Chapter 309: Taking Stock of the Spoils

The smoke of war has cleared, but its profound impact has only just begun to ferment in every corner of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Yanhuang Civilization, Highest Science Academy.

Qin Hao is constantly disassembling and reassembling the core engine structure of the Biteng Empire's "Star Core-class" cruiser.

"Qin Consultant, look here."

Qian Academician pointed to a critical node in the model, his eyes flashing with excitement and obsession,

"The Biteng Empire's energy theory indeed has its unique merits. They did not follow our path, but instead excavated pure physical rules to the extreme."

This "String Vibration Membrane" energy conduction method has an efficiency seventeen percent lower than our matrix,

but its stability and reliability in extreme environments are higher by an order of magnitude compared to ours."

Qian Academician today is not only top in physics research, but also has a very deep understanding in other fields.

Not only him, but basically every scientist of the Yanhuang Civilization is an all-around genius.

After hearing this, Qin Hao nodded, his eyes deep: "A civilization that has persisted for millions of years, a fourth-level civilization, its foundation is certainly not to be underestimated; how about the Keluo Empire?"

"That's simply another extreme!" Qian Academician's tone turned somewhat complex; he waved his hand to bring up another set of data models—a dark matter reactor filled with wild and violent beauty.

"The Keluo Empire's technology, just like their civilization, is full of aggression and destructive desire."

Their use of dark matter is simple and brutal: constantly increasing pressure and fusion, pursuing the utmost instantaneous explosive power.

Their warships look bulky and crude because they need a huge hull to carry such an extremely unstable energy core.

It can be said that each of their warships is a super bomb wandering the universe."

Qian Academician's face showed a hint of disdain, yet also carried a touch of gravity,

"However, they are indeed ahead of us by many years in materials science, especially in material forging technology under high-pressure, high-density environments."

"If we could incorporate their smelting technology into the armor of our Heavenly Sword-class warship, the overall structural strength could be increased by at least thirty percent."

Qin Hao listened calmly, his mind clear.

This is why he left the two empires intact instead of erasing them directly.

Victory in a war is not merely territorial expansion and enemy submission; it is also a technological harvest.

Taking the two fourth-level civilizations that have developed for millions of years, from basic theory to cutting-edge application,

swallowing all their technological data, the value of this heritage is countless times more precious than the wreckage of two billion warships.

The Yanhuang Civilization's development speed is too fast, like a genius forced to mature early; although it leads the Milky Way Galaxy in the most cutting-edge fields,

but in many basic disciplines, due to the short development time, there exist many unknown shortcomings and loopholes.

And now, the entirety of the Biteng Empire's and Keluo Empire's technologies precisely fills every gap in the Yanhuang Civilization's technology tree.

"How long will it take us to digest these technologies?" Qin Hao asked.

"As short as fifty years, as long as a hundred years."

Qian Academician gave a vague answer.

"Once the integration is complete, our comprehensive technological level will, on the existing foundation, achieve another explosive leap!"

"By then, we might truly begin attempting to breach the threshold of a fifth-level civilization..."

Fifth-level civilization.

That was a goal dreamed of by the two major fourth-level civilizations, yet forever out of reach.

……

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of light-years outside Yanhuang territory, a former administrative star of the Keluo Empire is now the headquarters of the "Interstellar Civilization Commonwealth" in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Here, an unprecedented spectacle is unfolding.

Within the massive starport, thousands of ships from various civilizations, of all strange shapes, are docked.

In the grand Central Council Hall, the noise of voices is even louder.

Hundreds to thousands of lifeforms from different species gather together.

There are representatives of the Oma Civilization whose bodies are like liquid metal, constantly changing shape.

There are representatives of the Heavenly Ox Civilization wearing exoskeleton armor with horns on their heads; moreover, many more, once obscure and even trembling in the cracks between the two empires, are envoys of low-level civilizations.

At this moment, their faces all bear awe, excitement, and anticipation.

