1134: Chapter 1133 Crisis Approaching, Project Torch

The spatial rift connecting to the unknown lands also vanished completely in the aftermath of the explosion, leaving no traces for tracking.

Inside the rift, Galan gripped the miniature Canglan Hall in her hand and gently stroked the cold scales of the Lingtian Sword Dragon beside her. She gazed out at the vast, boundless, and unfamiliar starry sky beyond the rift.

"Canglan... your name will not be forgotten."

...

Inside the domed hall of the Blue Star Human Alliance headquarters, nearly thirty high-level officials were present. The solemn atmosphere made the air seem stagnant.

Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling stargazing window, the starry sky remained brilliant and enchanting, but in the eyes of every expert present, that sea of stars shimmered with a dangerous, cold light.

"According to reliable intelligence, the joint invading forces consist of fleets from the Hundred Flowers Star Domain, the Chiyang Star Domain, and the Black Cloud Empire."

Lan Cang's voice broke the silence. The holographic star map floating in his hand displayed three massive red arrows, pointing directly at the location of Blue Star.

"Based on analysis of their past battle records and fleet sizes, it is highly likely that each of the three fleets has a Tier 5 Powerhouse in command."

As the words "Tier 5 Powerhouse" fell, it felt as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on everyone's hearts.

Even after a year and a half of rapid development, the Human Alliance now possessed over twenty Tier 4 Powerhouse, but in the face of those Universe giants who had accumulated power for tens of millions of years, they were still like toddlers taking their first steps.

Alliance Leader Dragon Xuanyuan stood before the stargazing window, his back to the others.

His profound gaze pierced through the starry sky, as if he could see the fleets currently in hyperspace, carrying the power of destruction.

At this moment, the starry sky in his eyes was no longer a beautiful scene, but an ancient Vicious Beast slowly opening its blood-stained maw, with the residual light of stardust dripping from its fangs.

"When will our reinforcements arrive?" Dragon Xuanyuan turned around, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of a thousand jun.

Lan Cang brought up the communication records: "After receiving the news, Lord Bai Yuan and Lord Sword Lord have returned at full speed and can reach Blue Star orbit within seven days at the earliest.

However..." He paused, his tone revealing helplessness, "Dragon Lord—Baili Ziyuan still cannot be contacted. His last transmission half a year ago indicated he had reached a Breakthrough to the Late Stage of the Fourth-Tier, and there has been no news since.

Although his life jade tablet has not shattered, all communications have sunk into the sea without a trace."

A few suppressed sighs echoed in the hall. Everyone knew the strength of Baili Ziyuan, and his disappearance was undoubtedly a major blow.

"What must come will come."

Bai Yuan's voice came through a holographic projection; he was currently on the starship returning. "From the moment Blue Star was exposed to the starry sky, we should have foreseen this day.

I just didn't expect that our first formal test would be to face the joint encirclement of three Star Domain overlords."

Everyone fell silent.

They had indeed anticipated a crisis, but the scale of three overlords acting simultaneously far exceeded their worst-case scenarios.

According to the interstellar intelligence gathered during this time, any one of these three factions ruled over dozens of star systems, with tens of thousands of Tier 4 Powerhouse under their command, no fewer than ten Tier 5 Powerhouses, and even legendary Peak Tier 5 existences in command.

Compared to such opponents, Blue Star was as fragile as a dewdrop in a storm.

"Su Wuming has expressed his willingness to intervene." The previously silent Azure King suddenly spoke up.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on him.

"But there are conditions," Azure King added. He tapped his finger in the air, and a list glowing with blue light unfolded before everyone.

"This is the basic compensation he is demanding; it must be paid regardless of the outcome of this battle."

The contents of the list made everyone present gasp.

It was densely packed with over three hundred types of rare Universe metals and special energy crystals, with quantities measured in "ten thousand tons."

Even more troublesome was that seventeen of these Materials could only be purchased by traveling to three different neutral Star Domain exchanges. The procurement process alone would be enough to drain one-third of the Human Alliance's current liquid resources.

"This is simply daylight robbery!"

Elizabeth from the European theater couldn't help but slam the table and stand up, her long golden hair fluttering slightly with anger. "We worked ourselves to the bone to accumulate these resources, and he wants half of them just by opening his mouth?"

"If it were only that, it would be fine," Azure King continued calmly. "Su Wuming also proposed that if we win this battle, he must have the right of first pick for all spoils of war, and he demands fifty percent."

"Fifty percent?!"

Andre from the North American theater stood up abruptly, lightning flickering faintly all over his body. "On what grounds? Just because of his Star Technology that hides behind the scenes?"

"On these grounds." Azure King raised his hand again, and a short but shocking message appeared in the air:

[I can deal with any one of the fleets alone, including their Tier 5 combat power. If the conditions are met, the Star Technology fleet will arrive at Blue Star to assist in defense within seven days.]

Silence.

Dead silence.

"Tier 5... he can deal with a Tier 5 Powerhouse?"

Someone muttered, their voice full of disbelief.

"Star Technology is hiding a Tier 5 Powerhouse? How is that possible? We have monitored all their public activities and have never detected energy fluctuations exceeding the Middle Stage of the Fourth-Tier!"

"It's not just a Tier 5 Powerhouse," Prophet Viktor pushed up his glasses and analyzed calmly. "To unilaterally hold off a complete fleet of a Star Domain overlord, one needs at least one Tier 5 Powerhouse, supported by more than ten Fourth-Tier Peak combatants, plus an armed force no weaker than our own main fleet.

How much strength is Su Wuming... or rather, Star Technology, actually hiding?"

Shock and doubt spread through the crowd.

If what Su Wuming said was true, his participation would completely change the balance of the battle.

If the three fleets could be managed separately, Blue Star's chances of winning would increase from near zero to... perhaps thirty percent?

But some were also wary: "If he really has such strength, why not show it earlier? And why wait until this life-or-death moment to impose such harsh conditions?"

"Because he knows we have no other choice."

Dragon Xuanyuan finally spoke. His voice was not loud, but it instantly stopped all discussion.

This strongest expert of the Human Race walked slowly back to the head of the long table, his gaze sweeping over every face, whether anxious, angry, or expectant.

"Everyone," Dragon Xuanyuan pressed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly. "The resources on the list will indeed hurt the Alliance's foundations, but if Blue Star falls, these resources will just be spoils of war prepared for the enemy.

As for the distribution of spoils... if we are defeated, everything will be meaningless.

If we win, with an ally like Su Wuming, we might be able to go further when facing the challenges of the starry sky in the future."

He paused for a moment, a flash of determination in his eyes: "Compared to the destruction of our race, any price is negotiable.

Azure King, reply to Su Wuming: We accept the conditions, but we require the Star Technology fleet to arrive within five days, and we need to know his specific battle plan in advance."

Azure King nodded: "Understood."

"At the same time," Dragon Xuanyuan looked around at everyone, "Regardless of whether Su Wuming can support us on time, we must be prepared for the worst.

Activate the final phase of 'Project Tinder' and send all seeds of civilization into their predetermined orbits.

If this battle fails... we must at least let human civilization leave a mark in the starry sky."