“To prevent the aging Specter from making any harmful moves against me, I must come up with a plan. In other words… I need to construct a lie, one that will make the aging Specter believe my Specter companion has not arrived nearby. Only then will I have a chance.”

“But… what kind of lie would convince it?”

Xiao Yu began to think rapidly.

“First of all, this message couldn’t possibly have formed naturally. If I try to fob off the aging Specter with that explanation, it definitely won’t buy it, in fact, it might grow suspicious. Then… isn’t the Molian Civilization’s fleet nearby? I’ll use the Molian Civilization as a cover. But the specific content of the lie…?”

After mentally drafting several falsehoods, Xiao Yu had to admit, he really didn’t have a talent for lying.

“In that case, I’ll gather Luka Two and the psychosocial sciences division scientists for a discussion. But before we start, I must first ensure that the interior of my ship is secure. If the aging Specter is secretly monitoring my communications, I’ll be in serious danger.”

“How can I guarantee safety? Its abilities are so advanced, I have no way to fully uncover all of its methods. There’s no choice but to try my best.”

Thinking this through, Xiao Yu issued a command.

“Luka Two, bring your team to the Yanjing. I have some issues that require a face-to-face discussion. Prepare yourselves, I’ll send a ship to retrieve you in five minutes.”

Xiao Yu was acutely aware that from this moment on, every word he said might no longer be safe. So in all external communications, he cautiously avoided using keywords like “psychosocial sciences” or “lie.”

Upon receiving the order, Luka Two responded immediately, “Understood, Master. We’ll depart at once.”

Xiao Yu waited quietly for five minutes, then dispatched a Village-Class starship to approach the Paradise. Luka Two arrived as expected, bringing with him several of his most elite scientists, and boarded the Yanjing.

“Master, what matter do you wish to discuss?” Luka Two asked, somewhat puzzled.

From Xiao Yu’s actions, he had keenly sensed a somber atmosphere. The reason was simple, Xiao Yu had never made such a request before. In the past, everything was handled through the communication system. Never had he summoned someone aboard the Yanjing for a mere discussion.

But Luka Two was smart enough not to ask questions prematurely. He waited until they were aboard the Yanjing before raising the issue.

“Nothing much.” Xiao Yu activated the three-dimensional projection system and manipulated his own holographic image to shake its head. “There are some matters regarding our future development that I need to discuss with you.”

“To be able to contribute our wisdom to you is our greatest honor,” Luka Two said respectfully.

“There’s no rush for now,” Xiao Yu replied. “Take a moment to rest first.”

Luka Two, though puzzled, sat down with the other scientists and wisely remained silent.

At that moment, Xiao Yu issued an external command.

“The third round of testing for four-dimensional shields and multi-layered shield strength begins now. All departments and scientists are to collect data. I require all test data to be compiled into a formal report within three days, complete with reasonable suggestions for improvement.”

This message was transmitted in plaintext to the planetary base. Within the Central Research Academy of Science, all scientists responded in unison.

This kind of shield strength test was something Xiao Yu had conducted many times before, except this time, the target was the Yanjing itself.

“Target: Yanjing. Activate four-dimensional shield, outer force field shield, and tachyon shield to maximum output. Prepare to fire negative matter cannon, antimatter bombs, gravitational bombs, and ray-class weapons…”

Xiao Yu issued a string of commands.

Once the orders were given, the Yanjing’s full defensive systems were pushed to maximum power.

Long ago, Xiao Yu had already confirmed one thing, the aging Specter was incapable of attacking him through the four-dimensional shield. The reason was simple, back when Xiao Yu was still ten light-years away, the aging Specter had first broken through the four-dimensional shield before forcibly separating Xiao Yu from his computer systems. Given the current state of the aging Specter, it clearly would not waste its strength on unnecessary actions unless absolutely required.

Moreover, Xiao Yu had precisely measured the event, during that attack, the four-dimensional shield had not been shattered instantly. It had withstood the aging Specter’s unknown method of assault for 0.3 seconds.

That 0.3 seconds revealed a great deal. It was a critical window, enough time for Xiao Yu to carry out many preparations.

