Not only had the injuries caused by the magical beasts healed completely, but even the broken arm had been restored to its original state. Moreover, hybrids like fish ants and crocodile ants, formed by fusing genes from seafood caught from the sea, had been birthed. The ant army was growing stronger, and gradually, the nutrients required by the Ant Queen to nurture a king could no longer be satisfied by this sea area.
"I need food of a higher life level!!"
With a single command, the ant army swarmed towards human territories like a plague of locusts! Meanwhile, as the Chimera Ants launched this series of actions, far away on the continent of Ejin, the undisputed overlord of this land, the capital of the Kakin Empire.
After nearly thirty years of wise reforms by the king, Hui Guo Rou, the Kakin Empire was now thriving and vigorous, almost rivaling the five great nations like the V5. In the capital of the Kakin Empire, within the grand palace where the royal family resided, in a room decorated to the utmost extravagance,
Kakin Empire's ruler, King Hui Guo Rou, lay leisurely, his chest bare, on a luxurious leather bed seemingly made from some rare animal. He swirled the mesmerizingly radiant blue and white liquor in his hand, watching with keen interest the pristine crystal screen before him. The screen displayed the scene of Morin and Jed's battle atop the Sky Arena tower that day.
"Squeak?"
Just as Hui Guo Rou was watching with interest, the door to the room gently opened. A tall man with an ancient warrior's topknot and an "X" shaped scar on his face casually walked in. Though his demeanor appeared relaxed, he paused briefly before entering and walked in with light steps, clearly positioning himself as a subordinate.
"Have a seat, Beyond."
Hui Guo Rou's slightly lazy voice sounded as he adjusted his posture, sitting up a bit straighter. "Is there something you need, Beyond?"
"Ah, I'm just here to say that everything has been arranged on the NGL Autonomous State side." Beyond, though seemingly carefree, sat down with measured composure, replying with a laugh. His voice carried a hint of ruggedness and depth.
Both he and Hui Guo Rou shared a common goal, the Dark Continent, making them natural collaborators. However, even among collaborators, there was a hierarchy. Undoubtedly, Hui Guo Rou, with his powerful nation playing a crucial role in the Dark Continent's endeavors, held the dominant position.
Beyond was no fool and understood the implications, especially since his collaborator was a sovereign ruler. Knowing what to do and what not to do, Beyond was tactful. Hui Guo Rou appreciated Beyond's conduct, which always put him at ease.
Moreover, Beyond, being the son of the world's strongest man, Netero, and possessing formidable strength himself, lacked the eccentricities typical of powerful individuals. He was remarkably "sensible" and "mature," without any annoying quirks. To Hui Guo Rou, Beyond was the ideal partner for the Dark Continent venture, bar none.
"Is that so? Everything's arranged, Beyond?"
Hui Guo Rou swirled his wine glass, the captivating glow illuminating the room. "Have the remains of the Chimera Ant been successfully sent to Nampis for this year's auction, Beyond?"
"Yes, everything is proceeding smoothly. Initially, we planned to stir things up in Yorknew City, but it seems many Phantom Beast Hunters, Animal Hunters, Environment Hunters, and Poaching Hunters are already planning to head there."
Beyond spoke at a measured pace. "Even the group called Kite, who had a contract with Kakin, have already gone ahead."
Previously, Kite's team had signed a biological research contract with the Kakin nation, which "coincidentally" expired this month. As Kite was reporting back, they "coincidentally" encountered the transport of the Ant Queen's remains to Nampis. Attracted by the peculiar creature's body, Kite and his group took on the task of investigating the NGL Autonomous State.
"That professional hunter named Kite, his professional skills are quite impressive, right, Beyond?"
Hui Guo Rou asked leisurely. "Yes, judging by his performance, he certainly stands out, fully qualifying as a competent professional hunter."
Beyond chuckled, a rare commendation from him. "It's a pity, Beyond."
Hui Guo Rou sipped his wine, regret evident on his face. "It's a pity we can't recruit someone like him into our team, Beyond."
"No help for it, since he's a disciple of Ging Freecss, Beyond."
Beyond seemed unfazed.
---
The other party is a disciple of Ging Freecss, essentially standing on Ging's side. Beyond knew that Ging Freecss had also been tirelessly involved with matters concerning the Dark Continent. If there was a chance to venture to the Dark Continent, Kite would undoubtedly follow Ging. Beyond had no intention of getting involved unnecessarily unless Ging himself decided to join his team and bring Kite along... But how likely was that?
