Having learned the King of Yue’s knowledge, and noting the King of Yue had offered several sound suggestions, Liu Hui decided to form an organizational committee for the “City of Starlight” municipal government, granting the King of Yue the title of Deputy Head of the committee, and tasking him with gathering personnel to begin researching the framework and proposals for the city’s governance.

Liu Hui paid close attention to the committee’s progress, and under his broad policies and guiding principles, the group demonstrated astonishing efficiency. They quickly produced a preliminary operational plan, which delighted Liu Hui on multiple occasions. Yet, what pleased him most was the news that the Mars probe launched by the “City of Starlight,” after a month of cosmic travel, had finally achieved Martian orbit and was preparing for surface exploration.

Upon receiving the good news, Liu Hui hurried to the Starlight Science Academy, finding Chen Changsheng and Anqi in the command center, where several massive screens displayed images and data.

On the largest screen before the command center, a reddish planet loomed closer, while countless streams of data flashed ceaselessly across the edges of the display.

“Liu Hui, our Mars probe has finally reached Martian orbit, and the landing sequence is about to begin. This will be a historic moment for the Starlight Group—do you, the boss, have anything to say?” Anqi asked, smiling playfully at Liu Hui.

Liu Hui chuckled. “Landing on Mars is certainly a historic first step for our ‘City of Starlight,’ but in the time to come, these first steps will become increasingly numerous. So, I have little to say. If I must say anything, it is that I want to thank everyone for your hard work. It is precisely because of your efforts that we will truly leave Earth in the future and conquer the brilliant cosmos.”

Pleased by Liu Hui’s praise, Anqi’s face flushed a lovely red, making her look adorable. She declared, “I now command: the landing operation for Mars Probe One officially commences. First step: deploy the Mars orbital satellites.” The control room staff snapped to attention, immediately executing the corresponding commands on their computers. Thereupon, mysterious waves of spiritual energy were launched from the “City of Starlight” on Earth. After traversing the vast distances of space, these waves reached the “Mars Probe One” in Martian orbit.

After a few minutes of delay, a hatch on the massive “Mars Probe One,” visible on the large screen in the command center, opened, releasing three satellites. The instant they separated from the probe, the satellites activated their internal power systems. Supported robustly by high-grade energy stones, the three satellites began orbiting Mars and, under constant fine-tuning from the command center, successfully settled into their predetermined flight paths.

Once established in orbit, the scientific instruments aboard the three Mars satellites were powered up. Following an intensely complex calibration process, the satellites began transmitting detailed Martian data back to the distant Earth.

Back in the command center in the City of Starlight, the red Martian globe on the main screen seemed to spring to life. The image became increasingly three-dimensional, no longer appearing flat and monotonous like static photographs.

Seeing the orbital satellites securely in position, Anqi issued new commands. With the operators maneuvering the controls, the already immense “Mars Probe One” strained, breaking its orbital path to begin its descent toward the Martian surface.

As the “Mars Probe One” descended, various scientific instruments ejected from its hull. After a momentary pause, these devices began landing in predetermined locations across the Martian continent.

The “Mars Probe One” continued its descent, constantly deploying instruments. When it finally settled at its designated landing site, only a massive drilling and surveying vehicle remained within its colossal frame.

After the successful and planned landing of the “Mars Probe One,” the main screen in the command center split into over a dozen smaller windows, each displaying real-time feeds from the scientific instruments now scattered across the Martian surface.

Liu Hui asked curiously, “Anqi, what exactly do all these various instruments scattered across Mars do?”

Anqi smiled. “Liu Hui, don’t underestimate these devices; their purpose is vast. We dispersed them across different Martian terrains precisely so we could gather comprehensive data to eventually modify the planet. Among these instruments are sensors for analyzing soil composition, others for measuring atmospheric content and pressure, some for detecting seismic activity and the strength of magnetic waves, and others for gauging solar wind intensity… Do you see that large drilling vehicle that landed last? That’s for surveying the Martian crust data. With these instruments, we can obtain the planet’s true metrics to continuously optimize our terraforming plan.”

Liu Hui marveled, “That looked just like watching a science fiction film! I never realized we already possessed such formidable technological might.”

Chen Chang Niu laughed from the side. “Boss, humanity has been confined to Earth for too long, so your sentiment is understandable. Now that our technology has advanced, it is our turn to conquer the boundless cosmos. Though humanity is small, we will become the masters of the stars.”

