035. Red Arrow Empire Is Truly Reliable
So, he conveniently hopped over the wall to visit the neighboring Red Arrow Empire's embassy and checked out the latest immigration regulations.
To his surprise, the current immigration controls in the Red Arrow Empire weren't that strict. Even a globally wanted criminal like Li Aozi could apply for a green card.
However, obtaining an ID card would be more troublesome. Li Aozi still had a deep affection for the Red Arrow Empire; it was home to a dedicated Omega Energy Research Institute, which could be considered his alma mater in the game. There were several key pieces of knowledge there that could help him improve his use of Omega Energy.
"Thankfully, the infiltration of imposters hasn't begun on a large scale yet."
Wasting no time, Li Aozi hurried to apply for immigration to Red Arrow and took the opportunity to present a sample of Baio King Kong's data. He swaggered into the embassy and said:
"I am Li Aozi of the 'Abyss Cataclysm.' I have important information in my hands."
The diplomatic ambassador of the Red Arrow Empire stationed at the Grant embassy quickly escorted him to the confidential room.
He was received by the head of the Confidential Bureau's Secrecy Division, Eugene von Meses, a veteran Red Arrow noble. With an air of slight arrogance, he strode in, but upon seeing Li Aozi and the information he brought, he immediately broke into a gentle smile.
"I knew you would choose the Empire."
Chief Eugene said.
"Look at what you're saying—I've always been a Red Arrow man," Li Aozi said earnestly. "The despicable Frost-Plated Republic government violated my human rights. My right to education as a human was severely infringed, and for a long time, I was subjected to mental control by family members who tried to turn me into a cow that could plow the field—coughing up blood to produce milk while contributing my salary."
Li Aozi's words weren't overly emotional, but combined with his extraordinary charm of 100.1 points, every word landed like a critical hit on the people of Azure Star.
"What a shameful and despicable matriarchal clan." Eugene shook Li Aozi's hand sympathetically. "I know what you've been through, Mr. Li Aozi. We've always tried to contact you, hoping you would join the Empire. His Highness, Crown Prince Rudolf, holds you in high regard."
"I am deeply honored."
Li Aozi made some polite remarks, slightly surprised:
"His Highness Rudolf actually takes notice of someone as insignificant as me."
Crown Prince Rudolf was no ordinary person. In his past life, after Azure Star was bombed, Crown Prince Rudolf, as the successor, quickly stabilized public sentiment with an iron hand and led the newly formed empire to rapid development.
This guy was a benefactor to Li Aozi in his previous life. Back then, when Li Aozi was stuck on the [Bishop] class change quest with no progress, Rudolf, knowing he had once destroyed the Azure Star infected by Entropy Lord, sent him a certificate that gave Li Aozi the opportunity to enter the Galactic Civilization for advanced studies.
He recalled how, when Emperor Rudolf personally saw him off, he shook his hand and sincerely said:
'You are the hope of our Red Arrow people and the future of Azure Star. Don't lose to those cosmic beings.'
Unfortunately, the young emperor died two years later, unable to adapt to the cosmic environment. Such talents often die young; otherwise, he could have led the Red Arrow people to rapid development, greatly aiding future strongholds in several versions.
[I might be able to help Rudolf survive, but it's only worth a try.]
Seeing Li Aozi a little lost in thought, Eugene smiled and teased:
"Hey—don't be so modest, Mr. Li Aozi. You're now a hero among the people of the outer lands, enjoying high prestige internationally. Don't underestimate yourself just because GTB has issued a warrant for you. After several investigations and certifications, you are now a well-known figure on Azure Star, so don't belittle yourself."
Eugene wasn't exaggerating. Li Aozi, upon hearing this, remembered that Tianhuan had already presented evidence several times of the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization's crimes against humanity.
It's truly ironic that the country that committed the most war crimes was Tianhuan, yet it's also the country that came forward to expose the truth.
The four nations act only in their own interests, which Li Aozi fully understood. In fact, after reaching Star Abyss, people need a larger identity to come together.
Especially for a narrative-level civilization, those who remain on their home planet can't imagine how a vast narrative civilization with tens of billions of people holds together.
