"Third condition," said Madame Scar-Eye.
"The IPC requires the technology and production authorization for the Coordination Type-III genetic agent."
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Your intelligence network works fast."
"But you've wasted one of your requests. That technology was already intended for the IPC."
"Just not yet."
"Wait until the large-scale trial results of the Panacea project are completed."
Coordination Type-III was a genetic stabilizing agent Lin Yi had developed together with Ruan Mei for Zhuxing.
Its primary function was to harmonize the natural genetic conflicts in Zhuxing's body.
A secondary effect emerged during development: it could act as a genetic stabilizer, preventing DNA mutation under extreme environmental conditions.
Diamond spoke next.
"Fifth condition."
"The company hopes you will sever ties with the Interstellar Fleet."
"No further assistance."
"And the Utopia Experiment must be halted."
At that moment, every director of the IPC turned their attention toward Lin Yi.
The room fell silent.
After a long pause—
"…Fine."
"I agree."
One by one, the directors and their projected avatars raised additional requests.
It was obvious that the corporation was deeply factionalized.
Each group focused on protecting its own interests.
The fact that they managed to divide the benefits and formulate reasonable demands in such a short time was almost miraculous.
Finally, Vantala Keen spoke.
"Then the last condition."
"The IPC requires Super-Memory Crystals."
Lin Yi's expression instantly turned cold.
"Not sincere."
"You're wasting my time."
He stood and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Vantala Keen spoke quickly.
"Super-Memory Alloy will do as well."
Lin Yi stopped walking.
"I chose the IPC because of your scale."
"You're efficient."
"But if the corporation shows this little sincerity…"
"It's not as if I must cooperate with you."
"I don't believe you'd dare create trouble over this matter."
"Panacea research could simply slow down."
"After all, we still have plenty of other projects to work on."
"Just one cubic meter," Vantala Keen said urgently.
"That's all we need."
"Items four, six, seven, eight, and nine from our previous demands will be cancelled."
"I'll personally oversee Panacea's production and distribution."
"It will save you a lot of time."
"Isn't that better?"
Lin Yi thought for a moment.
"…Fine."
"But I want one Keystone."
"Any size will do."
Now it was Vantala Keen's turn to fall silent.
"…A Keystone can be provided."
"But only a standard one."
"And you may not transfer it to anyone else."
"That is our final condition."
Lin Yi smiled faintly.
"Then negotiations are concluded."
"Our cooperation is established."
"Coordination Type-III isn't stable enough yet."
"It only works for my student."
"We'll discuss that later."
"As for the Super-Memory Alloy—"
"You can come to the space city to collect it yourself."
"And don't come empty-handed."
Lin Yi clapped his hands lightly.
"Well then."
"The tedious negotiations are finally over."
"Where's the banquet?"
Lin Yi valued efficiency.
He hated wasting time.
But he was also a hypocrite.
After all—
Eating, drinking, and enjoying life could hardly be considered wasting time.
A month passed quickly.
The engineers from the IPC's technology division still hadn't fully mastered the production process.
Lin Yi's irritation nearly triggered his idiocy intolerance syndrome.
"Now I understand Ratio."
Fortunately, the core technology had already been mostly grasped.
The remaining details were trivial.
Lin Yi had promised one month.
So one month it would be.
If the IPC engineers still couldn't handle the rest, they could seek help from the Intelligentsia Guild.
After all—
Lin Yi had already solved the difficult parts.
If they couldn't manage the simple ones, then perhaps the corporation didn't need to keep employees who were essentially useless.
It was almost time to leave.
Screwllum worked quickly.
The matter Lin Yi expected to help with had already been resolved.
The chosen target was a large-scale shipbuilding hub.
Nearly ten percent of all starships produced each Amber Era were built there.
Shutting down such a facility would result in enormous losses.
"I wonder how Screwllum convinced the company," Lin Yi muttered.
Lin Yi's next destination would be Kasbelinath VIII.
He was certain he had seen that name somewhere before.
But the memory was too distant.
And Argenti's story had sparked his curiosity.
If circumstances allowed—
He might just hang a few capitalists and warlords on street lamps.
Street lamps alone were too monotonous.
They needed decoration.
Speaking of Argenti…
Lin Yi suddenly remembered something.
The equipment he had installed on Argenti's ship all had various side effects.
It should be fine.
They're minor issues.
As long as they don't trigger at the same time.
Lin Yi reassured himself internally.
Meanwhile—
In an unknown star system.
Dongfang Qiqing was on the verge of tears.
"Unlucky, unlucky, unlucky!"
"Why am I so unlucky?!"
The story began more than a month earlier.
"Hurry! Hurry! Let's go!"
"Miss, wait!"
The attendant hesitated.
"Our ship hasn't been used in a long time."
"Shouldn't we conduct a standard inspection first?"
"Why would we need that?"
Dongfang Qiqing waved dismissively.
"Hasn't it been maintained regularly?"
"They're trusted people from our family."
"You don't trust them?"
"But Miss…"
"Wouldn't it be safer to double-check?"
"There's still time."
"I heard that genius will stay at the IPC for a while."
"We've wasted enough time already."
Dongfang Qiqing waved her hand impatiently.
"It's fine."
"I'm in charge."
"Depart."
On the ground, a maintenance worker nervously touched the screws in his pocket.
Then he remembered the energy units he had secretly sold.
Cold sweat poured down his back.
The ship hadn't been used for ages.
As a nepotism hire, he had skipped proper inspections.
And since energy modules needed periodic replacement—
He had secretly sold them off.
After all, unused modules would be scrapped eventually.
Selling them early and reporting them as expired replacements was practically untraceable.
This is bad…
Really bad…
But he didn't dare say anything.
By the time he hesitated long enough—
The ship had already departed.
Watching the starship streak across the sky like a beam of light, he collapsed to the ground.
"I'm dead…"
"If I report it, I die."
"If I don't report it, I live a little longer."
"Run."
"Yes."
"I need to run now."
Meanwhile—
Dongfang Qiqing was relaxing in a bath, humming cheerfully.
Suddenly—
The starship began to shake violently.
"What's going on, Xiaoyou?"
"Starquake!"
Xiaoyou shouted.
"A Starquake!"
"The radar malfunctioned—we didn't detect it in advance!"
"We've been caught in the shockwave!"
"And the hull's stabilization anchors were removed earlier!"
"Maintenance teams are checking the ship!"
"Space is unstable—we can't perform a warp jump!"
"We're preparing to overload the engines and escape the Starquake zone!"
Then another voice shouted:
"Bad news!"
"There isn't enough energy for engine overload!"
"What?!"
"How is that possible?!"
Dongfang Qiqing's mind raced.
Someone must be trying to assassinate her.
Plenty of people had motives.
But how had they sabotaged her ship without being noticed?
There was no time to think.
She made the decision instantly.
"Initiate warp."
"And contact the family for rescue immediately."
"But Miss—"
"Space inside the Starquake is extremely unstable!"
"The warp exit cannot be guaranteed!"
The officer saw the look in Dongfang Qiqing's eyes.
He chose obedience.
She still commanded enough authority.
Dongfang Qiqing quickly changed into combat gear.
She entered an escape capsule.
If the warp failed—
At least she might survive.
The ship shook even more violently.
It felt as if the entire hull might collapse.
But eventually—
The shaking stopped.
The ship stabilized.