Copenhagen city. On a secluded street. Within a hidden reception room of the "Golden Quinoa Manor," a holding of Hadewer Corporation, the lights were bright, the air thick with subtle fragrance, and occasionally, the swish of silk skirts could be glimpsed.

The oval reception room was carpeted with thick wool, nearly a foot deep—a footing treacherous enough to cause the unsteady to stumble. Circling the walls of the room was a continuous sofa draped in the pelts of exotic snow foxes. In the lamplight, the pure white fur emitted a faint, ethereal blue sheen, lending the space an air of mysterious warmth and ambiguity.

A tall, powerfully built black woman silently pushed forward a small, four-wheeled cart crafted entirely of pure gold. Upon it rested hookahs made of ivory and pure silver, treasured vintage hand-rolled cigars, and slender cigarette tubes. Wolf of Poison, seated on the sofa, selected three cigars with an expressionless face. Immediately, two beautiful young women appeared to attend to lighting them for him.

The black woman slowly wheeled the cart away. A gentle woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, clad in the flowing robes of an ancient Greek priestess, entered, pushing a second cart. This one was laden with an assortment of fine liquors—each a rare treasure worth a fortune. Among them, several bottles of wine, unlabeled, with strangely shaped, dust-mottled bodies, were masterpieces rarely seen, with fewer than a hundred bottles existing in the entire Earth Federation.

Wolf of Poison’s gaze swept over the array of bottles, yet he spared not a glance for the wines, instead choosing the highest-proof vodka.

The gentle woman wheeled the liquor cart away. The two fair maidens knelt on the thick rug, placing a heavy-based goblet, carved from a single piece of natural crystal, upon the small table beside Wolf of Poison. One girl took the bottle from his hand, delicately removing the stopper. A chill erupted from the bottleneck—the liquor was perfectly frosted. The slightly pearlescent liquid flowed silently into the cup. The two girls respectfully cupped the glass in their palms, carefully raising it to Wolf of Poison’s lips.

Wolf of Poison drained the cup in a single pull, then snatched the bottle and downed the entire measure of vodka in one continuous draught.

He let out a satisfied burp and glared at the two maidens. The demure girls quickly rose and respectfully withdrew from the reception room. The two-foot-thick oak door closed without a sound, as if sealing the vast room off from the entire cosmos.

Flicking his finger with practiced ease, an extremely thin cigarette tube leaped into his mouth. Gu Xechen lit it, taking a deep inhalation. A thread of smoke curled slowly from his nostrils as he settled comfortably onto the sofa, slanting his eyes toward Wolf of Poison, who sat stiffly smoking his cigar. "Your Excellency Marshal, say something. What do you think of my estate?" Wolf of Poison crossed his legs, glanced at Gu Xechen, and shook his head faintly. "Splendor on the surface, rot within. Too much ostentatious luxury—the mark of a nouveau riche. Did you pour all your profits from Paradise Star into developing this place?" Pouting, Gu Xechen blew three perfect smoke rings, watching them slowly expand and dissipate. After a considerable pause, he finally smiled. "Hardly. This building alone cost me fifteen cubic meters of Zakkra crystals. The wine cellar and the special provisions cost forty cubic meters of Zakkra crystals. The attendants and servants in here—ah, their expense is minimal, perhaps one standard block of Zakkra crystal in value each. Unemployment in the Federation is too high; labor is cheap! The bottle you just drank is worth exactly a hundred times the value of those two young women. Precisely one hundred times!"

Wolf of Poison let out a cold sneer, expelling a thick cloud of smoke. He glanced at Gu Xechen, unable to suppress a cold laugh.

"You didn't drag me here just to exchange pleasantries, did you? If it weren't for owing..."

Gu Xechen interrupted him, shaking his body lightly, smilingly saying: "If it weren't for my Master's sake, you wouldn't spare me a glance, would you?"

Wolf of Poison snorted, raising his head with haughty arrogance. As Chairman of the Federal Military, one of the most powerful figures in the Federation, he truly had no desire to entertain this newly risen 'Federation Hero' if not for Gu Xechen’s impossibly strong backing.

Wolf of Poison had seen plenty of so-called 'heroes.' Few of the once-shining figures survived to this day; many heroes shoot up suddenly only to plummet just as fast. If it weren't for the Corpse Emperor, he wouldn't have needed to accept the invitation from this young upstart.

