On the "City of Starlight," the new office tower of the Starlight Group stood majestically imposing.

In his office, Liu Hui stood before a vast floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the colossal construction cranes of the distant "City of Starlight," his thoughts inscrutable.

Li Lian stood respectfully behind him, quietly inquiring, "Boss, what is your schedule for this morning?"

Since leaving Hong Kong with the "City of Starlight," a sense of profound ease had settled over Liu Hui. Since the domestic development surge three years ago, he had been meticulously planning this place, a domain entirely his own. And now, this place, wholly his, was finally taking tangible shape.

Liu Hui could now begin testing his vision of an ideal society within this city built to his specifications. Perhaps, through the practical implementation of this ideal society, he might even alter the course of the world. The thought alone expanded and broadened his horizons immeasurably.

Hearing Li Lian's question, Liu Hui smiled slightly and replied, "Same as always this morning: heading to the seaside to pilot the seaplane."

After the "City of Starlight" settled into its current oceanic coordinates, Liu Hui had ordered the assembly of a small seaplane. This small aircraft had undergone extensive modifications, rendering it unlike any other plane.

Once assembled, the entire seaplane was to be powered exclusively by electricity, sourced from high-grade energy stones. Trials showed that installing a single Level Four energy stone—housing a massive one million kilowatt-hours of electrical energy—could enable the seaplane to fly continuously for over 50,000 kilometers.

Liu Hui then dedicated himself to learning how to fly this seaplane. In less than a week, he was capable of flying it solo. After mastering the controls, Liu Hui made it a daily routine to spend two hours soaring in the sky.

Those who witnessed Liu Hui taking the seaplane aloft assumed he had succumbed to a life of leisure since arriving on the "City of Starlight," becoming infatuated with the exhilaration of navigating the open sky.

In reality, the time Liu Hui spent learning to pilot the seaplane and modifying it was preparation for a specific plan.

Two years prior, Liu Hui had tasked Xiao Hei with deep-sea mineral exploration across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. During this time, Xiao Hei had successfully located that super large iron ore deposit and the colossal oil field. Although Xiao Hei subsequently found other mineral resources, their quality and reserves could not compare to those two monumental finds. As Xiao Hei systematically surveyed the surrounding waters, the Starlight Group had already charted the distribution of mineral resources in those areas.

Now, with the construction of the "City of Starlight" accelerating, demand for mineral resources other than iron ore had intensified. Given the sheer scale of the city's construction, even the entirety of the world's known mineral reserves would prove insufficient. This was why Liu Hui had dispatched Xiao Hei to probe the deep seabed over the past two years, hoping to unearth enough subaquatic resources to bridge the terrestrial shortfall.

In the areas Xiao Hei had explored, some required resources for the "City of Starlight" were indeed found, but the scale and quality were consistently too modest to meet the city's building needs.

Over the past two-plus years, Xiao Hei had scanned nearly the entire seabed within Liu Hui’s 5,000-kilometer control radius, yet the greater quantity of minerals Liu Hui needed remained undiscovered.

This led Liu Hui to conceive a new idea: tasking Xiao Hei to search for minerals outside his current 5,000-kilometer sphere of influence.

To enact this plan, Liu Hui began learning to pilot the seaplane. He intended to fly the aircraft to a point 5,000 kilometers from their current location, then command Xiao Hei to swim to that position. Once there, he would order Xiao Hei to commence mineral exploration in that new expanse of ocean. After a period, Liu Hui would fly back to retrieve Xiao Hei. By sharing Xiao Hei's memories, he could ascertain whether the explored seabed held the resources he sought.

After a period of focused practice, Liu Hui quickly grasped the essentials of flight. By today, he was adept at piloting the seaplane. Now was the designated day to implement Xiao Hei's remote prospecting initiative.

Escorted by two vehicles from Starlight Security, Liu Hui and Li Lian drove along the wide, clean boulevards to a warehouse near the shore. His specially modified seaplane was docked at the adjacent pier, with technicians conducting final detailed inspections and maintenance.

"Xiao Ma, what's the status of the plane?" Liu Hui asked a young man as he stepped out of the car.

