Chapter 992
Gene Optimization Fluid
The Third Elder was also furious. Not only did they fail to complete the mission and obtain the Holy Stone, they also lost a resource star.
It's easy to imagine the uproar this would cause once it became known within the civilization.
The most crucial thing is the Black Rock Civilization, a civilization that they have always looked down upon and suppressed. Now that they have an executive as their backer, this is undoubtedly bad news for the Vika Civilization.
Therefore, the Third Elder was eager to know whether that person was indeed an Executive Officer.
Vikastar.
This is the home planet of the Vika civilization. Compared to the Black Rock civilization, the Vika civilization has a significantly higher level of technology.
Numerous space stations stand in orbit around this home planet.
Warships can be seen traversing the atmosphere of Vika every now and then.
Inside the largest building on Vika Star, there is a completely sealed secret room.
The secret chamber is made of special materials, making it difficult even for an eighth-level expert to easily break in.
The room was empty except for a small golden tree placed in a glass container.
This small golden tree is only the size of a palm, and many of its branches and leaves have withered.
Just then, the door to the secret chamber opened, and a middle-aged man covered in strange runes walked in.
The middle-aged man looked at the sapling and said:
"Have you considered it? As long as you agree to serve our Vika civilization, you will become our Vika civilization's sacred tree!"
A soft female voice came from inside the golden sapling:
"I've already said, we'll talk about this after you've helped me recover from my injuries."
"Don't worry, the Holy Stone will arrive soon. Don't try to stall for time. Although your cultivation has reached the eighth level, we are not without means to deal with you. At worst, we will erase your consciousness!"
The middle-aged man spoke with a gloomy expression.
This tree was something they obtained by chance during their Vika civilization last time.
At that time, a fleet suddenly arrived in the territory of their Vika civilization. Originally, the Vika civilization did not pay much attention to that fleet.
However, their long-dormant ancestor sensed an extremely strong fluctuation within that fleet.
So he chose to take matters into his own hands.
Although this tree also possessed eighth-tier strength, it was severely injured, and their ancestor seized the tree without much effort.
Only after further investigation did they learn the origin of the tree.
This is actually the treasure that the Crimson Cloud Empire has been searching for—a divine object that can promote the evolution of life.
Having learned of the tree's value, they naturally could not hand it over to the Crimson Cloud Empire, so they secretly hid it away.
But how could the Sacred Tree, being an eighth-order being, willingly submit?
No matter what methods they used, the sacred tree did not compromise.
Only recently did the Sacred Tree request that the Vika Civilization find an item with life force to help her recover from her injuries. Once she recovered, she would consider joining the Vika Civilization.
After a thorough search, the Vika civilization finally determined that the Blackrock civilization's sacred stone was the item that met the requirements of the sacred tree.
This is also why the Vika civilization wanted to send people to the Blackrock civilization to borrow the Holy Stone.
The middle-aged man continued, "The Moro civilization you followed before has been destroyed. Staying with our Vika civilization is your best choice. We can not only give you the resources you want, but our strength is far greater than that of the Moro civilization you followed before!"
The Sacred Tree calmly asked, "What about the Crimson Cloud Empire?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's face darkened, and he said coldly:
"The Crimson Cloud Empire was just lucky to find the ruins left by a prehistoric civilization! Otherwise, they wouldn't be where they are today. If we had the same opportunity, our Vika civilization would definitely be no worse than them!"
Just then, the communicator on the middle-aged man's body rang.
He took out his communicator, and soon a voice came through:
"Your Majesty, news has come from the Third Elder that their operation has failed."
The middle-aged man's gaze sharpened: "Failure? How could it be failure?"
The voice quickly recounted what the Third Elder had encountered in the Black Rock Civilization.
After hearing this, the middle-aged man's face turned ugly.
He never imagined that this matter would be related to an imperial executive.
"My Lord, the Third Elder wishes you to contact the Empire's internal affairs department to inquire which executor went to the Blackrock Civilization. He suspects that person may not be an executor of the Empire," the voice continued.
"I understand." After saying that, the middle-aged man hung up the phone.
The sacred tree then spoke up: "It seems you can't help me get that stone."
The middle-aged man glanced at the sacred tree: "Don't worry, I will naturally do what I promised you."
After saying that, the middle-aged man left the secret room.
After leaving the secret room, he immediately took out his communicator.
After a moment, a faint light emanated from the communicator, and then a holographic projection appeared in front of him.
