Chapter 2223: Secret Mine Area Meeting
Jiangnan and the others immediately transferred to Mine 666 to check out Tiantang Zhijing and also investigate what was going on with Chong Bishi's mine area!
It would make formulating an action plan easier!
As for Xuan Se's matter, Jiangnan just set it aside. That guy would come looking for them for his cargo anyway, so they'd deal with it then!
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Meanwhile, on the Nishen Star in the Starry Sky Mine, a secret mine area meeting was being held!
In attendance were the mine lords and heads of the Top Ten Sequence families.
These were true big mine lords who controlled hundreds of rich mine areas' resources—big shots whose mere stomp could make the entire Starry Sky Mine tremble!
Among them were Half-Step Star Devourers and even full Star Devourers!
At the meeting table, on the Silicon race's seat, sat a tall mechanical prosthetic.
Behind its back was strapped a black giant staff. It wore heavy armor, and in some places, fibrous muscle was exposed, giving off an intense sense of oppression.
On its chest, a blood-red "A" character was strikingly conspicuous.
This was the head of the Silicon race's mine affairs, holder of A-level authority—just like Miao Ke, with the power to deploy galaxy-destroying weapons and legions!
Its name was Tie Zu.
The atmosphere at the meeting table was extremely oppressive. Tie Zu immediately spoke:
[┐⊚_⊚┌] "Chong Bishi! How is the development progress of Tiantang Zhijing? We in the Silicon race are not very satisfied with the amount of Void Mica you've been providing lately!"
"It's far below the required quantity. The Silicon race has offered a high price for acquisition. If you can't deliver the share we want, isn't that a problem of your ability?"
Hearing this, everyone's gaze focused on the woman sitting in the eighth seat.
She wore a light green backless evening gown, with fair skin and peerlessly beautiful features. Her flawless face was heavily made up, with striking red lips.
Her wave of light green, spring-sprout-like hair cascaded down to her waist. She had a strong mature woman vibe that could stir anyone's imagination.
Looking at her upper body was fine, but her lower body was a giant silver-glowing eight-legged spider!
Her huge abdomen bulged and squirmed continuously.
Behind her stood a squad of ugly escort insect soldiers, each with a terrifying aura.
This wasn't Chong Bishi's true body. As an Insect Race Mother Empress, she would never easily leave her swarm.
This one attending the meeting was just Chong Bishi's guard swarm!
A seductive voice came from Chong Bishi's mouth.
(๑ớ↼ờ) "Brother Tie Zu~ Why are you in such a hurry? Being impatient~ won't let you eat hot tofu!"
"I've already sent my swarm to develop Tiantang Zhijing, but you know the situation over there. It's very tricky. The fragments of Tiantang Zhijing can't be touched. If we don't slay that monster, don't even think about fully developing Tiantang Zhijing!"
"I've lost plenty of bugs during this period of development. I haven't even complained to you all, and yet you're blaming me?"
Tie Zu narrowed his eyes, a cold mechanical voice coming out:
[┐¤_¤┌] "In the end, it's still your personal ability that's inadequate. Do you think the Silicon race has plenty of time?"
Now that the Star Navigation of both houses had their market occupied by human Dimensional Star Navigation, the shipping routes in the Starry Sky Mine were nearly bankrupt!
They also had to be threatened by the Dimensional War. Once there was no stable source of Dimensional Pearls, the losses for both houses would be enormous.
Even their ruling status would be shaken. Having someone grip your vital point and choke your neck was an awful feeling.
Of course, they had to prepare for the worst!
Void Mica was a very good substitute.
Just then, the Bose Clan representative in the main seat spoke up.
He had a cool, ice-silk short hairstyle, a tall, thin figure, and a cold expression. At his waist hung dual blades, and on his head were two Glazed Horns.
On his shoulder lay a triangular Creation Beast dozing off.
His name was Dan Ding, from the Bose Clan's Creation Realm faction.
