Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

Recruit people?

The sudden question from Kuang Xin made Bai E's heart skip a beat.

Recruit! Definitely recruit!

He had a quota for issuing tasks every day, but recently he'd been entangled in miscellaneous matters and hadn't found the time to look for reliable player targets.

Bai E didn't plan to hit and run, changing targets after each shot. The limited task quota he had each day couldn't be given to unreliable players or distributed randomly; he definitely needed to focus on nurturing the same player consistently.

He would cultivate them with his authority, and use their feedback to improve himself. This was the choice that served his interests best.

The targets, of course, had to be chosen with care, and ideally, be as deeply tied to him as these three individuals before him.

Bonding them through joining the organization could also be considered the best choice.

With the corners of his mouth slightly raised, he asked softly, "Do you have any friends still?"

"Not exactly friends..." Kuang Xin scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed, "just people we've met while... playing together."

When Bai E wasn't around, everyone occasionally did other quests and would encounter other players.

That's when the difference became apparent.

Armed with the various abilities taught by Bai E, they exhibited far greater prowess than those players who had no guidance, didn't even know relevant game information, and who only knew how to level up their specializations.

The gap between a Level 2 and Level 3 specialization ability might not be very big, but the difference with or without special attribute enhancements was like night and day.

Such is the world—some people get by with or without guidance, but relying solely on oneself, the piecemeal achievements are hard to form into a system. Among players in the same phase, the trio stood far ahead whether in uncovering game content or personal strength.

Naturally, impressive abilities would pique the curiosity of other players. Following the mysterious ethos of the adults, they certainly wouldn't disclose anything proactively. But when other players expressed an interest in joining, they didn't mind helping to ask.

Once the organization expanded, as founders they would feel a sense of accomplishment in nurturing newcomers and reap practical benefits too.

Bai E narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Are there many?"

If there were too many people, that wouldn't be a good thing; his task quota wouldn't suffice, and he couldn't treat everyone equally.

Moreover, with too many people around, the situation could get chaotic. Players were not exactly an easy species to control. If someone, acting under the ostensible power of his burgeoning organization, messed up, wouldn't he end up suffering the fallout?

When players don't act beyond the understanding of this world's natives, their actions will provoke the most authentic responses.

Kuang Xin hesitated but eventually replied truthfully, "Hmm... There are some. About, ten or so?"

They'd met many individual players, and almost everyone would casually inquire, but how many were truly earnest... that was uncertain.

They were players themselves and knew their own kind's ways best.

Seeing Kuang Xin's reaction, Bai E roughly guessed the ruse.

When there was a real conflict of interest, players could become ferocious; but without disputes, they would greet each other as brothers on sight.

That kind of relationship was likely superficial, not friends brought by real-world social networks.

Which meant... they were hard to control.

Bai E pretended to mull it over when in fact, he had already made a plan in his mind.

After a slight hesitation, Bai E's gaze met the other's, warm and sincere, "This depends on you. If they are truly trustworthy friends to you, and share our interests, I don't mind more people joining us. However, if you feel your understanding of them is not deep enough, then our organization is not fit to step into the limelight at the moment. You should weigh this matter yourselves.

I'm willing to trust your judgment. Of course... even if you trust them, new members need to walk the path you've trodden from the beginning."

In other words, they would have to start as temporary members.

And for temporary members to be promoted and gain access to core "secrets," ultimately, wouldn't it still require his approval?

Let players feel trusted, but always keep the final decision firmly in his own hands—Bai E thought this strategy shouldn't pose any problem.

Before Kuang Xin had the chance to speak, Bai E spoke again to add, preventing rigid terms, "… And if you also feel that the newcomers need further observation, then you can temporarily take them in under your own name as auxiliary members of the organization. I grant you this authority." Stay updated via empire

[Notice: Your status within the "Li Ming" organization has been promoted. Your current status is "Elite Member," entitling you to the following rights:

First, lead an auxiliary member action team comprising no more than five people.

Second, possess the authority to propose promotions for action team members. (1/1 per week)

Third, all your actions will be regarded as part of a whole, sharing rewards and punishments.

Fourth, to be determined...]

"..."

The three players, who abruptly received the prompt, shivered simultaneously and looked toward Bai E together.

Bai E, with a serene expression, silently gazed fixedly at his nose as if in deep concentration, not uttering a word.

It was just a spontaneous idea.

The player's words had reminded him that, to become great and reach new heights of glory again, recruiting troops was indispensable.

If he decided to expand his power, then growth was just a matter of time.

Just as a boat must paddle upstream to advance, or else it slips backward.

But his own ability to issue missions only grew at a limited pace, making it hard to attend to multiple players at once. Instead of making them feel equal and yet treating them differently, it was better to establish a hierarchy from the start.

The core players who he could directly assign tasks to would become the organization's elite members, holding the right to lead teams on behalf of the organization.

At the same time, the entire team would share honor and disgrace as one. For their own benefit, the elite members who recruited others would surely tighten control over their own team members.

Rather than exhausting himself, it was better to throw the responsibility onto the players.

Even to prepare for unforeseen situations that might arise as the organization grew larger in the future, he thought, "I'll have the final say on everything, and I can add whatever I think of later!"

Perfect!

The three players stared blankly at their boss for a long time before turning to look at each other in stupor.

Power...

Authority...

For the first time in the game, they held real power officially recognized by the system, which left them somewhat adrift.

They... had they really become the core backbone of a game world organization without realizing it?

So, their every action within the game truly had the power to affect the world's development in real time?

Did they truly possess the power to turn the world upside down within the game?

"Geez~" Kuang Xin simply uttered in amazement.

Dai Lian breathed rapidly, fresh developments and challenges awaited him.

Gong Yan's eyes shimmered silently, saying nothing.

"Alright, the organization's growth and strength cannot do without everyone's efforts," said Bai E with a smile, breaking the silence. He addressed the three players, "What plans do you have going forward? How is the rat infestation I asked you to deal with?"

Daily tasks still needed to be assigned, but before he did that, he could also ask if they had any plans of their own.

If so, letting them do something they wanted to do and earn double rewards for one task—wasn't that a method of winning them over?

After all, it was also very tiring for him to always have to think hard to find targets for them, right?

In any case, what he wanted from assigning them tasks was only the various attribute feedback from the task completions. What they actually did... didn't concern him much. He was just hitching a free ride.

Speaking of which, Dai Lian, as the brain of the team, took Kuang Xin's place and stepped forward, "My lord, we might need to make a long journey in the coming days."

"Oh?" Bai E, his face brimming with a smile, gazed at him intently, "Can you divulge where to?"

"Of course. Last time, you mentioned that our camp's attack on the Bug Race's hive ended in retreat, leaving behind some materials in Bug territory that had not been evacuated in time, and the camp has been trying to recover them. Recently, we've heard that some of these materials have been plundered by a roving band of orcs, who are trying to decipher human technology from them.

We thought maybe we could lend a helping hand and snatch back those materials that the orcs took! Even if we can't recover them, we can't let other races find a way to counteract us humans from this!"

Dai Lian spoke with conviction, rich in emotion.

Having been in the game for a substantial amount of time and knowing the lord for a while, thoroughly familiar with the lord's personality and the game's tactics, he controlled the emotional cadence of his speech perfectly, ensuring it was as genuine and sincere as possible.

This kind of realistic role-playing was quite enjoyable.

Even showing a hint of regret at the end.

"These next few days, we might not be able to carry out your commands..."

"That's perfect!" Bai E exclaimed excitedly, clapping his hands.

"Huh?"