Chapter 247: Beiwen Incident—Independence Incident—Opportunity for Negotiation

Li Yu wasn't worried that he would die. On the contrary, because he knew Horus's plan in advance, he turned the tables on him and harvested Klein's favorability.

"Since you are already prepared, then I wish you good luck." Horus was expressionless and didn't stay here much longer.

He needed to report this matter to Vimala, and he was also afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn't be able to resist swatting Li Yu to death.

Leaving Klein's place, Horus appeared slightly gloomy. Li Yu volunteering had caught him somewhat off guard, even making him suspect the plan itself.

Would letting Li Yu go out actually be playing right into his hands?

His status was noble, and normally when walking in the Star Casting Palace, he would attract the reverent gazes of many soldiers.

However, this time he faintly felt something odd. The soldiers around him were all staring at him with very strange gazes, as if they were vigilant and on guard.

As an A-Tier Lifeform, Horus had an extremely keen sense for others' gazes, which forced him to temporarily suppress the matter regarding Li Yu.

When he came just now, there were no such gazes. He even noticed that someone in the corner had already raised a Gun at him. If it weren't for the companion beside them stopping them, they probably would have already fired.

Could it be that Digor discovered Vimala's recent movements? Is this a warning?

Horus's mind instantly tightened. Although his former Identity was noble, he was currently only Klein's Teacher on the surface and had no substantial power.

Even less the authority to question the soldiers in the Star Casting Palace.

It wasn't until Horus left the Star Casting Palace that the many soldiers began to discuss animatedly.

"Why do I feel like Lord Horus suddenly became repulsive?"

"I had that feeling too. I almost couldn't hold back from shooting him just now, good thing the Captain stopped me."

"Silence!" the Captain scolded, and the squad returned to silence, continuing their patrol.

Inside Klein's Palace, after Horus left, the atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Without Horus as an audience, Li Yu's desire to act faded a bit. Klein bit her lower lip, hesitating before speaking: "Actually... you were originally going to be dispatched out..."

Li Yu didn't expect Klein to actually tell him about Vimala using him as bait, and she even looked somewhat guilty.

"If I hadn't asked you to go protect Olivia, you wouldn't have been caught in such a huge storm of Public Opinion."

Li Yu shook his head, comforting her: "Your Highness, this matter is not your fault. No one could have foreseen how things would develop."

Very obviously, his Status in Klein's heart now clearly belonged to the special tier. This was truly the best opportunity to take her down... to play her like a fiddle... ahem... wrong, it was time to give her a heads-up.

Li Yu's expression slightly stiffened. He looked around and deliberately lowered his voice: "Your Highness, do you remember that Friend I mentioned to you before? The Laboratory behind him has made significant progress in researching the Xinhuo Virus."

Klein was slightly surprised, recalling what Li Yu had told her before. At the time, she thought it was just Li Yu joking around.

But looking at it now, it didn't seem to be a joke...

"Which Laboratory does that Friend of yours belong to?" Klein asked.

Li Yu brought up this issue for the second time, plus the special Status he now held in her heart, Klein couldn't help but pay attention to it.

"Interdimensional Exploration Camp..." Li Yu stated the name he had made up.

"Interdimensional Exploration Camp?" Klein engaged in Brainstorming, but found that there was no such name in the sequence of Top-Tier Interstellar Laboratories.

Nor was there this name among the slightly weaker laboratories.

"The foundation and Strength of the Interdimensional Exploration Camp are not inferior to Top-Tier Interstellar Laboratories," Li Yu added.

The so-called Top-Tier Interstellar Laboratories were individual laboratories represented by the Abyss Laboratory, the Black Blood Institute, and the Savior Ark.

They did not belong to any single civilization, and their financial backers were also very mysterious, but the many journals they published had massive influence in interstellar space.

Their research Strength was not inferior to, and even far exceeded, the central laboratories within the Major Civilizations.

And in fact, many laboratories In interstellar space had set their sights on the juicy piece of meat that was the Xinhuo Virus.

It was foreseeable that whoever researched the solution for the Xinhuo Virus would definitely be able to fleece a lot of benefits from Return Star.

Unfortunately... due to the short time, most hadn't gained much.

Empty words are no proof. Li Yu's claim was truly hard to make Klein believe, but due to a certain psychological filter, Klein had to consider the authenticity of the matter.

