Chapter 77: Chapter 76: The Fallen

“I have seen the arrival of the Demon Mountain and the Dead.”

Ma Ran spoke, tapping the glass on the table, using Inner Qi to envelope a glob of blackcurrant juice.

The black liquid floated in the air, quickly forming the keywords “Demon Mountain” and “Dead.”

This time, Ma Ran’s prophecy felt more assured.

He used the [Fragment Prophet] to see glimpses of the future: “In sixteen days, seven Demon Mountains will descend on Earth.”

“Lamentation will be everywhere, countless Earthlings will die or be injured.”

“Due to this sudden event, various nations will gradually reveal the existence of supernatural abilities and aliens.”

With that, the juice returned to the glass.

Everyone in the room fell silent.

While Zhu Hanyi was amazed at Ma Ran’s meticulous Inner Qi control, the presidents in the online video conference group had already responded.

“Seven Demon Mountains, the Dead, countless casualties…”

“Is it a biochemical crisis or a zombie apocalypse?”

“If the infection source comes from that so-called Demon Mountain, with your foreknowledge, we should be able to prepare in advance, right?”

“A tumultuous period, truly a headache…”

“With Earth’s current level of technology, combined with our organizational and disaster resilience capabilities, we should be able to weather this safely.”

Hearing these presidents speak, it’s easy to guess they’ve recently watched many human apocalypse movies, avoiding using outdated rigid thinking.

This change, Ma Ran was pleased to see.

He felt joy in his heart but remained as calm as a still water surface, explaining in a tranquil tone: “There are some misunderstandings in your comprehension.”

“The Demon Mountain is indeed a source of disaster.”

“But the Dead can become our friends.”

“They are a force that can be won over.”

Hearing this, Wan Haihao, who had been silent, had a thought.

Could the “Sword Master’s Remnant Soul” on him be the Dead that Ma Ran mentioned?

At first glance, it seemed to fit the criteria.

However…

With Lin Qiubai’s personality, his mind was all about his Sword Dao.

Would he really act for irrelevant Earthlings?

Besides, Lin Qiubai only had a remnant soul, no physical body to act.

Wan Haihao took a deep breath, ready to confess, when suddenly he felt a gust of wind swirling around him.

He looked down to see his hands emitting a faint glow!

This light gradually gathered in front of everyone, condensing into a human form.

A male, clad in a long, black, traditional-style robe.

The clothing style somewhat resembled Hanfu, yet with slight differences, making it simpler, more suited for action and combat.

This person had long hair draped over his shoulders, black clothes, blood-red eyes, eyebrows like sharp swords, purple hair flowing, skin as white as snow.

“If I’m not mistaken…”

The long, slender youth with purple hair and blood-red eyes smirked: “I should be the ’Dead’ this youngster mentioned.”

Though it was a very normal self-introduction, the arrogance in his voice made one feel uncomfortable!

Wan Haihao stared blankly at the Sword Master’s face, his heart a mix of emotions.

He had felt from the voice alone that this person wouldn’t look bad.

Only someone flawless in strength, looks, aura, authority, wealth, and status could foster such deep-seated pride.

But after truly seeing this face, Wan Haihao had to admit he felt like a naïve newcomer.

Lin Qiubai’s features were handsomely enchanting.

Though male, with a heroic aura, describing him as “beautiful” felt perfectly fitting.

With the connection between Wan Haihao and Lin Qiubai established by light, no explanation was needed for people present and the presidents in the video conference to surmise their relationship.

“Please remain in your places for now, relevant staff will arrive shortly.”

“How should we address you? Where do you come from?”

“What exactly is your relationship with this student? Did he teach you Chinese?”

“We believe in Ma Ran’s prophecy, if you truly are the ’Dead’ he mentioned, there should be potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between us.”

“We hope you can have a frank discussion with us.”

The sudden appearance of a Mysterious Man, taking over the conversation, was rightly suspect for the presidents!

Initially, the heads of various academic societies intended to have him apprehended.

But considering Ma Ran’s prophecy, they restrained their impulse for now.

Despite the presidents’ seemingly amicable demeanor, their trust in this self-proclaimed ’Dead’ was currently at…

Zero!

“My name…”

“Lin Qiubai.”

The handsome young man with purple hair and blood-red eyes spoke leisurely.

In every word, there was a tone of disregard for others: “From the Seven Whirl Sword Sect.”

“You may call me Sword Master.”

With that, Lin Qiubai turned slightly, glanced at the nearby Wan Haihao, and continued speaking: “As you can see, I’m temporarily living in his body.”

“Mutual benefit cooperation…”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“The problem is…”

“During our cooperation, what do you want to achieve? And what are you willing to offer?”

With a condescending smile, Lin Qiubai concluded: “The situation on Earth, I know perfectly clear.”

“Yet you know nothing about me.”

“Regarding guns or atomic bombs…”

“Try first to see if you can eliminate me!”

“After trying all means, then you’ll know the appropriate attitude to talk to me.”

With that, the light and shadow dissipated, slowly merging into Wan Haihao’s body.

Everyone’s focus shifted to Wan Haihao.

After a moment, their gazes turned back to Ma Ran.

Was that guy truly an ally?

“Although his tone wasn’t friendly, in the scenes I’ve seen, he did save many people.”

Ma Ran said with an indifferent gaze and a calm tone: “His firm attitude might be to gain a dominant position in negotiations for better terms.”

The presidents exchanged a discussion, feeling his analysis was somewhat reasonable.

That’s how negotiations work.

Start with high demands, settle with bargains.

Dismissing negotiation over poor attitude wasn’t something at their age.

As long as it doesn’t harm national interests, saving more innocent lives during disaster, aiding in maintaining social stability, even if Lin Qiubai’s attitude was poor, they could endure it.

In the video conference group, President Huang Weiguo supported Ma Ran strongly.

In his words…

That Lin Qiubai, ignoring the face, truly could be infuriating.

Such people are not rare.

Without going far, isn’t Su Qiangwei from the Grass Hut Academy, a National Guardian ability user, of the same ilk?

No malice, really.

Lin Qiubai is purely arrogant and self-conceited.

However…

In his few words, he indeed disclosed much useful information.

It seems, Lin Qiubai fears neither firearms nor nuclear weapons and frankly admitted he’s temporarily residing in Wan Haihao’s body.

Presumably, their relationship isn’t one of mutual life and death…

Thinking thus, he’s clearly a tricky character.

As Lin Qiubai mentioned, trying various technological weapons against him?

That doesn’t align with China’s style.

Making more friends, fewer enemies, to better develop.

In Ma Ran’s prophecy, Lin Qiubai is a feasible ally, so eliminating possibilities that push him toward the enemy is crucial!

Hence…

Thirteen minutes later, several academic society members attending the banquet were escorted to the conference hall.

President Huang patted Wan Haihao’s shoulder: “Can you let Lin Qiubai come out to chat?”

He pointed at a long wenge wood box on the table: “We’ve discussed and specially prepared a meeting gift.”

Wan Haihao checked his phone for the time.

Goodness!

In less than twenty minutes, they even prepared a gift…

Perhaps, because past alien and supernatural events were mere trifles.

After the recent White Mane invasion and A3 District Nightmare incidents, the bigwigs above have been highly alert to alien-related matters, with maximum importance attached.

However…

There might be deep significance in this meeting gift?

Perhaps something genuinely valuable is in that box.

At the same time, it’s a test and trial for Lin Qiubai.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep