Julian generally didn't take action.

But once he did, he still had the efficiency and decisiveness of the past.

Realizing that the information provided by Bai Fu might enable him to make a leap forward, he immediately adopted the most professional attitude—

An enthusiastic demeanor, precise wording, professional knowledge, and an unyielding stance on upholding the interests of the Rebirth Empire.

"If the information you provide is true," he said, "then you will gain the friendship of the Empire, which never fails to reward its friends, but..."

As everyone knows, what comes after "but" is very important.

In terms of rewards, Julian uttered a lot of clichés.

Sadly, this time he was dealing with Bai Fu, who, albeit not particularly skilled at negotiation, had the assistance of a game panel.

For Bai Fu, what Julian said wasn't important, but what mattered were the rewards mentioned in the triggered Task, how much Empire Camp Reputation, and Contribution she would gain from this cooperation.

These were the most reliable!

Facing a Bai Fu who was wholly unimpressed by his rhetoric, Julian felt a tingling in his scalp.

He had encountered an expert!

"I will report your demands to [Radiant]."

Radiant was the central core artificial intelligence of the Rebirth Empire, responsible for assisting officials from the Emperor to local Governors in handling government affairs.

Julian was somewhat dejected.

Well, even if he hadn't showcased his negotiation skills in this conversation, as long as Bai Fu's information was true, he still would be credited for his reception work afterward.

After all, it was the Ten Saints Association—others might not know the origin of the Saints from the Ten Saints Association, but how could he, with over a decade's experience in the intelligence department, not be clear about it?

The Saint was once an intimate collaborator of the Empire before being pursued by the Three Major Cosmic Civilizations. For some unknown reason, he suddenly betrayed the Empire, attacked [Radiant], causing significant losses to the Empire. If there was an opportunity to catch him, all who provided information or assistance would be handsomely rewarded.

"I will inform you as soon as there's any news."

Bai Fu didn't have to wait too long.

The Rebirth Empire was impressively efficient in handling affairs. Just one day later, Julian's immediate superior, the head of the Protection Bureau, accompanied by a resolution from the Elder Council, came to talk to her personally.

The Imperial side seemed to be genuinely concerned about the Ten Saints Association and wasn't worried that Bai Fu was trying to deceive them, since they had already inquired with the Star Contract and received assurances.

Therefore, the head of the Protection Bureau didn't offer any clichés but directly discussed the transaction details with Bai Fu.

Bai Fu naturally appreciated this straightforward approach.

""The Nature of Spiritual Ability Resonance" and "The Use of Spirit Projection", the former that can greatly enhance the efficiency of Spiritual Ability Resonance and the refinement and application of Spiritual Energy, the latter being the foundational knowledge for the application of Spiritual Ability Superspace. For someone proficient in legion combat like you, these should be quite beneficial. What do you think of these two pieces of Dominator Level advanced knowledge?"

Bai Fu nodded without any objections.

The head of the Protection Bureau smiled and said, "There's also this [Earth King] Enhanced Genome. Your application for the [Holy Light Clan] Spiritual Ability Talent implant genome was rejected at the Elder Council meeting; both the Holy Light Clan and the Void Realm Research Association disagreed with handing it over to you, as after all, you're neither a member nor a premium collaborate of our Rebirth Empire. If you have no objections to this ruling, then let's sign the cooperation agreement."

Tch.

Bai Fu helplessly spread her hands.

She knew this would be the outcome but still, she had wanted to try.

The Spiritual Ability Affinity of the Holy Light Clan was among the highest known to the Cosmic Race. If she could have acquired the Holy Light Clan Spiritual Ability Talent implant genome, she would undoubtedly gain a massive amount of Inspiration Attribute correction, as well as several Spiritual Ability talents or Passive Skills upon genetic optimization.

But if she couldn't get it, then so be it. The Earth King's Enhanced Genome wasn't bad either.

The Earth King was a kind of Starry Sky Giant Beast so corpulent it was nausea-inducing. Fusing with its Enhanced Genome would significantly increase her toughness.

[Maybe my Constitution will end up even higher than Cecilia's, and then, without relying on Skill, purely on brutes strength, I could easily beat Cecilia into submission.]

"I have no objections."

Bai Fu signed the confidentiality agreement sent over by the head of the Protection Bureau and then forwarded the Ten Saints Association's location coordinates to him as requested.

Now that everything was arranged, what she needed to do next was simple—

Watch the spectacle!

Bai Fu threw herself into spectating with zeal.

She was eager to see how the Ten Saints Association would deal with the Leader and how the Rebirth Empire would handle the Ten Saints Association.

For this reason, she flatly refused several new commissions using the excuse of "having been attacked, failed the commission, and needing to properly reflect."

...

Let's turn back the time by one day.

While Bai Fu was conversing with Julian, the Leader suddenly received alarming news.

The subsidiary forces of the Bovalia Planet Defense Council, while clearing the war-torn factory, discovered several machines with distinctive markings buried underground. Those machines were severely damaged beyond restoration to their original condition, but the markings were still relatively intact.

"If I'm not mistaken, isn't this the emblem of the Ten Saints Association?"

The members of the council looked at each other in dismay.

The Ten Saints Association was a rather notorious presence among the Interstellar Fugitives, and they quickly confirmed their identification had not been mistaken.