"Boss, after our checks, we found no issues whatsoever with your seaplane. Its condition is exceptionally good; it can safely fly for at least another 20,000 kilometers," Xiao Ma reported.

"Are the energy levels sufficient to support a twenty-thousand-kilometer flight?" Liu Hui inquired.

"Rest assured, Boss, the energy supply on this aircraft is more than enough for over twenty thousand kilometers," Xiao Ma said, a hint of awe in his voice.

Xiao Ma was an aircraft mechanic, intimately familiar with aircraft structures, functions, and technology. Yet, he had no idea where the Boss sourced this phenomenal power core that allowed the plane to run entirely on electricity, capable of soaring over 50,000 kilometers. To fly that distance burning fuel would require an astronomical amount, but with this core, the seaplane was capable of true long-haul journeys.

"That’s good to hear. I plan to take it up for a few spins this morning. I might stop by a beautiful island I see out at sea for some recreation, so I expect to be back quite late. Don't wait up for me; I'll put the plane away in the hangar myself when I return," Liu Hui said, smiling. Since today was the day for Xiao Hei's mineral exploration mission, he knew the flight would be extensive, so giving this preemptive notice would prevent any panic should he be delayed.

Seeing Liu Hui intend to pilot the seaplane, the security personnel from Starlight Security immediately boarded. They deployed high-tech instruments to conduct a thorough security sweep of the aircraft, finding no suspicious items or anomalous signal sources. Only then did they signal Liu Hui, confirming the plane was ready for immediate flight without issue.

Liu Hui addressed the security detail, "I have some private business to attend to today, so I won't need you accompanying me. I will handle my own safety precautions. Furthermore, do not track me via satellite. I prefer my location not be known to my family—you understand the implications." Liu Hui’s tone suggested he was slipping out for something clandestine, and the security officers paused, then nodded in immediate comprehension.

Normally, whenever Liu Hui flew, Starlight Security personnel piloted accompanying aircraft to ensure his constant protection. However, today's operation was special, requiring a flight potentially spanning thousands of kilometers. He certainly didn't want them tagging along, as the nature of his actions was too strange to explain to them.

Liu Hui’s seaplane had undergone such drastic modifications that it possessed extreme inherent safety. Coupled with Liu Hui's personal cultivation level—having reached the Foundation Establishment stage—few things in this world could genuinely threaten his safety. Even if he encountered an enemy he couldn't defeat, he could always escape. Thus, he forbade the security detail's escort and satellite tracking.

The security personnel were well aware of the extent of the seaplane's refitting and knew that piloting it presented minimal inherent danger. Furthermore, given the Boss's ambiguous demeanor, suggesting he was off to do something secretive and unsuitable for their presence, they sought instruction from Wu Yuanjia before finally permitting Liu Hui to board the seaplane alone.

Not only was the seaplane's interior entirely electric, but its outer hull was also fitted with a peculiar array: an Energy-Absorbing Formation. This formation could nullify any external energy waves; meaning, no external scan—be it electromagnetic radar or spiritual energy fluctuation detection—could pinpoint the aircraft, as the scanning waves would simply be absorbed.

In addition, the seaplane was equipped with a simple Solidification Formation, increasing its structural integrity by more than tenfold. Even if struck while airborne, it was highly unlikely to sustain damage. Moreover, the plane featured a Dynamic Simulation Formation, allowing the seaplane to mimic its surrounding environment, seamlessly blending into its backdrop and thus evading tracking by optical equipment.

With these extensive alterations, the aircraft was virtually unrecognizable. This security gave the personnel confidence in letting Liu Hui fly solo, as the seaplane's survivability in the air was now extraordinary.

As Liu Hui boarded the seaplane and was about to close the cockpit canopy, he suddenly remembered his destination and turned to Li Lian, who was standing nearby. "Li Lian, please retrieve that heavy coat I left in the car for me."

Li Lian was puzzled; the weather wasn't cold, so why would the Boss need a heavy coat? Nevertheless, she retrieved the thick garment from the car and handed it over.

Taking the coat, Liu Hui instructed, "Li Lian, I might be back very late today, and I won't return to the company. If anyone comes looking for me on business, tell them to return tomorrow."

