Chapter Seventy-Seven: Voting Rights of the Cosmic Association

“That should be the case. That’s why Shi Ping possesses human intelligence, but in the end, he’ll still revert to his animal form. Without the gene chain stabilizer, he’ll soon turn back into a Komodo dragon,” Yun Yan paused. “From the analysis of the laboratory’s stored data and communication logs, apart from the third floor of the villa lab, only another underground lab in River City holds such a stabilizer. However, based on all available data, there’s another laboratory somewhere in China.”

“I’m sorry, Master. With the current information, I can’t pinpoint the location of that lab. Before Shi Yuantou went there, he shut off all electronic devices and successfully avoided every camera and sensor.”

“He avoided all electronic devices?” Ye Qiu muttered.

Nowadays, it’s still plausible for someone to go without carrying electronic devices themselves, but to evade everyone else’s equipment is another matter entirely.

This meant the other party was extremely cautious and knew how to counter technology.

It showed not only a deep understanding of concealed tech but a method of applying that knowledge.

“Forget it, let’s not dwell on this. Shi Ping might not know about the River City lab. If he needs the stabilizer, he’ll have to come back for it.”

“Does Master plan to wait for Shi Ping to retrieve it?”

Ye Qiu nodded.

“In that case, Master needs to conceal your own scent first.”

“That’s not hard,” he replied.

Besides using coatings to mask his own smell, he could also use other odors to confuse the target’s sense of smell.

He didn’t intend to use a coating—it was too much trouble.

He still believed that diverting the other’s sense of smell was more reliable.

“Based on the information, Master, Shi Ping won’t appear during the day. We can wait for him at night.”

...

“I do not agree to the Ye Liu Group joining the Cosmos Association!”

Zhang Jun slammed the table in agitation. If Liu Yiran joined the Cosmos Association, what would become of the Zhang family’s pride?

“What, is the Cosmos Association the Zhang family’s private property?” Opposite him, Shen Yutao made a sly jab. “Master Zhang, perhaps you should stick to making livestreams with influencers and leave Association business to the rest of us.”

“Shen Yutao, what the hell did you just say?” Zhang Jun stood up, pounding the table and jabbing a finger at Shen Yutao’s nose.

He’d already spent millions wiping unfavorable news from the internet, even getting En Hui and Xue Qing blacklisted, yet in elite circles, people still made him the butt of every joke. Zhang Jun was utterly humiliated.

Today’s meeting was meant to vote on which companies would join the Association’s space project. He hadn’t expected Chairman Chen to put the Ye Liu Group back on the candidate list.

That was bad enough—after all, Chen was the chairman. But for Shen Yutao to act up in front of him? Unforgivable.

“Shen Yutao, you think you’re a big shot now, just because you’ve eaten a few good meals? What, you’re not sucking up to Xu Xing anymore?”

Shen Yutao’s rise was actually simple. He’d started with a small online media company, barely making waves. Then a viral article promoting Xu Xing’s influencer drew attention, and that’s how he met Xu Xing.

From then on, Shen revolved around Xu like a loyal lapdog. He lived up to expectations: a year later, Xu brought him into the dark web crypto trade.

In just two years, Shen Yutao went from nothing to worth hundreds of millions. Xu Xing’s own wealth shot past ten billion.

They later entered the VR industry together. A few years back, Xu was arrested for illegal fundraising, and Shen inherited part of Xu’s assets. Then, seeing a famous foreigner rename his company “Cosmos,” Shen, always shrewd, seized the opportunity.

Thus, he became one of the earliest members of the Cosmos Association, with the right to vote.

Now the two men were exposing each other’s faults at the council table, leaving the dozen or so members around the round table exchanging awkward glances.

Especially Chairman Chen.

His face was grim and dark.

These two were showing him no respect at all.

Lately, the internet was all abuzz about the “next generation,” with the younger crowd complaining the old guard were in the way, always harping on the rules and holding the world back. They couldn’t wait for the elders to retire, never taking them seriously.

Chairman Chen felt it was time to remind these upstarts that this world was still run by people like him. If the juniors wanted to rise, they’d have to wait their turn.

“Enough, all of you, be quiet!”

He rapped the table. “The Ye Liu Group’s stock has hit multiple consecutive limits and is approaching the hundred-yuan mark. At this rate, it could multiply several times over.”

“Our association has yet to achieve a breakthrough in technology. Most people accuse us of being frauds, of using this as a pretext to make money.”

“But the Ye Liu Group’s research results will not only mark a technological leap in our vision, they’ll also make all of you a fortune. Their joining the Cosmos Association is a win-win for everyone.”

Chairman Chen swept his gaze around. “Let’s all vote.”

“I agree.” Shen Yutao immediately raised his hand the moment Chen finished, even giving Zhang Jun a provocative look.

“I agree as well,” another chimed in.

Soon, out of fifteen votes, ten were cast in favor.

The remaining four looked at Zhang Jun with hesitation.

They had numerous business dealings with the Zhang Group, and naturally deferred to Zhang Jun in the Association.

But they also knew Chairman Chen had a point—Ye Liu Group’s AI could multiply their own company’s stock value many times over.

Even cashing out a little would be enough for them to achieve financial freedom.

Two of them exchanged glances, then silently raised their hands.

“You traitorous bastards!” Zhang Jun exploded in fury. “Biting the hand that feeds you—don’t think I can’t ruin you in a heartbeat!”

Chairman Chen, for all his ten votes, still needed twelve; internal betrayal infuriated Zhang Jun further.

More crucially, this sent a message—the Zhang family’s position was beginning to waver.

If he didn’t strike back hard, a horde of wolves would be ready to tear his share apart.

These days, there’s no shortage of reckless, daring opportunists.

But before Zhang Jun could speak again, Chairman Chen threw out another bombshell: “Our Association now has over a hundred member companies, but only fifteen have voting rights. This is not good—it makes us look like we’re blocking technology, stuck in our ways, unwilling to innovate. Therefore, I’ve decided to increase the number of seats to twenty, adding five more companies.”

“I object,” Zhang Jun snapped—he knew full well this was a ploy to dilute the Zhang family’s influence.

Chairman Chen didn’t even bat an eye, ignoring Zhang Jun’s protest and tapping the table. “Let’s vote.”

This time, almost everyone voted without hesitation.

Fourteen votes in favor.

Everyone except Zhang Jun.