"Shanhai"! This name comes from a strange record in Shenzhou, and it was the first name Bai Hao thought of when he created the organization.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas recorded various rare and exotic beasts in the world, like the "Zhen": The Zhen is a mythical beast from ancient Shenzhou legends; there is a beast on Zhang'e Mountain, which looks like a red leopard, with five tails and one horn, its sound is like striking a stone, and its name is Zhen.
The general meaning is: In ancient Shenzhou, there was a mountain called Zhang'e Mountain. It is said that this mountain was barren and inhabited by many strange beasts. One of them was the Zhen; its sound was like the clang of striking stone, it had a single horn growing from the center of its face, five tails, and was entirely crimson with a leopard-like physique.
Thinking of this, Bai Hao recalled when he first created this base. It was incredibly difficult then; he was all alone, and he essentially completed the excavation and placement of the cave digging machines by himself.
It was only after completing the basics that he first created the "Zhen"; otherwise, who knows how long he would have had to wait.
Thinking of this, Bai Hao remembered Grey Serpent's system intrusion ability: "Xiezhi, has Grey Serpent done anything to you since he arrived here?"
A mechanical voice echoed in the hall, it was the AI created by Bai Hao: "No, Lord of Shan Hai, and you should have faith in Xiezhi."
Xiezhi's tone was somewhat displeased. As an AI manufactured by Previous Civilization technology, if she were to be invaded by a product of current civilization technology, then she would have no business existing.
A phantom figure of a young girl appeared before Bai Hao, arms crossed, looking at him with a hint of displeasure.
Why would an AI have emotions? Even Ai-chan on the Hyperion is an emotional AI, and since Xiezhi was created by Bai Hao using Previous Civilization technology, how could she not have them?
Xiezhi wore a sky-blue dress, her dark hair cascaded to her waist, and her black pupils were filled with unhappiness.
Clearly, Bai Hao's question made her feel that her professionalism was being underestimated by the Lord of Shan Hai.
"What's wrong? Is little Xiezhi angry?"
Xiezhi immediately retorted with dissatisfaction: "The Lord of Shan Hai questioned Xiezhi's professionalism, Xiezhi is very unhappy, and don't call me little!"
Xiezhi bared her teeth and glared at Bai Hao, threatening him fiercely, but it had no real deterrent effect; instead, she looked quite adorable.
"Alright, alright, I won't call you that anymore."
"Hmph! Lord of Shan Hai, Zhen has brought Grey Serpent over."
Xiezhi's tsundere expression instantly changed to one of respect. No matter what, the Lord of Shan Hai was her own, and she couldn't let outsiders laugh at them, so she definitely had to show respect.
Bai Hao looked at Xiezhi's lightning-fast change in expression and couldn't help but sigh: "Can't you, girl, learn from Zhen and be more respectful to me?"
Xiezhi rolled her eyes at Bai Hao, her meaning clear: You're dreaming.
Bai Hao had no choice in the matter; after all, with his abilities, he could only create what he had. If Xiezhi broke down, he would be left stomping his feet in frustration.
"Lord of Shan Hai, Grey Serpent has been brought."
Bai Hao waved his hand at Zhen, indicating he could withdraw, and only then did Zhen leave the hall.
Bai Hao looked at Grey Serpent, who was holding an umbrella and wearing a mask. Grey Serpent likewise looked at the person before him, clad in a black cloak and a golden mask.
Is this the Lord of Shan Hai? This oppressive, powerless feeling, I've only felt it from the Lord of Shan Hai. Who exactly is this Lord of Shan Hai?
Bai Hao looked at him and said: "I'm very curious, why does World Serpent want to cooperate with my Shanhai? With World Serpent's capabilities, isn't anything you want easily within reach?"
"The Lord of Shan Hai jokes, the current World Serpent is not as powerful as you say. In comparison, World Serpent is still inferior to the behemoth that is Schicksal."
Bai Hao nodded. Although Schicksal hasn't been established for a particularly long time, because of the Void Archives, its technological level is already on par with Shanhai at this time.
"That's true, Schicksal's power is indeed immense, and it possesses several Divine Keys. But, what does this have to do with our cooperation?"
"Naturally, it has no relation, but I think I have something here that you might be very interested in."
Hearing his words, Bai Hao couldn't help but feel a little curious.
"Oh? Something that could interest me?"
Grey Serpent's lips curved upwards, then he pulled out a stick from the long sleeve behind him—a stick with golden stripes and red crystals.
Seeing this stick, Bai Hao suddenly stood up, a reaction that startled Xiezhi beside him.
