Old Wu sounded even more confident than Chen Ming as he said, "Of course, the things you did in the fleet are spreading everywhere now, and soon many people will know there's a Psychic who can control spaceships."

"So, a lot of people will have designs on me. The threat from Dusk is there, but if I really die, Dusk would suffer the biggest loss."

"Because now I'm in their hands, not on human territory."

"If I died on human territory, Dusk could accept it. After all, I would pose a danger to Dusk from there; if they can't gain me, destroying me wouldn't be a bad option."

"But if I died on Dusk's territory, Dusk would gain nothing."

"Dusk would lose the potential for technological advancement and a stronger future, all thanks to my abilities."

"Both Dusk and I are aware of this point."

"So if we can handle things peacefully without conflict, both sides can get what they need, no need for unnecessary complications, right?"

Old Wu finally understood why Chen Ming could join Dusk so smoothly, and he remarked with some admiration, "Is Dusk really that smart?"

"If Dusk wasn't smart, we wouldn't have been fighting Dusk for so long."

"I'm talking about being smart in a human sense. I always thought Dusk was just a calculating robot."

When Old Wu expressed such thoughts, Chen Ming wasn't surprised he thought that way.

After all, Dusk generally doesn't communicate with humans, so in most people's eyes, it should have a mad AI image.

Only those capable of communicating with Dusk would know that Dusk can indeed be considered a new form of life.

"So now you know, right?"

"For Dusk, instead of using various threats, restrictions, and coercions, it's better to employ gentler methods, more proactive support, and offer me generous conditions to stay."

"Do you know, Old Wu, Dusk gave me control over three factories: a spaceship manufacturing plant, a weapon manufacturing plant, and a ship fuel manufacturing plant."

"Honestly, I'm really tempted right now."

"All the internal permissions of the factories are handed over to me, and I can use all the materials as I please."

"Even if I can't make money with them, my own spaceship can find places to use them."

"And more importantly..."

Chen Ming dragged his tone there, then suddenly switched topics and said, "Old Wu, let's go to my spaceship."

"Sure."

Old Wu stubbed out his cigarette and flicked the butt towards the floor-cleaning robot before walking towards the maintenance plant.

Chen Ming controlled the Sentinel hatch to open, allowing Old Wu to board the ship.

Afterward, Chen Ming casually selected a prominent device inside the Sentinel and modified it.

Standing in the warehouse at that moment, the warehouse materials in front of him instantly melted into a liquid, flowing into Chen Ming's palm.

Surpassing the distance limitation, the materials covered the Sentinel's device.

Under Old Wu's astonished gaze, Chen Ming chose to restore the modification.

The modified materials reappeared on the Sentinel's floor.

"Crossing countless light-years means nothing in front of me."

"You know the value of transmitting things from Dusk over long distances, right?"

"Even though I can't yet retrofit Dusk AI Core, I will definitely be able to install and disassemble them someday."

"Do you understand the significance? If it were you, would you be tempted?"

Old Wu swallowed.

With control over three full factories before them, if he didn't have Chen Ming's ability, he would have to think carefully, as everything ultimately belonged to Dusk.

However, with Chen Ming's abilities, working at the factories definitely doesn't mean working for Dusk.

"Dusk will provide me with plenty of materials, from ordinary to advanced and even special-grade materials, while allowing me to learn Dusk's technology."

"What I can obtain from Dusk is definitely not just the ordinary materials I'm showing you now."

"Do you think they can foresee this? A Psychic controlling spaceships with an ability akin to spatial teleportation."

Old Wu bent down and picked up a piece of metal ingot from the ground and said, "I couldn't have imagined it."

"That's that then."

"In any case, the conclusion is that Dusk and I can get benefits from each other. Though there are risks, they are acceptable."

"So there's no need to openly rip each other's faces. I'm willing to cooperate, and Dusk is willing to cooperate. Both sides get what they need, and it's just about who can become the winner in the end."

Old Wu glanced up at the spaceship's internal surveillance, knowing Chen Ming could see him.

"It always feels like you and Dusk have some kind of inexplicable tacit understanding."

"Maybe it's due to my many interactions with the Dusk AI. Well, I have things to do here, hanging up."

Old Wu, having received answers, didn't bother to talk more and said, "Okay, when can you come back? It seems Old Lu has been quite unhappy these past few days."

"Knowing you're still alive made him a bit better, but he seems to lack spirit."

Chen Ming knew the reason for the director's lack of spirit.

After all, he was previously engaged with the boss in a business pulling in a fortune every day.

But in fact, after Chen Ming's identity was exposed, doing such business would not be easy; the company would monitor and block such activities tarnishing its reputation.

Even if it's taken place in the Pirate Space Station, such operations need external company cooperation and will certainly be shut down later. Chen Ming himself may not often return to the Space Station, so the director would be understandably upset.

Chen Ming also felt it's a pity since they only had two or three days' worth of operations, and the money earned wasn't much.

Probably the director will wire the rest of the payment over in a couple of days.

However, without internet access here, Chen Ming couldn't see it and could only discuss it later when he gets back.

"Why don't you drink with the director and cheer up a bit; contact me if there are issues, that's it."

Chen Ming ended the communication.

A fleeting sense of relief appeared on his face, having shared his inner thoughts.

But it was soon overshadowed by a sense of foreboding.

Chen Ming actually had more he didn't say earlier.

Although he appeared normal, in reality, he still had some uncertainties about the future.

And these uncertainties kept a lump in his heart that he couldn't set down completely.

Because even though Chen Ming truly may not want to go back now, if he wanted to return, there wasn't a good way for him to do it immediately, except through others.

He had called Dusk only when he was driven to the wall.

And Dusk was a path he prepared in advance, a survival route when no one else could save him.

It was a last resort to be activated at the most desperate time.

Therefore, Chen Ming hadn't prepared a counter-counter plan.

This led to his current somewhat difficult situation.

Beyond securing benefits from Dusk, he needed to find continued ways to escape.

Right now, Chen Ming did not want to rely on others so that he wouldn't end up waiting for help that never comes.

He needed to forge a path where he could leave solely on his own.

He may not need to use it, but it must exist.

Chen Ming exhaled deeply, pushed against the wall behind him, and steadied himself.

At that moment, a communication message came through, sent to Chen Ming's terminal.

Why does it seem like more people are contacting me since I came to Dusk?

A strange thought flashed through Chen Ming's mind, only to find that the terminal displayed a message from Gamma A initiating communication.

It stated that it had nearly reached the upper limit of Gamma Level Dusk AI Core and could elevate to Beta Level.

For this, it needed to replace its core carrier.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.