Necromancers are frantically stationing troops in the apocalypse.

Chapter 1020, Member Rules

Upon hearing Sanera's suggestion, Wu Heng raised an eyebrow.

Unexpectedly, she came up with this compromise: the Wood Elves wanted heroes, and Treasure Island needed heroes as well.

What makes Treasure Island special is that it has no fixed country or race.

It is a very inclusive organization.

The island's municipal hall, design institute, and other functional departments all have orcs, dwarves, elves, or wood elves holding relatively important positions.

It depends entirely on ability, regardless of race.

Similarly, Sanera was well aware of Treasure Island's difficulties: while they had ways to enhance their reputation, they lacked trustworthy high-level professionals under their command.

Last time, when we invited the 19th-level puppeteers from headquarters, they politely declined.

Right now, we are in dire need of manpower.

As for the other maids in the house, it would be unlikely that they could achieve hero status in less than a few years.

Therefore, this proposal perfectly matches the needs of the Wood Elves with the shortcomings of Treasure Island.

Wu Heng pondered for a moment and felt there was no problem with the suggestion, then said, "Will the Elders' Council agree? Getting high-level professionals to sign slave contracts is no simple matter."

Slave contracts are a means of forcibly restricting people.

It's like a contract of servitude; once signed, you'll be restricted for life.

Leaving aside high-level professionals, even ordinary professionals who understand this kind of contract would not sign it.

Sanella said, "If you agree, I will discuss it with the elders; it's the only way for both sides to cooperate."

Indeed, this suggestion is worth considering for Wu Heng.

Otherwise, they would never train a hero for a wood elf unless Shanera's level increased and she was supported to become a hero.

“I have no objection, it just depends on whether the elders agree.” Wu Heng paused for a moment, then continued, “You can also make a promise to the elders that if they agree to this request, I can guarantee the autonomy of the two heroes and will not forcibly interfere with their normal lives.”

“Okay, with you saying that, I feel even more confident about success.” Shanera nodded.

"Furthermore, I can arrange for two high-level skeletons to protect them, if the elders agree," Wu Heng continued.

After all, the Vatican has begun to threaten the safety of the Presbyterian Church.

“I will ask for their opinion,” Shanera said.

Wu Heng raised his glass. "The rest depends on your diplomatic skills."

Sanella gave him a disgruntled look, raised her glass, and lightly clinked it against his, the crystal glasses making a crisp sound as they struck.

"I feel like I'm getting old."

"No, I think it looks better and better." Wu Heng took a sip. "I'll help you regulate your meridians tonight."

"Humph!"

The two chatted for a while, then the catwoman Robe, wearing her training clothes, looked over and asked, "Sister Shanera, are you still training later?"

Sanera stood up and said to Wu Heng, "I'll talk to the elders tomorrow."

Wu Heng nodded.

Sanella followed Robe out, changed into her training clothes, and headed to the training room.

……

Headquarters, Hall of Glory.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The latest issue of the Treasure Island Express was neatly stacked on the front desk, its transparent protective layer opened, releasing the scent of ink.

As soon as the newspapers were placed down, crowds swarmed around, each grabbing a copy and looking at the contents.

On the front page, Viola's image, adorned with starlight, almost filled the entire page, with a prominent gold-embossed headline below:

The second hero of Treasure Island is born! The legendary journey of Viola, the Smoke Queen.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the words and images on it.

Viola!
He's truly become a hero.

The next second, the hall erupted in chaos.

"He became a hero so quickly?"

"It can't be real..." Another person's hand trembled slightly. "How long has she been a member of Treasure Island? How could it be so fast?"

"Could it be fake news intended to mislead the outside world?"

"Who would dare to spread such rumors?"

"At this rate, won't Treasure Island produce a lot of heroes?"

"How come Wu Heng always manages to cause such a big incident?"

In the hall, the noise was like waves, one after another.

Anyone who picks up a newspaper will exclaim in surprise.

A rest area in the corner.

The puppeteer Mortimer gripped the newspaper tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Viola in the newspaper had piercing eyes, and her demeanor and attire clearly distinguished her from ordinary professionals.

A hero... something he had dreamed of his whole life.

