Chapter 280: Ghost Fleet

【Received the order, begin template optimization……】

【Optimization complete, begin replication……】

Qin Hao looked at his own system panel.

【Energy units: 7.26 billion】

"How much energy is needed to replicate ten thousand optimized standard warships of the Biteng Empire?"

【Calculating……Replicating this target will consume 10 million energy units.】

"Replicate."

As Qin Hao gave the order, his vast energy reserves instantly decreased by ten million.

At the same time, in the enormous dock, one after another warship with a warm golden hue all over, full of streamlined beauty, appeared out of thin air.

But Qin Hao's plan was far from just this.

What he wanted was not merely outward similarity.

He walked to the central control console of the dock and called up a complex program interface.

"System, design an 'information pollution' scheme for this fleet."

"I need to leave some fabricated traces at the attack site. These traces must be able to point all suspicion toward a single person."

In Qin Hao's eyes flashed the image of the Biteng Empire diplomatic envoy he had once met on Blue Star.

"Bi Long."

He wanted to leave "solid" evidence at the scene, making the Ke Luo Empire believe,

that this attack was a retaliatory action carried out by Bi Long, under the emperor's orders, against his previous "failed" diplomatic mission.

Upon learning of Qin Hao's meticulous arrangements, Luo Lao and Zhang Yunfeng saw their last worry completely dissipate.

This plan, although risky,

but Qin Hao's thorough preparation has already pushed the chance of success up to nearly a hundred percent.

A staggering plan targeting two major fourth-level civilizations is quietly taking shape.

In the enormous secret dock, ten thousand golden warships hovered silently, their appearance identical to the Biteng Empire's standard warships, even perfectly replicating the unique energy patterns on their hulls.

But Qin Hao knew that mere outward similarity was far from enough.

To deceive a fourth-level civilization, one must attain perfection in every detail.

"System, implant a 'disguise protocol' into the fleet's internal AI."

Qin Hao issued another command.

【Generating "disguise protocol"……】

【Protocol core: deeply imitate Biteng people's combat habits and thought logic.】

In Qin Hao's mind, every detail of his contact with Bi Long surfaced.

The Biteng people's arrogance deep in their bones, their extreme pursuit of efficiency and precision,

their style in battle of crushing opponents with absolute technological superiority rather than relying on complex tactics,

all of these must be perfectly replicated in the AI's behavior patterns.

"Protocol Clause One: In battle, prioritize using energy weapons for long-range suppression, treating physical attacks and singularity weapons as secondary means. This matches their habit of flaunting technological superiority."

"Protocol Clause Two: Communication mode must adopt the Biteng Empire's standard encryption algorithm, and in communications, incorporate their distinctive tone carrying a slight psychic oppression."

"Protocol Clause Three: Action logic must be absolutely rational; every maneuver, every shot, must be as if derived from the most precise calculation, with no extraneous emotional operations."

……

One after another command, Qin Hao input them into the system, constructing a complex AI behavior framework.

But this is still not enough.

Qin Hao needed a "soul figure" to make this act more convincing.

"System, set a special identity for the fleet's chief commander AI."

A playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Codename——'Bi Long'."

"I want this AI to perfectly simulate the personality traits of the real Bi Long.

It must, under any circumstances, display the composure and arrogance befitting an imperial envoy.

When communicating with the enemy, every word it speaks must be full of contempt and disdain for lesser civilizations."

"I need the Ke Luo Empire, upon hearing its voice and seeing its actions, to have the first thought in their minds be: 'That damned Bi Long, indeed it's him!'"

【Special identity set. AI "Bi Long" generated.】

With the system's prompt tone, the command hub of the ten thousand golden warships simultaneously lit up with a faint blue light.

A brand-new AI cluster, endowed with a special mission, was born.

"Excellent."

Qin Hao nodded in satisfaction.

Now, this fleet not only has the Biteng Empire's "skin," but also its "soul."

"Qin Consultant, after this fleet completes its mission, how should we handle it?"

Wang Hongbin standing nearby raised a key question.

Ten thousand warships possessing fourth-level civilization combat strength constitute a force not to be underestimated.

If they could be retained, it would be a tremendous boost to the Yanhuang Civilization's strength.

"Destroy them all."

Qin Hao's answer came without any hesitation.

"Regardless of whether the plan succeeds or fails, this fleet must leave no trace."

Their existence is solely to carry out a one-time framing mission. Once the mission is completed, they must completely disappear from this universe.

"We cannot, for a moment's greed, leave any future hidden danger that could be traced. This deception must be perfect."

Wang Hongbin's heart jolted, and he understood Qin Hao's determination.

This is no longer a mere military operation; it is a grand gamble that bets the fate of a civilization, allowing no loss.

While Qin Hao was frantically conducting military preparations,

The Yanhuang Civilization's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also, under the joint guidance of Mao Xinyang and Lan Ge, quietly launched operations on another front.

They began, through neutral trade partners such as the Oma Civilization, to spread carefully woven "smoke screens" in the public information network of the Milky Way Galaxy.

"Have you heard? The newly risen Yanhuang Civilization seems very dissatisfied with the Biteen Empire's previous talent exchange program."

In a private channel formed by merchants of multiple Third-level Civilizations, a Yanhuang agent posing as an information broker seemingly inadvertently leaked information.

"Oh? How so?"

Immediately, merchants from other civilizations became interested.

"It is said that the Yanhuang Civilization feels the Biteen Empire is too arrogant, offering only outdated technology and even trying to poach their top talent."

"The Yanhuang Civilization's high-level officials really let loose a big tirade at an internal meeting."

"Really? Do they dare to be dissatisfied with the Biteen Empire?"

"Who knows? However, it is said that the Yanhuang Civilization has secretly recalled all of its dispatched scientific personnel,"

"and has unilaterally cut off all further technological exchanges with the Biteen Empire. Looking at this posture, it seems they want to draw a clear line with the Biteen Empire."

……

These half-true, half-false messages quickly spread across the star seas through various channels.

Their sole purpose is to create, between the Keluo Empire and the Biteen Empire, the illusion of a broken relationship between the Yanhuang Civilization and the Biteen Empire.

Then, when the attack on Youan Xuan occurs, the Biteen Empire, in explaining itself to the Keluo Empire, will find itself in an indefensible situation.

And the Yanhuang Civilization can then, as a matter of course, assume the roles of victim and bystander to clear itself of all involvement.

All preparations are now complete.

On the eve of the operation.

Qin Hao stood alone before the fleet about to embark on the expedition.

Ten thousand golden warships, under the shipyard's lights, reflected a cold and deadly gleam.

They were like a group of silent ghosts, awaiting Qin Hao's command.

"From now on, you no longer belong to Yanhuang."

Qin Hao's voice echoed in the vast shipyard.

"Your name is——the Ghost Fleet."

"Target, Youan Xuan."

"Operation begins!"

The next second, the engines of the ten thousand ghost warships ignited, tearing through space and vanishing amidst the twisted light and shadow.