All thirteen Disaster-level powerhouses currently belonging to the Hunter Association's faction were present.
To Wen Wen's surprise, Pope Charles Augustus was not among them.
It seemed that after the recent series of events, the relationship between the Glorious Church and the Hunter Association had cooled to an ice point, maintaining only a superficial alliance, not even advancing together for such a significant event.
Perhaps, for a religious power like the Glorious Church, widespread chaos suited their survival strategy.
Because they were heavily restricted in the current Federation, only in times of turmoil could the Glorious Church rise again.
Wen Wen hoped that old man Charles wouldn't misjudge the situation and unite with other clandestine organizations, otherwise, the Glorious Church might suffer a devastating blow.
Wen Wen did not wish to encounter that unfathomable old priest on the battlefield.
After a brief wait, the host of the meeting, the Vice President of the Hunter Headquarters, arrived.
This Vice President was named Srysin Bingche. He wore a pure black suit, a sky-blue bowtie, had a meticulously slicked-back hairstyle, and a pair of delicate mustaches.
Srysin was a very mysterious figure; all that the Judicators knew about him was that he was very strong and utilized ice abilities.
As for how strong he was, an example would suffice.
Given the Federation's industrialized greenhouse gas emissions, global warming should have begun one hundred and fifty years ago.
Under normal circumstances, some regions should have been submerged by sea-level rise due to glacial melt a century ago.
However, because Srysin took a few days off every few years to travel to the North and South Poles, the predicted disaster did not occur.
The Federation's meteorology and environmental experts had long since abandoned their research on global warming, as it was completely unpredictable, entirely dependent on when Srysin took his vacation...
Srysin cleared his throat and said, "The President and the other Vice President have important duties that prevent them from leaving Hunter Island easily, so I will be responsible for all matters concerning the Clandestine Organizations Alliance."
In any other organization, the President's absence from such an occasion might be seen as arrogant, but this was not the case within the Hunter Association, as everyone understood the importance of the President's work.
"There are three agenda items for this meeting. The first is to invite everyone to join the Hunter Association and become Judicators."
Wen Wen's brow furrowed upon hearing this. Was it appropriate to invite people to join in such a setting?
Kyōkoku Kuura and Ye Haimo naturally had no objections, as they were already members of the Hunter Association.
Although Wen Wen was considered a member of the Hunter Association, the alias he was currently using had no relation to them.
As for Yaoshouxing and Pioneer 60, they had nothing to do with the Hunter Association. Srysin's request in this context felt like an exertion of authority.
Pioneer 60 directly asked in a peculiar mechanical voice, "What will happen if we don't join?"
Srysin smiled and said, "Nothing will happen, you just won't be able to fight against the Clandestine Organizations Alliance with us." Sudancheng Novel Network
Yaoshouxing stood up, narrowed his eyes, and looked at Srysin meaningfully.
"Please don't get agitated, everyone. Listen to me finish. I believe my proposal will benefit all of you."
"The offer of Judicator titles to the five of you is not permanent, but rather temporary honorary titles, valid only until the conclusion of this event."
Wen Wen said sarcastically, "Wow, even the titles are temporary. Did you learn from Penguin?"
Srysin paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile and said, "If you like, they can become permanent. We would be very welcoming."
"Upon becoming Judicators, you will gain access to first-hand information from the Association, partial privileges and resources, and most of the data concerning these clandestine organizations will be opened to you."
"We also request that you obey the Association's directives to a certain extent, so that we can maximize your strengths and contributions."
"Those clandestine organizations have united, and we must also work together with one heart to ensure their schemes are thwarted."
After he finished speaking, Yaoshouxing and Pioneer 60 began to ponder. A temporary alliance to deal with clandestine organizations, not a true joining of the Hunter Association, was something they could consider.
Srysin had his own calculations here. The reason these individuals were reluctant to join the Hunter Association was simply that they had never experienced what it was like to be part of it, and they did not wish to be constrained.
Inviting Disaster-level powerhouses to join the Association, the most difficult hurdle was breaking their initial psychological defenses.
Once they experienced the convenience and comfort of the Hunter Association, and realized that its constraints on Disaster-level powerhouses were actually not that strong, they would be hesitant to leave.
At that point, by appealing to reason and emotion, most Disaster-level powerhouses would agree to join.
In fact, among the Judicators present, there were those who had joined the Hunter Association in this way, such as Ishina.
When a rampaging Disaster-level Scorpian appeared in the Efei Region, Ishina couldn't handle it alone. At that time, the Efei Region was not under the Hunter Association's jurisdiction, and the condition for the Association's assistance was for Ishina to temporarily join.
Later, the Scorpian was killed, and Ishina saw the benefits of the Hunter Association, so she simply stayed and refused to leave.
Of course, according to Ishina herself, it was the Association that begged her to stay, and she reluctantly agreed...
Srysin continued, "You all probably have this concern, right? You worry that our Association will treat you as cannon fodder or bait, because we are not part of the same group."
"And we actually have similar concerns. I don't know you well, and we have no restraints on each other. If there are spies from the Clandestine Organizations Alliance among you..."
"Ahem... I'm just mentioning a possibility, not truly suspecting you, but as long as you join temporarily, we will have a basis for mutual trust, and we can cooperate better. What do you think?"
After listening to Srysin's lengthy speech, Yaoshouxing and Pioneer 60 dispelled their doubts, especially the possibility of being treated as cannon fodder, which struck a chord with them.
Both of them agreed, and Wen Wen had no reason to refuse. The fourteen people present all signed a contract, and Wen Wen also became a temporary honorary Judicator.
The benefits of becoming a Judicator would only be seen later, as Srysin had already moved on to the second agenda item.
"The second agenda item is to ask for a small favor from the Council. Beneath Hunter Island, there is a small city with over a hundred thousand people. This is a pilot city for the New Human Plan."
"The New Human Plan?" Yaoshouxing asked curiously.
"More than a year ago, the Association discovered an aberrant energy named 'Qi'. This energy can gently strengthen the human body, allowing ordinary people to gradually become stronger, making it a plan of great significance."
Black Night Knight stepped forward to explain and then turned his gaze to Srysin.
"However, I am somewhat confused. What does this have to do with the predicament we are currently facing?"