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"You're suggesting that Cloud Mountain Base trade their current stock of rice for territory?" Yang Hanshuang was taken aback. Shen Chen, visibly annoyed, rolled his eyes. "Not keen on the idea?"

"They'll never agree to that!" Yang Hanshuang said with a wry smile. "It's quite the pipe dream. And I doubt our guys would be willing to part with the rice."

"Listen, Big Sis, I can assure you that rice is going to be the least valuable commodity in this region. My boss has a continuous supply of it. Trading rice for territory now is the smart move."

"Are you certain?" Yang Hanshuang squinted, her gaze fiery.

"If you don't believe me, so be it. Goodbye, I'm done dealing with this." Shen Chen stormed off, with Yang Hanshuang hurrying after him. "But you've only got ten days, and the sale starts tomorrow. How could they possibly agree to trade their territory by then?"

Shen Chen couldn't help but chuckle at her directness. "Big Sis, when did I say I was selling tomorrow?"

"Huh?"

"Exactly, 'huh?' We secure the territory first, then we sell. Trust me, they'll be fuming," Shen Chen said with a sly grin, the very picture of a cunning businessman. Yang Hanshuang remained skeptical. "Territory is foundational. They won't just hand it over."

Shen Chen lowered his gaze and tapped his temple. "The smartest person is right here. I'll strategize for us. Like this..."

...

Yang Hanshuang decided to consult with Liu Yunshan first. Such a significant decision had to be cleared with the top brass, or it would be overstepping her bounds.

Meanwhile, Shen Chen hummed a tune as he ducked into the supermarket to start his experiment. He entered with high hopes but emerged covered in grime, nearly retching from disgust.

"I refuse to believe this. I just refuse!" he muttered as he left the supermarket, his mind set on trying again tomorrow.

Back at his place, he washed up and hit the sack, too disheartened even to glance at the beginner's guide to local agriculture.

Last night, Shen Chen had a dream where he mastered seven elemental powers, exuding a domineering presence that could rule the world. He also envisioned himself surrounded by loved ones, basking in their adoration. Upon waking, he was greeted by three onlookers who stared at him as if he were a zoo exhibit.

Amu scratched his head and quipped, "Boss Shen, what were you dreaming about to look so sleazy?"

"It's got to be a beautiful woman," Liu Yunshan said with a light laugh, while Yang Hanshuang stood by with her arms crossed, offering a cold glare and a dismissive "Tsk, pervert."

Embarrassed, Shen Chen wiped away the glistening drool from his mouth and said defensively, "Don't you know it's a crime to barge into someone's home uninvited?"

"Relax, we're just heading out to catch the sunrise," they replied, chuckling as they made their exit.

After freshening up, Shen Chen noticed Yang Hanshuang's piercing gaze and asked her curiously what was on her mind.

"Yunshan's on board, but we need to hash out the details."

"No problem," he assured her.

Stepping outside, they discussed their plans at a deserted street corner, while a few zombies, fresh from who knows where, ambled by with a sluggish gait.

"What exactly do you mean by 'building momentum'?" Liu Yunshan inquired. Shen Chen pulled a grimy map from his pocket and laid it out on the ground. "First off, which area are you most eager to claim?"

Shen Chen had previously marked the territories controlled by the three major bases on this map. The Ocean Mountain Base and Han Iron Base were formidable, commanding the resource-rich eastern and western parts of the city. To the north was Black Water Base, and to the south, the territory under Cloud Mountain Base's sway. The crumpled map laid bare the stark reality: Cloud Mountain Base was at risk of being swallowed up by its powerful neighbors at any moment.

"Any of the surrounding areas would do, but this spot is crucial," Liu Yunshan pointed at the map. "Black Wood Forest. Rumor has it the forest teems with zombies, including common sightings of Level-2 and Level-3. Its depths remain uncharted. This region is where the territories of the two bases converge. Securing it would significantly ease our resource acquisition."

Liu Yunshan was speaking the hard truth. Shen Chen had the same realization while poring over the map – this spot was ideal. The crux of the matter was that the other two bases each had several hunting grounds for replenishing their Crystal Core supplies. Cloud Mountain Base, caught in the middle of these two powers, seemed on the brink of being swallowed up at any moment. Securing the Black Wood Forest would effectively break the siege laid by the two bases, opening a breach and granting access to the nearest Crystal Core hunting grounds.

Rice was certainly important, but Crystal Cores, the primary currency of the post-apocalyptic world, were paramount.

"I doubt they'll agree," Amu said, shaking his head. Yang Hanshuang also sighed in resignation after a lengthy study of the map. "We've negotiated with them before. They control the eastern and western entrances to the Black Wood Forest and have no intention of relinquishing them. Even if they don't venture in to hunt Zombies for Crystal Cores, they're intent on keeping us down."

"It looks like Ocean Mountain Base and Han Iron Base have been eyeing your territory for a while," Shen Chen observed. "If you don't create an opening now, you'll be in real danger later. Gathering Crystal Cores will become an ordeal, and how will you fend off their encirclement?"

Shen Chen's blunt honesty struck a chord with the trio. Despite being aware of Cloud Mountain Base's vulnerabilities, they felt powerless to counteract the control held by others.

Such was the harsh reality of this new world – only the powerful had a voice.

Furrowed brows all around, but as Shen Chen pointed out, "Solutions are made by those who dare to think." He placed a small pebble on the Black Forest's location on the map, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I can help you secure this territory."

"But we don't have enough Crystal Cores," Liu Yunshan pointed out the crux of the issue. Shen Chen shrugged, "If you can't come up with that many Crystal Cores, then there's nothing I can do."

He rose to leave, stretching languidly, when Yang Hanshuang interjected, "I have them."

"Ms. Yang..." Amu's tongue clicked in surprise, while Liu Yunshan could only offer a wry smile.

Seeing their reaction, Shen Chen furrowed his brow. "You're leaders in your own right, yet you're this strapped for resources?"

"I've saved up a few Level-3 Crystal Cores, with the intention of trading up for Level-4... But if I can help Cloud Mountain Base break out of the siege and secure our own hunting ground, Crystal Cores won't be an issue."

"But Ms. Yang, you were saving those Crystal Cores to advance to Level-4..."

Amu was cut off mid-sentence by a sharp look from Yang Hanshuang, prompting him to immediately purse his lips in silence.

Shen Chen got the picture. Level-4 Crystal Cores would be a huge boon for Yang Hanshuang, potentially propelling her to Level-4. At the very least, they could cement her power at the pinnacle of Level-3, putting her on equal footing with Blind Chung.

Man, this woman has some serious patience.

With that thought, Shen Chen subconsciously felt for the Level-4 Crystal Core in his pocket, glanced at Yang Hanshuang's resolute face, and grimaced inwardly, "Well, if the plan goes south, I guess I'll be handing over this gem to you."

Shen Chen sat down, expressionless, and laid out his strategy. The others listened intently, hanging on every word.

In the end, Yang Hanshuang produced sixty Level-3 Crystal Cores. Shen Chen had no idea how long she'd been hoarding them, but Liu Yunshan was clearly touched, while Amu's hands shook with the sting of the loss.

"Sixty isn't enough," Shen Chen mused, stroking his chin, leaving the trio at a loss for words.

Sixty Level-3 Crystal Cores not enough? That's the equivalent of six hundred thousand Level-1 Cores!

"How many do you think we need?" Yang Hanshuang asked, her grip tightening, her gaze steely.

"A hundred..."

Amu and Liu Yunshan were left speechless, their tongues nearly tied in knots.