"Actually, the reason I could survive under the hands of two A-Tier Lifeforms last time was reliant on their methods." Li Yu dropped another bombshell to increase the credibility of his claim.

Klein's pupils contracted. Regarding Li Yu's ability to escape from two A-Tier Lifeforms, there had been widespread discussion externally.

Many people wanted to obtain this secret, and even the Gui Xing High Command had secretly inquired of him several times.

Although she was also very curious, she had never actively asked Li Yu. She didn't expect Li Yu to actively tell her this time.

This was a manifestation of trust in her. Klein sat up straight, gradually believing Li Yu's claim.

Looking at it this way... the Strength of the Interdimensional Exploration Camp was indeed not to be underestimated.

If it's true... Klein's eyes flickered, recalling Horus's words just now, and the feeling of powerlessness when facing Vimala.

If used properly... it would be enough to obtain many things. Klein looked at Li Yu again, her gaze somewhat dazed.

"Your Highness..." Li Yu looked at Klein with confusion. Why was this chick looking at him with such a weird gaze? She wouldn't want to execute him on the spot, would she?

Doing it here... didn't seem to have a good influence.

Klein returned to her senses, slightly raising her head, fully displaying her fair neck. She averted her gaze, her tone somewhat fluctuating:

"About this matter... don't tell anyone else first. If the effect is confirmed, tell me first."

Then, she added: "It's not that I want to hog the Merit, but relying only on yourself, I'm afraid you won't be able to keep this Merit. This matter requires careful planning."

"I believe in you, Your Highness..." Li Yu's eyes carried a smile. Klein's gaze lightly touched his and then moved away again.

The sunlight outside the window scattered onto her exquisite side profile; her skin was so white it was almost reflective.

Even if I was dead for three days, I wouldn't be this pale,Li Yu sighed inwardly.

Her slightly raised head made her look like a proud swan. Klein looked out the window, recalling Horus's words just now.

"Even the closest relatives and Friends can be Pawns... Mother, this is what you taught me... so don't blame me."

...

However, the day of the Awarding Ceremony had not yet ended when a piece of interstellar news shocked the entirety of Return Star!

"The Beiwen Star System suffered a Terrorist Attack. The enemy engaged in a fierce battle with the stationed fleet, causing heavy losses. The Beiwen Main Planet was bombarded, with over ten cities leveled to Ruins, and even more cities severely damaged. Rough estimates suggest the death toll may exceed one hundred million."

"It is reported that the attack began with high-energy Laser Light Beams descending from the sky, directly bombarding the central metropolis of the Beiwen Main Planet, causing Crustal Fissures and Lava Eruptions.

Nearly ten million people died directly. Following that, humanoid A-Tier Lifeforms descended from the sky and began wreaking havoc on the planetary Surface.

After the Beiwen Guard Fleet discovered them, a fierce battle ensued. However, the other party only consisted of two people who came and went as they pleased, inflicting massive damage on the Guard Fleet before calmly leaving."

"Return Star has suffered multiple attacks in its history, but this attack is still appalling and is considered an extremely heinous terrorist activity.

According to speculation, these two individuals match the basic characteristics of the two A-Tier Lifeforms that attacked the Vitel Star System. However, no figure like Your Excellency Li Yu emerged in the Beiwen Star System."

Not long after leaving Klein's place, Li Yu saw this push notification. Less than three hours had passed since the attack occurred.

He glanced at Laser Man's coordinates; they were near the Beiwen Star System.

In other words, while Li Yu was having his Awarding Ceremony, Laser Man and Strength King were wantonly attacking the Beiwen Star System.

To some extent, this was a response to him, and also a response to Return Star. He just didn't know if there were instructions from the Star Glory Empire behind it.

The Beiwen Terrorist Attack shook the entire Return Star Civilization. After the incident, a theory quickly emerged on the network.

They believed this was an act of retaliation against Li Yu, but the backlash fell upon Return Star.

There were even voices demanding Li Yu to take responsibility for this incident, but it was ultimately only a small minority.

The unbridled destructive power of two A-Tier Lifeforms put every Return Star Citizen in danger, fearing that the next attacked Star System would be their own planet.

Massive amounts of speculation and theories brewed into a single voice—apprehend the two terrorists as soon as possible!

The Gui Xing High Command, already under immense pressure, could only repeatedly issue guarantees regarding this.