Unlike the surprise and astonishment of the others, Mortimer felt an inexplicable sense of regret.

Wu Heng had once personally written a letter to invite him.

If he had agreed, he would have been the one in the newspaper.

“No! I’m not wrong, anyone would have made the same choice,” Mortimer muttered.

At that time, the Vatican launched a holy war against Treasure Island, and no one would have gotten involved in such a mess then.

Although Wu Heng was ultimately proven to be victorious, his choice was not wrong.

But... if I were a little bolder...

"Damn, damn, damn!"

Mortimer stood up abruptly, the newspaper crumpled in his hand.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, he muttered curses under his breath as he walked out of the hall.

……

Inside the council chamber, five ruling leaders sat around an old oak round table.

For a long time, the five of them did not gather together to discuss matters.

Hadara tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and after everyone quieted down, he said, "You've all probably seen the Treasure Island newspaper, right? Viola has become a hero."

He still clearly remembered Lilith mentioning to him about tearing 'Viola' off the wanted poster.

Hearing that name again means you've already become a hero.

The dwarf chieftain stroked his beard and said, "At this rate, there will probably be more and more heroes on Treasure Island."

The religious leader slowly raised his eyes and said, "I believe the association should immediately introduce new rules to restrict this... opportunistic way of promotion."

Everyone else looked at him too.

No one was surprised by this suggestion.

Given this situation on Treasure Island, the Vatican should be the most worried. If they still don't take a stance at this point, it will only make people feel that something is wrong.

After a few seconds of silence in the hall, Lilith spoke up: "This can hardly be considered taking a shortcut! The association also uses portraits for publicity purposes, and your new rule could easily bring negative consequences to the association."

The religious leader continued, "The people of Treasure Island are extreme in character, and the large number of heroes they produce is not a good thing for the overall situation."

Lilith scoffed, "It all depends on one's abilities. Who can be sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing?"

It seemed that the two were about to quarrel.

The leader of the Hongwen Society gently tapped the table and said, "It is clearly inappropriate to issue new regulations now."

The dwarf chieftain narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

“Instead of announcing new rules in a big way and causing controversy!” the leader of the Hongwen Association said slowly, “it would be better to add a few supplementary clauses to the ‘Members’ Code of Conduct’ to avoid misunderstandings.”

Everyone raised an eyebrow, understanding his meaning. Releasing new regulations now would be too obviously targeted.

Wu Heng is not one to swallow his anger. If things really escalate, who knows what new tricks he might come up with.

It's actually simpler to change the member rules.

“Tell me about it,” Hadarai said softly.

“For example, members at the level of deacon or above are not allowed to sign any form of personal dependency contract,” the leader of the Hongwen Society said.

The association is willing to cultivate a group of heroes, but it is unwilling to see heroes who have signed slave contracts.

The dwarf chieftain nodded. "Good idea!"

Lilith glanced at the group of people opposite her.

Old fox!
They even came up with this trick.

The religious leader continued, "What about those who work outside the profession?"

"Then there's nothing we can do," the leader of the Hongwen Society replied.

The association cannot control all high-level professionals, nor can it manage Wu Heng, much less the Snake Emblem Consortium.

There's nothing that can be done if someone outside the association joins Treasure Island.

Hadara said, "Then let's do it this way for now. Claudio, you draft the members' code of conduct. Lilith, you and Wu Heng continue to discuss the cooperation."

The religious leader nodded.

Lilith also said, "Okay, I'll talk to Wu Heng about this later."

Then, Lilith continued, "I want someone to be brought to the Association from the Sanctuary, someone who will come without getting hurt."

"Chief Lilith, Liz is a member of our Church. Why do you, a vampire, keep staring at her?" The religious leader looked over.

Lilith said, "A friend asked me to bring her over."

"Liz is physically weak and may not be able to travel long distances."

Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "I don't care about or will investigate what happens inside your church. A second-level merit in exchange for her safe release."

The religious leader was silent for two or three seconds, then said, "Three second-level merits, and the association is not allowed to inquire about the secrets of the Vatican."

Lilith looked at Hadarai, who said, "Okay, the association will arrange an escort."

The religious leader nodded and continued, "The church needs me to go back soon, so I can help coordinate this matter."

