In the wake of the earth-shattering announcement from "Star City" that they had mastered the technology for rejuvenation, the scheduled session to address the Philippines’ complaints against them was summarily canceled. Representatives from every nation needed to urgently consult their capitals for the latest directives.

After all, the issue of lifespan had always been humanity’s most pressing concern, yet no solution had ever been found to extend it. Rejuvenation had always been nothing more than a beautiful human fantasy, so how could the sudden declaration from "Star City" that they possessed this technology not shock everyone?

Considering "Star City's" track record, their prowess in medical science was formidable, making it entirely plausible they could have mastered this life-extending technology; thus, no one present immediately questioned its authenticity.

Furthermore, "Star City" had specified prerequisites for undergoing this rejuvenation treatment. At this critical juncture, offending "Star City" was absolutely out of the question. If they alienated "Star City," their own country might forfeit the chance to sign that crucial public accord. Should their nation lose this rare therapeutic opportunity, the very people holding the reins of true national power would undoubtedly sweep their current government from office.

To seize "Star City’s" rejuvenation technology by force? These nations discarded the thought almost as soon as it surfaced. Right now, they only hoped "Star City" wouldn't come knocking on their own doors; where would they find the surplus energy to confront "Star City"?

Consequently, the meeting convened to condemn "Star City's" tyrannical acts of war was swiftly abolished and postponed indefinitely. The Filipino contingent immediately realized that this meeting would never be reconvened; they were utterly isolated.

Under Liu Hui’s meticulous orchestration, "Star City," by forcefully suppressing the Philippines and compelling Vietnam to withdraw from the South China Sea islands, had secured the complete return of the entire region to Huaxia, thus forging a genuine alliance. Following this, they unveiled the rejuvenation medicine, designed to fragment and dismantle the world's alliances, persuading them to drop accusations regarding "Star City's" past atrocities.

Previously, due to limitations in strength, Liu Hui dared not reveal the rejuvenation technology, fearing others might resort to military aggression. Now, after "Star City" had displayed their overwhelming might to the world, presenting this technology seemed perfectly logical—no one dared contemplate challenging them anymore.

Thus, through these few calculated maneuvers, Liu Hui achieved his original strategic objectives via a dazzling sequence of actions, simultaneously boosting "Star City's" international standing and broadening its sphere of survival.

Once the Filipino side recognized that the tide had irrevocably turned, they immediately abandoned all pretense and proactively contacted "Star City," seeking reconciliation. If the current situation persisted, the entire Philippines faced collapse.

And as Huaxia reclaimed the South China Sea territories, foreign companies engaged in oil extraction there instantly understood that the landscape had fundamentally shifted. These entities wisely contacted the Huaxia government on their own initiative to negotiate the continuation of their petroleum extraction activities in the South China Sea.

Seeing that his deterrent objective was met and his military might had been demonstrated externally, Liu Hui instructed his negotiating team to commence talks with the Filipino side, suggesting that if the Philippines were willing to bleed heavily, perhaps a reprieve could be granted.

As a result, the Philippines, having followed the United States in taking military action against "Star City," ended up gaining nothing, instead losing their entire national air and naval forces and all their South China Sea islands, while also facing crippling costs to appease "Star City’s" fury. This tragic outcome for the Philippines served as a thunderous warning to anyone else contemplating action against "Star City," immediately halting their covert operations targeting the entity.

Throughout "Star City's" handling of the Philippines, the United States seemed to vanish completely, issuing not a single statement. Nations with well-connected intelligence streams immediately grasped the reality: American global hegemony had concluded. Earth would no longer be dominated by a single superpower, and "Star City" could now project its own firm voice on the international stage.

Upon his powerful return, Liu Hui used decisive means to resolve the long-standing international environmental issues hindering the growth of the Star Group, propelling "Star City’s" prestige to unprecedented heights.

Just as Liu Hui was basking in triumph, his Planar Trading Device began to vibrate. Opening it, he saw that it was Xiaoyaozi from the Cultivation World initiating contact.

"Senior, what has put you in such high spirits? I swear even your beard seems to be smiling," Liu Hui asked, surprised.

"Heh heh, young friend, I have excellent news for you—don't be too shocked when you hear it!" Xiaoyaozi replied, beaming.

"Good news? What news could possibly surpass the successful development of your magical artifact... wait a moment, Senior, have you finally succeeded in researching that artifact?" Liu Hui suddenly entertained a possibility, his heart leaping wildly.

Xiaoyaozi chuckled proudly, "Indeed, young friend. I gathered every Artifact Forging Grandmaster from our sect, and after more than a year of research, consuming countless resources, we have finally fabricated the mind-detecting artifact you requested."

Liu Hui was overjoyed. "Senior, has this mind-reading artifact truly been developed? You aren't tricking me, are you?"

Xiaoyaozi spread his hand, revealing a large sphere rotating suspended in the air above his palm. He smiled, "Young friend, look. This is the artifact we’ve developed."

Liu Hui gazed happily at the large sphere. If this orb could truly detect the innermost thoughts of humans, then "Star City" would never again need to fear betrayal. If "Star City" had possessed this artifact earlier, he wouldn't have been abducted to the Antarctic by the US military, nor would so many subsequent events have transpired.

Xiaoyaozi chuckled, "Young friend, do you recall what you promised last time?"

