Promotional Partnership

Dragon City, Black Sea Technology Company headquarters.

At this moment, everyone seated in the conference room wore grave expressions, all seeming weighed down by their concerns.

"We were still one step too late. The more influential domestic game developers have already reached mutual promotion agreements with Jie De. Everyone, tell me, what should we do?" Wu Li, seated at the head of the table, swept his gaze over those present before speaking.

None of Black Sea Company's executives had expected Jie De Corporation to move so quickly.

While holding their press conference, Jie De's representatives had already begun traveling between cities across the Dragon Nation, snatching up promotional partnership projects with most game developers. Thinking that their years of research might be driven into a difficult situation by this blow, everyone present felt terrible.

"President Wu, according to our information, there is still one relatively capable game developer that has not reached an agreement with Jie De. I heard they were the ones who actively rejected Jie De Technology."

"One?" Wu Li, seated at the head of the table, sighed.

"Better than nothing. Go negotiate with them and see if we can secure a partnership. Try to meet their demands as much as possible."

Though he felt helpless, Wu Li still did not intend to let this partnership opportunity slip away.

After the meeting ended, Black Sea Company headquarters quickly contacted Lu Wu through Platform173.

Originally, the person in charge from Black Sea Company had intended to come over to discuss the matter in person, but Lu Wu refused, asking only one question.

"Does the partnership cost money?"

Black Sea Company's representative was quite surprised, unsure why Lu Wu would ask such a question, but he still answered decisively.

"Promotion is for mutual benefit, so naturally there is no charge. Furthermore, our Game Pods come with your company's game preinstalled. In other words, as long as Players buy our Game Pods, your company's game will appear in their game lists even if they do not download it."

Upon hearing the answer, Lu Wu immediately agreed to the partnership, leaving Black Sea Company's representative somewhat stunned. He had not expected things to proceed so easily.

At the same time, Lu Wu also promised Black Sea Company's representative over the phone that he would promote their Game Pods in the game when they officially went on sale.

The next day, Lu Wu received the promotional partnership contract sent by Black Sea Company.

After carefully reviewing it and confirming there were no issues, Lu Wu signed it. He kept one copy and mailed the other back to Black Sea Company, officially establishing the partnership between the two sides.

However, news of Lu Wu's partnership with Black Sea Company soon reached Olisa, Jie De Corporation's representative.

This greatly surprised Olisa, who was responsible for handling promotional partnerships. She had not expected the person who rejected her proposal to cooperate with Black Sea Company instead.

She immediately reported the news back to headquarters in Country A.

Jie De Technology Company had never shown mercy toward business competitors. It immediately decided to block Battle Online from the Game Pods it released.

In other words, Battle Online could not be downloaded on any Game Pod produced by Black Sea Technology Company.

In Jie De Corporation's view, with so many game developers to choose from, Players would surely make the right choice when weighing the pros and cons.

At this moment, the Underworld.

"Greetings, my king!" Du Yan respectfully bowed toward the figure in the distance.

"Why have you returned? Did I not tell you to remain by Shana's side?" the King of Beiqi projection formed by Lu Wu asked calmly.

"This subordinate had no choice but to return. Shana has already discovered that I harbor disloyal intentions. If I remained by his side, this subordinate would certainly die!"

"Oh? Why?" Lu Wu asked in surprise.

"Previously, following Your Majesty's orders, this subordinate returned to Ghost General Shana's side. First, I used the tree demon's branch to deceive him about Third Ghost's cause of death. Later, he sent me to Sea King to respond regarding the tribute, and I informed Sea King that Ghost General Shana had rejected his demands."

"This enraged Sea King, and he immediately came with a tide of sea beasts. At that point, this subordinate knew I would be exposed and had no choice but to leave!"

Hearing this, Lu Wu immediately thought of the seaside battle the Players had livestreamed that day. However, he had not expected Du Yan to be the one manipulating everything behind it.

"Oh, right. Before coming here, this subordinate also brought this!"

As he spoke, Du Yan extended a hand from beneath his black robe, revealing the pitch-black sphere he held.

Lu Wu was somewhat puzzled. With a wave of his hand, Yin energy condensed and lifted the black sphere before him.

The artifact's analysis ability activated.

Yin Soul Pearl: 230,119 Yin Souls

Item Details: An item used to store Yin souls

"This subordinate was in charge of storing Yin souls in Liuli District, so before leaving, I took all the Yin souls owned by Ghost General Shana with me."

What a thorough betrayal. He even stabbed his former master in the back before leaving. What a crafty old bastard, but I like it.

Lu Wu smiled. "Du Yan, you have done very well!"

As he spoke, Lu Wu waved his hand, and a mass of soul power surged from his sleeve and entered Du Yan's body.

Boom!

Like an accelerant, the soul power caused the Soul Fire within Du Yan's skull to surge. Its color gradually shifted from green toward crimson.

Du Yan's black bones visibly began to thicken, speckled with glimmering dark green crystals.

"This..." Du Yan was stunned.

Having lived for thousands of years, this was the first time he had seen such a method. It could actually manipulate soul power and directly raise his strength by half a realm.

Looking at Lu Wu again, Du Yan dropped to his knees with a thud and kowtowed to him. "Thank you, my king, for this gift!"

Lu Wu nodded. In truth, increasing Du Yan's strength was not difficult for him.

This was different from Players.

Players needed to accumulate their growth step by step, progressing gradually. It was like digging a ditch, turning it into a pond, then turning the pond into a lake; it had to be done one step at a time. Du Yan, however, had cultivated for thousands of years, and his foundation was already deep. Lu Wu had merely added water to his pond.

Even so, in Du Yan's eyes, this was an earth-shattering method beyond imagination.

This enhancement gave Du Yan an even deeper understanding of Lu Wu's mystery. He even felt secretly delighted that his betrayal had been such a correct decision.

However, although Du Yan had returned this time, Lu Wu did not intend to let him remain in the Underworld. He immediately said,

"Du Yan, I have a task for you."

"Please speak, my king. This subordinate will certainly give it his all," Du Yan replied respectfully.

"Go pledge allegiance to the Rock Ghost King!"

"This..." Du Yan froze.

"Does Your Majesty want me to sow discord between the Rock Ghost King and Ghost General Shana?" After thinking for a moment, Du Yan asked doubtfully.

"That is one reason. However, I will deal with Shana's side myself. Your primary task is to learn about the current situation in the Bedrock Northern Region and report back to me once you have grasped it."

"But will the Rock Ghost King trust me?" Du Yan hesitated.

"Take this with you!" Lu Wu waved his hand as he spoke, using the artifact to draw out 150,000 Yin souls from the Yin Soul Pearl. He left 80,000 inside before handing it back to Du Yan.

Taking the Yin Soul Pearl, Du Yan nodded solemnly. "This subordinate will not fail Your Majesty!"

After saying that, Du Yan transformed into a black shadow and swiftly fled from the Underworld, heading toward the Bedrock Northern Region.