Chapter 94 Official

Chapter 94: Formal Proceedings

While Ji Anzhi was fast asleep, the Federation called an emergency meeting.

The meeting was held in the virtual world of the Star Network, using a dedicated conference room for top-secret meetings.

Unless a participant voluntarily leaked the discussions or the Star Network was breached, the contents would not leak.

It was exactly midnight.

Every seat was filled.

Lin Dusheng and Levin sat at the head of the table, with the twelve Legion Commanders on the left.

On the right were important representatives of the council.

After confirming everyone was present, the room was secured.

No outsiders could enter, and no one inside could leave.

Lu Zechuan, with a grave expression, was the first to stand and explain the situation.

"Calling everyone together at this hour is for a critical matter. I'll skip the formalities and get straight to the point."

No one voiced any complaint. Holding a meeting here indicated this was no ordinary matter—it could very well affect the foundation of the Federation.

Lu Zechuan operated the central display, uploaded and displayed the chip content obtained from his subordinates.

"Last year, we discovered someone in the black market selling a Mech Energy Tank with 5,000 units of energy storage. Since then, the military has been searching for that person."

"Today, personnel embedded in the black market by the Eighth Legion and the military academy were compromised."

"The individual directly approached one of our agents, placed a chip containing the modified blueprint for the Mech Energy Tank on the table, and used psychic energy to control our man."

"According to the testimony relayed by our personnel, the exact words were as follows."

Lu Zechuan displayed the soldier's report.

"Hand this over. Tell them not to try and investigate my identity."

"Your every move, I know..."

"If I find out, I won't hesitate to cause trouble during your Bug Swarm period, understand?"

"Furthermore, all surveillance on-site failed for unknown reasons. Our personnel who faced them directly is an alpha with S-level psychic energy. An omega military doctor with SS-level psychic energy examined him and found traces of memory alteration through psychic energy."

"Additionally, our personnel relayed an unconfirmed detail: when the box was placed, the other party did not move; the box floated onto the table by itself."

Everyone present fell silent, their brows furrowed tightly.

This was a blatant threat: a warning for them to cease their investigation.

If they continued investigating, he had plenty of ways to cause trouble.

What alarmed them most was that the other party's psychic energy might already be at SSS-level...

If he intended to cause trouble, even outside the Bug Swarm period, he could easily infiltrate the Federation and deliver a fatal blow.

Amid the silence, Lin Dusheng spoke first.

"Cease all investigations regarding the other party. This year's Bug Swarm is anomalous; we cannot take risks."

No one present objected; all agreed.

Lin Dusheng then asked Lu Zechuan, "Is the content on the chip genuine?"

Lu Zechuan replied, "We don't know yet, but it's highly credible. Several structures match exactly what we previously developed. As for the remaining parts, researchers are currently testing them."

Lin Dusheng nodded.

Lu Zechuan had more to say. He displayed the last page of the chip's content.

"Remember the patent fees and usage fees. My share of the profits must not be shortchanged, or face the consequences. [Patent details attached]"

"By the end of next month, place the Star Card at the café on the second floor of Moonlight Mall on Scott Star. I'll leave the manner of delivery to you."

"Beneath the chip is also a Star Card with no spending limit, commonly used in the black market. It is anonymous, and its source and destination cannot be traced. Even with backend Star Network access, it may not be traceable."

This demand made everyone frown.

Paying the patent and licensing fees would cost the treasury over a trillion, possibly even more.

But no one dared to suggest withholding payment.

Given the technology provided, whether for commercial or military use, the benefits were immense.

Especially for military use—this year, with the Queen Insect, the White Worm, and King Insects doubling compared to previous years, they would not abandon this technology.

At the same time, the military could not afford to gamble.

The Federation could not risk the lives of billions of soldiers on whether the other party would retaliate.

The head of finance spoke first: "I believe it's best we pay what is owed. The Federation's soldiers cannot be threatened, at least not now."

The commerce manager shot back: "But who can guarantee the other party won't go back on their word?"

The financial manager retorted: "Then what do you propose? Continue investigating him? And if we fail to catch him and only make him angry, causing casualties during this Bug Swarm to far exceed previous years?"

The merchant association manager refused to back down.

"Then ensure we can absolutely capture the other party, wouldn't that solve it?"

Lin Dusheng interjected with a reminder: "The other party's psychic energy may be higher than Levin's. The First Legion has many talents, yet has never managed to detain Levin."

His words were spoken calmly, but they made the First Legion Commander—Dai Mo—want to hit someone.

The two arguing fell silent. The implication of Lin Dusheng's words was clear.

If the other party's psychic energy truly was SSS-level, they likely couldn't capture him.

This was also him taking a stance.

The money owed must be paid.

Even if unwilling, it must be paid.

Thinking of this, everyone looked toward Qi Lan, who had remained silent.

