With that word, Leo’s holographic projection vanished, along with any information regarding the whereabouts of the captured Star Singers.

Ali, who had been beside them, was already as anxious as an ant on a hot pan the moment Tyrot and Leo began discussing the prisoner exchange, trembling uncontrollably with tension.

If a barter deal were struck, how much commission could the Slave Trade Alliance possibly extract? The loss would be immense.

If it weren't for the overwhelming pressure Tyrot's sheer dominance exerted on him, he likely would have vehemently objected during the negotiations.

Once the talks finally concluded, Ali immediately stood up: “Lord Tyrot, you cannot do this. You already agreed to let our Slave Trade Alliance handle this batch of Burkean slaves; how can you offer them up for trade with the Kustar people?”

“Don't speak nonsense. Many details regarding the exchange of the Burkean captives were still being finalized; how could that possibly mean I agreed to hand the Burkean slaves over to the Slave Trade Alliance?” Tyrot retorted.

Ali was left speechless, stammering incoherently, only managing to say: “Regardless of the details, I will definitely report this behavior of using us and then casting us aside.”

“Stop quibbling!” Tyrot waved his hand dismissively. “In business, it’s perfectly normal to shop around. If your Slave Trade Alliance can produce one hundred million Star Singers as an exchange for the Burkean captives we hold, then we can finalize the deal right now.”

Ali spoke without reservation: “You clearly know we cannot meet that demand. Where are we supposed to find one hundred million Star Singer slaves for you?”

Tyrot replied: “We have no obligation to trade only with you. The terms were never fully agreed upon, and now a competitor with a more appealing offer has appeared. Of course, we can change our trading partner. This is an ironclad principle, even across the entire galaxy.”

Ali’s expression shifted through a myriad of emotions. He inwardly cursed: These Protos—who knows what they see in the Star Singers. If I had known this, I shouldn’t have brought up the Star Singer slaves at all. Now, this deal to acquire the Burkean captives looks like it will result in a massive loss. I don't know how the higher-ups will deal with me.

Although the Kustar only agreed to trade one-third, the Protos wouldn't trade all their Burkean captives, but losing two hundred and fifty million at once—that was two hundred and fifty million!

The slave trade was immensely profitable; if the Alliance had acquired these Burkeans, they could have easily reaped triple the profit. However, with a barter system, both parties would only pay a small intermediary commission to the Slave Trade Alliance.

While this commission, in terms of raw numbers, was insignificant compared to the triple profit they stood to gain, the overall loss was staggering!

Watching Ali’s internal struggle, Tyrot could sense the rage and resentment boiling inside him, though he dared not show it.

Suddenly, an almost imperceptible faint yellow light flickered in Ali’s eyes. Ali’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly without the slightest alteration.

Concurrently, Kas’s voice materialized in Tyrot’s mind: This man, Ali, can be useful to us; we will need the Slave Trade Alliance later. I have already secured control over his consciousness. Next, you will do this…

Tyrot listened, then replied mentally.

Men like Ali were invariably equipped with a psychic protection chip implanted in their brains—a bio-external device invented by the Galan species. It acted directly on the brain, preventing the influence of all mental control-type spells.

Before Yang Ying broke through to the Fourth Level, while he could potentially breach the protection of the psychic chip using Protoss mental control, there was also a significant risk of causing brain damage to the subject. The Galan species’ biotechnology was exceptionally advanced.

However, Yang Ying, having advanced to the Fourth Level and mastering Sarnegar technology, was worlds apart from his former self. In terms of biotechnology, he was countless generations ahead of the Galan species, making bypassing the psychic protection chip and controlling Ali’s consciousness child’s play.

After receiving instructions, Tyrot escorted Ali out of the meeting room to rejoin his subordinates. He then told Ali: “Stay here for a few more days. Once we conclude the exchange with the Kustar people, we can continue discussing the matter of the Burkean captives.”

“What more is there to discuss? If the details of your transaction with the Kustar are leaked, the Slave Trade Alliance will immediately recall me and send a new official to replace me. Many people around me covet my position; they will spare no effort to undermine me. Next time you discuss this with me, it might not even be me you’re talking to.”

Ali’s tone remained decidedly unhappy, carrying an undercurrent of resentment that everyone around could detect. However, this was merely an act, a façade created to conceal the fact that he had been controlled, especially in front of his subordinates.

Hearing Ali’s words, thick with grievance, his subordinates displayed various expressions: concern, contemplation, flickering glances, and even a touch of schadenfreude.

“Don’t worry. We are quite satisfied with your service and will not allow such a thing to happen.”

