5: Chapter 5: Negotiating Cooperation with a Nation – It's That Simple

Director Zhao Lixin's frankness caught Jiang Ning somewhat by surprise.

She had thought he would keep up the act or perhaps even resort to force. She hadn't expected him to be so straightforward.

That was fine; it saved her from beating around the bush. What Jiang Ning detested most was dawdling when dealing with people—it delayed her "project progress" far too much.

"We can talk," she said decisively. "Right here."

She pointed to a relatively clean concrete block nearby.

Director Zhao Lixin wasn't picky and sat right down. He even ordered his subordinates to bring a folding stool for Professor Chen. At this moment, Professor Chen was completely absorbed in the array; he likely wouldn't spare a glance even if the sky fell outside.

"How should I address you?" Director Zhao Lixin asked.

"Jiang Ning."

"Comrade Jiang Ning, I am Zhao Lixin." He extended his hand.

Jiang Ning glanced at it but didn't move. She wasn't accustomed to physical contact with others.

Director Zhao Lixin wasn't embarrassed either; he naturally withdrew his hand and continued, "Comrade Jiang Ning, I assume you've guessed that we are a special department of the state. We are very interested in you, and this energy device you've created."

"Mm." Jiang Ning's response remained characteristically brief.

Director Zhao Lixin actually found this direct way of communicating quite comfortable; he feared indirectness the most.

"Then I'll be blunt." Director Zhao Lixin's expression turned serious. "First question: Who are you? Where do you come from?"

This was the most critical question.

Jiang Ning didn't speak immediately.

She couldn't exactly say she was a cultivator from another world. If she said that, it would be a miracle if she weren't locked up and studied as a lunatic.

She had to come up with an explanation that could account for her origins without revealing everything.

She ran through some words in her head.

"I come from a... very distant place," she said slowly. "A place that doesn't have much contact with the outside. The people there have some special inheritances that are different from yours."

The statement was vague, but it allowed her to either elaborate or withdraw as needed.

Director Zhao Lixin nodded and didn't press her on where that "distant place" was. He understood that some things shouldn't be pushed too hard.

"Fine, second question." He pointed at the array of scrap metal. "What is this thing used for?"

"A Spirit Gathering Array," Jiang Ning explained. "It gathers a type of floating energy from the air and then purifies it."

"Energy..." Director Zhao Lixin looked at Professor Chen beside him.

Professor Chen leaned in as if he'd been injected with adrenaline, his words stumbling: "Is it 'spirit particles'? We call them 'spirit particles'! What is its nature exactly? Why can it be stabilized? How high is the conversion efficiency? Does it affect the environment?"

A barrage of questions came crashing down, leaving Jiang Ning momentarily stunned.

She frowned, finding the old man a bit noisy.

"I don't know what 'spirit particles' are," she picked a few she could answer. "Its use is to provide clean energy. It can... strengthen the body and purify the environment. It has no harm to the environment, only benefits."

"Purify the environment?" Director Zhao Lixin immediately seized upon the key point.

"Yes." Jiang Ning nodded. "For example, it can clean the filth out of the air."

The 'turbid qi' left behind by industrial pollution in this world was too heavy. While the Spirit Gathering Array absorbed energy, it filtered the air as a byproduct.

Director Zhao Lixin and Professor Chen exchanged a look, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

If what she said was true, the value of this technology was simply immeasurable! The environmental pollution problems that had plagued society for decades might actually have a solution!

Director Zhao Lixin's breathing grew heavier, and he forced himself to remain calm.

"Last question, Comrade Jiang Ning." His voice became exceptionally solemn. "What do you want?"

He didn't believe in free lunches. Someone possessing this kind of technology couldn't possibly be after nothing.

This was the sentence Jiang Ning had been waiting for.

She looked up, staring directly into Director Zhao Lixin's eyes, and said word by word, "I need a legal identity and a place where I can 'construct' peacefully without being disturbed. I also want a large amount of materials, equipment, and manpower."

She paused for a moment and threw out her core objective.

"I want to cooperate with you—with the state."

"Cooperate?" Director Zhao Lixin was bewildered. He had considered countless possibilities: money, status, or some outrageous demands.

The only thing he hadn't expected was for the other party to proactively request "cooperation."

"What kind of cooperation?" he pressed.

"Simple." Jiang Ning's line of thought was very clear, much like presenting a proposal to a sect elder. "I provide the technology, you provide the resources. I will build various 'projects' useful to this world, such as larger Spirit Gathering Arrays or other things. In return, you fulfill the requirements I just mentioned, and we will share whatever the projects produce."

These words left Director Zhao Lixin completely stunned.

Behind him, several subordinates who heard this through their earpieces also looked at each other, finding it absolutely incredible.

This wasn't negotiating terms; this was clearly applying for a major national project.

"What is she after?" In the command vehicle, Xiao Li couldn't figure it out. "With this kind of god-like technology, what couldn't she have? Why must she cooperate with us? And even share the results?"

Director Zhao Lixin was wondering the same thing.

He couldn't see through the girl before him. Her eyes were too pure, like a top-tier engineer looking at a project, without a hint of greed.

It seemed... she really just wanted to do construction.

"I need time to consider and report to my superiors," Director Zhao Lixin finally said. "This matter is too big for me to decide alone."

"Fine." Jiang Ning nodded. "But I don't have much time; work must start as soon as possible."

This drive to push the schedule left Director Zhao Lixin momentarily at a loss for words.

"During this time, we will be responsible for your safety and livelihood," Director Zhao Lixin promised. "We'll arrange a place for you to stay."

"No need." Jiang Ning refused. "I'll stay here. This place is quite good and suits my 'work'."

Staying by this array that could squeeze out a bit of spiritual energy was better than staying in any five-star hotel.

Director Zhao Lixin glanced at her and didn't insist further.

"Fine. Our people will stay on the perimeter to guard and won't disturb you. If you have any needs, use this to contact us at any time." He handed Jiang Ning a black communicator the size of a matchbox.

Jiang Ning took it and understood how to use it with a single glance. She had seen plenty of these low-level sound-transmitting artifacts in her sect.

Director Zhao Lixin left with his people, leaving only Professor Chen and two assistants to collect data from a distance.

Back in the car, Director Zhao Lixin immediately dialed the General Bureau's encrypted line.

"Director, I've met her. The situation is... more complex than we thought, and also better."

He recounted the conversation with Jiang Ning exactly as it happened.

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"Investing with technology, cooperative construction..." The voice of the General Bureau Director also carried a hint of amazement. "This young comrade is interesting."

"Director, I suggest we put her to the test," Director Zhao Lixin shared his thoughts. "Give her a place and a batch of resources to see what she can actually do. Let's see what she's made of."

"I agree," the Bureau Director decided. "Let's do that. Give her an abandoned small industrial park and give her whatever she asks for! I want to see what kind of surprise she can give us!"