Within
As long as he set aside a fraction of that, it would be more than enough to support the three thousand or so people under
So Nie Li instructed Gu Bei to recruit as many people as possible — the more, the better. He could afford to feed them all.
The three thousand plus people under Gu Bei might not have been particularly strong, but with the massive supply of Spirit Stones from Nie Li, their cultivation naturally progressed far faster than that of ordinary Feather God Sect disciples.
For everyone else, the fact that Gu Bei's forces had already expanded to such a degree in just one month was genuinely terrifying.
Inside a private courtyard within the Heavenly Spirit Academy, several figures had gathered together.
Among them were
Gu Heng's gaze swept over the crowd as he spoke. "You all know why I've called you here. That brat Gu Bei has built this Demon Spirit Alliance and recruited over three thousand people in such a short time. If we don't suppress the Demon Spirit Alliance's growth soon, there won't be any room for our voices in the Heavenly Spirit Academy."
"Boss Gu Heng, we've done the calculations. Just based on what's happening now, that brat Gu Bei must be spending over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones every month. He probably can't keep expanding much longer, right? If he keeps going, how many Spirit Stones would that cost each month? It won't be long before they collapse on their own!"
"I think so too. Over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones a month — that's no small sum! How could that brat Gu Bei possibly afford it?"
Nearly all of these factions believed that someone playing the game the way Gu Bei was would inevitably burn through his resources before long. When that happened, they wouldn't even need to lift a finger — the Demon Spirit Alliance would simply dissolve on its own.
Gu Heng swept a cold gaze over everyone and spoke in a low voice. "If you think that way, you're dead wrong. I've heard that not only has the Demon Spirit Alliance not stopped recruiting, they've actually been expanding aggressively. As long as someone has reached the Two-Life Realm or above, they take them."
"How is that possible?" Several leaders frowned.
"I looked into it, and it's true!" Murong Yu said gravely. "No one knows where they're getting so many Spirit Stones. As things stand, there's no sign their supply is running dry. That brat Gu Bei burned through nearly four hundred thousand Spirit Stones at a single auction! My guess is they've gotten their hands on some ancient powerhouse's treasure trove, which is why they can spend so freely!"
An ancient powerhouse's treasure trove?
The moment Murong Yu said those words, the eyes of every faction leader in the room lit up.
It was a pity, though — even if Gu Bei and his people had obtained such a treasure, they certainly wouldn't be bringing it to the Greater World. The chances of snatching it from them were virtually zero.
Murong Yu glanced at the expressions on everyone's faces, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. "But what if they really do have a never-ending supply of Spirit Stones? With the Demon Spirit Alliance offering such generous terms, your own people are going to start getting restless. When that happens, will they still be willing to risk their lives for you like before? Can you match the conditions the Demon Spirit Alliance offers?"
"Murong Yu is right. The Demon Spirit Alliance is breaking the rules. If we let them keep this up — Gu Bei himself is extraordinarily talented, and if one day he takes the seat of patriarch of the Gu Family, we're all finished!" Gu Heng's voice was heavy as he looked around at the group, a ruthless gleam flickering in his eyes. "Some of my ideas have gained the support of a certain person. The Demon Spirit Alliance won't go far — but I'll need all of you to work together with me!"
"Please go ahead, Boss Gu Heng!" The faction leaders clasped their fists in salute, one after another.
Though none of them knew who this person Gu Heng referred to was, anyone capable of earning such reverence from him was surely no ordinary figure.
"If we all band together, the forces we can mobilize total nearly fifteen to sixteen thousand. That's more than enough to crush the Demon Spirit Alliance. While they haven't yet grown strong enough to threaten us, we strangle them in the cradle!" A vicious expression flashed across Gu Heng's face.
Many of the faction leaders showed visible hesitation.
"Boss Gu Heng, we understand how you feel. Gu Bei is currently the first in line of succession for the Gu Family. But we're not in the same position as you. We have no reason to provoke the Gu Family's heir for nothing!"
These men had all built their factions in the Greater World. Every last one of them was shrewd. Gu Heng wanted to use their strength to deal with Gu Bei, which was obviously about competing for the Gu Family patriarch position. With Gu Heng apparently falling out of favor within the Gu Family, none of them wanted to get dragged into that vortex.
A cold light flickered in Gu Heng's eyes. He understood that these people wouldn't lift a finger without profit. He spoke in a deep voice. "This isn't just about my personal interests. If the Demon Spirit Alliance keeps growing, none of you are going to have it easy. Everyone here today is on the same side. As long as you're willing to help me eliminate the threat of the Demon Spirit Alliance, I'll make a copy of the Truth Word Art for each of you!"
The moment those words left Gu Heng's lips, every faction leader in the room gasped in shock.
"Boss Gu Heng, do you really mean that?"
"I do." Gu Heng nodded. "A word once spoken cannot be taken back, even by a team of four horses!"
"Then I'm in!"