Chapter 181

The discovery of the Civilization Tombstone acted like a massive magnet, firmly capturing Qin Feng's research interest. In the days that followed, he virtually lived in the Command Center, mobilizing every available resource to conduct comprehensive detection and analysis of the ancient signal deep in the Pacific.

The Super Technology database was frequently queried in an attempt to match the signal's characteristics; the Wealth Prediction system also continuously monitored any "value fluctuations" or "singularity events" related to the signal.

The preliminary conclusion was shocking: it was indeed a non-natural, massive structure, lying silent beneath a ten-thousand-meter trench, its technological level vastly different from that of the Traveler-7, far older, and more… lifeless. It seemed like the final imprint left by a civilization before its extinction.

Exploring it would undoubtedly carry immense risk, but the potential rewards—whether technological enlightenment or breakthroughs in cosmic understanding—were equally incalculable.

Qin Feng began drafting a detailed exploration plan, requiring the most advanced deep-sea submersibles, a reliable team, and… a logistical base capable of perfectly supporting this operation.

As he immersed himself in planning, the Wealth Prediction function suddenly issued a prompt unrelated to the Civilization Tombstone—yet exceptionally clear and of very high priority.

A golden exclamation mark appeared on the global aviation map, precisely locking onto an airline mired in severe crisis—Universal Airlines.

【Opportunity Insight: Target 'Universal Airlines' is suffering massive losses and a liquidity crisis due to managerial missteps, fuel price volatility, and fierce competition; its cash flow is on the verge of collapse, and its stock price has plummeted to a historic low. Its largest creditor, Blackstone Fund, is eager to offload this non-performing asset and is seeking to sell its entire 100% stake in Universal Airlines and associated debts at a price far below the company's actual asset value and latent brand worth. Note: Acquiring this target will grant immediate access to a mature global route network, landing rights, and an aviation professional team, offering critical strategic value to the Host in building global rapid-deployment capability and future deep-space logistical support systems.】

Universal Airlines? 100% shares?

Qin Feng's gaze sharpened.

He had heard of this airline—it was one of the established global carriers, with routes spanning all five continents. Though its recent operations had faltered, a dying camel still outweighs a horse; its route assets, landing rights, and professional operational team were indeed irreplaceable by mere money.

Especially for him—whether for the rapid global deployment of the Candle Dragon team or future exploration of the Civilization Tombstone and even more distant stars—a mature, fully controlled global air transport network was indispensable.

This was not merely a profitable deal—it was a crucial strategic piece!

"Sun Zhe!" Qin Feng immediately activated communication.

"Mr. Qin, please instruct."

"Target: Universal Airlines. I want its 100% shares and all associated debts." Qin Feng spoke succinctly. "Deploy funds from the Wind Rises Future Fund. Contact Blackstone Fund and negotiate the acquisition. Price is not an issue—but move fast. Ensure all procedures and handovers are completed in the shortest possible time."

Sun Zhe on the other end clearly froze. Acquiring a globally significant airline on the brink of bankruptcy? This was… an enormous move. But he quickly realized Qin Feng was after far more than commercial value.

"Understood! I'll assemble a team and initiate the acquisition immediately!"

With Qin Feng's current financial power and influence, the acquisition negotiations proceeded with extraordinary ease.

Blackstone Fund had been struggling with this hot potato; suddenly, a mysterious buyer was willing to take it all off their hands, offering a price lower than its peak but far superior to bankruptcy liquidation or continued ownership of losses—they were practically overjoyed.

Guided by Qin Feng's directive of "no cost too high, speed paramount," the negotiation team encountered virtually no meaningful resistance.

Within just one week, all legal documents were signed, and ownership transfer was completed with astonishing efficiency.

When Sun Zhe placed the document certifying "Wind Rises Investment Holding Co., Ltd." as the official owner of 100% of Global Airlines Group's equity and associated debts onto Qin Feng's desk, even he felt dazed.

A once-dominant giant in global aviation had simply… changed hands? Become a new territory in the Boss's vast Empire?

"Mr. Qin, the acquisition is complete. We paid a total of…" Sun Zhe reported the exact figure—a sum staggering enough to leave any billionaire speechless.

Qin Feng merely glanced casually at the document and nodded. Money, to him, was truly just a number.

What he cared about was how to rapidly integrate this airline into his system and harness its strategic value.

