157: Chapter 157 Referendum

The Wandering Earth drifted alone in the vast expanse of space.

Because almost all the Earth Battleships had swarmed out to invade Blue Star, only a small number of garrison troops remained on it at this time.

In the underground cities of Earth, countless humans had long since lost the mood to work, instead craning their necks in anticipation of news from the front lines.

After all, with 660 Earth Battleships and an army of nearly one million, everyone knew this was the Emperor's final gamble.

If they won, humanity would have a star, a Habitable Zone, and light. If they lost, then no matter how indomitable the Emperor was, he likely wouldn't have the face to launch a fourth offensive.

The Earth Humans did not yet know that Chu Yuhang had already been thrown into a Blue Star prison.

However, in the underground cities, some were already speculating in that direction. A young man said, "Do you think the Emperor will be captured or killed in action this time! Although my friend in the military says the Emperor has a secret weapon, Blue Star is truly too strong; they have already soundly defeated us twice!"

"Stop being a harbinger of doom. Didn't you see we destroyed 856 Absolute Core battleships in one minute! Times have changed. Although I don't approve of the Emperor attacking Blue Star, no matter what happens, he will be able to retreat unscathed!"

As the topic unfolded, more and more people gathered around. Everyone couldn't help but chime in all at once.

"I also don't approve of plundering through war. Those tens of thousands of people living on the habitable Blue Star are doing quite well; we could just continue migrating."

"Give it a rest, you're just repeating hearsay. Seeing the sun for the first time since they were born, of course they feel good. We don't know the real situation. I think the Emperor's use of force is not wrong!"

"What hearsay? Many of them have married Blue Star people and had children. That's why the number of people signing up for residency is always terrifyingly high! I think the Xingyang Civilization is not xenophobic, at least not towards Earth Humans. It's a pity that our scientists still haven't figured out why we don't have reproductive isolation from the people of Blue Star!"

After several rounds of conversation and debate, everyone realized that the vast majority did not approve of using force.

It seems that the Earth Humans were not barbarians after all, even after drifting in the universe for so many generations.

The longing for peace had never faded.

Suddenly, almost all the underground cities began to boil with excitement.

People were conveying the good news to one another.

"Our fleet has returned! All 660 ships are accounted for, and they even captured over a dozen Blue Star ships. They are currently sailing towards Earth!"

"In the previous two times, our battleships suffered heavy losses or were captured by the enemy. This time, they actually returned safely in full force; they must have won a great victory!"

"Habitable Zone! We are coming, the Earth Humans are saved!"

However, those cheering were not the majority.

On the contrary, many people wore worried expressions.

"Given the Emperor's temper and his ideology of human supremacy, he will surely treat the people of Blue Star as slaves, or even worse, carry out genocide."

"Since we have won the battle, let's not wipe them all out. I don't want Earth's new era to be built on the mountain of corpses and sea of blood of another civilization!"

But whether they were cheering or worried, they had clearly misjudged the premise of the matter from the beginning.

Sixteen Blue Star warships and 660 Earth Battleships circled around the Wandering Earth.

The cheering crowd waited with immense excitement for the Emperor to appear on the big screen and announce the news that humanity no longer needed to wander.

They were already shouting one after another: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Yu Lan couldn't help but laugh and cry, then smiled and signaled to Xie Miaomiao.

Soon, Xie Miaomiao's image was projected onto various screens, large and small, across Earth.

Standing beside her were Tu Kulei and Hope.

The Earth Humans were stunned, thinking, why is it her? She is just one of the 660 captains.

Why didn't the Emperor appear? Is she the key to winning this great war, the most outstanding war hero?

But what the heck is that terrifying half-face next to her? It doesn't look like a good guy at all!

Xie Miaomiao cleared her throat and said calmly, "Chu Yuhang is serving time in a Blue Star prison. And all our Earth Battleships have surrendered to Blue Star; they are now under the jurisdiction of the Xingyang Civilization Gospel Army!"

All the Earth Humans listened to her in a daze, and the vast majority forgot to react.

They just stared blankly with wide eyes and open mouths.

It took a long time before someone muttered, "These six hundred-plus Earth Battleships are all intact; did they surrender en masse without firing a single shot?"

"This wasn't an invasion of Blue Star; this was delivering supplies and troops to Blue Star."

"It feels like the Emperor was sold like a piglet this time. It seems he became a token of allegiance!"

But soon, Xie Miaomiao and Hope recounted the story of how the Emperor turned Earth compatriots into human bombs.

And they told the Earth Humans that the Emperor was locked in a Blue Star prison not because of starting a war, but because he committed crimes against humanity!

Now all the Earth Humans finally woke up; they finally understood how the Absolute Core was annihilated last time.

It turned out that those 856 observers were never intended to return alive from the beginning.

Chu Xingyang felt it was about time, so he nodded to Tu Kulei and said, "It's time. Begin the referendum."

As he spoke, he secretly activated his divine power.

The Wandering Earth still had a population of nearly two billion, excluding ignorant young children and senile, doting elders.

A holographic image suddenly appeared in front of everyone, with two planets hovering one above the other.

They were Blue Star and Earth.

Tu Kulei, in front of the screen, said loudly, "Please make your choice: join the Xingyang Civilization or continue wandering!"

"The Great Deity Xingyang has mercy on everyone and will save all the lambs who have gone astray! Of course, as for those who remain obstinate, let them be."

Xie Miaomiao was full of emotion, her voice choked with tears: "Compatriots, join Blue Star. Do not wander in the dark universe anymore. Before I came, I went to see those Earth Humans living on Blue Star."

"The vast majority of them are very happy, working and living under the blue sky and bright sunshine, starting families and building careers! No more living in stifling underground cities. That is the way of life that civilized people should have!"

"And what you need to do is to devoutly convert to the Xingyang God. The great deity will protect all believers!"

In fact, even if she hadn't said anything, people had previously been breaking their necks trying to get a spot during the past few residency registration drives.

Therefore, the vast majority of these over a billion people chose Blue Star immediately.

Some people chose while tears streamed down their faces: "It seems we are destined to abandon our home planet after all, but for the sake of light and the continuation of civilization, this is indeed the only way!"

However, a very small number of people still firmly chose Earth: "This is the birthplace of humanity; we cannot leave!"