Chapter 967: Chapter 521, I Want It Too!!!_2

This point in the history of the Sect of Mechanics is recorded with much pain.

They don’t need others to intervene; their internal reviews of similar situations are already extremely strict.

Under the combined influence of these factors, how difficult it is for the Sect of Mechanics to acquire new technology, especially safe new technology.

Learning, inheritance, research and development… when these are unreliable, what else is there?

Archaeology and plunder.

The latter refers to seizing technology from some Alien races to see if it can be utilized. But this is also a matter requiring significant caution.

Deciphering Alien technology is challenging, like the technology of the Green Skins. How can humans use it? It even has weak referential value.

However, some Alien races have quite powerful technologies, like the so-called Spirit Race or smart machines.

But these technologies also face adaptability issues, and obtaining them is exceptionally difficult.

It turns out that some small races discovered during cosmic exploration, or even some outlying, independently developed human colonies, may possess some special technologies. However, these technologies need careful identification. After all, who knows how those who possess the technologies acquired them? Could it be that the technology itself is contaminated by demonic knowledge?

It cannot be ruled out.

In this way, only ‘archaeology’ remains as the safest and most profitable source of technology.

The Empire’s technological capabilities have, for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years, at least, not advanced much, if not regressed.

Even many technologies from the founding wars organized and led by The Emperor at the Empire’s inception ten thousand years ago have been lost after a chaotic inheritance spanning a millennium.

Not to mention looking further back, prior to the Empire’s establishment, in the so-called ‘Golden Age’ before the dark era, the ancient technologies mastered by humanity were incredibly advanced to a shocking extent.

If one could find an ancient relic left from the once Golden Age, or even just some technological equipment from the founding expedition period ten thousand years ago, it would be a tremendous gain.

In fact, the technology that the current Human Empire possesses, and even that of the more advanced and rational Human Empire from ten thousand years ago, is largely based on the relics left from the Golden Age.

And the Black Box is a product of the Golden Age.

To this day, the Human Empire still cannot produce it or even fully decipher its working principles.

But it doesn’t prevent the Sect of Mechanics from fervently collecting all Black Boxes.

On one hand, these Black Boxes can serve as the core of an industry; obtaining one means having a production line, rapidly constructed from scratch;

on the other hand, the vast technological value contained within them can provide significant inspiration to high-level members of the Sect of Mechanics.

This kind of technical inspiration is not only reliable but also safe.

The technologies passed down from the Human Golden Age are usually free of problems.

Simply finding a relic requires worrying about whether it’s a ‘trap of wisdom’, a knowledge demon disguised as ancient technology. Careful discernment is needed, but a Black Box has no such concerns; it is absolutely safe, absolutely authentically handed down from the Golden Age.

Therefore, when Gu Hang presented the Black Box as a reward to the Principal Sages, he deeply moved them.

Gu Hang could see deep desire and greed through their mechanical eyes.

They agreed to Gu Hang’s terms almost instantly.

Isn’t it just a few resource stars? Give them, give them, give them!

They belong to the Star Domain Government anyway, giving them to the Alliance doesn’t mean cutting off supply, instead, the Alliance promised to increase extraction efforts and will import raw materials from resource stars controlled by other Alliances.

Isn’t it just fulfilling orders? Fulfill them, fulfill them!

The starships produced are meant to be used, and since the Green Skins have been chased away, the Mingyang Sect doesn’t need them for now; it’s better to give them to the Alliance first. Besides, the Alliance isn’t taking starships for free; they have to pay up.

Moreover, what does my one vote of agreement matter?

The Council of Sages has nine members, my one vote doesn’t affect the big picture.

Better secure the Black Box first.

Under the influence of greed and desire, the appearance of the Black Box immediately tipped the balance within their hearts.

As for what to do if Gu Hang really achieves consensus among most of the Principal Sages and gets these proposals passed in the Council of Sages…

Isn’t there still Lord Foundry General?

You, Chen Haixu, have the power of veto; you’d better use it well.

If Chen Haixu doesn’t veto it, what then?

If even the Foundry General votes in favor or abstains, what grounds do you have to criticize us?

With this guiding thought, Gu Hang visited the homes of eight Principal Sages, securing all their agreements.

It’s not that he was unwilling to seek out Chen Haixu, but this Founding General had been in retreat for some time, and Gu Hang simply couldn’t see him.

…

After understanding the entire situation, Chen Haixu’s expression became extremely grim.

Even grimmer than when he first saw eight votes of approval from others beside himself.

His fury had become substantial enough for everyone else to feel it.

“So, you’ve all been bought by the Alliance?”

“Ahem…” Sage Ke Zonggang lightly coughed twice and stated: “Not considered bought, right? I haven’t done anything against the sect or Jindi Star! There’s a proposal, the process reached the council, I’m just casting a vote.”

“Exactly!”

“We’re just casting a vote!”

“Aren’t you here?”

“If you disagree, then veto it!”

The Sages all spoke up.

Chen Haixu became even angrier: “So, you all got a Black Box?”

“Uh…”

“And only I didn’t?!”

“Uh…”

“Absurd!” Chen Haixu finally stood up in rage, the red Foundry General’s robe fell away from him, and the octopus-like mechanical limbs propped him up tall, with white steam enfolding the mechanical throne.

The remaining eight Principal Sages were somewhat trembling.

The Foundry General’s anger is indeed intimidating.

Although everyone is at the level of a Principal Sage, Chen Haixu naturally had his reasons for becoming the Founding General. He is almost the longest-living member of the Mingyang Sect, over nine hundred years old. From when he became a Principal Sage until now, at least six hundred years have passed.

Though he has never crossed, or even glimpsed, the opportunity to become a Great Sage, such prolonged accumulation equips him with significant power, sufficient to considerablely threaten the other eight.

Then, the eight Sages heard the Founding General’s order in his fit of rage:

“Hand over all the Black Boxes Gu Hang gave you!”

?

Everything else is negotiable, but not this!

The eight Principal Sages immediately stood their ground, exposing their mechanical bodies hidden under the red robes.

“That’s absolutely impossible!”

“This is private property!”

“The Black Box is rented from Gu Hang, and will have to be returned after a few years; the agreement must be honored!”

The Sage who said this steadily ignored the hundred ways he considered breaching the lease when he signed the loan agreement.

Chen Haixu was furious.

“I don’t care! I absolutely cannot accept that I don’t have a single Black Box!”

“Mr. Gu! Come in!”

His voice penetrated beyond the conference hall.

“I want three Black Boxes! At least three! Otherwise, I will cast a veto vote!”