Tyrot guaranteed this in front of Ali. Before this, A-Jia (Kas) had already privately used telepathy to inform Tyrot that there were certainly spies sent by Ali’s superiors or rivals lurking among his staff.

“What do you mean by that?” Ali feigned surprise, continuing his performance.

“You can relay my words to the higher echelons of your Slave Trade Alliance. We are satisfied with your service and trust that you will act in our best interests. From this moment forward, we trust only you and will trade only with you. If someone else takes your place, the cooperation between the Protos and the Slave Trade Alliance will terminate immediately,” Tyrot stated decisively.

Hah!

Ali’s subordinates immediately erupted. More than a dozen aliens of various species exchanged glances, their eyes fixed on Ali with undisguised jealousy.

Tyrot’s declaration meant Ali now held the exclusive right to the Protos’ slave trade. The Protos, as an emerging species, possessed a fleet superior to the Burkeans’ and three Fourth-Level entities—their potential was limitless and destined to shine brilliantly in the near future.

For Ali to have forged such a deep rapport with the Protos indicated that the Slave Trade Alliance would have no choice but to treat him with the utmost deference, granting him a higher status. As the Protos continued to expand, Ali might even rise to become a core leader.

Amidst these envious gazes, Ali smoothly shed his previous expression of fury and resentment. He widened his eyes, appearing utterly shocked by Tyrot’s assurance.

Ali’s acting skills were indeed commendable. After a pause of about five seconds, his demeanor suddenly became radiant. He performed a deep bow to Tyrot and declared joyfully: “Thank you for the Protos’ trust. I pledge to exert every effort to establish an excellent cooperative relationship between the Alliance and your noble race.”

“Keep the specifics of what we discussed with the Kustar people confidential for now. You may leave,” Tyrot waved his hand. A squad of Zealots immediately stepped forward and escorted Ali and his retinue away.

Once they were far enough, Tyrot sent a message to Kas via the mental link: “Chairman, the Kustar only agreed to provide one-third of the Star Singer captives. What should we do?”

“Do not worry. They will surrender all the Star Singer captives,” Kas’s voice replied. “The Kustar, having lost Karagunes, cannot withstand my will.”

Meanwhile, on a planet far removed from Ael, Leo shut down the holographic projector, rose from his office, and walked out onto the balcony.

In the sky, shuttles moved back and forth in neat, orderly queues. Below, the landscape was covered in forests and gardens, where aliens from various races occasionally wandered about, enjoying a pleasant outing.

Yet, Leo felt no pleasure at all.

“That old Emperor has truly lost his mind. Even if he breaks up these captives and sells them off, given the current might of the Star Singer Kingdom, they could at least rescue over sixty percent. In my opinion, sacrificing all one hundred million Star Singers in a bloody rite before the battle to truly break the heart of that old hag Yaffi would be far better than trading them for resources!”

Leo struck the balcony with his fist, instantly shattering a section the size of a millstone. Silver-white metallic fragments rained down onto the garden below.

“Teacher Karagunes has only recently fallen, and the Emperor has already forgotten the Teacher’s teachings. He actually believes that more fleets can help the Kustar navigate this crisis—he is profoundly mistaken. Only the eternally unwavering will, the will to conquer all, is the true foundation of the Kustar’s strength. If that will endures, even if the Star Singers shatter them, forcing them to become refugees in the cosmos, the Kustar will stand tall again in a few centuries.”

“No, you Kustar people, your time ends here,” a voice stated directly within his mind.

Who! Leo had received no warning whatsoever, but this only terrified him more. He knew this meant the intruder was someone he could not possibly handle—a Fourth-Level entity!

His reaction was lightning fast. The instant he heard the voice, in less than one-tenth the time it takes an ordinary person to blink, he leaped off the balcony, flipping in mid-air. He drew his golden light staff from his waist, activated both light blades, and began spinning them around his body to create a shimmering barrier. Simultaneously, he projected his mental power outward, unleashing a wide-area telepathic broadcast, attempting to warn the surrounding Kustar people.

However, all his efforts were futile. The moment he jumped off the balcony, a beam of dim yellow light shot forth from the void, piercing directly into his eyes and instantly penetrating his mental core. His wide-area telepathy was cut off before it could even be fully broadcast.

Moments later, Leo’s figure landed smoothly in the garden below, standing firm.

“My Lord, what happened?”

Several Kustar personnel, seeing Leo suddenly leap from the building, rushed over.

“Nothing, just feeling a bit unwell. You all may leave,” Leo told them indifferently, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

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