"Please have a seat, Angel Envoy."

Ma Zhongfei warmly stepped forward to greet him.

The others, however, remained seated on their thrones, nodding and smiling at Ren Zhong from a distance.

Having confirmed that the "Network" could be restored, these old ice blocks finally retrieved their former composure and poise, acting like true bigwigs.

Ren Zhong didn't say much, simply taking his seat in the middle and pretending not to know as he casually operated the console installed in front of him, then "very surprised" frowned and turned to ask Ma Zhongfei beside him, "Why can't I check the backup system's installation progress anymore?"

Ma Zhongfei forced a slightly awkward smile and said, "Angel Envoy, we thought you've already been troubled too much with the matters of Source Star. This is our duty, and to keep bothering you is not right. What's left is just the finishing work of the large-scale migration, which we can handle. From now on, you should take a break and just enjoy yourself."

While Ma Zhongfei expressed his stance, Ren Zhong sharply noticed that although the others didn't turn their faces, most of their ears twitched noticeably.

Ren Zhong smiled, "I see, no problem. That's appropriate, so you just bear some more hardship."

"Mm, thank you, Angel Envoy, for understanding." Ma Zhongfei felt a great relief, secretly letting out a breath.

Ren Zhong graciously glanced around and did not become angry, just asked again, "Because the backup system is extremely simplified, it can't perform the original system functions, and there's a process of self-programming and self-expansion. During this process, it's necessary for a High Rank programmer to assist and guide throughout in order to ensure that the 'Network' eventually expands its functions without glitches."

Ma Zhongfei nodded honestly, "Yes. This process takes about a month, just in time to complete before the large-scale migration. The communication functions related to the resurrection plan you left before, Angel Envoy, are adequate for the finishing work, also quite enough. Although I can't compare to you, I have also received complete system training, I can manage it."

Ren Zhong stood up, "Then I'm relieved."

With the conversation up to this point, everyone had already been frank and open with each other.

Ren Zhong understood the concerns of the old ice blocks.

During the action of Tracer number 154332, they had already faced a disgraceful failure, not only causing the Empire significant loss but nearly being led into the Abyss by the Pilgrim.

If it wasn't for the Imperial Apostle Ren Zhong's appearance, they would have been doomed.

In the management system of the Empire, an Apostle represents the Empire in exercising authority, but their level is equal to these administrators.

However, in this operation, it was Ren Zhong who eradicated the "Network" infiltrated by the Pilgrim.

Without the assistance of the "Network," developing the technology related to the resurrection plan from scratch, rebuilding the communication network, reviving warship intelligence, restoring productivity, recovering resource collection progress before the large-scale migration, adjusting the social structure, and ultimately thoroughly crushing the Pilgrim and repairing the "Network," all were done by Ren Zhong.

Ren Zhong's brilliance was too dazzling, his achievements too many and too great, making these administrators who had operated here for a thousand years seem as if they had lost their meaning of existence, purely becoming bystanders. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The frozen Elders were unwilling to accept this fact, they had to score some merit for themselves, so the final step of fully restoring the "Network's" functions and the final execution of the large-scale migration should preferably be done by themselves.

Ren Zhong even knew Ma Zhongfei was bluffing.

After all, he had interrogated Ma Zhongfei before and knew his positioning within the Empire.

Ma Zhongfei's programming skills had not reached the High Rank standards of the Empire.

If not for Sun Ai, restoring from a regular backup system to a standard system, with Ma Zhongfei's capability, could not possibly be completed within a month.

He certainly planned to wait for departure, then have Ma Xiaocheng drag the entire Deep Communication Group into the water and gradually fully activate all the functions of the "Network."

Of course, the old ice blocks were planning for both outcomes.

They were just trying to test Ren Zhong's attitude.

If Ren Zhong, this noble Imperial Apostle, showed evident resistance, it would prove he had thoughts of monopolizing the credit.

This was also acceptable.

After all, even the offspring of high nobility probably need some personal achievements to complete their political promotions.

In that case, allowing these merits to him was not impossible and to some extent would let Ren Zhong perceive their concession, acknowledging their goodwill.