Listening to the leader’s words, Ji Xinghuo’s face grew solemn.
He had already guessed the task that the leader was going to entrust to him, but such a matter of great importance, and he did not have much confidence.
"If the Star Flame Pulse is so important, why would the New Roman Empire include it as a prize?" Ji Xinghuo asked, puzzled.
"Because they don’t know," explained Ji Daosheng, "Combined Ability, the Ultimate Profession Star Child, this knowledge is clear to very few people on Earth. I also came to know a small part of it through a secret channel from the Star Realm."
"Perhaps, apart from the Sun King, only I know the real value of the Star Flame Pulse."
He pointed at the Alien Species information on the screen, "A flame Burst Alien Species like the Star Flame Pulse, there are four or five known ones, but only it is a ’Fusion’ Combined Ability."
Ji Xinghuo checked the source of the prize.
The Star Flame Pulse came from the New Roman Empire’s Star Realm Department, marked as a Transcendent Species, obtained a few months ago.
"Does the Steel Emperor also not know?" Ji Xinghuo asked again.
"Not sure," Ji Daosheng shook his head, "I don’t rule out that Ivan is knowingly pretending to be ignorant, using it to attract the Sun King for other purposes."
He suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"This Ivan is extremely cunning and slippery. During the Fourth World War, when pressured by the situation, he sought our country’s assistance and later signed the ’Ivangrad Treaty,’ which he regarded as the greatest shame and humiliation of his life. The New Roman Empire has recovered over the years and has started to get restless again."
The whole world is very clear about this history.
The fuse for the Fourth World War originated in 2152 when the New Roman Empire was at its zenith, with territories stretching across the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, covering over thirty million square kilometers.
In 2152, aspiring to conquer all of Europe, the Steel Emperor embarked on expansion towards the west.
The West Alliance could not resist, retreating step by step, and in 2154 officially joined forces with the American Federation to form the "Atlantic Military Alliance."
In 2156, the American Federation declared war on the New Roman Empire.
In 2157, the New Roman Empire, facing enemies on both east and west fronts, witnessed the outbreak of an anti-Imperial revolution in Central Asia, with a collapse on the battlefield.
In 2158, the American Federation occupied Siberia.
In 2160, the Atlantic Military Alliance forces approached Ivangrad. In the same year, the Star Moon alliance of Middle Eastern nations pushed northward, reaching the Asia Minor peninsula, leaving the New Roman Empire in grave danger, on the brink of national extinction.
Nine years after the outbreak of war, on the eve of its defeat, the New Roman Empire finally sought help from the Asia-Pacific Community, a nation founded just over a decade earlier.
In 2161, the Asia-Pacific Community fully entered the war, declaring war on the American Federation, and the Fourth World War broke out.
This world war was the shortest in history, lasting only five months before a ceasefire was declared.
In February 2162, countries met in Ivangrad and signed a peace agreement, historically known as the "Ivangrad Treaty."
This peace treaty cost the New Roman Empire dearly, with massive land concessions and reparations, losing over two-thirds of its territory. The Asia-Pacific Community emerged as the biggest winner, and over the next twenty years, it completed control over Siberia and Central Asia, incorporating them into its territories.
To this day, the New Roman Empire has not fully recovered from its defeat.
Not only is it still paying war reparations annually, but many clauses in the Ivangrad Treaty still restrict the development of the New Roman Empire.
Whenever the "Ivangrad Treaty" is mentioned, the citizens of the New Roman Empire feel deep pain and humiliation, and some even Rage violently.
As victors, the citizens of the Asia-Pacific Community bear no psychological burdens.
Moreover, they regard this as retribution for the New Roman Empire.
At the end of the 21st century, when the American Federation sent troops to occupy East Asia and further invade other nations, the then-ally "East Slavic Empire" not only stood by indifferently but massed troops on the border, wanting a share of the spoils.
In the East Asian wars of the early 22nd century, the East Slavic Empire stabbed its allies in the back many times.
It was also later revealed that the Steel Emperor had secretly signed a non-aggression pact with the American Federation, aiming to divide Asia.
In the 2020s of the 22nd century, the New Roman Empire took the opportunity to send troops from Central Asia to invade the western regions’ frontier, occupying it for more than twenty years.
Fortunately, the rise of the leader reversed all this.
In the current situation, the New Roman Empire is once again an ally of the Asia-Pacific Community, out of necessity; both sides remain wary of their ally.
The New Roman Empire is in a weaker position, while the Asia-Pacific Community holds an absolute advantage.
The pact is beginning to waver again.
Sitting beside him, Luo Yimeng said, "Leader, can we simply ask the New Roman Empire for the Star Flame Pulse?"
"On what grounds?" Ji Daosheng countered.
Luo Yimeng replied, "Make up any excuse, like a Heavenly King desires it, and offer to trade it for an Alien Species of equal value."
"Making such a fuss over a mere Transcendent Alien Species," Ji Daosheng shook his head, "Knowing Ivan, he would definitely become suspicious."
Ji Daosheng pondered, "I have been suspecting that this Star Flame Pulse could likely be a bargaining chip in negotiations between Yi Cheng and the Sun King. It is the first Star Flame Pulse to appear on Earth, extremely rare, and even if just a Transcendent Alien Species, it is highly valuable."
Ji Xinghuo did not understand, "If it’s meant to be a bargaining chip, why not negotiate in secret?"
"Ivan’s actions always plan far ahead, there must be details we’re unaware of," Ji Daosheng said with furrowed brows.
"The Steel Emperor..." Ji Xinghuo sighed inwardly.
The Emperor of the New Roman Empire, "Steel Emperor" Ivan Zhugashvili, is the first Heavenly King in human history, and to date, the longest-lived person, having exceeded 200 years old.
He was born in 2018 and attained the rank of Heavenly King in 2068.