Chapter 543: Aslan's Dilemma

Tentacles left quietly with Wang Zheng. He saw the scene from earlier on very clearly. Wang Zheng seemed pretty average before he made any moves. But the moment he struck, it was just like a huge lightning strike.

The Mad Scamper’s attack came close, and as fast as the wind, Charcoal’s body pulled away by a little. Right at the instant where the Mad Scamper’s attack was the weakest, Charcoal lashed out like a venomous snake, pushing his opponent’s knee away with his left hand, and choking his opponent’s neck with the right.

Although the neck was a vulnerable body part, it could not be controlled in an attack like that, and this was way too risky. During an attack, every flaw was exposed to the opponent, unless your level of control was completely higher than he was.

The Mad Scamper had definitely used a high level Blade Technique, but when faced with a lower-range Blade Technique, he was entirely stifled.

It was as if he was completely naked.

Tentacles knew that the Charcoal was very powerful, but he did not know to what extent. This was still not the most important part. There were many people who were powerful, but those who could attack with such decisiveness and viciousness were extremely few. He was even suspicious of whether or not Charcoal was a professional assassin.

Looking at Wang Zheng’s silhouette, Tentacles smiled. Regardless of his occupation, this was a loyal man worth following.

“Thank you, Brother Charcoal.”

Wang Zheng smiled. “You’ve got potential, but you’re overly reliant on your Ability X. From how I see it, the Ability X is just a way to level up your fighting capabilities, or used as a trump move. If you rely on it, you’d be trapped the moment you encounter someone just slightly better than you.”

Tentacles nodded, “I understand, I will certainly be more careful in future, and not try to be clever. It’s just that the Wind Group…”

“My purpose here is to stir trouble. So no matter what Group or Club it is, they can come at me if they want.”

Wang Zheng was very much at ease. The rules in the World of Saints were pretty solid. If the opponents could have used techniques that were even more powerful, it would have been quite a headache. He could manage to stave off one or two, but if there were more, Wang Zheng wouldn’t have been able to manage. However, even if met with someone from the Saints’ level, given that they can only use the Eight Point Blade Technique, what they were really being tested, were their abilities to grasp things in the realm. For that, Wang Zheng had no fear of anyone. In fact, he looked forward to meeting someone who had a deeper understanding of the realm than he did. Only then, could they help each other grow.

After Tentacles had left, Wang Zheng did not immediately participate in another duel, but instead, continued to train. He wanted to train his Eight Point Blade Technique to the highest level. The Wind Group surely wouldn’t let things go just like that, and so it was better to be safe than sorry. According to the rules that were in place, he couldn’t keep the matter of him entering the Saints’ Trial a secret. Now that he had been exposed, other forces would probably join in. Only when he had reached the highest level of the technique, then could he stand undefeatable.

Wang Zheng’s sudden departure indeed caused many to leave empty-handed. Usually, this Charcoal guy would go on for a few more rounds, but this time, he did not return.

Those in the higher levels would not react so quickly. After all, there were two stages from the disciple level to the saints. Even if you got to the Saints, the training would take quite some time. But they had already instructed those in the lower levels to keep an eye on things.

It was Tentacles’s performance in the past year or so that had attracted the Wind Group’s attention. Once someone with such a high status and backing entered the picture, most others would have to be onlookers, unless they have got absolute strength or powers.

This incident was rather amusing, too. It was the first time that someone from an organisation that ruled all three realms had been taught a lesson. It was a rare occurrence, and also pretty much a joke.

Meanwhile, TitaTitan Star grew and developed steadily. With military support from the people of Tita and the Lan Family’s planning strategies, they were able to stand tall among the great powers in the Milky Way, making use of the Ultra Powerful mineral stones. The great nations all opened their highest embassies in TitaTitan Star. While that may be too much for TitaTitan Star, but with the mineral stones, it was not altogether inexcusable.

The motives of the various countries were clear. TitaTitan Star had tight controls over the mining of the Ultra Powerful mineral stones, and even the upper limits of the conservational mining could not produce enough stones to satiate the Milky Way’s large stomach. The cake was simply that big. It’s up to your own capabilities to get it if you ever want a second bite.

Canyon City and Lankao City was bustling with activities of spies, conspirators, schemers and politicians. It was unquestionable that this was a good opportunity for these people to make a name for themselves.

Whether was it the Lan Family or the newly appointed government of the TitaTitan Star, they all watched over things very, very closely. At TitaTitan Star, people readily got rid of the old to make way for the new, and everything was on the table. But increasing the mining output of the Ultra Powerful mineral stones was a definite, hard no. This was the basis of which TitaTitan Star had developed and grew within such a short span of time.

From all their activities and interactions, the various countries also knew this line of limitation well.

This was a line that could not be crossed. The Earthworm Federation did not believe so, and arrogantly tried to bribe the Lan Family with money. The TitaTitan Star had yet to respond to that when all the other major powers pushed the Federation out of the competition.

When it came to this matter, conspiracies had no place at all. It was too sensitive an issue. Whether it was Aslan or Arbiter Empire, there was no one power that could push all other competitors out. When that was the case, the importance of having rules stood out.