The disparity in status was too great! Wolf of Poison frowned, looking at the irreverent Gu Xechen, already regretting accepting the invitation! "So what if he is the Corpse Emperor? Even if he is the Corpse Emperor’s apprentice, can he use the Corpse Emperor’s name to summon me?" Sensing that Wolf of Poison was growing impatient, Gu Xechen quickly straightened up and took out a consciousness data chip, offering it over. "This visit is primarily to discuss the procurement plans for Hercules One with you. Ah, and secondarily, I wish to forge a good relationship with you!" "A good relationship?" Wolf of Poison scoffed internally. Gu Xechen truly lacked the stature for him to bother with such a connection! Even as the Corpse Emperor’s apprentice, Wolf of Poison had already learned through certain channels that Gu Xechen was not suited for true cultivation; therefore, his importance was limited. At best, after a hundred years of serving the Nine Nether Path diligently, Gu Xechen’s ultimate achievement would be reaching Wolf of Poison’s current standing. Wolf of Poison himself was merely a registered disciple of the current Sect Master of the Kunlun Dao School.

The Wolf hesitated for a moment as Gu Xiechen presented the Mind Comprehension Slip. Then, he suddenly laughed, “Surely there aren’t any hidden cameras in this reception room? We wouldn’t want a tabloid headline tomorrow saying the Chairman of the Federal Military Department accepted bribes—that would be a huge joke!” Gu Xiechen looked at the Wolf with surprise, shaking his head. “That joke isn’t funny at all.” He extended his hand forward, sneering, “Marshal, if you’re unwilling to examine what’s inside, let’s just pretend this meeting never happened. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways!” The Wolf fell silent for a spell, then reached out and took the Mind Comprehension Slip. A thread of pure spiritual power probed the slip. After about ten seconds, the Wolf’s body suddenly began to tremble violently. He stared at Gu Xiechen in utter horror, roaring softly, “The contents of this... You—how did you obtain this?” Gu Xiechen watched the shocked Wolf with satisfaction, extinguishing his cigarette butt firmly in the ashtray and vigorously rubbing his hands together. He clicked his tongue a few times, smiling at the Wolf. “What’s inside is incomplete—only half of it. The other half is also in my possession. Now, do you still have objections to my impudent request for this private meeting?” The Wolf sprang up abruptly, circling wildly in the reception room barely five meters square. He spun around sharply, fixing Gu Xiechen with an intense stare. “Speak. What do you mean?” Gu Xiechen sat up straight, placing both hands on his knees, and said with utmost gravity, “I want a promise!” “What promise?” the Wolf demanded without hesitation. “In the future, for military equipment of the same specification and technical standard, the Military Department must prioritize procurement from Hadewald Defense Corporation!” The Wolf’s eyes widened, cold light flashing within them. He sneered, “Trying to strike at the Gu Corporation? Heh, can Hadewald Company manufacture Super-Dreadnoughts right now?” Gu Xiechen met the Wolf’s gaze, entirely undaunted, and retorted with an equal sneer, “Give me six months, and Hadewald Company can manufacture the most advanced Super-Dreadnoughts in the world! To give you a hint, the bamboo slips containing the special alloy formulas actually come in two volumes! The one I gave you is the relatively lower-grade one!” The Wolf scrutinized Gu Xiechen sternly, as if trying to see through a lie. Gu Xiechen was clearly lying to the Wolf—there were actually three volumes of bamboo slips—yet his gaze was as clear as an innocent child’s, and his bearing was in no way inferior. Gu Xiechen sneered, “The Federation and the Roman Kingdom can currently only build First-Tier warships up to six hundred meters in length. Any longer, and the vessel either becomes too heavy to achieve subspace flight; or sacrifices defensive capabilities, turning it into a transport ship that’s destroyed in a single shot; or it mounts massive plasma engines, causing the entire ship to disintegrate the moment it enters light-speed cruise in subspace!” Taking a deep breath, Gu Xiechen stared intently at the Wolf, articulating every word: “Using the special alloy formula from the bamboo slip I handed over, it is theoretically possible to construct warships and transports up to one thousand meters in length. However, the special alloy formula recorded on the bamboo slip I retained in my hand—according to my calculations—could theoretically build Super-Giants exceeding two thousand meters in length! Their power, defense, and firepower would be more than ten times that of current First-Tier