Chapter 263

However, the most striking,

No named entities.

Two clearly distinct spheres of influence span the entire Milky Way.

Named entity: Milky Way Galaxy. Also 'sphere of influence' is generic.

One portion is a golden halo representing the Biteng Empire, covering the eastern Milky Way and occupying nearly half of its territory.

Named entities: Biteng Empire, Milky Way Galaxy. Also 'east' is a generic direction, not a proper name.

Another portion is a silver halo representing the Keluo Empire, covering the western Milky Way.

Named entities: Keluo Empire, Milky Way Galaxy. Also 'west'.

Moreover, the Yanhuang Civilization, along with over a hundred third-level civilizations in its vicinity, are all encompassed by that golden

Named entities: Yanhuang Civilization, Third-level Civilization. Also "surroundings" generic.

According to intelligence analysis, from a geographical standpoint, we belong to the Eastern Faction controlled by the Biteng Civilization.

Named entities: Biteng Civilization, Eastern Faction. Also "intelligence analysis" generic.

Kong Jie's tone gave no indication of whether he was happy or worried.

Named entity: Kong Jie.

What... what does this mean?

No named.

Minister Zhou Shaoqing furrowed his brows, 'Could it be that we have unknowingly become someone else's subordinates?'

Named entities: Zhou Shaoqing, Minister. Also "subordinate" generic.

The situation might not be that bad.

No.

Qin Hao spoke up; he had previously conducted a preliminary analysis of the intelligence together with Kong Jie, Mao Xinyang, and others.

Named entities: Qin Hao, Kong Jie, Mao Xinyang. Also "intelligence" generic.

The Biteng Civilization and the Keluo Civilization are roughly equal in strength; neither can completely annex the other.

Named entities: Biteng Civilization, Keluo Civilization.

Therefore, they have remained in a state of prolonged cold war and proxy warfare.

No new.

They strive to avoid a direct, all-out war between the two fourth-level civilizations, because the cost would be unbearable for them as well.

Named entity: Fourth-level Civilization.

This gives us civilizations caught in the middle a breath of respite and an opportunity to develop.

No.

Lei Ge also added:

Named entity: Lei Ge.

According to the description of the Aoma Civilization, the Biteng Civilization of the Eastern Faction employs a relatively mild governing model.

Named entities: Aoma Civilization, Eastern Faction, Biteng Civilization.

They will not forcibly plunder resources from their subordinate third-level civilizations.

Named entity: Third-level Civilization.

Instead, they lure countless third-level civilizations with their leading high technology and strong appeal to top talent.

Named entity: Third-level Civilization.

willingly offering tribute in exchange for technological guidance and civilizational protection.

No new.

This is exactly the same as our taxation model.

No.

Whereas the Western Keluo Civilization is far more cold-hearted and ruthless.

Named entities: Western, Keluo Civilization.

Mao Xinyang took over the conversation; his former Star Sea Divine Sect had been severely harmed by it.

Named entities: Mao Xinyang, Star Sea Divine Sect.

The Keluo Civilization subjects its subordinate third-level civilizations to a near-slavery system, forcibly extracting resources and exploiting population.

Named entities: Keluo Civilization, Third-level Civilization.

Any civilization daring to resist will be utterly erased from the universe by them in the most brutal manner.

No new.

By comparison, being assigned to the Eastern Faction is a fortunate stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

Named entity: Eastern Faction.

After hearing these explanations, the atmosphere in the meeting room eased somewhat.

No.

But we cannot let our guard down.

No.

Zhang Yunfeng said in a low voice.

Named entity: Zhang Yunfeng.

Our Yanhuang Civilization, at an extraordinarily abnormal speed, leapt from a planetary civilization to a powerful third-level civilization within just a few decades.

Named entities: Yanhuang Civilization, Third-level Civilization.

This abnormal rise likely has already attracted the attention of the Biteng Civilization.

Named entity: Biteng Civilization.

Just because they haven't come to us now doesn't mean they won't in the future.

No.

The most likely scenario is that they will send representatives to contact us and assess our value.

No.

If our value is great enough, they might even treat us as an important pawn in their game against the Western Faction.

Named entity: Western Faction.

Zhang Yunfeng's words made everyone feel immense pressure.

No new.

Becoming a pawn, becoming cannon fodder in proxy warfare.

No.

This is a fate that no ambitious civilization can accept.

No.

We must quickly enhance our own strength.

No.

