Chapter 324: A Painting, the Fall of an Era

Qin Hao said, slowly raising his right hand as if grasping an invisible scepter; the laws of the entire universe seemed to be under his control.

"System." He issued the command in his consciousness.

"Deploy an ordinary two-dimensional foil."

"Target, the capital star system of the Biteng Empire."

"【Command confirmed. Two-dimensional foil replicated, target locked.】"

A transparent, thicknessless "sheet" passed through the vast star gate network at a speed transcending space and time, instantly reaching the distant capital star system of the Biteng Empire.

There, a star larger than the sun shone, emitting warm red light that had illuminated the Biteng Civilization for millions of years, an eternal symbol in their myths and epics.

But in the next second……

A bizarre, horrifying scene appeared before the eyes of other civilizations!

That red giant star, upon contacting the "sheet" for an instant, was like a huge balloon lightly pricked by a needle tip,

Its three‑dimensional structure, stable for billions of years, began to collapse irreversibly and frenziedly toward that two‑dimensional plane!

The star's matter, its internal nuclear‑fusion energy, the light and heat radiating outward……

Everything was forcibly pulled, flattened, and turned two‑dimensional by an irresistible dimensional‑reduction law!

From the live‑feed view, it looked as if a master painter were using the whole star as pigment on an invisible canvas, painting a picture brilliant to the extreme yet dead silent to the extreme.

This process happened so fast it was hair‑raising.

Only a few seconds.

A star was simply erased from the three‑dimensional universe.

In its place remained only a two‑dimensional scroll floating in the black void of space.

On the Biteng Imperial Capital Star, countless Biteng people who had been looking up at the sky stared in terror as their familiar red sun turned into a strange picture.

The world's light and heat were vanishing at a visible speed, as endless cold and darkness began to fall.

Because that picture was spreading outward at light speed, before long the entire star system would become a picture.

Panic and apocalyptic despair instantly enveloped the whole planet.

Fortunately, countless Biteng people reacted immediately, piloting their ships and warships to flee outward….

In the frozen flagship, Biajie, via shared vision with the capital star, also personally witnessed this shocking scene.

His consciousness core, made of pure energy, for the first time generated an emotion called "Collapse".

His home star system, the heart of his civilization, his pride, his ambition—everything seemed fragile and ridiculous before that flimsy "sheet".

That was not a weapon at all.

It was a higher‑dimensional life form's…… cleansing of lower‑dimensional life.

Qin Hao's voice once again echoed through the Milky Way.

"This is my answer."

"Now you can make your choice."

"Submit, or like your star system, become a picture."

The terrifying sight of a star system reduced to two dimensions, like an inescapable nightmare, was deeply etched into the minds of every intelligent being in the Milky Way via the live broadcast.

They fell into a muteness that lasted several minutes.

Whether a third‑level civilization or a second‑level civilization just stepping into the stellar age,

at this moment they all felt the same emotion—fear springing from the instinct of life.

Could this be the new weapon of the Yanhuang Civilization?

It's just too terrifying.

And on another flagship, Ke Huang stared blankly at the screen showing the star system turned into a "portrait", feeling the despair emanating from Biajie's side.

The last shred of defiant will in his heart was completely ground to dust by that picture.

He finally understood.

What they faced was not merely a stronger civilization.

but an existence of higher dimension beyond their comprehension.

Any struggle, any scheme, in the face of such absolute power, is futile, a joke.

Qin Hao seemed pleased with the deterrent effect of this silence, and he lightly snapped his fingers.

The "space freeze" enveloping the Brothers Alliance fleet was instantly lifted.

The five hundred massive warships regained their mobility.

Yet none dared to move an inch.

Not even a gun‑barrel's space fluctuation dared to restart.

All the warriors were like soulless puppets, dazedly sitting at their posts, eyes empty, minds blank.

They had just witnessed the "death" of a star system; the visual and psychological shock of the dimensional‑reduction strike had utterly destroyed their fighting will.

"I… we…"

A voice filled with unprecedented weakness and tremor crackled over the public channel, intermittent.

It was Biajie.

This former hegemon who had ruled the eastern wing of the Milky Way for a million years now sounded weaker than a dying old man.

"We… surrender."

Those two simple words were like a thunderclap, announcing the utter end of the millennia‑spanning ancient empire that had stretched across the Milky Way.

Immediately after, Ke Huang's voice also rang out, equally filled with defeat.

"The Keluo Empire… total surrender."

He knew he had no other choice; if they did not surrender, the next to become a picture might be the capital star system of the Keluo Empire.

Very good.

Qin Hao nodded, not surprised by this result.

His icy voice issued the command again.

Order all your fleets to immediately lay down weapons, shut down all engines and energy cores, lift all defense systems, and wait in place to receive reorganization.

You two, come to my flagship now.

The command admits no doubt.

Soon, two beams of spatial transport light flashed.

Bi Jiale and Ke Huang, these two who once commanded the wind and clouds, with a single word deciding the life and death of billions, the galactic overlords,

At this moment, they were like two prisoners awaiting trial, transported onto the bridge of the "Void Walker".

They stood before Qin Hao in a sorry state, feeling the vast, universe-like awe emanating from this overly young man; in their eyes, besides reverence, only fear remained.

Qin Hao didn't even give them another glance, as if they were merely two insignificant insects.

He directly issued a new command to the system in his mind.

"Perform the implantation of the 'Thought Steel Seal' with highest authority on them."

"Core command: eternally loyal to Yanhuang Civilization, never to betray."

【Command confirmed, executing 'Thought Steel Seal' implantation……deducting one million energy units】

Two intangible strands of mental energy imbued with the power of rules instantly enveloped Ke Huang and Bi Jiale!

"What... what are you doing?!"

Ke Huang's consciousness core struggled violently; he felt an external force brutally tearing open his mental barrier, seeking to engrave the mark of slavery upon his innermost soul imprint!

Bi Jiale's energy body also flickered wildly, attempting to resist this force's intrusion.

This is a slavery more terrifying than death!

However, their struggle, before Qin Hao's system rule power that had upgraded to the fourth level and could create concepts, was so pale and powerless.

Just a few seconds later.

The struggle, anger, and unwillingness in both of their eyes vanished completely.

Replaced by devotion and obedience springing from the depths of their souls.

Their gaze toward Qin Hao was like that of the most fervent believers looking up at their sole god.

Under the shocked gaze of Lao Luo, Zhang Yunfeng, and others at the headquarters.

Bi Jiale and Ke Huang knelt on one knee before Qin Hao.

Their tone was exceedingly respectful.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty."

Of course, this scene was not broadcast to the rest of civilization.

This also gave them some face.

But the Yanhuang high-ranking officials who witnessed it in person were all greatly shaken in mind and spirit.

Thus, the two great empires were utterly conquered, from flesh to soul.

An old era, at this moment, drew to a close.