Chapter 619: Heart and Mind, Big is Good for Talking

Helena shook her head with a smile, "You think too highly of me. My power isn't great enough to make such decisions for the Empire. I can increase the offer, but you cannot ask for the moon."

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Having spent some time harvesting alien leeks, it wasn't without gains; he had a general understanding of the combat capabilities of other nations, and he had even fought some Sergeants, so he had a measure of things in his heart. Once he possessed excellent Celestial Armament, his combat power would catch up very closely, and he would definitely have the strength for a battle, rather than being one-sidedly crushed by weapons.

The Solar System had also been trying to find ways to obtain Dragon Heaven Weapons and starships, but the current results were very poor. Those that had been phased out were extremely expensive, and the current foreign exchange reserves were simply not enough. And with current Human technology, even if they obtained Dragon Heaven Weapons and took them apart to study, due to insufficient theory and materials, it would take a very long time to achieve self-production. It wasn't that they hadn't tried secret negotiations for production technology, but the conditions? They basically all required selling out Planetary Level sovereignty and interests, and this wasn't something just anyone could do.

Li Hao appeared very calm. Helena frowned, "Why don't you just go rob someone? I only asked you to challenge a master; your conditions are definitely not acceptable."

Li Hao just looked at Helena, a smile that wasn't quite a smile on his face, "Helena, as a member of the Council, you aren't being sincere enough. If I haven't guessed wrong, there should be two layers of meaning. On one hand, the Princess doesn't like this Haosen. On the other hand, Haosen is the biggest obstacle to you becoming the Team Leader of the Shengbei Team. Even you, possessing an Imperial Artifact, are not confident in challenging him. Moreover, Haosen's influence in the Ruling Committee is no less than yours. So you want me to step up; if I lose, you can test his strength, and if I win, Haosen's position as Team Leader is effectively gone, and this matter won't even be linked to you, right?"

Helena was noncommittal.

"This is a big deal. My few conditions are actually just some equipment. We Humans taking them is just for self-preservation; we can't produce them, nor can we do much else. Furthermore, future maintenance will still require cooperation with the Ruling Committee, which is equivalent to getting on the Ozil Empire's ship—no, getting on your ship, Council Member Helena."

Helena pondered for a while. Since things had reached this point, there was no other way. A powerful Human Warrior was very suitable for doing this thing. Actually, she hadn't just looked for Li Hao; she had tried to contact everyone who had any possibility. She hadn't been able to test those who had already leaned toward Haosen. Dasha and Aoliweina had both politely declined, and she couldn't come up with conditions that would move them. Defatandisi and Ning Long were very capable and had the possibility of defeating Haosen, but she couldn't even bring it up; she didn't have the standing.

However, one thousand sets of Flame Dragon Heaven Weapons was also a considerably huge sum, especially since these Heaven Weapons were not for export and were the current standard equipment for the Ozil Empire's Star River Warriors, and the latest ones at that. Fronzo was the main designer, and the Ruling Shengge also possessed the production capacity. As a member of the Ruling Committee, and currently presiding over the work, she really did have this authority. It was a loss, but since it involved the current predicament of Hermia, it wasn't something she couldn't endure. Besides, he only had a chance if he won against Haosen. Whether Haosen was willing to fight him, and whether he could win if they fought, remained to be seen. If he really won, Haosen would no longer be able to compete with her for the position of Team Leader, so it was a good deal.

"500 sets!" Helena slashed the price; she was the one in charge, not some gold-plated nouveau riche.

"Council Member Helena, since you've spoken, I must give you face. 800 sets, not one less, and one year of warranty." Li Hao added a condition; in case they broke, Kevin and the others likely wouldn't be able to handle it.

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"Deal!" Helena was also someone who did big things; given her background, it was already not easy for her to be willing to haggle, and she wouldn't really drag things out with Li Hao.

"Council Member Helena, rest assured, time will prove how well-matched we are. Come, let's sign a contract." Li Hao smiled and opened his Star Swift, pulling out a Star River Contract. Li Hao hadn't been attending classes diligently every day for nothing, especially regarding laws and contracts, which were actually quite complex, but the main ones were the Submarine Contract, the Silver Heart Commercial Treaty, and the Shengge Law.

Helena was stunned. She had agreed, but she hadn't intended to sign this. A Human... he thought quite thoroughly.

Li Hao looked sincere, "Council Member Helena, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since we have joined the Star Alliance, naturally everything should be done according to the rules of the Star Alliance. You wouldn't want to deceive an honest person like me, would you?"

Helena's skin was clearly not that thick. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about playing a side-ball or leaving herself some room to maneuver, but on second thought, the success rate of this matter wasn't high, and she could accept it regardless of whether Li Hao succeeded or not, so she couldn't be bothered to quibble with someone over this aspect.

She signed it readily, and Li Hao signed it too, then transmitted it to the Mechanical Race's arbitration center for filing. Feeling comfortable, he looked at Helena with eyes that became affectionate. Looking at Helena, she was truly beautiful; Celestials were suffused with a faint luster all over, which was exceptionally alluring on a woman, and Helena was dressed so sexily today.

"Alright, does this count as me having a backer now?" Li Hao laughed. Because of Gaia, Haosen had already been put on his list, so now he couldn't let him go even more.

Helena nodded, "Haosen's strength is the same as his reputation; you must be careful. And you must issue the challenge in a public setting. Once there aren't enough witnesses, they might gang up on you!"

Helena understood the character of Haosen and his gang; they hadn't done this kind of thing just once or twice. Over these five-plus years, anyone who didn't get along with him, whether they were Celestials or others, had almost all been forced by him to either join or quit the Shengge.

The arrival of Defatandisi and Ning Long did indeed make him feel a bit of a crisis, but it couldn't change the situation.

After the Emperor went missing, the power of the Council of Elders was unprecedentedly strong, while the imperial power was already quite weak. Back then, Emperor Augustus was awe-inspiring. What Hermia needed to prove wasn't the succession itself, but to have enough Glory and an event that would allow her to gain more power and influence after succeeding to the throne—a turning point that could make her imperial position more consolidated. The power behind her also needed to build momentum; the current Hermia was missing something.

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Of course, this didn't require Li Hao to worry. The tasks of the bleem often had a direction. From the probing and attitude of High Priest Shilada, it might just be possible to connect them; he wasn't the one who should be anxious.