Gandalf, the Dungeon Maniac of Imperial Capital Academy, was enjoying the ultimate thrill of fifty times experience.

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in Donghai City, Zhou Huai's other Clones were encountering a Bottleneck in their leveling.

Donghai City was, after all, a small place.

It lacked the Heaven-Defying resource integration capabilities of Imperial Capital Academy, which housed all dungeons from Rank 20 to 40 within a single building.

However, in Donghai City, the scattered Rank 20 dungeons in the wild were few and far between.

Dungeons above Rank 25 were unheard of.

Despite Yasuo, Xiang Yu, and Moria's three Clones constantly grinding dungeons without rest, their efficiency was nowhere near Gandalf's.

A week passed.

Yasuo's Rank remained at LV23.

Xiang Yu and Moria, on the other hand, both reached LV19, just a step away from Rank 20.

Zhou Huai finally understood why the average Rank of professional players in Donghai City's Guilds mostly hovered around Rank 20.

Those who could reach Rank 30 or above were as rare as a Phoenix's feather, enough to serve as core high-level members in a Guild.

Resources determined one's horizons, and also one's upper limit.

...

Donghai City, Eternal Night Guild Headquarters.

In an office on the third floor, Zhou Huai, controlling Moria, leaned quietly on the sofa.

Moli, in a sharp black uniform with her long hair tied up in a high ponytail, stood by the desk, meticulously reporting on work.

“My Lord, since the establishment of Eternal Night Guild, as of today, we have recruited a total of sixty-seven official members.”

Her voice was clear and her pace steady.

“Currently, the average Rank of all members has reached Rank 15.”

Zhou Huai, controlling Moria, gently tapped the armrest of the sofa, signaling her to continue.

Moli opened the report in her hand and continued.

“As Guild members frequently operate in the wild, our frictions with other Guilds are also increasing.”

“Last Wednesday, our team encountered members of the ‘Black Tiger Hall’ in ‘Wailing Mine’ and a conflict ensued.”

“Three of our members sustained minor injuries, while all six of their members were killed on the spot.”

“Yesterday, in ‘Rotten Land,’ we were ambushed by the ‘Blood Wolf Gang’ again.”

She paused, a hint of coldness curving her lips.

“As a result, their elite squad of twelve was completely annihilated by us, with no one surviving.”

“After these two battles, the name of our Eternal Night Guild has completely spread throughout Donghai City's underground circles.”

“Now, many lone professional players are coming here, drawn by our reputation, wanting to join us.”

“I followed your instructions and strictly screened all applicants, keeping fifty-two people.”

“They are ready to undergo your assessment at any time.”

Zhou Huai, controlling Moria, nodded slightly.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“My Lord, this is all my duty.”

Moli bowed, her eyes filled with undisguised fervor and adoration.

In just half a month, she had completely shed the innocence and naivety of their first meeting, growing into a qualified Guild manager.

She raised her head, her expression returning to calm.

“My Lord, there is one small matter I need to report to you.”

“Tell me.”

“Perhaps our Guild members have been performing too outstandingly.”

“Recently, many Guilds have begun to privately contact our members, attempting to poach them.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huai couldn't help but want to laugh.

Poaching?

Poaching from his Eternal Night Guild?

These members were all Demonic Slaves who had signed the Demon Lord Contract with him, their Souls deeply imprinted with absolute loyalty to him.

If they could be poached, his surname “Zhou” could be written upside down.

Moli's voice continued.

“Of course, all members who were approached reported to me immediately.”

“However, what surprised me a little was...”

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

“The Zhou Family’s Radiant Alliance also extended an olive branch to people from our Guild.”

“Oh?”

Zhou Huai, controlling Moria, let out a soft exclamation.

Radiant Alliance.

That name brought back some unpleasant memories.

Since the last failed attempt to capture Yasuo in the Old City District, this Guild, affiliated with the Zhou Family, seemed to have completely vanished.

Zhou Huai even once thought that the Guild had disbanded.

Now it seemed they had merely gone underground.

A Guild that didn't organize members to go into dungeons and didn't participate in the struggle for wild resource points.

The Zhou Family couldn't possibly support that group of people for nothing, letting them freeload in the city.

This didn't make sense.

Moli seemed to notice his confusion and immediately added.

“The Radiant Alliance didn't just extend an olive branch to our people.”

“According to my investigation, recently, they seem to have contacted elite members of all Guilds in Donghai City.”

“The benefits they offered were quite tempting.”

“A guaranteed monthly salary of 20,000 great xia currency.”

“This doesn't include other benefits such as equipment subsidies and potion subsidies.”

Zhou Huai's eyebrows twitched.

A monthly salary of 20,000.

This was almost double the salary of core members in other Guilds in Donghai City.

What was the Radiant Alliance doing?

Burning money like crazy to expand their workforce?

Zhou Huai's intuition told him that behind this generous treatment, there must be some trickery hidden.

“How many of our people were contacted by them?”

“Only one currently,” Moli replied, “It’s Qin Ming.”

“He has been performing very diligently lately, and his leveling speed is also very fast, making him the highest-ranked member in our Guild besides Mr. Yasuo.”

“He has currently reached Rank 17.”

Zhou Huai's fingertips gently tapped on the armrest of the sofa, lost in thought.

A moment later, he looked up at Moli.

“Have Qin Ming proactively contact the people from the Radiant Alliance.”

“Tell them he is willing to switch jobs.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of confusion flashed in Moli's eyes.

“My Lord, are you...?”

Zhou Huai, controlling Moria, curved his lips into a cold arc.

“Have him infiltrate as an undercover agent.”

“I want to see what exactly this Radiant Alliance is up to.”

...

The next day.

Across from the Professional Player Task Center, inside a dimly lit small bar.

The lean and capable Qin Ming pushed open the creaking wooden door and walked in.

Behind the bar, a corpulent Fat Man was slowly wiping a glass.

When he saw Qin Ming, a smile immediately spread across his face.

“I thought you wouldn't come.”

The Fat Man’s voice was a bit hoarse, as if sanded.

“Yesterday, you rejected quite decisively.”

Qin Ming plopped down onto a high stool at the bar, his movements casual.

“Give me the strongest one.”

He tossed a few coins onto the bar, making a crisp sound.

“People always change, don't they?”

The Fat Man poured him a glass of amber-colored strong liquor and pushed it over.

“Tell me, what made you change your mind?”

Qin Ming picked up the glass and drank it in one gulp.

The spicy liquid burned down his throat all the way to his stomach.

He heavily placed the glass on the bar, making a dull thud.

“I went back and thought for a long time.”

His eyes held a hint of unwillingness and resentment.

“That damn Eternal Night Guild, besides sounding impressive, has no future at all.”

“It can't compare to your Radiant Alliance at all.”

He paused, his voice deepening slightly.

“What's more, you guys offer several times more money than Eternal Night.”

“My mother's illness has flared up again recently.”

“I urgently need money.”

The Fat Man listened quietly, the smile on his face growing even brighter.

He extended his thick hand.

“I really appreciate young people with such foresight.”

“Believe me, joining the Radiant Alliance will definitely be the best decision you've ever made in your life.”

Qin Ming looked at the hand, silent for a moment.

Then, he also extended his hand and firmly shook the other's.

“I hope so.”

The Fat Man picked up the bottle and refilled both their glasses.

He raised his glass, gesturing to Qin Ming.

“Welcome aboard.”

“Bang.”

The two glasses gently clinked in the dim light, making a crisp sound.