290: Internal Meeting

Inside the top-floor conference room of the Interstellar Peace Corporation headquarters, an extraordinary high-level meeting was underway.

Around the oval conference table sat the heads of the company's various important departments, and today, for the first time, a non-company member was present.

Lin Mo, a middle-aged man who was actually almost eighty but looked only in his early forties, sat calmly in the guest seat.

Thanks to the "Enhanced Serum" administered to all citizens of the Eastern Federation over thirty years ago, his appearance remained in his prime, with only his deep-set eyes revealing the wisdom of a life well-lived.

He wore a simple, modern Chinese-style suit, with an exquisite Zijin badge pinned to his chest, signifying his status as an envoy from the Zijin Pavilion, the Eastern Federation's highest decision-making body.

For forty-four years, he had been the main bridge of communication between the Eastern Federation and the Interstellar Peace Corporation, witnessing the company's development from the "Titan" era to the present day.

"Old Lin, you're here!" Topaz greeted with a relaxed and friendly tone, "Last time you mentioned bringing something, yes, Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao, a specialty of the Eastern Federation, did you bring it?"

Lin Mo smiled slightly and took out an exquisite tea caddy from his briefcase: "Of course I brought it. Knowing some of you were thinking about it, my assistant even reminded me before I left."

"This is the first harvest of Mother Tree Da Hong Pao this year, specially supplied to the Zijin Pavilion. But there isn't much; I got some of 'the Boss's' private stock, so you're in luck."

Aventurine leaned over and sniffed: "Tsk tsk, Old Lin, you're impressive. You dare to casually pick up such good stuff? I'm impressed."

"Speaking of which, you always bring Topaz good things. Believe it or not, I'll report you to your sister-in-law?"

"There's something for you too," Lin Mo took out another small box, "This is the Hainan agarwood you wanted. I know you like this. And a newly discovered purple diamond, I'm giving that to you too."

"Oh ho? There's good stuff like this too?" Aventurine raised an eyebrow, quickly took the diamond, and admired it against the ceiling light.

"Not bad, the purity of this purple should break the Blue Star record, right?"

"Yes." Lin Mo nodded and smiled: "A while ago, there was a crackdown on smuggling on Blue Star. Someone in Oceania exchanged this for a set of fully automatic seawater desalination equipment from one of our small factories."

"After the transaction, we caught them. It's said that this was dug up by a gang called Animals over there after they restarted a mine."

"As for how it got into my hands, you understand ~"

Director Emerald chuckled from the side: "It seems like today is for sharing the spoils? Old Lin, when did you start buying people's hearts, and ours at that?"

Lin Mo laughed heartily: "This is only right. If it weren't for everyone's help these past years, the Eastern Federation's interstellar exploration plan wouldn't have been so smooth."

"The Boss's meaning is that helping is kindness, not helping is duty. Business matters are business, but our private friendship, that's a different price."

"Of course, if my small influence can get some discounted prices from you, that would be truly cost-effective!"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, and the conference room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

As for the seawater desalination plant and such, no one cared. The future of those people was decided by the Spacefaring People, and had nothing to do with others.

After the pleasantries, the meeting officially began.

The giant circular projection screen lit up, displaying the words "Barnard I Intelligence Analysis."

Director Emerald stood up gracefully, and with a gentle wave of her hand, the screen began to display detailed information.

"Ladies and gentlemen, according to our intelligence collected over the past month, many noteworthy events have occurred on Barnard I, or rather, on the continent locally known as Zemuria."

The screen first displayed scenes of the Crossbell Independence War, including records of the Empire being ambushed and footage of Calvard being decisively defeated.

"The most important event is Crossbell's independence. This small city-state, originally caught between two major powers, successfully gained independence with our support and defeated the invading armies of the Empire and the Republic."

"Regarding our support for Crossbell's independence, the Corporation naturally considered market interests. In subsequent arrangements, we will still adhere to the principle of not actively interfering with political power."

"On this point, I ask Minister Lin Mo to convey this on our behalf."

Lin Mo nodded slightly, expressing no objection. However, deep down, he couldn't help but marvel at the Corporation's 'shrewdness.'

It possessed and exercised all the powers that only sovereign states had, yet by operating as a corporation, it avoided most of the risks and obligations.

As a partner, it was quite comfortable, but as an enemy, it would be extremely frustrating.

Then the screen switched to battle scenes of some powerful individuals, and Lin Mo's brows furrowed slightly.

"Also, according to the Corporation's investigation, there are a considerable number of 'Pathstriders' on this continent. Although they don't use this title, the strength displayed by their most outstanding individuals, such as Arios, Arianrhod, and Orlando, has clearly surpassed the limits of ordinary humans."

Topaz added: "Also, according to Yanqing's assessment, Arios, known as the 'Sword Saint of Wind,' possesses strength equivalent to a Pathstrider who has embarked on the path of The Hunt. And there are quite a few powerful individuals like him on this continent."

"Incidentally, the strength of that Arios is roughly comparable to that of 'Ranger' Luigi, who is currently active within the Solar System."

"However, considering some characteristics of the path of The Hunt, Arios, who has not explicitly embarked on this path, is still considerably weaker than the Ranger in terms of actual combat power."

Hearing this intelligence, Lin Mo was startled. This was something the Eastern Federation's think tank had not anticipated before.

In their original concept, the birth of a Pathstrider was extremely difficult. According to normal logic, quantity and quality are very difficult to exist simultaneously.

The number of individual powerhouses in this civilization should limit the upper limit of a single powerhouse. But it was clear that this deduction was wrong.

So, where exactly was the problem?

Director Emerald seemed to know Lin Mo's doubts, and her subsequent introduction incidentally provided the answer. The screen then displayed various mineral distribution maps, particularly highlighting the septium vein ore.

"The most noteworthy is this special mineral called 'septium vein.' Our analysis shows that it is a rare ore containing pure, uncharacteristic path energy."

"According to the test results from the Technology R&D Department, the commercial value of this ore is immeasurable. It can be used not only in the energy sector but also has huge potential in path cultivation and material forging."

"What!" Lin Mo exclaimed directly, his years of self-cultivation unable to suppress the excitement in his heart at this moment.

"This mineral can be used for path cultivation?"

"That's right." Topaz affirmed again, "Besides being able to enhance the strength of Pathstriders, long-term contact with this mineral can also increase the probability of embarking on a path."

"However, the increased probability is only marginally better than nothing."

"I understand, I understand." Lin Mo forcibly suppressed his excitement, "Please continue for now."

Director Emerald continued her explanation, and Lin Mo diligently recorded the information. Although the Eastern Federation had already obtained some information through the delegation channel, this was the first time he had heard such a detailed analysis.

When the introduction concluded, Lin Mo cleared his throat slightly, attracting everyone's attention.

"Thank you, Director Emerald, for the detailed report. Although we received shared intelligence a month ago through the Eastern Federation delegation within your company's exploration fleet, getting the company's analysis results directly today is very valuable to us."

"Once again, on behalf of the Zijin Pavilion, I thank the Corporation again for the invitation."

He smiled slightly: "I must say, these messages have caused quite a stir in the Eastern Federation. The academic community, business community, and even the general public have shown great interest in this 'sister planet' that suddenly appeared."

"I am here today to address some development procedures that can no longer be carried out as originally planned."

Topaz was somewhat surprised: "I remember there were clauses regarding such situations in the original agreement, weren't there?"

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