"Lock onto the resonance source's structure and analyze its encryption protocols."
Time passed. The prey was cunning, leaving intermittent traces, and it was capable of learning.
"The target is evolving. It's trying to understand our detection logic and turn it against us." Radiant Stilllight's brow furrowed.
"That's exactly what I want." A cold smile curled Lin Ye's lips.
He suddenly severed his direct links to most of the probing forces.
"Pass down the order. Reduce the intensity of our probing, especially surveillance around the seven civilizations that previously raised objections, including the Lattice Thought Hall. Create the illusion that we're pulling back under internal pressure. Order's Dawn, use nonessential channels to 'accidentally' leak a little information: forcibly driving the Prototype to purify the afflicted civilizations has overloaded my conceptual capacity, and I need a brief period of dormancy to recover."
"Bait?" Harmonic Leaping Note understood at once.
"The best hunters often appear in the guise of prey." A star vortex swirled in Lin Ye's eyes. "An 'injured' Tuner who hurt himself putting out fires, a group of 'resentful' fringe civilizations... could there be a more perfect spark for incitement?"
"The risk is too great!"
"Which is why the bait can't be the real me."
Lin Ye looked at the Prototype. The tiny Chaos Star Vortex at its center abruptly spun faster, separating out a cloud of hazy light. Under Lin Ye's will, the cloud swiftly became a "mirror body" identical to him in appearance, but with a slightly unsteady aura.
"A newly developed application of the Prototype-Contradiction Seed: Mirror Image. It comes preset with 'internal contradictions.' To certain beings hungry for 'contradictory data,' its scent is irresistible."
The mirror-image Lin Ye opened his eyes, then became a streak of light and flew toward the Stillwatch Chamber.
The real Lin Ye