Chapter 1645: Collaboration
"We are merely conducting scientific research in the field of technological exploration equipment," said Onyrons, the Elf King of Kaguya, staring at Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen smiled slightly, shrugged, and said, "Of course."
"All research findings in this field are shared by both of us and must be kept confidential from the outside world."
"All experiments must be communicated to both of us!" said Onyrons, the Elf King of Kaguya, solemnly.
“No problem.” Zhao Chen agreed immediately.
It's clear that the Elf King Onyne has not let his guard down against the Dragonflight Interstellar Empire; he is one of those who always harbor the idea that "those who are not of our kind must have different hearts."
Even though she had a pleasant conversation with Zhao Chen, dined together, and even had a common enemy.
However, he never let down his guard against the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
Zhao Chen had no objection to this and felt no aversion towards the person.
Because the Elf King Onyx is someone who can't keep secrets; if he doesn't like you, then he doesn't like you.
Instead of putting on a smiling tiger act, putting his arm around you in front of you, he might turn around and stab you in the back.
Kaguya Elf King Onyne was not that kind of person, so Zhao Chen actually admired Kaguya Elf King Onyne more.
He enjoys associating with these kinds of people.
“If all of this is fine, I agree to the cooperation and will try to skip the High Council.” In the end, the Kaguya Elf King Onyons chose to back down and comply with Zhao Chen’s proposal.
"Then it's a deal."
You should discuss this matter with the other Elf Kings as soon as possible.
"Considering the unique environment of your Holy Elf Empire's universe, the location for the research facility will be provided by our Wraith Dragon Interstellar Empire... Of course, if you have any concerns, you can choose a third-party location," Zhao Chen said sincerely.
The Elf King Onyons waved his hand and said calmly, "If the other Elf Kings can agree, then we can proceed in your Dragonflight Interstellar Empire universe."
Regarding funding costs, we will not take advantage of the situation; we will each bear half of the costs.
Since this is a collaborative research project, there's no reason for us to take advantage of you.
The Elf King Onyne was also aware that the Holy Elf Empire's choice a thousand years ago had rendered their universe unable to conduct scientific research at the T7 level or higher.
Naturally, the only option is to proceed in another universe.
“Okay,” Zhao Chen nodded.
At this moment, the Elf King Onyons, unusually, took the initiative to ask Zhao Chen another question: "How confident are you in your duel with the Black God King?"
Zhao Chen took a deep breath and stared at the Kaguya Elf King, saying, "Perfect."
This battle must be a resounding success.
Because we have no way out.
After a moment of silence, the Elf King Onyne said, "If you need help at that time, have Salamander bring it up in the High Council."
I... can agree to provide you with a certain amount of assistance.
The Azure Water Elf Queen, Maritis, looked at the Kaguya Elf King, Onyne, with some surprise. This old friend was completely different from before.
If it were the old him, he would never have said something like that.
It seems that this conversation has greatly changed his perception of the Dragon Emperor before him!
"Then I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire," Zhao Chen said directly without any formalities.
Next, the meeting ended, and Zhao Chen naturally set off to leave.
His next step was to return to the Dragon Star Empire.
"You're leaving now, not staying here any longer." The Azure Water Elf Queen, Maritis, personally came to see Zhao Chen off.
As for Kaguya Elf King Onyne, he simply gave Zhao Chen two words, "Goodbye," and then coldly went about his own business.
She had absolutely no intention of having any further interaction or emotional connection with Zhao Chen.
It was as if she had returned to her previous attitude towards Zhao Chen, as if this conversation had never happened.
"I have a lot of things to take care of over there, so I don't have time to wander around outside."
There's so much to do.
I've vowed to prepare for the duel, and I was originally tasked with overseeing the matters of the Space Trade Alliance.
Then the issue of the Majas interstellar empire came up.
Now the Conqueror Civilization event has emerged.
I originally thought that our Dragon Star Empire could get through the thirty months of the sworn duel peacefully.
Unexpectedly, one problem after another came knocking on his door. Zhao Chen shrugged helplessly, his face ashen.
The Azure Water Elf Queen, Maritis, chuckled twice: "After all, you are the Emperor of the Dragon King. Countless people envy your current status and position."
Zhao Chen gave a wry smile.
"By the way, you and Saloman are on good terms."
"You've come all this way to the Holy Elf Empire, and you're not even going to see her?" Queen Maritis, the Azure Water Elf, looked at Zhao Chen with a hint of teasing in her beautiful eyes.
Zhao Chen ignored the teasing in the words of the Azure Water Elf Queen Marytis and said helplessly, "Never mind."
There will be other opportunities in the future.
“Oh.” The word “Oh” was uttered with a slight lilt as the Queen of the Azure Waters, her eyes still fixed on Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen immediately changed the subject, saying, "I still need your help with the matter of the Universal Trade Alliance."
Although this project was initiated by our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire, it is not enough for our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire alone to achieve results in a short period of time.
Only by working together to make this pie bigger can we have a larger share of it later.
The Azure Water Fairy Queen, Maritis, did not pursue the gossip between Zhao Chen and Salamander.
She nodded and said, "Don't worry about that, it's within my scope of work."
This is advantageous to our Holy Elf Empire.
Now that we have decided to join this cosmic trade alliance, we naturally have no reason to be negligent.
"Our Holy Elf Empire doesn't want to be left too far behind by your Wraith Dragon Interstellar Empire, does it?"
Zhao Chen smiled slightly and continued, "There's also the Conqueror Civilization, and the matter of our technological cooperation."
As for the Elf King Onyne... I might not be able to contact him sometimes.
So I'll have to rely on you to mediate between us. If there's any important news from his side, please let me know as soon as possible.
