Life Game In Other World
Chapter 752: The Rhythmic Cycle of C-level and Above Talent Sequences (Extra Large - for Monthly Votes)

Chapter 752: Chapter 752: The Rhythmic Cycle of C-level and Above Talent Sequences (Extra Large Chapter for Monthly Votes)

"The situation in Newland City-State is now too complicated; we don’t know from which dark corner a few residual monsters might emerge, so I suggest, just like the Rodan Kingdom, that Newland City-State should be governed jointly by the three of us."

Rudel leaned back in his office chair and looked at the other two people in front of the conference table.

"Rudel! What do you mean by that!"

The man sitting directly opposite Rudel was a middle-aged man with short brown-gold hair and a majestic face. He slammed the table, "Newland City-State is a dependency of the Empire, and has always been the territory of Moonlight; what right has your World Tree to meddle?"

"Norsen,"

Rudel looked at the middle-aged man in front of him and chuckled, "Look at the people coming from your Moonlight. Last time in Rodan, the cultists from Mysterious Shadow were from your side, and this time in Newland, that Wester of the Church of Chaos is one of your own too. And I’ve heard that the cultist leading this space-time connection event is also from your ranks."

His tone paused slightly, his eyes conveying an indescribable meaning, "Could it be that Moonlight is a breeding ground for cultists?"

"Rudel!"

Norsen’s complexion turned completely dark, "I admit that on these two occasions my governance was lax; I will initiate an internal investigation, but that is not a justification for you to reach into Newland."

"I don’t trust you guys,"

Rudel’s aged voice came out slow, as he leaned back in his chair, "Who knows if the people you appoint next will also be cultists? With Newland already in such a precarious state, if you cause another disturbance, you might drag the whole world into hell."

"You!"

Norsen banged the table and took a deep breath.

Since the last battle with the Research Institute, with only one C-level Moonlight survivor left, they had become the weakest among the three major organizations.

He also leaned back in his chair, his voice becoming completely calm, "I heard the incident with the Navigator was orchestrated by your World Tree people?"

Rudel’s expression faltered slightly, but he quickly retorted, "We just carelessly let a spy slip in, unlike you, with heaps of regional leaders that are cultists."

Norsen placed his hands on the tabletop, "It seems, Rudel, that your prowess in battle is just like your tongue."

Rudel’s expression stiffened.

These major organizations were superficially cordial but often clashed with each other, and his strength among all the known C-level individuals in the main world was the weakest.

Even though Norsen had been injured by a joint attack from Li Cheng and Wu Ganglie, defeating him would still not be a problem.

"Ahem,"

Li Cheng, sitting on the other side, coughed. He looked at Norsen, "So, Norsen, what is your proposal?"

Norsen’s complexion darkened slightly as he spoke in a low voice, "I can accept joint management, but the highest authority must be a person from Moonlight."

He came to this negotiation table today knowing that Newland City-State was no longer defensible, but he had to secure the most benefit for Moonlight.

As the largest commercial city-state north of the Tia Empire, Newland ranked in the top ten of all cities that provided financial support to Moonlight.

Even the overall economy of Newland was better than that of the Rodan Kingdom, so it was not something he could easily let go of.

"No way,"

Rudel immediately replied, "Newland is already close to the Tia Empire; if we let your people take charge, what difference is there from you managing it alone? Moreover, with the current unstable situation in Newland, who knows what problems might arise? We need a C-level person to tamp down any possible anomalies, do you want to take that role?"

"I am close by, and can arrive at any moment,"

Norsen said calmly.

"By the time you get there, it might be too late,"

Rudel leaned back, "Recently the Western Lands have been fairly peaceful, the World Tree can spare someone to serve as a temporary ’Guardian,’ to ensure the safety of Newland."

In the protection, it might just become another territory of the World Tree.

Since the Western Lands are close to the Tia Empire if the World Tree takes over Newland, they could continuously send forces over, which might then lead to further encroachment on the other territories of Moonlight.

Moonlight was not keen on having the World Tree reach so close to their realm.

Norsen lifted his gaze to Rudel and then glanced at Li Cheng before speaking in a low voice, "Does Director Li have any suggestions?"

