Chapter 798 - 798: You want me to join forces with you against myself? _1
Chapter 798 - 798: You want me to join forces with you against myself? _1
"I need to talk with you," Ji Min yelled, facing the grotesque, enormous object.On the surface, he seemed steady, but inside, he was extremely nervous. He was not a Cultivator Soldier but merely an ordinary staff member. In the old days, he would have been part of what amounted to a diplomatic department. However, with no other nations existing now, that department had long been dissolved; he was currently performing a similar role. Sweat slicked his palms; he was anxious, worried that the giant micro-ecological consciousness might not respond. If it didn't, it would mean a failure in communication. Fortunately, it didn't attack immediately, which meant there was still room for negotiation.
"What do you want to talk about?" a strange voice echoed as a somewhat distorted humanoid figure squeezed out of the monstrous entity. It had no skin, its flesh interspersed with various bone spurs. This was clearly a temporary carrier formed by the giant micro-ecological consciousness.
Witnessing this, Ji Min instinctively felt fear but forcefully suppressed it. "The Human Clan seeks a ceasefire," he said.
"Ceasefire? Impossible!" the giant micro-ecological consciousness immediately refused. "If you came for this, then please, leave."
"Listen to me. I don't know if you've detected the anomaly in the sky, but our astronomical observatory..." Ji Min then explained everything about the golden meteor shower. Then, the giant micro-ecological consciousness—which was also the Mini Quantum Soul Computer—reported this matter directly to Wang Linchi.
When Wang Linchi received the news, his expression turned peculiar. The so-called golden meteor shower was, of course, the Heaven and Man Five Decay, which was about to arrive. The Human Clan had actually come to him, an inside man, to deal with an external enemy. Could this even work?
His initial thought was to refuse. But on second thought, refusing offered no benefits and would instead make the other party wary of him. He didn't believe that the Human Clan wouldn't have other countermeasures if their initial plan failed. If they couldn't solve this problem, they might resort to a desperate, mutually destructive struggle. This would undoubtedly lead to losses for him.
"You need to provide evidence," Wang Linchi declared, pushing aside the Mini Quantum Soul Computer and personally taking over to string them along.
"Yes, we have it. This is our data report." Ji Min was overjoyed. The other party's willingness to see evidence meant there was still room for negotiation. He then activated a projection screen, allowing an astronomer to explain the findings to Wang Linchi. The other side also had some subtle plans, such as exaggerating the danger the meteor shower's Impact would pose to the Caverns, using this to persuade him.
But Wang Linchi was no fool. In fact, what they didn't know was that the Merit Giants' Merit Gold Crystal Tower was not the first wave of attack. The actual first wave was the World Stone Throw. It would likely arrive by tomorrow and cause significant damage to the entire world. The cavern world was originally unable to avoid this fate either. However, after Wang Linchi brought it under his control, he had specifically rushed over to prepare shock absorption measures, to prevent it from being shattered by the Impact. Conversely, the descent of the Merit Gold Crystal Tower wouldn't cause an impact event; it was more akin to a transport vessel and wouldn't be so destructive.
"I need sufficient evidence, not just your so-called data. Let me see the golden meteor shower with my own eyes," Wang Linchi said in a deep voice. He might agree, but he couldn't let them achieve their goal so easily. He had to stall for some time, one way or another. Wang Linchi planned to feign cooperation first and then backstab them at a critical moment. Therefore, what he needed to do was to temporarily become their ally, but he couldn't reach an agreement so simply. Otherwise, it would seem too strange. After all, they had been fighting for so long; if he agreed this easily, the Human Clan might suspect his motives.
"No problem. Would you like to observe at our astronomical observatory, or should we transport the equipment here?" Ji Min asked directly, ignoring the astronomer's unspoken hesitation.
"I'll observe at your astronomical observatory. And I must be the one to choose it, not you," Wang Linchi replied, feigning caution.
Ji Min agreed without hesitation. "Only, during this period, we need a ceasefire," he then said.
"Agreed. But if you deceive me, I will employ even crueler methods," Wang Linchi warned.
