Chapter 207: Crisis |
Wei Zhaohua deliberated carefully before finally making a request, "Guild Leader, may I take one fruit for an experiment?"
Qin Ziwen replied, "One won't be enough. I grant you permission for three. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's best if you find something, but it's also fine if you don't."
Wei Zhaohua nodded in acknowledgment.
After Qin Ziwen left, Wei Zhaohua sat in front of the tree. He poked the Tree Trunk, "Hey, hey, can you understand what we're saying? By the way, what exactly is your ability?"
"Forget it, let's start with the most basic experiments first."
......
After coming out, Qin Ziwen first went to the Coal Mine. He merged the two Level 1 Coal Mine Cards, then upgraded the Level 2 Coal Mine to Level 3.
After the upgrade, the area of the Coal Mine didn't change, but the quality of the coal inside underwent a significant transformation.
The ground was covered with open-pit coal everywhere. The entire area within a hundred-meter radius had completely transformed into a pure open-pit coal mine. The jet-black coal was dense and compact, with a fine texture and a faint oily luster.
The quality of the coal had improved further.
Although the area remained the same, the quality of the coal had increased, and the total storage volume had also grown.
"Master." Jia Liangcai hurried over from behind, whispering into his ear.
A flicker of surprise passed through Qin Ziwen's eyes. He turned his head, pondered for a moment, "It's not a big deal. You handle it yourself. I need to head back first. Oh, bring me some chili peppers."
"Yes."
Unit 401. Zhang Bo sat in the living room. Hearing footsteps outside the door, he quickly stood up. Upon seeing Jia Liangcai's face, a look of joy appeared on his.
"Lord Jia."
Jia Liangcai, unsmiling, sat down opposite Zhang Bo. "Building Head Zhao said you urgently wanted to see me. I wonder what the matter is?"
Zhang Bo replied without hesitation, "I wish to exchange the pricing and trading rights of my Salt Well for the treatment of a Core Member, or the identity of a Captain. I wonder if that is possible."
Jia Liangcai shook his head, "I do not possess such authority."
Hearing this, Zhang Bo grew anxious and quickly said, "Please consider it further. Currently within the residential complex, only you and I have salt wells. Once I merge into the complex, unifying the Salt Price would be a mutually beneficial good deed."
Jia Liangcai showed no surprise at this, merely nodding, "I can first note down your request, Mr. Zhang, and report it to the Master upon his return."
Zhang Bo didn't know if the other party was being deliberate or unintentional, but he couldn't possibly wait for Qin Ziwen's return, as the main force had already begun their second return journey. He immediately said, "After I join the Qin Alliance, I will fully hand over the pricing authority for salt to you all, including decisions on who to sell salt to and who not to sell to. It will all be up to you. Mr. Jia, you should understand the importance of salt and Iron. Being able to completely control the Salt Price is a good thing. Even if Guild Leader Qin returns, he will only praise you."
Jia Liangcai seemed to have a sudden realization, yet still shook his head: "While this matter is indeed a good thing, the positions of Core Member and Captain are not something I can decide alone. If you are willing to join our alliance as an Ordinary Member, you are naturally welcome."
Zhang Bo was dumbfounded. If he was just an Ordinary Member, what was the point of going through all this trouble to come here early?
He, a high-ranking member of the Alliance, defecting with a salt well—what excellent publicity that would be! Could the other party really not see its value?
Observing Zhang Bo's expression, Jia Liangcai lightly stroked his beard and chuckled, "Actually, the Salt Price might not be that crucial. Salt is something you just need enough to eat. The number of people in the residential complex is limited. Those who needed to buy salt have already done so. The remaining salt, even if kept in hand, what use is it?"
Hearing these words, Zhang Bo's face shifted between gloom and uncertainty. His voice carried a trace of unwillingness, "Can you really not make an exception?"
According to information he obtained from a special channel, over at the Oasis, many people had already joined the Qin Alliance in large numbers. Once those people returned and the news spread, the Qin Alliance would likely become even more sought-after.
Jia Liangcai's tone grew even more gentle, "I understand your thinking, Mr. Zhang. But with your status, joining us just like that, don't you think it's a pity?"
Zhang Bo was first puzzled, then thoughtful, and finally had a realization, "You want me to stay in the Alliance as a spy?"
Jia Liangcai smiled without speaking.
Zhang Bo's eyes flickered, "Alright."
He silently recited in his heart, President Zou, I'm sorry. If you don't step back, how can we brothers move forward?
Early the next morning, the transport convoy returning from the Oasis made its second return to the residential complex.
The scale of this return was larger, and it also brought several more explosive pieces of news.
Whether it was the Crowned Eagle single-handedly—or rather, single-"wingedly"—hunting Hadrosaurs and Ankylosaurs, the Qin Alliance's elite squad successfully hunting a Tarbosaurus, or the large number of people defecting to the Alliance... any one of these could cause a shockwave in the residential complex.
And when the three pieces of news were combined, they directly triggered a major earthquake within the complex.
There were rumors that the sound of something being thrown came from Zou Jianghe's home.
Others saw high-level members within the Alliance hurrying about with anxious expressions.
Even the Student Council was in turmoil, with many unable to understand their classmates who had joined the Qin Alliance.
"Traitors! You are acting like traitors!" Zhou Xiaqing angrily accused Wang Sheng. "Teacher Luo sent you over with the classmates, and this is how you do it?"
Wang Sheng gave a bitter smile, clasping his hands together, "Sister Zhou, at this point, do you really think this was my idea?"
"You... what do you mean by that? If it wasn't your idea, could it possibly have been Teacher Luo's?"
Wang Sheng shook his head, "I didn't say that. But Old Luo didn't publicly oppose it either, did he? You should know Old Luo's desire for power isn't strong. His goal has always been for all of us to survive better."
Wang Sheng stared at Zhou Xiaqing, "Sister Qing, joining the Qin Alliance wasn't my decision alone, but a shared idea among everyone. You haven't seen Guild Leader Qin's bird in action with your own eyes, so it's normal you don't understand. But if you had seen it, perhaps it would change your mind. Guild Leader Qin is the future of this residential complex. I hope you can persuade the others. We're all classmates, there's no need for things to get this ugly."
Zhou Xiaqing clenched her fists, finally throwing out a sentence, "I will go and persuade them, but I will also go ask Teacher Luo."
......
Qin Ziwen returned to the Oasis through the node.
The Crowned Eagle squeezed out from behind him. Returning to the dry, hot Oasis, it shook its head somewhat uncomfortably, then trotted over to hide under a nearby tree.
Du Yu hurried over upon hearing the news, "Guild Leader, you're back."
Qin Ziwen noticed the gravity in Du Yu's expression, "What happened during the time I was away?"
Du Yu said, "Just now, a classmate who returned from fetching water claimed to have spotted a Tarbosaurus observing us from behind a Sand Dune."
"Then we sent people to investigate. We didn't find any trace of the Tarbosaurus, but we did indeed discover two very deep footprints behind the Sand Dune, indicating the Tarbosaurus had been lurking there for some time."
"That is a bit troublesome. I'll have the Crowned Eagle pay extra attention." Qin Ziwen realized the seriousness.
The previous successful hunt was due to the advantage of striking first and maintaining distance.
If a Tarbosaurus launched a surprise attack, whether the Crossbow Carriage could be turned in time was one thing. But in a dense crowd of people, they certainly couldn't just fire a few bolts in the direction of their own people.
......