Requesting Monthly Votes …… Ye Chen said no more, glancing at the bundle on the back of the person before him. “It’s all in there?” He was able to identify the visitor as Xu Tianguo based on two things: the sound of his footsteps and the scent clinging to him; combined, the two were unmistakable.

Seeing Ye Chen preferred brevity, Xu Tianguo managed a wry smile, closed the private room door behind him, set the bundle down, and stated, “There are twenty-six sets in total, all right here.” As he untied the package, the gold and black leather armor, trousers, and bracers came into Ye Chen’s view. Each set was individually bagged, without any extraneous tags.

Ye Chen nodded, picking up the set specifically marked. He tore open the bag and ran a hand over the surface, feeling the immediate chill. Inside, a thin layer of soft padding made it surprisingly comfortable. He ripped open his own clothes and slipped on the gold and black beast-hide armor. The size was nearly perfect, fitting him exactly. Then, he methodically replaced his gear with the corresponding bracers, gloves, and knee guards. In an instant, he had traded in his old gear for an upgrade.

The gold and black scaled armor was extremely simple in design, resembling a form-fitting combat suit that perfectly showcased Ye Chen’s physique, making him look quite handsome and intensely cool. There were bracers on both forearms capable of deflecting powerful monster attacks. The trousers were cut short, reaching only to mid-thigh, with knee guards snugly enveloping his lower legs.

As for the headwear...

It was merely a gold and black headband. This was a specific style Ye Chen had requested; a large hood was better for group battles, but in a one-on-one fight, it would impede his combat performance, whereas a simple, light headband was far superior.

On this gold and black scaled headband, there were two small apertures, perfectly positioned so that the feelers sprouting from his forehead when he activated his Superman state would not be obstructed.

Ye Chen tied the headband on, radiating an air of effortless authority. He looked over at Xu Tianguo. “For the remaining twenty-five sets: you take one, and Huang Tianci takes one. Give me four more men’s sets and one women’s set. The rest are to be placed in the guild warehouse, accessible only to members who achieve a certain contribution level.”

Among these twenty-six Python Scale Armor sets, there were five women’s designs, as the guild also boasted several powerful female members.

Xu Tianguo quickly handed over the five sets. Ye Chen accepted them casually; these five were intended for Bailong and the others, as well as his sister. Such Tier Six equipment was extremely rare at this current stage of development.

“The rest are for the guild?” Xu Tianguo asked, slightly astonished. He knew the true worth of these sets; releasing even a single one could drive the powerhouses of major guilds into a frenzy. Possessing such formidable gear would drastically increase their survival rate when hunting monsters in the wilderness.

“Strengthening ourselves is the key,” Ye Chen mused, pausing for a moment. “Don’t put them all in. Of the remaining eighteen sets, keep ten here. Take the other eight out to sell. After the sales are complete, the rest can go into the guild warehouse.”

Xu Tianguo froze for a second, then immediately grasped the implication. If everything was kept hidden, Ye Chen wearing a set in public would immediately cause people to suspect a connection between him and the Guangming Guild. While this connection wouldn't inherently harm the guild, it would bring them a powerful ally.

However, it was impossible to guarantee that there weren't spies from other guilds lurking within their ranks. If Ye Chen’s association with Guangming Guild were exposed, it would be a severe blow to the still-developing organization, potentially leading to coordinated suppression and a monopoly over the Guangming Guild’s market share.

No market meant no economic lifeline.

By selling eight sets, many powerhouses would acquire them, meaning if Ye Chen were seen wearing one later, it wouldn't automatically link back to the Guangming Guild.

“Boss,” Xu Tianguo worried, “So many guilds have issued warrants for your arrest now. The Base City leadership is maintaining a wait-and-see attitude; the moment you fall, they will be the first to strike you down. What is your plan now?”

Ye Chen’s expression was placid. “Nothing much. Just a gaggle of petty clowns. Have you recruited enough manpower on your end? Speed up the migration to Hubei Province. Once the base city is established in Shennongjia, I will fabricate a new identity and replace you as the head of the Base City, becoming the central pillar. This will let everyone know that the Guangming Guild has its own powerhouse. However, the minor and major day-to-day affairs below still need you to handle them.”

Ye Chen had long since planned for the future.

If he rashly killed Murong De and seized control as the leader of the Huaxia Base City, his power would certainly be immense. But the subordinates below would not respect him. While they might fear his strength and refrain from open conflict, covert backstabbing would be difficult to guard against.

After all, the Huaxia Base City had developed to its current state, accommodating a population in the tens of millions, with myriad complex structures beneath the surface. It was akin to a new emperor ascending the throne in a small nation; to secure his footing, he would first need to eliminate the former high officials and intimidate the rest. But doing so would inherently weaken the nation’s overall strength.

Only those with shortsightedness and personal inadequacy would attempt usurpation.

Moreover, Murong De was not a ‘tyrant’; in his previous life, he managed to make the Huaxia Base City so powerful precisely because he possessed ability. If Ye Chen were to take his place, he would be a rebel, an enemy of humanity.

Ye Chen had no desire to do this, nor did he deem it worthwhile. Therefore, he planned to build a separate base city.

