Yu Weiwei's fingers tightened slightly.
"Because of my ability to repair mental cores?"
"Partially," Ryan answered.
"There is another possibility."
The room fell silent.
Ryan looked at the data projected before him before continuing.
"Your unique mental power is not something they can replicate."
"The purification ability, Dimension Authority, and the ability to repair mental cores are all unprecedented."
"To them, you are not simply a person."
"You are a resource."
Yu Weiwei's expression darkened.
A familiar feeling rose within him.
Not fear.
Disgust.
He had encountered countless people like this throughout his many lifetimes. No matter the world, there would always be those who viewed others as tools to be exploited.
Ryan looked at him seriously.
"Although the Empire can protect you, there are still people who will not give up."
"The more they learn about your abilities, the greater the danger you will face."
Louise gently placed her teacup on the table.
"Your abilities have never appeared in recorded history. To many people, you are no longer simply Yu Weiwei."
"You are an opportunity."
Xiao Baobao immediately frowned.
"Those people are so annoying! Why can't they just see that Weiwei is Weiwei?"
Ryan glanced at him.
"Your statement is emotionally correct."
Xiao Baobao proudly puffed out his chest.
"Of course it is."
"However, your previous suggestion of doubling his bounty is one of the reasons we are discussing this situation."
The little AI froze.
"That was a misunderstanding!"
"No, it was not."
"Ryan!"
The room finally relaxed as Louise quietly laughed while Elara hid a smile behind her teacup.
Even Caspian's stern expression softened slightly.
Yu Weiwei, however, remained silent.
He understood their concern.
After living for thousands of years and traveling through countless worlds, he had witnessed greed in every form imaginable.
Power.
Immortality.
Knowledge.
People would pursue anything if they believed it could benefit them.
Yet, despite all his experience, there was one thing he had never truly learned.
Understanding people's hearts.
He could see through schemes.
He could judge right from wrong.
But when kindness and malice were directed at him personally, he often failed to distinguish between the two.
Perhaps...
That was why he had been deceived so many times before.
"I appreciate your concern."
Yu Weiwei looked at everyone present.
"But I cannot remain under your protection forever."
Caspian frowned slightly.
"Weiwei."
"I know what you're worried about."
A faint smile appeared on Yu Weiwei's face.
"But I am not as weak as you think."
The room became quiet once more.
"My ability to repair mental cores is only one part of what I can do."
He did not elaborate.
There was no need.
The cultivation techniques he possessed, the countless worlds he had traveled through, and the battles he had survived were secrets he intended to keep buried.
"I have the ability to protect myself."
Caspian studied him for a long while before letting out a helpless sigh.
"You really are like your fathers."
Yu Weiwei blinked.
"My fathers?"
"Stubborn."
Elara couldn't help covering her mouth to hide her laughter.
Caspian continued calmly.
"But dependable."
Yu Weiwei smiled helplessly.
That sounded exactly like something his fathers would hear.
After a long silence, Caspian finally nodded.
"Very well."
"If you insist on making your own decisions, we will respect your choice."
"I'll have the Imperial Research Institute send you everything they have regarding mental power cultivation. It may not compare to your own methods, but there could still be something useful."
Yu Weiwei nodded gratefully.
"Thank you."
Caspian looked at him one last time.
"Remember this."
"The Empire is your home."
"No matter where you are, if someone dares to touch one of our people..."
"They will answer to us."
Yu Weiwei's eyes widened slightly.
For some reason...
Those simple words warmed his heart far more than any promise of protection.
He had wandered through countless worlds.
For the first time in a very long while...
Someone had told him he had a place to belong.
---
Two days later, Yu Weiwei arrived at the planet that had been awarded to him.
Sea Sky Planet.
The moment the spacecraft descended through the clouds, Yu Weiwei quietly looked out the window.
Blue oceans stretched as far as the eye could see, reflecting the sunlight like polished gemstones.
Dense forests covered much of the land, while vast golden deserts occupied the western continent.
Despite being classified as an F-rank planet, Sea Sky possessed remarkably beautiful natural scenery.
Yet beneath that beauty lay poverty.
A lack of development.
And years of neglect.
