The old man leaned back in his chair, looking at Donald Trump's Holographic Projection with calm, unreadable eyes.
"Agreed."
Before Donald Trump could even show his delight, the old man's next words plunged him into an icy abyss.
"In exchange for your F-22's core avionics technology, high-throughput chip lithography machines, and the complete classified archives of Area 51."
The old man tapped the tabletop twice with his fingers.
"Gentlemen, times have changed."
"This is no longer the era when you could swing the cudgel of sanctions around the world. Huaxia can build a steel defensive line along its coast. Can you?"
The president of Bear Country drew a deep breath, resolve flashing in his blue eyes.
"Bear Country will join unconditionally. Our heavy industrial bases in the Far East and partial access to our nuclear arsenal will be opened fully to Huaxia's highest leadership."
Every last bargaining chip was on the table.
On this night, with the entire world shrouded in supernatural terror, the once-arrogant Western powers finally bowed their proud heads before the brutal blade of survival.
In just ten minutes, the Earth Defense Alliance was forcibly forged into existence, with Huaxia firmly in command.
Three days later.
Deep in the East China Sea, three thousand nautical miles away.
Spirit Turtle Island, perpetually shrouded in thick sea fog, was one of the few blessed offshore sanctuaries in the Cultivation World still clinging to existence.
The island's protective Mystic Water Golden Light Formation resembled an overturned bowl of pale golden glass, completely sealing off the island, which spanned more than a dozen li, from the outside world.
Deep beneath the island, the Spirit Stone Lode had long since run dry.
Withered Wood Ancestor sat cross-legged in the center of a dried-up spiritual pool, his face wrinkled like orange peel.