Sustainable Exploitable Resources

The territory of Earl Lanny.

The meeting place of the Gandor Branch Alliance of the Artisan Alliance.

A loud "boom" echoed.

The blast furnace, which was being forged, exploded again.

Since yesterday, all the forging furnaces within the entire branch alliance.

had been exploding uncontrollably.

This situation was enough to infuriate the leader of the Artisan Alliance's branch alliance to the point of explosion.

"Impossible!"

"The blast furnace has been operating for so many years, how could it explode so easily?"

"Go investigate, you must find out the result!"

The furious branch alliance leader, Zhao Yu, roared.

Because just a moment ago.

The well-obtained corpse of the Shadow Demon Wolf was also destroyed in the blast furnace explosion.

This was an Orange-grade material.

Furthermore, the explosion had also injured the high-level hero he had recruited.

This was unbearable for Zhao Yu.

Not long after he issued the order for a thorough investigation.

Wei Xu, the deputy alliance leader, walked in.

"Alliance Leader."

"I just had the Astrologer perform a divination."

"According to the divination results, you have been cursed."

"And it's an extremely powerful curse. The continuous explosions of the blast furnaces in our alliance are all related to this."

Upon hearing this.

Zhao Yu felt an inexplicable rage surge within him.

"A curse!"

"Who, what vicious beast cursed me?"

It was known that forging lords like them feared curses the most.

Once cursed, even the slightest mistake during forging could turn their painstakingly collected materials into a pile of ash.

Therefore, many Artisan Alliance lords would wear amulets.

specifically to protect against curses.

However, Zhao Yu's curse this time did not trigger his amulet.

This made him both fearful and angry.

Fearful that his amulet couldn't block the curse.

Angry that the other party would cast such a curse on him.

If the curse was not dispelled in the coming days.

He would be unable to forge.

And an Artisan Alliance leader who couldn't forge equipment.

Would be no different from trash.

He might not even be able to keep his position as the branch alliance leader.

Wei Xu, hearing Zhao Yu's voice filled with anger and a hint of fear.

As someone who had long coveted the position of alliance leader, he couldn't help but feel a bit smug at this moment.

He also secretly rejoiced.

Fortunately, it wasn't him who was afflicted.

The person who cast this curse was very powerful.

His Astrologer couldn't even find any trace of the opponent.

So, in response to Zhao Yu's questioning, he could only cup his hands and say, "Alliance Leader, I couldn't find them. I can't even identify the type of curse."

"My Astrologer only told me that the opponent's strength far surpasses his."

"He can't dispel this curse either."

Hearing this, a chill ran down Zhao Yu's spine.

He knew Wei Xu's Astrologer.

This is a purple rare unit, capable of detecting and dispelling most curses.

Furthermore, he also possesses a rare orange weapon.

It can even dispel orange-level curses.

But now, the curse afflicting him cannot be dispelled.

What does this mean!

It means the one who cast the curse on him is likely an orange rare unit.

Or perhaps even higher, golden!

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu trembled.

"Did we offend any high-level Lords recently?"

Zhao Yu asked, his voice quivering.

Wei Xu, standing beside him, pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"Although we sell some low-level equipment, the items are good, and at most, they're just a bit pricey."

"If customers come looking for us, and they have influence, we'll even compensate them for the price difference. We've basically never offended any high-level Lords."

"Besides, when we sell items, we do it through specialized distributors. The Artisan Alliance doesn't get involved, so even if there's trouble, it won't reach us."

"And for custom-made equipment, we've never cut corners. We simply wouldn't, and wouldn't dare, offend those high-level Lords."

After speaking, he paused and added.

"If we've offended anyone, it was just a low-level Lord yesterday."

"He put a bounty on someone named Fang Yuan."

"But that person is at most a Level 2 Lord."

"How could he possibly use such a powerful curse?"

"Even my Astrologer can't dispel it."

Hearing this, Zhao Yu nodded in silence.

He also didn't believe that a low-level Lord named Fang Yuan could curse him.

But if it wasn't him!

Then who could it be?

Zhao Yu couldn't fathom who he had offended.

Just as despair began to set in.

Wei Xu beside him spoke.

