"Hello, Mr. Lu Heng. My name is Joyce, and I’m Mr. Lawrence Phoenix’s personal assistant. Here’s my business card. Mr. Lawrence wishes to have a conversation with you and hopes you could spare a little time." The man named Joyce handed over the business card with great courtesy, briefly explaining his purpose with a very good attitude. Polite and friendly people are always hard to refuse. Even if it’s an opponent, if the other party is polite enough, it’s easy to sit down and have a calm conversation. Lawrence Phoenix is currently the head of the Phoenix Family, ruling over Blue Star’s Oil Empire, once holding a monopoly in the oil market. This family once wielded immense power in the Middle East, even going so far as to provoke wars to obtain oil. Lu Heng was also very curious about what this ruler of the Oil Empire wanted to say. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novelꞁire.net After receiving Lu Heng’s consent, Joyce respectfully opened the door of the extended limousine, inviting Lu Heng inside. Lawrence Phoenix was not in the car. Because this is Coastal, it’s highly unlikely that the ruler of the Oil Empire would take this risk. After Joyce invited Lu Heng to sit down, he opened a laptop on the coffee table, displaying an online conference screen on the monitor. On the screen, an elderly white man sat in front of the camera, it was Lawrence Phoenix. Looking at the room’s setup, it should be an office or a study-like place. Lawrence Phoenix sat in a leather chair, wearing a suit, his hair meticulously groomed, with a full wall of bookshelves behind him. The books on the shelves covered a wide range of types, from "Das Kapital" to "One Hundred Years of Solitude," from "Space Colonization" to "Dutch Epic." Additionally, there was one special book because it was a Chinese-character book, "Tao Te Ching." Lu Heng briefly observed the environment the other party was in, then turned his gaze back to him. After a long stare between both parties, Lawrence Phoenix slowly spoke: "Mr. Lu Heng, I’ve heard much about your exploits, and meeting you officially still leaves me quite surprised." Lu Heng didn’t want to waste time on pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Let’s get down to business. I don’t like beating around the bush." Lawrence Phoenix chuckled and said, "I also dislike wasting time on meaningless topics because I really don’t have much time left." He paused, then formally transitioned to the main topic: "The Life Tree Vine must have been taken by you, right? There’s no need for you to deny, I don’t have the intent of reproaching you." Lu Heng raised his hand to interrupt him: "Let me correct you on two mistakes. First, it’s not ’taken,’ but ’taken back.’ Second, you have no qualification to reproach. "The only ones qualified to reproach are the Quel’dorei Elves." The Life Tree Vine was plundered by the Creator Organization’s raiding team from the Elf World. In this era on the verge of collapse, whoever gets the items owns them, but if the stolen items go missing, don’t act like a victim of robbery. Lawrence Phoenix’s expression didn’t change much as he took over the topic: "Yes, that’s indeed the case, but I still hope to make a deal with you. "If you are willing to give away a part of the Life Tree Vine, just a small portion as an experimental sample, I am willing to offer a suitable price for it. "Don’t be in a hurry to refuse. The suitable price I refer to is one that will satisfy you, even if the price you ask exceeds a reasonable range, I will agree." Lu Heng smiled and asked, "Including relocating to Da Xia?" If he really dared to come, the entire Oil Empire would belong to Da Xia. Lawrence Phoenix fell silent; both parties were well aware that the condition Lu Heng proposed had no basis for discussion. Lu Heng was merely joking, and both parties clearly understood that this demand was impossible to achieve. Lawrence Phoenix didn’t continue discussing this topic, instead said: "We can talk about something else, such as Skill Slot Crystal Cores, shares of a trillion-dollar corporation, or other authorities, there must be something you need." Lu Heng revealed a sarcastic smile and said: "You have a Chinese-character book behind you, I thought you would have some understanding of Da Xia’s culture. "You still haven’t figured it out, the ownership of the Life Tree Vine has never been for me to decide. "My cultural upbringing tells me that a gentleman loves wealth but acquires it ethically. "The things I want, I will strive for myself, and the Life Tree Vine belongs to the Elf Clan, only the Elf Clan has the right to make the decision. "Actually, there’s no need for you to waste time on this matter, because the Life Tree Vine has already been sent back to the Elf World. "If you have the capability, you might consider trying to take it from the elves again." Su Muyu had already teleported the Life Tree Vine to the Queldorei Continent, and by the timeline, she should be back by now. Thus, the Life Tree Vine was no longer in Lu Heng’s hands. When Lawrence Phoenix heard this answer, a deep desperation flashed in his eyes. Because this was his last lifeline. His initial words were true, he really didn’t have much time left. The aging body had already begun to destroy his memory, spirit, and vitality. To prolong his life, he even had some organs replaced. If the Abyss hadn’t descended, he would likely have slowly perished under the struggle of cutting-edge medicine.