After resolving Bai Qi's tasks for two hours, he returned to the safe house and prepared to begin the main event, or rather, his expedition.
Bai Qi, accompanied by Shaina and Master Mimic, who had returned from their mission, traveled through the Shadow Realm to Umbrella's New York branch building.
Upon arrival, they were met with a grand reception.
For this meeting, the entire building had been cleared out three days prior. All employees were given a week of paid leave, and the entire building was taken over by Harry and his werewolves.
When Bai Qi arrived at the conference room, the assembled executives, who had been waiting for a long time, rose in unison to welcome him. Among them were Kraven the Hunter, Harry the Wolf King, D'Voreaux, the dark chi wizard Dao Long, Doctor Octopus, and Extremis.
Kraven, like Master Mimic, was one of the earliest to follow Bai Qi. He was a core member of Umbrella and Bai Qi's most trusted confidant.
Harry the Wolf King was Bai Qi's head of security, leading his werewolf subordinates. They could be considered Bai Qi's personal guard.
D'Voreaux was the only normal human among them, though not entirely normal. Bai Qi had used the Ox Talisman to cure all his ailments and had also significantly extended his lifespan with magic. He served as Bai Qi's frontman.
Dark Chi Wizard Dao Long.
That's right, after persistent searching, Bai Qi had finally found Dao Long in a deep mountain. After Bai Qi promised to provide him with vast amounts of magical knowledge and followed through, Dao Long pledged his allegiance to Bai Qi and now headed Umbrella Corporation's Magic Department.
Was Dao Long powerful?
This was beyond doubt. Despite his repeated failures and setbacks in the original story, it did not diminish his strength and profound magical foundation.
Firstly, Dao Long's introduction stated that he had once defeated the enforcer's master, giving him seniority over the enforcer and instantly boosting his prestige.
Later, during the Animal Arc, when the enforcer sealed the Dark Chi Dragon, he obtained the magic from Dao Long. Otherwise, with the enforcer's own magical reserves, he would not have been able to seal the Dark Chi Dragon again. Sudan Novel Network.
Even when imprisoned, he was not idle. Without magical materials and conditions, he managed to accidentally release Shendu.
Although his final exit was rather anticlimactic, giving the impression of an abrupt end, the three points above sufficiently demonstrated Dao Long's power.
As for Doctor Octopus, Bai Qi had used some means to obtain sufficient DNA samples of Spider-Man for his research. And wasn't he trying to research a miniature sun? Bai Qi not only built him a laboratory on a small island but also invested a large sum of money as funding. With this dual approach, Doctor Octopus was completely submissive to Bai Qi.
As for Extremis, it was even easier. Like Doctor Octopus, a laboratory was built, and heavy investment was made.
Now, both of them simultaneously served as deputy directors of Umbrella Laboratories, working for Bai Qi.
For Bai Qi, anything that could be solved with money was not a problem.
Bai Qi surveyed the room and, with a gesture, said, "Please, everyone, take a seat. Two more guests will arrive shortly."
As Bai Qi had said, soon the conference room door opened again, and two familiar figures walked in.
These two were considered highly influential individuals, capable of shaking the world with a mere stomp of their feet.
Vandal Savage and Lex Luthor, two elder statesmen of the Illuminati.
Since joining the Illuminati, Bai Qi had made no significant contributions other than the Cadmus Project. He rarely participated in Illuminati activities and missions, which inevitably led to dissatisfaction among some members over time.
For this reason, Savage had spoken to Bai Qi many times.
Therefore, Bai Qi intended to use this operation to silence some critics, enhance his standing within the Illuminati, and draw more influential individuals into his plans. This would be beneficial for Bai Qi's schemes.
However, not all Illuminati members were interested in searching for a mythical continent whose existence was yet to be confirmed.
Firstly, Queen Bee, who was preoccupied with ongoing wars and territorial expansion, was the first to decline. Then, the Owl, who was solely focused on making Batman his successor, also expressed no interest. However, Lex Luthor showed great interest. After the withdrawal of the other two, he decisively chose to join. Savage, after some consideration, also decided to join.
Lex Luthor's reason for joining was simple: Superman.
As Superman's nemesis, Lex Luthor had a very complicated relationship with him, constantly seeking ways to eliminate this god on Earth.
For Superman, with his invulnerable body, almost all physical attacks in the world were useless. However, the persistent Lex Luthor soon discovered that Superman had almost zero resistance to magic. Especially after the Dark Chi Dragon's revival, Luthor had even witnessed Superman being injured by a sneak attack from a minor magic-wielding character.
Now that Bai Qi proposed to explore a mysterious continent that had been lost for a long time, Luthor's mind raced.
Ancient eras were when magic was most prevalent. In an age without nuclear or even firearms, how could an entire continent disappear? The only conclusion was magic.
If he could find even a trace of powerful magic on this continent, dealing with Superman would be a matter of minutes.
As for Savage, he was simply bored.
Possessing immortal life, he had experienced far too much. Throughout the vast river of history, Savage had changed his identity numerous times, serving as an ancient emperor conquering lands and a catalyst for the First and Second World Wars.
Having experienced so much, he had grown weary of many things in the world. Even dealing with the Justice League was merely a form of entertainment.
However, this time was different. A lost, mysterious continent, a land without a master, a world of magic and swordsmanship – it instantly ignited Savage's desire for conquest.
Bai Qi did not concern himself with the ulterior motives of these two. Whether it was plunder or conquest, it had little to do with him. Bai Qi's only goal was to complete the system's mission as quickly as possible and enhance the strength of his dark chi. Of course, if there were good items, Bai Qi wouldn't mind a bit of plundering.
The three magnates took their seats. The conference room lights dimmed, and a holographic projection lit up from the center of the conference table, forming the shape of a large submarine.
D'Voreaux began to explain to the three leaders.
For this expedition, Umbrella Corporation and LexCorp had jointly conducted research and preparations.
The holographic projection reformed into a magic disc.
"This magic disc can only be used by individuals with a pure heart. However, after our search, we have found such a qualified person, and they have agreed to participate in this expedition."