After saying this, Xiao Yu paused slightly, giving the Molian Civilization commander some time to think. Following this brief pause, Xiao Yu continued, “I know your civilization desires the advanced materials in my possession. In fact, handing over these materials wouldn’t be a major issue, so long as you are willing to pay the corresponding price.”

“Take your time to consider it carefully.”

Xiao Yu stopped and quietly waited for the Molian Civilization’s reply.

Throughout these messages, Xiao Yu did not display any sign of submission or pleading. Instead, he spoke from a position of equality, even slightly superior to the other side. Xiao Yu did this deliberately, following Luka Two’s advice: appearing too weak would only encourage the opponent to press their advantage.

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say,” the Molian fleet responded after a brief silence. “I don’t see what kind of cooperation could exist between us.”

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Yu was secretly pleased. He knew that his strategy had worked. He had completely seized the psychological upper hand over the Molian Civilization. From this point forward, he would be leading the conversation.

“There is potential for cooperation between us,” Xiao Yu emphasized deliberately. “What if I told you that if we do not cooperate, we both may end up dead, but if we cooperate, there’s still a chance for both of us to survive?”

“Despicable predator civilization, there’s no need for such alarmist rhetoric,” the Molian Civilization replied mockingly. “Death? If anyone is going to die, it’s you. What threat could possibly endanger us, the Molian Civilization? This aging Specter? It has less than fifty years of life remaining. If it were to attack us, it would burn through its life force instantly. Don’t try to fool me into thinking that a Specter would sacrifice itself to destroy our mere Level 5 civilization fleet.”

“In fact, our civilization has conducted a thorough analysis on this matter. I may as well share our conclusions with you. We’ve already deduced the plan of this aging Specter. It merely intends to grant you a temporary shelter, allowing you time to develop your technology. Before it dies, you would hopefully grow strong enough to defeat us. We’re fully aware of this plan, but we are in no rush. We are confident that even fifty years from now, we will still possess the strength to defeat and destroy you. That’s why we wait here so calmly. Given this, what need do we have to cooperate with you?”

“You might as well sit tight and await your fate. Don’t entertain the delusion that you can escape through some petty schemes. Despicable predator civilization, give up your unrealistic hopes.”

The Molian Civilization’s response was not beyond Xiao Yu’s expectations. He had already prepared a counter-strategy for this.

“The asymmetry of information leads to vastly different interpretations of the same situation. You lack certain information, which is why you’ve come to such conclusions. In fact, until recently, our civilization had thoughts nearly identical to yours. We too planned to use this period of safety to develop sufficient technological strength to defeat your fleet. But after learning another piece of information, we abandoned that plan and decided instead to propose cooperation with you.”

“Despicable predator civilization, what new lies are you preparing to deceive us with now?” the Molian fleet commander asked reflexively.

Xiao Yu smiled faintly in his heart and said, “I will not make any guarantees regarding the truthfulness of the information I’m about to provide. I trust in your own ability to analyze it. Whether the information is reliable or not is for you to judge. My role is merely to deliver it. After you have reviewed this information, I believe you will understand why I am proposing an alliance. And if, after your analysis, you conclude that this information is true, I believe you will also agree to cooperate with us.”

Xiao Yu spoke in a tone of complete confidence, entirely unafraid. He was certain that the Molian Civilization would not refuse his proposal. The reason was simple, all living beings possess a certain mentality that makes them believe they are more exceptional than others. Driven by this mindset, and especially when they have sufficient caution, they would believe that it is impossible for them to be deceived.

Xiao Yu could even predict their current thoughts, which were nothing more than: ‘Since the final decision rests in my hands, and simply hearing your information won’t cause me any harm, why shouldn’t I at least listen?’

In the end, things unfolded exactly as Xiao Yu had expected. Sure enough, after a brief silence, the Molian fleet commander sent back a message. “Let’s hear it.”

