Chapter 283: Stirred Muddy Waters

Absurd! It's utterly absurd!

A diplomatic councilor, after reading the ultimatum's contents, let out an incredulous exclamation!

Has the Ke Luo Empire gone mad? They actually accuse us of sending a fleet to attack their secret research base, and even demand we hand over Bi Long!

This is slander! It's blatant framing!

Another councilor, indignant, said, "All of our empire's main fleets have clear action records; not a single fleet has ever approached their so-called Obscure Star Xuan!"

This must be a plot by the Ke Luo Empire!

In the eyes of the defense councilor, a cold killing intent flashed: "They want to use this as an excuse to provoke war! Your Majesty, we must not show weakness!"

We must immediately reinforce the borders, so they know our Bi Te En Empire is not something that can be slandered at will!

……

The entire council chamber descended into chaos because of the Ke Luo Empire's ultimatum.

Most councilors believed this was a self-staged conspiracy by the Ke Luo Empire, aimed at launching a long-planned war.

However, Emperor Bi Jia Lie, from this seemingly absurd accusation, detected a hint of something unusual.

He knew Ke Huang, that brutal and cunning opponent.

Ke Huang may be mad, but he is absolutely not foolish.

He would not use such a clumsy pretext to launch a full-scale war that brings him no benefit either.

Unless……

Unless his so-called Seventh Truth Research Institute was really destroyed.

Moreover, the scene left behind evidence that made him firmly believe it pointed to the Bi Te En Empire.

But how could that be possible?

Bi Jia Lie's consciousness instantly searched the empire's military movements and secret operation records of the past half year.

The result showed no abnormalities.

So where does the problem lie?

Who is impersonating the Bi Te En Empire to launch an attack on the Ke Luo Empire?

Who has the ability, motive, and daring to provoke two fourth-level civilizations at once?

A suspect that seemed somewhat absurd to him, yet could not be ruled out, surfaced in his mind.

Yanhuang Civilization.

That emerging civilization he regarded as the "virus source," which he had just ordered sealed off.

But this thought merely flashed through his mind before he himself dismissed it.

Impossible.

How could a third-level civilization that had just recently ascended possibly possess the strength to break through the Ke Luo Empire's layered defenses and precisely destroy its secret base?

They don't even have a single fourth-level civilization warship!

Moreover, why would they do this?

Would provoking a war between the two major fourth-level civilizations bring any benefit to this weak civilization caught between them?

This does not conform to interest logic.

Just as Bi Jia Lie sank into contemplation, a figure hurriedly walked into the council chamber.

It was Bi Long, who had just returned from the Yanhuang Civilization not long ago and was immediately accused by the Ke Luo Empire of being a 'war criminal.'

At this moment, his face no longer bore its former composure and elegance, replaced instead by deep confusion and anger.

Your Majesty!

Bi Long bowed in salute, his voice tinged with urgency,

I have just learned of the Ke Luo Empire's accusation! This is absolutely slander!

I swear on my life and honor that I have never issued an order to any subordinate to attack a target of the Ke Luo Empire!

Bi Jia Lie looked at him and spoke slowly, his voice revealing no emotion.

Bi Long, recount to me in detail all of your contacts with the Yanhuang Civilization. Leave no detail unmentioned.

Although Bi Jia Lie's heart had already dismissed the Yanhuang Civilization as a suspect, out of a ruler's innate suspicion he still decided to double-check.

Bi Long dared not delay; he immediately recounted the entire process of his mission to the Yanhuang Civilization, from demonstrating the empire's technology, to proposing a talent exchange program,

then finally, through technological exchange, obtaining the other side's 'thought' data; everything was recounted in full detail.

The whole process sounded without any problem.

Everything was under his control.

However, just as Bi Long spoke of that final transaction, Bi Jia Lie's energy body suddenly paused slightly.

You said you exchanged a piece of high-level third-level civilization technology for all their information about that great person?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Bi Long replied, "I believe that using a technology we have long discarded to obtain the secret of their civilization's rise makes this transaction profitable for the empire."

That technology…… what is it?

Bi Jia Lie pressed further.

It is the 'Quantum Foam Stabilizer'.

Bi Long answered.

It is a technology we discovered in the ruins of a now-extinct, third-level high-level civilization named 'Atlantis'.

It allows warships, for a short time, to stabilize the surrounding quantum field, thereby becoming immune to most weapons based on spatial collapse.

For us, this technology holds little value anymore, but for a third-level civilization it is a powerful defensive asset.

Quantum Foam Stabilizer……

Bi Jia Lie silently recited this name in the core of his consciousness.

He always felt that he had overlooked something.

But for a moment, he could not grasp that fleeting inspiration.

"All right, I understand."

Bi Jia Ling waved his hand, signalling Bi Long to retreat.

He once again turned his gaze toward the ultimatum of the Ke Luo Empire.

Regardless of the truth, the most important thing at present is to respond to the Ke Luo Empire's war threat.

"Convey my orders!"

Bi Jia Lie's voice regained the majesty and decisiveness of an emperor.

"First, issue our official response to the Ke Luo Empire, sternly denying all their accusations and demanding they apologize to us for this baseless slander!"

"Second, order the Empire's Second, Fourth, and Sixth Glory Legions to immediately muster at the eastern frontier!"

"Since Ke Luo wants to play at war threats, we'll accompany him to the end! I want to see whose fist is harder!"

"Third,"

A faint gleam flashed in Bi Jia Lie's eyes as he said, "Activate all the 'seeds' we have planted in the upper echelons of the Ke Luo Empire. I need to know whether the Ke Luo Empire is merely bluffing this time or truly intends to launch war.

I also need to find out what that so-called Seventh Truth Research Institute is actually researching!"

Like the Ke Luo Empire, the Bi Te En Empire's massive war machine also began to operate at high speed.

A large number of fleets began to gather at the border between the two great empires.

An unprecedented military standoff formally began in the eastern star region of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Countless third-level civilizations affiliated with the two camps felt nervous, fearing they might be dragged into this clash of gods that could erupt at any moment.

And as the initiator of all this.

The Yanhuang Civilization, however, remained unusually calm at the center of the storm.

Like an innocent bystander, it silently watched the two colossi brandishing swords and showing off their muscles at its own doorstep.

Inside the Strategic Command Center.

Lao Luo looked at the star map, where two huge, conspicuous red patches representing the assembled fleets of the two great empires appeared, and a relieved smile spread across his face.

"Xiao Qin, this move of yours—fishing in troubled waters—is absolutely brilliant."

He sincerely praised, "Now these two evil dragons have each bitten the other's tail; in the short term neither can free a hand to bother us."

"We have finally won the most precious development time."

Zhang Yunfeng also exhaled, the tight lines on his face finally relaxing a bit.

"This is only the beginning."

Qin Hao's expression, however, remained calm.

"This pool of water is still not muddy enough."

His gaze turned toward the region at the opposite end of the Milky Way Galaxy, encircled by a silver halo.

"Ke Luo Empire, since you want to play, we'll accompany you in playing on a larger scale."

A more crazy and bold plan began to gradually take shape in his mind.