Then What About the Second?

"You mean... I can ask you for help?" Li Ziran seemed to sense something was off; Sandrew hadn't mentioned this right to him.

The Space Grasshopper nodded. "Of course, that's your right. Every new member can ask others for help for free. Of course, you can also retain this right. However, with your current resources, I'm afraid you won't be able to find a qualified space mage."

Li Ziran couldn't help but recall the entire process of arriving at the Bone Dragon's Nest, passing through the outer Corpse Mountain, crossing the Blood Pool, ascending into the Derivative Space, and finally arriving at the conference room under the guidance of the Bone Dragon.

The journey was fraught with difficulties; imagine how many obstacles an outsider would have to overcome to find the meeting room.

Although Sandrew only mentioned the 'base' in passing, Li Ziran's keen senses told him that this was very likely the place where the Shadow Society established its base.

Otherwise, there would be no need to set up this small meeting room in the Derivative Space and put it inside the Bone Dragon's body.

Dark Council!

The word instantly popped into his mind, even though he admired the organization and couldn't deny its dominance in the underworld.

However, it must be recognized that throughout the years of struggle, the Justice Alliance and the Inquisition have maintained an absolute advantage.

Caught between these two forces, the Dark Council mostly hides in the shadows like a rat.

In that instant, he made up his mind that he had to be absolutely meticulous in choosing the location of the base and even the conference room.

He currently has no one at hand who can help him establish a spatial teleportation channel.

"Sir, I wonder if your help includes only designing the spatial teleportation channel, or something else?" Li Ziran asked carefully. If it was just providing teleportation, it would be too inappropriate. As a businessman, he should make the most of the power he had.

The Spatial Mantis seemed to have read Li Ziran's mind and chuckled, "Not just the teleportation channel, but everything related to space in the conference room, I can help. However, Li Ziran, if it's anything outside the conference room, then you'll have to pay for it yourself according to the Shadow Society's rules."

Li Ziran smiled bitterly to himself. These people's calculations were indeed spot on. If the Spatial Mantis said that all spaces were included, he would also like to have a cultivation room made just like Sandrew's.

Although my plan failed, it's still good news. In the future, when I have money, I can still trade with the Spatial Mantis.

"Thank you for your help, sir."

Upon hearing this, the Vampire hiding in the corner's eyes lit up. As if he hadn't been making things difficult at all, he grinned and approached, "Brother, do you need Blood Pool? If you ask, I'll build one for you for free. You should have seen one in the center of the Corpse Mountain. I can even throw in a few blood creatures. How about it?"

Blood?

Are they Blood Dolphin or similar creatures swimming in Blood Pool? With that terrifying aura of blood, they must be no ordinary creatures.

Cough! Cough!

Just as Li Ziran to nod, two coughs suddenly broke the silence in the room, one from Sandrew and the other from Anfuni in the corner.

The Vampire's expression immediately changed. He looked directly at the two of them, letting out a soft snort to express his displeasure.

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't have any blood magic right now, so I don't need the Blood Pool for the time being." Li Ziran understood the meaning behind the cough and politely declined.

The Vampire's expression grew increasingly grim. He glared fiercely at Anfuni in the corner and sneered, "You ruined my plans, huh? Fine, so you just wanted to waste his opportunity. Li Ziran, let me tell you, these free opportunities aren't to be used casually. The more you use them, the lower your standing becomes in Shadow Elder's eyes. When he looks down on you, that's when you're out of the game."

"Shut up!" The burly Ogre raised his spiked club, as if afraid the Vampire would break through the final barrier.

But the Vampire wouldn't let it go, scoffing, "What right do you have to tell me to shut up? I've ended up like this because of you all. You were all laughing and begging me for help, but in the end, all the resources Shadow Elder gave me went into your pockets. Free, what a great excuse! Haha, that's more expensive than me paying for it."

He seemed very indignant and wanted to pour out all his grievances, but in an instant, a gloomy chill locked onto him.

The Vampire instinctively looked at Sandrew, as if about to open his mouth, but then swallowed it back down. He glared fiercely at everyone before turning into a blur and disappearing from the room.

Although the Vampire didn't finish speaking, the information he revealed served as a warning to Li Ziran.

He was just fooled by the right to seek help for free, and only now, after this commotion, has he come to his senses.

He didn't join a charity; instead, he entered the cave of a pack of wild beasts.

How ridiculous it is for a Little Mouse to ask a group of wild beasts for help without expecting anything in return.

There's an ironclad rule in business: free things are the most expensive.

When someone offers you help without expecting anything in return, you should think about why you deserve it for free.

Clearly, these people simply don't have the time and energy to support him; on the contrary, this "free" offer is very likely a hidden trap within the Shadow Society.

"Li Ziran, I have a batch of top-tier Demon at my disposal. If you need them, I can give them to you." The Ogre turned around and looked at Li Ziran with a grin.

"I'm sorry, I'll probably be busy with base matters next, and I won't have time to study these things for the time being," Li Ziran said with a smile.

The Ogre chuckled awkwardly, his expression not pleasant, seemingly displeased with the Vampire's earlier antics. "Alright, alright. My tribe is currently attacking a Human Race town. I'll contact you once I've eaten my fill. Remember to keep an eye out for my messages."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into a blur and disappeared from the room.

"Li Ziran, I also have something to attend to. If you need help, you can activate the Shadow Mark, and I will sense it." After the Spatial Mantis finished speaking, it also turned into light and shadow and disappeared.

The Dark Elf stepped forward, smiling seductively, "Little brother, you're Organ Witch Doctor. I serve Lord Black Dragon in the Dungeon. How about joining me in developing the Dungeon? You could become Dark Elf prince!"

