Chapter 162

Chapter 162

Upon leaving Planet Larenha, Lu Cian immediately sensed the heightened security at checkpoints along their route, realizing their departure had been exposed.

However, Walter’s pass token ensured they encountered no obstacles or recognition from any insectoids throughout their journey.

Safely back in the Federation, Lu Cian settled Blair and Rocco before heading to the government building with Nair Inan.

"We just left like that—the Insect Emperor must be seething now that his objective wasn’t met. If he finds out we’ve already returned to the Federation, he’ll probably be fuming," Lu Cian said, gloating.

Nair Inan sighed, "Don’t just revel in it. There’s still a lot to address."

Lu Cian tilted his head, a playful smile on his face. "I’ve already got it all figured out."

Nair Inan raised an eyebrow, guessing he had cooked up another mischievous idea.

"Didn’t Joseph develop an enhanced sedative? How are the trials progressing?"

Nair Inan replied, "According to Joseph’s message, they’re nearly complete."

Lu Cian nodded excitedly. "Excellent! With this as our trump card, we can start marketing the sedative!"

"The Federation is weak in territory and population. But if we offer a sedative that can alleviate moderate mental overloads—available without purchase limits only to Federation members—don’t you think the Empire’s insectoids would be tempted?"

Nair Inan understood the implications and smiled. "Of course."

Lu Cian chuckled. "Perfect. Joseph’s breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time. He deserves a proper reward."

Nair Inan remarked, "If we’re talking rewards, it shouldn’t go to him—it should go to you."

Lu Cian pointed at himself in confusion. "Me?"

He couldn’t recall doing anything noteworthy.

Nair Inan explained, "You forgot—you gave him a vial of your blood."

"Blood? When did I—" Lu Cian’s words abruptly cut off as realization struck.

He remembered—it was when he secretly sought Milo’s help to investigate his impotence, only for Joseph to discover it.

Lu Cian: "..."

He glanced at Nair Inan, stammering slightly. "Did Joseph… say anything to you?"

Noticing Lu Cian’s odd expression, Nair Inan hesitated. "Why? Was there something wrong with the blood?"

Judging by his reaction, Nair Inan likely didn’t know.

Lu Cian hurriedly shook his head. "Haha, nothing! In that case, I really am the unsung hero here!"

Nair Inan stated matter-of-factly, "You’ve always been the Federation’s hero."

---

Action followed immediately.

Lu Cian tasked tech personnel with establishing a stable network channel between the Federation and the Empire, broadcasting Federation messages to the Empire.

If any imperial insectoids were interested, they could access the network. However, only general Federation information was accessible; any data that might reveal the Federation’s strength or location was completely blocked.

On the Empire’s StarNet:

"My terminal suddenly popped up an external window—did I catch a virus?"

"An external window? Mine did too! I was curious and clicked it."

"Are you insane?! What if it’s a trap? They could crawl through the network and steal all your star credits!"

"I’m flat broke. If it’s a scam, maybe they’ll pity me and toss me some spare change."

"Stop arguing! Just click the window—there’s actually good stuff inside! It’s not a trap!!!"

Since a well-known network expert vouched for it, others clicked without suspicion.

"Holy shit!"

"Holy shit!!"

"HOLY SHIT!!!"

"Brothers, this is the real deal!!"

Soon, shocking and explosive advertisements spread across the Empire’s StarNet:

"XX Brand Aphrodisiac—one dose for vigor, two for radiance, three for unyielding stamina! The ultimate choice for intimacy! Supplies limited—get yours now, opportunity favors the prepared!"

"Still tossing and turning from inadequacy? Still troubled by an insatiable female? XX Brand Aphrodisiac offers unparalleled pleasure and experience."

"Want to soar among the clouds? Crave ultimate ecstasy? Dream of boundless virility and conquering seven females in one night? The Federation proudly presents a groundbreaking aphrodisiac set, personally crafted by Master Joseph! Tested and approved by Federation males—potent, revitalizing, and guaranteed to impress!"

"With this, your male consort will be utterly captivated. With this, he’ll dream of you constantly… Herbal Beauty Balm—apply for fragrant allure, apply for silken skin! No loss, no deception—true value for your credits!"

"XX Brand Aphrodisiac Set Series: Breath Freshener—the ultimate tool for sweet kisses! Herbal Beauty Balm—your male consort obsessed! Ancient Incense Sticks—aromatic smoke for an unforgettable experience!"

"..."

"Dear friends, hurry and purchase! The Federation’s three-day flash sale—buy three sets, get one free! Affordable prices, abundant discounts! Time waits for no insectoid, the event waits for no insectoid—hesitation means defeat!"

"Brothers, let’s go! It’s not expensive, just three thousand star credits. Buy a box and stock up; you never know when you’ll need it!"

