Invited that member?
The member from the Interstellar Civilization?
Both Huang Jingrong and his companion felt somewhat dazed.
But looking at Shen Yu before them, deep down they believed all this was probably true.
A guest from the Otherworld, and not just any Otherworld, but one from an Interstellar Civilization, is about to visit their world—this country!
"I'll report this immediately!" Huang Jingrong took a deep breath. "Send in a professional diplomatic team, I..."
"That won't be necessary." Shen Yu interrupted, glancing at his wristwatch. "The agreed time is six fifteen, and by my reckoning, it's almost here."
"Isn't this a bit too rushed?" Huang Jingrong felt a jolt in his heart.
In his eyes, if the other truly represents an Interstellar Civilization, there's no such thing as too much caution!
If news got out, every country in the world would be scrambling to extend the highest-level hospitality!
This is genuine, friendly, sixth-type alien contact!
"If there is no foundation of equality, then yes," Shen Yu replied, "But here, that doesn't apply. Even if there are differences in power and status among members, our identities are equal. The Association has three rules about this."
As Shen Yu raised three fingers, Huang Jingrong instinctively sat up straight, while Xiao Xu beside him quickly grabbed pen and paper to take notes.
At this moment, any information about the Multi-Dimensional Apocalypse Civilization Mutual Aid Association was of utmost importance to them.
"First, members cannot harm each other."
"Second, unless permitted by the member of another world, you may not arbitrarily interfere in their world."
"Third, unless permitted by the member of another world, you may not privately seek benefits in their world."
In fact, during the several hours waiting for Huang Jingrong to arrive, Shen Yu had already held a brief meeting in the Gray Mist Space with the other two Shen Yu.
It was essentially a preliminary framework for the Association.
And these three rules had just been set as basic ground rules.
This was all to better ensure that everyone's worlds could be saved.
At this moment, Huang Jingrong kept silently reciting those three rules in his mind.
His eyes grew brighter and brighter.
He could clearly see what these rules meant.
On one hand, just as Shen Yu said, the identity of members from different worlds is equal. No matter how powerful your civilization is, as long as I have no request of you, you can't interfere with me at all.
On the other hand, this maximally prevents civilizations from fighting over interests, and guarantees the foundation for benefit exchange for every civilization.
Otherwise, if a powerful civilization fancied something in their world, they could just drive a Cosmic Battleship over, or tempt them with things like "Longevity"—it would be far too easy to establish a real influence over their civilization.
But in this way—the importance of the homeworld member skyrockets!
Don't forget, those last two rules are all contingent on "unless permitted by the member of another world."
That is, if the homeworld's member slacks off, gives up, or is tempted by benefits, they could become a "traitor," and let some ill-intentioned Otherworld civilization in!
When Huang Jingrong looked at Shen Yu, his gaze had already changed.
But, for now, the most important thing isn't this.
It's that guest from the Interstellar Civilization who's about to arrive!
When Huang Jingrong realized the time was near, he could feel the tension tightening.
In this situation, it seemed only he could stand on behalf of the country's main authority to meet the guest!
Without question, no matter how simple or brief it is, this meeting will go down in history—and with such immense interests at stake, even Huang Jingrong must rely on deep breathing to steady his nerves.
And just as the clock struck six fifteen, the same Gray Mist appeared beside Shen Yu.
A man nearly two meters tall, his body embedded with mechanical structures, with obvious signs of cybernetic enhancements in several places, appeared there.
At first sight, he made a powerful impact!
As if a character from cyberpunk, stepped into reality.
All the mechanical parts, every detail, were astonishingly real—even the glowing patterns on his skin radiated the aesthetic of futuristic technology.
No matter how well prepared psychologically, Huang Jingrong was still a bit stunned.
Not to mention Xiao Xu beside him, who could only gape in silence.
No proof of identity was needed—his mere arrival spoke for itself!
Finally, Shen Yu stood up with a smile. "Welcome to my world."
"Thank you." The interstellar world Shen Yu was silently sizing up the surroundings.
Though for him, more than twenty years had passed, the familiar feeling still welled up from the depths of memory.
He was home again.
The homeland of his previous life—he never imagined he'd have the chance to return.
"Hello." Huang Jingrong had already regained his composure. He too stood, forcing a friendly, slightly nervous smile. "On behalf of our world, this city you're standing in, and this country, I welcome you."
"Mm." The interstellar world Shen Yu finally looked at the two before him and nodded slightly, then turned to Shen Yu. "You didn't mention that a representative of your world's managing authorities would be attending."
Huang Jingrong and Xiao Xu instantly tensed.
But Shen Yu seemed unconcerned, explaining casually: "There was no choice. Our world is on the brink of catastrophe. Personally, I lack both power and influence, so to properly respond to the doomsday crisis, I had to seek the help of the management. Besides, what you need—just me alone couldn't possibly obtain in time."
The interstellar world Shen Yu said nothing, but nodded slightly, apparently accepting this explanation.
From this exchange, Huang Jingrong picked up on plenty between the lines.
It seemed their civilization's member had already reached some kind of agreement with the interstellar member?
On a certain level, that was indeed the case.
Shen Yu needed efficiency—every world did.
Even the current conversation had been arranged in advance.
"Then let's be straight to the point." The interstellar world Shen Yu looked at Huang Jingrong, mechanical eye glinting with electronic light. "I don't know if Shen Yu told you one of the Association's highest principles—every harvest must be earned through contribution. We're a Mutual Aid Association. My world also faces an apocalyptic threat. If there's no benefit, we have neither duty nor energy to help your civilization for free."
"We completely understand." Huang Jingrong's expression became grave.