Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce both looked shocked. Their hesitation stemmed from the A-level metal weapon trading rights being an insufficient bargaining chip.
After all, it was merely trading rights; even if they obtained them, they would still need to pay to purchase the A-level metal.
Jun Moce asked in a low voice, "Left Leader Zuo, what additional bargaining chip are you prepared to offer?"
Left Leader Zuo slowly raised his eyes, tapping his fingers on the table, producing a crisp sound. His gaze swept between the two, as if weighing how to begin.
A moment later, he slowly said:
"Our Firefly can make both of you Super Individuals with strength comparable to Nine-Bar Zombies."
Before Left Leader Zuo finished speaking, Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce's expressions changed drastically.
Pan Yeluo's pupils suddenly contracted, and his breathing momentarily hitched. Jun Moce's face instantly became unreadable. What did the power of a Nine-Bar Zombie signify?
That was the symbol of the current pinnacle of human combat strength. Could Firefly truly achieve this?
A monstrous wave surged in the hearts of Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce. Left Leader Zuo quietly watched their shocked expressions, knowing in his heart that they were tempted.
"Left Leader Zuo, what do you mean by that?"
Jun Moce's voice was deep, his eyes flickering with complex light.
Left Leader Zuo's lips curled slightly as he slowly said:
"The meaning is simple: the bargaining chip I'm adding is the ability to make both of you Super Individuals with strength comparable to Nine-Bar Zombies. However, the prerequisite is that you must provide intelligence of equivalent value. Of course, you can also confirm this first. The leaders of H City's Three Overlord Powers are all Super Individuals now, and they are currently on the outskirts of the Void Land. You can go and confirm whether this is true right now."
Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce exchanged glances, their eyes filled with unconcealed shock. Becoming Super Individuals with strength comparable to Nine-Bar Zombies made their breathing quicken, and their hearts seemed to skip a beat.
Left Leader Zuo's words were like a heavy bomb, exploding in their hearts, almost making them unable to breathe.
Pan Yeluo's fingers unconsciously gripped the armrest of his chair, his knuckles turning white, while Jun Moce lowered his eyes, as if deep in thought.
Left Leader Zuo's lips curved slightly upward, a glint of certainty flashing in his eyes as he slowly said:
"Shui Rou, please take the two leaders to Mao Wudi, Rou Moyu, and Tie Zhenshan to confirm this. Once confirmed, we can then discuss the details of our cooperation."
Da Yuanyuan nodded, stood up, and made a gesture of invitation. Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce exchanged glances, then rose and followed Da Yuanyuan out of the conference room.
Left Leader Zuo watched them leave, his expression calm as usual, his fingertips still gently tapping the tabletop. The reason he threw out the Super Individual bargaining chip was because Left Leader Zuo was also extremely interested in E City's potions.
The failed potions he obtained could already create Super Individuals. If he could get truly successful potions, it would be of great help to his research on perfect individuals.
He believed Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce would definitely be tempted. After all, becoming a Super Individual meant they would possess strength beyond ordinary people, a power sufficient to give them absolute authority in chaotic times.
Moreover, they were already in competition, and their relationship was already delicate. Now that this bargaining chip was presented, it would be difficult for them not to be tempted and impossible to refuse. Otherwise, if their opponent became a Super Individual, they would forever be at a disadvantage, or even be annexed.
As for Yin Jiu, although he was Pan Yeluo's subordinate, Left Leader Zuo did not intend to mention him. In negotiations between such powers, bringing up personal grievances would be too childish. Moreover, Yin Jiu was currently just a minor character and not worth discussing at such a level.
Left Leader Zuo remained alone in the conference room, the tapping of his fingertips particularly clear in the suddenly empty space.
One tap, then another, with a rhythm that suggested control over the entire situation.
His face was as calm as water, but a sharp glint flashed in his deep eyes.
Throwing out the "Super Individual" as the ultimate bargaining chip was a calculated gamble after careful consideration, and the effect was as shocking as expected.
