Chapter 82

The guard, Gu Shiliu, definitely has a strength level above six stars. Given that he can serve as a noble's personal guard, it's normal for him to possess the strength of a seven-star flying general. Now, because of some unknown information, he actually apologized to Du Nan first. Citizens value strength, while nobles value knowledge... The members of the Silver Leaf Group had a deeper understanding of this statement. Nobles do not neglect strength; rather, their emphasis on knowledge is hundreds of times greater than that of the citizen class. Even a seven-star flying general would bow to a commoner for a complete answer. This manifestation of 'valuing knowledge' is definitely the result of daily exposure to the nobility.

"This is not much of a secret. Before I explain, didn't Councilor Gu mention three matters? It would be better to state the purpose first, and then we can continue this discussion," Du Nan said.

"Of course," Gu Luoding was slightly surprised, then smiled lightly.

Gu Shiliu took a step back, waiting for the master to speak.

Gu Luoding straightened his appearance and said seriously, "Today, there are three matters. The first, 'rewarding merit,' is almost done. Although I couldn't fully meet Mr. Du's needs, I will make up for it in the future. The remaining two matters are personal to me. If you don't like them, consider them as a joke."

Hearing this, the members of the Silver Leaf Group adjusted their attitudes.

Nobles have no personal matters.

As managers of the starry sky, if they had any personal affairs, it would be strange.

"The second matter: I, Gu Luoding, wish to form an alliance with the members of the Silver Leaf Group." Gu Luoding's serious statement made everyone's eyebrows twitch.

A noble wants to form an alliance with citizens?

Under normal circumstances, countless citizen strongmen would be willing to serve the nobles. Now, Gu Luoding actually wants to form an alliance with the Silver Leaf Group. What is he up to? In terms of power and wealth, the members of the Silver Leaf Group do not have the qualifications to speak with the nobles. In terms of strength, none of them have reached the seven-star level.

At this level, they are not even qualified to be subordinates.

"Citizens are divided into first, second, and third-class citizens, and nobles are also divided into three levels, the highest being the 'Seven-Colored Nobles.'" Gu Luoding pointed to his red eyes and said, "This is a natural bloodline, and outsiders cannot join the highest seven noble families no matter how hard they try. The second level, 'High Nobles,' are mixed-blood meritorious servants or those who have reached the eight-star level. Those without military achievements, whether they are mixed-blood descendants or eight-star war kings, cannot become high nobles."

When Gu Luoding said this, the group sensed a sense of 'sincerity,' and the next words would surely be a significant offer from Gu Luoding.

Sure enough...

"The third level is 'Minor Nobles,' such as Gu Shiliu, the most trusted guard. Minor nobles do not need to be of noble blood; they only need to reach the seven-star level and have some military achievements to apply. If a seven-noble recommends, even if they haven't reached the seven-star level, they can apply, but their military achievements must be twice as outstanding. I, Gu Luoding, guarantee that if we form an alliance, I will do my best to recommend you all to become minor nobles, as long as you accumulate enough military achievements." Gu Luoding clasped his hands to show his determination.

"Is the third matter something after the alliance?" Li Wenfu, after being shocked, calmed down.

The reason he could calm down so quickly was mainly due to Du Nan, who reacted to everything as if it were a normal day. This reaction easily influenced his companions and calmed their excitement. So, when they heard 'become nobles,' they were not overly excited.

"Yes, and no. If we cannot form an alliance, the third matter can only be entrusted to you all." Gu Luoding said mysteriously.

"If we form an alliance?" Li Wenfu probed further.

"If we form an alliance, the third matter will be at your disposal, not just a task to find." Gu Luoding did not hide it and smiled.

At this point,

Everyone understood that the third matter was: something that could be used.

"What do we need to do to form an alliance?" Li Wenfu did not agree immediately and continued to probe.

"We need a grand competition." Gu Luoding was straightforward, with no intention of hiding. Normally, if a noble invites an alliance, not bowing and agreeing within half a second is already disrespectful, let alone asking questions. However, Gu Luoding was not displeased with the Silver Leaf Group's attitude.

On the contrary, he was even more excited.

"A noble succession, this is an eternal tradition. The most outstanding descendants compete for the 'heir' position, which is the next clan leader. This competition ends in 'death.' You don't need to worry; the one who might 'die' is me, not you. All the clan heirs who participate in the succession must undergo a genetic archive. In the competition, the last one alive becomes the successor. Those who die are resurrected using cloning technology and live a comfortable life without interfering in clan affairs."

"Oh." The members of the Silver Leaf Group understood.

It's like putting a group of tigers in a valley, and whoever survives becomes the king.

Cloning rebirth.

It sounds good and powerful... But everyone knows that a clone has no magic energy, no martial arts, and starts from zero. Awakening magic energy in such a body is a hundred times harder, let alone reaching the peak. Even practicing martial arts, a clone is ten times worse than an ordinary person.

Living again like this is equivalent to ruining one's life.

Indeed, they would have no power to compete for positions.

"The top seven noble families will definitely use the 'succession' method, and sometimes high nobles and minor nobles will also use it. All allies who participate in the succession, regardless of how intense the battle is, will put aside all battles and grudges once the 'successor' is determined. Normally, these allies' achievements remain unchanged and are all transferred to the successor after the 'death' of the clan heir. If they do not wish to stay and maintain their ally status, the clan will distribute equivalent items and resources as a farewell gift. Regardless of the choice, the clan will archive the achievement records as a beneficial foundation for future alliances and cooperation."

Gu Luoding said this to indicate that, whether he lives or dies, your efforts will be fully recorded in the clan and will not be reduced.