Qi Lan had previously suggested withholding the profits owed to the other party. At the time, she spouted a bunch of reasons and even used some strong-arm tactics before they reluctantly agreed to pay the patent usage fees.

As for commercial usage fees, no one was willing to pay.

Qi Lan also knew that their willingness to pay the patent fees was already a favor to her, so she didn't mention a word about the commercial usage fees.

Now, however, they have to pay the money they refused back then, and not a single cent less.

Lin Dusheng also recalled that the matter had blown up into a big issue at the time, and he had to step in personally to resolve it.

Looking back now, Qi Lan indeed had foresight. They couldn't afford to antagonize the other party or gamble with soldiers' lives.

Lin Dusheng made the final decision: "Alright, since the other party is willing to provide us with the technology to improve energy storage, we, the Federation, must abide by the law. The fees owed must be paid in full, without any tricks. The transfers must be triple-checked for accuracy. We must not turn them into an enemy."

Everyone responded in unison: "Understood."

"Additionally, I'll go meet with the other party at the end of next month to gauge their psychic strength level. If they truly possess SSS-level psychic strength, we must proceed with great caution."

As he spoke, Lin Dusheng swept his gaze over everyone present, his tone carrying a warning.

"Do not investigate behind the scenes, especially those from the Commerce Guild. Keep your profiteering instincts in check. Understand clearly which slice of the cake you can go for and which you cannot. Is that clear?"

"...Understood."

"Good. Disconnect. Also, the patent and commercial usage fees will be administered by the Third Legion. There must be no mistakes. If anyone is found evading fees illegally, they will be fined double the amount."

Qi Lan replied: "Understood."

Lin Dusheng waved his hand: "Everyone, disconnect. It's getting late."

With that, the meeting room closed. Even if you didn't want to log off, you'd be kicked out.

Getting up from the Holographic Pod, before Lin Dusheng could speak, Levin said: "Xiaoxiao, do you think the other party might be the one who cleared the instance?"

Lin Dusheng was just about to say the same thing. Levin beat him to it, and he concurred: "Highly likely. SSS-level psychic strength users aren't exactly a dime a dozen."

Levin didn't respond. He directed strands of mental force, attempting to manipulate the ink brush on the table.

Noticing Levin's gaze and the intense fluctuations in psychic power, Lin Dusheng looked at the ink brush in confusion.

What's going on?

A few seconds later, under Lin Dusheng's astonished gaze, the ink brush slowly lifted off the table, hovering in the air.

But it only lasted four seconds, reaching a maximum height of ten centimeters above the table.

*Tap*

The ink brush fell.

Lin Dusheng suddenly understood. Levin was... "Were you just using psychic energy to control a physical object?"

Levin nodded.

Lin Dusheng was amazed. Although he had heard that after reaching SSS-level, psychic energy could manipulate physical objects, it was all just legend.

His own foster father had been an SSS-level psychic strength user, but at most he could make objects tremble on the spot.

Yet Levin had managed to make an object levitate briefly.

Lin Dusheng walked over and picked up the ink brush, asking: "Do you think the other party can truly use psychic energy to manipulate physical objects?"

Levin replied: "Maybe."

It was getting late. Levin led Lin Dusheng by the hand toward the bedroom, saying: "It's all speculation for now. Let's sleep. We'll know the truth at the end of next month."

"True... let's sleep."

...

Monday morning

Ji Anzhi almost didn't wake up in time. It was only after Ji Anjue kept slapping him awake that Ji Anzhi roused.

Seeing it was already 7:30, Ji Anzhi hurriedly took Ji Anjue in a hovercar to the classroom.

In the end, he still didn't make it on time and was late.

What was even more suffocating was that the first class in the morning was a Medical Department elective. The looks from those omegas were incredibly intense.

The teacher checked; he was two minutes late.

For Little Dumpling's sake, he let it slide this once.

Ji Anzhi, carrying Ji Anjue, took his seat under scrutiny in the seats the omegas always saved for them.

Ji Anjue had come once last week.

Just that one time, he understood why Ji Anzhi said omegas were the most difficult creatures in the world, and he also understood Xiaoxue's breakdown...

It was truly being touched and rubbed to the point of feeling lifeless...

His cheeks were nearly rubbed raw...

Ji Anzhi couldn't stop it, nor did he want to. After all, bringing Ji Anjue took half the heat off him.

Chi Yan, sitting closest to Ji Anzhi, was in the ideal spot. Even during class, he could still sneak touches on Ji Anjue.

Chi Yan particularly liked Ji Anjue. In fact, there wasn't a single omega in the entire school who didn't like Ji Anjue.

The little dumpling with snow-white skin, golden hair and blue eyes, an adorable and pretty face, plus his timid manner, directly triggered a flood of maternal affection in all the school's omegas.