warships! A round trip from Earth to Paradise Star would only take three to five days!” A twitch played across his lips. The Wolf’s eyes turned bloodshot, and he rasped, “Is what you’re saying true?” With a flick of his finger, he pulled a bottle of Gold Leaf Brandy from a hidden compartment beneath the armrest of the sofa and immediately downed two large gulps of the strong liquor. Letting out a satisfied burp, Gu Xiechen sneered, “What do you think?” Crushing the Mind Comprehension Slip in his hand, the Wolf asked hoarsely, “The records inside...?” Gu Xiechen smiled faintly, calmly retorting, “Do you think someone like me is content to remain only a Mercury-level Fighter for this lifetime?” After a moment of silence, the Wolf sat back down on the sofa, but this time he sat close beside Gu Xiechen, instead of maintaining the two-meter gap he had kept earlier. He turned his head to look at Gu Xiechen and said gravely, “I can grant your request. As long as the military equipment is of the same scale and technical specification, the Military Department will prioritize purchasing from Hadewald Defense Corporation!” Nodding in satisfaction, Gu Xiechen smiled. “The Romanians have already seized that scroll, so they are certainly planning to build new warships. To maintain parity in deep-space fleet strength between the two sides in the future, the Military Department should also hand over the data from the bamboo slip Admiral Wagley presented to the Department to the major arms manufacturers!” “Aren’t you afraid of choking?” The Wolf looked at Gu Xiechen in astonishment. “Are you truly not afraid of choking? You want to monopolize the entire warship market? Aren’t you afraid of the people behind those major arms manufacturers…” Gu Xiechen pointed at the Wolf and smiled kindly, “The bosses behind the major arms manufacturers—aren’t you one of them? With your cooperation, my appetite naturally has to grow larger. When there is an opportunity to make others lose money while I make a massive profit, why shouldn’t I make the massive profit?” Coughing lightly, Gu Xiechen smiled very gently at the Wolf. “Of course, I’ve always believed in one saying: Harmony brings wealth. True wealth is when everyone prospers together. So…” He opened the other hidden compartment on the sofa armrest and pulled out several thick documents. “Here are the transfer documents for twenty percent equity in Hadewald Defense Corporation, already signed by myself and Uncle Beard. As long as you have Miss ‘He Bing’ sign this document, she will receive twenty percent of Hadewald Defense Corporation’s profits from now on…” Taking a deep breath, Gu Xiechen stated calmly, “And my full, committed protection!” A dense killing intent rolled through the room, and the Wolf’s eyes spewed forth a furious flame. He grabbed Gu Xiechen’s neck and slammed him violently onto the sofa. “What did you say?” The Wolf’s fingers were tough and powerful, and terrifying energy blasted from his hand, almost instantly paralyzing Gu Xiechen’s entire body. Feeling the iron-bar-like hand poised to crush his Adam’s apple at any moment, Gu Xiechen stared into the Wolf’s eyes and smiled faintly. “I have a very capable subordinate named Bell Adams; he used to be the head of intelligence for the Gu Corporation.” Carefully lifting his hand, Gu Xiechen gently patted the Wolf’s large hand and said lightly, “As the Federation’s sole Marshal, your money laundering techniques are hardly professional. Two months ago, Bell Adams very coincidentally discovered the destination of a small sum in your accounts... Miss He Bing has been pregnant for three months now, hasn’t she? This twenty percent equity can best be inherited by her child.” The Wolf’s body trembled, and a dense killing aura settled over the room like a solid iron plate. The room temperature hadn’t changed, yet Gu Xiechen felt as if he were standing in a furnace, sticky sweat continuously beading on his skin. He watched the Wolf quietly, lightly shaking the equity transfer documents in his hand. “What if I kill you right now, then kill everyone in the winery, and utterly destroy the entire Hadewald Defense Corporation?” The Wolf narrowed his eyes! From beneath the floor came Peng Hua’s muffled voice: “Then I guarantee every member of your immediate Wolf family will be dead within three days! Master is bound by the oath of the ‘Declaration of Seclusion,’ but we disciples are not!” The atmosphere in the room almost solidified. The Wolf’s fingers slowly, forcefully withdrew from Gu Xiechen’s throat. He straightened up slowly and suddenly burst into laughter. “Daring to threaten the Chairman of the Federal Military Department! Today’s young generation truly surpasses the last!” He affectionately patted Gu Xiechen’s cheek, laughing, “Your father was