Chapter 979 – Times Have Changed

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Silence descended upon the lounge as Shi Feng finished speaking. Even Red Frost, who had been seething at Ember Dragon, couldn’t help but pause to look at Shi Feng, a trace of panic flashing in her eyes. Never did she expect Shi Feng to give such a response.

Does he not know about the Nebula Consortium?

After a brief surprise, Red Frost had to wonder if Shi Feng even knew what the name “Nebula Consortium” represented.

Moreover, the more Red Frost thought about it, the more she was convinced this was the case. After all, Shi Feng was basically a newcomer in the Greater World. The Nebula Consortium also maintained a very low profile in God’s Domain, so most players in the Greater God’s Domain only knew that it was a very powerful pharmaceutical company selling the highly sought-after Stardew. Only the executives of the various powers and corporations knew how terrifying the Nebula Consortium’s strength and influence were in both the Greater World and the Greater God’s Domain.

The Nebula Consortium controlled 80% of the Greater World’s Stardew production. This point was enough to deter the various apex powers from offending it. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call the Nebula Consortium the underground emperor of God’s Domain.

Just as Red Frost considered explaining the situation to Ember Dragon, the latter smiled and said, “You are as arrogant as you are in God’s Domain, Guild Leader Black Flame. Do you know how many powers in God’s Domain wish for such an opportunity? Yet, you refused it?”

As if Ember Dragon had guessed Shi Feng’s response long ago, he curled his lips in contempt and continued, “Do you think you are already standing at the apex of God’s Domain? Just because you have an apex power backing you? Or is it because you managed to steal Evil Nature’s headquarters and thrive in the Eternal Realm? Do you truly believe nobody can do anything about you?

“I pity your ignorance. You have no idea that the God’s Domain and Greater World you know is merely the tip of the iceberg. Regardless, I will convey your message word for word. I hope you do not regret your decision.”

Ember Dragon despised Shi Feng. Shi Feng had not only foiled his plan to take control of Holy Dragon Spear but also snatched the Flame Dragon God’s Nest he had plotted for years to steal. If not for the Nebula Consortium executives’ unexpected decision, he would probably never have had the chance to take revenge on Shi Feng.

As Red Frost stated, the Nebula Consortium was never one to meddle with the affairs in God’s Domain. Even when Demon’s Gate and the Eternal Chamber of Commerce clashed, the Nebula Consortium remained indifferent despite being a shareholder in the two apex powers.

The Nebula Consortium’s decision to interfere with Zero Wing’s operations was definitely a first for Ember Dragon since he joined the consortium. When he received the instructions to convey the Nebula Consortium’s intent to Zero Wing, it took him a while to recover from his shock.

Naturally, Shi Feng’s refusal to accept the Nebula Consortium’s arrangement was the best outcome for Ember Dragon.

Before Red Frost could explain, Ember Dragon left the lounge without another word.

“This bastard! He’s clearly trying to use the Nebula Consortium to deal with us!” When Red Frost saw that Ember Dragon didn’t even try to negotiate or listen to her explanation, she knew what he was trying to do. However, despite her anger, she could do nothing about the situation.

Although the Nebula Consortium sold Stardew to powers and corporations all over the Greater World, its existence was shrouded in mystery. Nobody knew where its headquarters was located. It only made its presence known through the Stardew-selling shops it operated in first-tier mobile cities and a small number of lower-tier mobile cities.

In fact, apart from Ember Dragon, Red Frost had never met another official member of the Nebula Consortium despite being the Acting Commander of Holy Dragon Spear. It was as if the Nebula Consortium didn’t exist. However, the Stardew it produced and sold proved that it existed.

In this situation, if Ember Dragon was intent on using the Nebula Consortium to get revenge on them, it wouldn’t matter even if she explained Shi Feng’s ignorance. None of her words would reach the consortium.

As for whether Ember Dragon was pretending to be a member of the Nebula Consortium, that was unlikely to be the case. After all, the behavior of South Lake and the Primordial Dragon Sanctuary’s other pseudo-apex powers already made this point very clear.

Besides the Nebula Consortium, Red Frost could not think of any power that could get the Primordial Dragon Sanctuary’s pseudo-apex powers to abandon their partnership with Zero Wing.

“Let him be,” Shi Feng said, chuckling as he looked at the angry and frustrated Red Frost. “Even without his interference, nothing will change. Zero Wing cannot and will not accept the Nebula Consortium’s conditions.”

While the Nebula Consortium might have said that it would only supervise Zero Wing’s management, what it was actually doing was forcing Zero Wing to become its subordinate power. Had any other power received such an offer, they would definitely accept it with pleasure. After all, the Nebula Consortium’s influence surpassed even the Seven Luminaries Alliance’s.

If a Guild became a subordinate of the Nebula Consortium, even if it were only a midlevel Guild in the Greater God’s Domain, nobody would dare to provoke it unless absolutely necessary. Even apex powers would have to weigh their options before taking action.

However, even if Zero Wing could receive a huge status boost by subordinating itself to the Nebula Consortium, Shi Feng would never agree to it. Setting aside the Book of Eternity, simply the Inferior Legendary Siege Weapon Firmament was enough to make him invincible in the Eternal Realm. Hence, regardless of Ember Dragon’s interference, Shi Feng’s answer to the Nebula Consortium would be the same.

“That might be the case, but…” Red Frost knew about Zero Wing’s situation. With the Tower of the Abyss and the partnership with a royal power like Dragon’s Crown, Zero Wing indeed had the qualifications to refuse to join the Nebula Consortium. “But the Nebula Consortium controls 80% of the Stardew on the market. Many corporations and city lords in the Greater World strongly desire Stardew. Not only can they use Stardew for themselves, but they can also use it to attract geniuses, thereby letting their corporations and cities prosper. Now that Zero Wing has offended the Nebula Consortium, the consortium only needs to give the word for a bunch of corporations and city lords to persecute us.

“Based on my understanding of the Great Commander, he would never renege on his promises. Yet, he has done so this time. He is likely being pressured by Holy Hymn City’s City Lord and the family corporations financially supporting Holy Dragon Spear.”

Speaking up to this point, Red Frost couldn’t help but reveal a frustrated and apologetic look.

Originally, she had promised to have Holy Dragon Spear assist Zero Wing. But now, not only did she fail to do so, but her feud with Ember Dragon also caused Zero Wing to become enemies with Ember Dragon, a representative of the Nebula Consortium.

“It is indeed troublesome to be pressured by a first-tier city’s City Lord and a bunch of family corporations,” Shi Feng said, expressing his understanding of South Lake’s predicament. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Commander Frost, do you think Great Commander South Lake would be interested in taking over Holy Hymn City?”

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