"Uncle Yuan, this matter is an absolute secret of the guild. Just blurting it out like this… probably isn't a good idea," Wen Hua said with a start, hurriedly warning him.
The simulation training system was indeed a major secret for ordinary guilds and independent players.
But any first-rate guild looking to advance knew about it quite well.
As for the gap between supreme first-rate guilds and super guilds, only the super guilds and a handful of transcendent powers were aware of it. The supreme first-rate guilds themselves were completely in the dark—they had always believed the difference between them and the super guilds was merely a matter of accumulated depth.
"It's fine. This cooperation discussion was always going to involve this matter." Yuan Tiexin waved his hand dismissively.
Shi Feng was momentarily at a loss for words.
This was the first time he had heard about any of this.
He had never imagined that there was a chasm between first-rate guilds and supreme first-rate guilds, and that between supreme first-rate guilds and super guilds lay yet another unknown gap.
All along, Shi Feng had assumed the differences between guilds came down to member count and the number of top experts. Now it was clear the gap between guilds was far greater than he had imagined.
"The biggest reason supreme first-rate guilds have never been recognized as super guilds is the difference in their guild heritage completion," Yuan Tiexin said. A hint of envy crossed his face as he spoke of guild heritage.
"Guild heritage?" Shi Feng looked blankly confused. It was the first time he had ever heard the term.
"It's natural that you wouldn't know," Yuan Tiexin said slowly. "As I mentioned before, there's the simulation training system—but the system only accounts for part of the difference. The data collected by a supreme first-rate guild's simulation training system may be comparable to that of a super guild's, but a super guild's simulation training system has a complete heritage that can guide a player all the way into the Domain. A supreme first-rate guild's heritage, however, is incomplete—it can only carry someone to the Void State. This makes it extraordinarily difficult for a supreme first-rate guild's top experts to take that final step."
"No wonder so few experts in supreme first-rate guilds can reach the Domain. So that's why," Shi Feng said with sudden realization.
The gap between the Void State and mastering the Domain was enormous.
And as players leveled up, their own combat skills became increasingly important—especially when it came to obtaining top-tier equipment. The Main God System would impose all sorts of tests, and those tests primarily evaluated the player's own strength.
"Exactly. This is the absolute gap between supreme first-rate guilds and super guilds." Heavenly Secrets Pavilion nodded, speaking softly. "Our Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has collected data for years. Through constant refinement, we've finally completed a full guild heritage. Zero Wing, as a rising guild, simply doesn't have enough foundation. When it comes to training experts, you're particularly lacking. You can't even compete with those supreme first-rate guilds for further development, let alone super guilds."
"Moreover, even if Zero Wing were to build its own simulation training system, it consumes tremendous energy—only the most advanced high-grade energy can power it. You know how difficult high-grade energy is to come by. It's like S-rank nutrient potions: money alone won't get you one."
"Our Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is expanding now and needs a large pool of talent. We see great potential in Zero Wing and have decided to invest, taking a 50% stake. In exchange, we'll not only provide Zero Wing with a massive capital infusion but also channel support through our various networks, instantly elevating the guild a full tier. On top of that, we'll grant Zero Wing twenty training slots—enough for the guild to cultivate its own experts without going through a lengthy accumulation period." Yuan Tiexin's words dripped with temptation. "You might think twenty slots don't sound like much, but the other major guilds—even first-rate guilds—that Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has invested in only received ten slots each."
The young man standing nearby felt a jolt of surprise at the mention of twenty slots.
He had performed exceptionally well within Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, yet he had barely managed to secure a single slot for himself.
The entire Heavenly Secrets Pavilion had only a little over three hundred slots in total—there simply wasn't enough energy to support more. Handing twenty slots to Zero Wing in one go showed just how highly they valued the guild's potential.
"Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is truly making a generous offer. Such favorable terms," Shi Feng said. He didn't fully grasp what twenty training slots meant, but judging by the expressions of the young man and Wen Hua, he knew they must be extraordinarily valuable. Still, he had his own thoughts. "I'm sorry, but Zero Wing will have to decline."
"Decline? Why?" Yuan Tiexin shot to his feet. "First-rate guilds would kill for these terms. And Heavenly Secrets Pavilion only wants 50% of the shares—we won't involve ourselves in Zero Wing's management or development. Once you have those twenty training slots, given your guild's pool of talented experts, it shouldn't take long for them to reach the realm of Mastery. At that point, you'll have the foundation to challenge other kingdoms, and Zero Wing could very well become a supreme first-rate guild."
"The equity you're asking for is too high. I can't give that much." Shi Feng shook his head. "However, I am very interested in your simulation training system's slots. I'd be willing to pay a price to purchase a few. Would that be possible?"
Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's offer was certainly tempting, but Shi Feng was acutely aware of how dangerous a massive power like Heavenly Secrets Pavilion could be. Forget 50%—even 30% could mean them seizing control of Zero Wing at any moment in the future.
Unless Heavenly Secrets Pavilion was willing to trade equity for something else, but that was clearly impossible, so Shi Feng didn't even bother bringing it up.
"Purchase a few slots?" Yuan Tiexin shook his head with a laugh. "Kid, you really don't take training slots seriously, do you? Do you have any idea how fierce the competition for training slots is within Heavenly Secrets Pavilion? Forget selling them to other guilds—even Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's own people can barely get enough. How could we possibly sell them to Zero Wing?"
"What if I offered a very high price?" Shi Feng said with a smile.
"A very high price? You mean an Epic-grade item?" Yuan Tiexin's smile broadened even further at this. "Shi Feng, you need to understand—weapons and equipment are ultimately external things. Even though Epic-grade items are rare, to Heavenly Secrets Pavilion they're far less important than training slots."
"What if it were a large quantity of Solidified Magic Equipment and Bronze-grade mounts?" Shi Feng said with full confidence. "I'm sure Uncle Yuan, you've heard about the Mental Space System from the news. You should understand how valuable that system is. It's probably one of the main reasons those major conglomerates want to establish a foothold in the Divine Realm."
"If Heavenly Secrets Pavilion had a large stock of Solidified Magic Equipment and Bronze-grade mounts, you'd gain a far greater advantage over the other super guilds."