Chapter 43

Mega Stone is the name of a city. One could say this city is essentially a single, gigantic stone—a massive, colossal rock. The ancestors of the Orcs discovered this stone and transformed it into a habitable city. Just how large this rock is, no one knows, because the portion merely exposed above the ground is already vast enough to accommodate a million Orcs without feeling crowded. One can easily imagine the immense scale of this stone.

Some Orcs had suggested that this was not a stone, but rather a stone mountain. However, the title of stone mountain was disliked by the Orc Emperor of that era, so the name Megalith City was preserved.

Of course, modifying this colossal rock was a monumental undertaking. Believing firmly that it was a relic left behind by the Orc God, generations of Orcs made pilgrimages here and spared no effort in modifying it to make it more suitable for habitation. Thus, it became Megalith City, the primary capital of the Orcs. Apart from this place, the Orcs possessed virtually no other cities; this was their sole true city, while other settlements were more fittingly called tribes.

At this moment, Wo Biao was sitting in the council chamber of Megalith City, his fist-sized eyeballs straining as he glared fixedly at Yang Dianfeng, who sat calmly on the opposite side of the stone table. He tried to use his imposing aura to force the demonic woman opposite him to display a look of fear. After glaring for a long time, he realized it was completely useless—she was not afraid of him in the slightest.

Yet, being stubborn, he just kept staring without even blinking his eyelids. A full hour had already passed.

Suddenly, Yang Dianfeng spoke up: "Aren't your eyes dry?"

Wo Biao froze, his fierce expression instantly shifting to one of blank bewilderment!

Then the voice of the demonic human woman rang in his ears once more:

"I said, aren't your eyes dry?"

Feeling profoundly despised by her, Wo Biao wasted no words. He swung his massive fist and punched the nearby wall. With a loud *bang*, a huge hole was blown right through the wall. He turned his head to glare at Yang Dianfeng, looking even more ferocious than before!

In response, however, came the words: "I asked you if your eyes were dry. Why did you hit the wall?"

Yang Dianfeng couldn't help wondering if this fellow had something wrong with his brain!

Enraged, Wo Biao's fur bristled all over, and his head seemed to swell by a full circle. Yet, remembering his father's warning, he forcibly suppressed the urge to attack. Stuttering through his anger, he began, "D-d-don't you th-th-think that I-I-I d-don't dare to h-hit y—" Before he could even finish his sentence, another casual remark drifted into his ears:

"Are all Orc tongues this big, or is it just you who has a lisp?"

The light and airy words struck Wo Biao with such fury that he almost lost control. Taking a deep breath, he cast one final glare at Yang Dianfeng and stalked out, fearing he would be angered to death by this woman if he stayed a moment longer.

Yang Dianfeng had no fondness for Orcs, and making this big lion angry felt quite satisfying to her.

After she had sat by herself for a short while, an even larger, fatter lion's head poked through the doorway. Evidently, the doorway was a bit too low for him, so he had to enter hunched over. Once inside, he remained slightly stooped—a posture likely born of the passage of time.

Nevertheless, the dignified aura of someone accustomed to holding supreme authority for a long time was unmistakable, possessed not by just anyone. This was none other than the Grand Patriarch of the Orcs, Wo Defake.

Though his massive frame forced him to stoop because of his age and the low doorway, it could not conceal his majestic authority as a long-reigning ruler. That presence was not deliberately put on; rather, it had settled naturally over long years of shifting power and leadership among his race, resembling the heavy, weathered walls of Megalith City that stood firm through every storm. With every measured step he took, his steady footsteps seemed to proclaim an unquestionable dominance, making the surrounding air vibrate faintly in his wake.

"Greetings, human. This Emperor is called Wo Defake. I wonder what title your excellency goes by. Should I address you as Ms. Yang Dianfeng, or the Zerg Queen? Of course, personally, I prefer to call you the Zerg Emperor," Wo Defake's deep voice resonated.

There was neither hostility nor contempt in his tone; he spoke very plainly, just as one would greet a guest arriving at home.

"You don't hate me? After all, I've killed many of your people!" Yang Dianfeng said with a hint of surprise.

She looked into the big lion's calm eyes for a moment, and then began to understand: they held a crucial lifeline of theirs—food. Just as Wo Defake, still awaiting an answer, was about to speak again, she intentionally cut in ahead of him, saying, "Regarding the matter of food, you won't be negotiating with me; I am merely a captive! You'll be negotiating with the commander you speak of, the Puppet Master, the lord of a certain city!"

After saying this, Yang Dianfeng curled her lips in a slight grimace. How did this fellow manage to acquire so many titles anyway? She didn't even know what his real name was!

She was unaware that he possessed yet another title floating around outside: the Ancient Survivor. If she had known about that one, she would surely have had a great deal of complaining to do!

Hearing Yang Dianfeng's words, the Grand Patriarch Wo Defake gazed at her with a placid expression. Without saying much more, he simply reached out, produced Yang Dianfeng's mobile phone, and placed it on the table before her.

His meaning was unmistakable: *You make the contact.* It was almost as if he had written *I don't know how to use this* across his face. Of course, rather than admitting he didn't know how, he simply expected her to initiate the connection.

Resignedly, Yang Dianfeng dialed Shen Yi's number.

