Chapter 650: 8000-Fold Profit!
The adventurers, upon receiving the signal—
All rushed toward their target locations according to the pre-arranged plan.
Nearly a quarter of them headed toward the Mind Flayers' territory.
They intended to seize the gap during the Mind Flayer army's departure to quickly gather intelligence and establish hidden observation outposts.
Everything they were doing was in preparation for the next battle plan.
Though adventurers found it hard to intervene on the front lines, the vulnerable rear of the Mind Flayer Empire was naturally of immense interest.
Hunting mind flayers—
Rescuing controlled slaves—
Clearing Mind Flayer strongholds—
All required detailed and reliable intel as a foundation.
Compared to the still-uncertain drow missions, most adventurers preferred familiar tasks.
Before the Mind Flayer army's next wave arrived, the risks were, in fact, lower.
And the chance to quickly accumulate regional contribution and earn double rewards made it all the more tempting.
Still, a significant number of adventurers chose to follow the army led by Sera.
This was easily the most stable and rewarding combat mission.
If given a choice, most adventurers would prefer to move with the army.
Unfortunately, Bay Territory had strict standards—only the best and strongest could join the battle.
Ironically, this very approach reassured more adventurers.
Bay Territory, as always, wasn't treating them like cannon fodder.
"So… should we head into the city?"
Looking at the approaching Suramar, Trist, now fully disguised, remained calm.
Tyrael beside him, confirming Trist was emotionally stable, tugged his hood over his head, glanced at the glowing slave brand on the back of his hand, and said firmly:
"Don't be too hasty. When the time comes, we'll strike together."
Trist nodded quietly. With no real psychological burden, he sneered:
"I'm in no rush. The longer this drags on, the weaker they become, and the stronger we get."
"I want to see them lose everything without even realizing it..."
Tyrael nodded silently, sensing the weight Trist carried.
If that pressure was released, Trist could truly unlock his full potential.
After undergoing training to enhance his power in Bay Territory, Tyrael had become very clear.
Power shouldn't be fueled by hatred.
Otherwise, it would create a fatal imbalance and limit one's future growth.
Tyrael hoped Trist would grow alongside him—they had many goals and dreams ahead.
Heavy footsteps echoed from behind them.
They instinctively turned and saw massive, burly figures.
Ogre warriors marching in neat formation followed them with long strides.
Clad in thick, gleaming enchanted armor and wielding thunder-wrapped warhammers, they exuded immense might.
Unlike other chaotic ogres, Bay Territory's ogres were strong and disciplined. Though only 700–800 in number, they radiated overwhelming pressure.
Behind them came nearly 3,000 gnoll warriors—
Tall, agile, sharp-eyed, and perfectly coordinated.
All adventurers respected Bay Territory's ability to train and tame troops.
Making ogres and gnolls obedient wasn't hard.
But instilling elite soldier discipline and composure? None of them had thought that was even possible.
If they hadn't seen it themselves—
They'd never believe it could happen!
Looking at these ogres and gnolls who had vanished for a while and now returned transformed—
Many adventurers raised their evaluation of Bay Territory's military power once again.
Just the tens of thousands of rescued ogre, gnoll, and minotaur slaves were enough to terrify anyone.
Surrounded at the center by the gnolls were over 20 drow earth drake knights.
Clad in golden magical armor, they drew attention from other drow forces even at a distance.
At the very center were two large golem trucks—
Covered in dense enchanted runes that shimmered with a captivating glow.
Standing outside the truck, Gatel noticed the many gazes drifting toward them. Looking at the nearing drow forces, he couldn't help but ask:
"We're just going in like this?"
Nodding calmly, Sera recorded surrounding data, categorizing the drow forces. With confidence, she replied:
"Yes. Drow must never act low-profile—that's seen as weakness."
"The weaker the drow appear, the more they're targeted by others."
"As long as I'm strong, rich, and tough, status won't matter."
"Besides, I've already claimed the ruins of a drow city—and found some survivors, too."
Knowing Bay Territory's style, Gatel immediately realized that the many resources from that drow city would soon be taken over by Bay Territory's personnel.
That would be a huge payday!
The early mission rewards were likely already halfway recovered.
Orders had been given to quickly repair and fortify the new dungeon's defenses.
Wearing dazzling enchanted lightning armor, Sera stepped onto the golem truck roof amid countless fiery gazes.
Looking around, she saw over 40 drow units converging on Suramar from various tunnels.
Famir, wearing a gray-brown mage robe and feeling the coolness beneath, repressed her shyness and respectfully half-knelt before Sera.
Famir could feel many burning gazes land on her.
Playing her part, Sera looked toward the glowing city of Suramar in the distance and smiled with interest:
"Soon, you'll see the real life of the drow."
