199: Conditions

“What did you say!”

The Stout Man from the Blood Shadow Squad instantly changed color and roared furiously:

“You damned native brat, do you know—”

“Yan Li, step down.”

The Thin Youth beside him waved his hand, interrupting, his gaze fixed on Zhang Huaiyuan. He narrowed his eyes slightly and probed:

“You know everything?”

Zhang Huaiyuan smiled but did not speak.

“It must be that guy...”

The Thin Youth frowned, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly realized:

“I didn't expect the people from the Ghost Hand Squad to be so useless. Not only were they captured alive, but they surrendered to someone from the lower realm. It's difficult to bluff him now.”

After calculating in his mind, the Thin Youth spoke:

“Since that's the case, I'll be direct.”

“As you can see, our Blood Shadow Squad is the strongest among all the trial takers. Even that Ghost Hand fellow could only barely fight our boss using the residual influence of his father's generation; his own strength is far inferior.”

He pointed toward the gradually reversing situation in the starry sky and chuckled:

“If you choose us, we can at least guarantee your safety. Mr. Zhang is a smart person; he should know how to choose.”

“Yes, Mr. Zhang, if you have any other requests, you can bring them up.”

A Woman in the Cyan Dress also spoke with a smile.

The Stout Man angrily turned his head away. If it weren't for his boss's future, he would rather die than curry favor with a native from a low-level world.

Zhang Huaiyuan took in the expressions of everyone present.

He was also contemplating in his heart.

This shift in the mission certainly gave him the initiative now.

However, although he didn't know how the Statue of Liberty and Asroth managed it.

Such a degree of interference with the trial would inevitably be discovered by the high-level members of that faction soon, and it was hard to say what changes might occur then.

Therefore, the best choice was to gain some benefits and reduce the threat posed by these Outsiders in the shortest possible time.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Huaiyuan showed a look of being tempted:

“You are the strongest squad? Really?”

“Of course. Heh, brat, don't think we couldn't take you. If the Strategist hadn't required us to conserve our strength when we descended, you would have died years ago.”

The Stout Man, who had been silent for a long time, couldn't help but sneer.

“That's right. I previously thought I could exchange a few moves with you, but now that I see their battle, I realize how ridiculously wrong my idea was.”

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the torn starry sky, feigning a fearful expression:

“But, if I choose you, what if the others want to kill me?”

“Don't worry. With our Blood Shadow Squad protecting you, who would dare to make a move?”

The Stout Man revealed a hint of contemptuous smile. Turns out he was just a cowardly weakling afraid of death.

“Words alone are unreliable. Who knows if you'll go back on your word or if you even have the strength.”

Zhang Huaiyuan chuckled softly and said:

“Therefore, my request is simple: you eliminate all the other descending people. That way, I can rest assured.”

“That's impossible, you—”

The smile froze on the Stout Man's face. Just as he was about to get angry, Zhang Huaiyuan interrupted him:

“Since you all claim the Blood Shadow Squad is the strongest, this request isn't too much, is it?”

“I...”

The Stout Man was instantly rendered speechless.

He had just bragged, so he couldn't take it back immediately.

“We can do that.”

The Strategist of the Blood Shadow Squad, the Thin Youth, shot a warning glance at the Stout Man, then fixed his gaze on Zhang Huaiyuan's face and nodded in agreement, contrary to expectations.

“Strategist?”

“Huh?”

The faces of the other members immediately changed, and they looked over anxiously.

Although they were not weak, if they truly had the strength to contend with all the other squads, they wouldn't have needed to lie low earlier.

“I have my own plans.”

The Thin Youth waved his hand, signaling the others to relax.

He scanned the starry sky filled with battle wreckage, a strange meaning flickering in his eyes.

Although he didn't know how the opponent achieved it, chances were that more than thirty powerhouses who attacked this star sector had already perished, leaving only the three who were still fighting.

Including those who died previously, a conservative estimate suggests there are fewer than twenty people left besides the Blood Shadow Squad. Eliminating them wouldn't be difficult, moreover... a cold light flashed in the Thin Youth's eyes.

This mission system is getting stranger and stranger. Who knows if further changes will occur? To ensure the boss becomes the Saint Son, eliminating everyone else is indeed the safest option.

“Very well. Since we have reached an agreement on the first condition, let me talk about the second condition.”

Zhang Huaiyuan looked thoughtful.

If they could even agree to such a condition, it seemed this 'point' metric was even more important to these Outsiders than he had imagined.

“There's a second condition? You brat...”

The Stout Man couldn't help but widen his eyes, instinctively about to flare up, but remembering the Strategist's warning look, he immediately shut his mouth.

“Please state it.”

The Thin Youth showed no impatience on his face.

“The Galaxy Beasts you released previously caused enormous damage to the subjects of my territory.”

Zhang Huaiyuan said lightly, “As the Star Alliance Head, I need to give them an explanation.”

“What do you intend to do?”

The Thin Youth's eyes flickered slightly. He hadn't expected the other party to bring up something like this.

In their view, the casualties of a few ordinary lives were insignificant. During previous world trials, wiping out entire star systems was common practice.

“A total of 23 life-bearing planets in the entire star system were destroyed because of you, resulting in over 30 billion deaths and more than 5 billion displaced people. You must publicly apologize for your actions and provide adequate compensation.”

Zhang Huaiyuan stated without hesitation.

“I can apologize on a personal level. As for the entire ‘Blood Shadow,’ that is impossible.”

The Thin Youth pondered for a moment and slowly gave his reply:

“As for compensation, that is not an issue.”

Although his tone was calm, it carried undeniable certainty.

“It's a deal.”

Zhang Huaiyuan did not hesitate and nodded in agreement.

He naturally knew that the other party couldn't fully agree to his conditions.

He was merely using this opportunity to secure more benefits.

As for these people... Zhang Huaiyuan imperceptibly narrowed his eyes.

Treating the lives of this world as ants, wantonly destroying and killing—once he perfects his weapon again, he will surely not spare a single one.

They all must die!

“A pleasant cooperation.”

The Thin Youth also revealed a meaningful smile on his face.

“It seems you were right; your captain's strength is indeed formidable.”

After reaching an agreement, Zhang Huaiyuan looked up toward the battlefield in the starry sky.

At this moment, that peerless seven-colored sword light had gradually worn away.

The cyan and white sword lights had also completely shattered long ago.

After releasing numerous treasures once more, the two Outsiders were also at the end of their tether.

Although the tens of thousands of feet tall bloody phantom materialized by the Blood Shadow Captain had dimmed considerably, its aura remained powerful.

It was continuously striking the last remnants of the seven-colored sword light, punch after punch.

“Yes, it's time for a winner to be decided.”

The Thin Youth looked at his squad members and pointed toward the two trial takers in the center of the battlefield who were struggling just to maintain flight:

“Go give them a hand.”

...