"By the Insect God, I know this aphrodisiac set! A friend of a friend gifted two boxes—different packaging, but the contents are identical!"

"Hey, buddy—for real? How’s the effect?"

The StarNet crowd eagerly awaited the female insectoid’s review of the aphrodisiac set.

Finally, after relentless demands, the female insectoid reappeared with a shy emoji:

"My male consort was too intense… my knees are still swollen."

The crowd collectively gave her the middle finger, cursing her for showing off.

But it confirmed the product’s effectiveness.

Yet skepticism arose: "Would the Federation really be this generous? Could there be something harmful to males inside?"

Then a kind experimental insectoid bought the set and conducted tests, posting the report on StarBlog: "Confirmed aphrodisiac and invigorating effects—but primarily… body-nourishing."

"That ellipsis pause is brilliant! Was the blogger trying to say 'kidney-boosting' but changed it to 'body-nourishing' to avoid getting mobbed? Hahaha!"

With the endorsement from an Imperial insider, many insectoids felt reassured, especially the males.

In recent years, the birth rate of male offspring had dropped significantly. Not only that, but even the birth rate of female offspring had also declined, though compared to the male offspring's rate, it was so negligible that it wasn’t widely publicized.

The male insectoids refused to admit it was their problem, but privately, they had heard some rumors.

Space pirates sometimes visited the Empire’s StarNet, especially those from chaotic planets. They slandered the Empire’s male insectoids online, calling them weaklings who lacked stamina—no wonder the Empire’s male insectoids were dwindling year by year!

Too pathetic, too pathetic, absolutely pathetic!

The male insectoids were furious.

Male insectoids had weaker physiques compared to female insectoids—they couldn’t support their families or fight on the battlefield. Being called useless was one thing, but now even their bedroom prowess was being questioned? The male insectoids were seeing red!

Every time the space pirates came to mock them, the male insectoids would flood the military HQ's forums to raise hell.

Did the male insectoids know their own shortcomings?

Of course they did—they just refused to admit it.

Now that the Federation had released a harmless "performance-enhancing stimulant," the male insectoids were jonesing for a fix, wishing they could storm the Federation and hoard crates of the stuff.

But no matter how desperate they were, they could only stew in frustration… because the Federation was sold out.

The Empire’s male insectoids didn’t use their own terminals to buy the kits—because purchasing them would imply they had a problem, that they were weak. They would never admit to that.

Instead, they secretly used the terminals of their empress consorts, concubines, or siblings to make purchases.

But even their siblings couldn’t spare too many kits for them, because they had their own male consorts to consider.

Now the male insectoids were kicking themselves, regretting not having issued terminals to their bondservants!

With such massive sales, of course the Federation would run out of stock.

Lu Cian listened as the manufacturing insectoid reported to him: "Secretary-General, we’re out of red hemp! There’s nothing left to produce with, and the imperial insectoids are spamming us with billions of messages every day!"

Lu Cian was irritated. He had bridged the networks to promote sedatives—how did the imperial insectoids end up fixating on the aphrodisiac sets instead?!

"If we’re out of stock, go harvest from Red Hemp Star!"

Did they really need to ask him about something so basic?

The insectoid looked helpless. "Red Hemp Star is out too!"

After the Federation and Empire networks linked up, the imperial insectoids might not know much about the Federation, but they definitely knew about the Federation’s aphrodisiac sets.

Countless insectoids were buying them, most under the orders of the imperial male insectoids. The aphrodisiac was in such high demand that the red hemp grown on Red Hemp Star couldn’t be harvested fast enough.

Lu Cian: "..."

So even the stockpiles were tapped out?

Lu Cian thought to himself: *Is this the legendary scenario where even the most prolific invasive species gets eaten to extinction?*

Never underestimate the power of "hungry consumers"!

Lu Cian said, "Then make them wait! Be firm about it!"

The insectoid hesitated. "Won’t that backfire? What if they demand refunds?"

Lu Cian waved his hand dismissively. "Let them refund if they want. Right now, they’re the ones begging us to sell. We’re the only producers—take it or leave it!"

The insectoid nodded, realizing the Secretary-General had a point.

Lu Cian went to find Timothy, complaining that he hadn’t done enough: "What’s going on? Weren’t we supposed to promote sedatives? How did the aphrodisiac sets end up selling out instead?"

Timothy was also frustrated. Lu Cian was the twenty-eighth person to come and blame him for tarnishing the Federation’s reputation.

"Hey, boss, I did exactly what you asked! I wrote hundreds of promo ads for the sedatives—the aphrodisiac sets were just a tiny fraction. Who knew the imperial insectoids would be so peculiar and focus entirely on the sets!"

Seeing how exhausted Timothy was, Lu Cian’s accusatory gaze softened. He began to wonder—was he overreacting?