"Understood, Boss. I will convey that message," Li Lian replied. After a brief pause, she added, "Boss, please be careful up there in the sky."

Liu Hui chuckled, "I know. I didn't realize you worried about me so much, you little thing. You still don't have a boyfriend, do you? When I get back, I’ll find you a handsome one right here at the company."

Li Lian’s face flushed with incipient anger, but Liu Hui abruptly sealed the canopy and started the engine. A few minutes later, under Liu Hui’s skillful command, the seaplane lifted off. It circled the "City of Starlight" once before heading southeast.

The "City of Starlight" was currently situated near the Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific. Piloting the seaplane southeast, Liu Hui was heading toward the South Pacific.

Xiao Hei’s previous operational range was primarily concentrated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, where its investigation of seabed resources was largely complete. Therefore, when considering Xiao Hei's next prospecting destination, Liu Hui turned his attention to the South Pacific waters between Southeast Australia and the Antarctic continent.

The reason Liu Hui selected this area was its proximity to Antarctica, meaning maritime traffic was scarce. Should significant mineral wealth be discovered here, it would facilitate covert deep-sea mining operations in the future.

The South Pacific region lay far beyond the 5,000-kilometer radius of Liu Hui's command over Xiao Hei. He therefore had to fly there personally, summon Xiao Hei, issue the directives for exploration, and then fly back. This round trip would exceed 18,000 kilometers, requiring nearly twenty hours of flight time. Fortunately, Liu Hui possessed astonishing stamina; anyone else would be incapable of flying solo for twenty hours.

Once Liu Hui summoned Xiao Hei to this new location, he would order the creature to conduct mineral surveys. After some time, Liu Hui would fly back to retrieve Xiao Hei, sharing its memories to map the mineral distribution of that oceanic expanse.

Liu Hui maintained a steady eastbound course at an altitude of one thousand meters. Thanks to the Energy-Absorbing Formation on his plane, no radar could detect him. Without activating his communicator, even the Starlight Group’s orbital satellites couldn't locate him. Moreover, operating on full electric power, the engine noise was minimal, and combined with the Dynamic Simulation Formation, no observer could visually track him. Thus, his journey proceeded entirely undisturbed and secure.

Liu Hui traversed Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the eastern coast of Australia in a seemingly casual manner, arriving at the southeastern waters off Australia. Despite the extensive distance covered, no one detected the presence of his aircraft.

Upon reaching this coordinate, Liu Hui was at the maximum effective range for controlling Xiao Hei. He began summoning Xiao Hei southward; upon receiving the southbound order, Xiao Hei immediately began accelerating in that direction.

Liu Hui continued piloting the plane forward while Xiao Hei rapidly closed the distance toward him. Just then, Liu Hui suddenly sensed a surge of excitement from Xiao Hei, as if it had detected something significant on the seabed.

Liu Hui blinked, instantly focusing his senses. It turned out Xiao Hei had stumbled upon a medium-to-small copper deposit within a submerged, hidden trench. Liu Hui felt a pang of disappointment. While the deposit was sizeable—large enough to be considered a major find in China—its reserves were nowhere near enough to satisfy the construction needs of his "City of Starlight."

Yet, finding any new deposit was cause for some happiness. He mentally logged the copper mine's coordinates and was preparing to direct Xiao Hei to continue toward him when, as Xiao Hei began to move, traces of new mineral deposits were sensed beneath the copper mine, deep within the trench.

Liu Hui instantly focused his attention and ordered Xiao Hei to dive deeper to investigate the nature of these new resources. Xiao Hei rapidly descended and soon relayed the findings of the subterranean deposits.

"I... this is a gold mountain!" Upon discerning the nature of the mineral deposit, Liu Hui let out an involuntary gasp. In Xiao Hei's sensory feedback, the minerals within this deep-sea trench constituted a large gold mine.

Liu Hui quickly calculated mentally. Even without knowing the exact purity, given the sheer scale, this gold mine suggested a yield of at least one thousand tons of recoverable gold.

