16
On the way to the camp.
The group walked in silence.
Everyone's mind was still echoing with the hypnotic singing and dancing of that group of White Elephant Country people.
Finally, Li Hao couldn't hold it in any longer, leaned close to Gandalf, and spoke in a low voice.
"Captain."
"We... why aren't we cooperating with the people from White Elephant Country?"
He scratched his crew cut, a trace of puzzlement on his face.
"I see they have quite a lot of people; having one more ally is bound to be a good thing, right?"
The few team members behind him also cast curious glances.
Zhou Huai, controlling Gandalf, did not stop his pace, but only shook his head calmly.
"From what I understand, White Elephant Country has almost no credibility to speak of."
"Even if we cooperate with the Freedom Federation, it's more reliable than cooperating with them."
As soon as these words were said, everyone was slightly stunned.
The Freedom Federation was their biggest competitor this time, and could even be said to be an enemy.
The captain actually said that cooperating with the enemy was more reliable than cooperating with White Elephant Country?
Just how unlikeable is this White Elephant Country?
Zhang Cheng, walking beside them, appropriately took over the conversation.
"The captain is right."
"Worldwide, White Elephant Country is notorious for lacking a contract spirit."
"Take that airship 'Amaterasu' they were bragging about just now, for instance."
A hint of playfulness flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes.
"Back then, in order to secure this order, Sakura Country spared no expense and gave a friendship price."
"The two sides agreed that the entire airship was worth 200 million international coins."
"White Elephant Country only needed to pay an initial deposit of 20 million, and the remaining balance would be settled upon delivery."
Hearing this number, Li Hao couldn't help clicking his tongue.
"200 million? So expensive?"
"And that's just the friendship price."
Zhang Cheng shook his head.
"As a result, after Sakura Country painstakingly built the airship and delivered it to them—"
"White Elephant Country started reneging on their debts."
"They refused to pay the remaining 180 million balance with all sorts of absurd reasons."
"Things like the airship's color not being white enough, the seats not being comfortable enough, or even the sound of the toilet's flushing being too loud all became excuses for them to default on the balance."
"This matter caused a huge uproar internationally, and Sakura Country still hasn't gotten that money back to this day."
In the team, a sweet-looking girl with a ponytail couldn't help laughing out loud.
"This is too brazenly scoundrel-like, right?"
Zhang Cheng smiled.
"Of course, Sakura Country is not one to suffer a loss quietly."
"Now that the airship has disintegrated mid-air, I dare bet one hundred percent that Sakura Country tampered with it."
"They probably anticipated long ago that they would renege on the debt, so they quietly left a backdoor during construction."
Hearing this, everyone suddenly came to a realization.
One by one, they looked toward the direction of that beach, their eyes filled with disdain.
This White Elephant Country is not only absurd but also a habitual deadbeat.
Whoever cooperates with them is bound to have bad luck.
At this time, the ponytail-wearing girl seemed to remember something again, a look of disgust appearing on her face, and she lowered her voice to add:
"And there's more!"
"I heard that the men of White Elephant Country are pretty... pretty perverted in that aspect."
Her words instantly aroused everyone's curiosity.
Even Zhou Huai couldn't help diverting a shred of attention over.
Only to hear the girl continue:
"It's said that they are particularly fond of... lizards among the variant beasts."
"A while ago, their country even made international headlines because of this matter!"
"The whole world was shocked back then!"
As soon as these words were spoken,
Hiss—!
In the team, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath sounded.
Good grief...
Just to what extent must one be suppressed to be able to do such a thing?
A person cannot, at least they shouldn't...
The corners of Zhou Huai's mouth also twitched uncontrollably.
As expected, White Elephant Country is so abstract in any world.
It's insanely perverted.
Fortunately, right in this awkward atmosphere, the group finally arrived at the rest area prepared for them by Zhang Cheng.
This was an area situated halfway up the mountain, far from the hustle and bustle of the beach.
The surrounding vegetation was lush, shaded by green trees, and the air was filled with a fresh herbal fragrance.
Small buildings constructed of logs and stones were scattered orderly among the woods.
Each small building had an independent small courtyard, planted with various unknown flowers and plants, looking clean and tidy.
This was clearly a place where only the rich on the island could live.
"Everyone, this will be our camp for the next few days."
Zhang Cheng pointed at the area before him.
"You can choose your rooms yourselves, have a good rest, and store up your energy."