“Then you should go back,” Hadarai confirmed.

After everything was discussed, Hadarai continued, "That's settled then. Everyone, go back and take care of your own business."

Everyone nodded and left the meeting room.

……

Treasure Island.

Wu Heng completed the Bone Forging with Fiendish Qi, radiating heat from his body. He glanced at the other two who were still in the first stage in the distance, and walked into the building.

As soon as I stepped into the living room, Minnie hurried over and said, "Master, the radio intercepted some messages from the Vatican."

Beside Minnie stood a skeleton responsible for recording the radio broadcasts, holding a notebook in his hand.

Wu Heng took the document and looked at the contents, raising an eyebrow slightly.

The first part is quite long, but in summary, the association requested that the church safely escort Liz to headquarters and promised not to use Liz to gather any information or news about the Vatican.

The religious leader has agreed to this, and the association will arrange for someone to escort them.

It was also mentioned that Lilith promised three Level 2 Merit Points in exchange for Liz's life.

Three second-class merit awards!
A level 2 merit is equivalent to the life of a level 15 professional.

For an ordinary person like Liz, this is an unequal price.

The second message was even simpler, just one sentence: "Return to the church as planned."

The religious leader returned to the sanctuary?

Upon seeing this intelligence, Wu Heng's first thought was whether there was an opportunity to ambush him.

If you kill him along the way, you'll also get a level 20 skeleton.

But then I thought again, and realized that the plan would be difficult to implement because I didn't know the other party's route.

Moreover, returning from the association could easily leave a handle on the matter and implicate the association.

Things are going relatively smoothly right now, and the most important thing is to cultivate my faith.

Return the notebook to the skeleton, "Go back and continue recording."

The skeleton picked up the notebook, turned around, and went upstairs.

Minnie brushed the dust off him and asked, "Shall we prepare lunch?"

"Okay, I'll go take a shower first," Wu Heng said, going upstairs and into the bathroom.

……

When I went downstairs, lunch was already prepared.

As the group sat together eating lunch, Sanella said, "I spoke with the elders about the hero."

Wu Heng asked, "What did the Elders' Council say?"

Early in the morning, Shanera contacted the Wood Elf and informed them of the results of their discussion.

Sanella laughed and said, "I just passed on the message. The council of elders hasn't convened yet, but I can imagine the scene of the elders arguing and bickering. It must be quite interesting."

Philippa said, "What's there to argue about? If you agree, you agree; if you don't, then forget it."

“The elders are actually quite conservative, and slave contracts are somewhat humiliating, so it’s inevitable that they would get angry,” Shanera explained softly.

Philippa listened, "It feels similar to a meeting with the pirate captain; they always end up arguing."

"Two different things!"

Compared to the pirates, Sanella still didn't like hearing it and immediately corrected him.

Wu Heng said, "Do you think the elders will agree?"

“I think I can agree. The Wood Elves have reached a point where they don’t have many choices left,” Shanera said, her voice becoming somewhat serious.

"When will we expect a result?" Wu Heng then asked.

“I estimate we’ll have an answer within three or four days.” Shanera picked up her glass and took a sip.

Philippa pressed on, "What if they disagree?"

"It's unlikely that they will disagree."

"What if?"

“If that’s the case, the Wood Elves will face even greater difficulties. They’ve offended the Holy See and won’t be able to get the support of Treasure Island,” Shanera said softly.

"Oh, I see." Philippa nodded, as if to say that I understood.

Wu Heng continued, "Then let's wait for the Wood Elf's outcome, and not ruin the relationship between our two sides."

“Yes!” Shanera nodded.

After lunch, Wu Heng took the women of his family to the training room to train together.

Everyone has a different profession, and therefore different training programs.

Wu Heng, on the other hand, practiced his proficiency with long-handled weapons.

It has now reached an advanced level and is striving to become a master.

……

I practiced for a while in the training room.

Xiao Xiao, controlling the puppet, ran in, holding up her phone and shouting, "Uncle, Sister Lilith is looking for you!"

Wu Heng dodged the sparring skeleton's attack by tilting his head. "Cease!"

The skeleton withdrew its attack and stood aside.