The person in the projection was a man wearing the standard military uniform of the Crimson Cloud Empire.
"Chalun, is there something you need that you're contacting me suddenly? You should know I'm very busy."
The man in military uniform spoke impatiently.
Although the person opposite him was the leader of the Vika civilization, he was also the legion commander of the empire, so naturally he didn't need to give the other party any face.
Chalun smiled and said politely:
"Lord Saros, please forgive my intrusion. This contact is about the Blackrock Civilization."
"Black Rock Civilization? Didn't you already take my badge and go there? Do you think they would dare disobey my orders?"
“Here’s what happened…” Charon quickly recounted the events.
“Executor?” Saros frowned.
“Yes, the reason I contacted you is to ask which of the Empire’s executives have recently gone to the Blackrock Civilization, and what should be done about this matter.” Charen’s attitude was very humble.
After all, the other party was one of the biggest backers of their Vika civilization within the empire.
A legion commander carries considerable weight.
To maintain this relationship, the Vika civilization had to supply each other with a large amount of resources every year.
Saros said in a deep voice:
“The executive officers are not under the military’s command, and I have no way of knowing their whereabouts. Please wait a moment while I inquire with the Imperial Central Government.”
Saros then hung up the call, but after a short while, the connection was re-established. Saros said:
“I’ve already inquired, and no executives have recently traveled to star systems near the Black Rock Civilization.”
Chalun narrowed his eyes slightly: "Is it possible that he's an imposter?"
Saros immediately shook his head: "Impossible! Who in the entire Orion Arm would dare to impersonate an Imperial Executive? Besides, it's not uncommon for Executives to conceal their identities. The change of the Imperial head of state is imminent, so it's not surprising that an Executive is making moves in secret. That person is probably trying to win over the Blackrock Civilization."
In Saros's view, no one, nor the man, would dare to impersonate an Imperial Executive.
First and foremost is the strength of an eighth-tier expert, which is very difficult to fake.
Secondly, the position of Executor represents the core of the Empire. Anyone who dares to impersonate an Executor is tantamount to declaring war on the Empire. "Alright, but what about the Blackrock Civilization?" Charon was interrupted by Saros before he could finish speaking.
"Since the executive officer has intervened, let's just drop this matter. You can't send anyone to the Blackrock Civilization again." With that, Saros hung up the communication.
Chalun's face was terribly grim as he looked at the disconnected call.
Their Vika civilization provides so many resources every year, yet they choose to ignore it as soon as they hear the other party is an executor, which makes him very angry.
"In this situation, we can only ask the Ancestor to intervene secretly," Cai Lun decided.
They absolutely had to get their hands on the Holy Stone; otherwise, the Holy Tree would never submit to their Vika civilization.
The Vika civilization actually has an ancestor, but he is nearing the end of his lifespan and rarely takes action. This is the Vika civilization's greatest trump card.
The news that the Blackrock Civilization had attached itself to the Executive quickly spread among the various civilizations on the Orion Arm.
The fact that the message could be transmitted so quickly was naturally due to the Black Rock Civilization's own propaganda.
In addition, these subordinate civilizations have all obtained a lot of technology from the Crimson Cloud Empire, so communication between them is no longer a problem.
At first, many civilizations did not believe this.
After all, the stone men of the Blackrock Civilization were notorious for their lack of presence and low intelligence.
How could such a civilization possibly be valued by the Imperial Executive?
However, as rumors about this matter circulated within the empire, even those who didn't believe it had no choice but to accept the fact.
Many civilizations held internal meetings because of this.
Ultimately, some civilizations concluded that as the change of imperial leadership drew closer, even the executive officers couldn't resist getting involved in courting people in advance.
The Blackrock Civilization, though weak and lacking in intelligence, is characterized by its large population and unwavering loyalty.
Because of this, the executive officer took notice, and it might actually be true.
In a short time, all the major subordinate civilizations began to secretly contact several candidates for the empire's leadership to invest in the project.
Not only these subordinate civilizations, but also some high-ranking officials and factions within the empire began to take action because of this event.
Actually, there is still some time before the change of the imperial head of state.
But now that even the executive officer has taken action, these people are no longer hiding anything.
In an instant, the entire empire was in turmoil.
Chen Feng had no idea that his impersonation of the executive officer had brought forward the struggle for the change of the imperial head of state.
At this moment, he is traveling to the Vika system aboard a warship of the Black Rock Civilization.
