(Asking for votes at the beginning of the month, didn’t realize it was the start of the month so soon.)

The story continues with two branches. So the genius girl Lady Xiao Xue saw the Lin Mansion at the foot of the mountain, and with a loud cry of "Wow!", pressed down the clouds. As she descended in front of the Lin Mansion Servants, she performed a bow and said, "I am the close friend of your precious young lady whom she met while studying in the savage lands. I have come to seek refuge; please kindly inform the master." The servant noticed the newcomer’s fierce brows and dared not say more, stepped into the back hall, and saw the Lin Family master and mistress, explaining the situation thusly—and then the naughty kid Xiao Xue took advantage of the distraction to wander off and find her mom.

Oh my, finally changed the writing style. But basically, that’s it...

"She claims she’s a classmate I met while studying in Bavaria! Plus, she announced that she’s been secretly in love with me for six months while in Bavaria," Lin Xue said through the Spiritual Connection, grinding her teeth, "Now she’s calling all female creatures in my house ’sister’ - except for my mom, but including me!"

Me: "...Well, the fact that she didn’t call your mom shows she’s at least respectful..."

"I swear I’ll take a beating from my dad just to come bite you, you believe me?" Miss Lin said with a sinister tone.

I quickly cleared my throat: "Cough cough, Xiao Xue’s being too outrageous! How can she be so disrespectful!"

"Anyway, I know you released her." Miss Lin’s voice sounded a bit weak, probably because Xiao Xue was right beside her, causing various mischievous antics. No matter, that’s my own daughter. Although the middle years of her upbringing were skipped, I’ve already figured out that girl’s behavior patterns readily. She absolutely won’t be behaving herself around Lin Xue. Usually, it’s been Miss Lin and I suppressing her, and Xiao Xue remained obedient. But now Lin Xue’s tackling it alone, and that naughty kid is buzzing with excitement from visiting her grandparents’ house for the first time; I can’t imagine how lively she’ll get—perhaps I really should have just let her bomb the American embassy just now...

"Alright then, I’ll keep an eye on this one for now, as long as she doesn’t continue causing trouble," Miss Lin responded after a pause, likely occupied with preventing Xiao Xue from dismantling her house, "I’ll remember this time as a mark against you—besides, I can’t educate her while I’m here; so when our daughter returns, make sure to give her a thorough reprimand!"

Miss Lin terminated the communication and resumed her intense parental duties. I turned to see the adults and children gathered in a circle in the living room, all with expectant expressions—it’s like we truly are a mischievous family.

I shared the recent developments about the genius girl Lady Xiao Xue with everyone, and Qianqian listened with eager fascination—she loves bustling activity, and Lin Xue’s place is evidently very active now. Big Sister tapped my head lightly: "You weren’t much better than her when you were little."

I felt quite indignant. I admit that I was a bit mischievous as a child; after all, Qianqian and I used to form the ’Old City Double Agony’ duo back in the day. But to say I’m as bad as Xiao Xue, isn’t that exaggerating a bit? As soon as I voiced this question, Big Sister started reminiscing about various pranks Qianqian and I pulled in childhood—details are inappropriate to mention, but suffice to say even Bingdisi, who dared to smash the principal’s window in front of all the Divine Realm teachers, listened with admiration... Was I really that bad as a kid?

Just then, Sandora came over and patted my shoulder: "Ah Jun, let’s head to Shadow City together after dinner."

I looked at Sandora, then at the cheerful family, and slowly nodded: work is still necessary.

So after lunch, I didn’t hang out on the balcony with Lilina for photosynthesis as usual. Instead, I went with Sandora to one of the report halls at the Shadow City Headquarters, where Sivis and some senior officers were already waiting. Behind Sivis was a strange device that I hadn’t seen in this report hall before: a cluster of floating fragmented metal pieces. The floating pieces together measured about half a meter, and each metal fragment was curved, suggesting they could combine to form a very large ring. Aside from these fragments, there were no other external devices visible on the scene, indicating it was an independent object.

"Oh, this is a newly restored kind of magic energy device, functioning similarly to a fixed Teleportation Gate, but the energy source is magic power, and it supports more ’ambiguous’ operations, which is one of the things I will explain to you." Sivis pointed to the device behind her as she noted my curious expression and began explaining. Two words in her statement drew my full attention: "Magic power? So this is Mystic technology?"

"Yes, from my own Memory Core," Sivis smiled, "They are unusually clear now, and many principles previously ineffective in the real world suddenly became usable. The first direct phenomenon after the concept separation was lifted resulted in turning this device into a success. Although it doesn’t hold much functional value, it should be seen as a milestone."

I stared intently at the floating metal fragments, randomly drifting or combining in the air. Mysterious symbols flashed across their surfaces, capable of wondrously affecting the real world just by their shapes—and yet, until recently, they were considered meaningless gibberish by Sivis... During the concept separation, I couldn’t directly observe changes between the two worlds. However, this object before me stands as the only evidence that provides a clear and intuitive understanding that everything indeed happened.