Bloodline? With millions of different civilizations, some are on the technological side, others on the magical side. Across the chasm of time and space, time can cause significant racial differences. Trying to form a single-bloodline race is incredibly difficult. Before you even breed five generations, the neighboring civilization has undergone a genetic mutation to a magical bloodline with reproductive isolation. Isn't that absurd?
Nation? You're from a satellite colony, I'm from a space station. You say we're of the same nation—do you even believe that yourself?
Region? A narrative-level civilization spans hundreds of thousands of light-years in diameter. Relying on regional divisions is underestimating the vastness of the universe.
Religion? This one's a bit more reliable, but the cost of communication is too high. As it develops, it's easy for multiple branches and heresies to emerge, and heresies are often more detestable than infidels.
Finding common ground while respecting differences is the foundation of maintaining a civilization.
In fact, a Dao Path is a perfect common point. There are only six Dao Paths in the universe, and any narrative-level civilization that masters one can announce that everyone in that profession can integrate into their civilization, instantly gaining exponentially more talent and power.
However, precisely because everyone understands the immense significance of Dao Paths, no one is willing to share even one.
Li Aozi chose the [Starfall Master] route largely because he knew that no one could walk the [Starfall Master] Dao Path further than he could. This Dao Path could lead him to godhood. When that time comes, he will gain the support of all [Starfall Masters], and every talent who walks his path will become his mobile territory.
It's easy to imagine how fierce the competition for the [Destruction] Dao Path would be—but that's for later.
Ten minutes later, Li Aozi, deep in thought, was startled by the terminal's notification sound. He glanced at the bank interface and saw that his account had gained 150,000 gallons.
His Frost-Plated Republic citizenship had been canceled, conveniently allowing him to be registered in the Red Arrow Empire's resident database.
Eugene handed him a passport with the Red Arrow national emblem, encouraging him:
"I suggest you avoid returning to the country in the short term. This will help you avoid negative public opinion, and His Highness hopes you can perform even better."
"Perform even better?" Li Aozi squinted.
These words were intriguing.
What does it mean to perform even better?
The Red Arrow Empire was currently in a period of currency appreciation, with Gallon interest rates rising. Zhenxu and Frost-Plated Republic were both selling off large amounts of foreign currency. In plain terms, the Red Arrow Empire was harvesting the financial market.
Li Aozi could somewhat guess what Rudolf meant.
Using war and currency, they intended to plunge Frost-Plated Republic into an economic crisis, ideally forcing the Medewei government to collapse.
Medewei, though a madwoman, still posed a threat to Red Arrow, though not entirely politically.
Her rampant promotion of the idea that 'Frost-Plated Republic women are best suited for Frost-Plated Republic's domestic products' blocked Red Arrow Empire's companies from entering the market. At the same time, Law III's agent system, coming and going without a trace, was infuriating the Empire, yet they were powerless to do anything about it.
This was because they didn't know that Law III was collaborating with the Metro Brotherhood. So even if they wanted to intervene, Red Arrow Empire's network couldn't compete with the 'Old Era High-Tech Transmission' of the Metro Brotherhood.
Li Aozi kept this in mind, feigned ignorance, and started to inquire about the reasons.
"You may have noticed, Li Aozi, that during Medewei's rule, she vigorously supported the Law III and Law IV agencies. The Empire doesn't want to face such a situation, so it's necessary to bring Medewei down."
Eugene said:
"If you're interested, would you be willing to help the people of Grant thoroughly annihilate Frost-Plated Republic's invaders after assassinating Grand Duke Gamos?"
"Of course, I will defeat the Frost-Plated Republic army invading Grant."
"No, not just the Frost-Plated Republic forces invading Grant," Eugene said with a smile. "We have sufficient evidence that Law IV Governor Lyriel Southlake will personally enter the country to oversee the battle, and she will certainly bring Law IV's ultimate weapon—'Blizzard.'"
"So, if you fail to assassinate Grand Duke Gamos, you will face two Gamma-Tier powerhouses."
People might wonder why Frost-Plated Republic's President Medewei is a madwoman.
Well, just think about how Germany's Chancellor was once a failed art student…