somewhat reserved in front of me back in the day. I never expected... Tsk tsk, truly never expected it!” The Wolf shook his head vigorously, feigning the air of someone recalling an unbearable past. Chapter Ninety-Seven: Friendship is Negotiated (3) The Wolf suddenly stood up, circling rapidly in the reception room less than five meters wide and long, before spinning around sharply to fix Gu Xiechen with an intense stare. “Speak. What do you mean?” Gu Xiechen sat up straight, placing both hands on his knees, and said with utmost gravity, “I want a promise!” “What promise?” the Wolf demanded without hesitation. “In the future, for military equipment of the same specification and technical standard, the Military Department must prioritize procurement from Hadewald Defense Corporation!” The Wolf’s eyes widened, cold light flashing within them. He sneered, “Trying to strike at the Gu Corporation? Heh, can Hadewald Company manufacture Super-Dreadnoughts right now?” Gu Xiechen met the Wolf’s gaze, entirely undaunted, and retorted with an equal sneer, “Give me six months, and Hadewald Company can manufacture the most advanced Super-Dreadnoughts in the world! To give you a hint, the bamboo slips containing the special alloy formulas actually come in two volumes! The one I gave you is the relatively lower-grade one!” The Wolf scrutinized Gu Xiechen sternly, as if trying to see through a lie. Gu Xiechen was clearly lying to the Wolf—there were actually three volumes of bamboo slips—yet his gaze was as clear as an innocent child’s, and his bearing was in no way inferior. Gu Xiechen sneered, “The Federation and the Roman Kingdom can currently only build First-Tier warships up to six hundred meters in length. Any longer, and the vessel either becomes too heavy to achieve subspace flight; or sacrifices defensive capabilities, turning it into a transport ship that’s destroyed in a single shot; or it mounts massive plasma engines, causing the entire ship to disintegrate the moment it enters light-speed cruise in subspace!” Taking a deep breath, Gu Xiechen stared intently at the Wolf, articulating every word: “Using the special alloy formula from the bamboo slip I handed over, it is theoretically possible to construct warships and transports up to one thousand meters in length… However, the special alloy formula recorded on the bamboo slip I retained in my hand—according to my calculations—could theoretically build Super-Giants exceeding two thousand meters in length! Their power, defense, and firepower would be more than ten times that of current First-Tier warships! A round trip from Earth to Paradise Star would only take three to five days!” A twitch played across his lips. The Wolf’s eyes turned bloodshot, and he rasped, “Is what you’re saying true?” With a flick of his finger, he pulled a bottle of Gold Leaf Brandy from a hidden compartment beneath the armrest of the sofa and immediately downed two large gulps of the strong liquor. Letting out a satisfied burp, Gu Xiechen sneered, “What do you think?” Crushing the Mind Comprehension Slip in his hand, the Wolf asked hoarsely, “The records inside...?” Gu Xiechen smiled faintly, calmly retorting, “Do you think someone like me is content to remain only a Mercury-level Fighter for this lifetime?” After a moment of silence, the Wolf sat back down on the sofa, but this time he sat close beside Gu Xiechen, instead of maintaining the two-meter gap he had kept earlier. He turned his head to look at Gu Xiechen and said gravely, “I can grant your request. As long as the military equipment is of the same scale and technical specification, the Military Department will prioritize purchasing from Hadewald Defense Corporation!” Nodding in satisfaction, Gu Xiechen smiled. “The Romanians have already seized that scroll, so they are certainly planning to build new warships. To maintain parity in deep-space fleet strength between the two sides in the future, the Military Department should also hand over the data from the bamboo slip Admiral Wagley presented to the Department to the major arms manufacturers!” “You... aren’t afraid of choking?” The Wolf looked at Gu Xiechen in astonishment. “Are you truly not afraid of choking? You want to monopolize the entire warship market? Aren’t you afraid of the people behind those major arms manufacturers…” Gu Xiechen pointed at the Wolf and smiled kindly, “The bosses behind the major arms manufacturers—aren’t you one of them? With your cooperation, my appetite naturally has to grow larger. When there is an opportunity to make others lose money while I make a massive profit, why shouldn’t I make the massive profit?” Coughing lightly, Gu Xiechen smiled very gently at the Wolf. “Of course, I’ve always believed in one saying: Harmony brings wealth. True wealth is when everyone