The White Sand Ruins.
"The Martial Alliance is too domineering, killing people just because they want to, acting like they don't care about us free players at all. Just you wait until I get stronger someday—I'll take care of those Martial Alliance bastards for sure."
"Shh, keep it down! Didn't you see how those two squads earlier got wiped out just for glaring at them?"
"It can't be helped. We're not as strong as them, so we have no choice but to back down."
"If we were elite members of even a third-rate guild, I don't believe the Martial Alliance would dare pull this."
"Captain, why don't we just join a big guild? With our skill level, we could definitely hold our own in a major guild."
"A guild? It's definitely something to consider. But let's wait until we reach White River City first. The strongest force in all of Red Leaf Town is the Assassin Alliance, but in White River City, they're only considered decent. There's a whole bunch of top-tier guilds we could choose from."
A six-player squad chatted amongst themselves as they searched for a new farming spot.
They had all felt firsthand the power and influence of guilds. If they didn't join one in the future, all the good leveling spots would be monopolized by these guilds, and they would be left fighting over scraps in resource-poor areas with other free players.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Martial Alliance is?" Shi Feng had been searching the White Sand Ruins for a long time without finding any trace of the Martial Alliance. Hearing this passing squad mention them, he decided to ask.
"We do. Why are you looking for the Martial Alliance? Don't tell me you're planning to join them?" The squad leader nodded but looked at Shi Feng with suspicion. He was clearly a free player too, though his name and level were hidden. But why would a solo player seek out the Martial Alliance if not to join them?
Hearing that the stranger wanted to join the Martial Alliance, the other squad members glared at Shi Feng with hostility. Their anger from being bullied by the Martial Alliance hadn't subsided. If it weren't for the Alliance's overwhelming numbers, they would have fought back already.
Shi Feng had overheard their conversation earlier and knew they held a deep grudge against the Martial Alliance. The squad leader's accusation that he was joining them would naturally put them in a foul mood.
If he dared say he wanted to join the Martial Alliance right now, they would likely attack him without a second thought.
"I'm not trying to join the Martial Alliance. I just need to find them for something. Could you tell me their exact location? Consider this one silver coin my consultation fee." Shi Feng smiled faintly and produced a silver coin.
For ordinary players, a day's income was only a few dozen copper coins. Even for high-end players like these, one or two silver was a good day's earnings. A one-silver consultation fee was quite generous.
"Well, aren't you a big spender," the captain said, eyes lighting up at the sight of the silver coin. He switched to team chat: "Brothers, this is a fat sheep. If we can milk this, we could earn a pretty penny. Might even cover our weapon repair costs. What do you say?"
"Let's do it. Why not? This guy's obviously connected to the Martial Alliance. Anyone connected to them is fair game."
"We're with the captain."
The others voiced their agreement.
"My, it seems you're quite close with the Martial Alliance," the Guardian Knight captain said with a cold smile. "The bunch of us have been put through hell by those Martial Alliance dogs, and we're still pretty furious. Since you're connected to them and clearly loaded, shouldn't you make some reparations on their behalf? We're not asking for much—just leave twenty silver coins and all your equipment, and I'll tell you where the Martial Alliance is. How about it?"
As he spoke, the other squad members closed in, smirking coldly.
"I told you, I have no connection to the Martial Alliance. I just need to find them for a matter of my own. Whatever happened between you and them has nothing to do with me. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. Now, if you'll excuse me." Shi Feng said.