Wang Linchi swiftly halted all invasive activities. Everything rapidly went dormant, and his forces withdrew back into the bottomless pit. This development left many people bewildered. They had been fighting just moments ago, so why the sudden retreat? However, they understood that some major event must have occurred.
"Here are the locations of our astronomical observatories. Please choose one." Ji Min quickly provided a list of all astronomical observatory locations within their territory. This information wasn't particularly secret, so revealing it was of no consequence. After Wang Linchi casually selected a location, he stated, "You will accompany me. I don't trust anyone else."
Ji Min didn't mind; it was all part of the job anyway.
"Is it convenient to travel by aircraft?" Ji Min asked. The astronomical observatory Wang Linchi had chosen was certainly too far to reach by walking or driving; the best method was by plane.
"No problem," Wang Linchi replied. What could possibly be inconvenient for him?
With his agreement, arrangements for an aircraft were made immediately. They passed through a priority clearance channel and boarded the plane without delay. The entire process went smoothly, without any unpleasant incidents or unexpected disruptions. Wang Linchi was able to observe the astronomical data efficiently.
"Are you satisfied with this evidence?" Ji Min asked after Wang Linchi finished examining the data.
"The war will stop for three days. After the meteor shower arrives, I will help resist it," Wang Linchi stated.
Ji Min was surprised by Wang Linchi's response. His mission was to negotiate a ceasefire, not to ask for help. He didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Agree to his terms," the Great Commander's voice came through Ji Min's earpiece. Everyone, including the Great Commander, was closely following Ji Min's every move. These negotiations with the giant micro-ecological consciousness were of paramount importance. Thus, real-time communication was naturally in place.
"Thank you. But regarding the details of our cooperation..." Ji Min began, but Wang Linchi interrupted him before he could finish.
"What details are needed? You individual life forms are just troublesome," Wang Linchi retorted with disdain. "When the meteor shower arrives, you will handle the initial destruction of the meteors. I will be responsible for their secondary annihilation to ensure they cause no ecological impact."
Dongfang Xiang, orchestrating from behind the scenes, narrowed his eyes. What he said is true, but is there really no other scheme at play? In their eyes, the giant micro-ecological consciousness was more like a massive computer, devoid of so-called emotional sensibility.
"Agree to it, and inquire about the subsequent truce," Dongfang Xiang continued to instruct Ji Min. He wanted to refuse, yet he had no reason to. Besides, they weren't worried about being backstabbed by the other party. An extra bit of help was always a good thing.
"Then we are very grateful. After we weather this meteor shower, can we further discuss matters of peace?" Ji Min asked as instructed.
"This is a war for the survival of our species. There is no room for compromise. If not for this meteor crisis threatening my own survival, there would be no possibility of coexistence whatsoever," Wang Linchi naturally refused. The other party was testing if he might backstab them. Agreeing would only heighten their suspicion; on the contrary, refusing would make them lower their guard somewhat.
Dongfang Xiang indeed felt this was the case. The other party was genuinely fighting for living space, which significantly reduced the likelihood of a backstab. However, this also meant they would be mortal enemies for life, unless the other party found a new way to survive—one that didn't conflict with the Human Clan. But such a possibility was so remote as to be negligible; there was virtually no chance of it ever being realized.
"The persuasion was successful, and we even gained an ally. It couldn't be more perfect." Dongfang Xiang removed his earpiece and spoke in a rare, relaxed tone.
"Then, the contingency plans?" someone asked.
"Cancel parts of them. Other parts will be executed after the meteor shower is dealt with," Dongfang Xiang stated calmly. In other words, once the meteor shower was handled, they planned to backstab the giant micro-ecological consciousness. Theirs was a war of survival; there was no possibility of coexistence. Once the crisis facing both sides was resolved, the war would inevitably resume. Therefore, how could they pass up any opportunity to seize the initiative, launch a surprise attack, suppress the enemy, and gain an advantage? Of course, they would choose to act.
"Yes, Great Commander."
Such actions might be despicable. However, as long as their clan could continue and occupy better ecological niches for development and Growth, it was all worthwhile. This wasn't a war of honor; it was a struggle for the survival of their species. Who would bother with so many scruples?
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