prospers together. So…” He opened the other hidden compartment on the sofa armrest and pulled out several thick documents. “Here are the transfer documents for twenty percent equity in Hadewald Defense Corporation, already signed by myself and Uncle Beard. As long as you have Miss ‘He Bing’ sign this document, she will receive twenty percent of Hadewald Defense Corporation’s profits from now on…” Taking a deep breath, Gu Xiechen stated calmly, “And my full, committed protection!” A dense killing intent rolled through the room, and the Wolf’s eyes spewed forth a furious flame. He grabbed Gu Xiechen’s neck and slammed him violently onto the sofa. “What did you say?” The Wolf’s fingers were tough and powerful, and terrifying energy blasted from his hand, almost instantly paralyzing Gu Xiechen’s entire body. Feeling the iron-bar-like hand poised to crush his Adam’s apple at any moment, Gu Xiechen stared into the Wolf’s eyes and smiled faintly. “I have a very capable subordinate named Bell Adams; he used to be the head of intelligence for the Gu Corporation.” Carefully lifting his hand, Gu Xiechen gently patted the Wolf’s large hand and said lightly, “As the Federation’s sole Marshal, your money laundering techniques are hardly professional. Two months ago, Bell Adams very coincidentally discovered the destination of a small sum in your accounts... Miss ‘He Bing’ has been pregnant for three months now, hasn’t she? This twenty percent equity can best be inherited by her child.” The Wolf’s body trembled, and a dense killing aura settled over the room like a solid iron plate. The room temperature hadn’t changed, yet Gu Xiechen felt as if he were standing in a furnace, sticky sweat continuously beading on his skin. He watched the Wolf quietly, lightly shaking the equity transfer documents in his hand. “What if I kill you right now, then kill everyone in the winery, and utterly destroy the entire Hadewald Defense Corporation?” The Wolf narrowed his eyes! From beneath the floor came Penh Hua’s muffled voice: “Then I guarantee every member of your immediate Wolf family will be dead within three days! Master is bound by the oath of the ‘Declaration of Seclusion,’ but we disciples are not!” The atmosphere in the room almost solidified. The Wolf’s fingers slowly, one by one, released Gu Xiechen’s throat. He straightened up slowly and suddenly burst into laughter. “Daring to threaten the Chairman of the Federal Military Department! Today’s young generation truly surpasses the last!” He affectionately patted Gu Xiechen’s cheek, laughing, “Your father was somewhat reserved in front of me back in the day. I never expected... Tsk tsk, truly never expected it!” The Wolf shook his head vigorously, adopting an expression as if recalling an unbearable past. Chapter Ninety-Seven: Friendship is Negotiated (4) Regarding the most recognized Mercury-level Fighter and World Master in the Federation, the Wolf coveted the formula Gu Xiechen possessed! No matter how powerful a Mercury-level Fighter or World Master was, they could not escape the limitations of birth, aging, sickness, and death. But if he could transform his aptitude into a physique suitable for cultivation, coupled with the Wolf’s profound true energy cultivation, he could almost immediately condense a Golden Core and, soon after, split the core to form an Infant Soul. What did someone at the Wolf’s level fear most? Death! What did he desire most? Immortality! The elixir formula Gu Xiechen presented struck precisely at the Wolf’s weakest point. The Wolf had no choice but to develop a sense of "affection" for Gu Xiechen! “An elixir formula?” Peng Hua muttered in surprise, asking, “Could it be a miraculous elixir for stabilizing pregnancy and easing childbirth? Prepared for his illegitimate child? Uh, Junior Brother, be clearer!” Peng Hua draped an arm around Gu Xiechen’s shoulder, but Gu Xiechen remained tight-lipped, refusing to disclose what elixir formula it was. The two wrestled as they entered the winery. As Gu Xiechen looked up at the sky, in the Lagrange Point between Earth and the Moon, an artificial celestial body over five hundred meters in diameter hung illuminated by transparent lights. Accompanied by a strange whistling sound, figures continuously appeared within this massive artificial body. In the core of the spherical artificial body floated a pyramid-shaped platform, surrounded by one hundred and eight large chairs forged from black alloy. The chairs were smooth and unadorned, yet they exuded an ancient, profound, and majestic aura. Each figure, after appearing out of thin air, moved with practiced ease to sit in a chair. In about two or three minutes, every large chair was occupied except for one. A stream of black smoke flashed across the central pyramid-shaped platform, and