The North Korean leader didn't refuse—because he knew that he couldn't.

The phone call and the video both connected at the same time.

Six figures appeared in the video. Apart from Dong Pingtao and the leaders of the other four major countries, there was also another figure. Relatively chubby, he had bloodshot eyes that were filled with a sense of anxiety and grimness. It was none other than Kim Hyangmyeong, the North Korean leader.

Te Bajing—India's leader—and the other three men weren't surprised when they saw him either. Their stern expressions didn't change.

Te Bajing said straightforwardly, “Leader Dong, we all know about the situation in North Korea. Large numbers of First Realm, Second Realm, and even Third Realm cultivators have appeared. We must destroy them immediately at all costs.”

The others nodded in agreement. Only Kim Hyangmyeong's expression turned fearful, and he pleaded sincerely, “Leaders, please listen to me. This is our capital, and there are millions of people here. Please don't fire nuclear weapons.”

Although many had died due to the alternate world invaders wreaking havoc, even more would die if nuclear weapons were fired.

Out of those millions of people, he didn't know how many could actually survive.

As he spoke, he also looked pleadingly at Dong Pingtao.

He knew very well why the four major countries hadn't immediately fired missiles at them like what they did to other small countries in the past.

Apart from the fact that they were intending to use nuclear weapons—which had impacts that were too great—this time, the bigger reason was that North Korea was located next to China. They had even a.s.sisted this country in the war back then.

If China didn't take a stand, the four major countries couldn't straight-up make the decision to fire nuclear weapons, thereby deciding the life and death of millions of people either.

Dong Pingtao didn't speak immediately. Te Bajing snorted and said, “Leader Kim, please think for the greater good. Do you know what kind of consequences it'll bring once Third Realm invaders enter Earth? All the humans in the world may face destruction as a result.”

The other three didn't say anything. However, the calm and peaceful look of those eyes—to the extent of looking incredibly cold and indifferent—on their stern faces indicated that they thought the same way.

Kim Hyangmyeong was infuriated. He wanted to yell and lash out at them. Think for the greater good? Hah.

However, he didn't dare to. He could only tolerate it and plead, “But that's millions of people we're talking about. With every country's satellites around, there's no way those Third Realm invaders can get away. Please, I beg all of you.”

“Alright, Leader Kim. Let's not talk about these useless things anymore. It's impossible for us to risk the whole of humanity dying out and allowing the alternate worlds to establish a foothold on Earth,” said Te Bajing somberly.

“That's right.” The Iranian leader said. His serious expression looked so cold and emotionless to Kim Hyangmyeong that the chills reached deep into his bones.

“I agree.” Another two concurring voices chorused.

A light shudder went through Kim Hyangmyeong. He looked at the silent Dong Pingtao.

Dong Pingtao glanced at him and then at the other four men. He heaved a soft sigh and said, “Everyone, we can't possibly abandon millions of lives so easily. China will take care of the invaders into North Korea instead.”

Overjoyed, Kim Hyangmyeong looked gratefully at Dong Pingtao.

Te Bajing and the other three frowned. In the silence, the Russian leader asked seriously, “Can you guarantee it, Leader Dong?”

“We, China, promise that we won't let those Third Realm invaders walk out of North Korea,” said Dong Pingtao sternly.

Te Bajing and the other three were silent. Had it been anyone else—even any of the other major countries; they wouldn't have believed them.

However, toward China, they had to. On top of that, they also had to give that country that kind of respect.

“Alright. Since Leader Dong has said so, then we'll just wait for the good news.” The Russian leader took the lead and said.

The other three also nodded.

The video conference ended, leaving behind only Dong Pingtao and Kim Hyangmyeong.

“Thank you. Thank you. Really, thank you so much.” Kim Hyangmyeong, whose eyes were damp, immediately said.

The feeling of going from h.e.l.l to heaven could seriously drive one mad, especially when the person in question was the leader of a nation. The pressure was unimaginably immense.

Dong Pingtao raised his hand. With a serious expression on his face, he said steadily and powerfully, “There's no need for that, Leader Kim. However, I also have something very important that I'd like to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead.” Kim Hyangmyeong suppressed his anxiety and quickly said.

“We can talk about that a while later. I need to see how we should deal with the invaders first,” said Dong Pingtao.

“Okay, okay. Go ahead,” said Kim Hyangmyeong hastily.

The call ended. Dong Pingtao exhaled lightly. A few minutes later, he received a proposal from the secretariat.

After looking through it in detail, Dong Pingtao contacted the rest of the cabinet members again. Grim expressions adorned everyone's countenances after they looked through the proposal.

Two minutes later, everything was approved.

Dong Pingtao nodded. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he said seriously, “The new era can be said to have arrived at a turning point. We don't have time to hesitate. We can only constantly look ahead of us.

“I will personally oversee the upcoming unification plan.

“I will take charge of the parts to do with Kim Hyangmyeong and the Tiger King. Everything else is to be immediately carried out according to the plan.”

Everyone nodded seriously. The video conference subsequently ended.

Dong Pingtao contemplated in silence for a minute before he dialed Kim Hyangmyeong's number.

Fifteen minutes later, Kim Hyangmyeong had a blank and forlorn look on his face.

As for Dong Pingtao, he made another video call.

At Tiger King's Cave, w.a.n.g Hu and Di Baijun were currently looking at some speculations on the Internet in their room.

The spiritual energy density level in various parts of Earth had suddenly increased. It was extremely likely that it had reached Third Realm-level. There was no way something like that could be kept under wraps. After all, there were too many cultivators in the world.

