"You guessed right, I've come here on behalf of the Virtual Universe to discuss matters concerning Earth with you," said Venerable Guiyi.
"What was bound to happen has finally happened!" Zhang Junbao thought to himself.
"Since you've come, senior brother, how can I be negligent? Standing here in space like this is not how we Earthling treat our guests. Why don't you come with me to Earth and have a seat at my home?"
"And while you're at it, please also visit my hometown, junior brother." Zhang Junbao gestured for him to come in.
"Alright, then I'll take my leave."
"Please, senior brother."
Under Zhang Junbao's guidance, Venerable Guiyi descended with him to Zhang Junbao's home on Earth.
His family was also there at that moment. Everything that had just happened on Earth was still vivid in their minds, making them feel somewhat apprehensive.
" Junbao, what just happened? I saw Luo Feng's family members being captured by that Immortal God!" Zhang Junbao's father, Zhang Anzhong, asked.
"It's alright, Luo Feng's family has returned safely, and Luo Feng is at home now."
Since Zhang Junbao is the ruler of Earth, it is clear that Luo Feng is not qualified to participate in this negotiation. Therefore, Zhang Junbao told him to go back and comfort his family, and that he would explain everything to them afterward.
"This is my second senior brother, Venerable Guiyi. My senior brother and I have some matters to discuss at home."
"Greetings, Venerable Guiyi!"
Upon hearing the introduction, Zhang Junbao's family members immediately bowed in respect. To possess the title of Venerable One meant that he was Universe Venerable.
Zhang Junbao's family weren't clueless novices; they naturally knew how exalted the status of the Universe Venerable was. A single Yanzhu King could easily Destruction the entire Earth, yet the Yanzhu King wouldn't dare utter a sound before the Venerable Guiyi. The Universe Venerable was simply too far removed from them.
"Kindness."
Venerable Guiyi nodded slightly in return.
He was polite to Zhang Junbao entirely because Zhang Junbao was incredibly talented and, moreover, his junior brother, who had the potential to become a powerful figure on par with him in the future. However, he wasn't as close to Zhang Junbao's family. A nod in return was already a great show of courtesy.
"My senior brother and I have something to discuss. Father, please reassure the rest of the world first."
"Alright!" Zhang Anzhong could tell that Zhang Junbao had something important to do, so he didn't hesitate. Ever since Zhang Junbao joined the Virtual Universe Company, his father, Zhang Anzhong, had been working hard to keep up with him, constantly studying the exchange between Earth culture and cosmic culture, and had become the actual Controller on Earth. Faced with such a major crisis, although he was shocked, he did not panic at all.
Venerable Guiyi glanced at Zhang Anzhong, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The two arrived at Zhang Junbao's reception room, where the Divine Power of the Venerable Guiyi spread, obscuring the surrounding space.
"It seems Earth is indeed remarkable. Even your father's mental cultivation is comparable to that of an ordinary Immortal. It's truly unbelievable," said Venerable Guiyi.
What you've seen is just the tip of the Iceberg.
"Hmm? With your intelligence, you should have already guessed the decision of the Human Race's higher-ups, but you don't seem to be opposed to it?" Venerable Guiyi looked at Zhang Junbao with surprise.
"Can I simply reject the decisions of the Human Race's higher-ups? Since my attitude is irrelevant to them, why should I adopt a confrontational stance and become a laughingstock?" Zhang Junbao said calmly.
"Alas, the secrets of Earth are far too complex, involving the probability of geniuses being born into the entire Human Race. Even your teacher cannot make a decision alone. I hope you won't blame your teacher."
"I understand." Zhang Junbao nodded, his face somewhat silent.
" The Ganwu Universe Country is under the control of the Virtual Universe Company. The entire Universe Country belongs to the Virtual Universe Company. In theory, the company can revoke your ownership of Earth with a single order."
