Qi Lingshan’s face showed surprise when he saw the young man in military uniform surrounded at the center. He couldn’t help but say, “Why is it him?”
Hearing Qi Lingshan’s words, Shen Feng asked in a low voice, “Do you know this person? Is he very powerful?”
Gong Changfa and Qin Kewei also began to listen carefully. They were also very interested in the protagonist of this banquet. It was clear from his appearance that this guy was a core figure among North America’s ability users, otherwise, so many ability users wouldn’t be revolving around him.
Qi Lingshan explained in a low voice, “I don’t know if this guy is powerful, but his family behind him is very powerful. Do you know the Colin Deng family? Before the apocalypse, he was often in the newspapers. He can be said to be the heir of the Colin Deng family, a prominent family in North America. Whether it’s wealth, status, or even power, they can have whatever they want!”
Qi Lingshan had been living abroad before, so he knew many things that others didn’t. As he immediately revealed what he knew, everyone became cautious.
The world was divided by national borders, so many people only knew about countries but knew very little about other matters. In fact, there were many ancient families in the world that possessed immense wealth. For people in these families, fame and power were easily attainable.
The history of these families could be traced back four hundred years, to the era of European global colonization. Then, some bold and meticulous individuals stood out from this era, accumulating wealth that would last for dozens of generations. After that, these families gradually retreated behind the scenes, controlling politics and the military. On the surface, governments controlled the countries, but in reality, these behind-the-scenes families influenced politics. It could be said that even if the countries were destroyed, these great families would not be affected and could continue to exist.
Shen Feng’s worldview was refreshed when he learned this news from Qi Lingshan. So, there really were such prominent families in the world. He used to think they were all fabricated in novels. It seemed that the world was not equal, and reincarnation was an art. As long as one could be reincarnated into a prominent family, they could live a life of worry-free leisure, doing whatever they pleased.
Just then, the young man in military uniform also noticed Gong Changfa and the others. He immediately bid farewell to the people around him and walked towards them with a glass of red wine.
“Hello, my name is Tom. My current military rank is Lieutenant General, but I believe I can continue to rise. You can just call me by my name.” Tom extended his hand to shake hands with everyone. His face was full of humility, and his demeanor was quite polite.
Gong Changfa shook hands with him and said, “Gong Changfa, captain of the ability users from the Heavenly Selection Bureau.”
Qin Kewei also shook hands afterward, “Qin Kewei! Currently, the captain of the ability users from the Ability Administration Bureau!”
Shen Feng was also about to introduce himself when shaking hands, but Tom spoke up at this moment, saying, “I know you, Shen Feng! I see you on television often. I heard you are the first Tier Four ability user globally, and you helped Yan Jing achieve victory, defeating over a hundred million zombies. That’s very impressive!”
Shen Feng was also very happy to hear this. He didn’t expect his reputation to have spread to North America. Gong Changfa and Qin Kewei needed to introduce themselves, but he didn’t even need to speak, and someone already recognized him. This was the effect of fame.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” Shen Feng said with a smile.
Tom then opened a bottle of red wine on the table, poured about a third of a glass for everyone, and then handed each of them a glass. “Thank God that we can still gather at sea. Let’s have a drink to celebrate this rare opportunity.”
Shen Feng was a little hesitant. His alcohol tolerance was still too low; one glass was enough to make him drunk. Even though it was wine, this type of wine might have a stronger kick.
“Ding,” before Shen Feng could react, Tom clinked his glass against theirs. The two glasses collided, making a crisp sound that was pleasant to the ear, but Shen Feng felt awkward. It seemed rude not to drink now.
Thinking this, Shen Feng had no choice but to brace himself and take a sip. The red wine was mellow and fragrant, with a faint aftertaste. The wine was quite good.
Then, Tom got down to business and said seriously, “The meteorite falling to Earth must be God’s command. God wants humanity and all living beings to undergo the test of the apocalypse because there is too much sin in the world. God needs to purify this world. Do you agree?”
Everyone exchanged glances and nodded one after another.
To be honest, it was difficult for them to refute Tom’s reasoning using God, as foreigners always liked to attribute everything to God, even thanking God before eating. If they were to refute now, it would be disrespectful to others’ beliefs. At this moment, they could only nod in agreement.
Seeing that everyone agreed with his views, Tom became happy and quickly said, “Therefore, God is omnipotent and knows everything, and can create everything. To deal with this test given to us by God, it is necessary for us to take the meteorite back. Of course, God’s blessings are for everyone. After the banquet begins, we will discuss the plan for dividing the meteorite. You will all agree, won’t you?”
“It’s finally here!” Everyone felt amused upon hearing this. They just wanted to seize the meteorite and had to add a layer of justification to their actions, claiming the meteorite was God’s blessing, merely to find legitimacy. This was like wanting to engage in a service industry while also building an iconic building.