They could sense it, and they weren't fools.

At the same time, anyone that wasn't a fool would also know the implications.

Signs of the impending storm were gradually showing even on the Internet.

They hadn't looked that long when w.a.n.g Hu received a video call from Dong Pingtao, just as he was about to discuss something with Silly Girl.

His gaze turned serious. Evidently, something very important must have happened for Dong Pingtao to contact him at this time.

He gave Silly Girl a look, upon which she s.h.i.+fted slightly to the side knowingly. Only then did w.a.n.g Hu pick up the call.

“Your Excellency, I'm very sorry, but I really have something very important to discuss with you, hence the call.”

As though he didn't mind at all, w.a.n.g Hu's expression was calm and indifferent. In a peaceful voice, he said, “As the saying goes in your country, one never visits unless they need something. What is it?”

Dong Pingtao nodded and replied seriously, “The spiritual energy density level outside of China has suddenly all reached the first stage of the Third Realm.

“An alternate world in the capital of North Korea has just invaded. They have likely already been planning this for a long time.

“At present, we've discovered 13 Third Realm experts.

“There are millions of people there. Unless absolutely necessary, we don't wish to use nuclear weapons. Therefore, we would like to invite the Tiger King to work with China and get rid of the invaders.”

Next to w.a.n.g Hu, Di Baijun raised an eyebrow. There was no change in w.a.n.g Hu's expression, and neither did he speak. Instead, he merely watched the other party quietly.

Dong Pingtao only paused for a moment before he went on. “Once successful, North Korea will be integrated into China. We are willing to offer Your Excellency one-third of the land.”

His sincere voice stopped at this point. Di Baijun's expression couldn't help but become one of surprise, followed by temptation.

No matter how much she disliked dealing with business affairs, even she knew very well how big of a deal North Korea's integration into China was, as well as how great of a profit this was.

The look in w.a.n.g Hu's eyes also turned serious, and he gave Dong Pingtao a good, long look.

Dong Pingtao calmly met w.a.n.g Hu's eyes without looking away.

“China should be able to take care of those 13 Third Realm First Floor cultivators even without the use of nuclear weapons, can't it?” said w.a.n.g Hu coldly and indifferently.

It had been more than a year. More than a year had pa.s.sed since the emergence of Third Realm cultivators in China.

Given China's nature as the king of cheats, he didn't believe that they were incapable of dealing with 13 Third Realm First Floor invaders.

In that case, why were they approaching him? And giving away such great benefits for no reason?

Dong Pingtao nodded. He replied sternly, “China is indeed capable of dealing with the current invaders. However, there would be unavoidable casualties and fatalities. This isn't something we would like to see. Besides, what happens after that?

“Spiritual energy is slowly increasing. Since the other party can dispatch 13 First Floor experts straight away, then this means that they have even more at their disposal.

“Therefore, we also have one more condition: we hope that Your Excellency can stand guard over the world pa.s.sage in the future and take care of all the invaders that step out of it.”

w.a.n.g Hu swiftly weighed the pros and cons. The other party was giving a little too much.

After a few seconds of silence, his voice turned slightly more solemn, and he asked, “The spiritual energy density level within the area… what will it be like once North Korea is integrated into China?”

“We've done some experiments before. As long as it's within China's borders—even if the other nation has only just been integrated; the spiritual energy density level there will become the same as other areas,” replied a knowing Dong Pingtao.

With a serious look in his eyes, w.a.n.g Hu said solemnly, “The world pa.s.sage is mine in the future. China is not allowed to interfere.”

Since he had to stand guard over it, then he might as well just claim the whole thing. He wanted the alternate world at the other end of the world pa.s.sage now.

With a stern and solemn gaze, Dong Pingtao contemplated for only a second before he nodded and agreed. “Okay. However, experts are not allowed to come out of it and harm my citizens.”

“Naturally.” w.a.n.g Hu nodded.

“Our men have already set off. Barring any accidents, they should arrive at North Korea's capital in three hours,” said Dong Pingtao as a reminder after they reached an agreement.

“I will go there in advance.” w.a.n.g Hu, who understood what the other party meant, answered immediately.

“Thank you.” Dong Pingtao breathed a small sigh of relief.

The call ended without w.a.n.g Hu saying anything else.

Beside him, although Di Baijun didn't like troublesome things, such a simple discussion meant that there were still a lot of things that they hadn't discussed.

Upon seeing that they had reached an agreement with such a short exchange, she couldn't quite stop herself from remarking, “The territories haven't been divided yet.”

“There's no need to,” replied w.a.n.g Hu with a smile.

“Why?” Di Baijun frowned lightly.

“Since China has decided to swallow up North Korea, they won't care about that bit of land. We can just choose as we please.

“They're gonna be in deep trouble now,” said a smiling w.a.n.g Hu. He even sounded fairly happy about it.

Upon seeing that the mean fellow was only saying half of what he was thinking again, Di Baijun glared at him somewhat disdainfully.

An amused w.a.n.g Hu explained, “What I mean is that… since China has decided to start swallowing up small- and medium-sized countries, then this means that the merger of human countries has officially started.

“Putting everything else aside for now, what kind of public opinion will China have to face?

“Apart from the reasons that he's mentioned, one of the other reasons why Dong Pingtao is willing to relinquish such a big share of the benefits is precisely so that he can reduce some pressure on himself.

“However, we don't need to care about those things. Since China has decided to become the vanguard of times and do this, then this means that they are confident of bearing the pressure.

“We just need to take the benefits that have been offered right up to us.”