"Immediately convene an emergency global video conference with Universal Airlines' senior management." Qin Feng ordered. "I want to see all core executives within one hour."

"Yes!"

One hour later, in the remote conference room at Yunding Mansion.

A massive circular screen split into dozens of small windows, each behind which sat a face—either anxious, confused, or clinging to a final flicker of hope. They were Universal Airlines' vice presidents, regional CEOs, and core department heads, scattered across the globe.

The news of ownership change had come too suddenly; most were still reeling in shock and uncertainty. Who was the new boss? What was his temperament? Would there be mass layoffs? What was the company's future? Countless questions swirled in their minds.

When Qin Feng's image appeared on the main screen, everyone froze.

Too young!

And the aura—profound, calm, yet carrying an invisible pressure even through the screen—made them instinctively hold their breath.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Qin Feng, your new Boss." Qin Feng spoke, his voice transmitted clearly to every corner via the translation system, no pleasantries, straight to the point. "I know you have many questions and concerns. I will state only three points."

He raised one finger: "First, Universal Airlines will not go bankrupt, nor will there be mass layoffs. On the contrary, I will inject far more capital than you can imagine to repay debts, upgrade the fleet, and enhance service."

This lifted the spirits of the executives on-screen; hope reignited in their eyes.

Qin Feng raised his second finger: "Second, the company's strategic direction will shift. Beyond maintaining and optimizing existing commercial passenger and cargo operations, we will establish a new, highest-priority department—the 'Special Projects and Rapid Response Division.' This division reports directly to me and holds supreme authority to access all company resources. Its mission: ensure my personnel and supplies can reach any corner of the globe within twenty-four hours."

Special Projects? Rapid Response? Global reach in twenty-four hours?

The executives exchanged glances, stunned. This new boss's vision and demands seemed… far beyond ordinary commercial scope!

Qin Feng raised his third finger, his gaze sweeping across every window with unshakable resolve: "Third—and most important—from this moment, forget your past methods and mental frameworks. Serve me. Execute every one of my orders perfectly. Do well, and what you gain will exceed your imagination. Fail—or show insincere compliance…"

He did not finish, but the chilling implication sent a cold shiver up the spines of every executive before the screen.

"Now," Qin Feng leaned slightly forward, eyes blazing, "tell me—what is your choice?"

Silence.

Dead silence.

Then, the first regional CEO stood up on-screen and bowed deeply: "I, Richard Chen, Regional President of Asia, on behalf of myself and the Asia team, swear allegiance to Mr. Qin. We will spare no effort to carry out your will!"

With the first, came the second, the third…

"Europe region, allegiance!" "North America region, allegiance!" "Cargo Division, allegiance!"…

Like dominos falling, every executive—regardless of their true inner thoughts—now bowed under Qin Feng's overwhelming aura and his clear carrot-and-stick policy.

They knew: Universal Airlines, and their own fates, had been irrevocably altered from this moment.

Qin Feng watched the executives on-screen pledging loyalty, a faint hint of satisfaction crossing his face.

"Good." He nodded. "Mr. Sun Zhe will coordinate with you on specific assignments and capital injection plans. Remember—efficiency is my only requirement."

The meeting ended.

Qin Feng leaned back in his chair, watching the faint fluctuation of the Wealth Prediction energy bar triggered by the successful acquisition and integration of Universal Airlines, and the invisible progress bar representing his expanding sphere of influence.

With a global air transport network now under his control, the Candle Dragon's claws could reach any corner faster, and exploration of the Civilization Tombstone now had a far more reliable logistical foundation.

The 1.6 trillion U. S. dollars spent had bought him real strategic depth and operational freedom.

He picked up the internal phone and dialed Gao Yuan.

"Gao Yuan, Universal Airlines is ours. Immediately begin selecting and training a team of absolute loyalty, multilingual and globally experienced ground crew and security personnel, under the name 'Special Projects Division,' and integrate them into the Candle Dragon's outer framework."

"Yes, Leader!"

After hanging up the phone, Qin Feng walked to the massive world map and fixed his gaze on the Pacific coordinate marked "Civilization Tombstone."

The aerial passage has been opened.

Next, he would descend into the ocean depths to unveil the mystery of that ancient ruin.

He felt that a grander, more tumultuous adventure was about to begin.