Chi Yan handed Ji Anjue a piece of fruit candy, saying: "Xiao Jue, this is an orange-flavored sweet."

Ji Anjue shyly accepted it, softly thanking him: "Thank you, brother."

Chi Yan smiled and ruffled Ji Anjue's little head: "You're welcome."

The nearby omegas looked on enviously. They also wanted Xiao Jue to thank them. Who wouldn't like such an adorable child?

Of course, this only applied to other people's children.

If it meant having to give birth themselves... forget it. Who knows if the child would come to repay a debt or collect one?

After class ended, Ji Anjue's eyes were glazed over. Ji Anzhi collected the pile of gifts the omegas had given Ji Anjue, picked him up, and headed to the Star Chart Department classroom.

Arriving at the Star Chart Department classroom, Ji Anjue breathed a sigh of relief. There were fewer people here, which was better.

The Star Chart Department had seen Ji Anjue for the first time last week and were almost shocked out of their wits. It took them several days to accept reality.

Faced with Ji Anjue, the golden-haired, blue-eyed soft and adorable little bun, the four classmates all behaved exceptionally friendly.

Even Fei Fu'er, who still couldn't let go of his pride, would bring small snacks for Ji Anjue.

So by the time class ended, Ji Anzhi's Space Bracelet was filled with another pile of snacks.

When they finally sat down to eat, they received more treats from the chefs, who prepared many ingredients beneficial for young children, even packing several extra portions for Ji Anzhi to take.

After all that, Ji Anzhi's Space Bracelet was almost overflowing.

The food from last week alone had already filled one Space Bracelet...

Qi Yanshen noticed Ji Anzhi wasn't in a very good mood and asked with concern, "Something troubling you?"

Ji Anzhi was startled—had he been that obvious just now?

Shaking his head, he replied, "No."

Seeing that Ji Anzhi didn't want to talk about it, Qi Yanshen didn't press further and instead asked if Ji Anzhi liked flowers.

Ji Anzhi replied, "I wouldn't say I particularly like them, but I don't dislike them either."

Qi Yanshen nodded and said okay.

Even without Ji Anjue cluing him in, Ji Anzhi could guess Qi Yanshen's intention—he was planning to give him flowers.

He just didn't know what kind.

Roses? Tulips? Or maybe carnations?

Ji Anjue rather unromantically chimed in, 'What if he gives you chrysanthemums?'

Ji Anzhi really wanted to give the little bun beside him a light smack.

After the meal, Ji Anzhi still went for a leisurely stroll in the park with Qi Yanshen, though recently they had an extra little bun tagging along.

Walking to the shade of the tree where they often sat, Qi Yanshen suddenly took out a bouquet of red tulips.

Although the packaging was rather plain, the tulips were of excellent quality—no wilted petals or leaves, the blooms full and plump, vibrant and fresh, with a faint, refreshing floral scent wafting over.

However, Ji Anzhi, who was recently in urgent need of money, first thought was that these flowers must be very expensive...

And Ji Anjue, living up to expectations, informed him that the flowers were worth two hundred thousand star credits.

They had been rushed over yesterday from an ecological planet tens of thousands of light-years away, arriving at the Military Academy Star still with soil and roots attached.

Qi Yanshen had woken up at 5:30 a.m. to personally wrap them.

At this moment, Qi Yanshen's hand trembled slightly, hoping Ji Anzhi wouldn't refuse.

Handing over the flowers, thinking of the draft he had memorized yesterday, Qi Yanshen tried hard to soften his tone.

"Flame Tulips. Their flower language is—a declaration of love."

"I like you. Today, I want to formally ask—"

"Anzhi, will you accept my confession?"

His tone was stiff, straightforward—clearly reciting from notes.

Ji Anzhi was stunned for a moment and didn't reply.

After a few breaths, the corners of Ji Anzhi's mouth lifted, his eyes curved into crescents, even glistening slightly with tears, as he smiled and accepted the simply wrapped bouquet of Flame Tulips.

His voice full of gentle laughter: "I accept your confession, my boyfriend."

Unsurprisingly, Qi Yanshen's ears flushed red with shyness.

The more nervous he was, the more Qi Yanshen unconsciously wore a cold expression. Anyone unaware might think Ji Anzhi was swindling both affection and money.

Qi Yanshen lowered his gaze, not daring to look into Ji Anzhi's moved eyes, and asked anxiously, "Then... can I call you Anzhi from now on?"

Ji Anzhi stepped forward and took Qi Yanshen's hand, saying cheerfully, "Of course. Then from now on, I'll call you Yan Shen?"

Qi Yanshen nodded stiffly.

Today was the first time that, when Ji Anzhi held his hand, he dared to squeeze back firmly.

He'd give his brother more allowance when he got back.

Ji Anjue: "…………"

Um, excuse me, you two? I'm still here?