Although not yet a Star Devourer rank, he was half a step into that realm. He also held the identity of a Spirit Medium and had contracted a Creation Beast, so he was absolutely not to be underestimated.
(☫￢_￢) "To put it bluntly, don't occupy the toilet and not shit! I know Mine 665 is yours. According to the Mine Area Law, other races cannot interfere without authorization."
"But we want Void Mica, and we've offered you a tempting enough price to let you develop it. Yet you keep failing to produce it!"
"If a person is inadequate, don't blame the road for being uneven. The opportunity was given to you. If you can't seize it, you can't blame others!"
Chong Bishi's expression gradually darkened.
Tie Zu continued, "Our meaning is: open up Mine 665's Tiantang Zhijing so that everyone can have a chance to go in and develop."
"Whoever can handle it, it's theirs. The Silicon race and Bose Clan will buy it at the listed price. Of course, if we in the Silicon race or the Bose Clan can handle it, we won't trouble everyone."
"Don't keep your pockets too tight. If you contribute Tiantang Zhijing, you'll get corresponding compensation..."
However, Chong Bishi showed no sign of backing down under the pressure from both houses.
She angrily slammed the table:
(ꐦ°᷄益°᷅) "Don't go too far! Tiantang Zhijing belongs to me, Chong Bishi! Why should I hand it over?"
"Are you trying to bully me with your power? What if I refuse? What can you do? Will you attack my Mine 665 with your Mechanical Legion?"
Tie Zu's expression didn't change:
[┐⊚_⊚┌] "Considering the pros and cons, this option is not excluded..."
Before he could finish, Chong Bishi's face split wide open, revealing a bloody maw, fangs, and a long tongue.
She let out a piercing insect screech at Tie Zu, spraying sticky saliva all over the table.
"Then come on! See if your Mechanical Legion can afford to die or my swarm can! You want to compare who has more numbers? I'm not afraid to lose bugs!"
"Don't think the old trick of blocking star paths can still control me! It doesn't work now! This Starry Sky Mine isn't limited to just your two houses' star routes."
Tie Zu squinted. He didn't expect Chong Bishi to be so tough. Without the leverage of star routes, even small fries like her were starting to disobey orders?
Just then, Dan Ding spoke:
(☫≖↼≖) "Your mine? Hah~ You're quite entitled, aren't you? After more than five thousand years, have you really come to regard these mines as your own?"
"If I remember correctly, these mines are nominally Chong Feiyu's. You're just acting as the overseer!"
"Don't think what happened back then can just be erased. Do you think we don't know how you rose to power?"
"No matter how shiny the surface, the darkness behind you can't be hidden. We've already given you face. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty!"
Chong Bishi's expression stiffened, her face darkening, but she let out a cold laugh.
"In this world, who cares how you rose to power? As long as you're strong enough, who cares about the darkness behind you?"
"Among everyone here, are anyone's hands clean?"
The meeting atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.
Gu Naite, the head mine lord of the Apocalypse race, grinned:
(*︾▽︾) "Hey~ What's all this fighting for? Everyone take a step back. Fighting isn't the way to solve problems, right?"
"It's only been a short while. I think we should give Bishi some more time to try. If it doesn't work, then we'll talk about not working."
The other mine lords looked at Gu Naite with displeasure, secretly spitting in their hearts.
Yeah? Of course you're not in a hurry! You're on good terms with humans, and you have a share in Dimensional Star Navigation!
Of course, you're happy!
But the matter of Tiantang Zhijing was irrelevant to several other races.
They didn't care whether the two houses' star routes lived or died.
Anyway, now there was Dimensional Star Navigation to use, and it was even cheaper!
Just then, Xuan Se, sitting in the ninth seat, also spoke.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) "I think we should give Sister Bishi some time too. The Mine Area Law was established long ago, and each family strictly follows it."
"We can't break the rules just for this. If we do it once, there will be a second. You all know how hard-won the peace in the Starry Sky Mine is."
