Setting aside the Thunder High Priest's struggle beneath Wang Hui's "ancient giant tree,"
the focus shifts to the Storm Kingdom and Contrarian Harbor.
During the twenty micro-days Wang Hui spent as "mercenary Gawoo," the spicy strips he had bestowed upon the three tribes had made their way into the Gulf World.
This extraordinarily unique, epoch-defining delicacy quickly became a sensation among the nobility of the Storm Kingdom!
If your afternoon tea table lacked spicy strips, you would surely be ridiculed in secret for your lack of taste.
Those monotonous sweets paled in comparison to the rich flavor of the spicy strips!
Due to the three tribes setting exorbitant export prices for the spicy strips, it adopted a luxury branding approach, making it accessible only to the upper echelons of society in the Gulf World.
Yet, because it was a rapidly consumed product, there was a steady volume of trade daily, providing the Divine Kingdom with a steadily increasing wealth to procure more magical stones (heavenly crystal stones).
Astute observers noted that the Divine Kingdom was employing monopolistic goods to siphon off the strategic resources of the Storm Kingdom, which would inevitably lead to significant turmoil in the long run!
However, before these perceptive individuals could organize any resistance actions, they were swiftly apprehended by the subordinates of the Seventh Prince under the charge of "disturbing the peace."
Those who recognized the situation fared better, suffering only physical discomfort and paying fines before being allowed to return home.
In contrast, those who failed to grasp the gravity of the situation found themselves becoming "silent ones" the very next day…
Gradually, the original power structure of Contrarian Harbor was undermined and replaced by individuals handpicked by the Seventh Prince, with names predominantly beginning with "Nalan," "Zuo Qiu," and "Huyan."
The fortunate nobles who escaped purging discerned that the Seventh Prince was steadfast in his intent to align with the foreign forces of the Divine Kingdom, yet they did not dare voice any objections.
Each day, they lived beneath the radar, fearful of an armed battalion of Divine Kingdom warriors knocking on their doors for tea…
"Oh dear, another deal secured; the divine spicy strips are simply flying off the shelves!"
At a noble gathering in Contrarian Harbor, Huyan Qingbai, sporting a prominent belly, was sent off by several dukes and barons, all expressions of gratitude and delight.
As one of the first high-ranking officials to establish themselves in Contrarian Harbor, he was primarily responsible for trade, while Zuo Qiu Yue handled administrative tasks, and military matters were overseen by Nalan Huazi, who had recently recovered from his injuries.
As for the divine servant Huyan Wu, he mostly remained hidden in the shadows, seldom needing to surface for trivial matters; he merely kept an eye out for high-level threats from adversaries.
The publicly recognized "new lord of Contrarian Harbor," the Seventh Prince, wielded little real power, occasionally making appearances and publicly announcing a few initiatives, yet he seemed to live a leisurely life.
"Once Longzhuo's fleet is fully reassembled and new trade routes are established, the divine spicy strips will flow more smoothly to the Silver Moon Kingdom and the Shadow Kingdom; let us hope no conflicts arise…"
Huyan Qingbai contemplated the future trade blueprint as he was escorted along the street by a group of aluminum-armored warriors, all while the common folk of Contrarian Harbor gazed at him in awe as he approached an opulent residence.
This house had once belonged to a viscount, who had become dissatisfied with the power shifts and attempted to confront the Seventh Prince, only to engage in an enticing conversation, after which he had yet to return; his home thus became Huyan Qingbai's abode.
As he was about to enter, Huyan Qingbai's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of something, causing him to pause momentarily before continuing inside nonchalantly.
"Tonight, things might just get a bit lively at home…"
...
A short distance away, in a fisherman's shack.
Trapped in the Gulf World, the player Liang Xiaohai had recently seen an improvement in his physical condition; at least he could walk with the aid of crutches without excruciating pain.
The walls of his small room were covered in charcoal drawings of the character "正."
"Having lived in this game for nearly two years, my body outside must have decayed by now, right? Perhaps my family has discovered me and sent me to a hospital as a vegetable?"
Liang Xiaohai contemplated trying to log out of the game but hesitated.
He had gradually adapted to life in Contrarian Harbor; why cling to unrealistic fantasies?
There was no need to toil over becoming a different kind of rich heir; living as a leisurely fisherman in the game wasn't so bad.
"Xiaohai! Daddy brought back some fresh delicious food; come here quickly!"
The excited voice of Veila echoed from outside the door, and Liang Xiaohai shook his head helplessly. "That silly girl…"
Though he said this, his body obediently walked out of the bedroom.
What kind of delicious food could there be in a medieval-themed game?
"You must try this; it's the spicy strips that Daddy got from Sir Blue. I heard only the nobles can…"
Veila was saying when she noticed Liang Xiaohai's ghostly expression, causing her to curiously poke him. "Xiaohai, what's wrong?"
Ignoring her question, he suddenly snatched a handful of spicy strips and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing vigorously!
The shape and size were slightly different, but the flavor and texture were undoubtedly the spicy strips he recognized!
In a medieval setting, "NPCs" could not produce such delightful modern industrial food…
Unless, a player had memorized the recipe and managed to replicate the spicy strips in the game!
"Uncle Bernie! May I ask who made these?"
Liang Xiaohai asked excitedly, to which the old fisherman, Bernie, wondered privately how the spicy strips could be delicious to such an extent. He replied, "I don't know who specifically made them, but they can only be bought from the Divine Kingdom. It requires connections with the nobility."
"Divine Kingdom…"
Liang Xiaohai was stunned. He had since realized that the one who had severely injured him from afar was a high-ranking official of the Divine Kingdom!
In Liang Xiaohai's mind, it was likely another player trapped in the game who had used their skill in making spicy strips to establish a foothold within the secretive and powerful Divine Kingdom…
Glancing down at himself, supported by crutches, he thought, how could he, also a player, end up in such a state?
"Uncle Bernie, the Sir Blue you contacted, has connections with the Divine Kingdom, right?"
The old fisherman was about to respond when Liang Xiaohai shook his head first. "...Forget it."
He considered himself competent; how could he humiliate himself by begging a seller of spicy strips?
He needed to carve out his own path!
But then again, how long had the player who produced the spicy strips been in the "game world"? Did this suggest that this place had reconnected with reality?
Liang Xiaohai quietly attempted to log out again, but his body remained in place, unable to exit this world.
"Indeed, it doesn't work… It seems the players of the Divine Kingdom are also long-term captives in the game, only recently emerging into the spotlight…
I can't remain in a daze any longer!"
...
In the external world, Wang Hui returned to his physical form after closing the glass dome and stretched.
After much effort, the High Priest Salliman had successfully merged with the green pothos branch from the outside world.
He had become the fifth fusion beast subordinate of Wang Hui, following Longma, Griffin, Huyan Wu, and Justin, and the only one to merge with a plant—an extraordinary distinction!
Wang Hui glanced at the time and turned to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Meanwhile, in the accelerated micro world, various factions began to mobilize once more…