Five days later, a heavy cargo spaceship landed on Gedel.

Besides delivering the Supreme of the Sail Consortium, it also needed to transport a batch of rough platinum back.

The Supreme who arrived was named Gottle, with a full beard and a Fire Attribute.

He first looked at the corpse of the Gold Attribute Supreme, then came to the stone cave’s entrance, seeking to meet Rhodiola rosea.

Qu Jianlei came out alone, looking a bit pale, appearing still somewhat unwell, "Greetings, Lord Gottle."

Gottle glanced him up and down, chuckling, "I’ve long admired the name of Lord Rhodiola rosea, won’t you invite me in for a sit?"

With a clear intention to befriend, Qu Jianlei couldn’t firmly refuse, and could only respond calmly.

"The conditions are rather simple, better to discuss in your office area."

Gottle could sense the other’s reluctance to get close, but this didn’t surprise him.

Before coming here, he had carefully understood the other’s situation and made a general analysis.

Undoubtedly, this was a strong yet low-profile force, deliberately keeping distance from others.

The most puzzling thing was a Supreme hiding on a mineral star body, which inevitably aroused suspicion.

However, when the mine faced a crisis, the Supreme showed himself without hesitation, killing the invading Supreme, dispelling any doubts.

Gottle nodded, "Alright, let’s go to our office area."

The two went together, others hurriedly made way, leaving only Li Ang to welcome them.

Gottle straightforwardly stated, "The Supreme you killed was named Siegwa, affiliated with the Interstellar Exploration Alliance."

Interstellar Exploration Alliance... Qu Jianlei nodded thoughtfully, he’d heard of this organization.

The Alliance had many Supremes, but the organizational structure was very loose, with hardly any binding force.

To put it plainly, it was a group of star adventure enthusiasts who formed this alliance.

For example, Zarif Star, which Qu Jianlei had been to, was discovered by the Interstellar Exploration Alliance and then reported to the Empire.

Subsequently, the Empire organized a Pioneer Team to develop it, gradually transforming it into a habitable star.

Of course, the Exploration Alliance didn’t just explore habitable planets; they also explored various mineral-producing celestial bodies.

Moreover, they brought back star maps from unknown star space, and the Empire rewarded them for this.

The existence of this alliance was to easily gather like-minded individuals to explore the mysterious universe together.

There were quite a few Supremes or A-level individuals in the Alliance, some having Pioneer Teams under their names.

It was quite an unconventional alliance—some sought fame, some chased profit, and some simply loved adventure; many held multiple roles.

It was rare to find someone affiliated solely with the Alliance, "Was this his only position?"

Gottle slowly shook his head, "There’s word he might have a role in the Divine Text Research Association."

Qu Jianlei, usually composed, couldn’t help his lips twitch at the mention, "Divine Text Association..."

Gottle wasn’t surprised; the Divine Text Association truly was a behemoth—who wouldn’t be shaken upon hearing it?

He solemnly said, "Besides that, he’s also involved in contract killings with many lives on his hands..."

"Yet the Empire hardly punishes him, hence the speculation of his Divine Text Association identity."

Qu Jianlei pondered and asked, "So you’re saying he came to seize the mine possibly on someone else’s commission?"

Gottle coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed, "We’ve already guessed the mastermind and will soon confirm."

The Sail Consortium, with its host of captives, hadn’t yet identified the real culprit—it was quite a disappointment.

However, Qu Jianlei felt somewhat absent-minded, wondering: Why are you telling me this?

Could it be the potential enemy is formidable, and they’re hoping to join forces?

Seeing he’s silent, Gottle felt even more ashamed, "By the way, we’ve heard your requirements."

"Li Ang isn’t the decision-maker, but I am, and given your achievements, getting an exemption pass for your merchant ship is easy."

"However, your ship’s appearance is a bit unusual, avoid frequent use lest it becomes difficult for us... and don’t transport prohibited goods."

He readily agreed, naturally entitled to make some requests; whether or not the other listened was another matter.

"No problem," Qu Jianlei nodded at this, "What’s the exemption duration?"

Duration? Gottle looked peculiar, "Exemptions are typically just one year, right?"

The immediate assent was due to being a bit embarrassed earlier, eager to redeem the consortium’s image—yet he was being negotiated with on duration?

Qu Jianlei rubbed his forehead, "But we’re staying here for more than a year."

Couldn’t it be processed later? Gottle found this unreasonable, though outright refusal would hurt rapport.

They limited duration merely to mitigate risks, "Then how about a five-year exemption."

Staying here for a year actually meant only three years of real duration, indirectly reducing risk.

Then he asked, "Why don’t you seek help from the Haiyin Clan?"

"Haiyin Clan?" Qu Jianlei blinked, surprised the other even knew of this?

