Chapter 209: New Crisis

The tax officials of the Silicon-based Union civilization come by every standard galactic year—that is, a hundred years on your Blue Star—to patrol their territory.

Figuring it out, ninety years have passed since their last visit here.

In other words, it's coming soon.

Maybe ten years, maybe five years, or even… possibly next year.

When you see a massive planet made of machinery appear in your star system,

That is when you ought to pay your taxes.

I can only say good luck, friends of human civilization.

Hopefully, when we meet again, your civilization will still exist.

Communication ended.

Ai'erwen's hologram disappeared in the reception hall.

He took the Mo Yun Empire's biotech data and left behind a piece of news so heavy it would leave any second-level civilization breathless.

Lei Ge sat alone, quietly in the virtual chair, motionless for a long time.

On his face, that signature light, carefree smile was gone.

In its place was a heaviness that could not be dispelled.

"Comrade Envoy, and everyone, the situation… is like this."

He said softly to the few people.

Blue Star, Strategic Command Center.

Old Luo, Zhang Xianzhong, General Zhou… all the Federal generals fell silent, not uttering a word.

On every face was written worry, and a hint… of anxiety that could not be concealed.

They had just won a war that wiped out a civilization, were about to show their strength, digest the fruits of victory, and look forward to a bright future.

As a result, in the blink of an eye they were told that an even more terrifying, more powerful existence still loomed over their heads.

All your efforts, all your achievements, in their eyes, are nothing more than leeks growing in the ground.

Waiting to grow fat, then coming to harvest.

Moreover, this harvester is none other than a machine civilization notorious for ruthlessness and greed.

This feeling of falling from heaven into hell in an instant also left these battle-hardened, strong-willed federal leaders with waves of helplessness.

"In other words…"

Zhou Shaoqing's voice was hoarse to the extreme; it seemed he had to expend all his strength just to speak.

"We, we have less than ten years left?"

"Yes."

Lei Ge's voice came through the communicator, confirming his guess.

"Even, it could be even shorter."

"Ten years…"

This unit of time is really too short for a civilization's development.

So short it almost drives people to despair.

The Human Federal took several hundred years to develop from a planetary civilization to a second-level mid-tier.

Now, to use less than ten years to oppose a true third-level civilization?

Is that possible?

"Damn it!"

Zhou Shaoqing could no longer hold back; he jumped to his feet, eyes blood-red.

"Bullying people too much! Simply bullying people too much!"

"When have we humans ever suffered this kind of damnable anger!"

"Even if I die, I'll take a bite of flesh from him!"

His roar echoed in the quiet meeting room.

But this time no one echoed him.

Because everyone knows this is just the fury of unwillingness and impotence.

In the face of absolute power disparity, the so-called 'backbone' is worth nothing.

"Everyone, calm down."

Old Luo's voice broke the oppressive atmosphere.

His complexion was just as bad.

As the Federal strategic chief, he knew he absolutely must not act rashly.

He looked toward Qin Hao in the hologram.

"Xiao Qin, what's your opinion?"

Everyone's gaze once again focused on Qin Hao.

Qin Hao slowly lifted his head; his gaze was very calm.

So calm it was somewhat frightening.

"I only have one question."

He looked at Old Luo and slowly spoke.

"If we pay this tax,"

"what about next time?"

"and the time after that?"

Are we destined to forever become others' vassals, to be raised by others like livestock that can be slaughtered at any time?

Will our descendants have to forever live under the shadow of exploitation and oppression?

Will there never be a day when we can hold our heads high?

His voice wasn't loud.

But each word struck like a heavy hammer, hammering hard into everyone's hearts present.

Yeah.

Paying taxes might bring temporary peace.

But the cost is the dignity and future of the entire civilization.

Once you kneel, you can never stand up again.

"I, Qin Hao, have come from an orphan to today not by relying on others' charity, nor by fawning and begging."

Qin Hao stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Our human civilization, having emerged from Blue Star and advancing into the universe, relies not on compromise and retreat."

"Our dictionary has never had the word 'tribute'."

"There was none before, there is none now, and there will never be any in the future."

His voice rang out loudly as he expressed his opinion.

"Is the Silicon-based Union civilization very strong?"

"Is a Third-level Civilization really impressive?"

"Is ten years a short time?"

"For me, that's enough!"

Boom!

A powerful aura that made souls tremble erupted explosively from Qin Hao's body.

His eyes instantly turned into a deep purple, as if containing the entire starry sky.

An invisible force field, centered on him, instantly enveloped the entire Command Center.

Everyone present felt that the space around them seemed to become viscous.

Time itself seemed to slow down at this moment.

They stared at Qin Hao in shock.

Is this his true power?

This…… is the power belonging to an individual of a Third-level Civilization!

"Within ten years."

Qin Hao's voice seemed to come from the nine heavens above, filled with a sacred and imposing aura.

"I will personally erase that so-called Silicon-based Union from this universe completely!"

"I will make our human civilization the sole master of this star field!"

"We will establish new rules!"

"We will become the new Rent Collector!"

Qin Hao's words were like a thunderclap from flat ground, exploding in everyone's minds.

Erase a Third-level Civilization?

Become the new Rent Collector?

This statement is nothing short of madness!

It is simply…… shocking to hear!

If we say before, Zhou Shaoqing's clamor was merely the bravery of a common man.

Then now, Qin Hao's spoken words are the declaration of a deity!

Because when he spoke these words, the power he displayed had already far surpassed everyone's comprehension.

That space-distorting power is exactly the mark of a Third-level Civilization, as the elf merchant Elven said.

"Xiao Qin, you……"

Old Luo looked at Qin Hao in shock, his eyes lighting up.

He had always known Qin Hao was strong, but he never expected him to have become this strong!

"That's right."

Qin Hao restrained his aura, and his purple eyes returned to normal.

But the shock he gave everyone did not diminish in the slightest.

"Half a year ago, after absorbing that rule fragment, my life level had already completed its leap."