Ren Zhong pondered for a moment, then ordered the fleet to turn around immediately and return via the long route to explore a different path.

Another seven months passed, and he unexpectedly woke up again.

The number in his notebook increased to 7640.

This time, Ren Zhong did not rush to turn around again, as it was no longer meaningful.

He went to the combat command room and called for a meeting with the key personnel, including the on-duty Zheng Tian, Zhuo Yihang, and Vincent.

Ren Zhong looked at the detailed star map of the Tenglong Nebula, clasping his hands behind his back, simulating in his mind.

The star map marked a total of three positions.

One was the ambush point from the previous timeline on the trade route, the second was the ambush point on the exploration route a month later, and the third was the current position of the fleet.

A possible branch route between the first and second points had been calculated and deduced by Sun Ai.

Ordinary large fleets typically wouldn't choose such a route, but theoretically, high-performance medium and small aerospace vehicles could pass through.

Ren Zhong first pointed to the first point, "Don't ask me where the intel came from. I can only tell you that I've confirmed the existence of an ambusher, and there's only one. Near this area on the trade route, there is a fragmented asteroid belt. These fragmented asteroids have strong magnetism and radiation, making them excellent cover. Their main force is hiding here. Additionally, I'm sure that a reconnoitering unit stealthily followed the fleet before we even entered the Tenglong Nebula. Now, they have set out from the ambush point and are pursuing us at a fifth of the speed of light along this branch route, planning to ambush us here."

Ren Zhong then pointed to the second ambush point.

"This means if we continue forward, we'll inevitably encounter the enemy. Changing routes again won't make a difference. As long as their cruising speed is faster than ours, we won't escape."

"What we need to do now is prepare to face the enemy. The warfare capabilities of both sides are not equal, and we are at a disadvantage. The best battlefield is not on the route; we must use the external environment of the Tenglong Nebula. The fleet needs to slow down now, and move upward where the environment is more complex. Reopen all scanning radars, and have all reconnaissance ships patrol 24/7. Before official engagement, we must be fully aware of the battlefield environment."

The absolute power gave Ren Zhong the benefit that he no longer needed to explain the basis of his decisions to anyone.

Once he made a decision, it had to be executed without compromise.

Zheng Tian asked, "Are we only exploring upward? Should the reconnaissance ships also only move upward?"

Ren Zhong looked at the star map and shook his head, "No, distribute in all directions evenly. Also, maximize the scouting range of all reconnaissance ships."

Zheng Tian was shocked, "Maximize? Without considering the return? All one-way missions? Leaving means not coming back?"

Ren Zhong thought for a moment, "Yes. That is the fate of reconnoiters."

He added in his heart, at least this time it is.

The first two defeats were too quick, so quick that he didn't even have the chance to wake up. Ren Zhong did not expect to solve the problem in one battle.

In this timeline, he lowered his expectations, focusing on gathering as much intelligence as possible.

He needed information about the enemy, information about the battlefield environment, any information.

Zheng Tian frowned, "If so, some reconnoitors might do irrational things out of despair."

Ren Zhong smiled, "It doesn't matter. When necessary, the 'Net' can take over the reconnaissance ships. Of course, we will also tell them that everyone in the fleet will appreciate their sacrifice, and I won't let anyone die without meaning."

Zheng Tian did not say more.

She vaguely felt that Ren Zhong's last sentence seemed to have another implication.

But she wouldn't ask because she certainly wouldn't get an answer.

If it could be said, he would've said it long ago.

Two hours after the meeting ended, Ren Zhong, sitting in his office, was drafting a speech.

Suddenly, Sun Ai's voice came from the speaker, and her little girl image materialized as a projection on his desk.

"Uncle, are you really not going to sleep this time?"

Sun Ai asked with her arms akimbo, using a puzzled tone.

Ren Zhong: "Not sleeping."

Sun Ai: "How did you know there would be enemies? I haven't received Empire intelligence."

"Secret."

Ren Zhong winked.

"Alright, if you don't want to tell me, so be it." Sun Ai pouted, seeming a bit unhappy, but quickly adjusted, and said, "This is only our first encounter with enemies and you're exhausting your lifespan like this, aren't you afraid you won't live to reach the Empire?"

Ren Zhong waved his hand, opened the management system, clicked on the bio-medical research interface, pointed at a project group, and said, "Xiao Ai, weren't you planning to surprise me? Aren't I just waiting?"

Sun Ai was taken aback, "Huh, Uncle, how did you know?"

"You must not forget that besides Brother Sun, I am the second biological master on Source Star. I have read all of Brother Sun's research notes, and the theories inside point to this topic. At the very beginning, this was a shared dream of ours, before you were around. Xiao Ai, you are Brother Sun's direct disciple, I knew you would continue this project."

"Uh. So, is artificial intelligence behavior really that predictable?" Sun Ai seemed a bit dejected.