Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Chapter 1108: Chapter 974: Undercurrents Surging

Qian He truly came prepared, and with a flick of his hand, he produced a box. "Ten million, would you like to count it first?"

Qu Jianlei wasn’t going to act grandiose. He opened the box, gave it a glance, and then used his perception.

Once roughly sure there were no trackers, he waved his hand and tucked the box away. "Let’s get to the point."

"No rush," Qian He spoke solemnly, "How much Supreme can your organization mobilize right now, sir?"

"Currently..." Qu Jianlei pondered, looking at him thoughtfully. "Is the situation urgent?"

"Just during this period," Qian He replied casually.

"You know, the Empire’s been investigating Supreme lately. It’s not an easy time to ask for help."

"So you’re aware it’s not easy?" Qu Jianlei looked at him helplessly. "What you’re worried about, others are too!"

"Really?" Qian He was astonished, though his expression was slightly exaggerated.

"Can’t you gather three or four Supremes who can withstand scrutiny?"

Qu Jianlei looked at him impatiently. "If there were a real investigation... which Supreme could withstand it?"

"That’s not untrue," Qian He nodded, recognizing that as a member of the privileged class, every Supreme has things they can’t reveal.

Then he spoke with surprise, "Are you really unaware of why there’s a thorough investigation this time?"

Qu Jianlei replied calmly, "I truly don’t know. Care to explain?"

His response was very straightforward, without any embarrassment of being uninformed.

In Qian He’s eyes, this might mean he knows but just wants to test his level of intelligence.

Yet discussing this, he wasn’t afraid as it was his strong suit, and he didn’t mind showing off a bit.

"The rough background is that quite a few incidents have occurred recently across the Empire’s Star Realms."

"Places like Hope, Celestial Hook, Sirius, New Journey, and Lookout... crimes have surged, prompting the Empire to clamp down on this trend."

Empire version of a crackdown? Qu Jianlei listened, feeling a bit enlightened.

At first, he thought it was an Empire version of a census, but seeing the intensity of the investigations, it seemed off.

Still, in those places with surging crimes, why did a few names sound familiar?

Thinking over it, Qu Jianlei understood why Paradise Star was being probed relatively loosely.

In Warhammer Star Realm, he hadn’t caused much trouble, and the security there was relatively decent.

However, he didn’t really think the few "little" cases he spawned could trigger a major Empire crackdown.

After all, Qu Jianlei believed in most situations involving him, he was in the right.

Alright, to privileged people, whether one is right or wrong doesn’t relate to the event itself; reversing black and white is common.

But frequently encountering provocation, surely, he couldn’t be deprived of the right to retaliate?

So he snapped, "Just for this trivial matter, isn’t the Empire too idle?"

"Not all trivial," Qian He glanced at him, lowering his voice.

"Do you know, even a Super Cultivation Room was stolen? Isn’t that serious?"

This incident is really mine! Qu Jianlei casually replied, "Hope No.3 Star... But is it worth the entire Empire investigating?"

You knew all along! Qian He’s heart stirred slightly.

The theft of the Super Qi Gathering Array was a military disgrace, under strict embargo.

Only because many Supremes were cultivating at the time, with some defying the military, the rumor spread slightly.

However, the embargo came from the Star Domain Military, not the planetary military.

Even someone connected to the military like Qian He only knew the incident happened in Hope Star Realm, unsure which planet specifically.

Yet to be outdone in intelligence, he felt a bit indignant.

So he smiled, "Alright, the Super Cultivation Room is irrelevant, but do you know about the Awakened with Soul Attribute?"

Mind you, it’s Soul Attribute, not Spiritual Attribute!

Oh... Qu Jianlei’s face subtly shifted, intentionally speaking wrongly. "Maiden Star Realm?"

Qian He shook his head, "Not Maiden Star Realm, at most it’s circulated from there."

Qu Jianlei furrowed his brows, "Isn’t this handled by the Anomalous Management Division... is it worth investigating Supreme?"

Qian He deliberately kept him hanging, "It’s spread to society, specifics I can’t divulge much."

Qu Jianlei laughed indifferently, "To the Empire, aren’t Blade Star Realm people all seen as unusual?"

"You know even this?" Qian He was increasingly astonished, no wonder this guy was so cocky—his intel was undoubtedly sharp!

"Just overheard," Qu Jianlei replied offhandedly, "The situation you describe does match that place."

Pausing, he then asked, "I heard that Xueye is tightly controlling this information. How do you know?"

"I can’t say," Qian He instinctively shook his head.

He was used to being more well-informed than others, refusing to speak came naturally.

But after speaking, he realized whom he was dealing with.

Thus, he hurriedly added, "Going to Blade wasn’t just the Anomalous Management Division, but also that person who came to Celestial River earlier."

