The Lion King, feeling a bit embarrassed by the female elf's complaints, quietly said, "But I just like it."
The squinty-eyed man ignored these lively characters and walked towards Bai Qi.
As the squinty-eyed man approached, Da Bada and the other four sitting to Bai Qi's left and right immediately stood up, drawing their weapons as if to attack.
Seeing this, the Lion King, the short man, the female elf, and several cannon fodder also drew their weapons.
It looked like a standoff, ready to erupt into a fight at any moment.
"All of you, stand down!"
The squinty-eyed man quickly shouted to deter his subordinates.
Upon hearing their captain's order, the subordinates could only lower their weapons. Bai Qi also gestured for Da Bada and the others to sit down.
Da Bada, receiving Bai Qi's command, did not resist. However, even as she sat down, her eyes remained fixed on the squinty-eyed man, her hand resting on her sword hilt, remaining vigilant.
Once the tension between the two sides eased, the squinty-eyed man bowed slightly and introduced himself, "Greetings, sir. We are the Dimensional Expeditionary Force. I am Captain Warren, and these are my companions: Lion King, Scarface Mouse, and Lulu. As you can see, my companion is quite fond of one of your subordinates. Would you be willing to part with her, and fulfill their beautiful union? Of course, we wouldn't let you suffer any loss and would offer a bride price that you find satisfactory."
Bai Qi was first stunned by Warren's words, then burst into hearty laughter, tears streaming down his face, as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world. Not only Bai Qi, but the surrounding avenging goddesses also cast looks of disdain.
What a joke! Bai Qi had emptied Darkseid's accumulated treasures of millennia. How could these people compare? As for the Dimensional Expeditionary Force Warren mentioned, Bai Qi had heard of them. To put it politely, they were an expeditionary force, but to put it bluntly, they were just a group of interdimensional scavengers.
Having laughed enough, Bai Qi wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, "Just a bunch of trash pickers, and you think you can negotiate with me? Besides, these goddesses are my precious subordinates, each one unique to me. They are not something that can be casually traded."
Originally, the avenging goddesses were already 120% loyal to Bai Qi. The latter part of his speech was unnecessary. But since these words could be spoken so easily without much effort, why not say them? It could also make him appear more formidable in the eyes of the avenging goddesses.
Just as he had thought, after Bai Qi's speech, the avenging goddesses' gaze towards him changed. If before it was merely instinctive loyalty, now it was a fervent devotion, a zeal that would make Bai Qi brave any danger.
Warren still wanted to speak, but Bai Qi, as if anticipating his words, spoke first, "I know what you want to say, but it's all just wishful thinking on your part. A union isn't just about the groom's consent; the bride's opinion is also very important."
Bai Qi looked at the avenging goddess whom the Lion King fancied and asked, "Do you like him?"
The avenging goddess glanced at the burly Lion King and decisively shook her head, "No."
"Feelings can be cultivated slowly. You two haven't interacted, how do you know it won't work? Perhaps you'll develop feelings over time."
"You said 'perhaps,' not 'one hundred percent.' She is my subordinate, and I must be responsible for her. I cannot let my subordinate take a huge risk just because of your flimsy 'perhaps'."
Seeing that persuasion wouldn't work, Warren gradually lost his patience. Although this man looked delicate and spoke gently, how many people who dared to scavenge and explore across different worlds and reach the position of captain were simple characters?
"Sir, my patience is limited. I sincerely hope you can understand. As their captain, I must consider their feelings."
As soon as Warren finished speaking, a powerful pressure emanated from him. The cannon fodder members of the expeditionary force with weaker willpower were instantly knocked unconscious under Warren's pressure, offering no resistance. Although the avenging goddesses with stronger willpower didn't immediately faint, it was evident that they were struggling somewhat. The Lion King and the others were also not spared from Warren's indiscriminate attack.
"Roar?" Bai Qi raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his expression, "So, if soft tactics don't work, you resort to force?"
As Bai Qi spoke, an even more intense pressure erupted like a volcanic explosion. Unlike Warren's indiscriminate attack, Bai Qi's control over his pressure was significantly more precise.
This terrifying pressure did not affect anyone around him. It was like a sharp sword, unstoppable. In comparison, Warren's pressure was like a thin piece of paper in front of Bai Qi's, utterly vulnerable.
Boom!
The powerful pressure struck Warren's entire body, from head to toe, not sparing a single inch of skin.
The next moment, a sachet and three brass bells hanging from Warren's waist simultaneously shattered. Warren then clutched his chest, his face grave, and a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth as he stumbled backward.
Fortunately, Lulu was quick-witted and rushed to support the falling Warren from behind, simultaneously using nature magic to heal him. Although she didn't know what move had so heavily injured her captain, using the relatively gentle nature magic for healing was certainly the right approach.
Pressure, after all, was a spiritual attack, and its physical damage was limited. Moreover, Bai Qi didn't intend to crush the opponent's spirit; he merely wanted to teach him a small lesson.
Under Lulu's natural magic healing, Warren soon recovered. Although his face was pale, looking as if he had just recovered from a serious illness, he was fortunately still conscious.
A mere display of pressure had almost severely injured him. The gap between them was so vast that calling it heaven and earth would be an exaggeration for Warren. Under such circumstances, if Warren dared to continue the conversation, he would likely be obliterated instantly.
"I apologize, Foremost... my lord, this humble one was truly blind and offended you. I offer my sincerest apologies."
Bai Qi picked up the tea in front of him, took a sip, and said without lifting his head, "Is that all?"
Warren cut to the chase. He drew the sabre from his waist and directly chopped off one of his arms. Afterwards, he produced many precious materials and placed them, along with the blood-stained sabre, before Bai Qi, apologizing again, "I am truly deeply sorry for my actions. This is a small token of my sincerity, a meager offering. I implore my lord to accept it."
It was evident that Warren was a man who could adapt. Seeing the vast disparity in strength between them, he offered his apology and self-mutilated without a word.