"As top ten sequences, we should set an example, right? I'll also lend a hand in developing Tiantang Zhijing!"
"Sister Bishi, if there's anything I can help with, just say the word!"
Chong Bishi turned to look at Xuan Se, a hint of gratitude in her eyes.
Xuan Se had also come using an alt account—a handsome Enchanting race male, with a beauty that could ruin nations.
Tie Zu said flatly, "We'll give you some more time then. But if by then you still can't complete the development of Tiantang Zhijing..."
"If you fail to seize the opportunity this time again, don't blame us for taking matters into our own hands."
Chong Bishi squinted. The pressure from both houses was suffocating, but she could only nod.
"Got it."
The secret meeting ended, and the big mine lords left.
On the way back, Chong Bishi and Xuan Se walked together.
Chong Bishi looked worried.
Xuan Se advised, "Why the long face, Sister? No matter how this ends, you, the Insect race, won't lose out."
"Besides, the profits from Tiantang Zhijing are small potatoes compared to your total output. It's just a drop in the bucket."
Chong Bishi shook her head. "What do you know? Holding it in your own hands versus the Silicon and Bose Clan holding it—do you think it's the same?"
"They clearly want to use Void Mica to replace Dimensional Pearls. If they hold Tiantang Zhijing, it's like they've got chips to compete with us."
"It's up to me how much to produce and at what price. I'm not after the little bit of money. It's the strategic value of Tiantang Zhijing!"
"The Sequence War is about to start. Tiantang Zhijing is definitely a valuable bargaining chip—a chip for negotiation."
Xuan Se sighed. "The Sequence War, huh? Another calamity. The Insect race and the Chaos Entity are allies. I wonder if we can keep the eighth and ninth positions this time."
"If we can't move up a few spots, at least don't let them fall."
Chong Bishi sneered. "Angel race? They don't have that ability. By the way, thanks for speaking up during the meeting."
Xuan Se waved dismissively. (︶.̮︶〃)ﾉ "No, no. It was nothing. I just couldn't stand them pressuring you."
Chong Bishi's gaze fell on Xuan Se. She licked her red lips, her slender fingers landing on his shoulder, lightly tracing.
(∗❛ั͜ʖ❛ั)۶ "It's still early. Big sister still has some knots in her heart that haven't been untied. Why not come to my place and comfort me?"
Xuan Se flinched violently. The spot where Chong Bishi's fingers traced over his shoulder broke out in goosebumps.
Comfort her ass! If I go with you, this beautiful Enchanting race alt of mine will be gone!
Just as he was about to refuse, Xuan Se frowned:
∑(°口°๑) "What the hell!"
Chong Bishi covered her mouth with a charming laugh:
(∗ᵒ̶̶̷̀ლ˂̶́)✧ "Giggle giggle~ You're quite direct! Okay, I approve!"
Xuan Se: ???
What the hell do you approve of? Did you misunderstand something?
=͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇) "Thanks for the offer, Sister, but I really have something I need to handle personally. I can't accompany you. Next time! Next time..."
But Chong Bishi didn't let go at all.
(*•᷄.̫•᷅) "Oh~ What's so important? We're both using alts, so it doesn't matter?"
Xuan Se: !!!
"No way! One of my subordinates got messed up by a blind Dark Soul race punk. I really need to go deal with it. See you!"
With that, he turned and ran, fleeing in panic, cursing while he ran. Who the hell wants to spend a good night with a giant mother bug?
How desperate do you have to be for that? Bitch! Pfft!
Chong Bishi stomped her foot in anger and grumbled, "Hmph! So lacking in romance!"
Then her expression grew troubled. She really needed to think of something for Tiantang Zhijing. This opportunity was rare; she couldn't just let it slip through her fingers.
She couldn't hold out much longer against the pressure from the Silicon race and Bose Clan.
She'd just have to try again.