Chapter 33
The vice-guildmaster and Shen Li continued observing Lu Chuan without speaking.
Lu Chuan let them, as any investor considers all angles carefully.
This was about the future of Star Guild. Since the vice-guildmaster hadn’t thrown him out immediately, there was still room for negotiation.
Sure enough, after a while, the vice-guildmaster spoke.
“So you planned this from the start, which is why you chose us among the five major guilds?” The vice-guildmaster finally realized.
Ambition doesn’t appear out of nowhere.
From the beginning, Lu Chuan had made this plan. Now that he had strength, he revealed it because he knew he had become indispensable to Star Guild.
It wasn’t that Star Guild chose Lu Chuan—it was that Lu Chuan chose Star Guild from the start.
In other words, the reason he followed Shen Li to Star Guild was because he aimed to become president.
“Yes,” Lu Chuan confirmed. “Technically, choosing a mid-sized guild would have been simpler. But Star Guild has history and depth unmatched by others. So I came to see it. After seeing it, I realized I couldn’t let it decline. It’s strong and full of potential. Vice President, I sincerely want Star Guild to become better.”
Now he emphasized the necessity of this project, ready to pitch it to investors.
Lu Chuan quickly rehearsed what he would say in his mind; a few adjustments were all it took.
“Vice President, as you can see, I’m from an ordinary background, I have nothing. Since I’m already part of Star Guild, I can’t go elsewhere. Even if I did, I’d only be their second choice. But here, I know you, Captain Shen, and Shasha, and I know this is where I belong. If I become president, I won’t favor anyone or any faction; I’ll make the choices most beneficial to the guild. If I ever do anything harmful, I know Captain Shen and Shasha would be the first to hold me accountable!”
The vice-guildmaster fell into thought again.
He realized that Lu Chuan’s words were flawless.
In terms of potential and future, Lu Chuan was undoubtedly the strongest rookie currently in Star Guild.
Regarding background and origin, he was clean—no guild had sent him as a spy. Who would trust someone like Lu Chuan as an infiltrator?
In terms of ambition and capability, Lu Chuan aimed straight for the presidency; everything he did was to make the guild better.
As he said, there was no better choice.
“Time is long. I can’t have only you as an option. Since one like you exists, there could be a second or third,” the vice-guildmaster said after some hesitation. “Moreover, the next Guildmaster isn’t up to me; it ultimately depends on the current president’s choice.”
Shen Li listened, slightly confused.
Had the vice-guildmaster agreed or not?
To be honest, after the initial shock, Shen Li had calmly accepted Lu Chuan’s desire to become president.
Yes, that made sense.
If Lu Chuan truly became the president of Star Guild in the future, it would be perfectly normal for Shen Li to be commanded around in the early stages, or to follow Lu Chuan through dungeons and let him carry the team.
After all, Lu Chuan was aiming to be president; ordinary people like them were different!
Shen Li strangely comforted himself with this logic.
Besides, Shen Li also understood that Lu Chuan valued only his own abilities. Since he was willing to work toward the presidency, his decisions would certainly be better than those of the veterans who constantly plotted against the guild.
So after the initial shock, Shen Li accepted the situation calmly.
[Host, what exactly does the vice-guildmaster mean?] #888 asked, still confused. Why can’t humans just speak clearly?
“He agreed, but not fully. But he has taken the first step back, so there’s no need to worry,” Lu Chuan said with a big smile.
The buyer wants the goods.
Humans were strange creatures; the first step is always the hardest.
And once the vice-guildmaster had taken the first step back, it meant he would continue with the second and third steps, eventually retreating to the position Lu Chuan wanted.
“Thank you, Vice President,” Lu Chuan said cheerfully. “Then I’ll trouble you to help suppress a few things for me.”
The vice-guildmaster nearly laughed in frustration. “You really treat the guild like your own home—daring to boss me around already?”
“No, Vice President,” Lu Chuan shook his head innocently. “I just want to show you how much support I can gather with my first project, and how many talented people I can uncover for the guild!”
The people of Star Guild had been waiting for a long time.
All of them expected the vice-guildmaster to punish bold Lu Chuan.
Yet Lu Chuan wasn’t punished.
Instead, several veteran players were called over, returning with angry expressions.
Soon, news spread through the guild.
The vice-guildmaster had said, “That land was bought by Lu Chuan. He has the freedom to sell what he wants. If you were fourth on the rookie leaderboard, you could do the same.”
Such a blunt, decisive answer set the tone immediately.
No one could challenge it because the vice-guildmaster wasn’t cooperating.
Unless they found the president, hiding in some unknown dungeon, no one could change the vice-guildmaster’s decision.
Everyone was surprised. The vice-guildmaster was usually gentle and rarely this firm.
But from the moment he started focusing on Lu Chuan, he began making exceptions, treating him unusually.
Thus, a new rumor arose in Star Guild.
Lu Chuan might be the vice-guildmaster’s illegitimate son!
That would explain why the vice-guildmaster supported him so much and protected him.
