Chapter 2363: Chapter 2203: Habit Evening. Davos Town, snowflakes once again fluttered down. Town residents were jubilant, welcoming distinguished guests from around the world, and the few days felt like an entire month. Exquisite! They truly wished that every day could be like this, but it’s just a fanciful dream. It’s good enough if these bigwigs visit once a year, why dream during daylight? ... Villa by the lakeside. Second floor. Jack Ma silently gazed out the window, feeling a sense of awe. Working with Tang Qing was all about efficiency. So swiftly, they gained eleven more partners. Likewise. Each one incredibly strong. At first. He wasn’t very familiar, not even having heard of some families. But with Tang Qing’s brief explanations, his heart began to race. Strong! So strong! Money. Power. Influence. These families are nearly top-tier in their countries, with direct and collateral lineage as well as in-laws either in high government positions or military big shots. Or perhaps on one side, they’re immensely wealthy, able to cover half the sky with a single hand. Frankly. He is somewhat intimidated. Even though he’s experienced such methods of cooperation before, Tang Qing’s high selection threshold made his heartbeat involuntarily race wildly. Powerful alliances! This. This is absolutely a grand chess game. Tang Qing is constructing an overseas network through Hummingbird, forming a massive power circle that spans dozens of countries. Terrifying! Such a force is incredibly strong! Nonetheless. Even as his heart races with excitement, because Ali is part of this circle, this means Ali’s future path will be much smoother. Management. Policy. Loan. Expansion. ... 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺 All obstacles are insignificant before these forces. Previously, when going abroad for business, relationships needed to be smoothed out, with personal visits. Now. No need. It’s all joint advancement, with Hummingbird leading the way, there’s no need for Ali to cultivate personal ties alone, all needs presented will have someone designated to negotiate. Tang Qing? Lazy! At most, he maintains relationships with a phone call. But as for personal visits, he hasn’t done any all this while, with his identity set, it’s an accepted norm. Therefore. Ali is under Tang Qing’s protection, breezing ahead. Otherwise. These families wouldn’t pay attention to an entity like Ali. Even if Ali’s market value multiplies tenfold, in the eyes of these families, money isn’t the only measure. Power! That’s what people at this level value. Tang Qing. In China. In Myanmar. Even on a global scale, he has extensive power connections, far surpassing Ali. But Jack Ma doesn’t mind this disparity. Power. Is everything. Over the years. Ali has come a long way, especially during the startup phase, facing obstacles everywhere; everyone gave Ali a hard time, all because it was too weak back then. Weak! Don’t set high expectations. Moreover. Tang Qing’s connection isn’t something everyone can latch onto! Having this connection, that in itself is a capability. This feeling of pride and satisfaction is quite mundane but also quite enjoyable! Isn’t it? ... In the distance. Inside a certain hotel. "Bastard." "This Tang Qing is too unreasonable." "Hmph!" "To actually refuse us." "..." Some negotiations were successful, naturally some were not. Numerous forces approached, but few were agreed upon, those politely declined were naturally not content. But. After the curses. All they could do was sigh. What can they do? Force cooperation? What a joke. They do possess self-awareness. Tang Qing leans on a big tree, and is a big tree himself. Trying to trip him? Not an easy task. However. Every single one made their determination, Tang Qing may not be able to meddle in foreign nations, but within their own domains, it’s easier to trip him up, since he refused. Alright! Let him see our power. Immediately. A phone call was made to set things in motion. They too are storm makers, within their countries they’re veritable local emperors. As for offending Tang Qing? Cut! We don’t depend on you for survival; if you don’t show courtesy, should I still plaster my face onto yours? Even if offended, their power and status ensure they can live luxuriously. No matter how fierce. Could Tang Qing really have control over their nation? ... At this moment. In the Alps, Mont Blanc, the highest peak of the mountain range, snow covers its summit year-round. In the late night, Tang Qing stands atop the peak, basking in the wind and coolness. In a flash. The surroundings changed from icy snow to a paradise of birds and flowers, on an uninhabited island in the Pacific, far from flight paths, not even present on any nation’s map. Because. It was just filled out not long ago. This year. Mine slag. Waste rock. A considerable accumulation, felt wasted if thrown in the training area, so gradually it was dumped here, eventually forming an artificial island, where flowers and plants were planted. The purpose. Of course, not for viewing. After all. Flowers can be grown anywhere, Tang Qing has many places to enjoy flowers, and the floral sea of the training area is vast enough, stronger than making a flower island here. No other reason. Placement. Previously. Just as when dealing with Kovalro and his wicked group, where two islands existed, one for letting bad people fend for themselves. The other one. Mainly for placing some pitiable folks. After all. Many people are no longer suited for appearing in human society, yet cannot be killed, nor merely imprisoned, thus forming such an island. Nowadays. People increasing. Space insufficient. Therefore. An artificial island was prepared to settle them, while allowing expansion through constant fill, as for the use of those two original islands, planning for other purposes. "Let’s begin!" "Yes!" ... A thousand miles away. On a small island, sporadic lights flickered, not electric lights, but oil burning ones. They haven’t seen ’electricity’ here for a long time. There’s food. There’s drink. Though a bit tedious. Still. No one complains, many feel boredom, mostly because they haven’t been through extraordinarily extraordinary things. The people on this island have seen Hell. Some. Were once used as experimental subjects by certain organizations, witnessing people die in front of them, some were even disassembled, parts repurposed. Some. Were kidnapped to a deserted island. One person. One knife. Groups hacked at each other, the one staying alive till the end gets more days to live, move onto the next round. Some were left on an uninhabited deserted island, three people, with nothing to eat. Finally. ..... They. Were saved at last. Thus. Having seen Hell, they know better the value of a monotonous life. To calmly watch the sun, eat a meal - even if just idle. That’s happiness. Gradually. Messages began to pass between them, learning that their rescuers must be a righteous organization, as for why they’re not released, they understood---evil forces are great. First. The organization cannot afford provoking, unwilling to expose. Second. Even if set free. They might not survive long, could be silenced, even implicate family. So the desire to return to civilization, after a long time. Instead faded. This is quite nice. There’s food. There’s drink. Everyone possesses nothing, no class distinctions, having endured the harshest life and witnessed the world’s horrors, traversing through life and death. Presently. Used to it, it’s quite good.