"Your proposal is not bad," Duke Theophilus agreed with Bai Ye's suggestion. However, his gaze sharpened as he asked, "Can you represent Blue Star in exchanging all high-end technology? But can you?"
Blue Star's technology, especially the demon-breaking weapon level, was still nascent but possessed infinite potential. Particularly the foundation in pure science. If the Half-Demon race couldn't bring core technologies for exchange, then there was no point in discussing further!
Therefore, it still depended on whether Duke Theophilus had any sway, or more importantly, how much demon artifact manufacturing technology he controlled!
"Haha… Mr. Bai, you are truly direct!" Duke Theophilus used laughter to mask his embarrassment. A Duke's status was not low among the Half-Demons, especially for an elite warrior like him who dared to challenge a Demon King. But if he were to influence the entire Half-Demon race's decisions, it was still far from enough.
"Then I will be frank as well. Currently, our foundation on Blue Star can only manufacture A-class demon artifacts at best, meaning artifacts capable of confronting and slaying A-class demonic creatures or demons."
"As for S and SS-class demon artifacts, I do not have the authority to grant them to you, and currently, Blue Star's resources are also insufficient for their manufacturing."
"Although it's only A-class and below demon artifact technology, it is already sufficient for Blue Star at this moment. At the very least, if Blue Star's warriors were equipped with our Half-Demon race's demon artifacts, dealing with demonic creatures and plants below A-class would no longer require a war of attrition, and they could even fight them one-on-one!"
"I believe this would be a significant enhancement to Blue Star's combat power. And once our two races combine demon artifacts with your demon-breaking missiles to develop demon artifact missiles, then…"
Duke Theophilus envisioned future weaponry, and an excited expression involuntarily appeared on his face.
"At that time, below the level of Demon Kings, we will possess absolute superiority!"
In subsequent battles, one side would expend the lives of its warriors, while the other would only consume weapons, or rather, resources! Over time, the race that filled its wartime disadvantages with lives would collapse!
"Heh heh…" Listening to Duke Theophilus's excited ramblings, Bai Ye chuckled a few times. Indeed, if all of humanity's missiles were upgraded to demon artifacts, the signal interference issues would be resolved, and their destructive power would be countless times that of their current weapons!
Imagine if one or a few demon artifact missiles could take down a Demon King-level powerhouse. Among the three great races of the Tethys World, without the intervention of supreme beings, who would dare to provoke them?
Seeing Bai Ye's pleased expression, Duke Theophilus assumed the negotiation was settled and was about to bring up another topic. However, a hint of killing intent appeared in Bai Ye's smile, sending a shiver down his spine.
"So, after a successful cooperation with our Blue Star, you will obtain S, or even SS-class demon artifact missiles, while our Blue Star will only have A-class demon artifacts?"
"In that case, won't your Half-Demon race instantly become Blue Star's primary enemy?"
Bai Ye slowly stood up, a chilling aura pervading the surroundings. Cracking sounds echoed everywhere. The floor, the tables and chairs, even the air itself began to freeze!
The centaur beauty guarding the entrance changed her expression, drew her spear, and immediately rushed in.
Seeing Bai Ye unleashing his full might, pressing down on Duke Theophilus, making his complexion turn ugly and rendering him immobile, the centaur beauty immediately prepared for battle. Her spear's patterns lit up, and she was about to charge forward.
"My Lord Duke!"
However, just as she raised her foreleg, an incomparably terrifying pressure descended upon her, as if she were burdened by the entire space!
Thump! Thump!!!
Unable to withstand the terrifying pressure, the centaur beauty knelt directly onto the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her face a mask of defiant fury.
Fury aside, this terrifying demonic energy was rarely seen in the numerous wars fought across the Tethys World.
He definitely possessed the strength of a Demon King! But how could such an existence be in this backward world? The centaur beauty couldn't comprehend it.
In the silence, a cold voice echoed.
"I think you have all mistaken one issue. That is, Blue Star will eventually be conquered by your Tethys World; it's only a matter of time. When you sought cooperation with us, you believed you were Blue Star's savior, coming with an arrogant, condescending stance."
"Indeed, we desperately need your demon artifacts. Perhaps in the next agenda item, you even intend to demand the entirety of Africa as a living space for your Half-Demon race, right?"
Duke Theophilus's expression slowly turned grim. Yes, Bai Ye was right; that was indeed their mindset, and control over Africa was also a negotiation point. But what he couldn't fathom was how erratic Bai Ye was, turning hostile so quickly!
Furthermore, his strength was significantly greater than anticipated! Just how strong was he?
Duke Theophilus had already placed his hand on the giant green sword behind his back.
"Mr. Bai, you are worrying too much. We are indeed very interested in Blue Star's technology, but what we can obtain through cooperation will not be plunder like the Demon and Demon Plant races…"
Bai Ye paid no mind to his wariness and explanation. He slowly walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed on the passage in the direction of the Great Rift Valley.
"You've overlooked one point. When the passage is fully opened, not only will Blue Star be exposed, but your Tethys World will also be revealed to us. Who is invading whom, heh, don't jump to conclusions now."