Shaking her head lightly, Famir, now more educated, had lost interest in drow—she simply asked curiously:
"Why are we coming to Suramar? Why not contact a smaller drow faction?"
Stroking her golden seat, Sera raised her hand toward a provocative gaze nearby.
A flash of lightning streaked hundreds of meters instantly.
Crack!
A charred body fell from midair—
Smoking, twitching on a pile of rubble, screaming and crying in agony.
The blinding lightning shocked all surrounding drow.
One drow commander atop a six-legged lizard flinched in fear.
She never expected Sera to have such long-range attack precision—hitting a hidden shadow assassin with ease.
That display made most drow immediately avert their eyes.
This was not an opponent to provoke!
Suramar was a city on the edge of Treasure Lake—
Surrounded on three sides by water, facing north on the fourth.
A 20-meter-high wall glowed faint purple.
Hundreds of steel golems stood silently along the walls.
Behind the wall, over a dozen spires pulsed with surging magical power.
Atop the tallest spire, a giant glowing white gemstone illuminated Suramar and dozens of kilometers around it.
Suramar was famed for its 100+ Extraordinary drow mages.
Their enchanted gear was sold to over 100 nearby drow cities.
On ordinary days, Suramar was already bustling.
Many drow adventurers and slavers came here to rest and fence goods.
80 km south of Suramar was a chaotic region of the underworld—
Gnoll tribes, ogre kingdoms, minotaur clusters, scattered gray dwarf groups, and countless deadly beasts made that place wild and busy.
Today, the already lively Suramar was outright jubilant.
Even rival drow city-states had gathered here.
Most had put their grudges on hold for now.
Not because they'd become polite—
But because anyone who dared to act up had been turned into motionless statues by Suramar's powerful guards.
If someone paid their ransom, they'd be freed after three days.
Otherwise, they became Suramar's slaves.
Since all the troublemakers were male drow—cheap cannon fodder—few would pay ransom.
Interestingly—
These caught slaves were taken to Suramar's slave market for others to choose and buy.
Drow grudges were just as thrilling.
They had all sorts of schemes for each other's slaves.
To avoid losing face and causing more trouble, drow unwilling to ransom sometimes had to join the bidding.
They fought. Suramar profited.
Seeing all this, Sera clearly understood Suramar's motives.
Just like any matron mother—
Stirring conflict among weaker families, letting them consume each other's strength, and benefiting from it ensured her seat of power.
Suramar subtly influenced and controlled other cities, increasing its reach and strength.
That ambition was "good."
In Bay Territory's racial development courses, Sera had learned the benefits of centralizing power for major undertakings.
Drow's "fragmentation" would last quite a while.
Until some external force broke it.
But that force would have to threaten the Spider Goddess—Lolth.
Only power on that level could shatter the current drow reality.
Otherwise, they'd always be food for the Spider Goddess.
In good moods, she'd nibble a few favorites.
In bad moods, she'd reap entire populations.
Only by breaking free from her control could the full picture be seen.
While thinking this, Sera noticed many subtle gazes coming from all directions.
Looking at the soldiers behind her, she felt a sense of security, then turned to the drow host and said:
"Take me to the slave market."
As she spoke, Sera tossed her a pouch of coins.
Triss caught the heavy pouch in surprise, feeling its weight and familiar clink—still not used to Sera's sudden generosity.
She never expected to gain anything from being pushed to greet other drow.
But her first reaction was tension.
She didn't understand Sera's thoughts, but she knew the tempers of most matron mothers.
Bowing humbly to hide her face, she led the way and said:
"Please follow me. What kind of slaves do you seek?"
Sera didn't answer right away, and Triss didn't dare ask further.
After about three minutes—
Sera looked over the enormous slave market, spotting many distinctive slaves.
Ogres and minotaurs, the most common power slaves, were everywhere.
Surprisingly, strong gnolls were fewer.
But each one was unique—Sera sensed a familiar aura.
Dragonborn!
Hoping not to draw Sera's attention, Triss began introducing the slaves skillfully:
"There are many slaves here. Most are trained and obedient."
"They're pricey, but we throw in gear, so it's a fair deal."
"These chosen ones have distinctive traits—better than ordinary slaves of their race..."
"Like these Dragonborn gnolls and kobolds—they're smarter and can command large numbers of their kind..."
"Those are half-giants—dumb, but excellent shock troops..."
"These six-legged lizards are tamed—they're strong in battle and good for breeding more..."
"And these strong magical beasts—tamed and controllable..."
"Here's the price list. About 30% higher than average slaves—but there's room for negotiation if buying in bulk..."
Softening her tone, Triss handed Sera the parchment filled with notes.
Sera traced it gently, recording the price data with a faint smile.