"A prince?" Li Ziran frowned. He didn't know much about the Dungeon and didn't know what this position meant.

"No need to trouble you, he still has a mission for the Elven Race to complete." Just then, Anfuni stepped in front of the Dark Elf, seemingly filled with innate hatred, and leaned slightly closer to Li Ziran, asking, "Right? I still have surgery to finish."

Although Li Ziran couldn't figure out why Anfuni had suddenly intervened, he knew that this princely position was not an easy one.

However, when the Rhine Duke next to him heard this word, his eyes lit up.

With Anfuni positioned in the middle, the Dark Elf had no chance. With a cold snort, she disappeared into the shadows. The others clearly knew they couldn't take advantage of the situation, and one after another, they came forward to say goodbye to Li Ziran. Before long, only Gegwu, Sandrew, and Anfuni remained in the room, along with the obviously senile bronze Giant Frog.

Gegwu was the first to walk over. She was familiar with Li Ziran, after all, Old Li had once transplanted a Griffin heart into her.

His eyes were kind, and he softly instructed, "Build the base as soon as possible. The first meeting is very important. Don't disappoint Shadow Elder. Actually, I wanted to be your mentor."

He wanted to say something more, but after glancing at Sandrew, he could only sigh regretfully and disappear into the Teleportation Array.

Now Sandrew and Anfuni remained. The two looked at each other, both seemingly wanting to speak, but Sandrew couldn't hold back and spoke first, "Teleport to my magic tower in a moment, and I'll tell you how to use the Shadow Badge. As the leader of the Shadow Society, I'll give a brief explanation of the Shadow Society's origins."

After saying that, he glanced at Anfuni again and specifically instructed her, "Li Ziran, Demon breeding is a business shared by you, me, and the Rhine Duke. This business cannot be disclosed to the public without our permission, understand?"

"Understand!"

Li Ziran replied that she could sense that Sandrew was clearly speaking to Anfuni, obviously not wanting more people to get involved in this business.

However, she never imagined that she could take over the Demon breeding business all by herself.

He might not have a complete understanding of the base's affairs, but he understood what business was.

One cannot do business alone, especially a new business; it inevitably requires one or more experienced business people to guide the way.

Having toiled in the Wasteland for so many years, he understood this principle.

If his teacher hadn't taken him wandering around the Wasteland, he probably would never have been able to pursue a career Witch Doctor.

There is no doubt that Sandrew appreciates him. Sandrew's share in the new business will inevitably deepen their friendship. As for the Rhine Duke, although he does not know him well, once their interests are intertwined, their relationship will also advance rapidly.

Even if Sandrew didn't say it himself, Li Ziran find a way to bring in a few members of the Shadow Society.

Sandrew glanced at him with satisfaction, nodded, and disappeared into the shadows.

As soon as Sandrew disappeared, Li Ziran couldn't wait to ask, "Anfuni, how did you end up joining the Shadow Society?"

Anfuni seemed to have anticipated Li Ziran's response and chuckled, "Why can't I add it? This isn't a den of dragons or tigers."

"But this is the Dark Council, and you are Elves."

"Who said this is the Dark Council?" Anfuni retorted.

"Isn't this...?" Li Ziran was somewhat confused.

"Of course not, the Shadow Society is just an organization, it just happens that its leader is a member of the Dark Council," Anfuni explained, but then, thinking of Shadow Elder's actions just now, she suddenly sighed, "Li Ziran, are you scared?"

"What?" Li Ziran was somewhat confused.

"You're a full member from the moment you join. Is there any pressure?"

Li Ziran shook his head. He still didn't understand what "official member" meant; it seemed quite impressive. "I don't even know how amazing I am!"

"Hehe." Anfuni suddenly came to her senses and realized that Li Ziran knew nothing about the Shadow Society. She stared at the young man, somewhat puzzled. "Although the Shadow Society is not part of the Dark Council, joining the Shadow Society is countless times more difficult than joining the Dark Council. This organization can even influence the decisions of the Dark Council. Li Ziran, I can only say that you are remarkable. In the history of the Shadow Society, only three people have become full members as soon as they join."

"Three people? Who?"

"Of the three leaders of the Shadow Society, the most recent one is the current Shadow Elder. Now you understand your own worth, don't you?"

Anfuni spoke softly, but Li Ziran listened with increasing seriousness.

There are only three in history, no wonder everyone has such high respect for him.

Could it be that in their eyes, his talent is comparable to that of Shadow Elder?

"Are you under pressure?" Anfuni asked again.

Li Ziran nodded. This time, he truly felt the pressure and couldn't help but look at the seat in the very center of the round table, where a shadowy figure had sat a quarter of an hour earlier.

That shadow loomed over everyone in the room, making it hard for them to breathe.

These people are all big shots. He may not know the abilities of others, but he knows Sandrew inside and out. That Necromantic Formation, that Bone Dragon, that Corpse Mountain, and the unique Derivative Space here are all things he dreams of becoming.

Li Ziran couldn't imagine what kind of power could suppress such a formidable figure.

Anfuni looked at Li Ziran, whose brow was gradually furrowing with worry, and chuckled, "Did I scare you?"

"Yeah, I was a little scared," Li Ziran said with a wry smile. "I even considered leaving this place."

But those very words instantly turned Anfuni's face cold. "Leave? You want to leave?" Her deep question was devoid of any emotion. "There are only two ways to leave here: one is to become a higher-ranking member of the Dark Council, no longer needing the Shadow Society's help."

Anfuni stopped abruptly as she spoke, staring intently at Li Ziran.

That look in his eyes frightened Li Ziran, but he still asked in a low voice, "And the second one?"

"Puppet, once you become Shadow Elder's puppet, you're gone, just like that Vampire from before. It won't take more than a few days, understand?"