He could almost imagine the turbulent waves in the hearts of those two figures who commanded the winds and clouds in E City—the ultimate desire for power, and the deep fear of being preempted by the other party. These two emotions intertwined were enough to destroy any dam of their hesitation.
"Pan Yeluo..." Left Leader Zuo silently chewed on the name.
The Laboratory, Ye Wenwen, failed potions... all clues pointed to Mo Wentianya.
But Jun Moce's momentary abnormality and equally deep hesitation revealed that Jun Lintianxia was by no means uninvolved.
It seemed these two factions were already intertwined in potion research. This "tacit understanding" was truly intriguing.
A moment later, the door was gently pushed open.
Shui Rou walked in first, her expression calm, but with a hint of inquiry deep in her eyes as she looked at Left Leader Zuo. Pan Yeluo and Jun Moce followed closely behind.
Their expressions were completely different from when they had left.
Pan Yeluo's usual smooth smile had vanished, replaced by an almost pale solemnity. His lips were tightly pressed, and deep in his eyes, a huge shock and a desperate resolve, as if pushed to the edge of a cliff, churned.
Although Jun Moce still maintained his outward composure, his tightly furrowed brows and slightly quickened breathing betrayed the intense turmoil within him.
The terrifying, undeniable Nine-Bar level pressure emanating from Mao Wudi, Rou Moyu, and Tie Zhenshan—the three overlords of H City—was like three invisible mountains, completely crushing the last shred of their luck and doubt.
Firefly truly possessed the technology to create walking Nine-Bar Zombies!
They silently returned to their seats, their movements slightly stiff. The air in the conference room seemed to have turned into a viscous liquid; every breath carried a heavy pressure.
Shui Rou silently returned to her seat beside Left Leader Zuo, as quiet as if she didn't exist, yet she added an invisible confidence to Left Leader Zuo.
Left Leader Zuo did not speak immediately, only watched them calmly, his gaze like a tangible force, piercing through all their psychological defenses.
He waited patiently for either of them to utter the secret held captive by heavy chains.
Finally, Pan Yeluo took a deep breath, as if expending all his strength. He raised his eyes, met Left Leader Zuo's sharp, knife-like gaze, and his voice was dry and hoarse, with a sense of burning bridges:
"Left Leader Zuo... we... can talk. But I hope to talk alone."
Jun Moce glanced at Pan Yeluo, his meaning clear: he didn't want Pan Yeluo to hear the upcoming conversation.
"Left Leader Zuo, I also wish to speak with you alone," Pan Yeluo responded similarly.
Both spoke almost simultaneously, and the atmosphere suddenly solidified.
Left Leader Zuo smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "Very well, then we'll talk separately."
With that, Left Leader Zuo slowly rose, his gaze sweeping lightly between the two, as if he had already seen through their thoughts.
After speaking with the two separately, Left Leader Zuo's expression was as calm as water when he returned to the conference room.
He slowly sat down and said:
"Gentlemen, since we have already spoken privately, now it is time to lay all matters on the table. Of course, regarding your respective secrets, I will not speak of them."
He continued:
"Gentlemen, since I mentioned that Super Individuals were my bargaining chip, I naturally will not go back on my word. Once you provide the research data and samples, I will immediately arrange for your evolution;
As for the A-level metal weapon trade, you can discuss the details with Shui Rou. But there is one thing I hope you will comply with—that is, if I detect any behavior of yours involving manufacturing and catalyzing pathogens to exchange for A-level metal weapons, I will definitely impose sanctions."
Left Leader Zuo's words were like a heavy hammer, striking their hearts. They exchanged glances, seeing deep apprehension and a subtle sense of relief in each other's eyes.
Pan Yeluo slowly nodded, his voice deep but firm: "Left Leader Zuo's conditions, we accept." Jun Moce also said nothing more, only nodded slightly, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.