Chen Gu and Aviloya had multiple plans targeting the [Digital Group], among which the most notable achievements were Wu Lusi's undercover plan and the digital trap plan.
The digital trap was specifically set up against Digital Life Number 21. However, the plan was put on hold after the last time Number 21 actively contacted Chen Gu, leaving the purpose of Number 21 unclear. The entire digital trap is still under construction, but it hasn't been deployed immediately.
On the other hand, Wu Lusi, the deliberately released undercover agent, had unexpectedly good results.
His persona naturally fit the "taste" of the [Digital Group], but Wu Lusi could only wait for the [Digital Group] to approach him, which might mean a long wait with no results. It was a severe test for Wu Lusi.
Fortunately, Wu Lusi had good luck, and it didn't take long for him to come into contact with the [Digital Group], which was actively "recruiting.".
He then gradually "rose" step by step, eventually coming into contact with Number 21. After continuous mutual probing, he finally managed to build a cautious mutual trust, which led to this direct dialogue between Chen Gu and Number 21.
"Good morning, Captain Chen." Number 21 appeared polite, and after exchanging greetings, got straight to the point: "I need a pardon."
Chen Gu pondered for a moment and said, "A pardon is not a problem, but you can no longer exist as a digital life. We can prepare an organic life body for you."
Number 21 quickly showed a piece of text in the chat room: "That's unrealistic. No organic life form can carry my current data or provide the computing power to match my current level. Going back to an organic life form would make me feel stupid, which I absolutely cannot accept!"
Chen Gu sighed and continued to communicate: "Do you think this is possible? Digital life is terribly frightening in this era, and the Elders' Council will not allow you to continue to parasitize the interstellar network..."
Number 21 emphasized: "As long as the benefits are great enough, I believe your Elders' Council will agree."
"What benefits?"
"I can help you capture OCreation and solve this problem permanently." Number 21 paused here: "I've already identified all of OCreation's backup identities, ensuring once and for all!"
Chen Gu frowned: He and Aviloya had long suspected OCreation. Such a nefarious figure suddenly appearing with the [Digital Group] seemed illogical. Number 21's mention of "backup identities" confirmed that this figure didn't appear out of nowhere and had been causing chaos in the Confederation for years, just not under this identity before.
"Without your help, we'll capture him sooner or later." Chen Gu was quite confident in this.
Number 21 typed the words "Heh Heh" and continued: "He can help you reach the Ninth Power Level!"
Chen Gu raised an eyebrow: "Why?"
Number 21 replied: "This is a result of my extensive data analysis. I cannot specifically demonstrate how I arrived at this conclusion, as it involves complex calculations. But I can assure you, this point will not deviate."
Chen Gu stared at him to continue, but Number 21 paused, leaving Chen Gu puzzled: "What about the rest? This is just a benefit for me. How am I supposed to persuade the Elders' Council?"
Number 21 was surprised: "Isn't that enough? If you want this benefit, you should convince the Elders' Council yourself."
Chen Gu's expression became strange. What is this? A form of bribery?
Chen Gu curled his lips: "This... won't work." But he had to admit, Chen Gu was truly tempted. He knew clearly that if he missed this "opportunity," it would take at least another thirty years to reach the Ninth Power Level under normal circumstances.
So Chen Gu put his mind to work for a while: "In the future, you can only operate on interstellar networks outside the Confederation, and you need to disclose your core source code to us, and we'll set up a corresponding firewall on the Confederation's side."
"However, I can act as an intermediary. If you privately obtain some important intelligence from the other three Star Nations, you can sell it at an appropriate price to some private institutions within the Confederation..."
Number 21 understood, Chen Gu was quite cunning. As long as he doesn't stir things up within the Confederation, he can mess around with the other three Star Nations as he pleases.
What private institutions would need such important military and economic secrets? They're just a front, and the ultimate buyer is indeed the Confederation's official authority.
Number 21 almost immediately rejected: "Disclosing the core source code is impossible. I can swear never to easily enter the Confederation's network."
The two sides began bargaining, and after several hours, Chen Gu made the final decision: "The core source code must be disclosed, but I can compensate you with an organic life body that doesn't lose computing power compared to what you have now. That way, even on the interstellar network, if you're really targeted, you won't need to worry about being cornered with no way out.
In fact, you don't need to worry about this at all, as the Elders' Council would be happy to use you against the other three Star Nations, especially the Star State.
Moreover, some of our arrangements, which you should also be aware of, even without your core source code, will prevent you from entering the Confederation's network easily once we're fully set up, so this is a very reasonable agreement."