Qu Jianlei’s expression became increasingly peculiar, "The one holding the Military Department’s approval?"

He had been throwing verbal challenges at the other party from afar, followed by a lengthy investigation.

—No choice, the attitude of the other party when leaving was too bizarre; not investigating thoroughly left him uneasy.

With the cooperation of the local force Ping’an Trading Group, he could roughly determine that he had encountered the "Imperial Storm."

But why would the Imperial Storm suddenly head to Xueye Star?

Qian He’s attitude towards him was not strange at all.

In fact, he privately believed that the organization this person belonged to was likely responsible for forcing that individual to retreat.

He nodded slightly, "That’s right, it’s said that person is very interested in anomalous phenomena, so they rushed over too."

"Later on, it seems there was some unpleasantness with the Anomalous Management Division, and then someone suggested a Supreme investigation!"

That makes sense... Qu Jianlei nodded slightly upon hearing this.

The matter of Ghost Cultivators even startled the Paranoids and Granny Jia; it’s no wonder the Empire is taking it seriously.

Up to this point, the Empire should have gathered some information, and likely discovered that a mysterious force eliminated the Ghost Cultivators.

Under such circumstances, it’s very necessary to conduct a thorough investigation of Supremes, and while at it... address public security issues.

In other words, the former is the Empire’s real target, while the latter is merely incidental.

But as it stands, the latter target seems easier to achieve.

As long as his team doesn’t fall into their net, be it Ghost Cultivators or the Super Qi Gathering Array, the Empire will get no answers.

After pondering for a moment, Qu Jianlei shook his head, "Forget it, the timing is too tight... What was your original purpose?"

It wasn’t that he wanted to solve the problem; he had already taken ten million from the other side, it seemed inappropriate not to ask a question.

Anyway, he was playing the role of mysterious force now, and even if he heard what he shouldn’t, so what?

"I’m planning a trip to the Maiden Star Realm," Qian He replied in a deep voice, "The current developments indicate there’s indeed something good over there!"

Qu Jianlei looked at him, also feeling a bit speechless; having seen many risk-takers, he’s rarely seen one so reckless.

Qian He noticed his silence and sighed inwardly, attempting a final persuasion.

"Rest assured, sir, I’ve paved the way thoroughly, as long as the Empire-registered Supremes haven’t committed major wrongdoings, it’s fine."

Qu Jianlei asked nonchalantly, "You’ve gone to such lengths; you must already have a target, right?"

"I really don’t have one," Qian He shook his head resolutely, hesitating before continuing.

"There are a few key suspect areas worth investigating, though the risks might be considerable."

Qu Jianlei snorted coldly upon hearing this, "Do you think your explanation can persuade me?"

"But I honestly have no target," Qian He replied helplessly, spreading his hands.

"I just want to gamble on luck, see if I can find an opportunity to impact the Supreme realm!"

Qu Jianlei continued shaking his head, "With such loose conditions, I don’t believe you can’t find a few willing Supremes."

Judging from his words, he still distrusted the other’s motives.

"I’ve found three; might schedule another one in the future," Qian He answered seriously, "Just worried about the manpower."

"Sorry," Qu Jianlei shook his head firmly, "I’m not taking this job!"

Qian He became anxious upon hearing this, "You haven’t heard my offer yet!"

However, Qu Jianlei was clear in his response, "This isn’t about money; no offer will sway us to take it!"

Qian He hesitated momentarily; in his impression, the other should be susceptible to money.

But he immediately thought of a possibility, then laughed.

"Sir, you aren’t thinking I’m baiting for the officials, are you?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head slightly and lazily replied, "That’s a possibility, but not likely!"

"I think you’re a smart person; you wouldn’t joke with your own life, am I right?"

Qian He truly had good cultivation; he didn’t get angry upon hearing this, merely smiled wryly and sighed helplessly.

"Alas, it was my presumptuousness, didn’t consider your possible apprehensions... my oversight!"

After a pause, he seriously explained, "Actually, I just want to take advantage of this window period to try my luck there."

"Once the news spreads, god knows how many will rush over, and then the competition will be overwhelming."

This logic really holds, and is quite persuasive.

Qu Jianlei remained unmoved, declared lightly, "That place has been explored for years, wouldn’t mind more people exploring."

"Well, you’re really composed, impressive!" Qian Ye gave a thumbs up, "I can’t see through like you do."

"Seems like we didn’t reach an agreement this time, but our acquaintanceship... remains, right?"

"Talking about acquaintances with me?" Qu Jianlei shook his head in disbelief, you think you’ve earned that?

However, considering the ten million, he ultimately refrained from saying anything hurtful.

"After all, this is about doing business for money; as always, if needed, post on the watch, but I don’t guarantee a response."

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