What was attached did not seem to be his arm, but a patch covered in fur.
If Ao Yuan's gaze hadn't been focused on John Crison, he wouldn't have noticed this detail.
"Interesting."
Ao Yuan muttered to himself, his thoughts drifting to recent news about the United States.
A surge in gene-modified warriors, each possessing only partial animalistic traits.
Now, it seemed, they were likely like John Crison.
"Ao Yuan!"
While no one else in the video conference spoke, Han Yibang broke the silence.
"Do you need something?" Ao Yuan asked indifferently, retracting his gaze.
"I implore you to help our Bangzi country!"
"Help us?"
Looking at Han Yibang, a smile suddenly touched Ao Yuan's lips, as if he'd thought of something amusing or was mocking Han Yibang.
Han Yibang opened his mouth to speak, but Ao Yuan coldly interrupted, "What makes you think I will help you?"
Han Yibang's mouth hung open, the words stuck in his throat.
He desperately wanted to provide a reason, but facing Ao Yuan's indifferent expression, he couldn't utter a single word.
"Ao Yuan, don't be so hostile."
At this moment, John Crison smiled slightly and stepped forward to mediate, "You are, after all, a member of our Blue Star."
"Currently, the people of Blue Star are threatened by the small world. Are you going to stand by and do nothing?"
"Compared to me, aren't you the same?" Ao Yuan retorted with a smile.
John Crison sighed heavily, "I don't want this either."
"But is there anything we can do?"
"The United States is too far from Bangzi country, and if our country were to come, wouldn't Daxia disagree as well?"
"Everyone, what do you say?"
The others remained silent, watching quietly.
Before Ao Yuan appeared, they wouldn't have helped him against Daxia just to curry favor with the United States.
Now that Ao Yuan was involved, they were even less likely to oppose Daxia.
"Elder Long, what do you think?" Seeing no response from the others, John Crison smiled and then turned to Elder Long.
Elder Long's expression darkened slightly. It was an obvious question for anyone with discernment.
But John Crison had thrown it to him, making it difficult to answer.
"You are right!"
At this moment, Ao Yuan suddenly spoke, "Let alone Daxia. If your country's warriors dare to come."
"No matter their intention, if I catch them, I will make them pay!"
John Crison's expression froze at this statement.
But soon, he forced a smile and said, "Yes, so I am powerless regarding Bangzi country's affairs, and can only let you all resolve it."
"If you can resolve it, will you?" Ao Yuan asked coldly.
"Of course!" John Crison patted his chest and laughed, "Bangzi country is, after all, a part of Blue Star's population. I cannot stand by and watch."
He looked at Elder Long, who hadn't objected, his smile widening.
The others averted their eyes, minding their own business.
This statement was practically pointing at Elder Long's nose and scolding him.
Yet, Elder Long couldn't refute it, as it was indeed the reality.
"No, you can help us!" Ao Yuan looked at John Crison and said earnestly.
"Originally, I had no intention of intervening in Bangzi country's affairs."
"However, if you were to fund me some supplies, I might be persuaded to help!"
John Crison's expression froze upon hearing this.
The others, meanwhile, struggled to suppress their amusement.
If it weren't for their consideration of John Crison, they would have burst out laughing long ago.
"Hahaha!"
Elder Long nodded with a sigh of relief and chuckled, "Mr. John, indeed, your country's warriors may not need to come."
"But the supplies can be provided!"
"As long as you supply the provisions, I will have no objections!"
Seeing all eyes turn to him, John Crison was caught in a dilemma, unable to move forward or back.
His expression fluctuated.
He had fallen.
He had fallen so hard.
He hadn't expected Ao Yuan to turn the tables on him so effectively.
"Fine! It's just supplies, isn't it?"
However, John Crison eventually blustered.
Gritting his teeth, he said, "How much do you want? Name a price, and I'll give it to you directly!"
"Fifty billion, no negotiation!" Ao Yuan extended a claw and said calmly.
"Fifty billion!"
John Crison's voice rose several octaves, "Why don't you just rob a bank!"
"Is that so?"
"If you're unwilling, then forget it."
Ao Yuan shook his head and then, with a helpless shrug, addressed the others on the video screen, "As you can see."
"It's not that I don't want to help Bangzi country, but without the initial funding from the United States."
"If this incident were to be leaked, I would ask you all to explain it!"
"Hahaha! Rest assured, Your Excellency!"
The leader of Beixiong Country, Emperor, nodded in agreement, "I will certainly explain this matter thoroughly."
"It's not your fault. Your Daxia has an old saying: battles are always preceded by provisions."
"Without provisions, the soldiers cannot march!"
"I'll pay!"
John Crison's eyebrows shot up, and he suppressed his anger as he spoke, "It's only fifty billion, isn't it?"
"My United States can afford it!"
"However, after spending fifty billion, you all must act!"
"Naturally!" Ao Yuan grinned broadly.
After John Crison agreed, he quickly transferred fifty billion.
"The money has been transferred to you."
John Crison's face was ashen as he said coldly, "Now, when will you depart!"
Even for the United States, parting with fifty billion at once was painful.
However, the thought of witnessing Ao Yuan's actions and using this opportunity to study his methods somewhat eased John Crison's pain.
"Don't rush!"
The smile on Ao Yuan's face faded slightly as he turned to Han Yibang with amusement, "First, tell me about the current situation."
"The situation in our country is dire."
Han Yibang first cast a grateful glance at John Crison, then quickly continued, "We are on the verge of ruin!"
"If we don't receive external aid, we... our Bangzi country will truly perish under the small world!"
Han Yibang's expression was grim as he spoke.
He had previously heard about small countries being overrun by creatures from the small world and hadn't taken it seriously.
But when it happened within his own borders, he understood how devastating it was.
"Ao Yuan, please hurry and rescue our Bangzi country!"
"I can go."
Ao Yuan nodded and smiled, "However, I can't guarantee victory."
"With you here, how can we not win?" Han Yibang exclaimed in astonishment.
"What do you mean, 'with me, we'll definitely win'?"
Ao Yuan rolled his eyes, "I'm not as formidable as you say."
"At most, I can only intimidate them."
"If they are not intimidated by me, then I will be powerless!"
Upon hearing this, the leaders of the various countries on the video screen were stunned.