Chen Gu was referring to the [Digital Trap] plan. Number 21 did sense something, and Chen Gu waited for about five minutes until Number 21 finally typed a line in the chat room: "Alright, deal. You must be the intermediary, and if it's someone else, the agreement is void, relatively speaking, your credibility hasn't collapsed yet…"
Chen Gu couldn't help but laugh, a bit smug: A shadow king not only is an excellent actor but also an outstanding agent, representing two big shots.
Then, the two began to discuss the detailed plans.
...
The battle on Planet Tai captured the attention of all human society.
It was because this time, the new insects' fighting style took human society by surprise. They used the abilities of human practitioners, leading the Freedom Alliance's army to a disastrous defeat.
Of course, the other three major Star Nations secretly felt somewhat disdainful as well: the Freedom Alliance's military does not represent the pinnacle of human combat power.
This is a polite way of putting it; they even believed among the four major Star Nations, the Freedom Alliance is definitely at the bottom.
On the interstellar net, a long-silent chat room suddenly buzzed with a message: "I think this is an opportunity."
After saying this, Number 21 quickly dropped a massive amount of data: "This is what I extracted from the Freedom Alliance military's encrypted super-brain."
This information is related to the new aliens, with the crucial part being that the new aliens have utilized mutative enhancement to some extent.
One by one, numbers emerged, these people were frantic and bold: "We must master this technology, we can directly use it to purify the dirty world!"
"Although it was researched by the aliens, it was tailor-made for us."
"Our grand purification plan finally sees dawn; I apply to obtain this technology..."
The heated discussion finally forced Zero to emerge.
"Is it credible?" Zero inquired, Number 21 immediately replied: "Absolutely no problems."
Zero continued: "I wasn't asking about the source of information; I was asking: this is something the Freedom Alliance researched, we all understand their level, could they have gotten it wrong?"
The numbers all fell silent; among the four major Star Nations, the Freedom Alliance is synonymous with unreliability. Number 21 said: "Such a great opportunity, I think it's worth a try."
The numbers concurred: "That makes sense."
Zero considered for a moment and then issued an order: "All members within the Freedom Alliance, follow Number 21's command, cooperate with him to obtain this technology!"
"Yes!"
Number 21 added: "Zero, sir, I also need to report some things to you privately."
Zero agreed: "Alright, we'll chat privately."
...
Between the star domains of the Freedom Alliance and the Empire, there is a small nation in the chaos of civil war, with only four colonized stars and scarce resources, making it unappealing for either the Freedom Alliance or the Empire to occupy. To create a buffer zone, both major Star Nations tacitly maintain their civil war.
On one of these stars named [Heavenstone], the war has left the cities in ruins, with broken walls and crumbling structures everywhere, and the streets occasionally roaring with hovercars and motorcycles modified into war vehicles.
However, in such a chaotic and backward place, there stands a well-secured and luxuriously decorated hotel. Guests staying here receive a very reliable guarantee: You are 100% safe on [Heavenstone Star].
In a room on the top floor, a young man was quickly conversing on the interstellar net. Number 21 had drawn up a detailed plan, including how to swiftly establish a [Digital Group] research team after acquiring the technology, and how to rapidly convert the research results into practical purification outcomes.
This is the most expensive room in the hotel, and everyone knows a war broker from the Star State has long-term rented this room.
The reason why one party in the civil war has been able to hold on until now is entirely due to the Star State support this broker secured. With vast amounts of money, he hired the most powerful mercenary combat brigade in this star domain.
What ordinary people don't know is, ten powerful professionals protect this war broker year around.
However, today, a guest dressed in a high-end tailored suit walked into the hotel, and no one even approached to ask for information; in fact, no one noticed such a guest entering the hotel.
He took the elevator to the top floor and walked straight to the door of that guest room, knocking on the door.
The young man inside chatting suddenly changed his expression, quickly typing a line in the chat window: Why betray me?!
Number 21 replied: "I doubt the purity of your faith."
The young man became furious: I founded the [Digital Group], I am the faith of the entire [Digital Group], and you question me?
Number 21 said: "You are not the faith of the [Digital Group], we believe in the ideology."
The young man wanted to say more, but the door was already pushed open. He didn't escape, knowing it was too late and he couldn't possibly get away; at this moment, none of his guards, from average warriors to professionals, realized the danger.
Chen Gu walked in, also praising: "Wei Jiangqi, sir, we meet again. You truly surprise me. [True Knowledge Sin] was eradicated, yet there is still the [Digital Group] guise, ha ha ha."
Zero/Wei Jiangqi gave him a cold look: "I can never be killed."
