Chapter 292: Appearance

For the Free Star Domain Alliance currently in crisis, this friendly signal from the Yanhuang Civilization is nothing less than a lifeline.

Upon receiving the signal, Chairman Ba Fei almost without hesitation immediately ordered the highest-standard restoration and connection of communications with the Yanhuang Civilization.

Inside the Trade Star Council Hall.

Lan Ge's holographic image appeared before Chairman Ba Fei and his fellow councilors.

He wore a crisp Zhongshan suit, his face showing just the right amount of sympathy and concern.

"Chairman Ba Fei, regarding the misfortune your alliance has recently suffered, the Yanhuang Civilization expresses deep sympathy and indignation."

Lan Ge of the Yanhuang Civilization spoke.

"Thank you for your concern, Minister Lan."

Ba Fei's voice carried a barely restrained excitement and anticipation,

"We... we have indeed encountered some trouble. A gang of unknown origin bandits is frenziedly attacking our trade routes and planets. We need help."

"I understand."

Lan Ge nodded, his expression turning solemn.

"The Yanhuang Civilization has always been dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Milky Way Galaxy. For such shameless terrorist attacks targeting civilians and commercial interests, we issue our strongest condemnation."

"We are willing to provide the Yanhuang Civilization with all necessary assistance for your alliance."

Hearing those four words "all necessary," Ba Fei's eyes lit up.

"You... you mean you're willing to send troops to help us exterminate those damned pirates?"

"Of course."

Lan Ge's answer was blunt and to the point.

"However,"

He shifted tone: "Chairman Ba Fei, you also know. The Yanhuang Civilization has just gone through a major war and is currently in a period of rest and recuperation

Moreover, the vast star sea separating us from your alliance means that dispatching a large, long-term fleet to protect your routes would also place considerable pressure on us."

Ba Fei's heart sank.

Sure enough, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

"Then... what do you mean?" he asked cautiously.

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Lan Ge's face broke into a wise smile.

"We believe the fundamental solution is not for us to protect you, but to enable you to possess strong enough power to defend yourselves."

"We can sell our Yanhuang Civilization's most advanced Heavenly Sword-class warships, along with their supporting production line technology, to your alliance at a friendly price."

"At the same time, we can also dispatch a military advisory team to help you train a fleet that truly possesses third-level civilization combat capability."

"This way, you will not only resolve the immediate crisis, but also gain a shield strong enough to safeguard your interests in the future."

Lan Ge's words left Chairman Ba Fei and all the councilors behind him stunned.

Selling the most advanced warships and technology?

And dispatch a military advisory team to help with training?

This... this is practically a windfall from heaven!

They had expected the Yanhuang Civilization to open its mouth wide like a lion and demand all sorts of harsh conditions.

But they never imagined the other side would propose a solution that is wholly beneficial and harmless to them.

"What is this friendly price?"

Ba Fei asked tentatively.

"It's simple."

Lan Ge extended a finger: "We don't want any of your currency, nor any of your minerals."

"All we ask is that your alliance open all your trade routes and ports to our Yanhuang Civilization's merchant ships, granting them top priority passage and tax exemptions."

"At the same time, we need to establish a permanent Yanhuang Civilization business and cultural exchange office on your alliance's capital star."

This condition left Ba Fei utterly astonished.

How is this a condition?

This is basically a giveaway!

Using some passage and tax rights that ought to be open to all civilizations anyway, to exchange for a military force powerful enough to cause a leap in one's own strength?

No matter how you calculate it, this deal is a huge profit for them!

"We agree! We completely agree!"

Ba Fei almost shouted these words.

He feared that if he spoke slowly, the other side might change their mind.

"Good."

Lan Ge nodded satisfactorily: "Then, to show our sincerity, our first batch of Heavenly Sword-class aid fleet and military advisory team will arrive within three days in your alliance's territory."

"They will first help you deal with those troublesome raiders."

……

Three days later.

The Free Star Domain Alliance, on a trade route that had just been attacked by the "raiders".

That menacing-looking "raider" fleet was gleefully dividing up the loot they had just seized.

Just then.

Behind them, space was silently torn open by a far greater power.

A massive fleet consisting of exactly one hundred thousand Heavenly Sword-class warships appeared before them.

Leading them was the Yanhuang Civilization's hawkish commander, Zhou Shaoqing.

He stood on the flagship's bridge, watching the group of "actors" Qin Hao had personally created, a cold smile on his face.

A bunch of sneaky guys.

He issued a concise order filled with killing intent to the entire fleet.

"Target, all enemy units."

"Indiscriminate attack."

"Not a single one spared."

"Fire!"

The next second.

The gun muzzles of 100,000 Heaven Sword-class battleships simultaneously lit up with destructive light.

"Phase-shift shield", "singularity gravity tether", "quantum entanglement bomb"

……

These are the weapons that, in the Godfall Star Domain, made the Sirius Civilization tremble at the mere mention.

They were poured unreservedly onto the heads of the "Ravagers" fleet, still celebrating its spoils.

The battle was over from the moment it began.

The enemy couldn't even last a minute.

They were wiped out from this universe.

And this scene, through the Free Star Domain Alliance, was broadcast in real time to the conference hall of Trade Star via all surveillance equipment deployed on the routes.

Chairman Bafi and his fellow legislators all stared dumbfounded at the screen as that fleet, like a deity descending, with thunderous force, instantly destroyed their nightmare black fleet.

Their bodies trembled slightly.

Their hearts were filled with endless shock and... awe.

They finally understood just how terrifying and unfathomable the power of this emerging Yanhuang Civilization from the East truly was.

Just then.

Zhou Shaoqing's hologram appeared in the center of the conference hall.

His face bore the composure and confidence of a victor.

"Chairman Bafi," he said with a voice like a great bell, "the pirates have been eradicated."

"Now we can discuss the next step in cooperation regarding 'upholding peace and justice in the Milky Way Galaxy'."

Bafi looked at this person, a Yanhuang General emanating a powerful aura, and instinctively bowed.

From this moment on.

The fate of the Free Star Domain Alliance was no longer in their own hands.

And they were willing to accept it.

Because they had clung to a thigh, the thickest and most reliable they could imagine.

The Yanhuang Civilization, in the guise of a "savior" and "protector", formally thrust its influence into this power domain.

The first step of contending for supremacy over the world had been taken.