The spacecraft landed in front of the Planet Lord's Manor.
Yu Weiwei stepped outside and surveyed his surroundings.
The manor itself was surprisingly luxurious.
Although it couldn't compare to the estates found in the Imperial Capital, it was far too extravagant for an F-rank planet.
His gaze swept across the polished marble floors, decorative fountains, and expensive ornaments.
His expression remained calm.
Either the former Planet Lord had been exceptionally wealthy...
Or someone had been lining their pockets.
Judging by the condition of the planet...
Yu Weiwei already had his answer.
Before unpacking a single piece of luggage, he made another decision.
"I want to see the city."
"Now."
The attendants exchanged surprised glances before immediately preparing a vehicle.
They headed toward the planet's only major city.
Greenveil City.
The moment Yu Weiwei entered, he understood why it bore that name.
Countless climbing vines spread across walls, rooftops, bridges, and lamp posts, weaving through the city like a green veil draped over every street.
Had the buildings been properly maintained, it would have been breathtaking.
Instead...
The roads were cracked.
The buildings were weathered.
The public facilities had long fallen into disrepair.
People walked with exhausted expressions, their clothes faded from years of wear.
Children played quietly in narrow alleys, while elderly residents sat silently outside their homes, watching the unfamiliar convoy pass.
Very few smiled.
Most simply watched.
Cautiously.
Warily.
Yu Weiwei didn't need anyone to explain why.
To them...
He was merely another noble.
Another Planet Lord.
Another person who would make grand promises before eventually abandoning them.
He slowed his pace and quietly observed the city.
If Greenveil—the planet's largest city—had fallen into this state...
Then the smaller towns were likely in even worse condition.
Yu Weiwei sighed inwardly.
"It seems..."
"I've taken on quite the challenge."
He turned and headed back toward the manor.
What he didn't know...
Was that countless pairs of eyes continued watching him long after he had left.
Some carried hope.
Others carried suspicion.
And a few...
Already regarded him as an obstacle.
The following morning, Yu Weiwei woke earlier than usual. Golden sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Planet Lord's Manor, bathing the spacious room in a warm glow. After washing up, his gaze drifted toward the kitchen. It had been several days since his last livestream, and judging by the countless notifications on his personal terminal, many viewers had begun wondering whether he had disappeared again.
Since there was still plenty of time before his meeting with the administrative staff, Yu Weiwei decided to resume his broadcasts.
After setting up the camera, he opened StarNet and casually titled the livestream "Breakfast." The stream had only been live for a few seconds before viewers flooded in at an astonishing rate.
"He's finally back!"
"I thought the streamer had abandoned us!"
"We're finally getting another cooking stream!"
Yu Weiwei smiled faintly at the scrolling comments before turning his attention to the ingredients neatly arranged on the counter. Today's breakfast was simple but comforting: steaming congee topped with shredded chicken and spring onions, freshly made xiaolongbao filled with juicy pork, crisp youtiao served alongside warm soy milk, and a few small dishes of pickled vegetables.
His movements were unhurried and practiced as he explained to the audience the steps. He kneaded the dough with ease, carefully wrapped each dumpling until its delicate pleats were perfectly formed, then placed them into the bamboo steamer. As steam rose from the pot, a rich aroma gradually filled the kitchen.
The viewers watched in fascination as they activated their neural links and entered full-sensory mode. The moment the simulation connected, the aroma of the food spread through their senses.
The warm fragrance of freshly steamed buns, the subtle sweetness of soy milk, and the rich scent of the congee filled their minds as if they were standing right beside Yu Weiwei.
Although they knew it was only a StarNet simulation, the experience was still incredibly realistic.
The only problem was...
They couldn't actually eat it.
The taste disappeared the moment they disconnected, leaving behind only the memory of the meal and an unbearable hunger.
"What are those little white buns?"
"They're so soft... and the moment I bite into them, the soup bursts out!"
"The filling is so savory, but the flavor isn't overwhelming. How can something so simple taste this good?"
"Why is there soup inside the bun?! This is amazing!"
"That long golden stick... it's crispy on the outside but soft inside. The salty flavor goes so well with the porridge."