This idea gained traction, and people began treating Lu Chuan with a hint of respect.
Lu Chuan didn’t deny it. Early damage to his reputation didn’t matter; as long as things progressed smoothly, it was fine.
Moreover, with this rumor, many wealthy ordinary people began trying to connect with him, inquiring about buying property.
Even though the land he bought was still empty, those who were interested already saw its potential and were willing to take a chance.
Lu Chuan wasn’t in a hurry to reply.
Selling now would fetch only a moderate price. He wanted to complete all the preparatory work first, ensuring everyone knew the huge profits, so he could choose clients rather than be chosen.
Also, currently, only ordinary people were interested in his property, which wasn’t ideal. For his grand plan, the property should ideally attract both players and ordinary people equally.
But it was too early to think about that. He still needed certain resources.
Therefore, under Lu Chuan’s deliberate calm, he didn’t bring up the housing project again. Everyone assumed he had felt pressure and stopped the matter; no one mentioned it further.
But Lu Chuan wasn’t idle. He began searching for items that could suppress players’ abilities.
In the Star Guild headquarters, there was an SS-tier item called [Jesus’ Protection], which could suppress all players’ abilities within range to the minimum, ensuring maximum security for the headquarters.
Nominally, this item was only in the headquarters, but its effect radiated throughout Morningstar City. The farther from the item, the weaker the suppression. For example, at the city’s edge, an S-tier player would be reduced two levels, operating at B-tier. At the headquarters, even S-tier players were like newcomers in D-tier.
Of course, top-ranked players were slightly less affected.
Additionally, the item’s owner was exempt.
Only the Guildmaster could be the owner.
Lu Chuan was self-aware; he couldn’t get an SS-tier item.
If he could, why bother selling property? He would have simply demanded to be made heir.
SS-tier items were obtained only by players who cleared a series of dungeons. Almost all SS items in the five major guilds were acquired by the first-generation presidents. Once obtained, an SS-tier item was unique—never duplicated.
Thus, finding another [Jesus’ Protection] was impossible.
But there were alternatives, such as rule-based items.
For example, Resurrection Guild’s SS-tier item for suppressing players was [Death God’s Scythe], a massive scythe hovering above the city. The president set the rule that no one could use powers above B-tier; violators would be killed by the scythe. While players’ abilities weren’t suppressed, the threat to life made everyone obedient.
The other three guilds had similar items.
In short, even without a suppression item, a rule-based item could serve.
In Star Guild, Lu Chuan could only consult Shen Li.
Shen Li was tutoring Starry Shasha and other children when Lu Chuan arrived unannounced, so he let him in.
He also introduced Lu Chuan to some other children from orphanages.
Those who reached Shen Li’s tutoring were among the most capable.
The children looked at Lu Chuan with wide, innocent eyes, their curiosity obvious.
“Captain Shen, you have such a heart. No wonder everyone urges you to have more children yourself,” Lu Chuan laughed.
“The more non-human traits, the harder it is to conceive. I thought that was common knowledge,” Shen Li replied irritably. “Enough talk. What do you want to ask?”
“Oh, I just want to ask about acquiring rule-based items,” Lu Chuan stated directly.
“Shasha, take the others out to play,” Shen Li said, exasperated, ordering Starry Shasha to lead the kids out.
Shasha decided to stay, wanting to hear the conversation between Captain Shen and Lu Chuan.
Shen Li glared at her, but it had no effect. The other children obediently left under her authority.
She was already picking up bad habits—just following Lu Chuan for a short time. Shen Li silently grumbled.
“Why are you looking for rule-based items so early?” Shen Li asked. “This isn’t your concern. A-tier players can’t even use such items. Even if I were S-tier, I wouldn’t have one.”
Rule-based items typically appear only in A-tier or higher dungeons, under strict conditions unknown to anyone.
One certainty: dungeons with rule-based items always have a god present.
Not just a statue, like in Li Family Village dungeon, but true divine followers, and players may even be affected by the god’s power.
Furthermore, players who die in these dungeons may mutate into monsters while retaining their former abilities. Such dungeons are so bizarre and dangerous that top-ranked players rarely move from them.
Lu Chuan could easily run a few more A-tier dungeons to practice, develop his skills, and acquire extra survival items before trying.
He was still young and had a bright future ahead.
“The Executor you encountered is, in some sense, on par with a deity. But last time we only saw a simple statue incarnation, and its magic already clouded our minds. In true divine dungeons, many things defy logic, and the monsters are extremely difficult. Our tools and class abilities might not even work. I only choose such dungeons to challenge the Top Players List. Why are you so eager?”
Shen Li spoke patiently, “If it were another dungeon, I’d agree. Why don’t you first go to the dungeon in your territory, bind it, and relax a little.”
“For selling property,” Lu Chuan shrugged. “And as you said, to challenge the Top Players List, I’ll have to run rule-based dungeons multiple times eventually. If I want to be president, I’ll have to do it sooner or later anyway. Going early is just fine. But you’re right—I should visit my rookie dungeon first. Okay, that goes on my schedule.”
