The Mutual Aid Association's First Meeting

After publishing his post, Su Luo paid no more attention to the commotion outside and focused on his own studies.

He immersed himself completely in studying [Meditation]. He planned to master the skill thoroughly, then use it as a foundation to work backward and integrate the essence of the [Basic Visualization Method] and [Zen Meditation].

Time was like time.

Once it had passed, it had passed.

After all was said and done, two days passed, and Su Luo was kicked out of the dungeon.

[Dungeon: The Wizard's Abandoned Testing Ground--challenge failed]

[Progress: 0%]

[Overall evaluation: trash]

Ignoring the rude system, Su Luo asked Qin Lang for pictures of five or six Skill Books related to the mind, then concentrated, immersing himself in the mental world.

The Mutual Aid Association's headquarters was a large Sanctuary formed from the fusion of sixteen Sanctuaries.

Holding a pen and paper, Qin Lang walked into the room with a smile and sat in the last seat.

There were eight seats ahead of him. Once everyone had arrived and the door was shut, the person in the first seat tapped the table:

"All right, the Mutual Aid Association's first meeting will now begin."

"Comrades, we have struggled to survive in the Land of Darkness for ten days. Today's meeting aims to advance the organization's strategic transition from 'mutual aid for survival' to 'rebuilding order.' The agenda is packed, so we must be efficient."

"...It is hereby resolved that the Council be formally established as the highest decision-making body, consisting of the nine people present, to oversee strategy and the allocation of major resources."

"...The Resource Allocation Department will be established, and Comrade Qin Lang is appointed deputy head, effective immediately."

Qin Lang rose on cue and nodded slightly to everyone present, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

"Next, we will review and pass the Basic Management Regulations for the Mutual Aid Base (first draft). They explicitly prohibit infighting, plundering, fraud, and other such acts, and establish an Arbitration Tribunal and a Disciplinary System... At the same time, we will form a Forum Oversight Group to guide public opinion and screen for violations."

"...Regarding the financial attacks and fraud currently being carried out by Ye Xu's gang, what is our response plan, and who will be responsible for carrying it out?"

Qin Lang hurriedly stood up.

"...We will continue to resolutely implement the strategy of 'releasing stockpiles at fair prices.' For the supplies they have monopolized, we will stabilize market prices at all costs and drain their funds. At the same time, we will continue posting on the forum to expose their methods and disclose the Mutual Aid Association's sources of supplies, maintaining our credibility..."

After laying out the specific plan in firm, decisive terms, Qin Lang saw Number One nodding at him and was very pleased.

"Next, development strategy and resource allocation... Regarding dungeon development... It is resolved that an elite team be formed to clear new dungeons..."

Qin Lang was taking notes diligently when he suddenly heard an argument break out among the seats in front.

"I object! This is absolutely against procedure!"

The middle-aged man in seat number four pointed at seat number two, his voice shrill.

The man in seat number two had a resolute expression. Rather than respond directly, he turned to Number One and said in a low voice:

"I once again formally propose that Comrade Song Shige be added to the Council."

"Your reason?"

Number One considered it for a moment before asking.

"It's because he's Song Shige's leader, his squad leader! Doesn't he want to give Song Shige power because of that personal connection?"

Number Two turned and glanced at Number Four:

"I only want Song Shige to have a nominal role in decision-making. He's a good kid; he wouldn't form cliques like you do."

"Heh, do you believe that?"

Number Two stared silently at Number Four until the latter began to feel uneasy.

"Are you dreaming? After all these days, don't you understand? From now on, it won't be those who control the institutions of force who hold the power to speak and the truth, but the powerful who wield force themselves!"

"Extraordinary power will overturn everything. From now on, it'll be an ecosystem of the strong!"

"It's not Song Shige who needs to lead the Mutual Aid Association. It's the Mutual Aid Association that needs Song Shige to lead it!"

The two started arguing, spraying spittle all the way onto Qin Lang's face in the last seat.

Come on, bro, are you the only one in this room?

Number One wiped his face and tapped the table.

The two ignored him and kept spraying spit.

Number One flipped the table with a smack, sending it down over Qin Lang in the last seat.

The two stopped.

Everyone set the table upright.

"Arguing won't get us anywhere. Now, a vote. Raise your hand if you agree to add Comrade Song Shige to the Council!"

The motion passed.

"Next, production, construction, and planning for support personnel..."

"...Regarding a plan for dealing with the scattered foreign survivors in the region..."

Number One looked up and found that nobody was speaking.

"Speak up! Have you all gone mute?"

The silence continued. Amid the utter quiet, Number Two suddenly spat out a few words:

"Kill them all!"

Number Four immediately objected. "No!"

Number Two remained calm. "Why not?"

"It's too cruel."

"Cruel?"

Number Two scoffed.

"Then tell me, if other regions are dominated by foreigners, how many Huaxia people there will survive? Do you think this is some diplomatic game in peacetime?"

After a round of heated debate, Number One looked at Qin Lang, who chose his words carefully and rarely spoke.

"Minister Qin, what's your opinion?"

Qin Lang looked up, thought for a moment, and said firmly:

"I don't think there's any need for further discussion. Resources are currently scarce, and many of our compatriots in this region are still struggling to survive. Those in other regions may be in danger. We shouldn't waste too much effort and resources on this matter. Hostile forces should be eliminated without hesitation."

"At the very least, we should screen them for people with special talents and bring them in..." someone suggested, trying to offer a compromise.

The room fell into argument again.

"All right, stop arguing!"

Number One slapped the table.

"At present, the cost of carrying out a 'cleanup' strategy is too high. We can't afford the price of [Shelter Forced Teleportation Tickets]. This issue will be postponed for later discussion."

The next item on the agenda began.

Qin Lang glanced at Number Four's ashen face and already had a premonition:

Perhaps he won't be at the next Council meeting.

[Qin Lang: Do you think the foreign survivors in the region need to be dealt with?]

[Su Luo: Let's see... Which country are they from?]

[Qin Lang: (sent an image)]

[Su Luo: Them... In that case, never mind. If they cause trouble, kill them. If they behave, kill them depending on the circumstances.]

[Qin Lang: According to my information, most of the foreign survivors still alive have gathered in Ye Xu's gang...]

[Su Luo: Then we have no choice but to kill them all.]