Li Weidong explained repeatedly that he didn't want the zombie virus to be used for human experiments, but to extract a certain substance from it. His earnest and serious manner left Fang Qingdai in awe.

If the energy stone hadn't already been in her pocket, she would have thought Li Weidong really came for the zombie virus.

But the act had to continue. Fang Qingdai said righteously, "No matter what you do with it, it's impossible! I've already eliminated those zombies and burned their bodies. If you want to find it elsewhere, go look elsewhere. Our Oasis Base doesn't have it!"

Seeing this, Mao Yun continued his mocking mode, cursing Li Weidong for being inhuman, heartless, and unworthy of being human.

Fang Qingdai and the others nodded in agreement, making Li Weidong feel incredibly frustrated!

But seeing the other party's attitude, Li Weidong became even more relaxed.

Li Weidong's eyes flashed, and he proposed, "It's okay if there are no zombies. Our main purpose is to conduct experiments on the source of the zombie virus. If the Oasis Base is willing to allocate that contaminated area to our Xuanwu Base, we can also vote in favor!"

They've taken the bait!

Fang Qingdai continued to feign displeasure: "That won't do either. I don't believe you're researching the zombie virus for good. What if the wasteland turns into a zombie paradise again!"

"Stop talking. There's no way we're giving up that area. If you keep arguing, we might as well just start fighting!"

Li Weidong will definitely not fire!

If news of the two sides vying for a contaminated area were to leak out, both the White Tiger Base and the Vermilion Bird Base would immediately guess that something was amiss.

Since both sides possess energy stones, there's a high probability they know the source of those stones.

If he didn't want to get caught up in a three-way battle, Li Weidong would definitely try to appease the Oasis Base and quietly carry out the exchange.

Seeing Fang Qingdai's stubborn refusal, Li Weidong paused, then suddenly reached out and took a jar from the box beside him.

"And what about adding this?"

Mao Min's expression changed, and she uncontrollably took two steps forward. Fortunately, Mao Yun was quick-witted and managed to grab her back!

"Li Weidong! You took my father's ashes just so you could use them to negotiate and get the benefits you want someday?"

Mao Min's eyes were bloodshot: "No matter what disputes we have in our relationship, my father has never wronged you. The first batch of trump cards you have were also created by my father himself. Even if you don't remember his kindness, you shouldn't have used him in every way after he passed away, not even letting go of his ashes. How could you be so shameless!"

Li Weidong's face was expressionless. He seemed oblivious to Mao Min's screams, staring directly at Fang Qingdai: "So? Are you going to switch or not?"

"A piece of wasteland in exchange for an opportunity to officially join the base alliance, and... the ashes of your chief of staff's father. No matter how you look at it, your Oasis base is the one that benefits."

Fang Qingdai was so angry she laughed.

Just a moment ago it was his wife and children, and now it's the ashes of your chief of staff father.

Not only did they turn their backs on us, but they also insulted Mao Min and disgraced the Oasis Base!

What an insult it must be to have the ashes of one's own chief of staff father used as a bargaining chip in someone else's hands!

Fang Qingdai took two deep breaths and was about to speak when she saw Mao Min suddenly snatch the sidearm from the guard next to her and neatly aim it!

Li Weidong's expression changed, and the people around him reacted quickly, condensing earth and metal shields in an attempt to defend!

However, Mao Min's movements were too fast; the bullet had already been fired!

As the shields on the other side frantically piled on Li Weidong, Li Weidong's eyes suddenly changed, and he swerved to the side. The bullets that were originally not going to hit him were hit in the shoulder by his sudden movement!

Li Weidong clutched his shoulder, looking at Mao Min with a complex and astonished expression: "Are you crazy!"

Mao Min gritted her teeth and fired shot after shot, shouting, "My father was an upright man all his life. If he knew that your ashes would be used for evil after he died, he would rather just scatter between heaven and earth!"

Mao Min actually wanted to break the urn containing the ashes and let them scatter!

Everyone was shocked by her actions, and it took Fang Qingdai several seconds to react!

"Stop her!"

Fang Qingdai's voice rang out, and everyone seemed to wake from a dream, rushing forward to stop Mao Min.

With red eyes, Mao Yun tried to persuade her, "Sister, calm down. The base commander will definitely find a way to get Dad's ashes back, he definitely will. Don't be impulsive!"

After a period of chaos, Mao Min was forcibly carried back to the base by Mao Yun.

Fang Qingdai's eyes were practically spitting fire, and she looked at Li Weidong with a gaze that seemed to want to tear him to pieces!

"Bring us the goods, and we'll issue a statement of recognition today. That land is yours!"

Li Weidong saw Fang Qingdai's frustration and forbearance, but he didn't care at all. After hearing that the land had been acquired, he even smiled while clutching his bleeding shoulder.

"You should have said that earlier. Look, you've hurt your chief of staff's feelings."

His faint sarcasm disgusted Fang Qingdai to the extreme!

Suppressing her anger, Fang Qingdai stepped forward and solemnly took the urn from Li Weidong's hands, then called out, "Where's Mao Ling? Tell her to come here."

Mao Ling, as a medical worker, was stationed at the rear, but after Mao Min was sent back, she quickly learned about what had happened outside.

Now that she saw Li Weidong, the flames in his eyes almost solidified, but she quickly calmed down, controlled her emotions, and looked at Fang Qingdai, asking, "What did you call me here for?"

Do you have any way to do genetic testing using cremated remains?

Fang Qingdai worried that Li Weidong was so despicable that he might use some random bone powder to deceive them.

Modern medicine faces extremely high difficulties in using cremated remains for identification, but Mao Ling is a healing-type superpowered individual and a natural healer; perhaps she can find a way.

Mao Ling nodded: "Give me half an hour."

Li Weidong watched the whole thing with a cold eye, and did nothing to stop Fang Qingdai from examining the ashes.

Nevertheless, Fang Qingdai was still worried that he was faking it, and insisted that Mao Ling get tested.

The two sides remained locked in a stalemate, the scene quiet yet turbulent, the atmosphere eerily tense!

Only after Mao Ling returned and confirmed that the urn of ashes was indeed her father's did Fang Qingdai wave her hand and order the troops to withdraw.

"They're yours now. I need to see a statement by 10 PM tonight, otherwise..."

Fang Qingdai's attitude was clear: if the promises were not fulfilled, the Oasis Base would definitely choose to go to war!

Li Weidong ignored Fang Qingdai's threat. He seemed to be in a good mood and turned to leave with his men.

Fang Qingdai stared at his retreating figure for a long time, and couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.

She had collected almost all the valuable items in that area, and she had even taken all the energy stones that Li Weidong had been dreaming of!

The approval of Xuanwu Base is not important, but it can get you a free vote and save Oasis Base a lot of trouble.

Most importantly, the biggest victory was that by exchanging a piece of worthless wasteland for the urn containing Xiao Mao's maternal grandfather's ashes, the threat of Li Weidong's constant attacks was eliminated!