These thoughts quickly passed through Beyond's mind before he set them aside. "It seems our approach has been quite effective, huh?" Hui Guo Rou remarked, satisfied that even a hunter of Kite's caliber had been drawn in.
Since the Chimera Ants crossed the sea to the Six Continents, they had been under the watchful eye of the Kakin Empire. They hadn't disturbed the Ant Queen or taken any other measures, merely acquiring the severed limbs of the Ant Queen for themselves.
The plan was to send them to the Nampis Dream Auction in Yorknew City, known for having the world's largest collection of auction items. The goal was to stir up interest among Phantom Beast Hunters, Animal Hunters, and others, drawing them to the NGL Republic to test the mettle of these ants.
Even Kite's prior biological research contract with the Kakin Empire and the "coincidental" sighting of the Chimera Ant's remains had been pre-arranged by Kakin. In this world, how could there be so many coincidences?
"Not just Kite, I heard even Ging Freecss's son and the heir of the Zoldyck Family are part of this expedition team," Beyond shared his intel, quite pleased with the lineup.
The more distinguished and well-connected individuals got involved with these ants, the more varied the outcomes would be. This would allow them to better understand the ants and facilitate their development to achieve their goals.
"I see," Hui Guo Rou nodded slightly. "Then it seems there's no need for us to concern ourselves further with the NGL Autonomous State. Just a little necessary attention, and let things develop naturally, right? These creatures from the Dark Continent shouldn't disappoint me."
Hui Guo Rou spoke with a calm tone, exuding a subtle aura of authority. Afterward, he noticed Beyond's gaze shifting to the crystal screen, captivated by the battle scene, and couldn't help but chuckle while scratching his belly, "Quite a spectacular battle, isn't it? Far superior to those in the Sky Arena."
He placed his wine glass on a nearby table, picked up another crystal glass filled with alluring liquor, and offered it to Beyond. "The one with the silver hair, that's Jed, right? A contemporary of your father? I saw him mentioned in the reports from our agents in the Voyage Hall."
"Ah, indeed, he's from the same generation as the old man. I've pried some secrets from him before."
"By rights, Jed was sent off by the old man himself, yet here he is, resurrected. Is this the so-called power of grudges?"
Beyond accepted the wine glass, swirling it gently while watching the battle on the screen, chuckling, "Hmph, Nen, or rather, the life energy, aura, of a person is truly a mysterious thing!"
Perhaps recalling their royal egg ceremony, Hui Guo Rou let out a laugh with an ambiguous meaning. Then, he saw Beyond take a sip of the luminous, enticing liquor, a look of delight crossing his face. He comfortably reclined back onto the soft bed, smiling, "What do you think of that person?"
He focused on Morin, who was currently facing off against Jed on the screen. "That's actually the main reason I came to see you," Beyond grinned, placing the crystal glass aside with a serious expression. "I wanted to ask, King Hui Guo Rou, what do you think of him?"
"Me?" Hui Guo Rou looked at the screen, seemingly indifferent, "I would like to recruit him to our Kakin Empire to serve the royal family. But given his skills and nature, I suspect he would resist such an arrangement."
"And there's also his background. Being from Meteor City, people like him naturally have a conflicting stance against state authority, not to mention he's a notorious member of the Phantom Troupe. Even if someone like that joined the empire, I wouldn't feel at ease."
Compared to the V5's interest in Morin's tools, Hui Guo Rou was more concerned with Morin's identity, a matter of principle. Although Hui Guo Rou acknowledged the wonder of Morin's tools, he was confident that their own royal egg ceremony was equally miraculous, if not superior. This was Hui Guo Rou's confidence, or perhaps arrogance.
"So?" Hui Guo Rou looked at Beyond, who was listening intently, "I have no other ambitions, but since he has a good relationship with your father, Netero, wouldn't you consider approaching him as Netero's son?"
"Even though I heard he declined your invitation before, perhaps a different approach or identity might yield a different outcome?"
Hui Guo Rou suggested, and Beyond smirked. It was precisely because Morin had a good relationship with his father, Netero, that he was reluctant to leverage Netero's name.
Not that it was impossible, but if they did connect and Morin, full of expectations, found a stark contrast in style between him and the old man, leading to disappointment... that wouldn't be ideal. Not to mention, during the meeting to confirm the Zodiac Twelve, Morin had publicly exposed Saiyu's relationship with him and even mentioned his name.