The moment he saw these words, Xiao Yu knew that he was already more than halfway to success. He had absolute confidence in the information he was about to provide. The reason was simple, the information was 95% true. Aside from the source of the intelligence and some speculative details about the aging Specter, everything else was entirely factual.

Half-truths are the most dangerous lies because they are extremely difficult to detect. If even half-truths are so hard to distinguish, how much more so with information that is 95% accurate?

“When we first encountered this aging Specter, we did indeed believe we had found a senior who could offer us safe protection. But as time passed, and through some unusual connections between ourselves and our Specter companion, we gradually began to notice some clues…”

“That’s right, we are not an ordinary civilization, nor is our state of existence like that of ordinary civilizations. To demonstrate our sincerity, I will share this information with you without reservation…”

“…After many careful verifications and explorations, we finally uncovered the true plan of the aging Specter. It intends to use us as bait to lure my Specter companion here, and then devour it. After consuming it, the Specter would regain some life force and acquire several tens of thousands of years of survival. Most importantly, do not forget: the Specter Race feeds on intelligent lifeforms. Once its plan succeeds, once it regains vitality and mobility, do you really think your civilization will be spared?”

“Surely you are not arrogant enough to believe that your civilization could withstand a Level 4 Specter? If not, then how far is your civilization’s main habitat from here? A thousand light-years? Two thousand? Even if your civilization starts fleeing right now, how far could you get in fifty years? Would you be able to escape this aging Specter’s hunting range? Don’t forget, your fleet has been stationed here for decades. I believe that after killing me, the Specter’s next target will be your civilization.”

“In our civilization, we have a saying. ‘Without lips, the teeth grow cold.’ If I die, you will be next. Under these circumstances, should we not cooperate? What do you think?”

After sending all the information, Xiao Yu entered a period of quiet waiting.

Deceiving a civilization is no easy task. A wise man may overlook something, but how many wise men are there in an entire civilization? Against a civilization, even the smallest flaw in a lie could be exposed.

But Xiao Yu had no choice, he could only attempt this gamble. Let’s not forget, Xiao Yu’s side also possessed countless wise minds. This was a confrontation between two civilizations, more precisely, between the wise minds of both civilizations. If Xiao Yu managed to deceive them, his side would win. If the lie was exposed, his side would lose.

In this lie, there were two unavoidable flaws. One was the mysterious flickering of the red dwarf star; the other was the issue of Xiao Yu’s Specter companion. With these two points, the Molian Civilization could easily deduce that Xiao Yu’s Specter companion had already arrived near the star and that it was likely responsible for the strange flickering of the red dwarf.

This was something Xiao Yu did not want the Molian Civilization to realize, because he hoped to use his Specter companion as a trump card against the Molian Civilization after the stellar destruction plan succeeded. But in order to make the story more believable, Xiao Yu had no choice but to reveal this trump card in advance. Even knowing these two weaknesses would likely be detected, he deliberately chose not to cover them.

This too was a kind of psychological tactic. Once the Molian Civilization detected these flaws, they would develop a sense of ‘nothing escapes our eyes,’ which worked greatly to Xiao Yu’s advantage.

Moreover, exposing his Specter companion was not a major issue. While it might reduce his odds slightly in a confrontation with the Molian fleet, it was still far better than facing a Level 4 Specter directly.

This was Xiao Yu’s entire deceptive plan. Every detail and every phrase in this plan had been carefully refined by Luka Two and the psychosocial scientists. Every planted clue and every deliberate flaw had been meticulously calculated by Xiao Yu.

Under these conditions, if they still failed to deceive the Molian Civilization, then Xiao Yu would have no choice but to wait quietly and entrust his fate to the aging Specter, hoping it might mercifully spare him at the end of its life.

“In the end, all I can do is give my utmost and leave the rest to fate,” Xiao Yu sighed softly.

Xiao Yu waited for three full days. Finally, after three days, the Molian Civilization’s reply arrived.

“On behalf of the Molian Civilization, I agree to cooperate with you.”