Grey Serpent saw Bai Hao's reaction and felt an increased respect for Kevin in his heart. Sure enough, as the Lord of Shan Hai said, this stick could indeed be used as a bargaining chip for cooperation. He just didn't know what this stick was for? It could actually move the Lord of Shan Hai, whose strength was so close to the Lord of Shan Hai.
"This stick is called Blood Gold; the Lord of Shan Hai asked me to bring it. According to the Lord of Shan Hai, this weapon should find its true owner."
That's right, this stick was Bai Hao's weapon, the Blood Gold Spear. After the war fifty thousand years ago, the Blood Gold had disappeared after Bai Hao's defeat, and he hadn't expected it to be with Kevin.
Bai Hao reached out, and the Blood Gold Spear, as if sensing Bai Hao's summons, flew into his hand, emitting a cheerful hum, like a child finding its parent.
"Old friend, long time no see!"
"Buzz~"
As if responding to Bai Hao, the Blood Gold Spear trembled a few times. Bai Hao put the Blood Gold Spear into his Stigmata Space and looked at Grey Serpent.
"Shanhai agrees to World Serpent's cooperation. I know your intention is nothing more than Herrscher Cores. Don't worry, if Shanhai has any, we will naturally give them to you, World Serpent."
Bai Hao said this, but it was impossible for him to hand over the Herrscher Cores completely. At most, he would extract a portion of their power for them, and then create a fake one to pass off as real.
"In that case, I wish us pleasant cooperation."
"Pleasant cooperation."
...
"Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling."
In front of a two-story villa, Bai Hao stood at the door, carrying a large bag of things.
After leaving the Shanhai Base, Bai Hao went to the supermarket to buy some things, and then headed to Mei's house.
Footsteps came from inside the house, and the next moment the door opened. Mei, wearing an apron, stood behind the door, looking at Bai Hao: "Welcome back."
In that instant, Bai Hao had the feeling of a husband returning home from work, being greeted by his wife.
This feeling made Bai Hao a little uncomfortable, but upon closer thought, it didn't seem entirely impossible. Mei was already beautiful, and coupled with her excellent cooking and gentle personality, she was indeed very captivating.
But then he remembered his plan; if he truly got together with Mei, she would be very sad in the end.
Thinking of this, Bai Hao shook the thoughts from his head.
"I bought some drinks, beer, and some food. You and Kiana shouldn't touch the beer; it's better for girls not to drink."
Mei nodded and took the bag from Bai Hao's hand.
In the living room, Kiana was sprawled on the sofa, watching TV, a posture that made Bai Hao's eyebrows twitch.
"Kiana, don't just watch TV on the sofa, come and help."
Mei looked at Kiana lying on the sofa, utterly speechless, and Bai Hao was even more speechless when he heard Mei's words.
To let someone from the Kaslana family into the kitchen, it would probably mean having to change rooms to sleep that very night, and the kind with white-clad nurses taking care of you.
Although the nurses are very nice, the white-clad ones can be skipped, I'm afraid the handsome white-clad guys will tell me I won't see tomorrow's sun.
Seeing Kiana's excited face, Bai Hao quickly stopped her: "Wait a minute! Kiana, you should just sit in the living room and wait. Mei and I are enough for the kitchen."
"Huh? Why? You stinky Bai Hao, are you looking down on This Miss?"
Mei also looked confused. Wasn't it just asking Kiana to come into the kitchen to help carry dishes? Was that not allowed?
Bai Hao saw Mei's blank yet inquisitive expression and felt his heart skip a beat.
That's not right, why didn't I feel this way when facing Mei, but I do when facing Mei? No! Now is not the time to think about this.
Bai Hao turned his head to look at Kiana, only to find that she had already walked into the kitchen.
"!!! A Kaslana is in the kitchen! Take cover!"
After saying that, he pulled Mei behind the sofa. Mei's face flushed; this was the first time she had been held by a male other than her father.
But seeing Bai Hao's strange behavior, Mei no longer cared about her shyness: "What's wrong? Why can't Kiana go into the kitchen?"
"Heh heh, it's not that Kiana can't go into the kitchen, it's that a Kaslana can't go into the kitchen! As for why, you'll find out in a moment!"
However, no sooner had he spoken than...
"Bang!"
An explosion sounded, and Mei stared blankly at the kitchen, from which black smoke slowly drifted out.
This was just Kiana carrying dishes; what if she were to cook!!
Mei shivered all over and immediately decided that Kiana would never be allowed in the kitchen again!