With the excuse of conducting a shield strength test, Xiao Yu could fully activate the ship’s defensive systems without seeming suspicious. Moreover, the weapon testing phase would generate interference across all currently known signal frequencies. Though it still wouldn’t block superluminal communications, it was clear that inside the ship, Xiao Yu wouldn’t be relying on such long-range communication methods anyway. This was also why he had summoned Luka Two aboard the Yanjing.

Under Xiao Yu’s command, a barrage of high-powered weapons was unleashed upon the Yanjing. Various energy surges erupted against the ship’s outer defenses, drowning out all detectable and undetectable signals, rendering them untraceable and unanalyzable.

This was how Xiao Yu, using every means available to him, strove to achieve maximum safety.

Once the signal interference reached its peak, Xiao Yu let out a subtle sigh of relief, then turned his holographic projection to look at Luka Two.

Luka Two immediately stood up. From Xiao Yu’s expression and gaze, he sensed an atmosphere of solemn gravity.

“If something’s troubling you, please command me. The Luka race will always be your most loyal servant,” Luka Two said respectfully.

Xiao Yu gave a slight sigh and said, “Summoning you here was something I had no choice about. This matter is of great importance, one that could determine life or death. I feared it might be overheard. The external weapons testing… is just a ruse, meant to improve our communication security.”

“Communication security…” Luka Two lowered his head, pondering for a moment. Then, suddenly, his body trembled, and he whipped his head around like lightning to look at one side of the conference room, as if something terrifying lay there.

The room appeared unchanged, softly glowing milky-white walls, neatly arranged furniture. But Xiao Yu knew, that was the direction of the star. Ignoring all physical obstructions, in that moment, Luka Two’s gaze had become a direct line to the star.

At first, the other Luka scientists seemed confused, unable to grasp the implications of Xiao Yu’s actions. But after a moment, realization dawned on them too, and they turned toward the same direction with expressions of fear and shock.

In that instant, they all understood.

In this stellar system, was there any reason for Xiao Yu to be concerned about information security? Logically, no. All present were his subordinate races, completely under his control. What would he possibly need to hide from them?

And yet, Xiao Yu had taken such elaborate precautions, serious, deliberate precautions. In this star system, aside from Xiao Yu and his subordinates, who else was there?

Only that aging Specter, the one attached to the star.

If Xiao Yu’s subordinates didn’t need shielding, then the only target of these precautions had to be that aging Specter. And given its immense power, Xiao Yu’s actions meant just one thing, the aging Specter could no longer be trusted. A once-reliable being, now transformed into a dangerous threat, what did that imply?

That was why they were afraid. That was why they were shocked.

Xiao Yu nodded in satisfaction. “Luka Two truly is the most exceptional scientist in the psychosocial sciences division. While it may not contribute to technology directly, its value is no less than any scientist in the science and technology division. As for the others… even though they reacted a bit slower than Luka Two, they’re not bad either.”

“You… you mean that aging Specter?” Luka Two said in a low voice.

Even though it knew very well that lowering its voice would do nothing to improve security, some instinct still compelled it to speak more quietly.

Xiao Yu slowly nodded.

“Whew…” Luka Two let out a soft breath and sat back in its seat.

The Luka race had no hair on their heads. Luka Two gently stroked its bare scalp, eyes fixed on its knees, unmoving. Xiao Yu understood, it was deep in thought.

“If your goal is to conceal this from the aging Specter, then all your methods, whether it’s maximizing the shield output or conducting weapons tests outside the Yanjing, none of it holds any meaning,” Luka Two said flatly.

It was the first to dismiss Xiao Yu’s efforts.

“Oh? Why?” Xiao Yu asked, surprised.

Luka Two slowly shook its head and replied, “I said it’s meaningless, not that it’s ineffective. In truth, whether it works or not… we simply don’t know.”

Xiao Yu quietly pondered this.

“I think I understand what Lord Two means.” At that moment, one of the scientists who had accompanied Luka Two stood up. Xiao Yu recognized it, one of Luka Two’s most valued successors.

“Master, what you’re doing… is indeed meaningless,” it said slowly.