Waiting, contemplation is often a profoundly dull affair. But within the base of the Founding Council, it becomes decidedly less tedious.

Over the years, the various secrets the Founding Council had amassed, along with the projections of the Hive Queen's subordinates from that Pandora space, were things Qin Fen could observe yet barely feel the passage of time. Instead, the more he watched, the more he realized the strength of these subordinates exceeded previous estimations significantly.

Chen Feiyu remained silent, focusing only on the projections he intended to view. Even by standing on the periphery and watching, he could absorb considerable combat experience from the battles involving Qilin and the others.

Regarding the peculiar undertaking of integrating artificial intelligence—a process known as 'Brain Merging'—Qin Qin could never fully trust Lin Liqiang and Inzarota to handle it alone. A place like the Founding Council was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people like Yue Chang.

Qin Fen had viewed many projections, constantly studying the combat methods of these Insect Warriors. Although they learned martial arts techniques, they more frequently preferred utilizing their instincts—a swift, direct fighting style akin to beasts.

"This..." Qin Fen looked up towards the brain that had been silently suspended in nutrient fluid, seemingly immersed in research. He suddenly realized a critical oversight: to this day, he didn't know what to call this brain.

"You may call me Number One," the brain spoke again, the signal lights specifically managing its output flashing rapidly with its utterance. "Young man, what is your query?"

Qin Fen paused thoughtfully, then raised his hand, pointing toward the ever-shifting images on the projection screen. "I want to go there."

"You wish to enter Pandora's space?" The brain's voice carried a note of surprise. "You have seen so many projections; you should be well aware of the danger, shouldn't you?"

"Aren't you all the same, frequently finding ways to send people in covertly to hunt?" Qin Fen propped his chin in his hand, his eyes never leaving the dynamic projection screen.

To understand as much as possible about the offspring generated by the Hive Queen, and for the sake of researching the Insect Warriors, both the Founding Council under Brain Number One and the faction under Zhang Hao frequently launched sneak attacks into Pandora's space to hunt.

As time progressed and technology advanced, the spatial gateways on Earth were now entirely under the control of the Founding Council. They could easily decide when and where to open a passage, and just as easily close them—unlike the naturally generated passages whose closure remained beyond their control.

It was precisely because of this technology—the ability to open and close connection passages at will—that the two factions of the Founding Council periodically infiltrated that space to hunt, collect data, and... materials.

Consequently, different mutated creatures appeared on various planets. These mutated creatures cross-bred with Earth's indigenous lifeforms, yielding even more novel organisms, which were then captured by the Founding Council for further new research.

Brain Number One fell into a quiet contemplation for a short while. "Are you going alone? And when do you plan to move?"

Qin Fen glanced at the screen, then at the time. "I think... I might not be alone. I need to ask those people first."

The projection phone call was initiated again. This time, Qin Fen switched directly to conference mode, calling Yang Lie, Brooks, and the others simultaneously.

With the development of technology, the functions of the telephone had proliferated. Important calls were categorized into different priority levels. Qin Fen's number was set in everyone else's phones as a 'Must Answer Under Any Circumstance' level.

Everyone understood that Qin Fen disliked making calls; perhaps it was due to his experience of harder times past. Every time he called, it signified something critical.

Different ringtones roused those deep in cultivation. Xue Tian, leaning against a wall, looked listlessly at Qin Fen. The battle with Guanyin had clearly drained him significantly. Even the regenerative function of the bio-mechanical beasts could mend physical wounds, but it couldn't replenish the sheer expenditure of his stamina; in fact, healing the injuries only caused further depletion.

Du Peng clutched his lower abdomen, a look of sharp pain on his face as he staggered up from the floor, leaning on the wall for support. Not far from him, Caesar stood with his arms crossed.

Everyone focused on Qin Fen’s image projected on their respective screens, wondering why their companion, who rarely called, had initiated a conference call today.

Under their gaze, Qin Fen directly aimed his camera at the projection screen created by the brain and stated, "This is the situation. Take a look."

Brain Number One seemed fond of storytelling, perhaps because it lacked conversation partners on a daily basis. This time, it readily cooperated by replaying the projections, recounting the stories it had shared with Qin Fen to Yang Lie and the others.

Over several hours, summarizing the events of the past years through projections elicited continuous gasps of astonishment from Yang Lie and the others. These matters were far beyond what a normal person could imagine; even with the status of their respective families, they were unaware of such secrets.

