The solemn atmosphere Pope Hall completely changed after Qingque appeared.
At first, people could still hear some explanations and pleas for mercy, but as time went on, only screams continued to come from the depths of the hall.
" My Lord Diviner, I truly know I was wrong!"
"Isn't this how I try to maintain the image of Xianzhou native even in another world?"
"Besides, I didn't do anything particularly serious. I just played Celestial Jade for a few days, didn't I?"
Qingque's voice sounded full of grievance.
However, no one dared to speak up for her.
After all, everyone present knew very well that Qingque's problem this time was not the card game itself, but that after Divination Commission used a lot of resources to find her, she herself was living very comfortably in another world, and had even established good card-playing relationships with the locals.
Especially Fu Xuan.
She had been using the Matrix of Prescience to deduce the location of the Qingque, expecting to find a missing person trapped in an unknown world, awaiting rescue.
Upon finding them, it was discovered that the person was not only not in danger, but had also successfully integrated into local life.
They adapted even faster than many formal diplomats.
After a short while, the Pope Hall finally returned to silence.
Fu Xuan straightened his sleeves and walked out from the depths of the main hall. Qingque followed behind, clearly having lost the spirit she had when playing the Celestial Jade earlier. She lowered her head, looking like she was admitting her mistake but dared not speak.
Fu Xuan looked at everyone and coughed lightly.
"Please excuse my poor appearance."
Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong, and Himeko all tacitly avoided mentioning what had just happened.
Fu Xuan regained the dignity befitting a Grand Diviner and looked at the documents on the table. "Regarding the situation on the Douluo Continent, I will compile a report and submit it to the Xianzhou Alliance. This involves spatial rifts, unknown civilizations, and the intervention of star-sea forces; it's no longer a matter that a single Divination Commission can decide."
Whether to establish deeper ties in the future needs to be discussed jointly by the general and the marshal.
Qian Daoliu nodded. " The Spirit Hall will await a formal response from the Xianzhou."
After a brief exchange, Fu Xuan did not linger.
She needs to return to Luofu as soon as possible to give a full report on the situation in the Douluo Continent, and at the same time, she also needs to explain an extremely important piece of information to the higher-ups of the Xianzhou.
This world, which has never appeared on a star map, is not an ordinary, unknown civilization.
It has been drawn into the changes of the cosmos.
Qingque, on the other hand, will remain on the Douluo Continent for the time being as part of the Xianzhou.
Of course, Qingque herself did not show any resistance to this decision.
After all, compared to going back to face a mountain of work, continuing to research the Celestial Jade in the Douluo Continent was clearly more in line with her life plan.
However, the look Fu Xuan gave her before leaving made it very clear to Qingque that she would likely have a lot of work to do when she returned to Luofu.
Meanwhile, in the distant sea of stars.
Headquarters of Interastral Peace Corporation.
The advance team sent by the Market Development Department has returned and submitted all the collected data.
Inside the huge conference hall, images of the Douluo Continent were continuously playing on the projection screen.
From the initial village surveys to the Spirit Hall's observations, and then to those humans capable of unleashing special powers, all the data was compiled into a report.
The staff member responsible for the report stood in the center of the meeting.
"Preliminary investigations confirm that there are no known traces of Aeon activity on this planet, nor have any relics of civilizations directly influenced by Aeon been discovered."
"This civilization has a low overall technological level, lacks interstellar travel capabilities, and has not yet entered the stage of cosmic civilization."
"But this planet possesses a unique power system."
The images on the screen change.
Scenes of Soul Master releasing their Martial Soul, Soul Ring appearing, and Soul Skill erupting appear one after another.
"Based on the information currently collected, the individuals within this civilization possess combat capabilities far exceeding those of ordinary life forms, with some individuals even reaching a high level."
"In addition, the planet possesses a variety of unique mineral resources, some of which have high research value in the company's database."
The reporter paused for a moment.
"Based on a comprehensive assessment, this planet possesses high commercial development value."
A brief silence fell over the meeting room.
For a company, a civilization that lacks interstellar travel capabilities but possesses unique resources and a superhuman power system represents a huge potential for profit.
Soon, the question of how to handle the Douluo Continent issue was presented to the board of directors.
Oswaldo Schneider, head of the Market Development Department, was the first to propose his own solution.
"Based on the current situation, this is a primitive planet that has not yet come into contact with the stars."
"They lack a mature understanding of the universe, and they also lack the ability to resist external forces."
Oswaldo looked at the Spirit City projected on the screen, his tone calm.
"Faced with such a civilization, the company doesn't need to waste time on lengthy negotiations. Directly incorporating it into the company's management and establishing a resource development system can maximize the protection of the company's interests."
"They possess a unique power system, meaning their individual value far exceeds that of ordinary civilizations. Allowing other forces to make contact could actually create uncontrollable risks."
His words reflected the consistent style of the Market Development Department.
Discover value, seize it quickly.
However, Diamond from the Strategic Investment Department disagreed.
Diamond's voice was calm, yet unwavering.
I disagree.
"Although this civilization has not yet entered the interstellar age, that does not mean it has no value."
"According to the report submitted by the advance team, this planet possesses a complete social structure, an independent civilization system, and a unique power distinct from our known technological systems."
Diamond, looking at the records about Soul Master and Martial Soul projected on the screen, continued, "The fact that they were able to reach this level through their own development, without ever coming into contact with the Star Sea, demonstrates that this civilization possesses unique developmental potential."
"If the company directly resorts to coercive measures, it will not only disrupt the local cultural structure but may also lead to numerous unknown risks."
"More importantly, we currently do not know their true power ceiling."
The people in the conference room fell silent.
Diamond continued, "The initial method of contact with an unknown civilization determines the potential gains. If we choose oppression from the start, all we'll get in return is hostility and resistance."
"Compared to direct possession, I believe that establishing cooperative relationships and gradually developing resources through investment, trade, and resource exchange is the most profitable solution in the long run."
"The value of this planet lies not only in its resources, but also in its unique development path."
"We should view this as a long-term investment, not a simple act of resource plunder."
Two drastically different proposals sparked debate within the board of directors.
One side believes that this is a resource-rich planet waiting to be developed.
The other side believes that this is a strategic investment that requires long-term commitment.
Ultimately, after discussion, the board of directors selected the proposal put forward by Diamond.
Douluo Continent will not be directly brought under the company's control.
Instead, the Strategic Investment Department is responsible for making contacts, with collaborative development as the main focus.
Diamond has officially taken over the follow-up mission.
Meanwhile, the Xianzhou Luofu.
Upon his return, Fu Xuan immediately submitted information about the Douluo Continent to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
After reading the entire report, Jing Yuan remained silent for a long time.
"A world that has never encountered Aeon has simultaneously attracted the attention of Borisin, the Astral Express, and the company."
Jing Yuan put down the documents in his hand and his gaze fell on one of the records.
That's about Lin Yuan.
Fu Xuan stood to the side, his expression serious.
"It can now be confirmed that the earliest traces of the starry Path in that world did not originate directly from any known Aeon."
"But he is someone who follows the path of the Hunt."
Jing Yuan gently tapped the table.
"In a world yet to step into the sea of stars, the first to appear were the worshippers on the Hunt."
He looked out the window at the vast starry sky.
"Interesting."
"It seems that this planet called Douluo Continent will not have a peaceful future."