The sky darkened as night fell, but the hazy drizzle did not stop.
The lush rainforest was shrouded in white mist, and an antique manor could be vaguely seen in the depths of the white mist. This place was almost identical to the Fifth Lord's manor. The Fifth Lord's manor was protected by a natural moat, but the concealment here was even better.
If not for Xiao Ai's data and telekinesis vision, even Ding Meng would have a hard time finding this place.
At this moment, the first floor of the manor was brightly lit, and the living room was rather luxurious. At least on Yulin Planet, it was rather luxurious. There were soft sofas, elegant tables, brilliant lights, and all sorts of extravagant decorations. The entire living room was as warm as spring, and this place was like a private residence, unlike the headquarters of Fomalhaut.
Sitting on the sofa was a lady dressed in blue and wearing sunglasses. She had a leisurely and elegant demeanor. This was Lan Ling from the Apocalypse Corporation. Sitting opposite her were three men: Yan He, Zhuang Zhou, and Ying Xiong.
The three leaders were like their names. Yan He looked a little old, and his slow movements made him look like an old scholar. He was holding a water pipe and blowing smoke.
On his left was Zhuang Zhou, who was dressed in a suit and leather shoes. Even in the face of Apocalypse Group's people, he was neither servile nor overbearing. "Miss Lan, forgive me for being blunt, but Ling Qingshan is actually a harmful substance. Is your group planning to use it for medical research?"
Lan Ling said, "You don't have to worry about that, Mr. Zhuang. Have the three of you considered the terms of exchange that our group has proposed?"
She was actually asking Yan He. After all, Yan He was the head of the group, but he was still smoking and did not say anything.
On Yan He's right, the tall and burly Ying Xiong laughed dryly and said, "To be honest, your group's help is very important to us. It's an honor for us outer space mercenaries to be able to work with a large group like Apocalypse."
It was as if he hadn't said anything at all, but Lan Ling remained expressionless. "To be honest, I came to the Fertile Chalk Star System on a tight schedule. President Gu didn't give me a long deadline, so if nothing unexpected happens, I'll be preparing to return tomorrow. If the three of you still haven't thought it through, then we might have to work together again next time."
Yan He had to speak this time even if he didn't want to. He slowly put down his pipe and said slowly, "Miss Lan, President Gu is the vice president of Tianqi. He is very busy and has a lot of things to do every day. I can understand why he can't come in person this time."
Lan Ling frowned slightly. She did not understand what this old man meant by saying such things at this time. She could only continue to listen patiently.
Yan He took another puff of his cigarette. "I heard that President Gu has a wide circle of friends. Even the Empire's military personnel are his friends."
Lan Ling frowned. "President Yan, I don't quite understand what you're saying. Please enlighten me."
Yan He said, "Miss Lan, you're in a peaceful area within the Empire. You don't know how dangerous and barren this Fertile Chalk Star System is. We've been here for so many years and have been relying on the military's subsidies and supplies to survive. The Fifth Lord's forces have been growing these past few years, and our Fomalhaut has been tolerating everything. In addition, the prison's management has been increasing day by day, and we can't make ends meet. I don't have any other intentions. I just hope that President Gu can put in a good word for us with the military and help us fight for a little bit of subsidies.
It's nothing much for President Gu. "Lan Ling immediately understood the old fox's request. He hoped that the military's subsidies could be increased. Although this was not something the Apocalypse Group should be in charge of, it was not difficult for the Apocalypse Group.
The scale was very delicate. If Lan Ling didn't agree, then this deal would fall through. Who knew when the next time would be? After all, the price of flying to the Rain Forest Planet was not low. If Lan Ling agreed to the Apocalypse Group's request, then they would be crossing the line.
Lan Ling took a deep breath. "Alright, I can agree on behalf of President Gu. I promise to deliver President Yan's exact words."
Yan He nodded. Zhuang Zhou and Ying Xiong immediately revealed looks of joy.
Zhuang Zhou turned his head and ordered, "Bring it up!"
A staff member walked up with a tray. On the tray was a small crystal bottle. Inside the bottle was a white misty ribbon of energy. This was the legendary Ling Qingshan.
Just as the staff member was about to hand the bottle over, Yan He suddenly said, "Wait!"
Lan Ling's lips curled into a cold smile. "Could it be that President Yan can't bear to part with it?"
Yan He didn't answer. He picked up the pipe again and took a few puffs. This time, however, his expression became serious.
An instant later, Lan Ling's expression also changed. She had already sensed a faint fluctuation of Origin Energy coming from far away. It was obvious that someone was hurrying over.
Fomalhaut's headquarters was quite hidden. Even the Fifth Lord's people wouldn't be able to easily find it. However, when she sensed this aura, it was obvious that this person was rushing straight over.
Three minutes later, Ding Meng's group of three appeared at the stone gate of the courtyard.
Yan He and the others were also standing in the center of the courtyard. Zhuang Zhou was very surprised to see Xin Jie appear here safe and sound. However, he wasn't an idiot. As soon as he saw the unassuming Ding Meng and the strange masked Su Xia, he guessed that these two must have been the ones who had rescued Xin Jie from the prison.
