To be honest, Feng Mo didn't fully trust Tian Guang's words, but he was still willing to dispatch his fleet to aid the Crystalcarvers. The primary reason was their mutual enemy, and second, Feng Mo was confident the Crystalcarvers posed no threat to him; his Storm Fleet's strength gave him ample assurance.
Moreover, Feng Mo harbored hopes of claiming ownership over the white hole. The allure of abundant dark matter and dark energy crystals was too tempting to ignore, to the point that he wouldn't dare share this information with the Chu or Qiao families.
This mission had to be carried out by Feng Mo alone. Only once he secured control of the white hole would he reveal it to the wider universe, and then only at the right time. And that time would be after he established his kingdom and commanded a T5 fleet, at minimum.
"Leave the star coordinates, and your vice-captain will stay behind. In three days, my fleet will depart as scheduled!"
Hearing Feng Mo's confirmation, Tian Guang stood up, bowing repeatedly with words of gratitude, to which Feng Mo only nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Tian Guang said earnestly, "but I must return to the Heavenly Crystal System promptly. Tian Ming will remain here to aid in guiding your fleet. Farewell, Your Grace."
After bowing once more, Tian Guang left the office with a spring in his step, clearly relieved. Watching him go, Feng Mo turned to Tian Ming, who was seated nearby.
"So, does everyone in your Crystalcarver clan go by 'Tian'?"
Tian Ming answered respectfully, "Only my brother and I. A traveling merchant gave us the names. As for our original surname, it's quite long, but translated into Federation language, it would be something like: Moide Demiatiryech Lagunivna Ronnof Tivirala Ravnoland Vroyetsilu."
Feng Mo's eyebrow twitched at the excessively long name, momentarily lost for words. He could only nod and say, "Let's stick with Tian Guang and Tian Ming, then."
Feng Mo had set the departure date for three days later because he had an important event tomorrow: his investiture by the Cloud Mountain Empire, elevating him directly to Duke. Since Feng Mo had registered the Hurricane Star System under the empire's jurisdiction and paid taxes accordingly, this title was a fitting recognition of his loyalty.
The combined tax revenue from the two star systems was substantial. Feng Mo didn't know how much of it the Cloud Mountain Empire paid to the Federation, but he did know that he now had enough bargaining power to negotiate better terms, possibly even adjusting the tax rate.
Otherwise, the current tax—a steep 10% of profits from all resource planets in a star system—was simply too painful. Of course, attempting to falsify his income records would only end in disaster. The Empire's T5 fleet wouldn't hesitate to audit his systems with devastating force if it sensed deceit.
After assigning Tian Ming a place to rest with Hua Qin's assistance, Feng Mo leaned back in his chair and activated his HUD.
---
[Name: Feng Mo]
[Level: Tier 3 Genetic Warrior]
[Occupation: Lord of the Hurricane and Storm Star Systems]
[Special Talent: Half the Sky (When the fleet's female personnel outnumber male and non-humanoid male personnel, the fleet gains a luck bonus)]
[Fleets: Storm Fleet, Elf Fleet, Explorer Fleet]
[Points: 1660]
[Mission: Establish an interstellar kingdom, Reward: 5000 points, T5 Wind God-Class Battleship]
[Temporary Mission: Ascend to Duke in any empire, Reward: 1000 points]
[Temporary Mission: Aid the Crystalcarver clan in overcoming their plight, Reward: 1000 points, T4 Titanium Steel Mech Blueprint]
[Temporary Mission: Destroy the New Human Church, Reward: 3000 points, T4 All-Stars Stargate Blueprint]
[Warehouse: T2 Starship Blueprints, T3 Starship Blueprints, T4 Scorpion-Class Stealth Bomber, T4 Hurricane-Class Battleship, T4 Blade and Shield-Class Frigate, T4 Furnace-Class Industrial Ship, T4 Kangaroo-Class Destroyer, T4 Mammoth-Class Carrier, T4 Intercept-Class Bio-Ship]
---
This latest update was packed with new tasks, likely due to overlapping events. The rewards were indeed generous, and Feng Mo's attention quickly settled on the T4 All-Stars Stargate Blueprint, a crucial asset for his future expansion plans.
While the T5 Wind God-Class Battleship was tempting, establishing a kingdom wouldn't be an easy, short-term task. The youngest kingdom founder in the Federation's history had been 174 years old, a self-made legend whose story had inspired the Federation for nearly two millennia. Unfortunately, seven hundred years ago, his kingdom had fallen to the Star Swarm, its people consumed by an endless sea of monstrous creatures.
---
The Next Morning
Feng Mo rose early and entered the Star Network. The investiture ceremony was initially set to be held at the Cloud Mountain Empire, but Feng Mo had declined, citing his responsibilities. As a result, the Empire made history by conducting the duke's investiture in the Star Network.
Dressed in his formal noble attire, Feng Mo approached the imposing "Cloud Mountain Tower," the Empire's virtual headquarters within the Star Network and the official meeting place for their Senate.
At the tower's entrance, Feng Mo was approached by two familiar figures—old acquaintances Jiang Wei and Zhao Zhicheng—each accompanied by a young man. Both nobles greeted Feng Mo with warm smiles, while the younger men seemed subdued, scarcely daring to meet Feng Mo's gaze.
Feng Mo merely smiled and said, "Jiang Wei, Zhao Zhicheng, it's been a while."
Seeing these two old schoolmates brought back memories for Feng Mo; these two were among those who had once mocked him but had unwittingly funded his initial ventures.
"And these must be Earl Jiang and Earl Zhao?" Feng Mo said with a raised brow. "I suppose I should call you uncles, by seniority."
Both noblemen quickly waved their hands, insisting they wouldn't dare claim such respect. Earl Jiang bowed and offered, "Your Grace, these boys were foolish and acted out in their youth. We're truly grateful for your magnanimity. Today, we've come to apologize on their behalf and to offer a small gift as a token of our sincerity."
The two men had come prepared. Knowing Feng Mo's influence was now unstoppable, they had wisely chosen to bring their sons to make amends and formally congratulate him on his promotion. Their substantial monetary gift of 10 million star coins added a financial apology to smooth things over, ensuring there would be no lingering grudge.
And indeed, Feng Mo had little reason to hold a grudge against these young men
any longer, especially with such a satisfactory contribution from their families.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!