"Pioneer One."

Yang Ming was on the brink of lashing out and subduing the old man in front of him.

But reason prevailed, and the rows of high-performance firepower devices he had seen along the way urged him to remain calm.

Yang Ming maintained his composure, displaying a quizzical expression as if questioning what the old man was talking about.

He couldn't determine where this old Prince had obtained his information.

At that moment, he thought about the Imperial Defense System's previous intrusion into the East Wind, considered the possibility that this was a scam, and that other Pioneers had made official contacts with the Empire to suppress him, the White Ghost... among other things.

The worst scenario was that the fifth Pioneer had become Faya's favorite, which was this old Prince who had control over the Imperial Dimension Upgrade Laboratory.

"Your expression right now is really good, proving that you are someone who thinks things through and exercises rational restraint,"

Director Eno chuckled, raising his hand to pat Yang Ming's arm.

His voice, usually hoarse, became smoother due to his elated mood.

"You're wondering why I know this? How should I explain it to you? Because the Empire is supposed to know. How long do you think Faya's game has been going on? It happens periodically, once every thousand Galaxy Years on average, and each time it produces a massive number of interstellar refugees.

"You wouldn't think that those who truly control the Empire are the nobles lost in their own gratifications, would you?

"The Empire would have long perished if that were the case."

Yang Ming paused for a moment.

He suddenly realized something he had overlooked.

The Fourth Pioneer had obtained a lot of information about Faya's game in the Free Federation.

The Empire had existed for tens of thousands of years; it must have secured relevant secrets...

Moreover, the Empire's intelligence must be the most extensive and detailed of all political entities in the Milky Way!

Yang Ming suddenly understood and couldn't help but give a wry smile, his eyes clouding over with a bit of confusion before quickly regaining clarity.

What he thought was his biggest secret was transparent in front of the Empire.

Director Eno laughed, "Come this way, let's talk as we walk. It's a long road, and I have a lot to tell you."

Yang Ming nodded, clasped his hands behind his back, and followed Director Eno, asking, "Did the Empire know about my identity a long time ago?"

"Not really," Director Eno laughed, "Up to now, the only ones who know about this, about the special existence of the Pioneers, are just me... surprising, isn't it?"

"Mm."

Director Eno said slowly:

"For the Empire, it's nothing remarkable. The Milky Way is the breeding ground for the Faya people; they have too many secrets, far too many.

"For the Empire, Faya's games are just a means to provide cheap labor, a way to replenish the population. Each event makes the news for a while, but people soon forget about such news.

"More than a thousand Galaxy Standard Years, that span is indeed too long.

"Moreover, the authorities of each faction choose to suppress this news, afraid to let the public know the truth about the world and the high-dimensional beings constantly interfering in our affairs. It's not conducive for political stability.

"Would you mind sitting in this hovering chair? I'm not as agile as I used to be."

Yang Ming and Director Eno sat in devices similar to hovering wheelchairs, drifting above the bustling yet silent laboratory.

Yang Ming asked, "Did His Majesty ask you to persuade me with this?"

"You think too highly of him," Director Eno chuckled, "He gave me a clump of Ancient Gods' cells, telling me that it was your weakness."

Yang Ming:...

"But I accessed your data, analyzed your motives, and realized that what you desire most isn't personal power, but the influence of the Empire."

Director Eno continued:

"Perhaps before you defeated Valkyrie, you might have craved these cells, but now, you should no longer feel pressured by Valkyrie.

"This information is from parts I found in the databases of the Imperial Defense System.

"I was initially puzzled by your craving for power, so I utilized a spare supercomputer cluster to search through the Empire's network backup, and quickly found some information related to 'Greenhouse Civilizations.'

"That Second Pioneer in Minter City thought the existing civilizations of the Milky Way were fools.

"He's the fool. That guy was already chosen by the old men who control the Parliament of the New Federation, using his so-called foresight to do things they think benefit the New Federation.

"In the Empire, fewer than five people have access to read documents related to Pioneers; nobody else pays attention to this matter.

"Especially our beloved Emperor, he thought he could threaten you with a clump of cells. You, being smart, would certainly act all indignant, as if you've lost a beloved one, and then seek more benefits from me, his nephew, right?"

Yang Ming laughed.

Could this old man read minds?

"I should tell you that the Sherman family's decision to nurture you wasn't the Emperor's intention."

Director Eno looked at Yang Ming:

"You should understand the weight of the phrase, 'the Sherman family.'"

"I know a bit," Yang Ming nodded, "but I don't understand why?"

"Why? Haha."

Director Eno gazed at Yang Ming: "Because you used your foresight to help the Empire resolve the Bug Calamity."

Yang Ming frowned slightly.

Just because of that?

Director Eno spoke warmly:

"The Imperial Defense System isn't omnipotent. The Empire's territories are too vast; she can only interfere with networked Administrative Stars."

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