Central Earth was the farthest from Newland; if the World Tree sent a C-level to be in charge, it would mean the so-called joint governance would turn into a two-way power grab, and the Research Institute would be completely marginalized. After investing manpower and resources, they would get no return.

Actually, entirely from the perspective of Newland’s geographical importance, from Moonlight’s standpoint, if there had to be a C-level in Newland, it would be best if it were their own person, and second best, the Research Institute.

Because the Research Institute is far away and difficult to support, if anything unexpected happened, Moonlight could also join forces with the World Tree to drive the influence of the Research Institute away.

However, the problem is that, from an overall perspective, the power of the Research Institute is too strong.

How could you allow a fierce tiger to sleep beside your bed?

If the Research Institute turns Newland into a forward base, it would be like a sharp knife positioned at the throat of Moonlight.

Moreover, the World Tree would definitely not agree to the Research Institute assigning someone to take charge of the Newland City-State. The Research Institute has already extended its reach to Rodan in the southern Western Lands. If it stretches to Newland in the western Western Lands, the World Tree would be almost encircled by the Research Institute.

So the current situation is that any one of the three factions attempting to become the person in charge of Newland would face resistance from the other two.

This is also why Li Cheng watched Norsen and Rudel quarreling but mostly refrained from speaking.

However, now that Norsen had asked, he placed his hands on the table and smiled, "Gentlemen, this world does not only have our three organizations’ B-ranks."

Norsen’s gaze paused, "Are you referring to Hao Yi?"

This world naturally didn’t only have B-ranks from the three major organizations; Daybreak also had B-ranks. But, the three major organizations couldn’t possibly hand over Newland to Daybreak. Hence, the only one being referred to here had to be that one ’neutral’ B-rank, Hao Yi.

Although Hao Yi and Moonlight did not harbor great enmity, there were still conflicts between them. The death of Moonlight’s B-rank, Sloane, was due to his interference.

Thus, Hao Yi was unlikely to completely ally with Moonlight, which aligned with the interests of the World Tree and the Research Institute.

From Moonlight’s perspective, Hao Yi was not entirely impossible to win over.

Despite Hao Yi having a relatively good relationship with the Research Institute, it happened to be the power that was furthest from Newland and could barely provide him help in emergencies.

Moreover, at least for now, he tended to remain neutral.

Most crucially, everyone knew Hao Yi was likely very strong, and neither World Tree nor Moonlight wanted to push him entirely towards the Research Institute, making it too powerful.

Therefore, after the Research Institute proposed this option, unless there was an inescapable reason to refuse, it would not be wise to directly decline and risk offending Hao Yi.

Moreover, Hao Yi’s participation in the rescue of the Newland City-State actually garnered local support, and appointing him as ’Guardian’ would not face opposition from the local Transcendents.

After contemplating, both Norsen and Rudel had to admit that a neutral Hao Yi managing a neutral Newland City-State was an acceptable choice for everyone, truly achieving a tripartite joint management.

Nobody had won, but also, nobody had lost.

And since Hao Yi was just one person, when it came down to executing the details, they would still have to rely on the Transcendents appointed by the three major organizations.

"But, is Hao Yi willing to do this?"

Rudel muttered somberly, "What kind of compensation can we offer? To invite him, we might have to give out most of Newland City-State’s taxes."

Inviting such a powerful B-rank to be a ’Guardian’ would not come at a small cost.

"Think about it differently," Li Cheng said calmly, "We can simply give Newland City-State to him."

Norsen’s brow twitched.

Isn’t Newland City-State mine?

But he lowered his head to seriously consider the feasibility of Li Cheng’s suggestion.

In fact, inviting Hao Yi to become ’Guardian’ was not that different from giving Newland City-State to Hao Yi. After all, once a B-rank has taken this place, unless falling out of favor or being offered a better position, he would certainly not move out.

Moreover, the original revenues of Newland would most likely end up in Hao Yi’s pocket, and if he wished, he could completely build Newland into his own independent Kingdom.

Waiting for someone to gradually take over the territory day by day was less favorable than generously offering the land outright to gain Hao Yi’s favor.

Of course, the issue here was that giving it away would mean losing the nominal control over Newland.

