The negotiation between the two had reached the most critical point!
The audience was also shocked by Oti's plan. Make Penacony public?!
-------------------------------------
The audience racked their brains but couldn't figure it out.
Penacony, going public.
These words actually came together.
All one can say is: The ambition and ideas of the experienced capitalists are truly wild!
Old Oti made no attempt to conceal his ambition.
"If I'm not mistaken... you want to bypass the IPC and go public on a universal scale?" Jade restrained her smile.
"Precisely! Instead of watching the IPC gnaw away at Penacony, I'd prefer to open the doors of the sweet dream to the entire universe."
"Starting today, anyone in the Cosmos can become a shareholder of the Land of the Dreams! This is the path of Harmony I'll choose! Ohohohoho!"
The old capitalist displayed his boldness.
A grand blueprint had already been drawn.
After the listing, the surging stock pressure entering Penacony would become Oti's weapon against the ravenous wolf; the IPC.
If The IPC wanted to swallow Penacony, it would have to face the fury of the entire universe.
And likewise, with this news, the previous minor turbulence truly became insignificant.
The name of the planet of Festivities was simply too resounding.
Once the news came out, countless people would swarm in with credit points in hand.
"This reform should have been implemented earlier, but unfortunately, the Oak Family were a bunch of blockheads blinded by "Order... " Their level of intellectual flexibility doesn't even come close to an old fellow like me."
"And thanks to the little "reverberation" earlier, the biggest obstacle between me and my reforms has been eliminated! Ohohohoho!"
...
: So that's how it is, it suddenly makes sense. No wonder Oti tolerated the Oak family's actions.
: He wanted to use external forces to remove his obstacles.
: I never thought one day the concept of harmony could be tied to shareholders, but I can't refute it.
: Old Oti's thinking is really damn wild, listing his own planet, awesome!
: Let's see how The IPC responds.
: But I feel it's not that simple, I still think Oti's words sound like a probe.
: This kind of verbal duel is so satisfying to watch, the clash between Oti and Jade is portrayed excellently!
...
While the audience was immersed in the plot, in the scene, Jade after discussing a little more with Oti, didn't respond immediately, instead saying:
"I suggest we conclude the first half of our conference, Mr. Alfalfa. Please allow Topaz and me to confer privately for a few moments and to respond on behalf of the IPC later."
Oti smiled cheerfully and nodded: "Ohohoho, of course. Take your time, dear ladies"
The first half of the battle ended there.
It seemed there was no winner.
In reality, what was crucial now was how The IPC would respond.
And old Oti, appearing aggressive, had already openly revealed his opposition to The IPC.
But it was also possible that this was just another of Oti's carefully calculated moves.
That's exactly why the audience loved this scene.
No one knew Oti's true intentions, but everyone knew The IPC's bottom line.
This open-and-hidden rivalry, like blood-boiling battles, was an indispensable part of the drama.
After Jade and Topaz left, the scene shifted to the Astral Express crew.
Besides The Family and The IPC, Penacony naturally had a third major force.
That was the Express Crew representing Trailblaze.
This was a real power comparable to The Family and The IPC in terms of influence, not just a group of simple pathstriders.
In a bar, Welt was discussing today's events with Dan Heng.
Welt's knowledge and experience were extremely rich.
With his sharp insight, he immediately understood the purpose behind today's news report about the Alfalfa family head and The IPC ambassador's meeting early.
"Rather than fall into a situation of enemies on both sides, it's better to take the initiative to yield a step, invite The IPC to the negotiation table, nominally cooperation, but actually seeking more survival opportunities for themselves."
Welt calmly analyzed.
Dan Heng, who had been puzzled about this move's motive, suddenly understood: "So that's why they invited the Astral Express to mediate."
"Mm." Welt nodded, his eyes deep.
His mind had already clearly weighed the pros and cons of this trip.
