"Mm, the first time coming into contact with the rule and trying to destroy it, it truly was curiosity."

"But the second time, it was rebellion." Blue Demon nodded in response to Xu Yuan's words.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan made a sound of agreement, then began to deploy the next actions.

"A portion of the outer perimeter can temporarily withdraw."

"This portion that is withdrawn will begin mining and gathering resources."

Hearing Xu Yuan's deployment, Blue Demon was a bit puzzled.

"Withdraw manpower now?"

"That group of players will probably spread the news very soon, right? At that time there will definitely be quite a few players stepping into this area, there will surely be players trying to break into here!"

From Blue Demon's words, it could be seen that Blue Demon really didn't understand the behavioral logic of players.

Xu Yuan also didn't keep it hidden and explained directly.

"The players we just traded with only belong to one faction within the player camp."

"You monsters will share resources, share blessings and face hardship together, players won't."

"Having discovered such a good way to obtain food resources, they absolutely will not tell players who are in competition with them."

After hearing Xu Yuan's words, Blue Demon became thoughtful. Xu Yuan continued speaking.

"So what we'll be facing next might just be the companions of that group of players, as well as some newly arrived solo players."

"Solo players pose no threat to the rainforest."

"The only variable is the companions brought by that group of players."

Blue Demon nodded upon hearing this and was just about to say something when Xu Yuan cut him off.

"But I'm sure, they won't attack. They're already worrying about food, let alone equipment."

"The deterrence just now has already shown them our troops and strength. So there are only two possibilities for them coming."

"One, to continue trading."

"Two, to attempt negotiations, to establish cooperation between both sides."

Seeing Xu Yuan speak clearly and logically, Blue Demon couldn't help interrupting.

"According to what you say, during the rule's implementation, the rainforest won't face any threats, so why send people to mine and search for equipment and resources?"

Hearing Blue Demon's words, Xu Yuan smiled and shook his head.

"I never said the rainforest won't face any danger."

"There's a saying, 'Only with a full belly does one have the strength to work.'"

"Players understand this very well. Now they're hungry, but once they're full, they'll have the strength to think about other things."

"Our so-called military power right now, to be frank, is just an empty shell, but they don't know that. We're in the dark while they're in the light, it's just an information gap."

"So we must build up some scale before they get full."

Actually, Xu Yuan knew very well the reason Blue Demon had fiercely proposed a duel yet kept delaying without starting the fight.

Blue Demon simply wanted to grasp more details about implementing the new rules.

From this alone, it could be seen that Blue Demon was still very confident, and it also proved that he sincerely affirmed the rule Xu Yuan had proposed.

So Xu Yuan would not keep anything to himself, he would patiently teach Blue Demon.

Even taking a huge step back, even if Xu Yuan lost, he wasn't someone who couldn't accept defeat. Since the rule was proposed by him, he would also assist Blue Demon in implementing it.

If Blue Demon knew Xu Yuan's inner thoughts, he'd probably be ashamed to death.

But it's understandable, not everyone can reach Xu Yuan's current level of awareness.

At this moment, after hearing Xu Yuan's words, Blue Demon instantly felt as though awakened with clarity.

He seemed to have understood something and immediately said, as if asking for credit, "I got it!"

"The items listed on those noticeboards for trade also need to be changed to slightly harder-to-obtain ones!"

"The longer they stay hungry, the more time we'll have!"

Blue Demon's comprehension was still quite good, he could grasp things right away with just a hint.

His awareness of the bigger picture was also commendable.

His problem mainly lay in two points.

First, being limited by his identity as a monster since birth, he had always accumulated hatred toward players.

He didn't understand players, and didn't want to understand them, so he often couldn't step out of his own mindset to see things objectively.

Second, his nature was too kind and pure, or rather, the animals and monsters in this game world were all too kind.

After all, they hadn't existed for long. Their way of thinking was very different from players'.

For example, if an animal and a monster became friends and had a disagreement, they might separate, but they would never backstab each other just because of that disagreement, nor would they exploit each other.

They also wouldn't deny an entire race just because of one individual's differing opinion.

Their emotions were very pure, without a trace of interest-driven motives.

But players were different. The relationships between players were often built on mutual benefit.

If no benefit was to be gained, when things fell apart, they would do all sorts of shady things.

Of course, it shouldn't be generalized. Naturally, sincere emotions also existed among players.

