Lin Feng put Ophélie aside for the moment when the invitation came.
He didn't expect this girl to investigate anything significant. Her current capabilities were secondary.
Lin Feng, accompanied by An, returned to the mining area inhabited by the mechanical lifeforms.
From a distance, he saw Guang and Diona talking about something.
The two also noticed Lin Feng and An flying towards them at high speed.
Lin Feng landed and smiled at them.
"Diona, the third faction leader Joseph has invited me to a private gathering. Will you go?"
Lin Feng intended to bring Diona along this time.
He wanted to see what their reaction would be when Diona appeared before them.
Diona's small mouth opened in surprise, her pupils quivering.
After a moment, with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a touch of fear, she nodded vigorously.
"Yes, I'll go!"
Diona completely understood Lin Feng's intention.
Taking her along wasn't that meant to infuriate Joseph and his two brothers?
Moreover, with Lin Feng present, the three brothers wouldn't dare to act against her.
Would Diona miss out on an opportunity to see them flustered?
As expected of a cat, she had quite the nerve!
"Good, you'll come with me in a bit!" Lin Feng said with a smile, then turned his gaze back to Guang.
"Guang, how's the research on the M'Kraan crystal coming along?"
He didn't use any honorifics for Guang, as they weren't on the same level. Guang's race was subservient to Lin Feng.
Of course, this race would soon belong to Lin Feng.
Guang was currently observing An. Hearing Lin Feng's question, she managed a stiff smile.
"That crystal is very magical, and the parsing progress isn't fast."
"However, it can now serve as a backup conversion energy source for individuals within our race."
"The abundant energy is thanks to our leader..."
Guang bowed slightly. Her gratitude was genuine; the M'Kraan crystal Lin Feng provided was truly a lifesaver for the mechanical lifeform race.
"As long as it's useful!" Lin Feng nodded, then took his leave.
"In that case, I'll take Diona and leave now!"
Diona, with her usual perceptiveness, quickly packed up her temporary tent and stood by Lin Feng's side.
Guang watched the three leave with a stiff smile, her gaze lingering.
For some reason, she felt something was off with An.
It was as if after a few days out with Lin Feng, she had completely changed.
However, the core system indicated no abnormalities with An.
This left Guang unable to analyze the situation.
She stood in place for a while until the three were out of sight, then Guang turned and returned to the cave.
Never mind, it wasn't important.
The current priority was to develop the M'Kraan crystal!
...
Lin Feng arrived and left quickly. His visit was merely to pick up Diona.
Returning to the central hall with Diona, Lin Feng briefly explained the situation.
"The time is set for precisely six o'clock tonight," Lin Feng glanced at the time.
It was five in the afternoon, so there was still an hour.
It seemed the three brothers were quite anxious about this matter, otherwise, they would likely have scheduled it for tomorrow.
"Is there anything I need to be aware of?" Diona's eyes held a hint of excitement.
She had been scared at first, but now she had figured things out.
She intended to seize this hard-won opportunity for revenge!
Of course, this was her fantasy; she likely wouldn't be able to kill Joseph today. Eliminating a faction leader required careful planning and the right timing.
"No, just pretend you know nothing. Act as a subordinate and accompany me to the gathering normally."
"Although it's called a gathering, it will essentially just be me and the three brothers."
"It's more or less a dinner and a chat."
After giving Diona some instructions, they chatted idly for a while longer, and soon it was time for the appointment.
The place where the three brothers invited Lin Feng was a planet called Nameless Star.
This planet belonged to no faction but was protected by all factions.
On this planet, black-robed individuals from various factions could conduct transactions and enjoy themselves.
However, despite the notion of friendly interaction among all factions, hidden rules between them had divided the planet into seven sections.
Each section was a gathering place for a particular faction, and within these areas, one would almost exclusively find black-robed individuals from that faction.
They all kept to themselves, only meeting cautiously to trade on the designated weekly trading days.
Joseph had chosen a location at the border between the third and fourth factions.
This was likely to reassure Lin Feng and express a friendly attitude.
This was a trading hub, and no one would permit unprovoked fights that would disrupt the area.
Exactly at six o'clock, Lin Feng arrived precisely at the entrance to the location Joseph had provided.
It was a place with the nature of an entertainment complex, offering food, drink, and recreation.
The three brothers made a great show of respect, waiting at the entrance when Lin Feng arrived.
It was rare for faction leaders to stand at the entrance awaiting someone, which drew many discreet glances.
But onlookers would glance and then quickly look away, daring not to approach and strike up a conversation.
"Shan Hai, welcome, welcome!"
Seeing Shan Hai descend from the sky, Joseph stepped forward and smiled.
His eyes narrowed as he subtly observed Lin Feng's back, his expression remaining unchanged.
This Shan Hai actually brought Diona along? What did that imply?
"Joseph!"
"We didn't have a chance to chat properly during the last handover meeting. Finally, I have some time today!"
Politeness dictated not to refuse a smiling face. Lin Feng, with a smile, shook Joseph's hand politely.
"Shan Hai is right! Please, come inside, come inside!" Joseph chuckled and gestured for Lin Feng to enter.
On the surface, they were cordial, but both harbored their own hidden intentions.
Diona, feeling the three brothers' stares upon her, shrunk her neck, sensing that this meal wouldn't be too pleasant.
This club was Joseph's property. He directly led Lin Feng to the topmost floor.
This top floor was not open to the public and was usually used by Joseph to entertain individuals of high status or colleagues.
After seating Lin Feng, Joseph snapped his fingers, signaling his subordinates to prepare the meal.
He had deliberately chosen a mealtime, believing that eating and talking simultaneously would help ease the atmosphere.
The food was soon served, likely prepared by Joseph in advance.
Lin Feng enjoyed the meal without any apparent vigilance. He didn't bring up the matter of the seventh faction mentioned in Joseph's information, instead engaging Joseph in aimless banter.
They chatted about everything from missions to personal lives, from the sky to the ground, and finally complained about the difficulties of managing a faction.
On the surface, it truly appeared to be just an ordinary dinner party.
Devent and Aiven, the two brothers, accompanied them throughout, smiling and eating. Whether they were cursing Lin Feng internally was unknown.
When they had eaten their fill, Joseph gradually steered the conversation towards the main topic.
He first glanced at Diona, who was beside Lin Feng.
Diona hadn't eaten much.
She had been quite excited before arriving, but now, standing before Joseph, Diona found herself unable to control her fear and hatred.
She kept her head lowered, afraid that Joseph would see the hatred in her eyes.
However, Lin Feng had instructed her beforehand not to deliberately conceal anything. Having hatred was even better! With hatred, Lin Feng would have an excuse to act!