"To outsiders, it may seem like The IPC is at a disadvantage. But Harmony is not a complete victim, The Family even less so, and they have deadly needs of their own…"
"They want to settle the matter, and their desire to control Penacony under The IPC's hand is equally strong."
"Both sides have weaknesses known to the other."
Welt commented on the current situation, then said: "But for the Nameless, letting either side control Penacony is not a good thing."
The Nameless had paid so much effort, even with their lives, to bring back freedom and liberation here.
The Family's harmony was not what the people of Penacony needed, nor was The IPC's preservation.
They had the right to decide their own future.
But if, after this negotiation, either side once again took control of Penacony, it would return to how it was before.
All of Mikhail's efforts would be in vain.
As Welt pondered, March 7th and Stelle also arrived.
After the Nameless regrouped, they didn't immediately accept the invitation to board the Radiant Feldspar.
Instead, they took the opportunity to organize the massive amount of information they had gathered.
After the Dream of Ena ended, the Family from the Montour's star system rushed to stabilize the situation.
The Dream Master had fallen.
Sunday was imprisoned, and The Oak Family members who participated in carrying out the dream were captured.
As for the rest of the Oak family, aside from being unconscious, they were not in life-threatening danger.
And Robin who firmly stood on Harmony's side during the upheaval, would likely take on the Oak family's order from now on.
Although Stelle and March 7th weren't entirely satisfied with this outcome, given the current situation, it was undoubtedly the most suitable ending.
Afterward, they drank a few simple glasses of wine in the bar and chatted with Siobhan about Gallagher and reminiscing about old times, then the Nameless headed toward the Radiant Feldspar.
This undoubtedly added more variables to this negotiation.
...
: Things are getting more and more chaotic! Great! I love it!
: But I didn't expect the Express Crew to have such a decisive position in this negotiation.
: Indeed, every time I feel the Express Crew's status in the universe through these side plots, I can't help but feel amazed.
: After all, the Express Crew only has a few people, but they're truly one of the universe's great powers.
: And it feels like the Express Crew has a good reputation among the major forces, at least many people are willing to give the Express Crew some face.
: No one knows exactly how the Express Crew's status came about.
...
Under the audience's expectations, the negotiation on the Radiant Feldspar was becoming increasingly complex.
On the screen.
Topaz was already talking with Jade. After finishing discussion about the meeting with Oti just now, Jade was asking why Topaz would lend her Cornerstone to Aventurine.
"Are you not in the same boat, Miss Jade?"
Topaz just smiled and said: "Without us playing along, your "Jade Stone" wouldn't have made it across the border so easily, allowing you to see all desires that flow through dreams to gain a bargaining chip in negotiations..."
"That's why I'm willing to stake my "Topaz Stone" to cover for you... It's like one big elaborate game of chess."
Jade smiled faintly, looking at Topaz with slightly doting eyes: "After all, no one can stop what you decide to do, at least now you and Aventurine are safe and sound, which is already a good result."
The tacit understanding and relationship of the Stoneheart Duo were once again revealed through a simple conversation.
Warming the audience's hearts.
The more a place is like The IPC, the more touching such friendships appear.
...
: Jade really feels like a big parent, doting way too much on her two kids!
: Feels like Jade came this time specifically because she wasn't reassured about her kids, so she came herself!
: Hahaha, that saying is too cute!
: Never thought, in a place like The IPC, the feelings of these three executives would be so genuine!
: The status and favorability of the Stoneheart Trio in my heart are now through the roof!
...
"Looks like... we've strayed off-topic, Miss Jade. Should we discuss our next steps?" Topaz shook her head, deliberately changing the topic.
Jade's doting words always made her feel like a child again.
"No need. I'll go it alone. Meanwhile, you can go greet our honored guest and wait for my message."
Jade shook her head.
Hearing this, the audience immediately smiled subtly.
Topaz turned her head slightly in a cute manner, clearly a little unconvinced.
But she still had to listen to Jade's words.