the tall, powerfully built Corpse Emperor materialized out of thin air. Shaking his massive head, the Corpse Emperor commanded in a deep voice, “Silence, everyone. This month’s Dark Alliance Assembly will be presided over by me!” The hall fell silent, and everyone looked at the Corpse Emperor. Within the one hundred and eight large chairs: thirty-five were occupied by people clearly of Asian descent, dressed in either monastic robes, Taoist gowns, or long robes. Thirty-six large chairs were filled by individuals wearing various ritual robes; only one, a middle-aged man with a face like jade, wore a purple robe and a triple crown. The remaining thirty-six large chairs were mostly occupied by people wrapped in pitch-black cloaks, though the others were also emanating sinister energy, including Caesar Vontu, whom Gu Xiechen had seen before. The Corpse Emperor scanned the room and spoke in a low tone, “Let’s get down to serious business. The first agenda item today is the Federation’s full engagement in war with the Romanians. All those in favor of fully supporting the Federation to escalate the conflict and preparing to engage the Roman Pantheon at any time, please raise your right hands!” With a whoosh, nearly everyone present simultaneously raised their right hands. Among those wrapped in black cloaks, some even raised both hands, emitting low, eager gasps. The Corpse Emperor nodded, grinning sinisterly. “It seems everyone still fondly remembers the First and Second Religious Wars? Very good. I too miss the arms of the Grand High Priest of the Pantheon. Frankly, the Romanians taste quite good, though they sometimes cause stomach aches. Therefore, the Dark Alliance fully supports the Federation escalating the conflict and is ready to engage the Roman Pantheon at any time.” Taking a deep breath, the Corpse Emperor continued, “The second agenda item today: The Vatican Holy See demands that the Asian Dao Alliance share the spoils obtained from Paradise Star. Those in agreement, raise your right hands!” In the section for the Asian Dao Alliance representatives, the thirty-five representatives, including the Corpse Emperor himself, all had cold light flashing in their eyes. Especially the Asian Dao Alliance representatives whose bodies were surrounded by killing intent; they rose from their seats, staring fiercely at the delegation from the Vatican Holy See and the Pantheon Alliance, looking as if a single wrong word would lead to an immediate fight. The thirty-six representatives of the Vatican Holy See raised their right arms. But something caused the face of the middle-aged man wearing the triple crown to change drastically: among the representatives of the Pantheon Alliance, only twenty-three raised their hands. The Corpse Emperor nodded, his expression half-smiling, and said calmly, “According to Dark Alliance rules, the second agenda item concerns interference in the internal affairs of the Asian Alliance. If not all representatives of the Pantheon Alliance agree, the second agenda item is forfeited and will not enter the deliberation process.” The representatives of the Vatican Holy See watched their faces turn pale. The middle-aged man with the triple crown sneered, “When did you all become so uninterested in a good fight?” Caesar Vontu, who had not raised his hand earlier, stated coolly, “We simply don’t wish to be used as knives, especially not wielded by you!” Another elder entirely enveloped in a cloak said gravely, “Everything obtained from Paradise Star consists of treasures inherited by the Asian Dao Alliance! Our Pantheon Alliance cannot use them at all, so what benefit is there to sharing?” The twenty-three arms that had been raised among the Pantheon Alliance representatives slowly lowered. Only the thirty-six arms from the Holy See remained awkwardly raised in the hall. The representatives of the Vatican Holy See looked extremely grim, especially the man wearing the triple crown, whose eyes were now blazing with silver flames. “Then, we proceed to the third agenda item today. Proposed by the Pantheon Alliance: The Asian Dao Alliance shall share the benefits obtained from Paradise Star that can be shared by the Pantheon Alliance and the Vatican Holy See, such as formulas for elixirs that enhance cultivation, and existing finished elixirs. Flying swords and magical artifacts that only cultivators can refine are excluded from the sharing scope. Now, please vote.” The Corpse Emperor looked toward the seats of the Asian Dao Alliance. Several monks and old Taoists with ancient appearances and perfectly concealed auras remained silent for a moment before slowly raising their hands. As they did, two-thirds of the Asian Dao Alliance representatives raised their arms. After about a minute, the remaining third also raised their