!”

Xiao Yao Feng Tian waved his staff, casting a Light Beam spell into the sky.

The Mage Alliance players’ attention was all focused on Nie Yan. For safety, Kuang Fa and Sheng Yan stood behind the group of Mage Alliance players. At that moment, four figures suddenly sprang up just a few steps away, rushing toward them.