CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 195: MEETING AND POWER SEED

The meeting place of the Embers and the Starfire was chosen in a clearing amidst the Mist Forest at the foot of the mountains west of Sela City.

When Landon and Roche appeared in the sight of the Embers Organization, Anvis could already faintly perceive the obscure power fluctuations emanating remotely from the duo.

Clearly, both of them were concealing some of their abilities — which many Children of Destiny would do.

For this trip, the Starfire Organization had arranged not only for Roche and Landon to go, but also for the head of this branch, the powerful Sixth Rank Professional, Newman, known as [Blazing Hawk].

At this moment, as several people from Starfire arrived nearby, Anvis, draped in a black cloak with the Embers insignia, walked slowly forward and slightly nodded in greeting.

Then, the individuals seated themselves around a stone round table in the center of the forest clearing that had been prepared earlier. Landon and Roche sat next to the head Newman, while two figures in black robes sat similarly beside Anvis.

A layer of hazy Magic Barrier unfolded, isolating the ambiance of this place.

Meanwhile, the dozens of low Rank members from the Embers and Starfire Organizations that they brought along dispersed to stand guard around the area, alerting for any sudden environmental changes.

"I am pleased to meet the two from Starfire, you may call me Wis."

After evaluating the three people, Anvis spoke calmly.

Although it was just one of his avatars present here, it was sufficient enough to discern some matters.

Within his Perception, the aura of the head was plain and average, utterly the typical Sixth Rank, but the other two had hidden depths.

Roche concealed a rich vitality in him that appeared like an eternal grand tree, as if he could recover instantly even from fatal damage.

The aura hidden within Landon was like a dark abyss, unconsciously affecting one’s mind, causing a shiver from deep within one’s soul.

This power seemed capable of affecting other people’s souls. Although the aura’s intensity was relatively ’weaker’, the nature of its power was extreme.

In Anvis’s memory, Landon from his past life possessed a rather powerful and mysterious strength. It now appeared, likely to be taught to him by the ’personal grandpa’, Dark Raven.

"Lord Wis, it is equally a pleasure to meet you; you may call me Newman, this is Dunlan, and this is Roche."

Newman, dressed in a scarlet Magic Robe, nodded and also introduced Roche’s name along with the alias Landon had taken upon joining Starfire.

"We are here with hopes to ally with your organization, to gather all forces and eliminate those people who are currently being oppressed by the kingdom’s nobles."

Without any circumvention, Newman went straight to the point.

"I’m sorry, what Mr. Newman meant to say was ’save’."

Roche immediately added a clarification.

"Also, forming an alliance is beneficial to both sides, just like cutting down two trees at the same time always presents more difficulty than cutting down one tree alone. When we unite..."

Landon also began reciting the draft prepared earlier.

"Okay, no need to say more, I agree!"

Wiping his hands with a handkerchief, Anvis said casually.

"We...what?"

Landon was about to say something else but then suddenly realized that what was said was an agreement, stopping the content he was about to continue dead in his throat.

"After all, my coming here is largely for that purpose. As for the specific details of our cooperation, my subordinates will discuss them with you."

Anvis shook his head and explained.

"The nobles of the Kingdom have oppressed us for too long, and now it has reached a breaking point. Although I would love to put an end to all this myself, our strength is ultimately still insufficient."

"Therefore, during this process, we welcome all fellow travelers, no matter how strong or weak, as long as they share the same objective with us, they are our eternal allies."

As he spoke, Anvis raised his head, his tone passionate, as if truly fighting for the benefits of the Federation’s people, making the two listeners feel somewhat admiring.

"In addition, there is one more thing, we have a special discovery that we need to warn you about, concerning the so-called Mechanical Network, you must be careful about its dangers."

As he spoke, Anvis once again changed the topic.

"Mechanical Network?"

Newt and the others exchanged looks, slightly frowning, surprised and curious.

Although many parts of the Federation are constantly in turmoil, the Mechanical Network is still steadily popular and even shows a trend of accelerating development.

From what Landon has heard, when one’s consciousness enters the Mechanical Network, one can obtain all the wonderful things you dream of.

But in reality, this introduction is only to help people who have never been exposed to the network quickly understand the concept of the Mechanical Network.

With the word ’network’ in its name, the essence of the Mechanical Network is actually equivalent to a super-large, continuous Magic Illusion that can connect the consciousness of many people.

Since everything within it is illusory, those who enter can naturally obtain all the wonderful things they dream of.

For players, this is akin to building a virtual game within a virtual game.

"Yes, about the Mechanical Network, I’m not sure if your higher-ups are aware. However, I must notify you in advance, that there might be some people’s schemes behind this."

Anvis nodded slightly, explained a bit, but deliberately did not elaborate.

"Also, our main funding comes from the support of the Black Ring Commerce.

If possible, I hope that when the merchant caravans of Black Ring Commerce enter your area of influence, you can protect their safety and avoid the harassment of those who call themselves the Resistance Organization bandits.

Of course, in return, we can similarly promise that when people supporting your merchant caravans pass through our area of influence, we will also do our best to ensure their safety."

When several kingdoms in the Federation announced tax increases, the big merchants and these kingdoms became irreconcilable enemies.

The nobles probably did not expect that the base of the Resistance Organization would be right under their noses in Sela City; and a significant portion of the organization’s operating funds also came from donations by these merchants dissatisfied with the Kingdom.

The recent extensive extortion by the high-level kingdom actually caused the greatest loss to these chambers of commerce.

While ordinary civilians, even if thoroughly plundered, couldn’t produce much resources; compared to that, these chambers of commerce, being rich as they are, naturally made the best targets to exploit.

Thus, many chambers of commerce suffered a great deal, not only losing all the wealth they earned but even going bankrupt.

...

After discussing some details about their collaboration, Newman and his group took their leave.

Watching the figures of the departing group, Anvis gently lifted his hand, two fine Power Seeds appeared in his palm.

One embodied vigorous vitality, the other deep and abyssal as if from the depths.

Due to the huge gap in their ranks, he effortlessly extracted some power from Landon and Roche without their notice.