13: Two major guilds clashing

"Quickly, it's almost ready!"

Hearing Xiao Xing ask her, Qing Lan blurted out subconsciously.

She didn't know what Xiao Xing meant, but she had indeed just received a message from her family saying the meal was almost ready, telling her to log off and eat before playing more.

"Uh!"

Xiao Xing rubbed his forehead, appearing somewhat speechless.

He had originally intended to say, "Not leaving? Are you staying here for dinner?" but those words got stuck in his throat.

"What do you want?"

His arm was being tightly held by her. Xiao Xing tried to pull it out several times without success, and his voice involuntarily became a bit heavier.

Seeing him trade away two pieces of equipment, the onlookers were starting to believe him. After all, without enough strength, where would one get such good equipment to trade for two Silver pieces?

At this moment, everyone stared at him and whispered. They never expected the person before them to be a legendary expert; the originally noisy scene suddenly quieted down significantly.

"Um... can I add you as a friend?"

Seeing him staring at her, Qing Lan's face flushed slightly, and she involuntarily changed her words.

She had originally grabbed Xiao Xing to buy equipment, but the words changed as they reached her lips.

System Notification: Player Qing Lan has requested to add you as a friend. Do you accept?

"If there's something, just say it."

After pulling his arm back with a bit of force, Xiao Xing said in a flat tone.

With his intelligence, how could he not know? She was likely trying to buy equipment or recruit him.

He naturally knew of the You Lan Guild. In his past life, this guild was a first-rate guild in Holy Light City.

Until the Middle Stage to Late Stage of the game, when the You Lan Guild suddenly disbanded, gradually disappearing from everyone's sight and then being forgotten.

"Brother Jian Chen, as long as you are willing to join our Xing Tian Guild, the position of Vice Guild Leader is yours, along with a top-tier annual salary of 10 million."

After thinking for a moment, Xing Tian, who was nearby, extended his hand to recruit Xiao Xing.

He didn't think too much about it. Based on that announcement from not long ago, Jian Chen was worth this price. If he could recruit such a Divine-Grade expert, it would only be a matter of time before they became a Super Guild.

Guilds are divided into: Ordinary, Third-rate, Second-rate, First-rate, Top-tier, Super Guild, etc.

Currently, their guild was a Top-tier Guild. Becoming a Super Guild had been Xing Tian's dream for many years. Although he was arrogant, he also deeply valued talent.

Only if a guild had enough top experts could it obtain sufficient resources and potentially enter the ranks of the strongest guilds—let alone recruiting a Divine-Grade expert like Jian Chen?

"The position of Vice Guild Leader, plus an annual salary of 20 million, along with paid annual leave, international travel, social security, and many other benefits."

Before he could refuse Xing Tian, the crowd of onlookers parted to both sides as dozens of players walked over at a leisurely pace.

Leading them was a middle-aged man with a confident, cold glint in his eyes and a Battle Saber on his back, making it clear at a glance that he was of the Warrior class.

In the Continent of Gods and Demons, as long as equipment and weapons are equipped, they are displayed. If one doesn't want them to be seen, they must be unequipped and placed in the storage slots.

Many people keep them equipped at all times so they can be used immediately in any situation. If kept in storage, one would have to open the interface to equip them when a battle occurs.

Moreover, wearing equipment and weapons can serve to show off.

For example, in the city, while everyone is carrying Gold or dark gold weapons, if you carry a Divine Artifact with a seven-colored divine glow, you immediately become the coolest guy on the street.

"The leader of the Tian Ying Guild, Absolute Shadow."

Seeing the newcomer, Xing Tian's face darkened.

The Tian Ying Guild was also a Top-tier Guild. In previous virtual games, Xing Tian had clashed with him several times, so how could he not recognize him?

Although the two guilds didn't have any major blood feuds, it was hard to say there wouldn't be friction in the Continent of Gods and Demons. After all, being assigned to the same Novice Village meant they would be in the same Divine City.

When Xiao Xing saw the people from the Tian Ying Guild, his expression couldn't help but tighten.

Behind Absolute Shadow was a flirtatiously dressed woman; this woman was actually his college girlfriend, Su Mei.

Xiao Xing had dated her for over a year in college and had taken care of her meticulously.

He didn't mind the exhaustion of working two part-time jobs just to afford cosmetics and bags for her.

The two dated for over a year until graduation, then applied to work at a media company together. Everything was progressing in a beautiful direction.

He thought that as long as he gave Su Mei everything he had, she would surely marry him and have children, but reality soon slapped him hard in the face.

Not long after starting work at Xing Yue Media, Xiao Xing quickly noticed something strange about Su Mei. Not only did she become increasingly cold toward him, but staying out all night became common, with the excuse always being that she was staying at a friend's house.

Until one day over a month ago, because of an urgent work issue, Xiao Xing rushed into the manager's office, forgetting to knock.

But before he could speak, he froze in place, his mind going blank, unable to believe his eyes.

On the leather sofa in the office, a woman was lying face down, while a fat man behind her was repeatedly thrusting forward.

Familiar sounds drifted out, and Xiao Xing instantly recognized the woman as Su Mei. At that moment, he seemed to understand everything.

Xiao Xing casually tossed the documents in his hand, ignored the two startled people, and silently left to return to his post.

If he hadn't seen her, he would have almost forgotten this person entirely.

This was perhaps only possible when disappointment reached its peak... "The position of Vice Guild Leader, plus an annual salary of 30 million."

Seeing the turn of events, Xing Tian's expression turned cold, and he directly increased his offer.

He hadn't expected another Top-tier Guild to appear in this Novice Village. If that was the case, it probably wouldn't be so easy to recruit Jian Chen today.

Position of Vice Guild Leader, 50 million annual salary.

Absolute Shadow's expression remained extremely calm, as if this offer caused no ripples for him.

Although it was now the year 2993, a salary of 50 million was extremely high in the Dragon Kingdom; not many people could offer such terms.

"Absolute Shadow, are you deliberately opposing me?"

Xing Tian was already somewhat furious. An annual salary of 50 million far exceeded what the position was worth; the other party was clearly going against him.

It wasn't that they didn't have that much money, but by the Middle Stage of the game, a Top-tier Guild would have expenses for at least hundreds of thousands of people. When added up, the amount of money required was terrifying.

"Heh, so what if we oppose you? Others might fear you, Xing Tian, but we don't!"

Before Absolute Shadow could speak, a man carrying a sword closest to him looked up and sneered. His gaze held a hint of disdain, clearly not taking Xing Tian seriously.

Absolute Shadow, standing in front, raised an eyebrow and didn't stop him.

In the future, being in Holy Light City together, the two guilds would inevitably fight to the death over resources. This was unavoidable; it didn't matter how much they offended each other now.