175: Meeting of National Institutions (Part Two)

Hearing these words, Kim Dae-hyung, the Director of the National Intelligence Service of Country H, instantly turned pale with fright.

He frantically pulled out a handkerchief, desperately wiping the large beads of cold sweat constantly breaking out on his forehead, all while nodding and bowing repeatedly and muttering non-stop.

"It's a misunderstanding, purely a misunderstanding! Country H has always taken Xia Country as a model, diligently learning from and drawing upon your country's advanced experience. This is absolutely a huge misunderstanding!"

[Aishiba, who is trying to ruin me?]

Lin Zhihai glanced at him, smiling but remaining silent.

[Drawing upon? What thick skin!]

Antonio Rölene, the Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Country D, quickly tried to lighten the atmosphere in the conference room.

"Director Lin, Country D Representative hopes that Xia Country Representative can dispatch some instructors to train Country D's Transcendent, and of course, the compensation will ensure Xia Country doesn't suffer a loss."

"Country D is willing to pay triple the price!" Antonio René shouted.

Lin Zhihai smiled slightly, thinking that these foreigners were truly impatient. He slowly began, "The price is negotiable, but Xia Country needs to first understand your specific requirements so that we can better arrange suitable instructors."

Antonio René nodded repeatedly and handed over a document that had been prepared in advance, which detailed Country D's expectations and goals for Transcendent training.

Lin Zhihai took the document, quickly scanned it, and formed a preliminary plan in his mind.

"I will arrange personnel to conduct an evaluation as soon as possible and communicate further cooperation details with you."

"Thank you, Director Lin." Antonio René nodded slightly.

Bond James, the Minister of Defense of Country M, silently cursed Antonio in his heart.

[Damn it, bastard!]

[Disrupting the market price.]

Lin Zhihai tapped the table, secretly musing that this time he would definitely be able to extract many good things from Country M.

Before the Spiritual Energy Revival, the Western blockade against Xia Country was like an impenetrable fortress, and many precision devices still had to rely on imports.

If he didn't seize this opportunity to act, he would be letting down the years of frustration endured.

[Hmph, if I don't bite off a chunk of Country M's flesh and make them suffer a few times, I won't deserve to be called 'Lin Zhihai'!]

"Minister Bond, I hear your country's recent 'super soldier program' seems to have failed again."

"Would Xia Country Representative need to provide some theoretical guidance?"

Bond James's expression immediately darkened. He gritted his teeth and responded defiantly, "Our plan has only encountered minor setbacks; we don't need outsiders interfering."

Lin Zhihai's lips curled slightly. He knew Bond James was just being stubborn. Country M's "super soldier program" had failed multiple times, and without 'external' help, it would be difficult to achieve substantial progress.

He decided to apply a bit more psychological pressure. "As far as I know, the core theory of the 'super soldier program' has some flaws. If Minister Bond doesn't mind, we can share some of Xia Country's research findings in this area."

A trace of hesitation flashed in Bond James's eyes. He knew Lin Zhihai's proposal was highly appealing, but he didn't want to show weakness in front of the other party.

Just then, Lin Zhihai spoke again: "Of course, we can also engage in deep cooperation to jointly advance the development of this project. After all, countering the negative effects following the Spiritual Energy Revival is the shared responsibility of all nations."

After a moment of silence, Bond James finally said slowly, "I will consider Director Lin's suggestion and discuss it with other high-ranking officials after returning home."

Lin Zhihai was secretly delighted, knowing his plan was halfway successful. Now it depended on Country M's attitude.

"Then I look forward to good news from Minister Bond." Lin Zhihai smiled and extended his hand.

Bond James shook Lin Zhihai's hand and nodded slightly. "I will give you a reply as soon as possible."

After seeing off the representatives from various countries, Lin Zhihai immediately convened the Special Affairs Bureau's think tank to discuss the next steps.

"This cooperation with various countries is critical, and everyone must be fully prepared. Once an agreement is reached, we will not only gain more resources and technological support."

"But also enhance our country's international influence." Lin Zhihai looked at everyone with determination.

"Yes, Director!" Everyone stood up and saluted... Puerto Rico, Werewolf Castle.

"Tsk! So weak. It's been a full two months since the awakening, yet the strength is still so pathetic."

"It seems that after Ron Lancelot, the Lancelot Family has truly fallen into decline. The Werewolf Race might not have any successors."

These mocking words lightly echoed in the air, like a sharp thorn piercing straight into Harold Lancelot's heart.

"Who are you—" Harold Lancelot was startled by the voice, turning abruptly and glaring angrily.

"It is I." A figure slowly materialized.

A woman stood suspended in the air, her figure extremely enchanting and seductive.

She chuckled lightly, her laughter like silver bells, pleasant to the ear, yet tinged with a hint of coldness.

Looking closer, a pair of delicate, bamboo-shoot-like bare feet floated unsupported in mid-air.

Several Nether Serpents were coiled around her ankles, their scarlet tongues flicking out.

With her slightest movements, a chilling "hiss, hiss, hiss" sound occasionally emanated.

Harold Lancelot stared at the mysterious woman who had suddenly appeared in the castle, instantly turning pale with fright, and involuntarily took a large step backward.

"Truly a useless believer." She scoffed lightly, her eyes filled with scorn and contempt.

It seemed that in her eyes, most believers in the world were such incompetent individuals, entirely unworthy of her notice. Or perhaps, the number of 'believers' on the Mercury Plane whom she could truly respect was already scarce.

"W-who exactly are you?" Harold Lancelot forcefully suppressed the terror in his heart and asked tremblingly.

"Who am I? That truly is a good question." She tilted her head, a meaningful chill curling at the corner of her mouth.

"Heh heh..."

"Ah, the believers of my mortal enemy must have forgotten me long ago!"

She carelessly toyed with a lock of silky golden hair that fell across her chest, tapping her luscious red lips with her slender, jade-like finger.

"Harold!"

Suddenly, she fixed her gaze on the person before her, a heart-palpitating dark glow flickering in her eyes.

"You may respectfully call me the God of Desire, or, if you prefer, you may address me as—Her Excellency Olexia."

As her voice fell, a massive Python Phantom Image emerged without warning behind her.

The python's body was hundreds of meters long, entirely ink-black, but faint golden light shimmered at the edges of its scales.

The serpentine body coiled around the castle, and its enormous head affectionately nudged her arm, seemingly whining to its master.

Harold Lancelot, standing opposite, suddenly widened his eyes after seeing the python and hearing those two names.