"However, since you are the teacher's disciple, the Virtual Universe Company has decided to proceed through official channels." Venerable Guiyi flipped his hand, revealing a file. "Take a look. This is the contract drafted by the Virtual Universe Company regarding the details of the Earth transaction. There are two transaction options; you may choose one."
Zhang Junbao took it and carefully read the terms and conditions.
But in my heart, I sighed...
The decision made by the Virtual Universe Company must have been discussed and agreed upon by the high-ranking members of the Human Race. The fact that they gave him two options clearly meant that Zhang Junbao only had two choices, and he had to make the deal!
This is hegemony, and also a blessing!
It was a gift from the entire human Human Race to Human Race genius like Zhang Junbao. If the ruler of Earth were not a top genius like Zhang Junbao from Virtual Universe Company, but an ordinary universe powerhouse, such a decision would never have been made.
The only possibility is that the owner of Earth died unexpectedly, and then the ownership of Earth was transferred to the Virtual Universe Company.
This is the bloody truth of the universe.
A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.
Earth is Supreme Treasure that no ordinary person can possess. The fact that Virtual Universe Company is willing to negotiate with Zhang Junbao in this manner is probably the result of the efforts of the Chaos City Lord.
Zhang Junbao carefully reviewed the file, and it was exactly as he had expected.
The first option is for Zhang Junbao to sell Earth to the Virtual Universe Company, and how the Virtual Universe Company handles Earth will be their responsibility. The selling price is 200 billion Hunyuan Unit, and this money will not be given to Zhang Junbao all at once, but will be distributed in several installments based on Zhang Junbao's strength.
Domain Lord Level 20 million Hunyuan Unit,
200 million Hunyuan Unit at the World Lord Level
Immortal Level 19978 Hunyuan Unit.
The second option is that Earth Humans can still live on land, but the Earth Human Race will reside on land, while all oceans and ocean Void Domain will belong to the Virtual Universe Company, which will build 'floating cities' in the Void Domain.
They also pledged not to build floating cities over land.
In this transaction, Zhang Junbao could receive a maximum of 50 billion Hunyuan Unit.
It won't be given to Zhang Junbao all at once either.
Domain Lord Level: 5 million Hunyuan Unit
World Lord Level: 50 million Hunyuan Unit
Immortal Level: 4,994.5 billion Hunyuan Unit.
The living room was silent as Venerable Guiyi awaited Zhang Junbao's decision.
Finally, Zhang Junbao raised his head, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at Venerable Guiyi.
"Have you finished reading? Which one do you choose?" Venerable Guiyi asked.
He knew this decision would be difficult; selling out his hometown for wealth, no matter which option he chose, would be a blow to Zhang Junbao.
However, if Zhang Junbao doesn't choose, then the Virtual Universe Company will make the choice for him. The Virtual Universe Company can simply strip him of all ownership of Earth with a single document, and Zhang Junbao won't get a single penny.
The right to interpret the true meaning of everything belongs to Virtual Universe Company.
Even the Ganwu Universe Country belongs to the Virtual Universe Company, let alone Earth.
"Second Senior Brother, the Virtual Universe Company really put you in a difficult position by making you play the villain!" Zhang Junbao didn't answer, but instead looked at Venerable Guiyi and said.
"I know this is a difficult decision, but Junbao, the Virtual Universe Company is powerful, even I cannot resist it, let alone this is a joint decision of all the human elites. I know you value your hometown, but listen to me, you must make a decision." A trace of guilt flashed in Venerable Guiyi's eyes. Making him force Zhang Junbao, who had a very good relationship with him, to make a decision was indeed making him the villain.
However, the company considered that if someone else were hired, Zhang Junbao might do something outrageous.
"I thought things would change because of me, but in the end, everything is still the same," Zhang Junbao sighed.
"However, the higher-ups at Virtual Universe Company are seriously underestimating me, Zhang Junbao!"
50 billion?
200 billion?
Do they think that's a lot?
