In the lounge on the top floor, as Shi Feng and the others emerged from the private reception room, they quickly drew the attention of every major faction present.
"Hm? Why are they coming out so soon?"
"Could the negotiations already be over?"
Everyone was full of confusion about the Zero Wing members, who had been inside for less than five minutes.
But before anyone could figure out what had happened, a tall man in a tailored suit walked out of the private reception room. After casting a glance at Shi Feng and the others, a cold smirk played across his lips, and he headed straight toward Yuan Tiexin, who was hosting the senior members of the various factions in the lounge.
"What's going on?"
"Did the talks fall through?"
Everyone recognized this tall man. He was Lu Xingluo's bodyguard, and many matters were handled on his behalf. Judging from the bodyguard's expression, he certainly didn't look like someone who had just sealed a partnership. Rather, it seemed more like mockery.
As Lu Xingluo's bodyguard approached Yuan Tiexin, Watercolor Rose, walking beside Shi Feng, darkened.
"Are they trying to use the Heaven's Secret Pavilion against us?" Watercolor Rose watched the bodyguard draw closer and closer to Yuan Tiexin, her crescent brows furrowing tight as worry filled her heart.
Previously, the Starway Conglomerate had used its influence to prevent the Heaven's Secret Pavilion from inviting the Undying War Soul. If they now leveraged the conglomerate's influence to have the Pavilion expel them from the internal auction, it wouldn't be difficult at all.
If the Zero Wing missed this auction, it would be a tremendous loss.
"No need to panic. Let's see how things play out first," Shi Feng said calmly, watching Lu Xingluo's bodyguard approach Yuan Tiexin. "If it comes to it, we can always leave then."
It was true that the Heaven's Secret Pavilion's auction offered a rich assortment of items, but the Zero Wing wouldn't be unable to survive in the Divine Realm just because they missed this auction.
Just then, Mu Lingsha walked up to Shi Feng.
"Thank you! Because of my problem, the Zero Wing has made an enemy of the Starway Conglomerate. I'd like to offer a high-potential land parcel near the city center in Darknight City under my name as compensation." Mu Lingsha looked at Shi Feng and expressed her gratitude with utmost sincerity.
Facing the threats and pressure of the Starway Conglomerate, there were probably very few in the entire Divine Realm who could truly stand their ground. Even a veteran first-rate guild like Dusk Echo had been forced to submit, let alone a guild like Zero Wing that had no ties whatsoever to the Undying War Soul.
Watercolor Rose and Bai Qingxue were both visibly surprised. They hadn't expected Mu Lingsha to offer a prime land parcel in the Darknight Empire's imperial capital as thanks.
In the Divine Realm, where major conglomerates and corporations were constantly establishing themselves, land in the main NPC cities of every kingdom and empire was extraordinarily valuable. Once obtained, it would not be sold unless absolutely necessary. Land in a royal capital or imperial capital was already worth a fortune even without potential—let alone a high-potential parcel, which no amount of money could buy.
Such compensation would be nearly impossible for Shi Feng to refuse.
A high-potential land parcel in an imperial capital was something countless guilds dreamed of. Cities could only expand so far, and prime parcels were limited in number. Owning one meant the ability to earn vast sums of gold coins was no great challenge, so Shi Feng did not refuse.
Setting aside the immense value of the land itself, the Torchfire Trading Company could be established right there.