There are ways to break the situation, but not many.
In Mu Yang's opinion, there are two relatively simple methods. The first is to join a powerful adventure group. With a strong backer, there would be no need to fear the threat of the black merchants.
However, the result of doing so would likely be that the adventure group would completely control the Skywing Merchant Guild's voice, causing it to lose its former freedom.
Before running out of options, Ruo Yi and the other founders did not want to hand over their hard work just like that.
The second method is to find a strong individual, powerful enough to make the black merchants wary and even fearful, to oversee the Skywing Merchant Guild.
In Reincarnation Paradise, might makes right.
The black merchants only dared to hire greedy and powerful Contractors to act for them because they were richer and had more connections than the Skywing Merchant Guild.
But if there was a stronger individual in the enemy's camp, the black merchants would not only not dare to act again, but would even have to apologize, claiming that the previous incidents were done by temporary Employees acting on their own, and that the higher-ups knew nothing.
Ruo Li's strength was decent, but with the enhancement of money and her profession, only her intelligence and charm exceeded ten points; everything else was average.
The strength of Tier 1 Contractors varies. In a real battle, with Ruo Yi's support, Ruo Li should be able to rank in the top ten thousand in the Arena.
This ranking might not seem high, but don't forget that the number of Tier 1 Contractors is close to 100,000. This was only her first world after the trial, so it was already not low.
As for Mu Yang...
If he could prepare some things beforehand and the environment could provide him with a massive amount of energy, getting into the top one thousand would not be a problem.
But the requirements were too strict; under normal circumstances, getting into the top eight thousand would be good enough.
"Those black merchants are very adaptable to the environment of Reincarnation Paradise. They bully the weak to death and immediately kneel and surrender when they see the strong."
Although Mu Yang's words carried a hint of sarcasm, he had to admit that such people indeed lived longer and even better in Reincarnation Paradise, because they had abandoned their dignity.
After all, in the eyes of the black merchants, what is dignity worth? If a person has no life, what is the point of having dignity?
This was the black merchants' philosophy, which they had upheld to this day and were even proud of.
The Skywing Merchant Guild, compared to the black merchants, was more conscientious. Even when selling goods in a derivative world, prices would at most increase by 2 times.
Although still a lot, merchants bore greater risks, such as: the goods carried might be robbed, some peers might resort to foul play...
"That's true."
After a brief introduction, several merchants were dispatched to search for missions related to demon creatures within the city, and finally found relevant tasks in the announcements issued by the guard army.
"Are you sure you want to join this operation? We can pay a portion of the reward in advance."
The guard army captain looked at Mu Yang and Ruo Li, his eyes revealing undisguised envy and awe.
He saw the several servant-like Employees following behind the two, but paid them no mind, assuming they were just accompanying them on this trip.
Moreover, even if they went to the mission location together, it didn't matter.
The number of demon creatures they had detected alone amounted to several hundred. It wasn't an assassination mission, and if non-mission personnel died, it was irrelevant to them and no compensation was required.
After receiving a positive reply, the guard army members took two potions and handed them to the two separately.
[Elf's Secret Stash (Physique)]
Origin: Fairy Tale Kingdom · Elf Race
Quality: Green
Category: Permanent Enhancement Potion
Prerequisite for Use: This potion cannot be consumed a second time, nor can similar types.
Effect: After consumption, Stamina permanently +1, Defense slightly increased.
Rating: 28
Description: A potion made by the Elf race, highly valuable, can enhance one's strength.
Price: 3900 paradise coins
......
This portion of the reward paid in advance was very generous. Any item that could permanently increase body attributes was extremely expensive in Reincarnation Paradise.
Ruo Li was able to increase her intelligence and charm to over ten points precisely because she had Ruo Yi's support and drank several attribute-enhancing potions.
That night, the team assembled, totaling over twenty people, half of whom were guard army members and half recruited through announcements.
It was worth mentioning that Mu Yang's strength was surprisingly the strongest in the team, which he hadn't expected.
It seemed that the strength of those demon creatures was even weaker than he had imagined; there was a high probability that none were stronger than him.
Over twenty people set off under the cover of night. According to the intelligence gathered by the guard army, that group of demon creatures had set up a formation specifically to conceal their demonic aura, hiding in a forest.
Since the guard army had issued the mission and made preparations beforehand, they were certainly well-prepared.
Several people took out an ordinary spherical object, activated it by channeling magic power, and the sphere emitted a dazzling white light, automatically flying into the sky and illuminating the entire sky in bright white.
Standing under the white light, one would feel as if it were still daytime.
Feeling a strange, faint burning sensation on his body, Mu Yang imperceptibly glanced at the orb of light in mid-air. He felt that this mission might be somewhat complex.
As the white light shone into the forest, the terrifying wails of the demon creatures could be heard, and the expressions of the others became extremely excited, as if a group of dog-lovers had seen their goddess.
This excited and fanatical expression... seemed somewhat familiar.
"Kill! Teach these inferior creatures a lesson!"
"The more you kill, the richer the reward! Don't let go of any!"
"I..."
The shouts to attack kept ringing out. Mu Yang noticed that most of them were from the guard army, while the recruited individuals merely echoed them and rushed into the forest.
Mu Yang respected those who faced the first wave of impact from enemies in good condition as true men, because those who charged at the front were often the ones who died the most, with a terrifying death rate of over 80%.
These people's emotions were abnormally agitated; it was clear that the guard army had tampered with them. Most of the guard army members hid at the back of the team, while Mu Yang, Ruo Li, and other magic-user combat personnel were at the very rear.
Watching the ugly demon creatures fall from the trees due to the blinding white light, the excited recruited personnel quickly rushed forward, drew their weapons, and began to fight them.
The demon creatures were not strong to begin with, and under the weakening effect of the white light, they were even more vulnerable. After Mu Yang used "Unending Flame", even the fire dragons he casually summoned could burn down a large area.
[Kill rewards are accumulating and will be settled after the event ends.]
The guard army members standing by praised him repeatedly, and subtly moved a few steps closer to Mu Yang, claiming it was to protect Mu Yang, this powerful artillery mage, fearing a sneak attack from the demons.
As for their true intentions, who knew?
The battle situation was a complete rout. Even though there were many demon creatures, victory was only a matter of time.
The expressions on the faces of those who charged at the front with weapons became increasingly exaggerated. Mu Yang even saw one person's mouth almost reaching their ears, an expression no human could possibly make.
He gave Ruo Li a look, and she quickly understood, silently chanting a spell.
It was at this moment that a sudden change occurred...