Chapter 633: As long as Li Hao needs them, the ants are always there

"Heh, Xilian, you need to think about what you're doing. Isn't it Princess Hermia? Look, what you're doing is a major affair of state, and Haosen is the biggest obstacle in your path. If you're going to haggle over this tiny bit of compensation I'm asking for, what else can you accomplish? The enemy of an enemy is a friend. If you can't afford the price, do you think Haosen can? Besides, this is your family's goal, or even the Seventh Art's goal, not just your personal one. You don't need to play the victim with me. For a job that risks one's life like this, if we weren't old friends and I didn't still feel a bit of guilt toward you, I would really have to weigh this carefully. Do you think I'm a pushover? After this matter is over, we'll be square, and don't bring up the past again," Li Hao said with a wave of his hand, acting domineering.

Defatandisi watched Li Hao's performance. Regardless, the words made sense, and he knew he couldn't hide things from Li Hao, though he only knew the tip of the iceberg. Others could see it too. The reason he chose Li Hao, besides his strength, was that Li Hao wouldn't become his competitor. Not to mention his status, Li Hao's girlfriend A Youyou alone was a hurdle he couldn't clear. And based on his understanding of Li Hao, while this person was despicable, shameless, cruel, and insidious, he was truly good to those around him and a bit protective of his own. This was also an important reason for considering him. As for the possibility of him leaning toward Haosen, it was extremely low; as long as Li Hao had a choice, he wouldn't. He was certain of this.

"I agree to this condition," Defatandisi said. Five spaceships were a massive deal for Li Hao and the Human race, but for the Cthulhu Family, it wasn't particularly difficult. Although the cost was a bit high, compared to what needed to be done, it was still a very worthwhile investment.

……

Li Hao felt he had lost out; Xilian had agreed a bit too readily. Damn, this was the disadvantage of being inexperienced; he simply didn't know what price the other party actually cared about. But if he could get five spaceships, that was good enough. And killing two birds with one stone—this was feasible!

"Don't feel like you lost out. I will have the family look after the Humans in the Seventh Art. Our cooperation is premised on you winning. If you succeed, I can even gift you a batch of Celestial Armament," Defatandisi said. Seeing Li Hao about to speak, he quickly waved his hand, "Don't ask for anything else for the freebies."

Li Hao didn't dawdle. He opened the Star Swift and pulled up the Galaxy Contract. Defatandisi was speechless; he learned fast. No wonder the courses he signed up for were so practical. He had been waiting for this.

The two completed the contract very readily, and both were very satisfied with the terms.

"I will arrange the specific occasion," Defatandisi said. "There is a special event next month that is very suitable for you to make a move. You had best prepare during this time. Haosen's Zouhuo talent and level are quite high; he is not easy to deal with."

"As long as you're willing to pay more, you can choose the posture he lies down in," Li Hao smiled slightly. Defatandisi also smiled. He hoped Li Hao would always remain this confident, rather than being a frog in a well.

Regardless of success or failure, it was no loss to him. If Li Hao lost, he would have nothing, and he could consider it a resolution to the past. Haosen would absolutely not let Li Hao go, and it also annoyed Haosen—there was no downside.

Neither of the two felt any reluctance upon leaving the restaurant, and both were in excellent moods.

Not to mention what Xilian would send, five ring-shaped spaceships—damn, he was almost drooling. Plus the 800 sets of high-grade Celestial Armament from Helena's side, Kepler could form a basic combat force. They wouldn't be completely passive and just take a beating. The mecha were also being innovated; although they couldn't compare to Celestial Armament in one-on-one fights, human-wave tactics were still useful. Of course, this method wasn't ideal; he still had to update their military equipment as soon as possible. This feeling of being suppressed by dimensional reduction was too unbearable.

However, Xilian's remark just now reminded him. Given his relationship with Helena, he should be able to take this opportunity to make a few requests and get some people into the Ruling. Action was better than thought; Li Hao immediately dialed Helena's Star Swift.

"Committee Member Helena, I have something to discuss," Li Hao said, all smiles.

Helena frowned slightly. She hadn't researched anything out of him last time, and this time, taking the opportunity to forge Celestial Armament for him, she had studied him thoroughly again. It was currently known that he possessed the miraculous ability to change Spirit wavebands; such a strange occurrence seemed extremely rare in the history of the Celestial. Of course, knowing many things was useless; one had to be precise to have lethality. As for the rest, there was nothing more special. Fronzo seemed very interested in the Human concept of cold weapons.

"What is it?"

"I've looked into Haosen's situation. He is a tyrant in the Ruling. I'm afraid he won't accept a challenge from me alone. If I'm worn down by his subordinates, I might not be able to use my full strength when fighting him. After all, he isn't an Orc; it's not like I can fight him whenever I want," Li Hao said cautiously. He couldn't be too cowardly, nor too rigid; he had to consider the client's needs.