"Ulakas Ambassador, I never expected to meet you here."

A being whose body is made of crystal, emitting a faint light, greets a tall envoy of the Heavenly Wolf Civilization.

He is a representative of the "Jinghui Commonwealth," a second-level civilization alliance that once submitted to the Keluo Empire.

The Heavenly Ox Civilization's Ulkas Ambassador straightened his sturdy frame, his face showing undisguisable pride:

"Of course, Bach Representative. This place welcomes every civilization that aspires to peace and order. The Yanhuang Civilization's ideal has never been conquest and enslavement."

"Yeah...... peace......"

Bach Representative's crystal body trembled slightly, revealing complex emotions: "In the shadow of the two empires, this word is, for us, like an unattainable dream."

"We have to hand over seventy percent of our resources each year just to qualify for bare survival. Now...... everything has ended."

His gaze involuntarily turned toward the highest seat in the council hall, the seat representing the Yanhuang Civilization.

Although no one sits there, all the civilizations' representatives will, during breaks in conversation, unconsciously cast a reverent glance in that direction.

"Not over, my friend—this is just the beginning."

Ulkas Ambassador corrected him.

"Our Heavenly Ox Civilization was among the first to join the Commonwealth; I have personally witnessed how the Yanhuang Civilization treats its allies."

"They share technology, help us perfect our social structure, and establish trade routes."

"What they seek is not tribute, but a stable, prosperous Milky Way Galaxy capable of common progress."

"This is a philosophy of 'rule' in a higher dimension, something we have never understood before."

"Higher-dimensional ruling philosophy…"

Bach's representative chewed on these words, the light in their eyes growing brighter and brighter,

I understand now, what the Yanhuang Civilization needs is not a group of slaves, but a group of...... fellow travelers who can keep up with their pace.

Exactly so!

Similar dialogues took place in every corner of the congress hall.

Defeating the two great empires and capturing the two emperors alive was enough to make the entire Milky Way Galaxy feel fear.

But what truly won the hearts and sincere submission of countless civilizations, drawing them by reputation, was the pattern and ideology displayed by the Yanhuang Civilization after the war.

No homage, no tribute; under the framework of the 'Community,' all member civilizations are equal.

This rule, like a dawn that splits the dark forest, allowed all struggling-to-survive civilizations to see a brand-new future.

The Yanhuang Civilization's ideology, culture, and values are spreading to every corner of the Milky Way Galaxy at an unprecedented speed.

A new order, with Yanhuang at its core yet full of inclusivity and vitality, is rapidly taking shape.

Yanhuang Civilization, Strategic Command Center.

Luo Lao and Zhang Yunfeng stood side by side before the massive holographic star map, watching the light points that lit up above, representing the new members of the 'Community,' as smiles of relief appeared on their faces.

"It's going more smoothly than we expected."

Zhang Yunfeng's voice carried a hint of emotion,

"We originally thought it would take several centuries, built with iron and blood, but Xiao Qin achieved it easily with just one war and one agreement."

"This is the brilliance of it, military victory can only bring fear.

"And only ideological recognition can bring true allegiance.

"He has drawn a beautiful pie for the entire Milky Way Galaxy, a future that no one can refuse.

"Now, all civilizations will voluntarily uphold the new order we have established."

Just then, an intelligence officer hurried over, their complexion somewhat abnormal.

"Report! Academician Qian of the Science Academy has sent a highest-priority communication request, specifically requesting to speak with Consultant Qin."

Luo Lao and Zhang Yunfeng exchanged a glance, both sensing something somewhat unusual.

Academician Qian is a technology maniac; unless it's something earth-shattering, they will never voluntarily interrupt their research.

Qin Hao's figure appeared just then, walking over from one side of the Command Center.

"Answer it."

Qin Hao's tone remained calm.

The next second, Academician Qian's face, filled with excitement and solemnity, appeared on the screen.

"Qin Consultant! In the core databases of the two great empires, I have discovered a piece of information......""