Chapter 509 - 3: Invitation from the Empire (2)
Chapter 509: Chapter 3: Invitation from the Empire (2)
"Besides, you should already know this, but we were besieged by three races this time."
"However, the Crystal Core Giants had no real intention of fighting us, and the Titan Clan People were too caught up in their own internal squabbles to launch any external attacks."
"So, during the third phase, it was really only the Beastmen who were going all out against us."
"A large part of our current success was just pure luck."
Lin Yu was blunt, directly voicing his doubts. However, he was careful not to reveal everything about his own situation.
Levin Zack said, "Never mind the why. Just tell me—will you or won’t you join the core legion of our Cuiwei Star Lord Corps?"
"If you agree, the Cuiwei Star Lord Corps’s stronghold for the fourth phase will be placed directly under your command."
"You can have them do whatever you wish. During your tenure, I can personally authorize you to have complete control over all of the stronghold’s revenue."
Lin Yu eyed Levin Zack with suspicion. The Legion Commander was being far too enthusiastic, making it impossible not to feel wary.
’This feels like a trap...’
’I’ve only revealed a fraction of my territory’s power. There’s no way they’d offer me such preferential treatment just for what they’ve seen, is there?’
’I don’t buy it. A stronghold on the Contested Continent that Cuiwei Star spent years establishing... and in Levin Zack’s eyes, it’s worth less than me?’
"Legion Commander, the terms you’re offering are simply too generous. I feel I’m too inexperienced and unworthy of such a high position. Please forgive me, but I cannot accept your invitation."
In the end, Lin Yu still didn’t accept Levin Zack’s invitation, turning him down politely.
"Sigh... I knew this would happen." Levin Zack let out a sigh.
"Well, in that case..."
"Lord Lin Yu!" Levin Zack pulled an invitation from within his coat.
"As the head of the Cuiwei Star branch of the Imperial Lord Corps, I hereby extend an invitation to you."
"An invitation to go to Emperor Star in the Central Star Realm and participate in the ’Star of the Future’ program."
This time, Lin Yu was genuinely stunned. He’d spent his whole life knocking around on Cuiwei Star and had never even visited the nearby tourist planets.
And now he was actually receiving an invitation to the central planet of the entire empire—Emperor Star—to participate in something called the "Star of the Future."
"Lord Lin Yu, why the long face? Hurry up and take the invitation. This is one you can’t refuse, you know!"
Lin Yu took the hint. He wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth and knew he wasn’t in a position to refuse. He offered his thanks repeatedly and took the invitation.
Though it sounded impressive and he had already accepted, Lin Yu had no idea what this "Star of the Future" actually was. He examined the invitation again and again before finally asking:
"Legion Commander, what exactly is this ’Star of the Future’?"
"You might not have heard of the ’Star of the Future,’ but you’ve certainly heard of the Empire’s Five Great Pillars, haven’t you?"
"Yes, of course. The incredible reputation our empire has forged across the Cosmos was largely built by those five."
"They were all standout members of the ’Star of the Future’ program. Now do you understand its prestige?"
"What’s more, ’Star of the Future’ isn’t just for lords. It encompasses geniuses from every industry in the empire. Many of the leading figures you’re familiar with in various fields are alumni of the ’Star of the Future’ program."
With Levin Zack’s explanation, Lin Yu finally understood the prestige behind the "Star of the Future."
He had just gone online to look up information on the "Star of the Future," but unfortunately, all he could find was the name. There were no specific details or member lists.
From what the search results showed, the general public only knew that this "Star of the Future" was held in high regard by the empire’s leadership, but very few people knew any of the specifics.
’Presumably, anyone who did know wouldn’t dare discuss it openly online. Even if they did, the posts would likely be scrubbed in no time.’
"’Star of the Future’ is a non-profit organization established by the empire to cultivate top-tier talent for the nation."
"A non-profit?"
"That’s right, a non-profit. And why do I call it that? Because it’s a platform that provides you with all sorts of missions from various factions."
"When members of the ’Star of the Future’ complete these missions, they don’t just receive the reward from the mission provider. The empire also pays out of its own pocket to add its own rewards, ensuring that members who complete missions gain benefits far beyond the norm."
