376: Chapter 377 Winning Over

Inside the hall of the Hundred Eyes Council.

After understanding the Ruler's meaning, the Grand Elder immediately said respectfully, "Ruler, I will immediately have the empire's Scientific Research Department study this image."

"Someone is already researching it."

The Ruler of the Phylliphimus Empire smiled mysteriously and then said, "Wise One Mozaro, please tell us about your findings."

What!

Hearing the Ruler's words, the Elders in the council were shocked. The Great Wise One Mozaro was actually still alive. One must know that ten million years had passed since his era, far exceeding the lifespan of the Polyphemus race.

A projection lit up, and a somewhat dim but luxuriously furnished room appeared in the hall.

The Elders' gazes focused on a wrinkled brain floating in a nutrient solution, connected by countless metal wires thinner than a strand of hair.

Under the gaze of these Elders, the brain began to squirm, and the Elders heard a somewhat raspy, aged voice.

"That image... it is a meme..."

Moz... Wise One Mozaro?

The Elders could not believe it, but they quickly reacted and lowered their heads in unison. "Greetings, Wise One Mozaro."

Mozaro, with only a head remaining, ignored them and spoke to himself about data regarding memes, even deducing the transmission method of this face meme.

If Mite were here and could understand, he would surely be incredibly shocked, because the conclusions Mozaro deduced were no different from the results the meme Research Institute had produced over years of study.

One must know that they only reached those conclusions because they had the physical entity of the meme to study.

"With our current technology, the meme effect cannot be stopped. I can only try..."

Mozaro continued, his voice wavering slightly, clearly very interested in this meme.

"We shall trouble the Wise One then."

The Polyphemus Ruler was very respectful toward this Wise One.

Mozaro was the smartest individual in the empire—not one of them, but the only one. He was ten million years ago, and he still was now. Those scholars in the Imperial Academy of Sciences who spent their whole lives researching a single subject, those geniuses looked up to by tens of thousands of races, were but grains of sand next to a mining lamp in front of Mozaro.

The Ruler had great confidence in Mozaro, which was also the reason he had the confidence to face this meme infection.

After the projection closed, the Ruler's gaze darkened, and he turned to ask, "Do you know where this meme came from?"

The Elders looked at each other.

Finally, the Grand Elder spoke up, saying in fear and trepidation, "Ruler, we are incompetent. We have not found the source of this eerie meme."

As he spoke, the Grand Elder bowed first, followed by the other Elders. The entire council hall was filled with submissive figures; no one dared to look up into the Ruler's unfathomable eyes.

"It is the humans!"

It was actually them.

Hearing the Ruler's words, the Elders' faces were filled with astonishment.

In their understanding, humans were nothing more than insignificant ants in the cosmic civilization, with tiny territories and short lifespans. Even their progress in intergalactic navigation relied on the charity of Polyphemus. How could they possess a meme weapon capable of threatening the empire?

"Haven't you realized yet? Otherwise, how do you think Gaoermuir and the others disappeared?"

The Ruler showed a look of interest. "An anomaly has appeared among the humans."

—

When a Polyphemus spaceship suddenly arrived one million kilometers away from Pandora Planet, everyone in Jushen Company went on high alert; war was on the verge of breaking out.

All combat platforms were activated. Quark fission cannons and interstellar torpedoes were all aimed at the magnificent-looking alien spaceship.

Curiously, the spaceship did not engage in any hostile actions but instead requested to establish communication with the humans.

Lin Fang, Ains, and a group of high-level officials arrived at the command center.

The Polyphemus on the screen maintained a peaceful posture. His gaze bypassed the wary crowd and locked directly onto Lin Fang, who was standing in the middle of the group, his eyes filled with awe.

He was even speaking an Earth language.

"Respected Mr. Lin Fang, please forgive my unannounced visit. I am an envoy of Polyphemus."

The envoy's voice came through, completely lacking the arrogance of a higher civilization. "I have come by order of the Ruler of the Phylliphimus Empire to pay my respects to you specifically. I harbor no hostility whatsoever."

Ains and the others looked at Lin Fang.

He's looking for you.

Lin Fang: ...

"What do you want with me?" Lin Fang said bluntly.

The Polyphemus envoy did not take offense but instead became increasingly respectful, his tone earnest to the extreme: "Mr. Lin Fang, I have come by order of the Ruler to extend a most sincere invitation to you. We request that you join the Phylliphimus Empire and become an incomparably noble Honorary Elder of the empire."

The envoy's words shocked Ains and the others; they never expected this to be his purpose.

The envoy ignored everyone's shock and continued, "Our Ruler said that as long as Mr. Lin Fang is willing to join the empire, the empire is also willing to stop the war against humanity, cease its aggression, and even provide more technology and resources to the humans."

Hmm...

Lin Fang was speechless. Was he being recruited? But why would the other party suddenly do this?

His silence made Ains and the others anxious. Ains quickly walked to Lin Fang's side and whispered, "Fang, this might be a trap."

Ains was naturally not so foolish as to hand Lin Fang over just because of an envoy's promise. On the contrary, he was very worried that Lin Fang might abandon humanity for these generous terms.

The envoy also grew anxious.

"Mr. Lin Fang, if you join the Phylliphimus Empire, our Ruler also promises to betroth the empire's youngest princess, Mo'aona, to you. Her Highness the Princess is the recognized pearl of the empire's countless races, with extraordinary talent and beauty that surpasses all in the empire. She even manages half of the empire's interstellar trade and scientific research resources. This is the highest courtesy the Imperial Ruler can offer to Mr. Lin."

Fearing Lin Fang wouldn't be tempted, the envoy even displayed a projection of the princess.

Looking at this ugly tentacle monster, Lin Fang, who had been considering whether to go over and scam some items, immediately backed down. He still had his integrity and no such peculiar tastes.

Besides, the human soldiers who had sacrificed themselves before his eyes in the Starry Battlefield wouldn't agree either.

Lin Fang's expression was indifferent. "No need. I have no interest in joining your empire."

The Polyphemus envoy was stunned.

He never imagined that despite the Ruler offering such generous terms—high position, resources, and even the empire's most favored princess—Lin Fang would reject it directly without even thinking. This was completely beyond his expectations.