"However, one thing is certain. The small world of the passage, the connecting point between the two worlds, will inevitably be the tomb of Demon Kings, the graveyard of supreme beings…"
You're bluffing! Both Duke Theophilus and the centaur beauty couldn't help but think of laughing, yet gazing at Bai Ye's figure, a sense of unease always arose in their hearts.
"Let's return to our negotiation!" Bai Ye turned around, suddenly releasing the oppressive force in the room.
Duke Theophilus's expression relaxed; sweat had beaded on his palms. The centaur beauty immediately stood up, her face flushing and paling, casting a few fierce glances at Bai Ye before slowly retreating to the doorway.
"How about this. I'll propose two options, and you can choose."
Bai Ye didn't give him a chance to speak and continued, "First, you can remain in Africa. Africa can become your Half-Demon race's living space. However, Africa must join the World Alliance and be managed by it. Furthermore, in terms of technological cooperation, you must provide the S-class demon artifact manufacturing technology."
Duke Theophilus's recently relaxed expression turned grim again. Just as he was about to say something, Bai Ye raised his hand.
"Second, I will kill you and then obtain these demon artifacts from your bodies for research."
Bai Ye's negotiation method was simple and his logic clear and easy to understand, making Duke Theophilus's mind buzz and his eyes widen.
Others might maintain cordiality when business negotiations fail, but this guy, if negotiations fail, he eliminates the negotiators…
"I'll give you two days to consider."
Bai Ye didn't linger with them. After speaking, his figure flickered, disappearing from the conference room as if he had never been there.
"My Lord Duke, he's gone too far! We…" The centaur beauty walked in, her face filled with rage. They hadn't suffered such indignity in a very, very long time.
But Duke Theophilus raised his hand, stopping the centaur beauty's harsh words. He walked to the window, gazing in the direction of the Great Rift Valley's passage, his expression complicated.
Two days later.
In the imperial capital of Great Xia, the centaur beauty, along with a large delegation of African presidents, arrived. Under Bai Ye's intimidation, Duke Theophilus eventually compromised.
That same day, the African nations announced their accession to the World Alliance, a piece of news that immediately sent shockwaves throughout the world.
"Holy crap! What happened in these two days? Why have so many African countries joined all of a sudden?"
"This is truly the World Alliance! This is an unprecedentedly powerful alliance!"
"With the combined might of all humanity, united as one, we will surely defeat the alien races!"
…
The public was excited and enthusiastic, but even more so were the high-ranking officials and the military of the World Alliance, because a technology that could truly subvert modern weaponry had emerged!
Demon artifacts would become weapons with which humanity could directly confront alien races. On the same day as the negotiations with the Half-Demon race, led by Great Xia, the World Alliance immediately convened the top scientists from all of Blue Star, dedicating almost all of the world's resources to their research…
What somewhat comforted the Half-Demons and Duke Theophilus was that Bai Ye indeed honored his promise, opening up all modern scientific technology and theories to them, and even invited them to jointly develop the next generation of weaponry—demon artifact missiles!
Another ten days passed. During this time, Bai Ye's 'mineral water' factory had gradually begun sales nationwide.
Unsurprisingly, it was a massive hit! And after drinking it for a period, people found their waist pain had improved, their legs and feet became more agile, and they even appeared younger.
"Holy crap! It's as magical as Brother Ye's magic!"
"My goodness! Could this mineral water contain demon essence?"
For a time, the "Magic Brand" mineral water sold out.
During these ten days, Bai Ye had almost traveled the entire globe. He had visited almost all the interdimensional passages.
Currently, there were 16 passages in Blue Star, with one or two in each continent, except for Great Xia, which had 6!
And during Bai Ye's patrols, the demonic creatures and demon plants were well-behaved. Those who were not were all sent to serve tea and water to King Yama.
Thus, the entire Blue Star entered a period of safety. Countries were diligently cultivating their own super-warriors under the general trend, preparing talent for the upcoming demon artifacts.
Meanwhile, during this period, Princess Manjushava, under Bai Ye's pressure, worked day and night, losing considerable weight! She finally succeeded in transforming the areas around Great Xia's six passage entrances into magical forests.
Except for Bai Ye's Wolong Ranch, the other five areas were designated as training bases and adventure grounds for super-warriors by the Great Xia military.
Magic City, Happiness Elementary School. Early in the morning, sleepy children dragged their parents into the school.
"Kid, perk up! Today, super-warriors will be teaching at your school; isn't that who you admire most? If you look so dull, the teacher won't like you!"
"Child, child! Perform well in front of the teacher, and you might become a little super-warrior!"
…
Parents, eager for their children to succeed, urged them into the school and handed them over to the teachers. Hearing the parents' words, the school teachers also smiled gleefully.
The nation, in order to nurture the next generation, had been successively sending some warriors into schools to teach the children physical training and combat exercises.
"Miss, please don't fall asleep in math class again. You got 1 point on this test; if the master finds out when he returns, he'll probably stew me!"
In another conversation within the campus, a red-haired youth earnestly advised a little girl with silver hair and twin ponytails.
"I know, I know!" The thought of math brought a pained expression to the little girl's face.
Seeing this, the red-haired youth felt utterly defeated.
"1 point?"
Suddenly, a cold voice echoed around them. The red-haired youth was startled and stunned, but the little girl's spirits suddenly became excited.