Gong Changfa received "Bat" from North America and chatted for a while. During this time, Shen Feng and Qin Kewei were also listening silently on another boat. No one expected that the North American esper would immediately hold a banquet upon entering the Divine Realm. It was indeed typical of North Americans to throw parties for any occasion.
After "Bat" informed everyone of the news, he immediately flew away, likely to notify others.
"Everyone! Shall we have a meeting?" Gong Changfa asked the people on the ferry, leaning on the railing of the warship.
Shen Feng and Qin Kewei nodded and said, "Of course, we need to have a meeting. Those North Americans are really annoying. They haven't even successfully salvaged the meteorite yet, and they're already thinking about how to divide it. What a pipe dream!"
The people on the ferry immediately came into the warship. The deck was spacious, and everyone sat on the ground, ready for the meeting.
On the side of the Heavenly Selection Bureau, Gong Changfa, Zhu Kai, and Xun Yan sat in the middle, facing Qin Kewei and Shen Feng. Five people formed a small circle, surrounded by a larger circle. Once everyone was seated, the factions were clear: thirty-two people from the Heavenly Selection Bureau, eleven people from Shen Feng's side, totaling forty-three espers.
"Before the meeting, we must first prevent eavesdropping! Yun Laizhe, go and create some noise," Gong Changfa instructed calmly.
A man immediately stood up. There was a large copper ingot on the deck, which looked unremarkable. Those who didn't know would think it was used to stabilize the ship. However, this was Yun Laizhe's specialty. His ability was to control copper elements. At this moment, he unleashed his power, and the large copper ingot instantly turned into liquid, then transformed into copper bells.
Yun Laizhe strung all the copper bells together and arranged them around. Then, he shook the copper chain in his hand, and the bells chimed. The cacophony was so loud that it would be jarring even if one were present, and even more tormenting for those trying to eavesdrop from afar.
Xu Huwei couldn't help but cover his ears. Although he couldn't completely block out the sound waves, it made him feel a little better.
Seeing this ability, Shen Feng said to Guo Pinming behind him, "Old Guo, this guy's ability is very similar to yours. You both control metal. However, you control iron, and he controls copper."
Guo Pinming also nodded and said, "This ability is quite rare, but it can guarantee combat effectiveness."
At this point, the meeting finally began. Gong Changfa directly said, "Although I agreed to attend the banquet, it doesn't mean I agree to divide the meteorite. Those North Americans arrived late, but they are afraid of others getting ahead, so they want to invite others to the banquet and create a false impression that the meteorite belongs to everyone. What do you all think about this?"
Fang Qinghao immediately said, "Of course, we refuse their idea of division. This is the location I scouted. I walked underwater for five days and threw away fifty glow sticks. After all this hard work, half of the credit has already been given to you. Now they want to take half of the meteorite as well. I refuse!"
Xun Yan also spoke up at this time, "We certainly refuse! Unclaimed property belongs to whoever finds it. This sea area also has no owner. Why should others arbitrarily divide it? As I see it, we should refuse their suggestions at the banquet and declare directly that whoever finds it, it's theirs!"
These two were the first to express their opinions, and their meaning was simple: we are determined to have the meteorite! The entire meteorite belongs to us, and for others to want it is wishful thinking.
This was also the sentiment of most people present. Such an important item, who would think they had too much? Something that could cultivate many espers, of course, had to be brought back in its entirety. As for other countries and factions wanting the meteorite, they could dream on!
However, at this moment, Shen Feng said, "I think we might as well agree to their suggestions at the banquet. What do you say?"
"I say that suggestion is not good!" Zhu Kai said coldly. "You, Shen Feng, can only get a fragment of the meteorite, so you don't care how much the country can get? This kind of act of selling out national interests, you can be called a traitor!"
Others also showed expressions of disdain towards Shen Feng. They didn't expect Shen Feng to be willing to give up the meteorite that was almost in their grasp. How could such a person become the master of Yuzhou?
Before Shen Feng could patiently explain the reason, Gong Changfa also spoke up, looking at everyone with a serious expression. "Actually, I also agree with what Shen Feng said, to agree with the North Americans' idea at the banquet. Listen to me, this is not selling out interests, but hiding one's strength and biding one's time!"
With Gong Changfa agreeing to Shen Feng's suggestion, others were confused. Did this matter have some hidden meaning?
Gong Changfa explained unhurriedly, "Everyone, listen to me. Now we have discovered the location of the meteorite, but others haven't. If we refuse at the banquet, others will suspect that we know the whereabouts of the meteorite, thus disrupting our plan to salvage it. But if we agree, they won't suspect us. After we salvage the meteorite and leave, this matter will be considered successful. The previous promises and agreements can be completely disregarded!"
Gong Changfa stated his reasoning, and Shen Feng quickly added, "That's exactly what I mean. We shouldn't attract attention now; we should quietly salvage the meteorite. As for the banquet, we can attend it normally."
Qin Kewei had many concerns about this and frowned, saying, "However, if we make a promise and then go back on it, won't we give others a handle? Signing a contract and not executing it, that's not a good reputation."