Liu Hui blinked. "What did I say?"

Xiaoyaozi's expression shifted. "Young friend, you can't go back on your word! Last time, you said if we managed to research this artifact successfully, you would give us ten thousand high-grade spirit stones."

Liu Hui slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot. You are right, I did say that. As soon as I confirm the function of your mind-reading artifact, I will immediately transfer ten thousand high-grade spirit stones to you."

Xiaoyaozi promptly traded the large sphere over. Liu Hui completed the transaction, taking the orb into his hand. He inquired, "Senior, how does one use this artifact?"

Xiaoyaozi instructed, "You simply drip your blood onto the artifact to establish ownership, and then you can use it."

Liu Hui happily pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the sphere. He watched as the blood was instantly absorbed, and he instantly felt a slight connection forming between himself and the sphere.

"Senior, why is this sphere empty inside?" Liu Hui asked.

Xiaoyaozi explained, "That is because you haven't set any parameters yet. This artifact can be configured with a total of five keywords. When the subject being tested hears these five keywords, their true thoughts related to those keywords will involuntarily surface in their minds, and those genuine thoughts will be recorded within the artifact. When you read the record left inside, you will know exactly what they were thinking."

Liu Hui questioned, "Why can this artifact only be set with five keywords? Also, how many people can it test simultaneously? What is its maximum testing range?"

Xiaoyaozi replied, "Five keywords is our absolute limit; no more can be added. This artifact can test ten individuals concurrently, and the maximum testing distance is twenty meters."

Liu Hui considered this. Although the artifact had many limitations, it was more than sufficient for his needs. If it could truly read minds as Xiaoyaozi claimed, then "Star City" would never again fear leaks; this was critically important to him.

With this realization, Liu Hui told Xiaoyaozi, "Senior, I am going to conduct a test immediately. I will contact you once I have the results."

Xiaoyaozi, however, sounded slightly uneasy, rambling, "Young friend, you must remember to give me those spirit stones!"

Liu Hui smiled. "Senior, rest assured. As soon as confirmation is made, I will deliver the spirit stones."

Liu Hui cheerfully ended the communication with Xiaoyaozi and began setting keywords within the artifact. The first keyword he programmed was: Betrayal!

Just as Liu Hui prepared to find someone to test the device on, Desheng from Star Eye sought him out. Desheng appeared somewhat fatigued as he stood before Liu Hui and greeted him, "Boss."

A thought sparked in Liu Hui's mind, and he asked, "Desheng, has the Star Eye detected any betrayers within our ranks?" He deliberately injected the word betrayal into his question.

Desheng paused, replying, "Boss, we haven't detected any internal betrayers for the moment. Boss, I..."

Liu Hui cut him off. "That's enough. I understand. You can leave for now!"

Desheng persisted, "Boss, I have something important to discuss with you..."

Liu Hui, preoccupied with verifying the artifact's capabilities, stated, "We can discuss that later; I have an urgent matter to attend to right now."

Desheng thus retreated from Liu Hui's office. As soon as Desheng was gone, Liu Hui quickly locked the door, pulled the mind-reading artifact from beneath his desk, attached his own divine sense to it, and immediately discovered a substantial amount of content within the device.

Liu Hui inwardly rejoiced, hastily interpreting the data. He discovered it was entirely comprised of content narrated from Desheng’s first-person perspective, all relating to the topic of betrayal. This material detailed Desheng's thoughts on how to prevent betrayal within "Star City" and how to punish traitors; there was no indication whatsoever that Desheng himself harbored any intent to betray Liu Hui.

After reading this information, Liu Hui was tremendously relieved and delighted. Through this artifact, he had successfully read Desheng's inner thoughts without Desheng’s knowledge, and he had confirmed Desheng’s loyalty. Having verified the authenticity and practicality of the mind-reading artifact, Liu Hui finally breathed a long sigh of relief. In the future of "Star City," there would be no place for traitors or spies.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ Thanks to reader: Da Shi for the 588 coin reward. Thanks to reader: Wo Shi Fei for supporting the update votes! Thanks to readers: Wo Yun Le Quan Zhu Ce Le, Qian Jia Di Yi Shao, and Mi Zong Meng Huan for your support! A brief aside from the author: Qian Yu Chu Hai’s initial purpose in writing this book was not to fulfill a personal writing dream, but to realize the dream of an ideal world. Since such a society cannot exist in reality, I fabricated one within the novel. Consequently, the content of this book has many ties to reality. Although I have tried my best to depict the book engagingly, it cannot compare to those novels that offer excessive wish fulfillment and instant gratification. Thus, this book hasn't achieved the status of a commercial success, resulting in absolutely no recommendations this week—truly reaching the state of "four voids." This is one reason why Qian Yu Chu Hai has been proceeding at a steady pace according to his own vision. If, after this book concludes, the urge to write remains, I might pen a more commercially focused novel. I won't promise much, but at least by escaping the shackles of realistic frameworks, the content of that commercial novel will certainly be exceptionally brilliant. Finally, I must thank several friends for their immense support. Some specifically posted encouragement, others generously rewarded me, some provided subscriptions, and yet others actively rallied support, calling on friends to subscribe, leading to a massive surge in subscriptions late last night. I have noted all of this in my heart. Thank you all! RO