Chapter 2567: First the Villain, Then the Gentleman
Chong Feiyu's eyes sparkled: (*ﾟﾛﾟ) "So what you're saying is that the Netherworld Race's energy source is limited by the Styx River?"
Jiangnan nodded: "That's just one aspect. Heaven bestowed the Netherworld Race with an abnormally formidable ability, but it also gave them an incurable fatal flaw!"
"Everything they have relies on the nurturing of the Styx River. Although their abilities are heaven-defying, they are too dependent on environmental constraints!"
"Even if the Netherworld Race were even more powerful, they would lack the capital to dominate the starry sky and sit on the throne of Star Domain Overlord!"
"Unless the Netherworld Race can make the Styx River flow throughout the entire starry sky, transforming it into the Minghe Star Domain, only then would it be possible to usher in the Styx River Era!"
Everyone nodded. This was indeed one of the Netherworld Race's restrictive weaknesses!
If the starry sky were filled with Styx Rivers and Styx force fields everywhere, then the starry sky would have long been the Netherworld Race's territory!
Jiangnan's gaze shifted: (๑͡°ก͡°) "And the only way to divert and expand the Styx River is through the existence of the Styx Koi!"
"I can help the Netherworld Race join the Starry Sequence, and also allow their clansmen to walk freely under the starry sky, enjoying equal rights with other sequences, no longer confined to a corner!"
"But the one and only condition is! The Styx Koi must be controlled in my hands! It cannot be given to the Netherworld Race for self-governance!"
"This is an insurance policy, and also the foundation for cooperation and alliance!"
Only this could ensure that the Netherworld Race wouldn't change their minds later, using the Styx Koi to display their ambitions, causing the situation to spiral completely out of control!
The size of the Minghe Star Domain depended on the Styx Koi, and holding the Koi in hand could not only eliminate humanity's concerns but also reassure allies, thus allowing the Netherworld Race to be released from their cage.
That Seven-Colored Big Crucian Carp had always been on Jiangnan's mind!
Jiangnan grinned: (◦͡°̫͡°) "Even at worst, what do you think would happen if I stood outside the Minghe Star Domain, holding a two-dimensional blade and slashed inward?"
Everyone was stunned, then suddenly shuddered, sweat pouring down their foreheads!
What would happen? The result was obvious, wasn't it? The Styx River was a river of energy, and previously it had completely countered Jiangnan!
But now, the two-dimensional blade absorbed any energy, using it as material for expansion. Jiangnan was practically the Netherworld Race's natural enemy now, wasn't he?
If he slashed down, the entire Minghe Star Domain might turn into a photo, right?
Xiao Chuihuo twitched his mouth: "Alright! I have no more questions. Let's do it!"
If the Netherworld Race really dared to rebel, it would be like going to the latrine at night with a lantern—asking for trouble!
It wasn't that Jiangnan was judging the gentleman's heart with a villain's measure; in such matters, one must first be a villain, then a gentleman!
Only by considering all possible outcomes could there be a subsequent possibility. When it came to the safety of a race, being too villainous wasn't enough!
Chong Feiyu opened her mouth wide:
Σ(°ロ°|||) "Wha... what do you mean 'let's do it'? The Seven-Colored Big Crucian Carp? That thing is invincible within the Minghe Star Domain!"
"What do you mean 'hold it in hand'? Can you say it so casually? Are you going to fish it out with a rod?"
Zhong Yingxue tilted her head: (⑉•̌～•̑)ˀ̣ˀ̣ "Seven-Colored Big Crucian Carp? Is it very powerful?"
Chong Feiyu shuddered violently:
(☍﹏⁰。) "You haven't seen it? That thing's size is absolutely insane! In the Minghe Star Domain, Nether can claim second place!"
"And the Seven-Colored Big Crucian Carp dares to claim first! It could crush Nether to death!"
Black God also broke out in a cold sweat: "Lifeforms of this level are rare in the entire starry sky! How are you going to control it?"
Jiangnan put his hands on his hips:
(〃ꈍ↼ꈍ) "By trickery and deceit, using my personal charm to influence it, I can always lure it in, just like Cheng Bao!"
Cheng Bao: Σ(꒪ヮ꒪‧̣̥̇) Shocked!
So this treasure isn't actually biological, but was tricked into coming here?
Black God: (￢̫￢❢) "I'm looking forward to it. I want to see how you lure another one home."
Yang Jian's lips were dry. Still luring?
They'd already lured one Star Devourer and one quasi-Star Devourer home, and now another one? And it's a Crucian Carp?
Jiangnan smiled confidently: "That being said, it still depends on the Netherworld Race's intentions. For them, this is a good deal. Once this opportunity is missed, it won't come again."
Yang Jian nodded: "The Netherworld Race side is a problem. The other ally parties aren't easy to negotiate with either, since we need them to let go of their wariness toward the Netherworld Race and reach cooperation..."
Jiangnan licked his lips:
(๑ᵒ̴̶̷ωᵒ̴̶̷) "Leave it to me. My mouth isn't just for show. I'll head out soon, first make a trip to the Netherworld Race and settle things there."
"Then Brother Jian, you pick some Carbon-Based races that look agreeable, like the Apocalypse or Dark Cosmos, and send them invitations, saying I want to meet them to discuss matters."
"The location will be set at the Lost Kingdom."
Everyone covered their faces. Nan Shen was about to unleash his combat power again, wasn't he?
What 'strongest below Star Devourer'? That only accounted for 0.01% of Nan Shen's combat power! The remaining 99.99% was all in his mouth!
