Speed Is King

"Well, if, and that's a very, very big if, a massive universe power that has a lot of money were to give them as much money as they needed, and use its influence to prevent other major powers from crushing the new empire like an ant for the first few years while they consolidate their strength and train up top fighters with their secret techniques, then… very possibly.." Director Sands nodded slightly.

"Of course if the massive universe power does that, the massive universe power would need ample compensation. Access to critical resources of the new empire, secrets, even…" Chairman El'Taras said with a straight face.

"Hmmmm. Of course that might be possible. The massive universe power would have to sign an agreement to keep the secret a secret, of course. Maybe even show their loyalty in an irrevocable way, like… I don't know. Join the Empire perhaps?" Director Sands asked with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Join… the Empire?" Chairman El'Taras' eyes bulged at the preposterous suggestion.

"Yes." Director Sands nodded sagely. "Yes, maybe even… pledge their eternal service."

"Pledge eternal service?" Chairman El'Taras choked.

"As a powerful, high ranking Minister, of course." Director Sands hastily added. "Below one but above a thousand."

"Below one but above a thousand?" Chairman El'Taras laughed helplessly.

"Yes. Imagine just how much more powerful the universe power would become if knowledge and applications of the Ascendant Runes were to be added to it…" The big fat anaconda blinked a few times and smiled its evil smile at Chairman El'Taras.

"Very well. The ah, massive universe power better think about it very carefully then, shouldn't it?" Chairman El'Taras said.

"Yes, yes. Of course have to think carefully. And not just think, maybe even show goodwill to the future Chief Minister. As you know, Emperors are busy people. It's better to butter up the Chief Minister who will be dealing with the masses and the villagers." The big, fat anaconda said with an absolutely shameless grin.

Chairman El'Taras rolled his eyes at Director Sands.

"Buttering up people in power is a good idea. You should do that more often, old man." Chairman El'Taras reminded Director Sands.

"Of course. How would you like me to butter you up, sir?" Director Sands said seriously.

"Hand over half the life seeds and living armor you found." Chairman El'Taras immediately said and stretched out his hand.

At that, Director Sands frowned deeply and clicked his tongue in irritation.

"That damned Elliot. He must have taken most of the life seeds away. As soon as the scanner was completed, I scanned the entire planet and found barely 2 kilograms worth. Here." Director Sands waved his hands and took out all the life seeds he found as well as the scanner and the technical reports.

Chairman El'Taras scanned them briefly and immediately understood the situation.

"Localized treasure spread across in such a pattern…" He glanced at Director Sands who was nodding seriously.

"Crash dispersal." Director Sands said softly.

"So… finally. Concrete evidence." Chairman El'Taras said gravely.

"I've started research investigation on its age, and also mass production of the scanners. Very soon we will be able to equip every single ship under our affiliates' control with one. We will be able to cover almost 0.1% of all the planets in the known universe with them. Within the year, we should be able to increase our coverage to 0.5% once we lobby our allies and neutral organisations." Director Sands said.

"Good. We need to check if there are more of those life energy around. We want to know where they are and create a viable defense against it. We definitely do not want to be caught with our pants down if… no. When, those higher life forms from the unknown universe come for another visit into our known universe." El'Taras said.

"Agreed." Director Sands nodded.

"And the Living Armor?" Chairman El'Taras asked.

"No luck there. We cannot lay our hands on any of the Fortune Hermit's disciples without risking conflict with him. If we want the living armor and more information about it, we need to visit Fortune Hermit Mountain and pressure that Second Disciple. Our scans are also not yielding any results." Director Sands reported.

"Good. Let's go to Fortune Hermit Mountain then." Chairman El'Taras said.

"Now?"

"Yes. I want to be back here in an hour. Let's go!"

And with that, Director Sands simply waved his hand, and the both of them disappeared.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Check out the rest of the rewards first before consuming the Red Dragon Blood Essence." Elliot had to tell himself.

He wanted to swallow that Blood Essence right there and then!

His Cosmic Dragon Energy within his body was more than ecstatic. It roiled powerfully and caused his entire soul to quiver with deep anticipation.

It was as though the very Dragon God himself hidden within the vast reaches of the unknown universe was calling out to him.

It was all that he could do to carefully store the vial away.

"Alright then. Let's see what this lump of metal is. Red, come out and check this out." Elliot said in a slightly strained voice.

"A lump of metal? How convenient of them to just give you a stupid lump of- AIIIYIEEEEEEEEE!!!! Who the hell said that it's a lump of metal?!? Blasphemy! Blasphemiieeeeeee!!!!!" Red screamed like a hysterical girl.

"Uhh, I did. It's not a lump of metal?" Elliot asked as a sliver of delicious anticipation shot through his heart.

"Th-this this right here is! Is! *gasp* AIYIEEEEEEEE!!! It's not even that! It's! It's!!! AIYIEEEE!!!" Red couldn't stop shouting and screaming and hopping around the lump of "metal".

"Where's that deep fryer of yours? Did you bring it with you?" Jessica muttered to Jennifer.

"No, I didn't. And I have never regretted anything more than that." Jennifer muttered back.

"She wouldn't make much of a fried chicken though." Jessica sighed. "She's too thin."

"Yes. But imagine replacing her screams with the sound of crunching the fried flour…" Jennifer sighed as well.

… …

After a few more seconds of listening to Red scream like a maddened chicken, Jessica punched Jennifer's arm lightly.

"You should have brought your fryer with you." Jessica said accusingly at her sister once more.

"I should have brought my fryer with me." Jennifer agreed as moaned lightly and massaged her temples.