Liu Hui was elated. His Starlight Bank, established long ago, primarily functioned as an internal financial institution for the Starlight Group, rarely engaging in outside business. However, now that the Group had relocated to the "City of Starlight," it operated on a level incomparable to any other entity on Earth. Liu Hui immediately resolved to transform the Starlight Bank into an entity akin to a central bank for sovereign nations, issuing his own Starlight Currency.

But issuing currency required a gold reserve. The Starlight Group's total gold holdings, accumulated through deep-sea salvage and quiet, clandestine acquisitions, amounted to barely thirty tons—far short of the backing needed for currency issuance. Liu Hui had been troubled by this for years. Discovering this massive gold mine, capable of yielding over a thousand tons, filled him with incredible joy.

After his initial excitement, Liu Hui realized the link between him and Xiao Hei was becoming intermittent. He instantly understood: his previous euphoria, lost in the joy of finding a gold mountain, had made him forget to keep Xiao Hei summoned. They were already at the absolute limit of his control range; flying any further would sever communication completely.

Liu Hui began calling for Xiao Hei but received no response. He knew the connection was broken. He prepared to execute a wide loop in the airspace ahead and fly back to re-establish contact.

Just as Liu Hui maneuvered the seaplane for the turn, two fighter jets suddenly dove down from the sky above. The aircraft flashed past his seaplane at close range.

Liu Hui was stunned. From their configuration, he recognized them as American F-15 fighters. He immediately recalled that his current airspace was within Australia’s jurisdiction, meaning these planes should belong to the Royal Australian Air Force.

Although his seaplane was protected by the Dynamic Simulation Formation, it couldn't completely conceal itself from F-15s flying that close; they must have spotted him. Liu Hui cursed his terrible luck for being discovered at such close quarters by the Australian military.

Sure enough, while Liu Hui was still trying to process the situation, the two F-15s circled wide and returned. They flew parallel to his seaplane, and Liu Hui could clearly discern the insignia of the United States Air Force on the fuselages of both jets.

"Son of a—how are they US planes? Isn't this Australian airspace?" Liu Hui was genuinely shocked now. He held a deep, bitter enmity with the US military, and encountering them here felt like fate throwing him directly into trouble.

The two American F-15s flanked his seaplane, boxing it in. Through the tinted canopy, Liu Hui could even make out the faces of the American pilots. However, his own cockpit windows were blackened, preventing any view inside from the outside.

Liu Hui felt a surge of frustration. The situation effectively meant his plane had been hijacked by the US military. With a hardening of resolve, he attempted a sharp turn, but the path ahead was instantly blocked by the American jets. The moment he tried to change course, they closed in, preventing any deviation from their present heading.

Liu Hui was temporarily helpless, forced to fly south sandwiched between the two American fighters. Consequently, he was flying ever farther away from Xiao Hei’s location.

Suddenly, Liu Hui noticed the pilot in the fighter jet beside him making hand gestures, signaling a desire for a communication link. Liu Hui paused, recalling that his plane’s Energy-Absorbing Formation neutralized all energy waves. The American jet must have been unable to establish radio contact, prompting the manual signal.

Liu Hui paused, then decided to deactivate the energy absorption array on the seaplane. Since the US fighter jets had already detected him, keeping the array active served no purpose. As expected, the moment Liu Hui shut down the array, the communication light on his aircraft began flashing insistently, signaling an incoming call.

After a moment's consideration, Liu Hui accepted the transmission. A voice immediately crackled through the communicator: "Seaplane ahead, you have entered a US military exercise zone. You must leave the area under our escort. If you fail to comply with our instructions, we will shoot down your aircraft."

With sincere gratitude to our patrons for their monthly ticket support: I Yūn Le Quán Zhù Cè Le and n1981.

Special thanks for the generous tips: Book Friend 090427114501775 (500 Qidian Coins), Qīxī※Lóu Jīnyè (588 Qidian Coins), Monthly Ticket Ambassador (588 Qidian Coins), and Undead Knight Landis (100 Qidian Coins).

Thank you for the update ticket support: Monthly Ticket Ambassador (3 tickets), 60001282 (1 ticket), zg110 (1 ticket), Chá Shuō (1 ticket).

Because of your support, this novel will become even more spectacular. .

For more content, please visit address RH