The potential of the human race surpasses that of the Angels.

Amidst the multitude of billions of leaders, a surfeit of shrewd minds abounds, each comprehending the artful barter of their surplus resources with fellow sovereigns for those scarce commodities vital to the advancement of their territories. Among them, the maneuvers of the angelic leaders captivate the collective gaze. Not only do they swiftly amass wealth at frugal prices, but they also garnish their reputations, exemplifying the art of achieving dual triumphs with singular actions.

"Abundant are the wise and the powerful; complacency, however, is the foe that lurks within shadows, ready to claim its due," You Qian reminds himself incessantly. For he shoulders the weight of humanity's leadership, tasked with restoring its erstwhile grandeur—a quest that acknowledges adversaries not solely amongst the reincarnated leaders, but also the formidable indigenous forces that lie in wait.

He bears the label of a ruthless merchant with indifference, understanding that in this merciless realm, it is the most unyielding who survive. The old adage rings true: "Great achievements rest upon countless sacrifices." The bloody and fatalistic nature of capital's primordial accumulation echoes through history, rendering his own tactics, in comparison, almost benevolent.

Yet, he knows that with sufficient might, censure will dissolve into admiration and awe, for in success, even the mundane acquires a halo of brilliance.

Messages accumulate, a deluge of friend requests and private communiques awaiting his attention after a brief hiatus. Perusing them cursorily, he notes the diversity of the senders, including those hailing from high and supreme bloodline factions. Most unexpectedly, nestled amidst these missives, is one from the esteemed "Sister Snow Xin" herself—Lin Xuexin.

Opening it, he discerns her introduction, disclosing her affiliation with the angelic ranks. Regardless, You Qian maintains his detachment, extending this impartial disregard to Lin Xuexin as well as every other leader.

Angels, as the pinnacle of lineage, possess innate prowess, explaining the popular clamor for an alliance between her and himself. However, he deems the hour premature for such unions.

Mankind's destiny, under his stewardship, is to ascend above all races, its supremacy undeniable. As such, any prospective allies or vassals under his banner must embody excellence akin to his own. Until other leaders demonstrate tangible capabilities, their bloodline's allure alone is insufficient to warrant engagement.

In his wooden manor, You Qian idly monitors the global chat, periodically venturing outside to observe Artemis and her team returning to the courtyard, their spoils increasing with each sortie. Enhanced by their augmented numbers and the prowess of the five-star elite archer, Artemis, today's yield surpasses the previous day's, revealing a synergistic effect transcending mere numerical increase.

"The wilderness teems with beasts, and with Artemis and her squad's proficiency, the horizon of exploration beckons tantalizingly close," he muses, anticipation simmering. Although the domain's landscape unfolds within the leader's stone, nothing rivals the thrill of firsthand experience. Nevertheless, he refrains from accompanying them on their perilous ventures, aware of the unpredictable dangers lurking beyond.

The spoils of their hunts are systematically gathered, with You Qian presiding over the process, effortlessly storing the spoils within his portable vault. By mid-morning, his inventory swells with ten magic crystals, over forty skill manuals, and a variety of claws, pelts, and sundry materials. With practiced ease, he lists all the skill books on the "Marketplace," adhering to his established pricing schema:

- Forty Intermediate Mastery Skill Books, each exchangeable for thirty units of lumber or twenty units of stone.

- Ten Advanced Mastery Skill Books, each exchangeable for three magic crystals or fifty units of lumber, or thirty units of stone.

His reputation as a mercenary merchant precedes him, and he lives up to this moniker, subscribing to the belief that resentment lingers longer than affection. Complaints abound, yet transactions proceed uninterrupted, for necessities dictate the market's pulse.

Billions struggle, burdened with mid to low-tier bloodline troops, grappling with self-sufficiency's inadequacies. Each dawn births new troops, yet without skill manuals, their meager aptitudes remain unaltered. Leaders, while hesitant to invest in purchases, cannot ignore the fundamentals of existence—food, shelter, and the universal skills these entail. Troops, sentient beings with emotional depths, falter in loyalty without adequate provisions, a crisis exacerbated by leaders' own limited abilities, unable to impart even rudimentary skills.

