Poisoned Bait and Hunter

"Lock onto the resonance source structure and analyze its encryption protocol."

Time passed. The prey was cunning; the traces it left were intermittent, and it possessed the ability to learn.

"The target is evolving. It is trying to understand and reverse-engineer our detection logic." Radiant Stilllight frowned deeply.

"That is exactly what I want." A cold curve lifted at Lin Ye's lips.

He suddenly severed his direct link with most of the detection forces.

"Pass down the order: reduce detection intensity, especially surveillance around the seven civilizations that have raised doubts, including the Lattice Mind Hall. Create the illusion that we are pulling back our forces due to internal pressure. Xuxi, 'accidentally' leak a small amount of information through non-core channels—say that I forcibly activated the Prototype to purify corrupted civilizations, suffered injuries as a result, and now need a brief period of slumber to adjust my excessive conceptual burden."

"Bait?" Harmonic Leaptone understood at once.

"The finest hunters often appear in the guise of prey." Starry vortices swirled in Lin Ye's eyes. "A Harmonizer 'injured while putting out fires,' a group of fringe civilizations 'harboring resentment'—is there a more perfect point to incite them?"

"The risk is too great!"

"That is why the bait cannot be the real me."

Lin Ye looked toward the Prototype. The chaotic starry vortex at its center abruptly spun faster, separating out a hazy cluster of luminous mist. Under Lin Ye's will, the mist swiftly formed into a "Mirror Image" identical to Lin Ye in appearance, though its aura was somewhat unsteady.

"A newly comprehended derivative application of the Prototype—Seed of Contradiction: Mirror Image. It has been preset with an 'inner contradiction.' To certain beings hungry for 'contradiction data,' it carries an irresistible scent."

Mirror Image Lin Ye opened his eyes and transformed into