"The release of concept separation cannot be observed directly with the eyes, but we must precisely track how far it extends and what value it can provide us now," Sivis continued while activating the projection array in the report hall. Numerous graphs and curious facility equipment schematics appeared before us. The other senior officers maintained a solemn demeanor, but I could sense the shift in atmosphere. Even though I couldn’t understand most of the contents in the holographic projections around us, I realized these things were inevitably significant, and Sivis went on with her report. "The Taville Chief Mechanic designed a virtual network earlier; it was downloaded into every mixed Xyrin Apostle Memory Core before the concept separation was lifted to track everyone’s memory changes. Furthermore, we monitored the Imperial Central Database and the entire New Empire Spiritual Network’s information flow. Over the past twenty-four hours, all ’basic information’ has exploded, nearly doubling in amount. Numerous unverified mathematical structures and theoretical models appeared throughout the Empire’s domain; this knowledge, which appeared out of nowhere and is directly accessible by our Spiritual Network, has been confirmed to meet their coherent structures upon individual evaluation, meaning—they can be converted into actual products. Concept separation is confirmed lifted, and researchers are working to overhaul the Empire’s databases quickly. Tiville Chief’s application includes at least three new research groups aimed at simultaneous exploration in three directions: organization of Mystic technology systems, integration of Mystic technology with existing Imperial scientific technology, and—most importantly—the quickest means to convert Mystic technology into actual productivity and combat capability."

"Agreed," Sandora made a decision after a brief consideration, but she added a clause, "However, these three groups must be jointly managed by the Research Center and those in the Heavenly Realm City. Orelia, Audemus, and Alaya are well suited to lead such work."

"Taville will have to change her habits," I laughed, "She’s always been researching in her own domain and knows little about the mysterious system of technology. What she’s facing this time is an entirely new field—she’s become an apprentice instead."

"I believe she’ll do very well," Sandora responded, "An excellent chief mechanic often doesn’t mean being all-knowing, but knowing how to let those more professional complete the team’s goals. A chief mechanic is both a scientist and a team leader, quite similar to the work of a general."

I looked at Sivis and voiced my current concern: "Alright, let’s put aside the good news for now and talk about the bad news. According to Orelia’s judgment, the lifting of the conceptual fragmentation will occur simultaneously across the entire void. Now that our magical energy devices and mystical knowledge have emerged, it means... the Fallen Apostles have too."

"Yes," Sivis nodded, with a solemn expression appearing on the face of this sharp-natured female deputy officer, "Currently, the Empire’s only advantage is that we are prepared. We have prepared a large number of idle production and research teams before the conceptual fragmentation is lifted, and secretly set up experimental universes. As for the Fallen Apostles, even if they notice all this, they will inevitably be a step behind us in forming these technologies. But this preparatory advantage is limited, and if the enemy launches an attack during this timeframe and consumes our energy, the New Empire will lose the advantage we gained from our early preparations—because the New Empire, from infrastructure to the number of worlds occupied, is behind the Fallen Apostles. In this regard, we cannot withstand consumption and setbacks. Another matter to report is this: the spy team sent to scout the border of the Fallen Apostles has already detected worlds equivalent to 1.5 times the direct territory of the New Empire, yet still has not found the end of the enemy’s border. Their Dark Empire’s deepest part is hidden in the ruins of the Old Empire, filled with twisted and chaotic things. Even if we didn’t encounter enemy fleet blockades, our reconnaissance teams find it difficult to enter beyond that barrier..."

"Wait," I couldn’t help but interrupt the other person, "Did you say our reconnaissance forces have already approached the base camp of the Fallen Apostles? How did they do it? What’s the enemy’s condition?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"My Majesty, it was the reconnaissance force you personally ordered to form..." Sivis said euphemistically, while nonchalantly tidying up her already impeccable commander’s uniform, "The members were elite commanders successfully ’persuaded to defect’ from the former Fallen Apostle Army by Lady Xiao Xue. They understand some of the border worlds of the Fallen Apostles and know the enemy’s action habits. They have been patrolling outside the territories of the Fallen Apostles all along. Seven days ago, they reached the deepest part of the void and could go no further. Based on the reports returned, Taville Chief speculates that the reconnaissance team may have already contacted the Old Empire’s border, where the remnants of the destroyed worlds form a twisted and tangled barrier called the ’Chaos Wall’ structure. Now, most of the reconnaissance team has returned, with only a few special observation ships still monitoring a part of the Fallen Apostles’ known territory in relatively safe zones."

"Cough, cough, I know, I know," I hurriedly waved my hand, thinking I shouldn’t be this confused, "I just didn’t expect their progress to be this significant... getting under the enemy’s nose to reach their inland."

"Actually, according to the Command Center’s judgment, the Fallen Apostles should have already realized that such a group or groups of reconnaissance forces exist at their border," Sivis frowned, "The reconnaissance team has repeatedly discovered that the enemy is strengthening information barriers on their border worlds, and has set up void watchtowers and patrol units outside the world barrier. Because of the existence of these things, our reconnaissance team has been unable to confirm the state within the Fallen Apostles’ territory, only roughly touching on the location of their border worlds. Just like on our side—traces of Fallen Apostle reconnaissance ships have also been found at the Empire’s border. Although they are repelled each time, it’s feared these ’Rangers’ are still watching somewhere near the border worlds."