“What? Brother Lu, you want to be president?” Starry Shasha had never heard this before.
“Shh. Only the vice-guildmaster, Captain Shen, and you know for now. You can’t tell anyone,” Lu Chuan said seriously.
“Don’t worry, Brother Lu. I promise I won’t tell a soul,” Shasha said, her eyes wide as if she had uncovered a huge secret. “Brother Lu, being president is tough. Are you really going to do it?”
“Yes,” Lu Chuan nodded.
“Alright then. If you want to be president, I support you!” Shasha immediately agreed.
“Shasha, why are you taking sides so quickly? You could be president too,” Shen Li said, unable to watch silently. “You’re such a naïve child—don’t you have any ambition? Can’t you learn a little ambition from Lu Chuan?”
“I can’t,” Shasha shook her head quickly. “And Captain Shen, haven’t you noticed Brother Lu is really amazing? He’s completely different.”
Shasha gestured excitedly.
“He is a bit different,” Shen Li admitted reluctantly.
“No, it’s not that,” Shasha said anxiously. “When I use [Lucky Demon], a lot of people around me get hit, including you, Captain. But Brother Lu is different—[Lucky Demon] avoids him!”
She didn’t know how else to explain it, but this was her way of expressing admiration. “Bad luck just stays away from him.”
For example, in the Li Family Village dungeon, when using the [Godslaying Cross], Wang Feng took two side effects under Shasha’s ability, and even Shen Li got thrown away. But at that time, Lu Chuan was only hit lightly by a flying stone—barely a scratch—and the [Godslaying Cross] had no side effects on him.
This wasn’t widely known yet, but Shasha, being an ability user, could sense whether her power affected Lu Chuan.
Her ability treated all equally, but not all could resist it. Some players’ abilities could negate hers or reduce side effects. She had met such people, but her impression of Lu Chuan was entirely different.
The [Lucky Demon] seemed afraid of him, only tentatively tossing a tiny stone.
[Because the host possesses the power of the Eye of Wealth, you carry part of a divine essence. Lucky Demon is a derivative of a god’s power, and you suppress it. Once I upgrade, you’ll gain another God of Wealth skill, making Lucky Demon useless against you!] #888 said happily.
The host was earning game points too fast; it was about to undergo a second upgrade. This time, it would give the host an offensive skill to prevent others from bullying him.
Although the host could hardly be bullied—even against the Executor, he didn’t suffer—#888, as the God of Wealth system, wanted to play a more active role, not just act as a sidekick.
“Is it your special ability?” Shen Li asked, curious. “What ability do you have now?”
“It should lean toward a cleric type, but I don’t know the specifics yet. I haven’t entered a dungeon to test it,” Lu Chuan lied casually. “Captain Shen, if you want, I can try a rule-based dungeon. I’m rated A-tier by the system, so I should qualify.”
“No, you absolutely cannot go alone! But if you’ve developed your ability, then it’s possible,” Shen Li hesitated, realizing Lu Chuan wouldn’t be persuaded. “I’m not fully skilled in rule-based dungeons myself. Even if I accompany you, I might not protect you, let alone ensure my own safety. However, what our guild cannot do doesn’t mean others can’t.”
“Oh?” Lu Chuan perked up.
“The Abyss Guild and Noah Guild have players aiming for the Top Players List. They’re planning a joint expedition into a rule-based dungeon. The information isn’t confirmed yet; I need to investigate. If true, I can find a way to get you into their expedition. As long as we cooperate as a guild initially, the dungeon’s contract system won’t allow them to harm you—they’ll treat you and your teammates equally. This should let you safely enter a rule-based dungeon with some protection,” Shen Li explained.
If he, another challenger to the Top Players List, requested to join, these two guilds might refuse. But as the fourth-ranked rookie, Lu Chuan would likely be accepted.
Of course, Shen Li would have to pull a few favors.
But did Lu Chuan need to rush? Rule-based dungeons differed from normal ones; his usual tactics might not work.
For example, telling monsters that gold is valuable would only make them think you’re crazy.
To monsters, money was as meaningless as a roadside rock.
It was hard to imagine how Lu Chuan could survive without his wealth-based abilities.
“Alright,” Lu Chuan agreed immediately. “I know this is difficult, but thank you, Captain Shen!”
Shen Li sighed. “If you want to be president, you must take a different path. Many dangers lie ahead, and you must judge them yourself.”
Humans always retreated step by step. Shen Li was no exception.
Lu Chuan couldn’t enter a rule-based dungeon alone, but a joint expedition was possible.
He knew he couldn’t convince Lu Chuan otherwise. Better to find a relatively safe path than watch him die.
“Don’t worry, Captain Shen,” Lu Chuan said. Shen Li was his full-support, an all-round caretaker. Others’ opinions didn’t concern him.
“I’ll wait for your good news, Captain Shen. I’ll go bind my territory first.” Lu Chuan rubbed his chin, curious about how the dungeon had changed in his absence. He still missed Mr. Hubbard; finding a wealthy banker wasn’t easy.