If you need any help from us, please let us know, and we will help in any way we can.
There's also the area of technological cooperation, which is beneficial to both of us.
So please help push this forward and make sure it gets done as soon as possible.
What we lack right now is time.
Therefore, we must make the most of every minute and second!
Hearing what Emperor Xiaolong had told him...
The Azure Water Elf Queen, Maritis, nodded, then looked at Zhao Chen and said with a smile, "I understand now why your Dragon Star Empire has been able to develop so rapidly in such a short time."
Given your personality and the way you handle things.
"It's impossible for your Wyvern Interstellar Empire not to develop rapidly."
Can I take this as a compliment?
"Hahaha... My men all think I'm a hands-off manager," Zhao Chen said self-deprecatingly.
The Azure Water Fairy Queen, Maritis, spoke up, saying, "Perhaps you are a hands-off manager, but you are definitely a responsible hands-off manager."
On the surface, you seem indifferent to everything, and sometimes you even show a nonchalant attitude.
In fact, you have always kept the affairs of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire in your heart.
This is a million times better than those leaders who only put on a show and talk the talk.
Okay, stop praising me.
"No matter how much you praise me, our cooperation and profit sharing will proceed as planned." Zhao Chen deliberately made a couple of sarcastic remarks.
At this moment, he also walked to his own shuttle.
He and the Water Fairy Queen Maritis both stopped in their tracks.
"Okay, I should go back now."
"I'll leave the collaboration to you."
"Of course."
Zhao Chen shook hands with the Azure Water Elf Queen Marytis to say goodbye. Zhao Chen boarded the shuttle, which began to depart and return to his own starship.
The Azure Water Fairy Queen, Maritis, watched the shuttle disappear into the distance.
——————
In a very well-hidden military base
In a dimly lit meeting room.
Why did this plan fail?
"We underestimated the military strength of the Dragon Star Empire, as well as their caution."
"The Xiaolong Interstellar Empire probably anticipated our military action and made arrangements in advance."
When our objective was exposed, they immediately dispatched a large number of legion fleets to support us.
The interstellar warships of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire are extremely powerful, according to the intelligence released by the general at the last moment.
He believed that the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire's starships were generally superior to our starships of the same class.
"If even that general said so, then it seems we really underestimated the strength of the Dragon Star Empire."
However, at the same time, eliminating this Wraith Dragon Interstellar Empire is also an urgent matter!
In the dimly lit meeting room, several people who had been hiding their figures in black robes were discussing their recently failed plan.
I have a question.
Why are we launching this military operation against the Dragon Star Empire now?
The Dragonflight Interstellar Empire and that devouring civilization have been locked in a sworn duel for thirty months. Why can't we wait until the middle of their duel, or even during it, before taking action?
This sudden question interrupted the previous discussion.
One of the voices rang out: "Actually, the timing of the operation has been discussed above."
There are two main ideas, one of which is what we are currently implementing.
Another idea is to wait until the oath duel of the Dragon Star Empire is over before we take action.
However, there is a problem with this latter idea.
That is, during the oath duel, we have no way of knowing how much of a force the Dragonflight Interstellar Empire and the Devouring Civilization are in opposition. The entire course of the war is unknown, and our actions here are already limited.
Faced with this unknown war, it is difficult for us to respond in a timely manner.
If the Dragon Star Empire wins, that's fine.
We can take this opportunity to attack the Dragon Star Empire.
But what if the civilization that devours the other wins?
We have received information that several other Orders' minions are sending legion fleets to support the Devouring Civilization.
It is highly likely that the Dragon Star Empire will not be able to win this duel of oaths.
As a result, the higher-ups believed that we should overthrow the Dragonflight Interstellar Empire before the Oath Duel began, and obtain the technologies we wanted from it.
One aspect of the latter's plan was that once war broke out and the Devouring Civilization gained control of the Dragon Star Empire, it would be very difficult for us to obtain the complete Dragon-system interstellar warship technology.
Hearing this series of explanations...
The person who asked the question was still somewhat confused. He even spread his hands and said, "I still don't understand. There was clearly a better time to attack."
Why are you in such a hurry, urging us on like this?
According to our original plan, our operations within the Majas Interstellar Empire were supposed to begin a year from now. By then, we would be better prepared, and perhaps none of this would have happened.
"That's enough," someone snapped.
Then another person spoke up, saying, "Actually, this isn't really a secret."
There's a big problem on our end.
Our resources are insufficient to sustain the war on the front lines.
The Empire needs us to accelerate the establishment of colonies and extract more resources to replenish it.
Upon hearing this, the person who had raised the question was stunned, but then realized the key point.
Their empire is in trouble and desperately needs the resources of this universe, so they can't wait a year or two.
"But even if the empire wants the resources here."
Even if we control this universe, what good will it do until our technology is perfected...?
Could it be...? The man looked at the most distinguished person among them with surprise.
If there's any hidden information, this person must know it.
"Yes, the Empire has made a major breakthrough in inter-universe jump technology, and can now communicate intermittently."
And relying on white holes to travel across universes.
According to the latest information, our scientists have developed the ability to establish a short-term sustainable white hole jump point.
Furthermore, our white hole detection equipment has predicted the emergence of the next stable white hole.
At that time, we will rely on that white hole to launch a plan to conquer this universe.
If we could establish a bridgehead here and eliminate the leader of a powerful interstellar empire beforehand, that would be ideal.
That's why this plan came about.
Unfortunately, it failed.
Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent.
Although no one said it, it was clear that some people were dissatisfied because they were not part of the inner circle and were unaware of these important developments.
This inevitably leads to dissatisfaction.