But relatively speaking, players generally put interest first.

That was the difference between players and the animals/monsters of this world.

Animals and monsters didn't have so many schemes and twists in thought, basically, they wouldn't backstab their companions.

They didn't have too much selfish desire or greed in their hearts.

They knew satisfaction, and what they pursued was nothing more than a pure land to live in.

If their identities were reversed now, if this deal were initiated by the players, then after accepting the trade, the animal and monster camp would carry it through to the end. They wouldn't try to take over everything.

Blue Demon had projected his own thinking, assuming that the first trade was the most important, and that once the trade succeeded, everything afterward would go smoothly.

But clearly, players weren't as pure as Blue Demon and them.

Players clearly understood the saying, "A real man can bend or stand tall."

When to bend? When they can't win, they bend.

When to stand? When they have the power to fight, they stand.

Players couldn't possibly stay bent forever, unless they were utterly defeated.

So even if the players quickly accepted this new rule now, it was just because they currently felt too weak, merely temporary submission.

If the rule was to be solidified, etched into everyone's heart, then a major war would be unavoidable.

But if a war was sparked, that would clearly go against HIM's real intention of maintaining "peace."

In other words, Xu Yuan had to use the smallest losses to gain the greatest benefits.

Therefore, before that war arrived, Xu Yuan had to gather enough resources and military strength.

He needed to acquire power, materials, and strength that would make those who wanted to resist the rule lose their will to fight just by looking at it.

That goal was still quite ambitious.

And this plan currently being implemented in the rainforest was just one small step toward that goal.

The rainforest would inevitably undergo a small-scale conflict soon.

In that conflict, Xu Yuan would still follow the principle of gaining maximum benefit with minimal loss.

If they could scare the chickens by killing one, they'd do so. And to scare the chickens, they needed enough capital.

They needed to overwhelm in both numbers and equipment.

Before Blue Demon helped become the "middleman," Xu Yuan temporarily had no way of obtaining equipment and resources.

So he had to have his people go out and search for materials.

If the rainforest could successfully establish the rule, then establishing it in other areas would be simple.

As the territory gradually expanded, the rule would spread across the entire Trial Grounds.

At that time, the animals and monsters wouldn't need to stay huddled in one place anymore.

Hearing Blue Demon's words, Xu Yuan knew he had already had his epiphany.

He nodded in response. "Mm, next there shouldn't be any major situations to be careful of. It'll probably still be a while before that group of players brings more people over."

"The first trade is also finished… As for the duel you mentioned before…"

Xu Yuan was naturally more anxious than Blue Demon about the duel.

Now that everything had been arranged, as long as nothing unexpected happened, Black Blade could handle it.

Xu Yuan naturally wanted to quickly spar with Blue Demon, to let him act as the "middleman."

After all, time was tight. He hadn't forgotten the Void lurking outside with its greedy eyes.

While Xu Yuan had been away, Black Blade had reported everything to him.

Although Entity 303 hadn't let him down and had done very well, Xu Yuan knew clearly that Entity 303 was not a match for the Void.

And the Void definitely wouldn't let go of the opportunity of Xu Yuan being trapped in the Trial Grounds.

Even though Xu Yuan didn't care who won the Trial in the end, no matter who it was, he would push the progress with all his strength. The sooner it ended, the better.

"Uh…"

"Well… You go wait for me in the plaza opened up in the rainforest center. I'll come find you after I've arranged everything."

In just a few words, Blue Demon had gained a lot.

Blue Demon also knew very well, he was still immature now, unable to be a real ruler, someone who sets and issues rules.

He still had much to learn.

But he didn't deny himself. He still believed he could do it.

If Xu Yuan hadn't spoken, Blue Demon would've wanted to delay more, to learn a little more.

But now that Xu Yuan had spoken, even if he felt a bit unwilling, he couldn't keep making excuses.

Seeing Blue Demon's expression, Xu Yuan naturally understood his worry, so he smiled and said, "Don't worry, I see things through to the end. Even if I lose, I'll give everything I have to assist you in perfecting the new rule."

As soon as Xu Yuan said that, Blue Demon was stunned.

He hadn't expected that all his little thoughts had been completely seen through by Xu Yuan.

Actually, being seen through was fine, what mattered was, Xu Yuan's words instantly made Blue Demon feel deep shame.

'The gap between him and me… really isn't just a little…'

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