The sight of a dozen or so women chatting in the shade always reminded Zuo Feng of village women gossiping in the fields back in the countryside; it was practically identical.
The only difference, perhaps, was that these 'village women' around him were all as beautiful as celestial beings.
However, Xi Luoluo had a lot of information; she was well-versed in the general situation of Dream City, and Dou Paopao also provided useful intelligence from time to time.
Through their conversation, Zuo Feng learned that the various forces, large and small, were intricately intertwined here, numbering in the hundreds if one were to count them all.
They had both cooperation and competition among themselves, with a network of relationships as dense as spiderwebs.
The largest force was Peerless Apocalypse, located in the central area of Dream City, controlling core resources.
Its influence covered nearly one-third of Dream City, governing as many as a million residents.
Below that were the Three Giants: the Luoxia Gang, the Juhu Gang, and the Brothers Gang.
These were gang-like forces, each occupying a territory, with extensive spheres of influence, governing hundreds of thousands of people.
Below them were hundreds of small and medium-sized forces, scattered like stars, each occupying a corner.
Though small in power, they each had their unique characteristics.
Moreover, these small and medium-sized forces were constantly clashing; almost every day, a small force was annihilated, only for new ones to rise, like the ebb and flow of tides, Sheng Sheng Bu Xi (Life Without End).
For instance, the area where Zuo Feng currently resided had just been taken over yesterday by an emerging force called the Flying Eagle Gang.
In the past two months alone, this single area had seen five small and medium-sized forces change hands.
Fortunately, the residential area where Zuo Feng lived wasn't particularly lucrative, so no matter how the forces changed, it had little impact on the residents here.
Furthermore, many here were women who appeared glamorous but actually engaged in prostitution; their lives seemed bright but were, in fact, arduous.
Who would bother with these people for no reason? Did they expect these women to seize territory?
However, this suited Zuo Feng's intentions perfectly, as it saved him a lot of trouble.
"Do you know where I can recruit special talents? For example, experts in infrastructure, scientific research, and medical fields," Zuo Feng asked Xi Luoluo, with Da Mi Tao in his arms.
"Of course, I know."
Xi Luoluo chuckled, "However, most of these talents have been divided among the major forces.
It won't be easy if you want to recruit this type of talent."
Through their conversation, Xi Luoluo had come to understand that Zuo Feng and his group were relatively easygoing.
Now, when dealing with the Firefly group, she was not as reserved as she had been initially.
Moreover, from the questions they asked, Xi Luoluo inferred that these people most likely had their own force or intended to establish one.
And the scale was probably not small; otherwise, who would casually ask about talents in infrastructure and scientific research?
Small forces focused on fighting, seizing territory, and searching for supplies, while only large forces prioritized long-term development.
"What if I want them? Is there a way?"
Zuo Feng gently sniffed the fragrance from Da Mi Tao's hair, asking casually, but the sharp glint in his eyes revealed his determination.
Xi Luoluo and Dou Paopao (the big-eyed landlady) exchanged glances.
Dou Paopao whispered, "The method is simple: take them by force."
Dou Paopao stared intently at Zuo Feng, trying to read his intentions from his eyes.
However, not gleaning much information from Zuo Feng's gaze, Dou Paopao added, "In Dream City, as long as you are strong enough, you can take whatever you want directly!
As long as you eliminate a small or medium-sized force, everything they possess will become yours, including talents, resources, and territory.
If you don't want the territory, you can simply abandon it, and other forces will naturally take over."
Zuo Feng nodded slightly, a flicker of contemplation in his eyes, then said, "If I take too much, will it attract the attention of Peerless Apocalypse or the Three Giants?"
Zuo Feng did not want to interfere in the conflicts between forces, but if talents could only be acquired by force, then there was no other way.
At most, he would only take the talents and resources, not the territory.
However, Zuo Feng was also worried that taking too much would attract the attention of the major forces, and he was not yet willing to confront them directly.
"Attracting attention is natural, but as long as you don't touch their core interests, they usually remain aloof.
Of course, if you prove to be strong enough, perhaps they will extend an olive branch to you, because in Dream City, strength is the ultimate truth."
Dou Paopao and Xi Luoluo exchanged a subtle glance; just who were these people in front of them!
It seemed that apart from Peerless Apocalypse and the Three Giants, they didn't care too much about the other small and medium-sized forces.
Zuo Feng pondered for a moment, deep in thought.
At this point, Da Bai Tu interjected, "Let me put it this way: we need talents in infrastructure, medical care, construction, hot weapon manufacturing, and cold weapon forging.
We're not interested in sweeping through them one by one.
We want to know which forces have these talents.
Do you have any information?"
Da Bai Tu's words shook Xi Luoluo and Dou Paopao.
What had they heard?
"Not interested in sweeping through them one by one," not "don't have the strength to sweep through them one by one."
This group of people must be powerful, very powerful!
As for whether the other party was boasting, judging by their attire and demeanor, they were clearly not bluffing.
Xi Luoluo quickly collected her thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Only medium-sized forces are likely to have these talents.
I can ask my sisters to inquire, but you know that gathering information on medium-sized forces isn't easy.
There will be expenses involved, and it's quite risky for the sisters to infiltrate those circles to gather information.
As for the sisters' compensation…"
Xi Luoluo's words made Zuo Feng glance at her; this woman's posture seemed to indicate that as long as the money was right, she could indeed accomplish this task.
Da Bai Tu said with a smile, "Initial investment and compensation are not an issue.
As long as the information is accurate, we will provide generous rewards.
However, the risk and difficulty of this matter are not small.
Are you sure someone is willing to do it?"
Xi Luoluo gave a bitter smile, "Sir, please rest assured, my sisters' lives are not worth much.
As long as the reward is high enough, they are willing to risk their lives."
A hint of approval flashed in Da Bai Tu's eyes, and she leaned forward with a smile, "Then, how much compensation do you think I should offer to make them risk their lives?"
Xi Luoluo and Dou Paopao exchanged glances, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
As long as the compensation was appropriate, they too would be willing to risk their lives.
After a moment of thought, she slowly spoke, "We cannot price our sisters' lives.
However, I can call them all over tonight, and you can discuss it with them yourselves, after all, only they can determine the worth of their own lives."
Zuo Feng nodded slightly and said, "Then let's set it here for tonight, and we can discuss it in detail then."
Zuo Feng was not worried that the information would be leaked; that was the good thing about Dream City: strength reigned supreme.
As long as you had enough power, even if your opponent knew you coveted something of theirs, they could only stew in silence.
Xi Luoluo and Dou Paopao quickly exchanged a look, then immediately agreed without delay.
They carefully stored the two cans of preserved meat and six packs of instant noodles they had received inside the house, then hurried out to gather their sisters.