That was the problem. To be able to rescue someone from prison 108, the abilities of these two people in front of him weren't just ordinary.
Zhuang Zhou revealed a polite smile. "Forgive my poor eyesight, but I still don't know the names of these two esteemed guests."
Lan Ling laughed coldly. "Ding Meng, I didn't expect you to be able to find this place."
It was normal for her to know about Ding Meng. Lu Feng and the others must have reported it.
Ding Meng also laughed. "Seeing that you haven't made things difficult for Xin Jie this year, I won't bicker with you. Hand over the item."
Ying Xiong stepped forward decisively. "Kid, you sure talk big. Do you know where this place is?"
Ding Meng ignored him. At this moment, he had already released his telekinesis and was scanning the interior of the manor. He was looking for Ling Qingshan's specific location. It was obvious that the item wasn't with Ying Xiong.
Yan He said slowly, "My young friend Xin Jie, if you want Ling Qingshan, I can agree to give it to you. However, you should be clear about my conditions."
Xin Jie also laughed. "No one dares to touch something that the grassroots empire has locked onto. Do you want to risk universal condemnation?"
Yan He's expression was serious. "You don't understand. The grassroots empire has locked onto Fomalhaut's bank account. Removing the lock is not a taboo for you. This might not be difficult for you. Besides, you can still gain our friendship after this matter is done."
Xin Jie laughed loudly. "Your 'friendship'?
I refused to cooperate, and you still wanted to kill me. If my brother hadn't arrived in time, I would have become a dried corpse. Besides, this Rainforest Planet can't even connect to external quantum communication. Which bank is your bank account connected to? "
Zhuang Zhou was very polite. "Brother Xin, you don't know. This is our internal account."
Xin Jie said disdainfully, "Please be more serious when you make up a lie next time, okay?"
Ding Meng said impatiently, "Why are you wasting your breath on them?"
Ying Xiong couldn't help but say, "Kid, judging from your tone, you want to rob them?"
Ding Meng said seriously, "Yes, I want to rob them!"
Then, he gave Su Xia a look, meaning to take care of Xin Jie. He would take care of things here.
"Heh —" Ying Xiong was so angry that he laughed. "Where did this wild kid come from? How dare you come to my Fomalhaut?"
Ding Meng couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him. He walked step by step towards Yan He, who was in the center. Using his telekinesis vision, he could clearly see that the small crystal bottle was hidden in Yan He's shirt pocket.
"You're courting death!" Ying Xiong attacked first.
The speed of his attack was not considered fast. He only took a step forward, and the move he made was also quite ancient. It was just a straight punch, but this step suddenly caused the ground to tremble. This punch was also full of strength. The strength of the punch enveloped the entire courtyard, and the tip of the fist trembled slightly. It was obvious that there was a change in it.
The Empire's martial arts were very different from the Federation's. To be precise, the more basic and simple something was, the better it was in actual combat. This was because this was what he was most familiar with. Without those fancy tricks, the effect was more direct and purer.
Ying Xiong didn't dare to underestimate Ding Meng. If he had the guts to come and cause trouble, then he must have some ability. However, he never imagined that Ding Meng's ability was so great.
Ding Meng didn't move. He didn't even look at Ying Xiong. Instead, he stretched out his palm and caught Ying Xiong's fist. Then, with a slight twist of his wrist, Ying Xiong's expression changed. It wasn't surprise, but pain.
"Go away and play with your balls!"
Ding Meng kicked out. Ying Xiong's body curled up like a shrimp, and then he crashed into the stone steps in front of the villa. Four or five stone steps immediately shattered.
Zhuang Zhou was shocked. This kid looked to be in his twenties or thirties. How could he be so powerful?
Although Ying Xiong hadn't used his full strength, Ding Meng's kick was really exaggerated.
With a loud crash, a red light flashed in the courtyard. Two fiery-red battle blades slashed towards Ding Meng's head. This was the standard Blazing Sun Battle Rune. Judging from the color of the origin energy battle blades, Zhuang Zhou's strength wasn't weak.
This time, he couldn't take the attack with his bare hands. Ding Meng leaned slightly to the side, and the battle blades hit empty air. However, this move gave the opponent the initiative. Zhuang Zhou dodged and closed in on Ding Meng, punching and kicking him.
However, Su Xia couldn't remain calm at this time. She had already activated her Origin Energy and charged towards Lan Ling. Lan Ling wasn't her true enemy, but in her eyes, she was in cahoots with Beiming. As long as she was Gu Beiming's lackey, then she had to die!
However, she had underestimated Lan Ling. To be able to hold such a high position in a large corporation, she must have excellent skills. She dodged, and Lan Ling dodged as well. Both of them were light element users. For a moment, half of the courtyard was filled with the shadows of the two beauties. Neither of them could hit the other.
Ying Xiong, who was at the bottom of the steps, stood up again. He had just been kicked in the crotch by Ding Meng. He wasn't injured, but his lower abdomen was burning with pain. This was especially embarrassing. He howled wildly, and like a bear, he pounced towards Ding Meng with the force of Mount Tai.