The low price of the wooden M4 drew quite a bit of attention, but the Mark V tank was something that no one expected. Doing this essentially disregarded Li Guang’s previous advice to Baron to tread lightly, but Baron did not have time to do so. If he was to be taken seriously in this community, then he needed to show everyone just how far he is willing to take it. Word got around, how could it not? From the gossipers of the various bars, to Zhang Da Zhi with whom was competing with Baron, to the Vesper faction, to the Forever Pirates faction, all the way to the All-stars and their counterparts. The conversations were similar, but the reactions quite different.

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“Hey, have you heard about this new faction Under 1 Banner? The name invokes weakness, but this deal that they have going on is undoubtedly rare.”

“Ah, who cares about them, if there is a new faction that you want to join, it should be the Eternal Dragon faction that is led by Zhang Da Zhi. I heard that he is in cahoots with Qi Ji Guang and they have a setup with the two factions of theirs that is quite similar to some of the higher-ranked factions.”

“I think I’ve heard of that, wasn’t it that they separate all recruits into two pools? One for elite strategists, and the other for everyone else?”

“That may be what it looks like on the outside, but really it is something else completely. They wish to get all of the strategists that have potential into the Eternal Dragon faction for further tests, the other one is for people that aren’t that important. The latter may have skills, but are deemed to not be spent too many resources on, this group will be in the Imperial Dragon faction led by Qi Ji Guang. It is akin to the Eternal Dragon faction being those comprised of the inner circle and elder positions while the Imperial Dragon faction is for people who wish to work their way up to those positions.”

“Wow, just imagine what it is like to be part of a faction that seems like it will be one of the next top factions. Although, I still think that the Under 1 Banner faction will be able to at least match the two Dragon factions, for a little while at least.”

“That is wishful thinking, these tricks that they are employing at the moment will only be able to net them so many desperate fools. The two Dragon factions will get twice the amounts as the Under 1 Banner faction will get, so even if they are on top now, that won’t last.”

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(ZDZ) “Have you two seen what Baron has been up to?” Zhang Da Zhi said to his two right-hand men.

(QJG) “You mean that Mark V tank promotion that they are currently having? What of it?” Qi Ji Guang said not the least bit concerned.

(DLH) “I agree with Qi Ji Guang here, for once, there is nothing really to get worked up about. If they are so foolish to see it through to the end, then there are bound to be mishaps here and there. However, if they don’t, word will spread that they were falsely advertising and that would warrant a visit from someone in the Sun Alliance. Either way, it’s a win for us anyway.” Ding Lai Hang said with a sly smile.

(ZDZ) “No, that is not what I’m worried about. The matter that I am most concerned about is how far Baron is willing to go to get recruits if he is willy nilly giving away such powerful blueprints. It may not be much to us, but to the mass public, it is something they would have to save up for a couple of decades at least. How many will flock to Baron and not us due to this generosity?”

(QJG) “What is the alternative? Play the same tricks as them? Is that what you want us to do?”

(DLH) “That or doing anything to promote our new factions. You heard Li Guang, the first few years are when a faction gets the most attention, after that, it becomes increasingly hard to do so. What do you think, Leader?”

(ZDZ) “I think that we need to do something, I just didn’t expect Baron to put so much into this endeavor. We have found mild success without lifting our fingers too much, if we were to actually promote ourselves, then I’m sure we will be able to outcompete Baron and his team. Come, let the 3 of us contemplate what our next plan of action will be. We will allow the Under 1 Banner faction to think they have won for now, but once we think of something, I’m sure we’ll blow their success right out of the park.”

(QJG) “Well, unlike Baron, we sure don’t have a powerful ally like Madam Zheng on our side. Plus, Li Guang said that his faction would not be able to give aid to any of the factions which would make it look like their faction would be picking sides. The only thing that comes to mind is to raise how much coins our faction members get every year. That should be able to push a few over the edge to our side.”

(DLH) “While that may be the case, it wouldn’t do us much good in the long run, the only thing I can suggest at this point is to just copy what Baron is doing. At least they seem to be finding some form of success with all of this madness that they are in.”

(ZDZ) “Unacceptable, that is the last resort, Ding Lai Hang. Hmm. Have a messenger call for all of our new inner circle and elders in here. There is much we need to discuss. We will let Baron think he has won for now, but that will all change, very soon. Just you wait, Baron.”