Anqi added with a smile, “What you just witnessed was the first wave of Mars probes. Once we collect the basic Martian data, we will launch the second wave, which will carry and install even more research equipment. In short, our goal is to thoroughly understand Mars in a very short time, and then proceed with our terraforming plan.”

Liu Hui inquired, “Anqi, I recall we launched another probe—the one targeting the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Did it carry the same type of scientific instrumentation?” Anqi shook her head. “That probe carries instrumentation entirely different from the ‘Mars Probe One’ you just saw. We aim to study that vast asteroid belt to find suitable asteroids we can utilize to impact the Martian surface in the future. Its instruments are specifically configured for that purpose.”

Liu Hui paused, then smiled. “When you named your supercomputer the ‘Solar System Simulator,’ I thought it was an exaggeration. I never imagined we’d actually be exploring the solar system this quickly.”

Anqi replied, “Our exploration of Mars is just the beginning. In three months, we will launch more cosmic probes. This time, we won't just study Mars; we will survey the entire solar system. We intend to keep every movement within the solar system under observation, feeding that data into the ‘Solar System Simulator’ for continuous computational modeling. If any minor celestial body within the solar system undergoes a change, we must be able to address it immediately, preventing massive chain reactions. That ensures our Mars terraforming plan is flawless, and it’s the primary reason today’s Mars landing operation concluded so successfully.”

Liu Hui stated, “Exploring the entire solar system—just thinking about it is exhilarating! I truly wish I could see that day arrive right now!”

Anqi smiled. “We have already begun investigating Mars, so the arrival of the day we explore the whole solar system isn't far off, is it?”

”ｉ、，、，、，、，、，、，、，、，、”，“、““，“、“““““““““，“、

After Anqi successfully concluded the landing activities of the “Mars Probe One” and ensured the scientific equipment was functioning normally, she and Liu Hui left the command center and returned to her office.

As they entered the office, Liu Hui naturally embraced Anqi, and they began kissing. He found himself deeply enjoying the involuntary surge of instinctual desire, yet simultaneously aware of the wondrous sensation of the entire experience.

After kissing for a while, they separated. Anqi asked, “Liu Hui, are you comfortable?”

Liu Hui wiped his lips, still feeling the lingering warmth. “Very. Very comfortable.” Anqi followed up, “Then when will you tell Hu Xian’er about me?”

Hearing Anqi’s question, Liu Hui wilted as if struck by frost. He said cautiously, “Anqi, don’t worry. I will speak to Hu Xian’er about us as soon as possible. I believe she will understand our situation. You can’t just stay by my side without any recognized status, can you?”

Anqi beamed. “Liu Hui, it’s wonderful that you think that way. But remember this: if you find it inconvenient to tell Hu Xian’er yourself, I don’t mind going to her directly. I also want to see what kind of person this Hu Xian’er is, who managed to marry you before I did while I was suffering from amnesia.”

The thought of Anqi confronting Hu Xian’er made Liu Hui break out in a cold sweat. He suddenly recalled something that might distract her. “Anqi, I have a strange object here that you might find interesting.”

Anqi looked curious. “What strange object? Bring it out and let me see!”

So Liu Hui pretended to retrieve something from his robes—though it actually came from his storage space—and placed the mind-reading artifact, the 〖True〗 Eye of Reality, before Anqi.

“What is this…” Anqi picked up the 〖True〗 Eye of Reality but could not determine its nature based on its appearance alone.

“Anqi, would you believe me if I told you this thing can read minds?” Liu Hui asked, feigning mystery.

“What? This can read minds?” Anqi was genuinely startled this time. She had studied mind-reading before and understood its immense difficulty. After mastering her own skills, she had only used them once on Liu Hui, but due to his high cultivation as a God-level master, his spiritual power was incredibly condensed. Had she not found that memory chain, she would have read nothing from his mind. Seeing Liu Hui present an artifact capable of reading thoughts truly shocked her.

Liu Hui, unaware of Anqi’s internal shock, continued, “This artifact is called the 〖True〗 Eye of Reality. It can forcefully read the most genuine thoughts in a person’s mind based on specific keywords spoken aloud. Don’t ask me where it came from, just like the origins of those high-grade energy stones and miraculous formations. If you ask, I won’t tell you. Just trust that I won’t harm you, and leave it at that.” Though internally stunned, Anqi nodded. “Liu Hui, I won’t pry into your secrets. Rest assured!”

