42: Another world-destroying critical point?

Upon hearing those names, Tanaka Katsuyu immediately frowned.

In fact, as soon as the mustached man mentioned that three countries would send support, he already guessed which three countries they were.

After all, in the current situation, only these three had the ability to offer assistance.

The reason for his frown was not because their strength was too weak, but quite the opposite—it was too strong.

Tanaka Katsuyu naturally knew Ember Sky Son of the Great Xia Country.

He was the Great Xia Country's number one figure and one of the recognized strongest individuals.

If ranked by strength, he could definitely be in the top three internationally.

The Space Grand Magister of the Beacon Country was also not to be underestimated.

Although he was not the Beacon Country's strongest individual, his strength was close behind.

More importantly, this Magister specialized in space lockdown and sealing, an ability that was crucial for dealing with Critical Point issues, even more effective than the Beacon Country's strongest individual personally taking action.

As for the Storm Empress of the Northern Han Empire…

Tanaka Katsuyu did not know much about her, only that she was the Northern Han Empire's second strongest individual, second only to the North Cold Great Emperor.

And regarding the Northern Han Empire itself, his understanding was also relatively limited.

The reason was simple: when the extraordinary era first began, the Northern Han Empire was almost completely destroyed.

Why?

Because out of the seven Doomsday-level Critical Points globally, three appeared directly within the Northern Han Empire!

And in terms of their appearance order, the 1st, 4th, and 6th all fell upon this unlucky country.

For those few years, the Northern Han Empire had been desperately seeking help, but other countries were struggling to protect themselves and had no time to spare.

It was not until recent years, after the Beacon Country and the Great Xia Country gradually recovered, that they began to aid the Northern Han Empire.

Fortunately, despite the dangers, the Northern Han Empire managed to pull through.

However, the cost was extremely heavy.

To counter those three Apocalypse-Level Thresholds, the Northern Han Empire decisively abandoned scientific research and plunged headfirst into the development of the extraordinary field.

As a result, they not only made no progress in technology but also experienced a severe regression, with their entire social structure even becoming similar to a feudal system.

To rise again would likely take at least one or two hundred years.

Of course, it was not without benefits.

If one were to ask who the strongest extraordinary individual in the world was?

Most people would undoubtedly choose the North Cold Great Emperor.

This was not an exaggeration; after all, he alone guarded the first Apocalypse-Level Threshold, and his strength was simply beyond doubt.

However, although Tanaka Katsuyu knew that the incoming individuals were strong, his brows remained tightly furrowed.

The reason was simple—these people were too strong!

So strong that Tanaka Katsuyu felt a tremor in his heart.

He even couldn't help but think: if these three joined forces and directly flattened the island nation, it would be no problem at all.

After taking a deep breath, Tanaka Katsuyu looked at the mustached man beside him and asked,

"Did they make any demands?"

The mustached man nodded upon hearing this, but sighed and said,

"The Great Xia and Beacon Country are reasonable, but the Northern Han Empire's demand... is a bit outrageous."

"The Great Xia's demand is for Ember Sky Son to take action once, requiring three god's crystals."

"The Beacon Country's condition is the god's crystal from this disaster-level Critical Point, plus the corpse of that flame monster."

"As for the Northern Han Empire... they simply want our island nation's Hokkaido!"

After hearing these demands, Tanaka Katsuyu, instead, breathed a sigh of relief.

He was not afraid of demands, only afraid of no demands.

After all, demands meant that there was still room for negotiation.

Looking at the specific conditions, although the Great Xia wanted three god's crystals, in Tanaka Katsuyu's view, this price was completely acceptable.

After all, Ember Sky Son's strength was evident; he was worth the price.

He even felt that this was already cheap.

Indeed, the Great Xia truly lived up to its reputation as a land of courtesy!

But the Beacon Country was different.

They actually wanted the entire god's crystal from the disaster-level Critical Point!

One must know that this level of god's crystal was not only larger in volume but also had better effects, and in terms of value alone, it was dozens of times higher than an S-level Critical Point's god's crystal.

Not to mention the corpse of that flame monster; its research value alone was astonishing, let alone the potential it held for creating extraordinary individuals.

However, Tanaka Katsuyu only thought for a moment before agreeing.

After all, the premise of all this was that they could defend and defeat this flame monster.

