The meeting inside Zimo''s opulent office had been nothing short of a battlefield.


    For four long hours, the four powerful n leaders and the city lord shed over who would lead the newly formed merchant guild, created under the influence of the Celestial Heavenly Store.


    Heated arguments, raised voices, and endless usations filled the room as each n vied for power, their ambitions clouding any sense of reason.


    The atmosphere was tense, thick with frustration and the weight of generations-old rivalries.


    Zimo, seated calmly at his desk, barely reacted to the chaos unfolding around him. He allowed them to argue and shout, silently observing as their true colors emerged.


    He knew that this decision would reshape the politicalndscape of the city, giving immense power to the chosen ns, and he had every intention of letting them fight for it.


    Finally, after hours of relentless bickering, the decision was made: the Sun n and the Wei n would lead the new merchant guild.


    As the leaders filed out of the store, the Sun n leader, an elderly man with a sharp gaze, wore a grin so wide it seemed as if his face would split.


    His hands were sped confidently behind his back, and he walked with a triumphant swagger.


    Beside him, the Wei n leader mirrored his expression, his steps heavy with satisfaction.


    The two men exchanged nces, wordlessly basking in their shared victory. The future was now theirs to shape, and their ns would reap the rewards for generations toe.


    The Sun n leader''s mind was already racing with ns. ''This is the beginning of a new era for our n. Let them envy us—we''ve earned it.''


    Meanwhile, the Wei n leader couldn''t help but smirk to himself. ''Finally, the Wei name will stand at the top, no longer second to anyone. The death of my son did not go in vain''


    Behind them, the other two leaders followed their faces stark contrasts to the jubnt men ahead.


    The Mo n leader, a stern and dignified woman, walked with clenched fists, her expression twisted with frustration.


    She had fought hard for her n''s position, only to be denied. Her lips pressed tightly together as she fought to suppress the anger threatening to spill over.


    Her sharp eyes lingered on the backs of the two triumphant men ahead of her, resentment burning in her chest.


    ''They think they''ve won, but this isn''t over.'' Mo thought, her mind already plotting her next move.


    Beside her was the city lord, a man once revered for his authority and control over the city''s affairs.


    His face was dark with barely contained fury. It wasn''t just the loss of power that irked him—it was the sheer audacity of the Sun and Wei n leaders.


    How dare they?


    Not once had they shown him the respect he was due as city lord during the entire meeting. Instead, they treated him as though he were an obstacle, something to be brushed aside.


    ''Have I lost all my authority?'' The thought gnawed at him. ''When did these mere n leaders stop fearing me?''


    His fists clenched tightly at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. The grievance was almost too much to bear.


    He wanted tosh out, to remind them who held true power in this city, but he knew it was toote.


    The decision had been made, and now the Sun and Wei ns would rise, further diminishing his influence.


    The city lord''s thoughts were bitter as he trailed behind the group. ''They''ll pay for this insolence. I won''t be ignored much longer.''


    Last on the trail was the Feng n leader, moving with a steady, unhurried pace. His face remained a mask of neutrality, revealing neither joy nor disappointment.


    Unlike the other leaders whose emotions were clearly written on their faces, his was unreadable, giving nothing away. Those who nced at him would find no hint of what thoughts upied his mind.


    But beneath that calm exterior, his thoughts churned with quiet intensity.


    ''If this continues, it''s only a matter of time before my n fades into obscurity,'' he mused, his eyes narrowing slightly as his gaze drifted toward the bustling city streets.


    ''I won''t allow that. My n can''t, and won''t,g behind any longer.''


    The decision today had been a blow, but not a fatal one. While the Sun and Wei ns celebrated their triumph, the Feng n leader was already calcting his next move.


    ''The adventure guild...'' His thoughts turned toward the future.


    It was time to push every able-bodied member of his n to join it. That guild held the real key to survival in this ever-changing city.


    The Fire Resistance Robes sold by the Celestial Heavenly Store were a mere glimpse of what adventurers would have ess to, and that was what he intended to capitalize on.


    Though the merchant guild was now out of his grasp, the adventure guild offered an entirely different avenue of opportunity, one that aligned with the ns he had quietly set in motion long before the merchant guild was even conceived.


    ''Let the Sun and Wei ns have their moment of glory, he thought, his lips pressing together in a thin line. They won''t see what''sing. When the time is right, my n will rise, not through trade, but through strength and strategy.''


    …


    The following day, the news of the newly created merchant guild spread throughout the city like wildfire, catching everyone off guard.


    The mes of excitement surrounding the Fire Resistance Robe had barely begun to die down, and now the Celestial Heavenly Store had released another bombshell that sent shock waves through the city.


    The thought of a merchant guild appearing in Dongping City threw the entire popce into a frenzy. Those who had been unable to join the adventure guild rushed to seize this new opportunity.


    The streets buzzed with excitement as merchants, traders, and evenmon folk discussed the implications of the guild.


    To be part of the Celestial Heavenly Store''swork now seemed like the key to unimaginable wealth and influence.


    Meanwhile, inside the inn, Wu Xia and her group were taken by surprise when a youngdy in a maid uniform appeared before them.


    "Are you serious?" Wu Xia asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.


    "Yes," the maid responded with a calm nod.


    Instantly, a bright smile broke across Wu Xia''s face.


    The meeting from the day before had left her disappointed, and she had thought all hope of coborating with the mysterious Celestial Heavenly Store had slipped through her fingers.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She had mentally prepared herself for the possibility of rejection.


    But who would have expected the same indifferent store owner to summon them the next day?


    Without a moment of hesitation, Wu Xia and Mr. Hu followed the maid out of the inn. Their hearts raced, pounding with a mixture of nervousness, anticipation, and a touch of fear.