"What do you want? We cannot intervene in this matter," Helena also knew what the other party said made a lot of sense. In formal occasions, Haosen wouldn't easily accept a challenge. Even if provoked intentionally, people like Lavitan would step in to take it, especially since Li Hao still had a certain amount of influence now.

"We Humans have a few Warriors who are very fierce. In other Anthems, is there any way to transfer them to our Ruling Anthem? And the sooner the better. That way, I'll have more confidence," Li Hao said.

"Are you sure?" Helena was somewhat skeptical. It seemed Humans had only produced one freak like Li Hao; were the others just making up the numbers?

"I'm sure!"

Helena pondered for a while. Given Li Hao's combat power, Helena also felt it was somewhat credible. And if the Humans acted together, it wouldn't implicate others. "Fine, but there are only two exchange quotas left this year. You pick the two strongest, and I'll handle it. They must be the strongest!"

Helena had to remind him. These were the privileges of the Sacred Song Committee leaders, usually used for important purposes when exchanged. This time, she was betting everything on this Human.

"Cheng Konghai, Chizu Anthem; Luo Bi, Heavenly Dragon Anthem," Li Hao said.

"Alright, I've noted it down."

Helena hung up the Star Swift. She was a decisive person and immediately made the arrangements.

Li Hao looked up at the starry sky and took a deep breath. His mood instantly improved even more. After more than a year of training, with the personality of an ant, he should have gained some insights. As for the other one, Luo Bi, that kid's Spirit was typically fire-attributed, but he ended up in the Seventh Art. Under such intense pressure, his progress shouldn't be bad either.

Flying alone is never as fun as flying together.

Returning to his residence, he took a shower and had just rested for a while when his Star Swift rang wildly. As soon as he opened it, he heard Luo Bi's super-loud voice, "Second Brother, wuu wuu, Second Brother, you finally remembered me! I knew it, you still love me the most."

"Damn, get lost, are you sick?" Li Hao felt a wave of goosebumps.

"Haha, Second Brother, I've already received the news. I'll set off for the Ruling tomorrow. Wuu wuu, I feel unprecedented happiness," Luo Bi roared excitedly.

Li Hao was also speechless. Was Helena's efficiency this high?

What he felt was a huge trouble was actually just a matter of a single sentence once it reached Helena's position and the standing of the Ozil Empire. Those in power don't need reasons.

"Relax, relax. I'm going to see if you've made any progress; otherwise, you'll have it coming," Li Hao said.

Luo Bi couldn't hide his ecstasy. The Heavenly Dragon Anthem was mainly ice-based, and there were very few fire-types; he even felt a bit of discrimination. But Luo Bi was the type to grow stronger the more he was frustrated, full of passion. It was just that the Solar System's policies and the general environment gave him no way to release it. Going to the Ruling, the holy land for fire-type Warriors, and with Second Brother there—most importantly, he loved watching Second Brother act cool.

There was still one night left; he had to find Chao Qinglong and the others for a proper farewell meal. Second Brother was indeed the one who cared about him the most.

Cheng Konghai of the Chizu Anthem also received the news. He wasn't lonely at all in the Chizu Anthem; he fought every day. Although his merit in the Anthem rose very slowly, he had already established his prestige among the Insectoids who revered the strong. To put it this way, he was more like an Insectoid than the Insectoids themselves. His nickname was still Ant, a type of insect of the Humans.

And don't say, Cheng Konghai had even made a few Insectoid friends. Now that he was going to the Ruling, Cheng Konghai knew it was time to get down to business. He had waited a year, training desperately, fighting regardless of everything, because he knew very well that when Second Brother started to act, it was time for him to play his part.

He had been preparing all along. Recently, Second Brother's Saint Song Expedition, the rebuilding of the Hunter, and other signs all hinted that Second Brother was about to make a move. Others might not know, but he understood very well.

What Star Alliance, what aliens—sooner or later, they would all submit at the feet of the Apocalypse!

The Ant had always been this persistent, this simple. Now it was starting. He just left a message for Li Hao; he wouldn't be like Luo Bi, and there was no ceremony. He simply packed his luggage and set off that very day, without any reluctance.

As long as Li Hao needed him, he would always be there.

Upon learning that Cheng Konghai and Luo Bi had completed the procedures and were about to set off, Li Hao was also in a good mood. The hard times were finally over. Although it was a transaction, Li Hao liked a cooperative partner as straightforward as Helena. He would just have to sacrifice Haosen.

I wonder if there's anyone else who finds me an eyesore...

(End of chapter)