Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Zhan Donglai had no doubt about Qu Jianlei’s ability to mediate—this was a team that made the Imperial Storm retreat with their tails between their legs.

Qu Jianlei silently finished smoking a cigarette, lit another, and then nonchalantly asked, "Why should I?"

No matter how powerful we are, for something that’s unrelated, why should you involve me?

Don’t talk about giving you face, and don’t say the energy stone ore mining is going smoothly—if you dare, try throwing a wrench in it?

This was already him considering the fact the other party was cooperating relatively well later on, otherwise, it would be normal to just get up and leave.

Zhan Donglai pondered for a moment before speaking, "I’ve heard that you’re currently procuring a new computer group?"

You’re investigating me? Qu Jianlei’s eyes narrowed slightly, but in the end, he didn’t argue, just nodded slightly, "Yes."

"I can help you get a better computer group," Zhan Donglai stated without hesitation.

"As for the cost, just a symbolic amount will do, definitely cheaper than what you’re buying... Palamera might even help you pay for it."

"Heh," Qu Jianlei sneered disdainfully, "a little temporary financial difficulty, you think that’s enough to trouble us?"

"I didn’t mean that," Zhan Donglai shook his head and replied earnestly, "just a token of sincerity."

"With your team’s strength and reputation, mediating this shouldn’t be too difficult."

If it’s not difficult, should I take action? Qu Jianlei rolled his eyes, "The faction they belong to... you should know, right?"

To be able to trap four Supremes, saying not a single piece of information has leaked, he wouldn’t believe it.

"I really don’t know about this," Zhan Donglai hurriedly replied earnestly, "I swear on my life!"

At this point, he absolutely couldn’t be vague, if the other party thought he was driving wolves to swallow tigers, it would be a big problem.

Anyway, his life... if the other party really wanted it, it wouldn’t be difficult at all.

Qu Jianlei answered noncommittally, "Then we don’t need to offend a huge power over such a small amount of money."

Big Head Butterfly slowly turned half a circle in his mind, but ultimately didn’t speak.

Little Lake certainly couldn’t resist "a better computer group," but it could distinguish the priorities of the situation.

Still not willing to increase the money? Zhan Donglai understood this as well, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"Hmm, this... reportedly they did reap some opportunities."

Hmph! Qu Jianlei looked at him coldly, not speaking. Just now he said he didn’t get any opportunities, now it’s changed?

Some people are like toothpaste, if you don’t squeeze, they don’t come out.

He couldn’t tolerate others treating him like a fool, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave?"

Zhan Donglai sighed inwardly, he really didn’t want to sell out his junior’s gains, but now, the situation wasn’t up to him anymore.

He raised his hand and pressed his watch, a small holographic image appeared in front of him.

But it was enough for people to see what was on it—the key was that there were four ancient scripts.

Seeing this, Qu Jianlei was momentarily stunned, then asked, "Is this the reward?"

"Of course not," Zhan Donglai replied solemnly, "I can provide a rubbing... this is my junior’s bottom line."

"And he demands it not be shared, otherwise, he would rather destroy it!"

Qu Jianlei pondered, the allure of these four words to him was indeed quite significant.

Big Head Butterfly turned another circle, but still didn’t speak; it just paused, and then turned again.

Zhan Donglai waited for a while before speaking again, "If you understand the ancient script, you should know this is a technique."

Qu Jianlei nodded slightly at the words, he certainly recognized the characters "of technique."

After a pause, he spoke again, "Where is this technique now?"

"In my junior’s hands," Zhan Donglai replied without hesitation, "he only had someone bring me this image."

Qu Jianlei squinted his eyes and asked again, "What if the three Supremes traveling with him object?"

There was a hint of killing intent! Zhan Donglai faintly sensed it, but replied without hesitation, "They discussed and agreed on this."

A trace of coldness flashed in Qu Jianlei’s eyes, "Then I’ll be frank, if there’s any dispute, I’ll use my method to resolve it!"

Zhan Donglai nodded at his words, "A very reasonable response... I support you!"

Qu Jianlei extinguished the cigarette butt, "Then it’s settled... what about that computer group?"

"My promise is certainly valid," Zhan Donglai nodded decisively, "You still want the backdoor closed, right?"

It’s conceivable that Ping’an isn’t monolithic internally, after all, most people live on Purple Star.

And the person in front of him, is unmistakably Purple Pool’s second-in-command.

"Yes," Qu Jianlei nodded, "by the way, we’re not good at mediation."

Zhan Donglai was taken aback by these words, then showed a wry smile, "Skilled in... killing?"

"That’s right," Qu Jianlei replied casually, "and the glory of Optimus does not allow others to insult it!"

Zhan Donglai was once again stunned, his breathing slightly faster, "Are you... an alumnus as well?"