"An organization that uses public funds to subsidize ’Star of the Future’ members—if that’s not a non-profit, what is?"
"So, ’Star of the Future’ is just a members-only mission platform!"
"It just has a higher barrier to entry and better rewards, that’s all!"
Lin Yu was a little disappointed. He thought "Star of the Future" was some grand, prestigious organization. ’Isn’t this just being a beast of burden for someone else?’
Suddenly, he didn’t feel like going anymore.
"Sigh..." Levin Zack saw the expression on Lin Yu’s face and knew exactly what he was thinking. He had once felt the same way. The only difference was that an elder in his family had been part of the "Star of the Future" and, through their personal accounts, he learned of its true benefits.
But he couldn’t tell Lin Yu that directly, as some of the information was classified.
"Young man, don’t go thinking you’re the greatest in the world and looking down on everything."
"As for what you can truly accomplish in the ’Star of the Future’ program, it’s best you go see for yourself."
"I can’t give you specifics. I can only tell you this: the factions posting missions in the ’Star of the Future’ program aren’t limited to just those from our empire."
Hearing Levin Zack say this restored some of Lin Yu’s faith in the "Star of the Future."
"Legion Commander, I understand. I will prepare myself and then head to Emperor Star to see what the ’Star of the Future’ is all about."
Seeing that Lin Yu had finally seen the light, Levin Zack nodded in satisfaction. ’Recruiting’ a member for the "Star of the Future" was a major accomplishment for him. His bonus for the year was in the bag.
’Too bad I couldn’t trick Lin Yu into becoming the director of the Cuiwei Star Lord Corps’s stronghold on the Contested Continent. The legion’s position there is precarious. If we don’t get help, I’m afraid the whole stronghold will be wiped out...’
After leaving Lin Yu, Levin Zack went on to search for other lords who he believed could help the legion’s stronghold on the Contested Continent.
He had to take advantage of the large number of Civilian Lords in this batch to bring some new blood into the legion and extend the stronghold’s lifespan—or at least keep it standing until his term was up.
Li Hua had watched the entire exchange between Lin Yu and Levin Zack. Once the Legion Commander was gone, he quietly asked Lin Yu, "Boss Lin, are we really not going to find a faction to back us?"
Lin Yu looked at Li Hua’s worried expression and was a little speechless. The defeat in the third phase seemed to have really left its mark on him. ’He used to be so arrogant. How did a few days out of the third phase turn him so timid and cautious?’
"Brother Li, it seems you still don’t have a full appreciation for what our territory can do."
"An ordinary faction, no matter how long it’s been developing, wouldn’t necessarily be stronger than ours." Lin Yu’s voice was filled with boundless confidence.
Even against a foe with slightly higher technology, he could still put up a fight by overwhelming them with sheer numbers.
Besides, he was different from ordinary lords. Within the World Tree Territory, he was practically a demigod.
The ability to ’Manipulate Elemental Laws’ wasn’t something just any lord could possess, let alone wield with finesse.
Anyone who dared to invade his territory would learn firsthand what a true cataclysm was!!!
"Have you just been holed up in your territory these past few days, not looking around?"
"Boss Lin, I couldn’t help it. For some reason, my Sword Sect ended up on a mountaintop, pretty far from my main city. I’ve been swamped, leading my people to clear paths and redesign the layout. Where would I find the time to go observe your territory, Boss?"
"Ah? Hahaha!"
"Don’t worry about it. Just focus on your own territory for now. If you’re able to establish a sub-base, I’ll take you somewhere else to build it."
"Boss, why establish a sub-base? Is there somewhere in the territory that the Skyvines don’t reach?"
"There are indeed places the Skyvines can’t easily reach. If you can’t establish a sub-base, you’re going to miss out on a lot of opportunities to develop your Sword Sect, you know."
"It’s no problem, Sir. My territory hasn’t reached level five yet. I heard that at level five, you’re guaranteed a territory ability to establish a sub-base. If you could just spot me a little Free Territory Heart, wouldn’t that give me the ability I need?"
"And why should I give you a Free Territory Heart?"
"As a loan! A loan! I’ll help you fight your battles in the future. Any territory I conquer, I’ll give it to you as repayment!"
"And the interest?"
...