"Sending A-Tier Lifeforms to attack an ordinary planet, they actually dared to do it!?" Aisel angrily smashed a precious ornament. Due to the Beiwen attack incident, the Gui Xing High Command had to hold an emergency meeting once again.

The circular tiered Seats were arranged in order. The spacious hall was filled with Virtual projections. Worth mentioning was that beside Vimala, Klein kept her head down without saying a word, which attracted the attention of some people.

"This is the Star Glory Empire's retaliation..." Prince Connor appeared very calm. He waved his hand... and another piece of news emerged.

"According to the latest news, the Taitar Star System and Kaina Star System suddenly declared independence on Christmas Day. These two Colonial Planets on the Empire's frontier had just been incorporated into the Empire's dominion for less than three thousand years..."

"Accompanying this news were massive amounts of scandals regarding the stationed colonial fleets, including drag racing on the Colonial Planets after drinking, raping colonial women, and a series of other heinous acts..."

"...This cast a shadow over the nationally celebrated Christmas Day. The Empire's Patrol Fleet has already set off for the aforementioned two Star Systems, hoping to find a proper method to resolve the independence issue..."

Aisel frowned slightly, then suddenly realized: "Is this our doing?"

As a Top-Tier Interstellar Civilization, Return Star was also fraught with factions internally. Aisel only represented the Military, and many matters in Return Star didn't need to pass through him.

"That's right..." Connor appeared calm and composed: "This matter has been in the works for a long time. We also negotiated some terms with The Reformers, bringing this matter to fruition."

"Simple destruction is meaningless. The colonial Star System independence incident should make The Emperor remember for a long time, and it will also give the Interstellar Alliance a topic to discuss recently."

"The Reformers?" Aisel frowned slightly. This organization parasitizing the Major Civilizations was not to be underestimated; exchanging benefits with them was no less than a Dangerous alliance.

Connor simply said a few words: "Olivia was acting as the go-between. This is the price she paid to appease our anger, and there are some transactions in other aspects. We are not losing out."

He didn't explain in too much detail. It was necessary for the Military big shots to know about this, but not necessary to know in such detail.

Aisel glanced at Connor, and the other big shots didn't speak. He didn't press further, turning to say: "We can prepare for negotiations. If we continue, we will tear all face. Unless the Star Glory Empire is prepared to go to war, there's no need to continue."

Causing trouble was one thing, but everyone had a Bottom Line. If they didn't want an all-out war, they had to stop before a certain Bottom Line.

And now, the game between Return Star and the Empire had already touched both sides' Bottom Lines. If it continued, going to war would be the only option.

"However, before that, shouldn't we deal with those two A-Tier Lifeforms?" A clear voice rang out from the corner.

Hearing this, everyone cast their gazes over. Alexei nodded slightly, wearing a smile.

"What thoughts does His Highness Alexei have?" someone chimed in to ask.

Before Alexei could speak, Klein's cold voice came: "I am preparing to use Li Yu as bait to draw out those two people."

As soon as this was said, the many Gui Xing High Command members Looked at Each Other in Dismay. Was this something Her Highness Klein would say?

Alexei's smile slightly restrained, and he looked at Klein, appearing somewhat surprised.

Klein's thoughts were similar to Li Yu's. Since it couldn't be changed, it was better to use this matter to grab enough benefits.

Connor was somewhat puzzled: "I remember many people wanted to borrow Li Yu before, but were all blocked by Your Highness. Why is Your Highness taking the initiative to use him as bait now?"

"Because the benefits have not yet been maximized..." Klein's eyes were cold, making it impossible to read her depth.

This sentence surprised quite a few High Echelon members, suddenly finding that they couldn't quite understand this Princess.

Vimala was expressionless. Of course she knew things were completely different from what Klein said.

Klein was just using this method to increase her own influence.

This daughter of hers probably already hated her, but she didn't care. In the end... Klein would understand.

Aisel frowned, saying with great surprise: "He hasn't become an A-Tier Lifeform yet. If we let him go out now, I'm afraid the risk will be too great."

"The Beiwen incident has caused Public Outrage among the Citizens. They need an outlet to vent; we cannot wait any longer." Klein's tone was lukewarm, and no one knew what she was actually thinking.

Apart from the Beiwen incident, there was also Vimala's coercion, making it impossible for Li Yu to delay any longer.

(End of this chapter)