Qin Fen finally waited for Brain Number One to fall silent before refocusing the camera on himself and declaring, "I want to go in."

The moment his words landed, a gleam of what could only be described as 'interest' flickered in the eyes of the younger recipients on the conference projection.

Whether on Saturn or within Pandora's space, danger was omnipresent; the only difference was the outcome of fighting humans versus fighting these alien organisms.

When Tathagata delivered that palm strike, he not only repelled Qin Fen, hailed as the strongest of the younger generation, but also revealed to everyone the true extent of power held by the top experts on Saturn.

Thanks to the existence of the Underworld, they were spared the immense pressure of a potential massacre like that faced by the Heavenly Court. Nevertheless, a desire to surpass their predecessors burned in the hearts of Yang Lie and the others. Conflict was the best bridge to accumulate strength and improve, but it was also the most perilous. Especially on Saturn, initiating battles toward either the Underworld or the Celestial Gate was not the optimal choice.

The acute intuition of Yang Lie and the others immediately sensed that entering this Pandora space involved extreme, immense risk. The Hive Queen's formidable strength made it difficult even for Divine Beast Warriors to contend with her one-on-one, let alone them individually.

Yet, this was an extraordinarily rare opportunity.

To simply let it pass? Yang Lie and the others all smiled; forfeiting such a chance was too costly! Most importantly, the super nano-combat suits, which still couldn't be mass-produced, meant Qin Fen's squad each possessed one.

"Wait for us! Don't go in alone!" Yang Lie said as he rapidly donned his gear. "You've pulled too far ahead of us already. This time, we absolutely won't let you create an even larger gap!"

The conference mode vanished in an instant. In that final moment before disconnection, every person was moving swiftly. Every member of Qin Fen's squad, regardless of how abruptly Qin Fen had accelerated and pulled away in martial prowess, never ceased their pursuit or entertained the notion that he must be the strongest.

"Attention, new aerial vehicles detected above the base."

A mechanical notification sounded slowly through the loudspeaker. Qin Fen looked at the projection screen displaying Saturn military aircraft just as Brain Number One's voice echoed, "Allow them entry."

Not long after, two thick, icy doors swung slowly open, and a wave of low-temperature white mist surged outward. Lin Liqiang waved a hand in front of his face, muttering as he walked into the room, "A room this cold is a guaranteed way to catch an air-conditioning illness."

"Gentlemen, welcome." Brain Number One offered no pleasantries. "Can we proceed with the commencement now?"

Lin Liqiang shook his index finger. "No, no, no. I need to review the materials one more time."

Brain Merging was no minor feat; Lin Liqiang had to treat it with the utmost seriousness, diligently re-examining various data points and exchanging hushed words with Inzarota from time to time.

Several more hours passed. In an underground, specialized organization like the Founding Council, time seemed nonexistent; one could easily lose track of many hours without paying attention.

When the heavy iron doors opened again, a group of scientists dressed in surgical gowns looked on with eyes shining not just with excitement, but also with envy toward Lin Liqiang and the other man. Everyone knew about Brain Merging, but not everyone had such an opportunity.

"These two are the subjects who will be assisting," Brain Number One introduced them simply. "Lin Liqiang, a rising star in bio-mechanical beast research. Inzarota,"

"The one from pharmaceuticals?"

Although the scientists of the Founding Council spent most of their time within the base, they were not ignorant of outside affairs. There were few people named Inzarota, and one standing alongside Lin Liqiang, prepared to undergo Brain Merging, could only be the rising star genius of the pharmaceutical world!

"Precisely, it is them," Brain Number One confirmed, causing the gazes directed at Lin Liqiang and his companion to shift to one of absolute reverence—even more so than when they looked upon a powerful warrior like Qin Fen.

In the world of science, might does not equate to recognition from scientists. Those who dedicated themselves more intensely to research valued the advancement of the scientific field above all else. Especially given the young age of these two men, it reminded the assembled scientists of their own youth, when they were tagging along faithfully behind their mentors as mere assistants.

"I will ask one more time." Lin Liqiang lay down on the surgical platform that had risen from the floor, staring at the brain that several scientists were moving into the nutrient bath. "Are you certain this won't affect my handsome appearance?"

A sheen of cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the scientists surrounding Lin Liqiang. Having such an opportunity, they would consider it worth becoming a monstrous ugly man! In the few minutes since entering the operating table, this young man had already asked the same question six times!