The World Tree never had nominal control over Newland, so it wouldn’t care about losing something it never possessed.

Moonlight originally had nominal control, but with the tripartite agreement taking effect and Newland becoming a neutral zone, they would also lose this regional control. Since the control was going to be lost anyway, it would be better to earn some goodwill in the process.

Li Cheng could tell from their contemplative expressions that the matter was almost settled.

If he had directly suggested giving Newland City-State to Hao Yi from the start, both would have definitely refused.

First, he proposed a relatively reasonable condition. Once they accepted that, he would then build upon that base to propose a ’relatively reasonable’ condition.

It was like slicing a sausage, achieving the goal step by step.

Although both Norsen and Rudel knew that Li Cheng was deliberately helping ’Hao Yi’ to set the terms, this was indeed the best solution they could find at the moment.

Moreover, the World Tree and Moonlight are so close to the Newland City-State that it’s nothing to pop in for a visit.

Establishing a friendship with Hao Yi, a B-Class of unclear origins, is actually far more valuable than a Newland City-State.

Fundamentally, they believe the proposal is feasible because Hao Yi and the suspected ’K’ behind him are strong enough, so strong that they’re all willing to cough up a bit of benefit to win Hao Yi’s support.

And Moonlight, being the weakest, naturally offered the most concessions.

Nevertheless, Norsen sighed in relief. If he directly gave Newland to Hao Yi, at least he wouldn’t have to think about what to prepare to thank ’Hao Yi’ for the previous crisis assistance to Newland City-State.

He couldn’t come up with a more valuable thank-you gift than this city.

After all, Moonlight was simply too weak.

If Moonlight could solve the problems of Newland City-State by itself, this meeting would not be necessary at all.

"Let’s talk to Hao Yi next," Li Cheng said, seeing that the two had basically agreed on the plan, "Just because we’re willing to give, doesn’t mean he’ll be willing to take."

...

Under Li Cheng’s mediation, the three major organizations ultimately reached an agreement with He Ao.

The Transcendent side of Newland City-State would be entirely under ’Hao Yi’s’ control, and all financial taxes supporting the Transcendent side would be handed over to ’Hao Yi’.

Given the current situation of Newland City-State, each of the three major organizations provided a rebuilding fund and five times that amount in interest-free loans.

Before Newland City-State’s own Transcendent organizations were established, each of the three major organizations dispatched a team of Transcendents to assist Newland City-State, operating under its banner.

The salaries of these assisting Transcendents and related support staff would be transferred to ’Hao Yi’ by a ’joint assistance fund’ set up by the three major organizations, who would then be responsible for payment.

After signing the agreement, Norsen sat in his office deep in thought for an entire afternoon.

It wasn’t until the black-haired female secretary knocked on the door that he snapped out of it, rubbing his face in a somewhat despondent manner, "I’ve been duped by that old fox, Li Cheng."

The original discussion was about joint management by the three parties, yet the final agreement not only lost them the city but also required them to provide money and personnel.

——

Meanwhile, at a seaside cottage on Wenlan Island, Li Cheng stepped through the courtyard gate.

As soon as he entered the room, he detected a faint fragrance.

He looked up, gazing ahead.

A girl wearing an exquisite gothic maid dress and with ash-gold hair sat on a chair by the courtyard, her gaze lifted to the sunset sky.

Her profile was delicate and perfect, the most refined cheek Li Cheng had ever seen in his life, as if carved out of jade, a fantastical miracle that seemed too divine for a mere human, almost enveloped in a sacred light despite being in a maid’s attire.

The breeze lifted strands of her hair as if brushing the clouds in the sky.

She seemed to sense someone watching her from behind, turned her head, and her amber eyes met Li Cheng’s. She nodded gently and revealed a faint smile.

Her features surpassed even what Li Cheng imagined could be the epitome of perfection, but at that moment, he had no time to be shocked by such beauty.

The moment the girl looked at him, his muscles tensed almost instantly, and streaks of lightning escaped from the gaps in his tightened flesh.

He felt the emptiness in those beautiful eyes, that indifferent gaze akin to a Higher Being observing mere ants.

His long-term experience with Angel-class weapons gave rise to a terrifying thought in his mind.