The Silver Leaf Group heard this and had a strange feeling: the noble succession does not seem like something civilized people would do, but rather like beasts fighting for the throne.

"If the clan heir does not participate?" Du Nan suddenly asked.

"Become the head of a new branch family, or live off the clan until death, but cannot interfere in clan affairs. Moreover, they cannot participate in the succession for three generations." Gu Luoding explained clearly, one generation of cowardice, three generations of inaction. This is also a protective measure for clan heirs without talent.

"Understood. If the third matter is 'Maga Body,' I personally agree to form an alliance and help you fight for the position." Du Nan's words shocked everyone.

The Silver Leaf Group was puzzled why Du Nan agreed.

Gu Luoding and Gu Shiliu were shocked why Du Nan knew about the 'Maga Body.'

Slowly,

Gu Luoding managed to smile and asked, "Mr. Du, do you know that the information about the Little Ice Age and the Great Ice Age core comes from the same source as the 'Maga Body'?"

"Yes, an adventurer's notes." Du Nan responded calmly.

"I see, so Mr. Du is not fully aware of the Maga Body." Gu Luoding laughed and asked, "Everyone, I have laid all my cards on the table. What are your opinions? As Mr. Du said, once we form an alliance, I will fully support you with 'internal mechs,' seed cores, and information and usage rights related to the Maga Body."

"Since Brother Du has no problem, I and Lu Sheng have no objections." Li Wenfu smiled and spoke on behalf of Lu Sheng.

"We also agree." Yin Ling turned to Li Yinzhu and Ye Binghua, who had no objections.

Anyway, for their side, whether Gu Luoding succeeds or fails in the succession, it doesn't affect them much. If he succeeds, maintaining an alliance with a seven-noble clan leader is a great benefit for the Silver Leaf Group. If he fails, they can still be allies of the Gu family, just with a different leader. Even if they leave the Gu family, they can still receive a lot of rewards.

"Very well, forming an alliance with you all is a great honor for me. From today, whatever resources you need, I will do my best to find for you. After this alliance is established, you can freely use the Maga Body without the restrictive management of the nobles." Gu Luoding took out a golden scroll and placed it in front of the Silver Leaf Group, asking them to write their names. He then said to Gu Shiliu, "Please demonstrate the Maga Body, I think it will be more effective than just explaining."

"Clan heir, I was just about to do that." Gu Shiliu said, stepping back thirty steps. He clasped his hands, and a strong light shone from his body.

In a moment,

A giant wolf, about fifteen meters long and six meters tall, appeared. Its presence was so powerful that it made people feel inexplicably frightened. Li Wenfu and Lu Sheng stood on guard, and Li Yinzhu's silver bell surged with magic energy, ready for any unexpected situation. Only Gu Luoding, Du Nan, and Ye Binghua remained still.

"Mr. Du's martial arts are beyond imagination." After transforming into the giant wolf, Gu Shiliu felt something different and immediately spoke.

This made Gu Luoding's expression change.

The strong light shone again, and the giant wolf disappeared, with Gu Shiliu returning to human form. He was about to ask Du Nan, but Gu Luoding waved to stop him, "Old Gu, no need to ask. Everyone has their own encounters. We are already allies, and trusting our allies is a duty."

"Clan heir, please forgive me, Old Gu was impolite."

"No problem, we are all allies now. I don't mind revealing that I indeed have the strength of seventh-level martial arts." Du Nan calmly explained, causing everyone to frown.

Seventh-level martial arts.

It has never been heard of in the entire Cangmeng Star Alliance.

This is not because citizens are incapable of reaching this level, but because the citizen class does not have the seventh-level martial arts technique book.

Even if you want to learn, you can't.

In the temple ruins, even if you find the secret of seventh-level martial arts, you must submit it to the nobles. The penalty for private possession is severe, and the consequences are dire if discovered. Therefore, only the nobles can produce seventh-level martial arts experts, and the citizen class has never had one. Hearing Du Nan's words, everyone thought of one thing: Du Nan would rather be exiled to the Iron Shavings Star than hand over Zhou Zhishan's adventure map. That thing is...

"Zhou Zhishan?" Gu Luoding asked.

"Yes." Du Nan nodded.

"I see, what a pity for such a talented person. If Mr. Du doesn't mind, I can use the honor of a seven-noble clan heir to grant Zhou Zhishan a special military achievement. The secret of seventh-level martial arts will be his achievement source. Mr. Du doesn't need to hand over the secret, and I can provide you all with the seventh-level martial arts secret book. I guarantee that once I 'succeed in the succession,' I will use my position as the successor to obtain the eighth-level martial arts secret book for you all to study." Gu Luoding clasped his hands, indicating that seventh-level martial arts is his highest authority, and the next level requires the position of successor.

The members of the Silver Leaf Group were slightly excited.

Since the first training session with Du Nan, martial arts have been their greatest combat aid. Li Wenfu and Lu Sheng, with low magic energy talent, have practiced martial arts ten times harder to enhance their combat skills. Now, with such an opportunity, they were naturally a bit excited.

As for Du Nan, his excitement was fake.

The giant body of the Second Derivative Clan already has the secret of first to ninth-level martial arts. He just didn't dare to tell everyone.

"Any seed core below seven stars, internal mechs that can be used with heavy mechs, and some clues and usage rights for the 'Maga Body,' these are what I can currently provide. As for starships and medium mechs, I have plenty. I don't need you to bring back any resources or treasures, nor do I need you to establish an army. I only need you to quickly enhance your strength. In the succession competition, do your best to help me once, and that will be enough." Gu Luoding concluded with a bow.

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