"Hmm?" Venerable Guiyi suddenly felt that he couldn't understand Zhang Junbao anymore.
A crystal crackling with lightning appeared in Zhang Junbao's hand.
"This is Hao Lei Amethyst Stone. I have eight million tons of it, worth nearly one trillion Hunyuan Unit."
Zhang Junbao's words startled Venerable Guiyi.
"What, one trillion Hunyuan Unit?"
Venerable Guiyi finally understood what Zhang Junbao meant. The executives of the Virtual Universe Company thought that the price they offered was already astronomical for Zhang Junbao, who was at the Domain Lord Level. But who knew that Zhang Junbao would casually pull out a treasure worth more than a trillion Hunyuan Unit, slapping the executives of the Virtual Universe Company in the face.
It should be noted that the conversation between Venerable Guiyi and Zhang Junbao was conducted synchronously via the Virtual Universe Network, meaning that all the high-ranking members of humanity were witnessing this scene!
What they considered a high price was nothing in Zhang Junbao's eyes.
Giving away a beggar? Then who exactly is the beggar?
"How about we get Virtual Universe Company to sell me five Earths?" Zhang Junbao grinned and said.
"This..."
Where would Virtual Universe Company get five Earths to sell to Zhang Junbao? Even if they did, it wouldn't be for such a low price as 200 billion Hunyuan Unit.
"Since the higher-ups have already decided that I'm nothing but an ant, they might as well listen to the voice of this ant."
" Gui Yi, please wait for me a moment."
"What do you want to do?" Venerable Guiyi asked, puzzled. He felt that the expression in Zhang Junbao's eyes had become terrifying.
"Senior brother, look, this is it."
After saying that, Zhang Junbao separated a wisp of his consciousness and entered the Virtual Universe Network.
In a secret room within Virtual Universe Network, humanity's top leaders are sitting together, discussing how to make arrangements after reclaiming Earth.
At this moment, the conversation between Venerable Guiyi and Zhang Junbao was projected onto a huge virtual screen, which all the high-ranking officials could see clearly.
"What does this Zhang Junbao mean? He claims to possess eight million tons of Hao Lei Amethyst Stone, worth one trillion Hunyuan Unit! Is he provoking us?" An ancient and great being voiced his doubts.
" Zhang Junbao's era was blessed with extraordinary opportunities. Before entering the Purgatory Abyss, he purchased materials worth billions of Hunyuan Unit to forge treasures. This time, when you were acquiring Earth, you only offered a maximum price of 200 billion Hunyuan Unit. Are you really trying to fob off a beggar?" another voice retorted.
"He's just a Domain Lord, where would he get trillions of Hunyuan Unit of wealth? Even King-level Immortal might not possess such a huge amount of wealth. I think he's lying, trying to deceive the human elites and swindle even more money!"
"Could it be that you can't even tell if he's lying? With such poor eyesight, the future of Human Race is worrisome!"
These great beings did not entirely agree with the proposed plan. However, for the future of their people, they had to agree, though dissenting voices also existed. Seeing Zhang Junbao produce such a huge sum of money naturally aroused their discontent.
This is a slap in the face to all the high-ranking human races! The mighty Human Race, one of the six major races in the universe, had its price easily crushed by a mere Domain Lord Level. It's utterly shameful.
"Quiet down, let's see what Zhang Junbao intends to do!" Suddenly a voice rang out, and all the high-ranking officials fell silent.
" Junbao, how is he now?" Upon seeing Zhang Junbao arrive, Hong, Luo Feng, and Thunder God Shen asked anxiously.
" The Virtual Universe Company proposed to buy Earth, Venerable Guiyi is here as a lobbyist."
Zhang Junbao then told the three of them the terms offered by Virtual Universe Company.
After listening, Luo Feng and the other two remained silent for a while.
50 billion Hunyuan Unit!
200 billion Hunyuan Unit!