"That’s not important," Qu Jianlei waved his hand, "By the way, what identity should we use, and how do we get there?"

Zhan Donglai looked stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, "Military inspection, right?"

"I’ll handle the identity issue. As for the means of transportation... all the resources I can easily access are being closely monitored."

Honestly, as the second-in-command of a planet, how could he not procure a starship? The only resources closely monitored were the direct ones.

Qu Jianlei was a bit surprised, "Isn’t it? If you want one, can’t you just directly requisition a starship? Do you need someone’s permission?"

In his impression, although the Empire was not structured like the Great Righteous Mansion, the government had strong execution power.

"Well... of course, I can," Zhan Donglai hesitated a bit, then smiled bitterly.

"But this matter is too sensitive. I don’t want any unrelated people to know, what do you say?"

Qu Jianlei answered without hesitation, "Then requisition a second-hand Customs Enforcement Warship... that shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Since he was going to face the military directly, he didn’t want to expose his starship, borrowing a starship was very necessary.

"Customs Enforcement Warship..." Zhan Donglai hesitated a little and said, "Alright, I’ll give it a try."

However, in the end, he couldn’t borrow a Customs Enforcement Warship and got one from another department instead.

Upon seeing the starship, Qu Jianlei was a bit surprised, "A patrol starship from the Mineral Management Division?"

Previously, the Mineral Management Division of Purple Star was in an abnormal state of prosperity, and indeed had its own patrol starship.

Moreover, the starship had weapons; although they couldn’t compare to those on Customs Enforcement Warships, they weren’t far off.

After all, they also dealt with merchant ships involved in illegal transportation, so having weapons was a necessity.

However, Zhan Donglai replied calmly, "A retired starship from the Mineral Management Division, all the paperwork is complete... you know."

"Alright," Qu Jianlei nodded, "In that case, we’ll take our leave, you should hurry with the computer team."

Watching the starship lift off, Zhan Donglai shook his head and smiled wryly.

"Alas, the computing unit group... have to call in another favor now."

His assistant, hearing this, couldn’t help but comment, "They might not return. Maybe you can wait to contact the suppliers after they come back?"

"I really suspect you’re sent by my enemies!" Zhan Donglai glared at him fiercely.

"Do you think I dare let people wait? Or do you believe... those folks don’t know the intricacies?"

"They can kill me as easily as they kill you. Sigh, forget it, I better get a new assistant."

Qu Jianlei and the others boarded the starship, quickly checking all systems, finding no major problems aside from not being well-maintained.

But that’s expected; who would meticulously maintain a public starship?

The Shattered Star Belt, being a special group of celestial bodies, is far from major habitable stars, deep in space.

However, with a warp drive, it’s just a five to six-day journey.

After five days, a starship appeared at the outskirts of the Shattered Star Belt, heading straight inside.

However, after less than half a day’s travel, a white beam grazed past the front of the starship, clearly a warning shot.

Firing the warning shot was a small attack ship, military!

The space occupied by the Shattered Star Belt is vast, but there are not many stable entrances, just like oceans have limited stable shipping routes.

After the military blockade, only three points are left for entry and exit, while other directions are illegal.

After receiving the warning, Qu Jianlei’s starship obediently went through the entry point to undergo a military check.

Their identities were all in order, hired temporarily by the government as "Adventurers"—essentially exploration personnel.

Indeed, just explorers. Despite many years of Imperial development in the Shattered Star Belt, the entire space hasn’t been fully explored.

Now, few come for exploration—it basically has little remaining potential, but some still hold hopes.

Moreover, those authorized by the government to explore don’t need to present additional identification—government credentials suffice.

After all, exploration has its thresholds, and sometimes involves Secret Technique, possibly hiding unseeable motives.

Simply put, they needn’t provide identification.

However, the soldiers were still taken aback, "The Purple Star’s mining management ship, coming for exploration? Isn’t your mining management pretty reputed?"

As soon as the words fell, laughter erupted around them; clearly, the Purple Star’s mining management was considered bizarre by others.

There were only two people on the Mineral Management starship—Bentley and Flower Scorpion.

Flower Scorpion spoke expressionlessly, "We’re just here for exploration. If you’ve got a problem, take it up with the Purple Star Government!"

Upon hearing this, the man furrowed his brows, his expression turning grim, "What did you say? Care to repeat that?"

Not every military is referred to as "courteous soldiers"; as a violent apparatus, most military members have volatile temperaments.

"Fuck off," Flower Scorpion’s face darkened, "You tired of living, kid?"

Official to official, she was not fazed at all. If the opponent dared to push, she would indeed dare to kill.

And concerning legal implications, she had no fear whatsoever. Did they really think the starship wouldn’t have surveillance?