The three men said nothing, but their gazes remained locked fiercely on one another.
"We're old brothers. Would I trick you? If I say it's good news, then it's good news. If I say it concerns the future, then it concerns the future." Yang Wudi slapped the table as he spoke.
"Then say it already. Stop beating around the bush." Tai Tan's temper was so explosive that he wanted to punch the guy.
"Have you ever seen a nine-man Soul Master team with six Title Douluo?" Yang Wudi directly revealed Nan Xuan and the others' strength, hoping to cool their fiery tempers.
"You old goat, if you really wanted us to get together, you could've just said so. Or if you were broke, us brothers could've chipped in. Don't use this nonsense to fool us." Niu Gao rubbed the little wooden clog beneath his foot and spoke irritably to Yang Wudi.
"If you've got something to say, say it. Otherwise, once we're done eating and drinking, we're leaving." Bai He did not dare mention money. He was still poor himself.
Tai Tan had already started eating. He had treated Yang Wudi's words as nothing but farting.
"You actually don't believe me." Yang Wudi sighed, then took out the Aromatic Silk Beauty.
Their eyes were instantly drawn to the flower.
"They have three level-95 Title Douluo, two level-92 ones, and three Soul Emperors. As for the last one, I'd guess he's at least level 95 as well. He's the leader of the group, and he gave me this immortal herb." Holding the Aromatic Silk Beauty in his hands, Yang Wudi spoke slowly.
Seeing the immortal herb, the three men already somewhat believed Yang Wudi's words. After all, they knew him well.
Seeing that the three had quieted down, Yang Wudi laughed. "Everything I said is true. That person also told me where your clan residences were, and my Breaking Clan has already joined them."
"I'm not saying this lightly, but wouldn't a Soul Master team like that count as a top-tier force? Besides, they're young. Ever since the Clear Sky Sect abandoned us, look at the lives we've been living. Hiding here and there. We old fellows can endure this kind of life, but for those children who have just been born, it's far too cruel."
By the final few sentences, Yang Wudi's voice had begun to tremble.
"Old goat, aren't you afraid those people are connected to Spirit Hall?" Bai He knew that Yang Wudi's son had died at Spirit Hall's hands.
During that war, the Clear Sky Sect withdrew all its direct descendants. Those of them whose martial souls were not the Clear Sky Hammer were simply abandoned, leaving them in their current state.
"I don't think they're from Spirit Hall. Actually, sometimes I wonder... if lowering our heads to Spirit Hall meant securing the future of the children in our clans, then what would be so wrong about it? In the end, it was only a difference in sides, even if I lost my own son in that war." Yang Wudi spoke bitterly.
Just as the people from the other three clans wanted to comfort Yang Wudi, several figures appeared at the banquet.
"Clan Head Yang Wudi is right. In the end, it was merely a difference in sides. But you can rest assured that my force does not belong to Spirit Hall. However, I should also tell you that my relationship with Spirit Hall is far from ordinary."
"Once you have considered things and chosen to join us, I can tell you my identity. So, if you have any questions, start asking."
Nan Xuan appeared behind Yang Wudi and strolled forward leisurely. His gaze swept over everyone. After stating his thoughts, he sat in the seat at the very center of the banquet.
Tai Tan was impatient by nature, so he was the first to ask, "What does Your Excellency's force do?"
Nan Xuan lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and answered slowly, "Make money."
At that, a sharp glint flashed through Bai He's eyes. He stood and asked, "Then if we join, will you resolve the trouble coming from Spirit Hall for us?"
Although Bai He lacked money, he cared even more about staying alive long enough to spend it.
"Easy. Send a message later, and it'll be settled." Nan Xuan smiled lightly.
Niu Gao's gaze remained calm. After some thought, he asked Nan Xuan, "I want to know why Your Excellency insists on seeking out our Four Single-Attribute Clans."
The moment he asked that question, the others all gave Niu Gao a thumbs-up. He had hit the heart of the matter.
"There's no particular reason. I passed through here and thought you looked pitiful." Nan Xuan spread his hands helplessly.
Nan Xuan's answer left the four clan heads extremely embarrassed. Their current circumstances were indeed rather impoverished.
"Anything else you want to ask?"
"If not, then it's time to make your choice." Nan Xuan tapped his fingers against the table, producing a rhythmic sound.
To the three clan heads, that sound was like a countdown to death.
The three clan heads exchanged glances. A minute later, they smiled and said, "We are willing to join Your Excellency's force."
Nan Xuan looked at the three men and smiled.
"I don't have a force yet, but I can establish one shortly."
The moment those words came out, Tai Tan and the others felt that they had boarded a very unusual ship.
"The force I want to establish isn't really a force in the usual sense. It won't be like a sect that emphasizes traditional inheritance. Just as I said, we make money. Although I don't lack money now, I still need something to pass the time." Nan Xuan said with a smile.
The clan heads felt that the guy before them was bragging. Who would ever think they had too much money, let alone claim they could not spend it all?
"My title is Network. If you make a bold guess, you should be able to figure out who I am." Nan Xuan did not immediately say the rest. Instead, he watched the people before him with a smile.