Everything had to go according to the rules. If things were politically unstable, then the economy would become the pillar to prop things up, making use of the market to allocate the eventual flow of the mineral stones.

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Everything marched forward in the direction of TitaTitan Star.

Of course, the reason why there was such an effect was partly due to the changes in the Lan Family. If Lan Jiang was the head of the household, it would indeed be very likely that it would turn into a commercial transaction. But as Mu Sen entered the picture, and the Lan Family failed to stand out quickly, the impact was minimised. At the very least, even if you wanted to do something sneaky, there was very little you could do.

Even though the TitaTitan Star had attained first class accreditation, it had absolutely nothing to show when it came to the military aspect of things. The Titans may be strong, but their powers could only be used on the TitaTitan Star. In such a vast galaxy, the TitaTitan Star had only a weak fleet. It could barely even be called a fleet.

Where there were goods, there were shipping paths. And where there were profits that could be made, there were pirates. The Ultra Powerful mineral stones would likely attract pirates in disguise.

As of now, things were smooth-sailing. Nobody should dare to do anything. But this would certainly become a problem in future. The Tita Star was as much a culprit in the black market.

Under such circumstance, the only option left for TitaTitan Star was to look for militarily strategic partners and to form an alliance. It would give the Tita Star some time to grow. And of course, when it came to strategic partners, they would certainly ask for special rights and privileges.

After coming to the decision to use the market for distribution, the various countries came into a new conflict over who ought to be TitaTitan Star’s strategic partner.

There was only one place available, and so every country put in their best offers. Of which, the Astina Federation and the Arbiter Empire showed the strongest hands, offering terms at the highest levels.

Aslan was also trying their best to vie for the spot. With Lin Huiyin’s promptness in taking action, they had a pretty good chance, too. But as Astina and Arbiter offered more and more, their position took a plunge.

“What! Arbiter is willing to lend a fleet to the TitaTitan Star Defence Corps? For 50 years? And be in charge of all training for fleet commanders and troops? ….”

How vicious!

Lending an entire fleet at nothing to the TitaTitan Star for 50 years!

The term may be “lent” but in 50 years, even the most advanced fleet today would become outdated.

The Aslan Ambassador to the TitaTitan Star, Steve, dapped at his perspiring forehead non-stop. Even though Lin Huiyin had plaed a huge role in the TitaTitan Star incident and had built a rather close friendship with the Lan Family, politics was as such. Friendship aside, being able to provide benefits was the sole foundation of all conversations. Compared to the terms offered by Aslan, the Arbiter Empire had spent a fortune. If he were in-charge of the TitaTitan Star, he wouldn’t choose Aslan for Lin Huiyin’s friendship either.

And because Aslan had already received certain benefits, the backlash from other countries was huge, too. After all, no one wanted to see Aslan grow strong on its own. It was also probably why Arbiter was so so anxious.

Just as the ambassador pondered between contacting Aslan and increasing their support for TitaTitan Star, or to continue making use of Lin Huiyin’s relationships to open up more doors of opportunities, another piece of news arrived at his feet.

“Astina has offered a new term to TitaTitan Star, to assist the TitaTitan Star building up a fleet of planetary guards and a fleet of deep space guards. All ships would be built and produced on TitaTitan Star….”

It was not lending. But instead, directly helping TitaTitan Star to build up their own military capabilities. This was way greater than Arbiter’s offer. Arbiter had offered to give them spaceships for free, but Astina was basically helping TitaTitan Star build up a manufacturing facility. This was giving away their core strategic technologies, trading technology for bankruptcy.

Steve slumped into his chair. If it were only Arbiter Empire, it would be easier. After all, Arbiter’s image in the Milky Way had always come off too strongly. As long as TitaTitan Star had one bit of doubt or worry, he would be able to use politics to maneuver the situation and stir things up.

But with Astina, the situation was altogether different…

After much consideration, Steve finally made a decision. He dialed the direct line connecting to Aslan’s President. Now that things had come to this, it was no loner something that he as an Ambassador could deal with. By escalating the situation upwards, even if the mission failed, he wouldn’t have to bear full responsibility and ruin his political career.

The call was very quickly answered. President Kashawen appeared on the screens. It was clear that the TitaTitan Star situation was of top priority in the Cabinet.

“How are things going?”

“Things are very complicated. It is very challenging. If we do not increase our stakes in this, I am afraid we will not stand a chance.” The Ambassador explained the new terms and stakes offered by Arbiter and Astina.

“The situation here at home does not allow us to invest too heavily in TitaTitan Star using military resources.”

Kashawen did not even frown in the slightest and came to the conclusion coolly.

It was not that Aslan Empire had no wish of upping their stakes, but that they were organising a 16 country military summit to put an end to military expansion, so as to work towards prospering as a Milky Way. If they were to increase investments in military resources on TitaTitan Star using assisting TitaTitan Star as the reason, the 16 country summit would not see results. When it came to politics, it was always this way. Gaining something in one aspect would mean settling for another. Slapping oneself was never the way to go in politics.