Liu Hui nodded and went on. “Anqi, I am giving this 〖True〗 Eye of Reality to you now. You can try researching it. See if you can connect this artifact to your supercomputer. Then, by speaking keywords, it can read people’s true thoughts, and your supercomputer can filter those thoughts based on the keywords read, quickly identifying the traitors and commercial spies betraying our company.”

When Liu Hui first acquired the 〖True〗 Eye of Reality, he was incredibly excited. Later, he used it to scan the minds of key management personnel in the Starlight Group and researchers at the Starlight Science Academy. He did indeed find several embedded spies and betrayers. However, after prolonged mind-reading, Liu Hui found himself utterly exhausted. This was because the 〖True〗 Eye of Reality, when scanning thoughts related to a keyword, indiscriminately extracted every thought touching upon that term. Liu Hui then had to analyze and sift through those vast mental streams to determine if a person was suspicious. This resulted in an impossibly massive workload, and over time, Liu Hui stopped relying solely on himself. Given the expanding scale of the “City of Starlight” and the many important administrators he would eventually need to vet, individually reading their minds would simply exhaust him to death.

That was why Liu Hui conceived the idea of leveraging Anqi’s research on the 〖True〗 Eye of Reality to build a device that could interface with Xiaoyaozi’s mind-reading artifact. When the artifact began scanning, the target’s thoughts would appear within this device, which would then perform further filtering and analysis on the colossal amount of data. This method would drastically reduce Liu Hui’s workload, allowing him to use technology to quickly root out hidden betrayers and spies.

Anqi played with the mind-reading artifact, musing, “Liu Hui, do you truly wish to read everything in people’s minds?”

Liu Hui laughed. “This artifact only reads based on a few keywords; it cannot read every thought in a person’s mind. The reason I want to do this is strictly for the security of our ‘City of Starlight.’ You wouldn’t want enemy spies lurking within, would you?” Anqi looked at the artifact in her hand, then suddenly smiled brightly. “Liu Hui, you know my heart. Since you are asking me to research this device, I will build it. Even if you decided to manufacture nuclear bombs to destroy the world, I would build those bombs for you.”

Liu Hui was touched. He pulled Anqi into an embrace. “Anqi…”

Anqi contentedly leaned against him and suddenly stated, “My demand is simple: you just have to tell Hu Xian’er the truth about me.”

Liu Hui froze, momentarily speechless…

”“““““““，“、，““““，“““““““““”

Another half month passed. Liu Hui recalled all the super-submarines of the “City of Starlight” to station them as collective guards beneath the city, only then deciding it was time to formally initiate Xiao Hei’s evolution.

Xiao Hei was essentially the guardian deity of the “City of Starlight.” With Xiao Hei present, Liu Hui knew he would never face a hopeless situation, as unleashing Xiao Hei meant any outcome could be overturned. Since Xiao Hei was about to evolve again, following established precedent, it would likely enter a prolonged period of dormancy, leaving the “City of Starlight” unprotected. This was why Liu Hui had recalled all the “super-submarines” to ensure the city’s defenses were at their absolute maximum before he dared to let Xiao Hei evolve.

Once the “City of Starlight” was secure, Liu Hui finally resolved to formally begin Xiao Hei’s evolution. On a pitch-black night, Liu Hui evaded everyone and went alone to the seashore. Seeing no surveillance or personnel nearby, he descended into the seawater and began contacting Xiao Hei.

Receiving Liu Hui’s call, Xiao Hei surfaced. Its massive body was comparable to a colossal aircraft carrier, so it dared not expose its entire form, revealing only a portion of its head. Even so, the part of Xiao Hei visible above the water was as large as a yacht.

Liu Hui retrieved the Modification Fluid from his storage space and motioned for Xiao Hei to open its mouth. He located the softest spot inside Xiao Hei’s mouth and injected the entire contents of the syringe containing the evolution serum into the creature’s body. Then, he placed the enormous Xi Crystal into Xiao Hei’s mouth, and Xiao Hei swallowed it immediately.

Liu Hui knew that if it hadn't been for the specialized needles provided by the Zerg, he could not have injected the serum even into the softest part of Xiao Hei’s mouth. Xiao Hei’s physical defense was already immensely powerful; ordinary weaponry could no longer harm it.

Having completed the procedure, Liu Hui instructed Xiao Hei to descend quickly toward a deep-sea trench he had scouted earlier, where it would undergo its third evolution.