"Network Glory spokesperson?" Tai Tan asked as he scratched his head.
The others all thought that sounded right. They fought several matches in it every day and knew Network Glory well. Since his title was Network, why could he not be the Network Glory spokesperson?
"Pfft." Liu Mumu behind Nan Xuan had already laughed aloud.
Chen Gao and the others lowered their heads, holding back their laughter.
Nan Xuan's face darkened, and for a moment, he did not know what to say.
"I told you not to show off. Look where that got you." Lan Yingying's amused voice rang by Nan Xuan's ear.
"Did we guess wrong?" Tai Tan asked in confusion.
"Ahem, it's not that you were entirely wrong. Your perspective was simply too narrow."
"I am the God of the Network. My Soul Power Level is currently 99."
Nan Xuan stopped wasting words. Looking at the foolish men before him, he could not keep showing off anymore. It was better to come clean.
"What?" ×4
The four clan heads were so astonished that they did not know what to say. They did not doubt the truth of Nan Xuan's words. Since he was a Title Douluo, he would understand the consequences of borrowing someone else's title.
"Your Excellency Network, if you truly are the God of the Network, shouldn't you already be a god?" Yang Wudi did not understand Nan Xuan's current state. Was he human, or was he a god?
"You don't need to know that. You only need to know that I'm powerful and rich. Work hard for me, and don't think about anything else. Your benefits won't be lacking if you follow me." Nan Xuan spoke extravagantly, like a newly rich man.
Since he had put it that way, they could not ask anything more. With a big shot leading them, was that not better than being abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect?
"The force will be called the Network Club. It will be a company with diverse development."
"It will mainly rely on the various games and novels in the Network World. Later, there will also be films and television, as well as all kinds of creative online commercial products. We'll make money based on those."
"As for the company's address, I already have a plan. We'll develop a patch of wasteland near Suotuo City. That location is practically the transportation hub connecting the continent's major cities, so it will develop quickly."
"Don't worry about the rights to develop the wasteland. I'll discuss it with the king of the Balak Kingdom. So, do you have any objections?" Nan Xuan asked the four men.
"No, no. We just need to provide the labor." The four of them understood now. Nan Xuan truly pitied them. Otherwise, other people could have handled these matters as well.
Niu Gao of the Defense Clan asked, "Your Excellency, you may have heard that our clan specializes in construction. So, will you design the blueprints, or should we handle it ourselves?"
"There's no rush. After resting for a few days, we'll go take a look together." Nan Xuan was not worried about building blueprints. His previous life's studies had covered many subjects, including engineering drawing and CAD drafting. Based on designs from his previous life, he wanted to create a truly era-defining building—at least by Douluo standards.
Several days later, Nan Xuan led the reorganized Four Single-Attribute Clans toward Suotuo City.
The migration of such a massive group lengthened the journey.
At night, in Suotuo City, Nan Xuan had everyone find places to stay first. All expenses would be reimbursed by the company. He himself headed for the royal palace of the Balak Kingdom.
Relying on his strength and soul skills, Nan Xuan slipped quietly into the Balak king's bedchamber without anyone noticing him.
That night, the elderly king did not summon any of his beloved consorts to attend him. He lay down alone.
"Who is it?" the king asked in utter terror.
As a frequent target of assassination attempts, the king naturally remained vigilant. From the corner of his eye, he saw a figure of light and shadow approaching him.
Nan Xuan smiled faintly. He did not care at all that the king had noticed him, because he had done it deliberately.
"Who exactly are you? Which empire sent you this time?" the king asked nervously.
Nan Xuan dispersed the light and shadow around himself, revealing his true face.
The moment the king saw that face, he immediately thought of someone: the God of the Network.
"Sir, if you want to assassinate me, there's no need to impersonate the God of the Network." Looking at the god he currently worshipped most being offended by an assassin, the king felt somewhat displeased, even though he was in great danger.
As the transportation hub among all the empires, the Balak Kingdom had developed rapidly. If not for the restrictions imposed by certain empires, it would already have become an empire itself.
All of this was due to the Network Payment System brought by the God of the Network, along with convenient payments and unique games.
That was why the king of the Balak Kingdom worshipped the God of the Network.
Nan Xuan knew this, which was why he had decided to reveal his true face.
"King of Balak, do you recognize this?" Nan Xuan summoned his martial soul.
He then summoned his Seal Wings.
"A Wireless Router martial soul, Seal Wings!" the king of Balak exclaimed excitedly.
The king of Balak was extremely familiar with those two things. They were both symbolic items of the God of the Network, especially the martial soul.
"King of Balak, may we sit down and have a proper talk? I have something I need to ask of you." Nan Xuan said with a smile.
"Of course, of course. It would be my honor." The king casually threw on a shirt, jogged over to the sofa, and gestured for Nan Xuan to sit.
Seeing the king's manner, Nan Xuan smiled. "Your Majesty, don't be so restrained. This time, I'm the one asking you for help."
Nan Xuan did not put on airs. Instead, he spoke in a friendly manner.
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