Ye Chen intended to operate two forces.

First: The Guangming Base City. Second: The Grim Reaper Squad.

In the eyes of the entire world, no matter how strong one individual was, they were still just one person. Even if Ye Chen could punch the Earth into pieces, people would only fear him, and in their dreams, they would still scheme on how to eliminate this uncontrollable menace.

A ruler’s thinking is simple: if someone cannot be controlled for my use, they must be killed.

However, if the Guangming Base City is established and becomes globally renowned, his authority will stem not from a single person, but from an entire city.

Coupled with the Grim Reaper Organization, dedicated to executing criminals against humanity—

Controlling the Guangming Base City with one hand and the Grim Reaper Organization with the other—

Under the deterrence of these two great powers, his words could decide countless matters, influence global development, and compel the leaders of all base cities to willingly obey his orders, without engaging in petty maneuvering behind his back.

With this realization, Ye Chen turned to Xu Tianguo. “Are the people who saw me in the guild still around?”

Xu Tianguo snapped back to attention, startled. “What are you planning? Those who saw you in the meeting hall—they were either swallowed by monsters during a hunt or they failed the Superman gene fusion and dissolved into a pool of pus and blood.”

“Oh.” Ye Chen nodded, though he felt no sorrow in his heart.

Fusing with a Superman was an extremely arduous process. In the early stages, one needed a mental state reaching the Fifth Order Mortal Realm just to attempt the fusion. Now, with monsters growing more ferocious and their genes steeped in mania, one needed to reach the Eighth Order Mortal Realm for a one hundred percent successful fusion without any variance. If the mental state wasn't sufficient...

Success depended purely on luck; perhaps one or two out of millions might emerge.

Of course, there was another method involving special compounds. Ye Chen knew of one pill, originating from ruins, which was miraculous: consuming it guaranteed a one hundred percent successful fusion with the Superman gene. However, such pills were exceedingly rare.

“The Base City managed to synthesize a serum that increases the fusion success rate by 0.01%. This serum is incredibly precious, obtainable only by top-tier guilds like Longteng or Glorious through internal connections with the Base City,” Xu Tianguo explained.

Ye Chen nodded.

Increasing the success rate by even 0.01%—this serum was borderline heaven-defying.

By taking such a serum, one Superman powerhouse could emerge from every ten thousand people, though it would require consuming ninety-nine ninety-nine doses of the serum.

“That’s why the Longteng Guild sent twenty or thirty Superman powerhouses last time, hoping to overwhelm in a group attack to minimize losses. Even a single Superman is a huge loss for a guild like Longteng, something their leader would mourn for days. Yet, they were nearly wiped out entirely,” Xu Tianguo said with satisfaction. If Ye Chen hadn't appeared suddenly that time, he might have died.

Ye Chen nodded slightly. Since the Longteng Guild lost over twenty Supermen, its strength had significantly waned. Now, Longteng was left with only sixty or seventy Supermen, each one precious, the result of the relentless efforts of six or seven hundred thousand people. That was why, last time on Nine Dragon Mountain, Long Zhixiang only brought ten or so personal guards, supported by less than two hundred Supermen from the Base City and all 108 guilds in the city, many of whom were mere ordinary soldiers.

An ordinary guild was considered strong if it possessed two Supermen; typically, they only had one, controlled by the Guild Leader through implanted toxins, the antidote to which was always kept strictly secret.

“If only we had that serum,” Xu Tianguo sighed wistfully. “We could hold open auditions. Anyone could take a dose right there; if the fusion succeeded, we recruit them immediately and grant them high welfare and status. If the awakening fails, then only death awaits.”

Normally, selecting Supermen involved recruiting from the outside; many people who couldn’t even secure food would throw themselves into the path, hoping for success. If they succeeded, their status would instantly leap from beggar to emperor.

“No rush. Once my strength increases a bit more, I can go search for the formula to create this serum, and mine will be far more advanced than what Huaxia Base City possesses,” Ye Chen stated calmly.

Xu Tianguo was greatly surprised. “Where will you find it?”

“Ruins,” Ye Chen replied simply.

Xu Tianguo understood at once, wondering aloud, “Do you know which ruin has it?”

Ye Chen offered no answer, falling silent for a moment. “I will fabricate a name within the guild and become the true owner of the Guangming Guild.”

“What name?” Xu Tianguo asked, momentarily stunned.

“Wolf,” Ye Chen’s eyes glinted with a certain light. He knew that once the base city was established, the manpower Xu Tianguo had recruited in just a few months would struggle to withstand the monster sieges; he would have to personally intervene. Therefore, he was prepared for his identity to be revealed—but not his true self, rather the disguised ‘Wolf.’

“Understood,” Xu Tianguo noted the name down.

Ye Chen’s demeanor returned to normal. “For now, Guangming Base City is still in its nascent stage. Speed up the pioneering work and open a clear path to Hubei Province. Once I’ve handled matters here, I will focus entirely on building the base city.”

“Yes,” Xu Tianguo nodded happily.

Just then, a commotion arose from outside, immediately followed by a rough, deep voice roaring, “Traitor Ye Chen, get out here!” The sound was immense, causing the ears of many physically weaker individuals to sting painfully.