The tactic worked well.
While Argenti was engaged in conversation with the scholar from the Intelligentsia Guild, Lin Yi quietly stepped back a few paces, putting some distance between himself and the scene.
By his estimate, the time was about right. The IPC should have finished preparing on their side.
Under Lin Yi's persuasion, Argenti had already departed, and the scholar had also achieved what he wanted.
Unfortunately, the scholar had placed far too much importance on the title of "genius." His attention had been completely drawn to Lin Yi's creations, causing him to overlook what truly mattered.
Instead, it was a young man whom he had scolded earlier who had noticed the beacon and continued studying it intently.
Young people saw less of the world. They had drive. They lacked caution.
Ironically, those qualities worked in his favor.
An IPC staff member soon arrived to inform Lin Yi that everything was ready.
Lin Yi stood and followed him out.
As he stepped through the doorway, he glanced back quietly.
The middle-aged scholar looked delighted.
The young man looked troubled.
It felt like two completely different worlds.
Lin Yi sensed that an idea was forming in his mind—something on the verge of revelation—but the inspiration slipped away before he could grasp it.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Lin Yi?" the IPC attendant asked.
"Nothing."
Lin Yi handed him a small object.
"Give this to that young man over there."
If the inspiration wouldn't come, there was no need to force it.
While walking, Zhuxing remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"…Teacher. You're abducting another person again."
"Duang."
Lin Yi flicked her forehead.
"When have I ever abducted anyone?"
As they continued forward, the luxurious grandeur typical of the Interastral Peace Corporation gradually faded.
In its place appeared something older—simpler, austere.
The architecture bore the unmistakable weight of history.
"Mr. Lin Yi," the attendant said respectfully.
"I do not have the authority to enter beyond this point. Director Jade is waiting ahead and will take over my duties."
"Understood. Thank you."
Lin Yi nodded.
He stopped walking and turned toward Zhuxing, who had been following him closely.
"What comes next will be extremely boring."
"Do you really want to come along?"
"You can wait outside or find somewhere to rest."
Zhuxing remained silent.
Lin Yi sighed.
"If only you and your sister could combine your personalities…"
"If you get bored during the meeting, you can leave anytime."
The conference room itself wasn't large.
At the center stood a round table with fourteen seats.
The main seat was crafted entirely from pure amber—reserved symbolically for the Amber Lord, Qlipoth, though the Aeon had never shown any interest in the Corporation.
Seven seats belonged to the current board members.
One seat—temporary and stylistically different—was prepared for Lin Yi.
The remaining seats belonged to board candidates and honorary directors.
Apparently, the Corporation had placed a genius on the same level as its board.
Though perhaps that treatment wasn't extended to all geniuses.
When dealing with Chadwick, they certainly hadn't shown the same courtesy.
Of the thirteen seats other than Lin Yi's, only two were physically occupied.
Diamond.
Vantala Keen.
The surrounding spectator seats, however, were completely full.
After all, those seats were never fixed.
Many other directors attended through projections or authorized representatives.
More than half the board was present in one form or another.
Three seats remained empty.
Since Lin Yi had requested simplicity—and because this wasn't an internal corporate meeting—there were no ceremonial introductions, no reports, and no formal opening procedures.
They exchanged brief greetings and moved straight to the main topic.
"Let's keep this short."
Lin Yi leaned back slightly.
"I'll speak first. You can discuss and ask questions afterward."
"I don't like being interrupted."
"In simple terms: Phase One of the Panacea Project is complete."
"It's ready for mass production."
"And the production cost is not particularly high."
"I've brought the complete technical data with me."
"On the way here, I already adjusted it for manufacturing purposes."
"I will personally provide one month of technical guidance."
"Only one month."
"I hope the IPC will quickly absorb the technology, establish production lines, and distribute the medicine."
"And I hope the company will not extract excessive profit from Panacea."
"Preferably none at all—as long as production does not operate at a loss."
"This is not just my opinion."
"It is the shared position of several geniuses involved in the project."
He raised a hand casually.
"Of course, we're not tyrants."
"The IPC has every right to refuse."
"That's all."
"Nothing complicated."
"I hope the company will carefully consider the matter."
Silence filled the room.
No one spoke.
After a moment, Oswaldo Schneider was the first to break the quiet.
"You must understand," he said calmly,
"The IPC is not a charity organization."
"We cannot operate without profit—especially when dealing with something as valuable as this."
"Shut up, Oswaldo."
Lin Yi cut him off immediately.
"I understand your department's job is market expansion."
"But I only want a result."
"I'm not interested in meaningless probing or negotiation tactics."
"I'll wait next door."
"You can start arguing now."
"Call me when you're finished."
"And don't take too long."
In truth, Lin Yi could have informed them in advance.
The IPC could have argued internally beforehand and simply gone through the formalities today.
It would have been far more efficient.
But…
Lin Yi had forgotten.
"Will they agree, Teacher?" Zhuxing asked quietly.
"You said the IPC values profit above all else."
"Other than the Amber Lord Qlipoth, no one could persuade them to give up profit."
"That's true."
Lin Yi shrugged.
"But once they agree, they'll gain more than they lose."
"Zhuxing, remember something."
"If you ever have to deal with the IPC in the future—"
"Keep the process as short as possible."
"Never give them too much time."
"Speak more. Listen less."
"Present problems to them rather than answering their questions."
"And never fall into their logic."
"So that's why you interrupted the Market Expansion Minister?"
"No."
Lin Yi answered flatly.
"It's just that I find him extremely disgusting."
"I didn't want to hear his voice."
Teacher hates Oswaldo Schneider.
Zhuxing mentally recorded the note.
"Teacher, I'll go outside for a while."
"Stay as long as you want."
"I'll call you when it's time to leave."
Before long, the IPC representatives finished their discussion.
Just as expected—
They agreed.
"Mr. Lin Yi," said Madame Beye.
"The IPC is willing to accept your proposal."
"But there are a few conditions," added Vantala Keen.
"We hope you can understand."
Oswaldo spoke again.
"After all, the IPC is not a charity."
"You can't simply expect us to abandon such massive profits."
Lin Yi raised a finger.
"I need to correct one thing."
"Not your profits."
"Your collective profits."
"As for your conditions…"
"Let's hear them."
Oswaldo spoke first.
"The IPC will expand production as quickly as possible."
"But scaling production and transportation takes time."
"The company must retain absolute authority in deciding which star regions receive supplies first."
"Fine."
Lin Yi nodded.
"The Genius Society will not interfere."
"But the IPC cannot deliberately obstruct any region."
"You may decide priority order."
"But you cannot ban sales to any region."
Next spoke Yan Shiluo.
"Second condition."
"The IPC would like five annual student exchange positions at Shenxiao Space City."
"Five is too many."
Lin Yi waved dismissively.
"Two."
"And they're not all coming to me."
"One goes to Herta."
"One goes to Screwllum."
"As for Ruan Mei…"
He paused.
"…Never mind. You probably couldn't find her anyway."
"One more thing."
"When the new students arrive, the old ones leave."
"If I decide to keep someone, the IPC must let them stay."
"Those are my terms."
"Accept them, or the deal is off."
After further negotiation, the final agreement was reached.
Six students total.
Three from each side.
And the exchange cycle would occur every three years.
However—
If a genius personally expelled a student, that slot would remain vacant for the remainder of the three-year period.