Chapter 287.1 – Training Method of the Dark Era

It was very likely that the Casted Soul Stage could only accommodate one special ability. Wang Zhong thought back to the time when he only had 50 grassos and felt his entire being fill with a silly yet sweet euphoria of happiness.

While Wang Zhong laughed about like a fool, the atmosphere of the transaction site on the other side had been lit up like a wildfire. With properties and assets valued over 10 billion, it was impossible for such amounts to be transferred in a one off manner. Although the Stuart Family’s businesses were large and widespread, they were not a banking family unlike the Musk Family. Thus, the amount of money that Darwin was able to move was not as exaggerated as the latter.

At the moment, only negotiations were happening. Ma Dong’s talent towards business and his slyness in the art of being a human had undoubtedly revealed themselves on the negotiation table. Not only did it cause Darwin to see him in a new light, it also made the two accompanying elders from the Assassin Family to feel slightly shocked.

Even those two elders trembled with fear and trepidation as they sat face to face against a great figure like Darwin, yet Ma Dong was able to carry on in his natural fashion. Although he clearly showed slight immaturity and tenderness on the skills of negotiations, they were unable to mask the splendor of his character. He was extremely skilled in knowing when to attack and retreat, with his conversation skills being very tactful and skillful. Even when contending against a leviathan like Darwin, he had yet to say anything causing awkwardness. All of these things seemed to be information that twirled around his fingertips from his birth. Maybe this brat was truly a negotiation specialist in his past life.

In the end, the decision was made for the payments to be split into three installments, with the 3 billion being the first upfront payment. As for the remaining 8 billion, they were split into two parts to be settled on the 15th of the next month. This was around the bottom line that Darwin was willing to accept. Being talked into accepting such conditions was something that made Darwin unsure of whether to laugh or cry. Naturally, due to vastness of his family, obtaining the stone slab with such conditions was still considered a profit.

When one reached the realm that the Stuart Family was in, something like wealth became a secondary goal. Strength and skills of an even deeper level were more important, and more people around the level of Darwin.

The negotiations had smoothly reached an agreement, with the Stuart family having also made sufficient efforts towards the transaction. Other than Darwin, two family members who were in charge of the Eastern Area A region had also came over. Under Darwin’s instruction, they had intentionally forged friendships with Ma Dong.

Although the A region of the Eastern Area was not within the main region of the Stuart Family’s influence, they had sufficient power in the say of this piece of land and were involved in many business areas. Such a thing was exactly what Ma Dong sought; talking about collaboration, relationships, human connections, anything was good. Naturally, he remained tight lipped when they touched upon the subject of the Fate Master, only giving a smile in return.

This was something that Darwin was unable to insist or force upon Ma Dong. Regardless of the Fate Master’s mannerisms, actions, or the mere fact that he wore a clown mask, Darwin had felt that the former was not a simple person at all in their previous contact in the adventurer base. During this period of time, his family had flipped through all the information they had, yet could not find a single piece of news that was related to this person.

Powerful, mysterious and a feeling that he must not be provoked; these were consistent with the principles of the Stuart Family. Since they were unable to find any information about him, they would give him face while conveniently supporting Ma Dong and growing a good relationship here. As long as he was given a chance, a person like Ma Dong would definitely be able to rise up, springboarding himself to greater heights. Even without taking the Fate Master into account, there may even be a day that he may be of some use. Furthermore, 8 billion credits and a piece of land being unexpectedly hung on Ma Dong’s name meant that the relationship between him and the Fate Master was indeed extraordinary. It also meant that the latter was not invulnerable, although no one was willing to provoke such a mysterious expert and would only do so when it was absolutely inevitable.

This time, Ma Dong was about to become really busy to the point where it would be extremely difficult for him to even meet with Milami. Meanwhile, the negotiations on the Assassin Family’s side had passed smoothly.

As the representative of the Fate Master, Ma Dong officially collaborated with the Assassin Family to develop the Disorderly Burial Lake Region. 8 billion credits and the ownership of the land gave him 60% of the shares for the entire development project, with the Assassin Family contributing 12 billion. Naturally, this was a once-off situation as the wealth of the Assassin Family made taking out such a large amount of money seem like a fantasy. The entire development project was forecasted to require at least five years of construction, with the goal to establish a locally employed department after a year to allow for mutual benefit. The Fate Master and the Assassin Family would each hold 45% with Ma Dong obtaining the remaining 10%. This was the final compromise made by both sides. The Fate Master was invested down to the core of the project, with the Assassin Family in control over the core management while Ma Dong was the intermediary, resulting in an equilibrium. Clearly, the family was extremely at ease with Ma Dong in charge.

The development project at the Disorderly Burial Lake began to progress at the pace of a wildfire, while Wang Zhong returned to his usual lifestyle.

The most important holiday before the CHF had started, lasting two whole months. Other than Emily who had returned home and Grai who had gone sightseeing and travelling, the rest of the squadron had forsaken their holidays, choosing to undergo the final special training within the society. It could be said that the state they were in during this period would have a major effect on their results in the CHF.

The midsummer sun appeared lazy as sunlight radiated across the sky, cicadas buzzed all day long and the dry stifling heat caused everyone to feel drowsy and sleepy.

The campus seemed cool and quiet during the holidays, yet it was buzzing with activity in the Prodigy Society’s training room.

Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta…

Numerous footsteps rang out from the wooden floor of the training room as the squad members ran to their positions. Facing them were a few virtual practice drill formations that Wang Zhong had displayed on the Skylink screen. Acting as training opponents, Scarlet and squad continuously changed formations to counter the virtual formations on the screen.

“A5 to H2, double flank protection.”

“A single file, H5, H6, H7 triple defense varying formation.”

Digital numbers that represented the formations formed on the screen, and just like Laura had said, they would need two commanders to deal with some of the possible scenarios where one of them would be occupied by the opponents. Scarlet’s commands were starting to get more fluid and natural. With her intelligence and extremely deep understanding towards formation, it was more than sufficient for this ability to blossom in her. Due to the unfavorable results from a few formation changes, however, she would still be slightly slow on the uptake.