Chapter 260: Annexation
Xu Feng thought he was insidious enough, but the Adventure Association was even a tier higher than him.
Naturally, to lure these players over was an amazing thing to boost the overall city population.
But had they ever thought about the consequences?
Once news of the city was exposed for deceiving its people, the reputation would be ruined. Worse, it might even cause a riot to effectively have the city brought down, with the exception of the Teleportation Platform.
"This is just playing with fire." Xu Feng exclaimed, feeling that the Adventure Association was going too far.
Not only would it bring the city's reputation down, but even the branch of this Adventure Association would be questioned for their credibility.
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"Manager Howard also knows it's a bit extreme, but he also had no other choice." Jessica smiled bitterly. "We have received news that many other cities are hoping to annex us, given our low return value. A city that can barely sustain itself shouldn't exist. Hence, we must gamble this time."
'Annexation?' Alarmed, Xu Feng furrowed his brows, seemingly confused by the situation. There was never any news of Star Falls City being under pressure of annexation.
So how could there possibly be a sudden event of the city being annexed?
It can't be the butterfly effect, right?
At this point, Xu Feng more than realized that the impact he tried to make to a bare minimum was utterly pointless.
By entering a city far earlier than expected, he had triggered an unexpected event. Worse, he was now the center of it and had no other choice but to advance forward.
An annexation of Star Falls City meant complete disaster to him. After all, the land deeds that he had purchased to obtain full ownership would now be in liquidation the moment the city got annexed.
'No wonder that Howard sold the land deeds dirt cheap for me, and even at half-discount.' Xu Feng clicked his tongue, realizing that Howard was an extremely sly fox.
The Divine World was a fair and just world, especially with the system in place.
There was no way it would ever allow a player to gain such a big advantage without any price to pay.
Despite knowing that very simple concept, to experience it personally was two different things.
"Good, good, good." Xu Feng said it three times and stared at Jessica. "You and Manager Howard really know how to play with people."
"Please don't word it like that, Baron Lin Feng." Jessica hurriedly shook her head. "You are our only hope left, given you are recommended by that entity. In return for your hard work, Manager Howard has already brought many ores from other cities here for you to practice blacksmithing. In addition, there are some Equipment Designs for you to choose from to learn."
"Equipment Designs?" Upon hearing this term, Xu Feng was stumped.
"Yes, Equipment Designs that have been found in some dungeons. Manager Howard used his authority to let you choose two designs for free to assist you in the competition. He also expressed his apologies for the sudden plan."
"..."
Truly the carrot and the stick method.
On one hand, Howard had forced him to a path of no retreat, but on the other hand, he managed to deliver enough temptation to keep him satisfied.
"I'll see what the Equipment Designs are first." Xu Feng said calmly, remaining composed by the temptations.
Visibly, Jessica was somewhat surprised by his composure, having believed Xu Feng would readily agree and forget about the impromptu arrangement.
'He didn't fall for it.' Jessica cried inwardly. 'That's not what the manager had said would happen.'
Previously, she had been brought to a meeting and Howard had instructed her how to relay the situation to Xu Feng word for word. Once she revealed the matter of free Equipment Designs, it should have been an easy process to bind Xu Feng with another contract.
However, not only did Xu Feng remain clear-headed, but he even demanded to see the Equipment Designs first.
What was she supposed to answer now?
If Xu Feng saw the Equipment Designs and was dissatisfied with it, he might just get up and leave, or even sell the land deeds to another person to salvage his loss.
After all, the land deeds were still considered valuable to the wealthy people who could afford to withstand the annexation process.
"You seemed quite reluctant to satisfy my simple condition, Miss Jessica." Xu Feng smiled and gazed at her. His gaze seemed to have a piercing effect, given that Jessica felt as if she had been seen through completely.
"Sigh, fine, it's over in the restricted area." Jessica stood up and began guiding him to the area that stored the Equipment Designs.
Shortly after being guided, Jessica brought him to a highly secured room that had many runes and formations inlaid.
As Jessica maneuvered some of the runes and formations, the door started making creaking sounds as it opened up.
The mechanism behind the runes and formations was overly complicated, so Jessica didn't believe Xu Feng would be able to analyze what she had done.
However, that was a wrong misconception, given Xu Feng recorded everything. Of course, he wasn't trying to steal what was inside the secured room but to study the runes and formations.
Sometime later, the duo entered and Jessica made sure to warn Xu Feng sternly to not deviate from their path.
"Every item here is considered confidential, so don't look at what you're not supposed to."
"Rest assured, I treasure my life very well." Xu Feng coolly responded.
And he continued, "Which is why if the Equipment Designs are lacking, then I need to take a step back."
Hearing that, Jessica nearly stumbled from her movement.
Taking a deep breath, Jessica finally arrived at a shelf. Subsequently, she revealed 10 Equipment Designs, with 7 of them being somewhat tattered, a clear definition that they are quite old.
"Don't underestimate these tattered ones," Jessica said solemnly. "It's just a bit hard to identify them and we didn't want our city to become a target so we can't afford to have it leak to the outside."
While saying that, she failed to realize Xu Feng's eyes were glued to one of the Equipment Designs.
'They actually have this design here?' Xu Feng was alarmed by the discovery.