"However, 'buying' won't be necessary. Temporary common ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) titles have too short a duration; they have to be processed again every time they expire, which is troublesome and inconvenient."

The two were stunned, not understanding his meaning.

Lin Feng's gaze became profound as he said slowly, "My Beacon Fire Village will undergo major changes in a few days.

I see that you two Chiefs are also reasonable people, so I might as well be frank—in eleven days, Beacon Fire Village will officially attempt to upgrade to a 'town-level' territory."

"What?!"

"town-level?!"

Gui Shusheng's folding fan almost slipped from his hand, and the smile on Iron Abacus's face instantly froze. The followers behind them also let out a chorus of stifled exclamations!

Upgrading from Village to Town! How many days has it been?! How long has it been since the Black Wolf Den was wiped out?

Not only has Beacon Fire Village established a firm foothold, but it's already about to push for town-level?!

This speed, this ambition, this strength... it's simply unheard of!

After the shock, a massive wave of emotion swept through their hearts.

Once Beacon Fire Village successfully upgrades, it will be the only town-level power within a hundred-mile radius! The landscape will be completely rewritten! Where will these village-level bandit strongholds go?

Lin Feng took in their reactions and continued to present the proposal he had prepared, his voice steady but carrying a non-negotiable power:

"Since our previous cooperation was quite pleasant, and we will likely coexist on this land for a long time in the future, I will give you two choices."

He held up one finger: "First, complete merger. Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor, all personnel and resources, will be integrated into my Beacon Fire Village.

From then on, there will be no more Xiaoyao Stronghold or Juyi Manor, only members of Beacon Fire Village.

I can give you two Chiefs and the Chief of Juyi Manor an opportunity.

Pass my test and prove your loyalty and ability, and you can be granted the title of 'Honorary Resident of Beacon Fire Village,' enjoying the same authority and status as Zhao Hu and the others under my command. The rest of your personnel will be granted Common Resident status."

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus's expressions shifted. A complete merger meant giving up independence and becoming vassals... but the benefit was becoming official territory residents in one step, with the possibility of gaining high-level status like 'Honorary Resident,' ensuring both safety and status.

Especially the point about 'being granted honorary residency upon passing a test'—it was full of temptation and left some room for maneuver.

Lin Feng held up a second finger: "Second, temporary affiliation. During the period Beacon Fire Village is upgrading to town-level, and for a period after the upgrade is successful.

All personnel from your two strongholds (manor) will temporarily join Beacon Fire Village, accept unified dispatch, assist in defense and construction, and jointly resist the Nightmare Tide.

Once the town-level territory is stable, I can allow you to lead your original teams back to your original strongholds to continue your hunting life in the Eastern Swamp and other areas."

He saw the light in their eyes and added a key condition:

"However, as the price for affiliation and the payment for your freedom to travel to and from Blue Star and enjoy the protection of my Beacon Fire Village, you will need to pay a certain amount of 'tax' to Beacon Fire Village every month.

Settled in Gray energy crystals, the specific amount will be negotiated based on your numbers and hunting profits."

The second plan preserved their independence and territory but required paying taxes and assuming obligations, similar to a vassal or tributary state.

Two plans, one absolute and one relatively autonomous, but both pointed to the same result—incorporating the power of Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor into the system of Beacon Fire Village in different forms, contributing to the upcoming population quota and Nightmare Tide defense.

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus fell into a fierce internal struggle. What Lin Feng gave was not a hidden plot, but a blatant overt scheme.

He had laid out his cards, telling them he was upgrading, he needed people, and they either followed him completely or paid up to acknowledge him as the boss. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

And whether it was the prospect of 'Honorary Resident' through complete merger or the illusion of 'independence' through temporary affiliation (which in reality was already controlled by others)...

Both were much better than their current precarious bandit state, where they even had to beg others just to return to Blue Star.

More importantly, the terrifying development speed shown by Beacon Fire Village and the unfathomable strength of Lord Lin (who could kill Guo Shan Feng in a head-on clash, quickly integrate the Black Wolf Den, and was now pushing for town-level)...

Made it impossible for them to even think of a forceful confrontation.

Refuse? Perhaps during the next Nightmare Tide, or if this Lord Lin simply found an excuse, he could wipe them out just like the Black Wolf Den.

The two exchanged glances for a moment, seeing the shock, hesitation, and a trace of resigned helplessness in each other's eyes.

Gui Shusheng took a deep breath and cupped his hands, saying, "Lord Lin is straightforward; your plans are grand, and your offers are generous.

This matter concerns the lives and futures of over a hundred people in the stronghold; it is not for me alone to decide.

I ask the Lord for some time to return to the stronghold and discuss it with my brothers."

Iron Abacus also hurriedly said, "Exactly, exactly. There are many brothers in the manor, and we also need time to unify our opinions.

At this time tomorrow, we will surely come to pay our respects to the Lord again and give our answer!"

They needed time to digest this explosive news, probe the opinions of their subordinates, and weigh the pros and cons of the two plans.

"Very well," Lin Feng nodded readily. "There's no rush. Tomorrow, I will await your good news here."

He paused, his tone carrying a deeper meaning: "However, the Nightmare Tide waits for no one, and the date for Beacon Fire Village's upgrade is near.

I hope you two Chiefs can prioritize the long-term well-being of all your brothers in the stronghold (manor) and make a wise choice."

"Yes, yes, yes, Lord Lin, rest assured, we understand."

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus repeatedly complied, their attitudes even more respectful than when they arrived, even carrying a hint of awe.

"See them out." Lin Feng turned around.

Zhao Hu stepped forward, his voice like a great bell: "Chiefs, this way please!"

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus bowed again and, with hearts full of shock and complex thoughts, led their followers away in a hurry, their figures soon disappearing on the wild path leading to the swamp.

The drawbridge was slowly raised.

Tie Dun asked in a muffled voice, "Lord, which one do you think they will choose tomorrow?"

Lin Feng looked in the direction they had left, his gaze distant: "It doesn't matter which one they choose. What matters is that from the moment they stepped into Beacon Fire Village's range today and finished listening to my words, the sky over the Riverbend Land has already changed."

"They only have the choice of how to integrate into the new sky; they have no possibility of staying in the old one."

He turned to look at his core subordinates: "Alright, let the neighbors worry about their own affairs.

In eleven days, we must make full preparations to meet the town-level trial and welcome our 'neighbors' to make their choice."

"Yes! Lord!" Everyone responded in unison, their morale high.