Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

”Is it already time to announce the Psychics?”

Bai Quan answered Chen Ming’s question: ”Not just yet, the propaganda strategy has long been prepared.”

”It’s not only about highlighting the contributions of the Psychics; the Empire will also emphasize the contributions of ordinary people who made outstanding efforts during the war.”

”Position ordinary people and Psychics together in the propaganda, treating Psychics as ordinary people with special abilities, much like those officers with excellent command skills.”

”’They are all ordinary people, just with different abilities.’”

”This has been the Empire’s plan for the past few decades.”

”Psychics have existed for a long time. Initially, the news about them was tightly sealed, but later on, the control over the information about Psychics has been gradually relaxed.”

”In fact, some of the information about Psychics was deliberately leaked by the Empire, turning them into urban legends, allowing the people of the Empire to gradually adapt to the existence of Psychics subconsciously.”

”The abilities of Psychics are far beyond the cognition of ordinary people, and things that exceed cognition often instill fear.”

”By subtly influencing people to gradually lose their fear of Psychics, and then announcing their existence at the right moment, this is the complete plan.”

”That right moment is now, amidst this inevitable victorious war between us and the Mechanical Race.”

”At that time, you will also be a specific example for promotion, released alongside me.”

”Including what you and I will do in this war, the last time we collaborated to attack Dusk’s gigantic dock, it will all be publicized.”

”The Empire also wants to create hero figures to further distract the domestic populace.”

”To minimize the impact brought by dimensional infection.”

Chen Ming listened carefully to Bai Quan’s words, his mind filled with countless thoughts that ultimately boiled down to just one phrase: ”Goodness gracious.”

Psychics have always been a troublesome group.

The Empire’s arrangement can be said to thoroughly integrate the concept of Psychics into the populace, into the very idea of the Empire itself.

The Empire can even have legitimate reasons in the future to search for those Psychics hidden among the civilians or those with Spiritual Talent.

No longer needing to secretly proceed, no longer needing to avoid the negative effects that the influence of Psychics might cause.

Though this operation seems to be about creating hero figures, the key is not on ”heroes” but on ”figures.”

This separates the ”divinity” from Psychics, who inherently possess supernatural powers.

Psychics are simply human beings.

This has both advantages and disadvantages.

But for Chen Ming, it should be generally positive.

So he has no objections.

Bai Quan continued: ”Incidentally, there might be some rumors about you spreading, concerning your matter with Xing Hai.”

”The Empire will leak some general details of your daily life through some lower channels, letting more people know that Psychics are actually just ordinary people.”

”You’re not alone; many Psychics will have their daily routines discreetly disseminated when the propaganda strategy deems it appropriate.”

”This further reduces the public’s vigilance and fear towards Psychics.”

”But of course, if you mind, I can talk to the propaganda department to exclude yours. However, the effect might not be very good since you are the most commendable Psychic available for promotion now.”

Chen Ming thought for a moment and said: ”As long as it’s not too personal, I don’t mind. Anyway, I don’t show my face too often. What about Xing Hai’s opinion?”

”I asked her, and she doesn’t mind.”

”Okay, then just let me see the information before it gets out.”

”No problem.”

The communication ended.

Chen Ming immediately envisioned the situation afterwards.

The information will first be spread through Bai Quan’s words.

Of course, the Empire will invest some resources to investigate, and eventually, it will surely lead to An Wuping, who is absolutely related to the Thorn Insect Race.

As long as Chen Ming handles things well with An Wuping, then the Insect Race will only be related to An Wuping and cut off from Chen Ming himself.

Of course, if the Empire really finds additional information linking him back to the Insect Race, he has alternative methods to explain and sever the connection.

Chen Ming tucked away the terminal.

He turned his attention to the mechanical spiritual energy creature conversion facility that had just been installed after ending the call with Bai Quan.

Next, it’s time to begin the experimental process that couldn’t be completed last time due to the damaged equipment.

Speaking of experiments, Chen Ming instinctively glanced at the Zero Sample that had been on the ship lately.

This guy is the first converted Insect Race individual, and the only one to survive amongst the countless conversion experiments he conducted these past few days.

Compared to a few days ago, its condition has significantly improved.

It no longer constantly harms itself due to its mechanical structure.

Survival threats are no longer the reasons that might cause the Zero Sample to die.

However, it still can only be considered a crippled entity.

Yet, it hasn’t given up struggling.

The natural adaptability and evolutionary capability inherent to the Insect Race allow it to continually evolve in the process of fighting against itself, constantly adapting to its jumbled mechanical-biological body.