Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 938 - 660: Recruitment (Part 2)

The Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance boasts the largest resource network, the most advanced technology, and the most flexible system in this Stellar District. Here, your strength can be maximized.

The Alliance also needs strong individuals like yourself, especially after witnessing firsthand the threat of the Bug Race. Join us, and you can directly lead the mobile forces, and both Iron Curtain and I will fully cooperate with you."

At the side, Iron Curtain, the bald man with bronze skin, also approached.

He grinned sheepishly, his voice deep: "You're stronger than me, I acknowledge you. While the Alliance can be domineering at times, it never hesitates to reward real talent. Here, you can gain much more than on that leaky little boat called Bauhinia. And also..."

He lowered his voice, "Xing Zhuo is also regretful of the previous offense and will provide you with a satisfactory explanation and enough respect."

Bai E just swirled the liquid in his glass, not responding to her words.

Beside him, Legendary Mechanic Remington Storm from the Thunder Dragon Empire noticed that Bai E was unmoved by Xing Hen and Iron Curtain's overtures, thinking he might have a chance too.

Initially, he and Blood Roar were traded to the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance to form a team, simply because the Alliance had two Legendary Mechanics, while their country had only one.

If Bai E were willing to join his Thunder Dragon Empire, then even after this deal ends, the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance wouldn't have as much leverage as before.

Ignoring the presence of Xing Hen and Iron Curtain, Remington decided to step in directly.

"The Thunder Dragon Empire values strength and glory." Remington's voice was steady and powerful, with the Empire's unique weightiness, "Your abilities were proven in the finals, and you saved us all inside the Bug Race mothership. Our Emperor highly respects warriors like you. If you choose to join Thunder Dragon, the Empire will offer you the rank and treatment of 'Guardian Dragon General', with independent territory and recruiting rights.

Even if you have aspirations for independence in the future, the Thunder Dragon Empire will be your staunchest supporter and protector. This is more substantial than being in a merchant alliance or a... nebulous revival dream.

Most importantly… the Thunder Dragon Empire has never had a dispute with you."

Bai E didn't directly accept Xing Hen and Iron Curtain's invitation, which Remington felt had to do with Xing Zhuo's previous hasty actions.

Bai E turned his head, glancing at Remington, who always steadfastly followed during the Bug Race mothership incident, displaying the serious commitment unique to imperial soldiers.

Bai E nodded slightly: "I appreciate the Empire's regard, but for now, I have no such intention."

What was most unexpected was Victor Dragon Roar from the Blood Cry Empire.

He took advantage of Bai E's brief absence from the heart of the banquet to almost "huddle" with him, the dragon tattoo on his face appearing somewhat mysterious in the shadow.

"Hey, Boss Bai E." Dragon Roar's voice was low, carrying that unique mix of wildness and craftiness from the Blood Cry Empire.

"Don't listen to their high-sounding rhetoric. The Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance is just a bunch of calculating businessmen to the bone, and the Thunder Dragon Empire has too many rules and pretensions. Blood Ming is different; we only value strength and results! His Majesty has said, as long as you come, the position of Deputy Commander of the Blood Ming Empire's Mobile Armed Forces will be yours, second only to His Majesty himself!"

Resources, technology, manpower, all at your disposal. If you can't let go of Catherine's revival dream, Blood Ming can also immediately allocate a colonization fleet and complete industrial modules, directly helping her build the planet, affiliated with Blood Ming in name, but actual control can be negotiated slowly. How about it?

Are these terms more practical than their empty promises of the future? Furthermore, we of Blood Ming are the most loyal and never go back on our word!"

Dragon Roar's words were filled with allure, directly raising the level of support to almost the point of "ceding territory."

But Bai E looked at his single eye glinting with intelligence and responded plainly: "The terms are very generous, I'll consider them."

Clearly, the moment they returned to civilized society, these individuals completed first-time communications with the highest rulers of their respective powers.

They all offered the largest stakes their forces could promise, and without the Bauhinia affair, Bai E might truly have considered them.

But now... it's too late.

After this unofficial recruitment attempt, the atmosphere of the banquet seemed to relax a bit, with everyone celebrating surviving the ordeal and commemorating those who perished at the claws of the Bug Race.

In this seemingly harmonious party, Xing Zhuo, the highest official in charge of this action from the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance, finally made his formal appearance.

He didn't speak with Bai E in the bustling banquet hall but invited him to a highly private meeting room.

The room was elegantly decorated, with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the busy spaceport below.

Xing Zhuo personally poured Bai E a cup of tea, his face lacking the sharpness and arrogance seen before on the command ship, replaced by an expression mixed with fatigue, remorse, and sincerity.

"Mr. Bai E," Xing Zhuo stood in front of Bai E without sitting, slightly bowing.

"First of all, please allow me to express my sincerest apologies for my previous folly and offense."

He raised his head, making direct eye contact with Bai E, without evasion: "On the contest planet, ordering the forces against you was born out of the Alliance's usual arrogance and an underestimation of your abilities. This not only led to our meaningless losses but almost deprived the entire human fleet of its only chance to strike back under the Bug Race threat. This was a major decision-making error on my part. Upon returning to the Commerce Alliance headquarters, I will formally submit a report and take full responsibility."

Bai E nodded, waiting for him to continue.

The apology wouldn't be the end; it was obviously just the opening statement.

After the apology, Xing Zhuo finally sat down, his demeanor turning serious and earnest: "For this reason, I understand your value more clearly, not just in terms of individual strength, but also your understanding of the Bug Race, this unknown formidable enemy, and your decision-making abilities at critical moments. As stated in my report, in facing the Bug Race, our Alliance's attitude toward you will be one of 'respect, cooperation, and empowerment.'"

"Therefore, on behalf of the Supreme Council of the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance, I extend the sincerest invitation for you to join our ranks.

We promise: First, you will directly serve as 'Special Tactical Advisor' and 'Commander of the Elite Mobile Forces,' with powers parallel to the Star Domain Governors, reporting directly to the Supreme Council.

Second, the Alliance will fully support your force development. We can provide basic infrastructure, technology, and initial immigration support in a co-development form and leverage our influence within the Star Alliance to pave the way for its potential future membership.

Third, concerning the Bug Race threat, you will have the highest priority in resource mobilization rights and intelligence privileges, with the Alliance fully cooperating to establish the relevant research and response systems."

The conditions offered by Xing Zhuo incorporated the platform resources mentioned by Xing Hen, as well as substantial support similar to Dragon Roar's offer, providing extremely high independent authority and strategic position, tying Bai E's capabilities to the Alliance's overall interests and future threats, clearly more long-term and comprehensive.

Bai E listened quietly, letting his gaze drift from the glittering lights of the port outside the window back to Xing Zhuo's expectant face.

He slowly put down the teacup, his voice calm and clear: "Mr. Xing Zhuo, I appreciate the regard of the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance and your sincere apology. The terms you offer are very generous; the Thunder Dragon Empire and Blood Cry Empire also showed great sincerity."

"However, I still choose to decline."

The muscles on Xing Zhuo's face tightened slightly, but he seemed not entirely surprised. He quickly spoke: "Mr. Bai E, please reconsider! Is it because you still have lingering resentment from the earlier conflict? I can assure you, the Alliance can show the highest sincerity in apologizing to you! Any request, just name it, as long as it's within my capability. Or if there are any aspects of the offer that you are not satisfied with, we can discuss it. There's plenty of time; we can communicate slowly to find the most suitable cooperation method."

Bai E shook his head: "It's not because of the previous conflict. I have accepted your apology. I refuse because I have already made my choice."