Regardless of the conditions, it was an astronomical sum for them. Among the three, Luo Feng had the most wealth, but even if he sold all his treasures, he would only have about ten million Hunyuan Unit. Although such wealth was comparable to that of an ordinary Marquis Immortal, it was still a full ten thousand times less than the conditions proposed by the Virtual Universe Company.
" Junbao, which one did you choose?" Luo Feng asked, his face ashen.
This question also reflects the thoughts of Hong and Thunder God. Regardless of the condition, it means that their home planet Earth will be inhabited by countless cosmic races from now on, and Earth will be enslaved, 'nurturing' geniuses for various cosmic powers.
This feeling is like being humiliated by a robber who has broken in and invaded your home, yet you are powerless to resist, which is extremely frustrating.
Zhang Junbao was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't intend to choose either of these two conditions."
Luo Feng raised his head and looked at Zhang Junbao in surprise. He knew that by saying those words, Zhang Junbao was not prepared to obediently follow the arrangements and wanted to rebel against the decision of the human higher-ups.
But is it even possible?
"Is it possible?" Hong asked in a low voice.
He also sought help from the Giant Axe Founder, but the answer he received was the same: impossible.
Even the Giant Axe Founder, the most powerful being among Human Race, said it was impossible. What could Zhang Junbao possibly do?
"We have no choice but to take a gamble. Do you believe in me?"
"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be where we are today. What do you need us for?" Luo Feng said firmly.
"Very well, since that's the case, then follow my instructions. I'm going to usher in the 'Earth's Secret Realm Era'!"
"The Earth's Secret Realm Era? What does that mean?" Hong asked, puzzled.
"Now that Earth's secrets have been exposed to the Human Race's leadership, maintaining the status quo is no longer possible. But I doubt you'd be content to simply allow other alien races to inhabit Earth!"
"Of course!" Thunder God roared in reply.
"Earth has been transformed by powerful Alien Race, making it extremely valuable. I plan to transform it into a secret realm, a top-tier secret realm for the Human Race, like Chaos City!"
Zhang Junbao thought of Viska Star, the place where the Ancestral God had fallen. Even with Viska Star's immense power, it could only eke out a living under the supervision of the Virtual Universe Company. If Earth fell into the hands of the Virtual Universe Company, what difference would there be between it and Viska Star?
"Turning Earth into a secret realm like Chaos City? Wouldn't that still allow alien races to inhabit Earth?" Luo Feng asked.
"Given the current situation, completely isolating ourselves from other races is extremely difficult, unless one of us reaches the level of Universe Master, which is simply impossible now," Zhang Junbao said.
"I believe that Earth doesn't just belong to us, but to all races on Earth. Since the Earth's transformation has been so powerful, capable of giving birth to a few of us, what about the others?"
With sufficient resources invested, it's possible to produce individuals whose geniuses rival those of other universes. If we continue to cultivate talent, given Earth's high rate of genius emergence, we will eventually produce several top-tier geniuses.
"But does Virtual Universe Company just want to watch us cultivate geniuses? If we can't even get past this hurdle, what future can we talk about?" Luo Feng asked.
"That's right, the premise of this plan is that we have enough influence to Human Race leadership take it seriously. My plan is as follows..."
Zhang Junbao explained his plan in detail to Luo Feng and the other two. All three were exceptionally talented and had excellent strategic vision, so they quickly understood Zhang Junbao's meaning.
"If that's the case, it might be feasible. Let's get started!" Luo Feng, Hong, Thunder God Shen nodded and disappeared from the spot.
Seeing the three disappear, Zhang Junbao murmured, " Senior Brother Luanshen, it's all up to you now!"
PS: Thanks to "Tian Xingjian", "Avid Novel Fan 1", and "I am a Pan-Human" for the reward
Today's chapter counts as 13,000 views, so I'll add one extra chapter. I still need 3 more chapters for bonus votes.