Yang Jian: "Speaking of which, these past few days, the Dark Cosmos, Apocalypse, and Gamma have all been sending invitations, asking you to visit their clans, saying they want to thank you for your help in the Cosmos Grand Hunt."
"But I think the thanks are just a pretext. What they really want to discuss is the alliance in the offensive and defensive battle."
"Is the location really set at the Lost Kingdom? I'm afraid they won't dare to come."
After all, in the Cosmos Grand Hunt, they had benefited greatly from humanity, so of course they wanted to continue that advantage.
Jiangnan chuckled: "I'll write the invitations myself. The ones who come must be Star Devourer-level decision-makers."
"If they don't even have this level of trust, what alliance is there to discuss? There's no need to negotiate."
Odin swallowed hard. Good heavens, had a test already been set before the negotiations even began?
The preparation meeting for the Sequence Offensive and Defensive Battle went on for a long time, roughly setting the subsequent strategy.
Various departments divided the work. Some went to requisition resources, others to the Sea of Star Embers to scout and take over territories and base planets.
As for the construction of base planets and the main camp, it hadn't been put on the agenda yet. Jiangnan said that such trivial matters could be left to the allies later.
After the meeting, Jiangnan wrote invitations to the major races, set a time, and prepared to depart for a trip to the Minghe Star Domain.
But before going, he needed to make a stop at the Taoyuan Star Domain of Thousand Stars City to check on Sister Li Bing's progress.
Yakeli had used the pretense of official business to escape earlier, but Jiu Lan had been kept by Li Bing at the Chenxi Laboratory to research the separation and purification of Styx River energy.
As soon as Chong Feiyu heard they were going to see her confidante, she immediately raised her hand to join.
Zhong Yingxue, Xia Yao, and the others also wanted to see the Seven-Colored Big Crucian Carp for themselves. So they packed their Jin Kela sacks, and Jiangnan's Whole Team set off for the Taoyuan Star Zone of Thousand Stars City.
Before leaving, Jiangnan left behind enough Strongman Pills, Black Garlic Pop Rocks, and other training aids.
After all, there were still 180 days until the Sequence Offensive and Defensive Battle began, enough time for little brother Baldr and the others to level up and hone their strength.
Xiao Chuihuo, following Black God's advice, went to smell the scent.
...
On the Bing Shen Star, Jiangnan and his group appeared abruptly. Compared to when they last came, the planet seemed to have even more impact craters.
Jiangnan didn't delay and headed straight for the Chenxi Laboratory located at the planet's pole.
He hadn't seen Sister Li Bing in a long time. Just thinking about it made Jiangnan a little excited.
As soon as they appeared at the lab entrance, they saw Jiang Ning dragging Jiang Jing, sneaking out of the lab like a dog, occasionally looking back.
(☍﹏⁰(⚆﹏⚆‧̣̥̇)...
Jiangnan was puzzled: (๑•̌～•̑)ˀ̣ˀ̣ "Sister Ningning? What are you doing here?"
(☍⌂⁰(ᵒ̴̶̷⌂ᵒ̴̶̷‧̣̥̇)... "Ah!!!"
Jiang Ning screamed, stepped back two steps covering her horn, looking terrified.
(๑ŏ﹏ŏ) "Xiao... Xiao Nan? How did you get here? Shh! Shh!"
Jiang Jing said seriously:
(*⁰̷̴͈◠⁰̷̴͈) "That sister is super mean. She said she invited us to eat, but then used chili sauce to trick Jingjing and wanted to cut off my horn."
"We barely managed to sneak out. We can't get caught!"
Just then, a series of sly laughs came from the corridor:
ԅ(❛ั﹃❛ัԅ) "Hehehe~ Sister Ningning? Little Jingjing? Where are you? It's been so long, let me just have a little fun with you!"
Hearing Li Bing's voice, Jiang Ning's fur stood on end, and she immediately hid behind Jiangnan.
Jiangnan twitched his mouth: "Sister Li Bing? What kind of mischief are you up to now? What's this about cutting off a horn?"
The next second, Li Bing appeared, lollipop in mouth, rising directly out of the alloy floor of the corridor under everyone's astonished gaze.
Her body seemed to be able to penetrate matter!
Jiangnan's jaw dropped. That's... that's the ability of the Celestial through race, isn't it? How did Sister Li Bing master it?
Li Bing's eyes lit up: "Opportunity!"
With a "boji," she pulled the lollipop out of her mouth and stuffed it directly into Jiangnan's.
"Big sister gives you candy! Help me cut off a little bit of their horns, just a little, I have a use for it!"
"Or you could go catch me a hundred or so Bose bodies, that works too!"
Jiangnan's eyes widened. He opened his mouth to spit out the candy, but Li Bing covered his mouth.
(˵ಡ̫ಡ) "Hehehe~ You've eaten big sister's candy, so you've accepted a bribe. Want to back out? No way!"
Jiangnan was more curious: "So you're researching the Bose race's horns again now?"
At this mention, Li Bing got excited:
(งᵒ̌ヮᵒ̌)ง "Let me tell you! I discovered Yakeli's secret! Once this research of mine is successful, it will absolutely shock the entire starry sky!"
"Things like going down in history will be just a small kiss! The money I make will be more than I can ever spend!"
"And such an important research, its success or failure depends on their horns. If you can help me get through this difficulty, just sponsor me a little bit, once my research is done, all the money I earn will be for you to spend. Becoming the richest person in the starry sky is not a dream, right?"
"How about it? Tempted? Action speaks louder than words!"
Jiangnan: (≖_≖)
"May I ask... what's the difference between this and 'I am Qin Shi Huang! Send money'?"