This was an Angel, one hiding among humans.

Why would there be an Angel here?

Had Divine power already spread to this world?

Numerous thoughts flooded his brain, but he pressed them down forcefully.

Since the Angel had not attacked him immediately, it meant that she was not an enemy for the time being. This was where Hao Yi had invited him, so this ’Angel’ might be connected to ’Hao Yi’?

It was during these thoughts that the refined girl appeared to lose interest in him, turning away to continue watching the sunset.

"Would you like some red tea?"

At that moment, a voice sounded from not too far away.

The electricity on Li Cheng’s body almost went out of control at the shout, and it took him quite some effort to suppress these forces as he looked towards the source of the voice.

’Hao Yi’ stood at the door of the room, carrying two cups of tea, looking at him with some confusion.

"Drink."

Li Cheng glanced at the red tea in his hand and nodded slightly.

He Ao placed the tea on a small table in the courtyard, sat down with a smile in the chair by the table, picked up the tea, and looked up at the glow in the sky, the steam wafting over his cheeks, "I chose this courtyard for its nice view, didn’t I?"

"Indeed, it’s nice."

Li Cheng nodded, sat next to He Ao, and glanced unintentionally at the girl sitting at the entrance of the courtyard watching the sunset, "Who is that...?"

"Hmm..."

After pondering for a moment, He Ao said softly, "For now, you can consider her my ’maid’."

"Maid?"

Li Cheng was startled for a moment.

Using an Angel as a maid?!

Are you a Divine Being?

Then he immediately realized, the girl referred to as ’maid’ was sitting and watching the sunset, whereas He Ao, as the ’master,’ had to make his own tea.

’For now’ considered a maid.

So, this identity is just some sort of ’disguise’? But to have an Angel willing to accept this role...

Perhaps ’Hao Yi’s true identity was much higher than he had imagined.

The rapid flow of thoughts did not affect his actions; he took a sip of the tea and looked at the sky meaningfully, "A ’maid’ from ’outside’? Related to that one?"

This was him inquiring whether the ’maid’ was from beyond the real world, sent by ’K’.

He Ao noncommittally took a sip of his tea.

In fact, he hadn’t intended to frighten Li Cheng, just to practice manipulating the puppet, but the ’Dean’s’ strength seemed to be a bit higher than he had originally guessed.

Li Cheng, now quite close to an Angel, perhaps perceived the latent hierarchy of the puppet without it actively revealing itself due to his long experience of dealing with Angelic items.

If it were someone ordinary like Rudel of C-level, without the puppet revealing its power, they would only see it as an exceedingly beautiful girl.

After a brief pause, He Ao slowly spoke, "Thank you for your help with the Newland City-State this time."

He Ao’s lack of response was an answer in itself.

Li Cheng also realized that this ’Angel’ was currently friend, not foe.

He took a deep breath and said with a smile, "No need to thank me, it’s beneficial for the Research Institute as well."

Keeping either the World Tree or Moonlight from taking over Newland was indeed beneficial for the Research Institute.

This was the ’matter’ He Ao had previously entrusted to Li Cheng, as he needed the Newland City-State.

After taking control of Fragment 001, he had encountered many pieces of knowledge that shouldn’t belong to this hierarchy; although they vanished from his mind with the fragmentation of 001, he still had a vague ’feeling.’

That feeling was if one wanted to continue on the Transcendent path, a stable ’habitat’ with a large population seemed to be key.

He didn’t know the principle behind this, but now that he had a chance to take over Newland City-State, he decided to claim it.

In the Copy World, securing a large city would be extremely difficult, but in the main world, such large cities were far too numerous.

Of course, if He Ao directly negotiated with the three major entities, even if he could secure a deal, it would be a passive role, costing him quite a bit.

However, with Li Cheng’s inside help, he could switch from being passive to active, not only at no loss but also scoring a lot of free benefits.

"You know," He Ao smiled and put down his tea, "I never owe anyone who has helped me."

He glanced at Li Cheng and continued, "Last time, we agreed that F-level has nine Talent Sequences, E-level has twenty-seven Talent Sequences, D-level has twenty-seven Talent Sequences, and C-level,"

He paused, "has seventy-two Talent Sequences."