"Alliance Leader, why don't we use an Astrology Stone?"

"Let's try to find the other party and understand the reason!"

"If we've done something wrong, we'll compensate them."

Upon hearing "Astrology Stone," Zhao Yu's heart skipped a beat.

This item's primary function was to predict the future.

Each one was worth tens of millions of gold coins.

Even for someone as wealthy as him, using one at a time was a significant expenditure.

He would have to live frugally afterward.

"Are there really no other options?"

Wei Xu shook his head.

"Alliance Leader, while tens of millions of gold coins is a lot, if you can't continue forging, the losses you'll incur will be..."

Hearing the unfinished sentence, Zhao Yu finally gritted his teeth.

"You're right!"

"Although tens of millions of gold coins pains me."

"If this curse can't be dispelled, the losses will be far greater than just money."

"Gold can be earned again, but if I can't forge anymore."

"I'm no different from a dead man in the Ten Thousand Realms Battlefield."

He took a deep breath, then opened the Artisan Alliance's internal guild channel.

Using his authority as a branch alliance leader, he purchased an Astrology Stone.

Purchases within the guild channel would be known to other branch alliance leaders.

Immediately, someone in the Artisan Alliance's branch alliance leader channel exclaimed in surprise.

"Holy crap, Zhao Yu, you're so rich! You actually bought an Astrology Stone? Are you planning to start the Wasteland War?"

"6666, how long has Zhao Yu been the branch leader before he started the Wasteland War?"

"Ten million gold coins, Brother Yu, you're so rich!"

"That's not right. The Gondor Kingdom is currently in the midst of an Undead Calamity. Starting the Wasteland War at this time, are you trying to die faster?"

"Hehe, top-secret news, several blast furnaces in the Gandor Branch Alliance exploded. They must have offended a big shot."

"Wow, that makes sense now."

"I knew Zhao Yu, that stingy guy, wouldn't spend money on an Astrology Stone unless he offended someone he shouldn't have."

"Serves him right!"

Looking at the messages mocking him, Zhao Yu took a deep breath.

He gritted his teeth.

"Thirty years east, thirty years west, just you wait, everyone~"

He then immediately closed the chat channel.

He took out the Astrology Stone and handed it to Wei Xu.

"The future of our Gandor Branch Alliance rests entirely on you."

Wei Xu took the stone and nodded. This was a time for unity against outsiders.

He didn't dare to play any tricks. What if the target wasn't just Zhao Yu?

If he killed Zhao Yu, he would be next.

Wei Xu wasn't an idiot. He knew when to fight and when to unite against external threats.

Soon, Wei Xu handed the Astrology Stone to his Astrologer hero.

As the arcane magic energy was injected.

Quickly!

The curse on Zhao Yu began to manifest.

A moment later, the Astrologer's eyes snapped open.

"Found him!"

"Lord, please use the power of the curse to communicate with him now."

Zhao Yu's expression was complicated as he heard the voice. He wished he could strangle the person.

But thinking of his future, Zhao Yu took a deep breath.

He then spoke into the air.

"Big shot, I am Zhao Yu from the Gandor Branch Alliance of the Artisan Alliance."

"I don't know where I offended you to make you personally cast a curse on me."

"Could you please give me a chance and let me go?"

"Just name your price, big shot."

"Even if I have to go bankrupt, I, Zhao Yu, will fulfill it for you."

"I only ask that you lift the curse!"

After speaking, Zhao Yu began to wait quietly.

Waiting for the other party's reply.

Meanwhile.

In the lord's hall of Wasteland Territory.

Fang Yuan listened to Zhao Yu's voice, transmitted by an Earthbound Spirit.

A hint of excitement appeared on his face.

"There's such a good thing!"

"Isn't this fatty sheep delivering himself to my doorstep!"

"The initiative is entirely in my hands."

"I can do whatever I want with him."

But Fang Yuan quickly calmed down.

"No, if the demands are too excessive, the other party might just flip the table."

"It's best to be gradual, step by step, crossing his bottom line."

"Eventually, as the sunk cost increases, he'll be completely under my control."

"This kind of revenge through exploitation is more satisfying than killing him outright!"

And for this kind of person, a word suddenly popped into Fang Yuan's mind.