However, thinking further, for such a large consortium, having a bit of inside information isn’t excessive either.

But the problem is, he wants to go to Celestial Handle Star now, which presents various inconveniences.

So he responded calmly, "I’m not in the habit of asking for help, what we’re discussing now, I earned with my achievements."

Just as I thought, Gottle nodded, "That’s true, but it’s a pity."

Qu Jianlei blinked, "Pity about what?"

Gottle answered in a deep voice, "The power of the Haiyin Family is astonishingly immense, especially that Sixth Lady, Rhine. Do you know who she’s with?"

Qu Jianlei asked thoughtfully, "Above the Supreme?"

Gottle laughed and then shook his head, "I didn’t say that, that’s your own guess."

Upon hearing this, Qu Jianlei became more curious. In his impression, the Awakened of the Celestial Hook Star Realm seldom spoke with such hesitation.

"Is the topic of ’Above the Supreme’ not to be discussed?"

This time, it was Gottle’s turn to be curious, "Could it be you also know ’Above the Supreme’?"

Qu Jianlei answered vaguely, "I’ve heard a bit about it."

So that’s how it is! Gottle waved a hand, "Even the name ’Supreme’ shouldn’t be mentioned lightly. That kind of existence... let’s not bring it up."

After a pause, he spoke again, "I came here this time to ask for advice on another matter."

"I’ve heard your organization is very skilled in aerial combat. I wonder if it’s possible for you to help us train a group of personnel?"

Qu Jianlei found this strange. Tactical skills are indeed Little Lake’s specialty, but they also involve some military tactical calculations.

"With Sail’s power, it’s impossible not to recruit elite veterans, right?"

"Elites... indeed we’ve recruited quite a few," Gottle replied glumly, "but something still seems to be missing."

Qu Jianlei heard this and inquired in his mind, asking Big Head Butterfly, "Are the tactics you’ve rehearsed forbidden by the military to share?"

Little Lake replied, "The ones forbidden by the military to share are those coordinating standard warships... not including attack ships."

Although attack ships are also standard warships, in large-scale aerial combat, they are considered consumables, while main warships dominate.

Moreover, the coordination of attack ships is mostly for small group operations; having too many can lead to chaos.

For the military, there is no need to cover up these small group combat techniques.

"Does that mean we can teach them these tactics?"

Little Lake, being miserly, immediately stated, "My calculated tactics are definitely top-notch... more money required!"

In Gottle’s view, the other side hesitated slightly before responding, "This... won’t be cheap!"

"Price is not a problem," Gottle showed no hesitation, "Name your price."

Qu Jianlei thought for a moment and replied, "I’ve been here long-term; can you get a Qi Gathering Array? Not the simplified version."

"Come on..." Gottle’s face changed upon hearing this, "Your condition is a bit over the top!"

In fact, he himself suspected whether the other party, staying in the shipyard, had obtained a simplified qi gathering array.

But guessing about these illicit matters is enough; there’s no need to break it open, to save trouble for both sides.

Now that the other’s request was stated, illicit matters could be set aside, but it was really too demanding.

"Is it that hard?" Qu Jianlei blinked, "Sail Consortium is so large..."

"No, no," Gottle waved his hands repeatedly, "Sail Consortium isn’t large at all; it can’t withstand such storms."

"If you really want it, we might be able to make an effort for a simplified version, but it’s not just a matter of money."

Qu Jianlei shook his head helplessly, "Then there’s no way; the simplified version is ineffective for me."

Is this person really at the Supreme Peak already? Gottle was momentarily stunned yet didn’t find it surprising.

Siegwa was also considered a top-notch difficult person among the Supreme, with added combat power in space, and was still beaten to death by him.

He thought for a moment, and an idea sparked, "The Haiyin Family... especially Rhine, should be able to meet your needs."

"Haiyin Family?" Qu Jianlei shook his head, then sighed, "I don’t want to ask for help. Training can be discussed later."

Gottle moved his mouth, which ultimately turned into a long sigh.

"Alright, Lord Rhodiola rosea, will you still be here in the next year or so?"

Qu Jianlei replied casually, "I might go out occasionally to relax. Is there anything else?"

Gottle nodded and presented the last important question, "If we need your assistance, is there a price?"

Qu Jianlei retorted, "Do you have a price for a five-year inspection-free pass?"

"No," Gottle shook his head and replied without hesitation, "That’s not for sale."

"My answer is the same," Qu Jianlei replied with drooping eyes, "Not for sale, just a coincidence."

The Big Head Butterfly slowly turned in his mind, softly murmuring, "Actually, with another fifty million, I could help you fight."

However, Gottle nodded: the other party wasn’t particularly in need of money and wouldn’t deliberately seek wealth.

But in handling things, not pursuing maximum profit, and having a weak risk management awareness, really is... quite willful.