Before Gong Changfa could speak, Lin Xi instead mocked, "I say, Captain Qin, have you been brainwashed by the so-called spirit of contract? In front of national interests, of course, we should choose the most beneficial option. Why talk about credit at this time? Strength is the greatest credit!"
The rest of the people also supported what Gong Changfa and Shen Feng said. They would pretend to cooperate outwardly, but in secret, they would make a fortune quietly. Only in this way could they bring the greatest benefits back to the country.
After everyone agreed on the action plan, the next step was to discuss the candidates for attending the banquet. Lin Xi volunteered, saying, "I want to go, I want to go. I haven't seen what espers from other countries look like yet. I've seen many foreigners, but I've never seen foreign espers."
Gong Changfa nodded and said, "I'll go with Lin Xi. What about you all?"
Qin Kewei looked back at Yue Hengyi, who was looking expectant, and smiled, "Then I'll take Little Yue."
Shen Feng turned around and looked at the people behind him, saying, "Qi Lingshan, you're coming with me!"
As soon as he said this, Li Keyi immediately became displeased and said, "Everyone else is bringing a person of the opposite sex to the banquet, why are you bringing Qi Lingshan? This is not appropriate!"
Shen Feng shrugged and explained, "Qi Lingshan is a returned student. He lived abroad for many years and can speak English. He can translate for me!"
"I can also speak English, and I can translate!" Li Keyi quickly said.
Shen Feng ignored her and refused Li Keyi's self-recommendation. Chang Haojie had already misunderstood their relationship earlier. If he brought Li Keyi to the banquet as well, and Chang Haojie reported it after going home, wouldn't he be finished?
After the plan was set, the meeting concluded. Everyone's thoughts were united against the outside. Whatever conflicts existed between the Heavenly Selection Bureau and the Esper Management Bureau before were internal issues. But now, facing external threats and the possibility of the meteorite being divided by other forces, everyone immediately moved to prevent it from happening.
This matter has a vivid description in ancient times, called "brothers die within the walls, but resist the enemy from without."
No matter how much brothers quarrel and even fight, when facing others trying to snatch their family property, they will unite to resist.
Gong Changfa said to Zhu Kai and Xun Yan, "While I'm away, you two pay attention to protecting the ship. No one else is allowed to get close, nor are you allowed to casually reveal important information. If anyone dares to infiltrate the ship, kill them without mercy!"
Shen Feng simply said to Guo Pinming, "You too."
"Fang Qinghao, out at sea now, your ability is the strongest, so the task of protecting our ship is entrusted to you. Remember, the ferry is our foothold now. No matter what happens, the ship must not be attacked," Qin Kewei said sternly to Fang Qinghao.
Shen Feng turned his head and said to Chang Haojie, "You too!"
The meeting ended here. Seeing that it was getting late, the six people attending the banquet prepared to depart. After a simple dressing up, the six set off in a motorboat, heading towards the address left by Stephen.
As night fell, the sea was pitch black, and the lighting on the ship was primitive, which was lighting candles. If they were lucky enough to find an oil lamp, the light would be even better.
However, after the small boat had traveled a distance, they noticed a very bright spot ahead. As they approached, everyone was surprised to find an open-air fish raft decorated with lanterns and streamers at sea. There were many wooden frames floating with the sea, and this place resembled the fish rafts where fishermen lived by the sea.
What was most striking were the connected light bulbs on the ship. These bulbs were very bright, and although they flickered from time to time, there was no doubt that they were emitting light using electricity.
As the six approached, Gong Changfa pointed to a red-haired man in the corner and said, "See? That person's ability is to use electric current. The lights on this ship are probably all thanks to him. This ability is quite convenient."
Seeing this, Qin Kewei couldn't help but say, "It's a pity Jin Zije isn't here. Otherwise, Jin Zije could also light up the ship, and perhaps he could do even more."
At this moment, someone wearing a tuxedo immediately walked over, with a red bow tie on his chest, clearly a waiter at the banquet. He spoke in standard Mandarin, "Welcome, thank you to our distinguished guests from China. Please follow me, the banquet is about to officially begin, and I will take you to the main venue."
Shen Feng tied the boat to a stake and walked onto the fish raft. He noticed that most of the wooden planks underfoot were made of bamboo. There usually wasn't so much bamboo at sea, which meant that this large fish raft was actually prepared in advance. It was highly likely that bamboo was brought from North America, and then espers assembled the bamboo into a fish raft before entering the Divine Realm.
"What a grand display!" Shen Feng thought to himself.
Soon, the waiter led the six people to the center of the fish raft. Here, large floorboards were laid, making it as stable as walking on solid ground. The water under the fish raft would not splash their shoes.
There were many single-legged tables standing on the floorboards, with red wine and cakes on them. The atmosphere around was also very pleasant. If it weren't for the time and place, anyone would have thought they were attending a normal banquet.
At the main venue of the banquet, espers were gathered in twos and threes, chatting. Shen Feng roughly estimated that there were about forty or so espers from North America, many of whom were likely only first or second-tier espers. It seemed that North America did not have enough means to obtain evolution bases, so espers above the fourth tier were particularly rare.
In the center of the banquet, a young man in a military uniform was holding a wine glass and speaking, clinking glasses with the people around him.