After a pleasant ringtone played for a few seconds, a voice answered: "Hello?"

"The old lion wants to find you."

Taking advantage of the moment, Yang Dianfeng handed the phone over to Wo Defake. "You two talk. If you need me to excuse myself, I'll step outside!"

"No need. There's nothing shameful to hide," Shen Yi's voice rang out once again.

Wo Defake took the phone and, mimicking what he had seen, placed it against his ear. Of course, whether it was close to his ear or not mattered little to him—he could hear clearly either way. He simply felt that this was learning something new; it was novel and thrilling, much like killing someone for the first time or entering the bridal chamber on one's wedding day!

Of course, it would have been even more perfect if Yang Dianfeng hadn't had to remind him to turn the phone right-side up before answering.

Holding the phone, Wo Defake tried to maintain a calm tone as he spoke, "Greetings, miraculous alchemist. Your device is indeed wondrous. Are you listening to me? My name is Wo Defake, and I have come to represent our hundreds of millions of Orcs to discuss the matter of food with you."

"How much food do you want?" Shen Yi asked.

"How much do you have?" Wo Defake countered.

"I'm asking how much you need," Shen Yi replied.

"I want as much as you have!" Wo Defake stated.

Shen Yi was rendered speechless. There was no doubt about it—this was definitely Wo Biao's biological father!

Shen Yi smiled helplessly. He knew all too well how desperate the Orcs were regarding food, but such a haphazard and uncalculated demand was clearly no way to solve the problem. "Wo Defake, food is not inexhaustible. Even if I have the capability to provide it, there must be a limit and a plan. How many Orcs do you have, and what is your approximate daily consumption? We need to have clear figures first before we can have a proper discussion."

Wo Defake paused slightly. He had never considered such matters before; in his mindset, if food was available, one simply asked for as much as possible, regardless of specific quantities. Yet, since Shen Yi put it that way, it did make a certain amount of sense. "Very well, miraculous alchemist. I shall go and tally our population and food consumption right away, and then we can discuss it in detail."

After hanging up the phone, Wo Defake immediately summoned his Orc generals and began assigning the tasks of counting the population and calculating grain consumption. The entire Megalith City instantly bustled with activity as Orcs scurried into every corner, inquiring about the situation from household to household.

Meanwhile, watching Wo Defake's whirlwind of activity, Yang Dianfeng couldn't help teasing, "I didn't expect this old lion to be quite so efficient." Yet, deep down, she knew full well that this food negotiation was of paramount importance, concerning not only the Orcs but also the future development of the Zerg race.

During the days spent waiting for the statistical results, Wo Biao continued to harbor a grudge against Yang Dianfeng. He felt this woman was far too arrogant to dare mock him in such a manner. Yet, bound by his father's strict orders, he dared not act rashly. He could only vent his inner fury by frantically swinging his weapons in the training grounds every single day.

Finally, the statistical results were compiled. Wo Defake dialed Shen Yi's phone once more: "Miraculous alchemist, we have tallied the numbers. Currently, Megalith City and the surrounding tribes have a total of five million Orcs, and we require a massive amount of meat and grain every single day."

After a brief moment of thought, Shen Yi replied, "Very well. I will provide you with a month's worth of food first to alleviate your immediate crisis. However, you Orcs must also change; you cannot rely solely on the provisions I supply. I can teach you some advanced agricultural and livestock-breeding techniques to help you achieve self-sufficiency in food."

Hearing this, Wo Defake was overjoyed. "That is simply wonderful, miraculous alchemist! We Orcs will cooperate with all our strength."

Shen Yi continued, "Furthermore, I hope we can establish a long-term and stable cooperative relationship. Not just in terms of food, but in other fields as well, we can communicate and develop together. You Orcs are fierce and adept at battle, while I possess advanced technology. Hand in hand, we can surely make this continent even more powerful."

Wo Defake heartily agreed. "I am in complete accord, miraculous alchemist. From this day forward, we Orcs are your allies."

Having ended the call, Wo Defake immediately convened a general assembly of all the Orcs to announce the cooperative plan with Shen Yi. When the Orcs heard the news, cheers echoed throughout the entire Megalith City. They were filled with anticipation for the future and no longer needed to worry about the food crisis.

Amidst these triumphant cheers, one figure appeared distinctly out of place: Wo Biao. Watching his father announce the cooperation plan, he felt a complex mix of emotions in his heart. On one hand, he was glad that the Orcs would no longer be plagued by food shortages in the future; on the other hand, he felt an inexplicable resistance toward Yang Dianfeng and Shen Yi. Especially concerning Yang Dianfeng, the mere memory of being mocked by her earlier caused a surge of suppressed frustration in his chest.

When the meeting concluded, Wo Biao went alone to the training grounds, swinging his battle-axe to vent the turbulent feelings inside him. At that moment, Wo Defake quietly approached his side and said, "My boy, I know you hold a grudge against that woman, but now is not the time to act on impulse. This alliance is of vital importance to our Orcs; you must put aside personal grievances."

Stopping his movements, Wo Biao protested rebelliously, "But Father, she humiliated me like that..."

Wo Defake patted his shoulder gently. "We Orcs must keep our eyes on the bigger picture. Shen Yi's technology can bring us formidable power. There is a long road ahead of us, and you must learn to grow."

Wo Biao fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.