Dragon Nation began occupying the maps within the Death Territory of the World 18, scavenging the vast hidden resources.
In response, the Seven Great Nations were completely helpless.
Because Zhang Yue was stationed within the Death Territory.
Don't even mention them trying to seize Dragon Nation's territory.
If any of them dared step into the Death Territory and got discovered by Zhang Yue, they'd be in deep trouble.
Zhang Yue, relying on just one man and one dragon, slaughtered the Seven Great Nations.
The most frequently spoken phrase among the professionals of the Seven Great Nations was, "That beastmaster who rides a dragon has arrived!"
"Brothers, run quickly!"
Previously boasting on the world channel about how powerful they were, now the celebrities of the Cold Nation's association were being ruthlessly abused.
So much so that, in the end, the people of the Seven Great Nations were beaten so badly they couldn't even take a single step outside their own borders.
They could only cower within their national territories, developing in obscurity.
Besides the Seven Great Nations, their allied countries were also struck by Zhang Yue's retaliatory attacks, all forced to withdraw from the Death Territory.
In an instant, the Death Territory of the World 18 became the exclusive territory of Dragon Nation and its allied empires, Bear Nation, Thracian, and Green Nation.
After witnessing hundreds of professionals from many small nations being instantly wiped out by a single AOE skill from Zhang Yue, those nations were shocked by his overwhelming power, doubting the meaning of their own existence.
Then they looked at the Seven Great Nations they once admired, now unable to even exit their own borders, surrendering one after another under Dragon Nation's might.
Some death-fearing small countries, worried their own nations would be excluded from this world, began offering vast resources to Dragon Nation in hopes of making peace.
"Baal Nation is willing to offer 10% of its national economic resources to Dragon Nation in exchange for peace, just to allow our Baal Nation's professionals to enter the Death Territory!"
"King Aluo Yanshou of God Nation offers, on behalf of God, ten legendary treasures, one hundred rare skill books, and 500 billion in funds to request peace with Dragon Nation!"
"The Empire of Albeman is willing to offer 10% of the nation's resources to request peace with Dragon Nation…"
Receiving tribute from nations across the world.
As the top representatives of Dragon Nation, Ice Emperor, Moon Mark, Seraph, they were simply stunned.
"Zero, that kid, actually changed Dragon Nation's international standing all by himself."
"Even God, known for its resource-rich maps and one of the world's top three economies, abandoned Beacon Nation and sought peace with us."
"Zero's impact… isn't small!"
No wonder some countries sway like grass in the wind, following whichever side is stronger.
If their nation isn't strong enough yet wants a foothold in this world, they have no choice but to attach themselves to powerful countries.
For survival, they can only bow and scrape.
Moreover, the resources hidden in the Death Territory are just too abundant.
No exaggeration: a regular professional developing in the Death Territory for one day equals two or three days' development in their own national territory.
For stronger professionals, the multiplier is even higher.
Take Zhang Yue, for example, one day in the Death Territory equals ten days in the national territory.
Now that the Seven Great Nations have been suppressed and their people can no longer enter the Death Territory…
It's undoubtedly a golden opportunity for other countries to surpass them.
They all began requesting peace from Dragon Nation.
News of this reached the Seven Great Nations, and their people were, naturally, furious.
———
Especially on the Cold Nation's side.
"Dragon Nation is really arrogant, thinking that just one beastmaster can change the entire world order?"
"They must have forgotten who really rules this world!"
"Baal and God, those people are brain-dead! Terrified of a little beastmaster from Dragon Nation who isn't even level 100! Weren't they the ones licking our Cold Nation's boots before?"
"That beastmaster is already level 100 (quiet voice)…"
"So what? Can one person change the entire world?"
"Just one skill wiping out hundreds or thousands of professionals—that kind of strength already far exceeds what people understand. In their view, letting Dragon Nation's beastmaster keep growing, he'll eventually surpass the world's three myth-level professionals. When that day comes, Dragon Nation's international standing will skyrocket. That's why they're pledging allegiance early, making preparations for the future…"
[Cold Nation Capital, Headquarters of the Celebrities' Association.]
As one of the branch presidents, Celebrity Qiangu immediately sent a request to the association's upper management.
But the response from upper management poured cold water on him: "We high-level professionals from the higher worlds can't interfere in lower-world affairs."
Celebrity Qiangu seemed to catch a loophole: "That kid's level 100 already, about to exit the newbie protection period. Once he's out, we can just send a level 200 or 300 professional and kill him as easily as squashing an ant."
The reply from upper management made Celebrity Qiangu's heart sink to rock bottom: "To deal with professionals from another country, it must be done inside the Death Territory. But there's a rule: professionals who've cleared this world can no longer enter the Death Territory of this world."
"This means we can't use high-level professionals to suppress him."
Hearing this, Celebrity Qiangu was heartbroken, "So there's really no way to punish him?"
Just then…
The supreme leader of the Celebrities' Association, [Celebrity Junxin], told Celebrity Qiangu: "Eastern Nation is rich in materials that generate spatial rifts."
"You should understand what I mean, right?"
Celebrity Qiangu froze, then suddenly realized: "Understood!"
"I'll contact Shinjo right away!"
———
The setting sun dipped below the horizon.
The afterglow of the sunset fell upon the sea's surface, casting a beautiful scenic line.
[World 18, Underwater World]
[Safe zone: Island of Despair]
Zhang Yue lay on the beach, a blade of grass in his mouth, gazing at the sky.
Cherry sat beside Zhang Yue, resting her chin on her hands.
Her large watery eyes glanced at Zhang Yue, and she asked, "Master, what are you thinking?"
Zhang Yue stared unblinkingly at the pink sky and blurted out, "What do you think?"
Cherry blinked.
"I guess Master is thinking about how to deal with the guy who recognized your true identity!"
Zhang Yue chuckled, "You really are a clever little fox!"
Cherry raised her pink fists and said seriously, "Don't worry, Master, Cherry will do her best to become even stronger, to protect Master!"
"With Cherry here, no one will ever hurt Master!"
Zhang Yue sighed softly, "The reappearance of the three Main Gods means a great catastrophe is approaching."
"Get ready for battle!"
With that, Zhang Yue stood up and patted the sand off his butt.
Then, he waved his hand and activated the World 18 BOSS challenge.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y