I’m also aware of the situations Sivis mentioned. After multiple engagements, even attacking each other’s homeland, the Fallen Apostles and the New Empire are no longer completely clueless about each other. We can detect each other’s few border worlds and have set up reconnaissance ships outside each other’s borders. Due to the unique nature of the void, it’s difficult to scan for small reconnaissance ships beyond the world barrier, and even if they can be detected, the latter can often easily hide again: just by modifying their ’information representation,’ they can instantly cross the borders of several worlds. This is the peculiar ’tacit’ state of confrontation and standoff in the void. However, the intelligence collected from these methods will not directly dictate the situation; neither the Fallen Apostles nor the New Empire will allow enemy reconnaissance soldiers to detect the situation within their worlds. Void reconnaissance ships can only collect the coordinates and scale of target worlds, knowing nothing about their internal situations, hence it’s not enough to guide a war.

On the border line, battles of various sizes occur almost daily, with the vast majority being garrison forces from border worlds expelling or pursuing spy ships, but the scale of these battles has never escalated to the level of fleet battles. This gloomy situation has been lasting for almost a year. However, I estimate this balance is about to deteriorate, and the reason for the shake-up is the sudden fusion of our Mother Star. The Fallen Apostles may have two reactions to this. The first is that they believe they inexplicably acquired abilities that could lead to widespread destruction, with enormous amounts of formidable knowledge dropping into their hands out of nowhere, prompting them to hastily attack the New Empire. The second is that the Fallen Apostles will realize that the great changes occurring within their territory are related to the New Empire and investigate the situation regardless. Whatever the possibility, the two sides will inevitably erupt into battle again—the only difference being that the former will lead to all-out war while the latter, perhaps indicates a localized raid. Considering the Fallen Apostles aren’t entirely clueless, I think the second possibility is high.

And no matter the reason for the enemy’s appearance on the Empire’s border, it’s something we don’t want to see now—would you want onlookers surrounding your doorstep while you’re concentrating on researching the tech tree?

Sandora, of course, could also think of this point, so while ordering to speed up the integration of new data, she also commanded to strengthen the alert level along the border and ordered the First and Second Legions to be ready for battle at any time. However, before that, we should try our best to delay any possible impending battle—this is the first time in its history that the New Empire has gained some technological edge on the tech tree, but these technologies have not yet been converted into actual military power, so we need time to expand this advantage—at least to grow a Caster Corps capable of engaging in combat.

Perhaps... it’s time to proactively create a little trouble on the enemy’s border line.

"We need to stall the enemy’s actions." Sandora and I almost spoke in unison, then couldn’t help but exchange a look: once again, our thinking has aligned.

"Do we currently have a way to cause some minor trouble on the enemy’s border?" I inquired, my gaze falling on Sandora. She gave me a smile: "You mean to disrupt their attention?"

"More or less, creating various illusions so that they don’t understand what the New Empire is considering," I slowly expressed my ideas, "We can harass their border in a way that isn’t too painful, increasing the number of spy teams and small fleets to create the illusion of an imminent raid on certain border worlds—of course, these illusions are easy to see through, but frequent actions like this should leave the enemy puzzled. The Fallen Apostles are likely confused about the large amount of mysterious system technology materials appearing in their domain, and they should be able to connect the occurrence of these things to the New Empire, but they absolutely wouldn’t foresee that we initiated it—because they are also beneficiaries. In other words, they don’t know the New Empire remains in control of the situation amidst these anomalies. Thus, we need to behave as if we’re not in control, making the Fallen Apostles think the New Empire is desperately trying to hinder their study of those technologies—then the Fallen Apostles will presume that they, in fact, hold the upper hand after the emergence of these technologies... Regardless of whatever thoughts they generate, for the time being, attacking the Empire is unlikely to cross their minds—unless, of course, a significant number of officers on the opposing side are recklessly impulsive. As long as these actions are effective, it would allow the Empire ample time to form the Caster Corps—and to do so in secret."

In fact, my idea is simple: through deceit and illusion, make the Fallen Apostles believe now is their golden opportunity to focus on the tech tree, tricking them into diligently studying the mysterious knowledge at home—however they research it, as long as they don’t come to forcibly disturb the New Empire’s side, their research progress will already lag behind ours.

Sandora listened to me with a smile and nodded in evaluation: "It’s a plan that might work, at least for a while, the attention of the Fallen Apostles would be diverted, not considering to launch a strong attack on us. Now... the Sixth Legion, I entrust this matter to you." Sandora turned her head towards a tall male officer at the end of the conference table: "Your legion are experts on dealing with the Fallen Apostles, select a group of the fastest, best at surprise attacks units, and appear ostentatiously on the enemy’s border. But remember: you are not going for frontal combat, all fleets are not allowed to directly impact enemy military bases, and should have retreat routes ready before any action begins. I do not wish for significant losses on these harassment operations. I only need you to keep appearing on the enemy’s radar screens—let the Fallen Apostles live with constant alerts." (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

```