When loyalty dips beneath the 60% threshold, defection looms, and even the loyal grow listless. The wise among leaders prioritize accordingly.

Predictably, You Qian's listings on the "Marketplace" vanish swiftly, purchased by leaders whose complex emotions—mingled relief and sorrow—accompany their utilization of these acquisitions. The global chat resounds anew:

"A gentle reminder: Oh, innocent lambs, guard thy precious 'wool'; for the black-hearted merchant, whose cunning rivals the divine, has descended upon us!"

"My 'wool' has been roughly sheared, and for that, I owe gratitude to Mister You Qian."

"A plea signed by tens of thousands, beseeching Mister You Qian to empathize with the toiling masses, not to be blinded by immediate gains, and to earnestly follow Sister Xuexin's example in striving for the welfare of all leaders, thereby exemplifying the conduct of a true powerhouse!"

"Ten thousand endorsements +1"

"Ten thousand endorsements +999"

"I must say, after using Mister You Qian's advanced skill books, the gaze of my troops transformed from disdain to reverence. Their loyalty, hovering dangerously close to 60%, skyrocketed to 90% in an instant! Indeed, it was a swift and overwhelming change! Admittedly, while Mister You Qian's merchandise comes at a steep price, it is... undeniably satisfactory!"

...

Naturally, You Qian's transaction reaped a bountiful harvest of resources.

Meanwhile, in the depths of a shadowy forest...

Hovering aloft with ethereal grace, a woman adorned in a pristine white gown, her face exquisitely carved, boasted a pair of snowy wings upon her back. Before her lay a heap of exotic beast carcasses, two stunning, winged angels continuously ferrying more into her presence. She was none other than Lin Xuexin, the leader of the Angel race.

Surveying the "Trading Zone," she gently shook her head at the extravagant prices You Qian had set for his skill books.

"Excess can be as detrimental as deficiency; such practices risk alienating the people, akin to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Perhaps I should advise him when time permits."

For it is the unity of purpose that generates the strength to weather any adversity! And she embodied this principle in her actions.

Her recent discount sale of skill books was but a strategic move to seize an opportunity and enhance her profile, all part of a broader plan for the future.

That You Qian could amass such formidable advantages suggested he too possessed top-tier bloodline troops and enjoyed superior luck. For now, he seemed a valuable connection to cultivate.

"Why hasn't my friend request been accepted yet, despite so much time passing?" she murmured, furrowing her brow.

"Clearly, he either hasn't noticed me or is unaware that I am an Angel!"

As an Angel, a being of the highest bloodline tier, she was effectively at the pinnacle of the continent's hierarchy. It never occurred to her that someone would reject the friendship of an Angel.

After pondering, she sent You Qian another message, but afterwards, felt a twinge of frustration.

Regardless of whether it was Dragons, Behemoths, or other top-tier bloodline creatures, they all accepted her friend requests instantly. Replies to her messages were equally prompt. She had never been in a position where she waited for others.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from the distant reaches of the forest.

Before Lin Xuexin could react, her Angels were seen hurriedly flying back, clutching several Blazing Lions.

"Master, we've encountered a formidable Elite Beast, the Blazing Lion!"

With her six Angels, the strongest being only two-star ranked, they were naturally no match for a five-star elite.

"Not again, this Blazing Lion!"

Lin Xuexin felt a touch of irritation.

"No rush. Angels develop swiftly; it won't be long before we can fell it!"

"It's said that only Elite Beasts have a chance to drop Elemental Stones. I hope it doesn't disappoint me then!"

"At that time, I will surely take the lead!"

Her eyes glistened with anticipation as she stared in the direction of the Blazing Lion. Elemental Stones, crucial for upgrading troop buildings, held undeniable significance.