123: escalation of the situation

Beastman Star, Hai Star Headquarters.

A clerk, clad in a dark robe and moving with hurried steps, rushed into the Commander's office carrying dozens of documents.

"Commander, we have terrible news!"

"Hmm?"

The clerk placed the documents on the desk, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and stammered: "The force we sent out to sweep the Revolutionary Army has been completely annihilated!"

Gore, the burly and stern-faced Hai Star Commander, froze for about two seconds, his expression gradually tightening.

However, he did not panic, picking up the documents on the desk and reading them carefully.

All reports pointed to one conclusion: humans had joined the Revolutionary Army and completely wiped out the dispatched team.

"Humans?"

"Didn't Tianqin Star sign a non-aggression treaty with us thirty years ago? Why would they suddenly attack us..."

"Commander, here is a video recording captured by a drone."

The clerk handed a terminal across the desk.

Gore took the terminal and looked down to watch.

On the screen, a human dressed in a Revolutionary Army uniform had blue flames rising from his feet, and the heavy particle rifle in his hand never missed, shooting down nearly a hundred medium-sized drones in less than three seconds.

After the rifle ran out of energy, he drew the ancient sword from his waist, transforming into a streak of light, and instantly sliced down dozens of drones.

Two seconds later, the drone fleet was completely destroyed, with only the last one managing an emergency retreat.

The man suspended in the air, his long, narrow phoenix eyes half-closed, was sneering directly at the camera.

"This human... he did this on purpose. How arrogant..."

"What he is wearing must be Tianqin Star's third-generation nano armor."

Gore looked toward the clerk and spoke calmly: "Report the number of casualties."

"Commander, a total of 475 people."

"Report the casualty figures truthfully to the Central Authority, apply for the maximum amount of pensions, and ensure they are distributed within seven days."

"Yes, Commander."

Gore's calmness was infectious, and the clerk's emotions gradually settled down, his eyes filled with admiration.

After the clerk left the office, Gore put on a pair of glasses, closed his eyes tightly, and his consciousness quickly entered the Hai Star Virtual Network.

His figure appeared before a round table, above which floated a virtual projection of Beastman Star, surrounded by an endless sea of stars.

There were thirteen seats behind the round table, and above each seat floated a slowly rotating life star.

In the primary seat, a wider chair with an extended backrest, sat a man wearing a featureless mask.

The man on the throne spoke lightly, his voice ethereal and lofty.

"Gore."

"King, Beastman Star lost 475 great Hai Star warriors, and I suspect it was done by humans from Tianqin Star."

"Is there evidence?"

"Confirmed without a doubt. The humans who attacked us were all wearing Tianqin Star's third-generation nano armor."

"Very well, I will handle this matter."

Gore lowered his eyebrows, his lips parting slightly before immediately closing again.

"Gore, is there anything else you wish to say?"

Gore stood up, seemingly having made a decision.

He clenched his right hand into a fist and placed it over his heart, bowing respectfully.

"King, please allow me to carry out an internal purge of Beastman Star. I believe this is an excellent opportunity."

"Go ahead and do it."

"Your wish is my command. Long live Hai Star!"

Gore bowed, his figure fading until he vanished from the space. Seventh Mining Area.

He Ming sat upright on the control panel sofa, his eyes tightly closed.

His mental body appeared in the inner universe, floating above the blue and white Earth.

At this time, Earth was in an Ice Age, with all things withered; only a few traces of life existed deep within the ocean.

As He Ming's thoughts moved, a rain of extraterrestrial meteorites fell, smashing countless deep pits into the land.

"Is this what creation feels like..."

"Let Earth develop naturally."

The omniscient notebook appeared before him, guided by He Ming's will.

[List recent movements of Beastman Star, Hai Star Headquarters]

Hundreds of pieces of information appeared on the blank page.

He Ming quickly scanned through the information, ten lines at a glance. When he saw that Hai Star Commander Gore had entered the virtual network and reported the incident to the Lord of Hai Star, the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.

"Tianqin Star people, a branch of humanity, whose cultivation system is Immortal Dao, and whose technology level is above that of Blue Star but slightly weaker than Hai Star."

"As members of the same race, it's time for you to contribute."

He Ming exited the inner universe, feeling quite pleased.

The dirty water had finally been successfully thrown. Now all that remained was to wait for Hai Star and the Tianqin Star people to tear up the non-aggression treaty and enter a three-way melee.

"jarvis, how are things going on Xin Er's side?"

"Sir, 52% of the mining tunnels have been opened, and normal excavation is expected within ten days."

"What about the Dragon Country officials?"

"Seventeen interstellar merchants have been contacted, and forty orders have been signed. It is estimated that 17,000 tons of carbon crystal and 5,000 tons of tungsten-iron ore can be purchased in the first month."

"Have the carbon crystal tunnels in Mining Area Seven been opened?"

"Normal excavation can begin in five days."

He Ming: "It seems those Mole-people are more useful than expected; they have significantly sped up the progress."

"Increase the support funds for Xin Er, and assign two security guards to him."

"Understood, Sir."

... Five hundred kilometers southeast of Mining Area Seven, in a mountainous region.

Xin Er sat on a lounge chair, wearing sunglasses, crossing his legs, and basking in the sun.

Two curvaceous Cat Girls served him on either side.

If Xin Er tilted his head to the left, the Cat Girl would obediently hand him a drink.

If he tilted to the right, the Cat Girl would smilingly offer him a small piece of fruit.

The feeling was simply incomparable.

Just then, a large transport vehicle drove up from a distance.

Xin Er turned his head to look, his heart filling with joy.

He stood up, wrapping an arm around the waist of each Cat Girl, and walked toward the transport vehicle.

"Lord Xin Er, I brought all the brothers from District Seven over!"

A tall, thin Mole-person bowed and scraped, his smile extremely fawning.

Hearing this, Xin Er immediately felt immensely satisfied.

Before, he was always the one calling others 'Lord'.

Now, he was finally living like a local tyrant.

"Here, you won't be forgotten for working for me."

Xin Er pulled three silver beans from his pocket and tossed them to the tall, thin man.

More than thirty Mole-people jumped down from the transport vehicle, looking at Xin Er with anticipation.

"Brothers, follow me, and I guarantee you'll have a life of luxury from now on."

"Come on, everyone gets a share. Line up, one silver bean per person."

The Mole-people lined up, and everyone received one silver bean.

"Long live Lord Xin Er!"

"Lord Xin Er..."

Xin Er waved his hand, stopping the shouts of the Mole-people. He pointed to the three mining tunnels excavated behind him and spoke.

"Brothers, working for me includes three meals a day. I guarantee you'll eat until you're full."

"Furthermore, you will receive one silver bean every month."

As soon as these words left his mouth, the Mole-people became even more excited.

As the lowest-level tunnel diggers, doing the most exhausting work, they were already grateful just to eat until they were full and not starve to death. They never expected to receive a silver bean every month.

On Beastman Star, the purchasing power of one silver bean was quite astonishing, equivalent to a monthly income exceeding ten thousand on Blue Star.

Xin Er nodded in great satisfaction, his vanity immensely gratified.

He fiercely kissed each Cat Girl on the cheek, causing them to squirm and rub against him coyly.

Xin Er chuckled mischievously, embracing the Cat Girls, and walked toward a newly built earthen house nearby.

"This life is truly wonderful."

"Lord Xin Er!"

"Hmm?"

Xin Er stopped walking, turned around, and faced the Mole-person who was rushing toward him.

"What is it?"

"The underground black market in District Seven has been blown up!"