Conversely, precisely because of this demand, Tanaka Katsuyu was no longer worried that the Beacon Country would withdraw regardless of the consequences.

And the Northern Han Empire... directly wanted Hokkaido?

Tanaka Katsuyu was so angry he almost jumped up after hearing the Northern Han Empire's demand.

How was this a reasonable demand? It was clearly blatant robbery!

While the Great Xia's previous request for three god's crystals was acceptable, it was still a demand.

The Beacon Country's request, though outrageous, would be taken by them directly.

But the Northern Han Empire directly asked for such a large piece of land as Hokkaido; wasn't that too absurd?

But if he directly refused, it would be a huge slap in the face to the Northern Han Empire.

After all, they had already accepted the demands of the first two great powers, but were refused when it came to them; wasn't this clearly looking down on them?

But the problem was, how could such an unreasonable demand be agreed to?

Ceding territory was something Tanaka Katsuyu wouldn't even consider.

"Mustached man, immediately connect me to the Northern Han Empire! There's no way we can agree to this demand!"

Tanaka Katsuyu coldly issued the order.

As soon as his voice fell, a black shadow rushed over from a distance.

The person wore black cloth clothes, like a ninja, clearly there to report an emergency.

"Report! Officer Tanaka, something has happened in Hokkaido!"

Tanaka Katsuyu was already irritated by various troubles, and now hearing bad news only added fuel to the fire.

But he still suppressed his anger and roared in a cold tone:

"Speak!"

The man in black felt Tanaka Katsuyu's displeasure, dared not delay, and quickly explained the situation from beginning to end:

"Officer Tanaka, just now, Hokkaido suddenly experienced a blizzard, and the temperature dropped sharply; it is now uninhabitable."

"What's worse, a five-meter-tall ice monster also appeared there!"

"However, fortunately, Sato Yuta was present at the time; although he was severely injured, he successfully drove away that monster."

"But this is not the most serious! According to our detection, on a mountain in northern Hokkaido, tens of thousands of similar monsters have appeared, densely packed, at least tens of thousands!"

"Experts speculate that this might be a Doomsday-level Critical Point!"

"If the situation continues to deteriorate, the entire Hokkaido might fall into crisis!"

Tanaka Katsuyu's eyes widened after hearing these words.

"What? Sato Yuta barely managed to defeat one monster while severely injured?"

He felt a shock in his heart.

One must know that Sato Yuta was their island nation's strongest individual apart from the Sword Saint!

Even more terrifying, there were tens of thousands of such monsters...

And... and, their country had another Doomsday-level Critical Point open!?

Bad news came one after another, and Tanaka Katsuyu almost couldn't catch his breath.

"Beep... beep... beep!"

Just then, the mustached man connected a call.

"Oh, calling at this time, could it be to refuse our terms?"

The voice on the other end was cold and carried a hint of scrutiny.

The mustached man just opened his mouth: "Our island nation absolutely cannot agree to your terms."

Tanaka Katsuyu, hearing this from a distance, instantly sprang into action.

Without a word, he kicked the mustached man flying, then quickly picked up the phone, putting on a fawning smile:

"Storm Empress, I apologize!"

"There was a spy who infiltrated here just now and dared to refuse your terms to your face; he was truly too presumptuous!"

"I'll deal with him immediately!"

Then, Tanaka Katsuyu continued with a face full of smiles:

"How could we possibly refuse the terms proposed by your esteemed country?"

"Don't worry, we completely agree!"

"Hokkaido is already prepared; you can send people over to take possession at any time."

From the other end of the phone came the Storm Empress's light, understated voice:

"Oh?"

She seemed to smile, "It seems your island nation is indeed not very capable, even spies are so arrogant."

Tanaka Katsuyu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, forcing a smile:

"It is our honor to serve the Northern Han Empire."

But Tanaka Katsuyu quickly changed the subject, "However, regarding that disaster-level Critical Point and those terrifying flame monsters..."

"Heh."

The Storm Empress sneered, "Since Hokkaido is already the Northern Han Empire's territory, we will naturally help resolve these issues."

Tanaka Katsuyu sighed in relief after hearing this, a relieved smile appearing on his face:

"With your esteemed country's help, this disaster-level Critical Point will certainly not be a problem."