Great! I'm surrounded by villains!
Chapter 222 - 142: The End

Chapter 222: Chapter 142: The End

"In my cognition, there are two possible ’Cocoon’ transformations for a planet, one is what we just discussed—when a civilization develops to its peak, causing people to have unrealistic ideas; the other is the backlash caused by long-term oppression from external forces."

He Ya laid out the two potential futures she predicted before Duan Mingyuan’s eyes.

A victory for the Chamber of Commerce would enable the Shan Clan to take root on this planet.

The company’s characterization of this group is quite fitting—Cosmic Locusts.

Once they have established themselves within a civilization, they will fully utilize their trading talent to accumulate vast wealth on the planet, then use that wealth to exchange for power, until they have complete control over the operation of the entire planet within the Chamber of Commerce’s hands, forming a complete assembly line process.

"You expelled the Cosmic Relations Coordination Department from this planet and instead gave these locusts the chance to devour the Blue Star. In the eyes of the Shan Clan People, everything in this world can be traded. They will suck dry all the value of this planet, leaving nothing but desolation, until the day comes when the planet can no longer bear the burden and needs to self-regulate."

As the trading god worshipped by the Shan Clan People, He Ya spoke as if she never considered her followers, both openly and subtly suggesting that the Shanqi Commerce Association was a scourge that deserved to be eradicated.

"In this light, Wangxu has become the righteous ones, preventing the planet from the invasion of locusts."

"Righteous ones is a strong word, what they need is the Chamber of Commerce’s database."

He Ya walked to the window of the private room, watching the VIP guests who were still bidding fervently. The price for Eli’s Ability had been auctioned to 120 years, already exceeding the natural lifespan of a human, yet the bidding showed no signs of stopping. Under the host’s encouragement, the competition had only just begun.

"It seems Eli’s thoughts coincide with yours, offering himself as the auction item is the fastest way to reach the core area of the Chamber of Commerce."

He Ya said, "With this piece of information, Wangxu could covertly control the whole Siyang City, turning it into a Life Energy cultivation base. The Blue Star will enter an era of vigorous development. Before long, the existence of Life Energy and sinister beings will be made public. Soon there will be more people dedicating themselves to the study of Life Energy, it might take decades, or even centuries, but the Blue Star People’s knowledge and understanding of Life Energy will peak. At that time, Wangxu will no longer be seen as a terrorist organization, but as an important institution for the study of Life Energy.

"Then, some people will start to follow the old paths of other civilizations, trying to touch the essence of Life Energy. Perhaps many will become your followers, but of course, they might also desire to imprison you, dissect you, to explore the connection between the Transcender and the ’Cocoon’."

But regardless of which path, it won’t be a happy ending for humanity.

Either being exploited to destruction, or falling into the abyss when civilization peaks.

This choice was placed in Duan Mingyuan’s hands.

He Ya awaited Duan Mingyuan’s response.

"I’m somewhat curious about this person, Eli."

Duan Mingyuan suddenly spoke up.

Compared to Earth Wolf Twelve’s detailed introduction, He Ya’s description of Eli was far too general, as if he truly was just an insignificant character who would fail without help.

"Especially his Ability."

Since he is a native of the Blue Star and has taken drugs developed by the company, he must have long since mastered Life Energy, which also means that his Ability could not be commonplace.

This much could be inferred from the fervor of the bidding attendees.

Yet He Ya, in her introduction of Eli, did not mention his Ability at all.

"I’ve heard a theory that a person’s actions in Dreamland are dominated by the subconscious, and in places like the underground exchange, virtual and reality are hardest to distinguish."

Duan Mingyuan raised his right hand and gently waved it through the air, creating ripple-like distortions in front of him, "Mind dissolution, truly a powerful Ability akin to that of an antagonist Boss."

"When did you discover that?"

"From the beginning."

Duan Mingyuan applied a bit more force, and the rippling area at his fingertips quickly spread. In the blink of an eye, the opulent partitioned room was filled with cracks, absorbing the auctioneer’s provocative lead and the spirited bidding of the VIP guests.

Usually, people realize they are dreaming only when they find obvious flaws within their dreams.

Duan Mingyuan felt that for most people, if the space around them suddenly began to crack and crumble, they would involuntarily doubt the reality of the scene.

The auctioneer and the emotionally charged VIP guests fell silent at the same time.

"I presume you have something to tell me, which is why I cooperated with your action. This academic discussion had a very good atmosphere, and the content was extremely enlightening."

"It’s such a pity."

He Ya helplessly shrugged her shoulders, "It seems that no ability in the world can escape your sight."

"I just didn’t expect that the deity of trade worshipped by the Chamber of Commerce would collaborate with Wangxu, especially against its own followers."

If it weren’t for He Ya’s covert assistance, Eli might have had a hard time sneaking into the sixth layer, not to mention activating his ability right under the watchful eyes of Earth Wolf Twelve.

The energy needed to put a Long Branch Guard into a deep sleep was certainly not within the capabilities of a Wangxu member.

"The deity of trade’s partners are only interests, our deal still stands."

Before the entire world shattered, He Ya brought up the agreement they had reached once more, "Eisenberg-Adler, if you can fish him out of prison, I will offer you a reward that is guaranteed to satisfy you."

Her goal had been achieved.

To reach an agreement, even if it was only verbal.

As for the goal Eli and Wangxu hoped to achieve through her...

She had done her best, but after all, this wasn’t Flashing Star; her strength could not be fully realized here.

If there was blame, it could only be attributed to the opponent being a Transcender.

No matter who came, the result would be the same.

"As for my choice."

Perhaps Eli and Wangxu wanted to create an impression of choosing the lesser of two evils, but Duan Mingyuan had already made his decision at the outset.

When the cracks completely devoured the world, Duan Mingyuan sat up straight.

They were in the VIP partition, where Zheng Liu and Xing were still lying on the table, seemingly in a deep sleep.

He stood up, smashed the alarm at the entrance of the private room, and in an instant, the piercing sound of the alarm reverberated through the entire underground trade marketplace.

Earth Wolf Twelve, charged with: intentional injury, assault, attempted homicide, operating a gambling den...

Eli, charged with: engaging in terrorist activities, theft, murder...

Bringing criminals to justice was the final act of this performance.