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Secret Realm.
Everyone present at the meeting exchanged meaningful glances. They hadn't anticipated that Jacob's ambitions would be so vast, that he would actually desire an entire Secret Realm.
However, upon further consideration, taking into account the extraordinary value of Evolution Keystones, offering seven complete sets at once—in terms of pure worth alone—might not necessarily be inferior to a Secret Realm's value.
Particularly since Evolution Keystones could also provide immediate combat power enhancement.
The three Champions frowned deeply, clearly weighing this significant matter carefully in their minds.
Regarding Secret Realms, although the Pokémon Association doesn't maintain strict regulations against selling them to private individuals, the established unwritten rule dictates that official bodies must retain more than fifty percent of ownership shares, maintaining absolute control, while private individuals can hold a maximum of forty-nine percent.
To this date, there had never been a precedent for selling a Secret Realm outright to any individual, so they felt somewhat hesitant and uncertain about this unprecedented request.
After stating his conditions clearly, Jacob felt no urgency whatsoever. He patiently remained seated in his chair, quietly awaiting the three Champions' response. He had already presented his terms; whether they would accept was entirely up to the Pokémon Association's own decision-making process.
If this situation had occurred half a year ago, Jacob would never have dared to negotiate terms with the Pokémon Association in such a manner, but circumstances were entirely different now.
Half a year ago, he could accurately be described as powerless and without any meaningful influence, lacking reputation and notable achievements, so at that time, he could only choose to surrender the Z-Move corresponding techniques freely.
Now, he was not only the Frosthollow Province Champion but also held significant influence within the scientific research community. Additionally, he was not isolated within the Pokémon Association; the Long Family and the Xiao Family both served as his valuable allies.
Most crucially, he possessed Iron Valiant, a truly powerful weapon. The Champion-level Iron Valiant provided him with considerable confidence in these negotiations.
"A Secret Realm is absolutely impossible," Westin was the first to speak, directly rejecting Jacob's condition with a tone filled with unmistakable authority. "If you are genuinely sincere about negotiating, you can propose a reasonable alternative price."
"I believe my price is quite reasonable," Jacob responded with a calm smile, showing no fear when facing a Champion directly. "Scientific research is never a simple undertaking. You only observe the glorious achievements after a breakthrough occurs, but you haven't considered that if my experimental projects never yield results, all investments will be completely wasted, and the Pokémon Association won't help me bear those costs, correct?"
Jacob remained completely unmoved, his attitude firm and resolute. This time, he would not make the slightest concession on his demands.
"Jacob," Westin's voice rang out with authority, "Don't even consider the Secret Realm; it's absolutely impossible to establish a precedent for complete privatization. Propose a new, reasonable condition, and we will provide appropriate compensation! Jacob, you must remember that you are a citizen of China."
Westin's attitude was uncompromisingly tough. As a hawkish influential figure within the Pokémon Association, his personality had consistently remained this way: strong-willed, powerful, and renowned for his iron-fisted approach to problems.
Such an uncompromising personality had always attracted criticism; many people both despised and feared him. Nevertheless, despite this opposition, Westin could still maintain his position as Champion, primarily because he was genuinely selfless in his motivations.
Unlike some individuals who used the pretense of justice to pursue personal gain, Westin was a true patriotic hero, serving his country and its people faithfully. Furthermore, whenever conflicts arose with foreign nations, Westin would always lead the charge, suppressing threats with decisive action.
"Champion Westin, precisely because I am Chinese, I chose to make all my experimental results available to the Pokémon Association and to acquire Evolution Keystones and Mega Evolution Stones from international sources," Jacob paused deliberately. "Champion Westin, I suggest you avoid jumping to conclusions so hastily. You can return and discuss thoroughly whether to accept my conditions."
"Oh, speaking of which, there's another important matter," Jacob suddenly interjected with strategic timing. "Besides Mega Evolution, I have another new experimental project that has already shown promising initial results, but it requires two additional research assistants."
Jacob smoothly shifted the conversation topic to his new experiment: "I hope the Pokémon Association can recommend two suitable candidates for me."
Upon hearing Jacob's words, everyone present displayed varying expressions of interest.
Find two research assistants?
This was clearly an olive branch being extended by Jacob. They had heard during the past two days that, apart from Maximus and Raya, the two collaborators on the Mega Evolution experiment, who had made considerable fortunes.
The families supporting the two research assistants Jacob recruited also managed to secure pieces of the valuable opportunity. Although they only acquired one or two Evolution Keystones, it remained significantly better than what anyone else present possessed!
Now, Jacob proactively mentioned his new experiment and requested the Pokémon Association to recommend two suitable candidates. His purpose was straightforward: to demonstrate goodwill toward the Pokémon Association.
On the surface, this concerned two research assistants, but in reality, it represented two potential partners, two valuable allies.
Moreover, examining Jacob's current impressive resume, it wasn't difficult to recognize that, to date, all of Jacob's experimental results, considered individually, ranked among the top tier achievements in China.
Jacob's scientific products consistently proved excellent in quality.
Now that Jacob possessed a new experiment, it was highly likely that even if it wasn't as revolutionary as Mega Evolution, it wouldn't prove significantly inferior.
Who wouldn't desire to join Jacob's team and potentially profit substantially?
"Dr. Jacob, another new experimental project? Is it convenient to disclose what type it involves?" Koen inquired with genuine curiosity and a friendly smile.
"It's only showing promising signs currently, and it also provides certain enhancements to combat effectiveness," Jacob responded somewhat vaguely. "But I'm not one hundred percent confident that it will yield concrete experimental results, and even if successful, it might require several years to complete."
As soon as they heard this involved another combat power enhancement for Pokémon battles, everyone immediately became intensely interested. They hadn't even experienced the benefits of Mega Evolution yet, so they naturally couldn't afford to miss Jacob's new experimental project.
"Ahem, Dr. Jacob, my son serves as a professor of Pokémon Studies at League University. I believe he could serve as your research assistant."
"Dr. Jacob, I have a respected junior colleague who is a Pokémon breeding master. I think he can definitely provide significant assistance to your experiment."
"Dr. Jacob..."
Those with junior colleagues or relatives who were researchers or doctors spoke up enthusiastically, and the conference room suddenly became as lively and bustling as a marketplace.
Westin's facial expression grew increasingly stern and displeased.
"Actually, the Secret Realm matter isn't entirely beyond consideration," Colby then spoke diplomatically, making Westin's expression even more awkward and uncomfortable.
Koen also spoke at precisely the right moment: "I also think this matter deserves discussion in our meeting, and simultaneously, we need to establish certain restrictions on Secret Realm transactions, such as you can only select a newly discovered Secret Realm, you must develop and construct it independently, and it cannot be resold to other parties."
"We can't provide you with a definitive answer immediately. We'll need to conduct a formal meeting first to reach a clear consensus. Old Westin, don't appear so displeased; let's discuss it thoroughly in the meeting. If it proves unworkable, you can vote against the proposal."
Westin remained silent, his face clouded with obvious displeasure.
"Alright," Jacob nodded agreeably. These were not significant problems. He felt no urgency; for an official organization like the Pokémon Association, the approval process was inherently complex, and it would require at least half a month from initial discussion to final decision.
"Once the Pokémon Association approves the arrangement, I will first provide one complete set of Evolution Keystone and Mega Evolution Stone as a deposit," Jacob stated clearly.
"After we officially sign the contract, I will deliver three additional sets of Evolution Keystones."
"Within one month of signing the contract, I will provide the remaining three sets of Evolution Keystones."
"Acceptable."