hands in agreement. The representatives of the Vatican Holy See exchanged glances and then, in unison, raised their right hands immediately. The representatives of the Pantheon Alliance simultaneously raised their right arms, followed immediately by the Corpse Emperor raising his right hand. “Very good. The item has passed with a unanimous vote. As we stated when the Dark Alliance was formed, the Dark Alliance is a clandestine fellowship dedicated to safeguarding the security of the Earth Federation. Our guiding principle is to work in concert, concentrating all our strength against our common great enemy. Therefore, we Asian Dao Alliance will not refuse reasonable requests. We compete honorably and confront the enemy together; we share a bond of comradeship in arms.” The moment the words “comradeship in arms” were uttered, nearly everyone present shivered and glared at the Corpse Emperor with expressions of disbelief. The faces of the representatives from the Vatican Holy See and the Pantheon Alliance were particularly strange. “Comradeship in arms”? It would be better to call it “combat hostility.” On Paradise Star, they had torn off all pretense! Looking at the representatives of the three factions, the Corpse Emperor stated gravely, “Now, I will introduce the types and quantities of elixir formulas and finished elixirs we obtained from Paradise Star. There are three hundred and ninety-five elixir formulas, of which two hundred and seventy-two cannot be successfully compounded in this era because many principal ingredients have gone extinct. There are five hundred and ninety-seven types of finished elixirs, totaling over one hundred and twenty-seven thousand, five hundred pills. The effects and quantities of all elixirs have been input into the hall system.” The representatives of the Pantheon Alliance and the Holy See pressed buttons on their chair armrests, and streams of data flickered across holographic screens. A large amount of elixir data scrolled past the screens. The Corpse Emperor stated candidly, “Among these elixirs, several are only useful to cultivators, so their data is not in the database. As for the rest of the elixirs, according to Dark Alliance rules, the Asian Dao Alliance will retain one-third, and the remaining two-thirds will be available for the three factions to purchase through competitive bidding.” An old monk stated calmly, “During the bidding auction, we will not accept Federal currency—such worthless paper. We will only accept various precious metals, celestial treasures, and rare spiritual herbs. According to Dark Alliance rules, the Asian Dao Alliance retains one-third of all proceeds; the other two-thirds will be equally divided among the three factions.” Caesar Vontu nodded. “A reasonable distribution method. I agree.” Many representatives of the Pantheon Alliance nodded in assent. The middle-aged man wearing the triple crown from the Vatican Holy See remained silent for a very long time before finally nodding slowly. Seeing the item pass smoothly, the Corpse Emperor smiled relaxedly. “With the three most important agenda items passed today, we now move on to some minor issues.” “The fourth item on the agenda today is the conflict between my junior disciple, Gu Xiechen, and Elder Wagus of the Lycanthrope Clan. I seek the Dark Alliance’s mediation.” The Corpse Emperor spoke word by word: “Gu Xiechen accidentally killed Wagus’s only son, Wally. It was an accidental killing on the battlefield! For the sake of the friendship between the Nine Nether Path and the Lycanthrope Clan, I am seeking the Dark Alliance’s mediation so that Elder Wagus will cease his acts of vengeance against my junior disciple.” He glanced at a tall, grim-faced strong man in the Pantheon Alliance section and stated gravely, “Considering that Elder Wagus has lost his only son, my sect is willing to offer a certain degree of spiritual compensation. I have even specially sought a spiritual elixir from Laojun Valley that can guarantee Elder Wagus can father new children within three years.” A Cardinal from the Holy See burst into loud laughter. “Spiritual compensation? That is something that requires careful discussion, after all, Elder Wagus’s only son is dead!” The Corpse Emperor nodded and smiled. The expressions of all representatives except the one from the Lycanthrope Clan in the Pantheon Alliance section eased. Compared to the three weighty preceding items, the death of an insignificant Wally—what was that to these figures who held the underground power of the Earth Federation? It was merely a minor issue. Without Gu Xiechen’s knowledge, the Corpse Emperor had resolved all his troubles. [Note: The following text appears to be author commentary/meta-notes and is omitted as per instructions, but the flow continues logically.]