Gong Changfa cleared his throat and said seriously, “Of course, we absolutely support this plan. Since the meteorite landed in the sea, all people on Earth have a share. I suggest that the meteorite be divided according to the number of ability users in the Divine Realm. China should account for one-quarter!”
“Certainly, certainly, this is very appropriate. It’s settled then. When the banquet begins, you must support my plan.” Tom’s face was filled with smiles upon hearing Gong Changfa’s answer. He never expected things to go so smoothly. As long as he could preside over the meeting to divide the meteorite, wouldn’t that be a de facto claim of North America’s ownership of the meteorite? After all, if they were presiding over the division, then North America must have a share.
Tom found himself overjoyed after gaining the support of China’s ability users. He had thought he was too late and was at a disadvantage in salvaging the meteorite, but now it seemed that as long as he had enough strength, the meteorite could still be divided.
“These people are so easy to talk to. It must be because their culture is too weak. They talk about being a land of etiquette, but it’s just compromise!” Tom thought to himself while drinking.
In Tom’s eyes, the Chinese ability users present had entered the Divine Realm much earlier than everyone else, but now they were willing to share the meteorite with others. Wasn’t that a foolish move?
Just then, ability users from Europe arrived on the fishing platform. Tom quickly said, “Please help yourselves to the food, everyone. I’m going to welcome the European ability users and discuss the division of the meteorite. Goodbye.”
Shen Feng watched him leave slowly, then put down his wine glass and said in a low voice, “Isn’t this guy too naive? He actually believes what we said. Is he not very smart?”
Gong Changfa replied in a low voice, “These people have no history, so how would they know about the deceptions in our military strategies? He is from a prominent family, probably thinking that everything can be settled at the negotiating table. Unfortunately, there is a rule governing this world, and he hasn’t understood it.”
Next, the handsome Lieutenant General Tom repeated what he had said to the European ability users. After hearing this, the European ability users had no reason to object. They themselves had no hope of salvaging the meteorite, as there were simply too many ability users who had come to the Divine Realm this time. All the European countries combined could only muster over thirty ability users, which was less than the number of ability users from a single country.
The number of ability users was related to technological advancement and population. Europe was mostly composed of small countries with small populations, so the number of ability users was naturally not large, especially at this time when only ability users could enter the Sea of Silence, and there were no other means of entry.
Moreover, most European countries had populations of only a few million. Their fleets might look presentable, and their warships might appear decent, but the number of ability users was insufficient. Ultimately, over thirty ability users from all European countries gathered on their fleets, passed through the Turkish Straits, and entered the Divine Realm after a long voyage.
The leader of the European ability users was from Germany, and he had a small mustache and was slightly balding. He didn’t look like a young man, appearing to be around forty years old. Perhaps due to his age, the European ability users regarded this man who looked like an uncle as their leader.
Of course, these ability users might also be intimidated by Germany’s power, as the two World Wars had frightened them, and they chose to follow the elder brother’s lead at this time.
Gong Changfa pointed at the man with the small mustache in the distance and said, “Look at this guy. He looks to be in his forties, but he’s actually only twenty years old, even younger than you, Shen Feng. So, for him to become a leader at such a young age, he must have his own abilities.”
“Then what are his abilities?” Shen Feng continued to ask.
Hearing this question, Gong Changfa quickly said, “Don’t underestimate this guy. His ability is vibration. It is said that when he used his ability in Europe, he directly caused an earthquake, turning a city into ruins and killing a million zombies. So, this guy is very strong!”
Upon hearing this news, Shen Feng couldn’t help but look at the European with the small mustache with admiration. He didn’t expect there to be such terrifying abilities in the world that could directly trigger earthquakes.
“With such powerful abilities, it’s no wonder everyone listens to him. However, it’s at sea now, so the impact of an earthquake shouldn’t be that significant!” Qin Kewei also joined the discussion.
Gong Changfa added, “Speaking of which, it is said that his current aged appearance is also related to the use of his abilities. Overusing his abilities leads to aging. Although his abilities are very powerful, each use causes him to age significantly. His strength, though great, is bought with his life.”
“I see. I thought he just used his abilities casually. Since there are limitations, there’s no need to worry constantly,” Lin Xi said with relief. As long as the enemy was not completely unmanageable, everything would be fine.
Meanwhile, Tom and the man with the small mustache were still in conversation. Andorra from Germany said, “Lieutenant General Tom, I agree with all the views you have expressed. I agree with your plan for dividing the meteorite, and I will definitely support you then!”
Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Tom’s face showed an exceptionally smug expression. Now that Europe and China had agreed to his views, and he had heard that the Indians from India and the Russians from Siberia had dispatched fleets, three out of the five powers had supported his plan. Therefore, his actions this time were bound to bring the meteorite back to his country.
Although no one had any news of the meteorite yet, Tom believed that as long as the matter was settled first, then no matter who found the meteorite next, he would still get a share!
“I’m truly a genius, always thinking of these unique strategies,” Tom thought to himself smugly.