Yukong had indeed been right about that.
And with the Xianzhou Luofu stepping in, the IPC was more than willing to give them this courtesy.
After all, it was just a single planet — the IPC wouldn't miss out on that bit of profit.
However, the Xianzhou Luofu's attitude this time was highly unusual.
As two of the universe's top powers, both the Xianzhou Alliance and the Interastral Peace Corporation usually maintained a cordial tone in negotiations, even if both sides inwardly wished to maximize their interests.
But this time, the normally calm Xianzhou Luofu had shown an unusually tough stance.
---------------------------------
The negotiation was concluded, and both Cocolia and Bronya breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, carrying debt is always an unpleasant burden.
Especially since neither of them had the kind of personality to default, the weight on their hearts felt even heavier.
Now that they only had to repay the principal, it was undoubtedly the best outcome for them.
Given Jarilo's situation, repaying the principal was only a matter of time.
Of course, that was assuming they could get through the current crisis.
...
Returning to Jarilo and approaching Godzilla, Yanqing once again felt that same sense of ease; his whole body was cheering in response.
Initially, Yanqing thought it was just because he was in good form during that period, but after explanations from Yukong and the general, he fully understood the impact Godzilla had.
"Hey, what's the Xianzhou Luofu like?" Taking advantage of the moment, March 7th and Stelle curiously approached Yanqing.
"Uh, Miss March and Miss Stelle... Luofu, uh, how should I put it? I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's a very beautiful place."
Yanqing scratched his head, not knowing where to begin. He was skilled with a sword, but when it came to storytelling or introducing his homeland, he'd rather have an exhilarating sparring match with Godzilla.
"Does Luofu have many foxian's like Tingyun?" Stelle looked at Yanqing with sparkling, expectant eyes.
Yanqing nodded, "In Luofu, there are the Xianzhou people, foxian's, and the Vidyadhara—the three major races. Among them, the Vidyadhara are the least numerous, and for certain reasons, they are even subject to being killed!"
"Eek! That dangerous?!"
Hearing Yanqing's description, March 7th was visibly shaken.
"Actually, it's not that bad. The Xianzhou's defense forces are strong. The Ten-Lords Commission and the Cloud Knights have always protected the Vidyadhara. Generally, as long as the Vidyadhara don't wander off, nothing happens."
Dan Heng, who had been standing a bit further away, casually walked over after hearing Yanqing's words.
"I've heard that the Vidyadhara have a tradition of honoring their 'High Elders.' I wonder what interesting stories there are about Luofu's High Elders."
"Oh?! Mr. Dan Heng actually knows so much about the Vidyadhara. Speaking of which, I feel like I've seen Mr. Dan Heng somewhere before. He gives me the impression of being a Xianzhou native."
When Yanqing heard Dan Heng mention the High Elder, his eyes lit up.
Could this person also be from the Xianzhou?
But seeing that Dan Heng didn't respond, he didn't pursue it further. "The current High Elder holds the title 'Healer Lady'—that's Bailu. But she's been under the elders' supervision for a long time and rarely goes out."
After hearing Yanqing's answer, Dan Heng remained silent for a long time.
Seeing this, Stelle and March 7th exchanged glances.
...
"Alright, inspection complete. No issues found." Clapping her hands, Serval leapt down from the arm of the Engine of Creation and looked at Pela.
"All weapons on the Engine of Creation have been installed—nothing missing. The machine is intact and shouldn't have any problems. But remember…"
Pela carefully wrote down each of Serval's points, only closing the notebook when three pages were filled.
"Whew, I never thought I'd live to see this thing in action, and even watch it repel enemies." With her hands on her hips, Serval looked up at the Engine of Creation and couldn't help but sigh.
"There will be more opportunities like this in the future. Under our hands, Jarilo will gradually regain its former glory," Pela said solemnly.
"Haha, don't be so serious. Even if storms are coming, we should enjoy the moment. Besides, we're not who we used to be. That Antimatter Legion or whatever—if they dare show up, we'll send them packing!"
At this moment, Serval was full of heroic spirit. The Antimatter Legion? Let them crush those monsters who only know destruction!
Especially now, Jarilo was not fighting alone—countless allies stood behind them!
"Um, Serval." Just as Serval was reveling in her heroism, a timid voice came from behind, nearly startling her.
Since when did Pela ever speak like that?!
Turning around, she saw Pela holding up a data pad, her eyes avoiding direct contact.
"Could I... ask you to help me get a geomarrow crystal to offer to the Beast Lord? I want to seek a bit of comfort from the Beast Lord before the war begins."
Serval facepalmed.
She forgot that Pela was a Godzilla fangirl.
...
"Aiya, this is really exhausting." Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Tingyun lay limply on Godzilla's head, mimicking his posture perfectly.
After resting a moment, Tingyun slowly moved to the front, curiously touching Godzilla's forehead, feeling both roughness and chill at the same time.
It made her wonder how he emitted such a temperature.
"You always seem so unhurried." Taking out a comb for grooming her tail, Tingyun lightly brushed Godzilla's forehead.
The small, delicate comb looked insignificant next to Godzilla—hardly even worth calling cute. If Tingyun weren't there, no one would even notice it.
Hearing her words, Godzilla let out a soft hum from his mouth in response.
As the King of Monsters, wouldn't it be laughable if he feared a bunch of phantoms?
Besides, ever since he tasted a Doomsday Beast, he had been more excited than ever for their arrival.
One Doomsday Beast provided more nourishment than many geomarrow ores combined—and from what he heard, there would be more than one this time.
A buffet delivered to his doorstep deserved proper respect.
Feeling the relaxed and easygoing mood of the giant beast beneath her, Tingyun's previously tense mood gradually eased.
Having witnessed Godzilla's imposing figure walking out from smoke and dust, she had developed a strange anticipation for the incoming Antimatter Legion.
Under Godzilla's overwhelming strength, Belobog's tense atmosphere began to ease.
Everyone was methodically making final preparations.
...
Meanwhile, in the expanse of the universe, the Antimatter Legion closing in on Jarilo began to stir.
They had sensed the presence of something worthy of destruction—they would bring it ruin!
The frenzied legion failed to notice that not far behind them, a spaceship was tailing closely, or rather, their path aligned perfectly with the spaceship's route.
"That many Antimatter Legion troops… could the Astral Express team be in trouble?" Muttered a small doll-like girl, no taller than Master Diviner Fu Xuan.