"Of course!" Lily Carter’s face showed a trace of pride. She didn’t seem to notice the polite tone in Ethan Clark’s voice, and instead boasted, "The body I took over is the seventh young lady of Tianqi Manor. This Tianqi Manor is one of the most powerful forces in the entire Qi Yun Kingdom, with a large number of people even in the imperial court. Moreover, we have established influence in the cultivation world as well, with significant impact. Even some Innate Realm experts dare not disobey the orders of our Tianqi Manor, and masters at the Tempered Gang Realm have to show us respect. With the power of Tianqi Manor, I’ve now gathered my own team, mostly made up of players, and there are quite a few top experts among them who are above the seventh level of Qi Refining."

After speaking, she sized up Ethan Clark, as if waiting for him to be shocked by her power and potential, then hurriedly pledge allegiance to her, begging to join her sect.

Ethan Clark could also see her intentions, but since he had finally met a player, and one with some influence at that, he didn’t want to miss the opportunity, especially since he was short on Alliance Coins. So he got straight to the point: "Since you’re building your own force now, you must need precious herbs, pelts, scales, and other resources. I’ve been around the area these days and have collected a few things. How about we make a trade?"

"Trade? What kind of trade?"

Lily Carter frowned slightly, a bit displeased that Ethan Clark hadn’t begged to join her force as she had expected.

"Alliance Coin trade."

"Alliance Coins?"

Lily Carter looked Ethan Clark up and down a few times. "If you want Alliance Coins, it depends on what you have to offer."

"Of course, it’s not just ordinary materials."

After speaking, Ethan Clark leapt lightly and quickly entered the small wooden house built in the air. Soon, he came out with a beast hide bag and opened it.

"These are all specialties of the Red River Forest: Blood Pearl Grass, the main ingredient for refining Hemostatic Pills. Red Flame Fruit, which can stimulate potential in the body to greatly increase cultivation efficiency for a short time. This is Luochuan Root, which is very helpful for restoring true qi... Also, I have the corpse of a Scarlet Blood Bear here, which I just hunted last night. As a mutated beast, the Scarlet Blood Bear’s strength rivals that of an Innate Realm expert, and its whole body is a treasure. I believe I don’t need to say more about its value..."

"A powerful Innate Realm beast, the Scarlet Blood Bear... Blood Pearl Grass, Red Flame Fruit... These are all great things."

Watching from a distance, Julia Baker couldn’t help but let out a low exclamation. Even Innate Realm experts would be envious of these things, let alone her, a cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

"An Innate Realm beast—you actually managed to kill one? No wonder you dare to train alone in the Red River Forest. You must be an Innate Realm expert yourself, right?"

"My cultivation isn’t the point. If you think these things are worth trading, just name your price."

"Price is negotiable, but what about my earlier invitation? As long as you’re willing to join my force, you can have as many resources as you want. Even if you want Alliance Coins, I can give them to you—how about ten thousand Alliance Coins a month? That’s a higher salary than many white-collar workers get. It’s much easier than working yourself to death in the True Profound World."

"No need, I just want to make this trade."

"Hmph!"

Lily Carter’s face turned slightly cold, clearly a bit displeased. "You’d better think carefully. Our Tianqi Manor is one of the most powerful forces in Qi Yun Kingdom. Joining us can only benefit you."

Ethan Clark glanced at the woman and shook his head. "If you’re not sincere about the trade, then forget it."

With that, he turned around, intending to put the items back in the small wooden house.

"Wait!"

Lily Carter’s expression turned cold and she snorted, "I hope you’ve thought this through. Your Innate Realm strength makes you one of the top experts among billions of virtual accounts, but compared to the native inhabitants of the True Profound World, you’re nothing special. Even within our Shenzhou Alliance, there are plenty of Innate Realm experts. If you serve me, Lily Carter, and make great contributions, I can reward you handsomely, even help you compete for resources in Tianqi Manor and give you a chance to break through to the Tempered Gang Realm. Otherwise..."

"Shenzhou Alliance? Lily Carter?"

Before Lily Carter could finish, Ethan Clark suddenly spoke.

"What is Emily Carter to you?"

Chapter 7: Taking a Master

"Emily Carter? She’s my cousin!"

At this, the pride on Lily Carter’s face grew even stronger. "Since you know the Shenzhou Alliance, you should know our power in the True Profound World, especially in Shenzhou. Although our Shenzhou Alliance isn’t the very top among all of Shenzhou, among all the virtual residents—that is, players—we are absolutely the strongest. No one can compare to us..."

"Is that so."