Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

As a member of the ruling class of the Empire, he inherently does not wish for two powerful and troublesome Psychics to have overly close connections.

If he can slightly influence the cooperative relationship between An Wuping and Chen Ming, whether it’s equal or unequal cooperation, it would be valuable to the Empire.

At present, An Wuping, whose emotions are uncertain—we don’t know if he’s angry because Chen Ming took the initiative to distance himself or anxious because he didn’t achieve Chen Ming’s goals—might still drive a wedge between the two.

Minister Hou then brought up the next issue that might affect their relationship.

”What’s the story behind the battle where your entire Insect Race fleet was wiped out?”

”To my knowledge, if it was merely for revenge, it would have sufficed when your fleet destroyed all the ships attacking Chen Ming’s bases.”

”Continuing the attack brought no benefits, instead exposing you to the Mechanical Race Mother Ship’s counterattack, resulting in further losses. Was this revenge against the Mechanical Race? Why does it feel more directed at you?”

An Wuping didn’t directly answer this question but contemplated it thoughtfully.

He replied, with an expression of reluctantly deciding to say something: ”It wasn’t just revenge. Chen Ming wanted to use my power to snatch something from the Mechanical Race.”

”But the result... I’m not sure if you’ve seen it: three Mother Ships suddenly appeared, destroying the Planet and denying Chen Ming any opportunity to seize anything, while my Insect Race was all left behind there.”

”What does he want?”

”I don’t know.”

An Wuping responded briefly, immediately adding in the wrong direction: ”However, I guess that he wanted me to exert such effort and cause such commotion, possibly for the Mechanical Race Planet itself, which is why the Mechanical Race would destroy the Planet with their Mother Ship.”

”Does the Mechanical Race really need to do that?”

”If you consider my Spiritual Ability... it should be necessary. Whether it’s me or Chen Ming making contact with the Planet, it’s already considered doomed for the Mechanical Race.”

Minister Hou considered An Wuping’s words for a moment.

He realized it was indeed the case.

Chen Ming’s Spiritual Energy, once he contacts the Mechanical Race territory, could potentially bring the entire Planet under his control.

If An Wuping’s Spiritual Energy is assessed by what is currently seen...

A Planet with such limited resources could produce a fleet of over ten thousand Cruisers, while still retaining a significant amount of living force.

Such a terrifying resource conversion efficiency...

If the Insect Race managed to parasitize deep underground, the Mechanical Race without weapons targeting deep underground would have no choice but to destroy the Planet to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for the Insect Race.

But it’s still uncertain whether An Wuping and his Insect Race truly possess such remarkable abilities.

Thus, he could only mark An Wuping’s claim with a question mark in the recorded intelligence.

Furthermore, Minister Hou also understands the principle of haste leading to failure, so after asking this question, he didn’t continue with divisive topics or excessively press An Wuping after learning enough.

”That’s about it, one last question: do you have any thoughts of leaving the Empire?”

”Leave? After all the trouble I’ve gone through to return to the Empire, why would I leave? Engaging with insects every day, is that fun?”

As he spoke this sentence, An Wuping’s tone was somewhat aggressive.

But Minister Hou didn’t mind.

Anyway, he had seen An Wuping’s attitude today.

Although both An Wuping and Chen Ming could be considered good men, their ideas and attitudes were completely different.

He should have another opportunity to converse with An Wuping in the future.

Minister Hou turned off the terminal, extended his hand to An Wuping, and said, ”Alright, that’s it for today. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Although An Wuping appeared slightly displeased, he did not go too far, standing up to shake hands with Minister Hou, then turned and left the room made of Silent Alloy Material.

After closing the door, Minister Hou reopened the terminal to report the insights he had just gained to the Empire’s high officials.

After sharing the ”truth” Chen Ming wanted the Empire to know about this Insect Race’s attack on the Mechanical Race that Chen Ming deliberately revealed.

Minister Hou proceeded to discuss An Wuping’s Spiritual Ability: ”It is now confirmed that An Wuping’s Spiritual Ability is not merely a simple type of physical enhancement. It is a more specialized form of spiritual connection with biological entities, allowing him to possess the abilities of the connected entities.”

”This type of Spiritual Ability is more rare than a Psychic with simultaneous physical mutation and enhancement abilities. There was one in the past...”

Mid-sentence, Minister Hou was interrupted by someone on the other end of the terminal: ”No need to mention that, I know that person’s situation better than you. Continue with An Wuping.”

”Yes.”

”An Wuping’s Spiritual Ability definitely exceeds just enhancing himself. His ability to control the Insect Race certainly surpasses his inherent abilities.”

”The Spiritual Ability Research Institute initially speculates that the controlled Insect Race is special, possessing the ability to convert inorganic matter into Energy, or An Wuping may have the ability to enhance the Insect Race, granting them such capabilities.”

”I will soon forward you the analysis report.”

”Besides his level of concealing his own Spiritual Ability surpassing our expectations, his overall behavior is similar to his previous situation.”