Inside the cabin, Chen Feng sat here, and opposite him were Shi Tian and Shi Pan.
Shi Tian respectfully replied, "My lord, I have already exchanged the items you requested with the Empire. Once approved, they will be delivered to you."
Chen Feng nodded:
"How many merits do you have left?"
Shi Tian said nonchalantly, "My lord, it's just some merit points. Use them and you're good to go. As long as they can help you, a few merit points are nothing."
A day earlier, Chen Feng suddenly approached him and asked him to exchange some technological data from within the empire.
Shi Tian had always been puzzled by this.
As an imperial executive, Chen Feng should be able to easily obtain scientific and technological information; there's no need for them to exchange for it.
However, he naturally dared not refuse Chen Feng's order, so he made the exchange with the Empire yesterday.
Subordinate civilizations like theirs can exchange many technological products and some technical data with the Empire.
Of course, this exchange is also subject to different levels of authority. Because of its low status, the Black Rock Civilization has very low exchange authority and can only exchange for some ordinary technological items and technical data.
Chen Feng seemed to sense Shi Tian's confusion and explained:
"I exchanged these things for your benefit. If you want to develop, you can't rely on your own evolution alone. Only by mastering technology can your Black Rock Civilization grow stronger quickly, so that it will be easier for you to do things for me in the future."
"I see, thank you for your guidance, sir." Shi Tian was immediately moved.
Chen Feng asked, "Just tell me directly, how many merit points do you have left?"
Shi Tian said somewhat awkwardly, "There's only a little over a thousand left."
Upon hearing that it was only a little over a thousand, Chen Feng frowned.
The Blackrock Civilization sends a large number of its people to the Imperial military every year. After joining the army, these people can accumulate a lot of merit points every year after deducting personal expenses. But now they only have so few.
Shi Pan, standing to the side, said with a bitter expression, "My lord, our clan's expenses have always been very high, and we can hardly save up any merit points."
"What exactly were the expenses? Tell me," Chen Feng asked.
Shi Pan replied, "It's those special treasures and gene optimization fluids that help with evolution. Every year, in order for our people to evolve quickly, we have to exchange for a large amount of gene optimization fluids and treasures. A single dose of gene optimization fluid can be worth hundreds of merit points."
"Bring out that gene optimization fluid so I can take a look," Chen Feng said.
Upon hearing this, Shi Pan did not hesitate and immediately took out a sample of gene optimization fluid from his person.
This is a dark golden liquid, which has been contained in a special container.
Chen Feng scanned it with his divine sense and immediately knew its function.
Although he didn't know what the ingredients were, judging from the energy fluctuations it emitted, its function should be equivalent to a spiritual object used by Foundation Establishment level body cultivators to enhance their physical bodies.
"This thing costs 100 merit points?" Chen Feng looked at Shi Tian and the other person with a puzzled expression.
He had previously seen the technology exchange list issued by the Crimson Cloud Empire to its affiliated civilizations.
A power armor that can unleash combat power at the Golden Core level only costs 100 merit points.
Shi Pan nodded and said:
"Yes, this is only the lowest grade E potion. There are higher grades of potions, which require even more merit points. Our clan exchanges a batch with the Empire every year. Without these potions, many clansmen would be stuck at the low level for their entire lives."
Chen Feng fell silent.
Should he say that the Crimson Cloud Empire is heartless, or is it because the world depicted in the scroll is different from this universe?
Spiritual items used to enhance Foundation Establishment cultivation in the cultivation world, while not exactly common, are not particularly valuable. However, they have become treasures here.
According to his estimation, this phenomenon might be caused by the different products produced by the two universes.
He recalled the trade with the Moro Clan, where he had obtained a large amount of precious materials using the most common pills in the cultivation world.
Seeing that Chen Feng didn't speak, Shi Tian assumed that Chen Feng looked down on their Black Rock Civilization.
Shi Tian seemed to have made up his mind, and then said:
"My lord, if you need merit points, my clan can send a group of clansmen to the Imperial military in advance. We can get at least tens of thousands of merit points from the Empire!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Pan's expression changed.
With tens of thousands of merit points, they would have to provide the empire with at least several thousand clansmen who had reached the third rank, which was no small amount for their Blackrock civilization.
Moreover, those clansmen who offered tribute were basically used as cannon fodder by the Empire in its peripheral star systems. (End of Chapter)