For a time, everyone present had their own thoughts, contemplating something.
Salis's expression was the most grim. He had long since claimed this new continent as part of the United States, viewing it as his own treasure trove.
Now, a group of flying humans had appeared, declaring this new continent their territory. This made his expression flicker with uncertainty.
The others largely shared the same sentiment. They hadn't come to explore this new continent to search for missing passengers.
Their primary objective was to plunder the resources of the new continent and study its various magical and extraordinary creatures.
Otherwise, countries wouldn't have dispatched such a formidable force, including three aircraft carriers, with several nuclear submarines lurking beneath the sea.
But now, their objectives had all fallen through. This new continent was not unclaimed land but was inhabited.
At this moment, Deng He was the first to step forward. He looked up at the army of cultivators in the sky and said, "Esteemed... esteemed friends, we apologize for intruding upon the territory of your Great Gan Dynasty. On behalf of China, I offer our apologies."
"However, we had our reasons. Our landing on this continent was solely for the rescue of our lost compatriots, and we harbored no other ill intentions."
Deng He directly stated that their country, China, was only there to rescue missing passengers. As for plundering resources, he had already abandoned that intention upon learning that the new continent was inhabited.
When they agreed to divide the new continent with countries like the United States, it was under the assumption that the new continent was uninhabited and unclaimed. If they had known that there was a human kingdom on this land called Great Desolation, China would not have joined the United States' plan.
After all, China had always been a peace-loving nation and disdained malicious acts like resource plundering.
Deng He believed that if China's high command knew that the new continent was inhabited, they would make the same decision he had.
The representatives of other countries heard Deng He's words and hesitated for a moment, but most of them stepped forward to declare that they had no malicious intent and were only there to search for missing passengers.
Of course, most of them were just saying that. They couldn't make the final decision themselves and would have to report back to their superiors before any decisions could be made.
Salis's face was extremely grim as he looked at the humans hovering in the sky, his mind racing with unspoken thoughts.
Fan Cheng listened as the people from Earth spoke to him in Chinese, expressing their lack of ill will. He nodded slightly, believing that peaceful coexistence was the best outcome.
"Since that is the case, I shall not pursue your transgression of entering the borders of our Great Gan. You may depart!"
Fan Cheng said calmly, his tone carrying a hint of authority.
"Wait a moment, General, we haven't found the missing passengers yet!" Vison seemed anxious, deeply concerned about Prince Jack's safety.
Fan Cheng glanced at the blond, blue-eyed Caucasian and said coldly, "The missing passengers you speak of, were they on a large iron ship?"
"Yes! It was a large iron ship, the Nix cruise ship!" Lin Yong stepped forward, nodding repeatedly. "General, may I ask where the passengers on that iron ship have gone?"
The others also looked up at Fan Cheng, all eager to know the answer.
They knew that the passengers of the Nix had camped here, but had disappeared later. They hadn't known their whereabouts before, but now they understood that the missing passengers had likely been captured by these humans.
Fan Cheng looked down at the crowd and said calmly, "Those people, like you, trespassed into our Great Gan's borders and littered on our land. They have now been escorted to our Great Gan's imperial capital to face judgment from His Majesty!"
The "litter" naturally referred to the discarded beverage bottles and cans.
Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.
Lin Yong's voice was filled with urgency. "General, are they safe? Can you release them?"
Vison also stepped forward, saying, "General, my country, England's prince, is among the missing passengers. I implore you to return Prince Jack, for the sake of the English royal family."
His words carried a subtle warning. Although he couldn't ascertain the capabilities of these flying humans, with modern weaponry in hand and the fleet on the sea locking onto them, he wasn't truly afraid of the army in the sky.
The other countries also stepped forward, demanding that Fan Cheng release and return the more than two hundred passengers.
"General, there are citizens of my country, China, among the missing passengers. If Great Gan can return them, China is willing to pay a certain price."
Deng He spoke, his words much more polite than the others.
In the sky, Bai Zhan listened to the words of these Earthlings, especially the veiled threats from some of them. His expression instantly turned hostile, and he sneered, "Heh, you think you can get our Great Gan Dynasty to send back your captives for free? Earthlings, you must be dreaming! You dare to threaten me, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
He exuded an icy aura, terrifyingly so, causing those below to involuntarily shiver.
Fan Cheng's expression also darkened. He had been speaking calmly to these Earthlings, and they dared to push their luck?
Were they perhaps not understanding the situation, thinking they had the upper hand?
He said coldly, "Those people trespassed into our Great Gan's borders and are now prisoners of our Great Gan Dynasty. If you wish for them to return, bring your sincerity and state what conditions you can offer!"
The letter sent by His Majesty had already stated that if they encountered Earthlings coming to the Great Desolation to rescue missing passengers, they were to inform them to have their respective national representatives bring sincerity to Great Gan for negotiations.
They could return safely, but they had to pay a price!
There was another layer of meaning to this: it was an opportunity for Great Gan to quickly establish diplomatic relations with countries on Earth. This was also a goal that Xu Mo wished to achieve.
After all, the Great Desolation had appeared on Earth, and Great Gan would inevitably have to deal with Earth's countries in the future. At this time, diplomatic relations would be crucial.
The faces of the national representatives changed upon hearing this. They hadn't expected the humans of the Great Gan Dynasty to be so unyielding!
This made the representatives of several major powers feel extremely displeased. When had they ever been treated with such contempt?
Not only were their people being held captive, but they were also being asked to pay a ransom. Did they truly consider them sheep?
Salis, who had been wavering earlier, hardened his expression upon hearing Bai Zhan and Fan Cheng's words.
"The humans on this new continent are uncivilized. They have taken the passengers of the Nix hostage and are now threatening us. Everyone, do not hesitate. Let's take them down first!" he said coldly.
They had already fought against Godzilla sea beasts and ferocious tiger monsters. Were they afraid of these humans who only seemed to fly?
Seeing that they were still using ancient cold weapons, what kind of combat effectiveness could they possibly have?
Under the bombardment of modern thermal weapons, they were nothing but dregs!