The members of the Dragon Fang Special Forces let out a cheer.
They quickly dispersed, choosing their favorite small buildings in groups of twos and threes.
Zhou Huai, controlling Gandalf, also prepared to find a quiet cabin to make final preparations for tomorrow's trip to the ruins.
Just at this moment, Zhang Cheng walked up to him and said in a low voice.
"Captain Gan, Great Bear Country's team lives right next door to us."
"Their captain has made an appointment with you and the captain of Ancient Egypt, wanting to meet in advance to chat about forming an alliance in the ruins."
He reached out and pointed to a luxury small building not far away that looked the most extravagant.
That small building was built in the highest terrain place, with a wide field of vision, overlooking the entire bay.
"Right now, they should have been waiting there for a long time."
Zhou Huai looked in the direction of his finger and nodded calmly.
As allies for this ruins exploration, communicating in advance was indeed very necessary.
Beside them, Lin Zhu, who was just about to return to her room, seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke indifferently.
"Go ahead with peace of mind."
"If there is any danger, I will make a move."
Zhou Huai bowed slightly to her.
"Thank you, Principal Lin."
After saying that, he no longer hesitated, took strides, and walked straight toward that luxury small building.
At the entrance of the small building stood two burly men as stout as iron towers.
They wore heavy armor, exuding a fierce aura; they were clearly elite warriors of Great Bear Country.
Seeing Gandalf walking over, one of them immediately stepped forward and reached out to block his path.
He asked in a deep voice using stiff common language.
"Who goes there?"
Zhou Huai was just about to reveal his identity.
A slightly lazy yet exceptionally pleasant female voice came down from the second-floor balcony.
"Let him come up."
Hearing this, the two burly men instantly put away their aura.
Making a "please" gesture toward Gandalf, their attitude became much more polite.
Gandalf stepped inside and came to the second floor along the wooden stairs.
The second-floor balcony was very spacious.
A comfortable beach lounge chair was placed in the center of the balcony.
A woman was leisurely lying on it, holding a red drink in her hand, leisurely sunbathing.
The moment he saw the woman, Zhou Huai's breathing stagnated for a moment.
That was a woman beautiful enough to take one's breath away.
Her skin was as white as fine mutton-fat jade, glowing with an ivory sheen in the sunlight.
A head of brilliant long blonde hair draped casually over the lounge chair like a waterfall.
Her azure blue eyes were deep and charming.
She wore only a fiery red bikini, outlining her near-perfect figure to the fullest.
Especially that pair of slender and straight long legs; they were simply the most perfect pair Zhou Huai had ever seen in his two lives.
Just a single glance made Zhou Huai's consciousness feel dry-mouthed.
So hot.
This figure was simply God's most perfect masterpiece.
She should be the SS-rank captain of Great Bear Country, right?
Zhou Huai guessed inwardly.
The woman on the lounge chair seemed to have noticed his gaze.
Slowly turning her head, those azure blue eyes fell upon Gandalf.
She waved her hand, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful arc.
"Hello."
"My name is Polina."
"What should I call you?"
Her voice carried a hint of magnetism, full of the charm of a mature woman.
Zhou Huai, controlling Gandalf, wore a polite smile on his face.
"Gandalf."
"Gandalf?"
Polina looked him up and down, her gaze unblushing and full of aggression.
She nodded, as if evaluating a piece of merchandise.
"Hmm, not bad, very handsome."
"It's just a bit too thin, not my type."
Zhou Huai: "..."
After finishing, Polina stretched out her slender finger and pointed opposite her.
"This is His Highness the prince of Ancient Egypt, Kalen."
Only then did Zhou Huai notice.
At Polina's feet, there was actually a man kneeling.
That man was bare-chested, his bronze-colored skin covered in solid muscles, looking full of a sense of power.
At this moment, he was devoutly massaging Polina's legs with both hands.
That focused expression was as if he were treating a rare treasure.
Zhou Huai had thought this guy was a servant here.
Turns out he was actually the prince of Ancient Egypt?
That same SS-rank Professional?
Hearing Polina's introduction, the prince named Kalen slowly raised his head.
On his handsome face, he revealed a harmless, sunny smile.
He nodded friendly to Gandalf, considering it a greeting.
Afterward, he lowered his head again, continuing to attentively massage Polina's legs.
Zhou Huai: "..."