Qin Hao's voice rang out: 'At the very least, we need to have some self-defense capability before fourth-level civilizations, and the qualification to say "no"!'

Named entities: Qin Hao, Fourth-level Civilization.

Yeah!!

No.

Old Luo slammed the table heavily, 'Starting now, accelerate all federal research projects again! We must prepare in advance for any contact with the Biteng Civilization!'

Named entities: Old Luo, Federal, Biteng Civilization.

The military aspect also cannot be relaxed.

No.

Zhang Xianzhong immediately declared, 'I suggest we immediately begin secret deployment of our main fleet, adjust our current strategic defense system, to counter any possible threats.'

Named entities: Zhang Xianzhong. Also "main fleet" generic, "strategic defense system" generic.

The meeting ended in an atmosphere filled with tension and crisis.

No.

The senior leadership of the Yanhuang Civilization gained an unprecedented clear understanding of the true state of the Milky Way galaxy.

Named entities: Yanhuang Civilization, Milky Way Galaxy.

Here, there are both opportunities for development and immense survival pressure from fourth-level civilizations.

Named entity: Fourth-level Civilization.

Meanwhile, as the Yanhuang Civilization intensively prepares for war,

Named entity: Yanhuang Civilization.

Beyond the Solar System by thirty thousand light-years lies the core territory of the Biteng Empire.

Named entities: Solar System, Biteng Empire.

In a grand palace, the current emperor of the empire, Bi Jalie, upon receiving this news, was somewhat surprised.

Named entities: Empire, Emperor, Bi Jalie. Also "palace" generic.

An interesting emerging civilization…… their thoughts seem to harbor…… a potential for change.

No.

After some thought, Bi Jalie issued an order.

Named entity: Bi Jalie.

Bi Long, take our latest gift and go see this civilization called Yanhuang,

Named entity: Bi Long.

to see whether it qualifies to become a new pawn on the empire's chessboard.

Named entity: Empire.

……

No.

As the Yanhuang Civilization's leadership had anticipated, the Biteng Civilization's envoy team arrived quietly a few months later.

Named entities: Yanhuang Civilization, Biteng Civilization. Also "envoy team" generic.

They did not arrive with a massive fleet, only a single spacecraft under five hundred meters in length with a peculiar shape.

No.

This spacecraft shines with a warm, lustrous gold over its entire body, its surface devoid of any seams,

No.

resembling a natural work of art.

No.

It lacks conventional engines yet can appear silently and directly at the edge of the Solar System.

Named entity: Solar System.

The one responsible for reception was still Xi Ge and the diplomatic team he led.

But this time, as they boarded the shuttle and approached that golden spacecraft,

Everyone felt an unprecedented invisible pressure.

That pressure did not come from the other side's hostility.

Rather, it was an overwhelming force stemming from the unknown and their technology.

It was like a group of ants looking up at a walking elephant.

The hatch of the golden spacecraft opened, and three envoys of the Bitern Civilization stepped out.

Their appearance made all Yanhuang people feel a hint of surprise.

They were pure optical-form lifeforms.

Their bodies were composed of countless tiny light particles that constantly shifted in color, coalescing into a stable humanoid outline.

They wore robes woven from starlight, appearing noble and mysterious.

"Hello, friends from the Yanhuang Civilization."

The lead Bitern Civilization envoy, Bilon, first emitted a gentle mental wave.

"I am the diplomatic envoy of the Bitern Empire, acting in the emperor's name, here to visit your civilization."

His mental wave carried an affinity that made people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze.

But Gege and the others felt waves of palpitations.

"Welcome to the Yanhuang Civilization, Your Excellency Bilon."

Gege suppressed his emotions and put on a professional smile.

In the subsequent contact, the Bitern Civilization envoys were courteous and polite on the surface.

But every move they made, intentionally or not, displayed to the Yanhuang Civilization the high development and absolute strength of a fourth-level civilization.

Especially their golden spacecraft, which jumped directly from space onto the surface of Blue Star,

during which the Yanhuang side detected not even a hint of spatial fluctuation.

One can imagine how advanced they are in the application of space technology.

In the talks, Bilon showed strong interest in the Yanhuang Civilization, especially in that thing called the "thought" of a great person.

"Your situation, I have also learned quite a bit about on my way here."

Bilon smiled and said, "You have accomplished in just a few decades what other civilizations need thousands, even tens of thousands of years to achieve—this in itself is a miracle."