After Topaz left, Jade straightened her clothes again.
The gentle smile she had shown only to Topaz instantly disappeared.
That "keep your distance" aura descended once more.
Back in the negotiation room, Old Oti had been waiting for a long time.
"Ohohoho, figured out something already, Miss Jade? Hmm... but why did you come alone?"
Seeing only Jade coming in, Oti asked with a smiling face.
"Topaz has something else to take care of, you'll be seeing her later."
Jade also smiled and said: "Talks can still continue between the two of us."
When she said those last words, her eyes suddenly sharpened.
"Is it just me, Miss? Your tone sounds... very different now." Old Oti looked like he had been waiting for this moment.
This wonderfully acted scene immediately ignited the audience's passion.
...
: Here it comes, here it comes! Finally dropping the act! Going head-to-head now!
: Holy crap, Jade's face change was way too cool!
: Turning hostile like flipping a book, truly a master!
: That look in her eyes! Step on me, mom!
: Wow! Jade's aura is too unique! I'm dying here!
...
The live comments flew by.
Jade responded to Oti's mockery: "I need to set a good example for my junior. It's not a good habit to be too loose-lipped during negotiations, right?"
After saying that, without waiting for Oti to respond to her counter.
Jade coldly said: "Now, we can speak frankly and openly."
"Do you believe what I said, Oti? You're not the only merchant who has seen the changes in the cosmic market over the past ten Amber Eras." Oti laughed loudly.
He patted his crossed leg and then asked: "Interesting... Ohohoho, now that's interesting."
"Good! It's good to be straightforward! Openness and transparency are my things! So, tell me, what's your next move?"
Jade also smiled faintly: "Unfortunately, I'd like to speak the harsh truth before laying out my plan. Let's cut to the chase. First, your plan won't work. Penacony has no way of sidestepping the IPC and going public."
"Second, you can't stop the IPC from entering Penacony. We've got all the time and connections in the world to find a way in. We'll keep tearing down and rebuilding this place until the Asdana system gets used to the IPC's ways again."
"Now I'm repeating your words exactly. If you don't want to be a laughingstock and have everyone gunning for you at the official conference... you'd better drop your little pie-in-the-sky plan."
When the words fell the audience exploded.
Jade's aggression was even stronger than Oti's in the first half of the negotiation! Much harsher!
Making Asdana once again familiar with The IPC's methods.
What does "again" mean?
It simply means using the same methods The IPC once used against the Asdana system.
You don't mind going against The IPC again? Fine, I'll give you that chance.
Let Penacony return to being a Frontier Prison.
You want to fight? Then let's fight!
Jade didn't mind if The IPC's stance seemed villainous on this matter.
"Ohohohohoho! Interesting! Indeed!"
Old Oti sneered and also put away his smile: "You surely have a way with words! Now I'm curious to know what you have up your sleeve."
Translated: You've pissed me off, but I'm holding back for now!
Jade's lips curved as she threw out a trump card.
"Mr. Alfalfa, let's not forget that the IPC controls the biggest interstellar publicity platform. More than half the news networks in the universe take their orders from us."
"The moment news spreads about Penacony going public, trillions of customers will immediately receive a message like this: "The Family's protection for Penacony has expired. Any mishaps in the Dreamscape could result in permanent brain death.""
Jade's smile grew wider.
And Oti's expression became grim.
It wasn't about the message itself for Oti, but the revealed leverage.
The IPC can keep doing this, today saying brain-dead, tomorrow claiming Order has resurrected.
Will the whole universe trust Oti, or trust the news network spread across the galaxy under the Interastral Peace Corporation?
The destructive power of journalism in the interstellar era is still terrifying as ever.
"You really think you can pull that off?" Oti said coldly, now feeling the heat.
But Jade responded with a charming but cold smile: "Even from Pier Point, as distant as it may be, I'm more than capable of keeping you on a tight leash."
At this moment, some of the audience's masochistic tendencies exploded!