Chapter 388: Want to split the cake? Your lives are mine to give!

The three civilization leaders behind him also followed suit, bowing deeply with an extremely humble posture.

Qin Hao neither affirmed nor denied, simply watching them calmly, waiting for their next words.

Indeed, after expressing sufficient gratitude, Elder Xingtong shifted tone and spoke probing.

"Although the Overlord has retreated, the massive fleet wreckage it left behind, and the high-dimensional fragments left from the self-destruction of its biological flagship… are all priceless treasures."

He rubbed his hands, a shrewd light flashing in his single eye.

"You see, we also exerted our entire clan's strength this time, our battle losses were also quite heavy… can the post-war distribution of benefits…"

Beside him, the leader of the Karasi Civilization also quickly added.

"Yes, we are allies, we should rightly share the fruits of victory."

"The Overlord has long occupied Virgo; the resources and technology it plundered are enough to cause a qualitative leap for any of our civilizations."

"We don't ask for much; we only need to fairly divide the seized spoils according to the ratio of troops contributed."

"As for the future, we four great civilizations wish to remain eternally friendly with the Yanhuang Civilization, jointly governing this vast star region."

Their abacus clicked and clacked.

In their view, although the Yanhuang Civilization is strong, it is ultimately a newcomer with shallow foundations.

They, however, are the "local snakes" of this star region, familiar with every nebula and every river system here.

United, they too constitute a force not to be underestimated.

Now the Overlord, this greatest threat, has been driven away,

they naturally believe it's time to pick the peaches and share the fruits of victory.

Even in their plan, the Yanhuang Civilization would occupy the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda star system,

while they would divide the other major river systems of the Virgo Supercluster, forming a situation of five powers co-governing.

This is the best future they can imagine.

They looked at Qin Hao full of anticipation, waiting for this strong one's nod.

In the Command Center, Zhang Xianzhong, who saw this scene via remote monitoring, was so angry he nearly smashed the command console.

"Damn it! A bunch of ungrateful white-eyed wolves!"

"Just finished fighting, and they want to split the inheritance? They don't even deserve it!"

However, Qin Hao's reaction was beyond everyone's expectation.

He listened silently, his face showing no expression, until those few civilization leaders had finished expressing all their wonderful ideas.

The scene fell into a brief silence.

Finally, Qin Hao slowly spoke.

"Allies?"

He repeated the word once, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"You seem to have… gotten something wrong."

Elder Xingtong and the others felt a jolt in their hearts, an ominous premonition welling up.

Qin Hao raised his head and glanced at them.

That glance held no divine light, nor any imposing pressure,

yet it made the four Fifth-level Civilization leaders simultaneously feel a chill rising from deep within their souls.

"This war, from start to finish, has been led by my Yanhuang Civilization."

"I admit that your joining accelerated the war's end; for that, I am grateful."

His words suddenly turned sharp.

"But, you want to divide the cake?"

"You, still lack the qualification."

Boom!

This sentence, like a cosmic thunderclap, exploded in the minds of Elder Xingtong and the three others!

Their faces instantly turned extremely grim!

Shock, disbelief, humiliation, anger…

All these emotions intertwined, causing their several distinct faces to twist.

"Mr. Qin!"

Elder Xingtong's voice suddenly rose, no longer retaining any of its previous humility.

"What do you mean by this? Are you trying to swallow all the fruits of victory yourself? We also contributed! We shed blood! Countless of our people died!"

"Exactly! Without our five trillion-strong fleet's flank assault, even if you could win, you definitely wouldn't have done so easily!"

"Pulling up the plank after crossing the river is not the conduct a great civilization's leader should have!"

The Karasi leader also eagerly echoed.

They felt they had suffered great humiliation.

They thought they were heroes who sent charcoal in the snow, never expecting that in the opponent's eyes they were merely a decorative flourish adding icing on the cake.

Just as they were preparing to unite and pressure Qin Hao,

A vast, pure spiritual power, yet bearing utter indifference,

silently spread from Nangong Lin behind Qin Hao.

This power held no killing intent, yet like an invisible giant hand it instantly gripped their souls!

Elder Xingtong and the three others' bodies stiffened suddenly, feeling as if they had been thrown into an absolute-zero abyss, their thoughts nearly freezing.

Their proud Fifth-level Civilization spiritual barrier, before this power, was as fragile as a windowpane, easily pierced and crushed!

Only then did they shockingly realize, the one before them who had remained silent all along,

The girl behind Qin Hao—her power is probably even more terrifying than outright defeating the Overlord's fleet!

Cold sweat instantly soaked their backs.

All their anger and resentment were crushed to dust before this absolute power.

Seeing their resentful yet silent humiliation, Qin Hao finally spoke his terms slowly.

"From today onward, establish the Virgo Civilization Community."

"The Yanhuang Civilization is the leader of the community."

"You have two choices."

Qin Hao extended a finger.

"One, swear to join the community, hand over all your civilization's technology trees and military command authority, in exchange for the Yanhuang Civilization's protection and future development resources."

"You will become part of the community, enjoying citizens' rights and bearing citizens' duties."

He paused, then extended a second finger, his tone turning indifferent.

"Two, you can take your fleet and leave right now—I won't stop you."

"Go to any corner of the universe and continue your wandering and hiding."

"However, I need to remind you of one thing."

In Qin Hao's indifferent voice lay a chill that made them shudder.

"The Overlord's true form isn't dead yet."

His words fell.

The multiple-choice question lay before them.

Should they choose to live humbly, or choose to die proudly?

In the single eye of Elder Star Pupil, light flared violently—the last clash of reason and dignity.

He glanced at his three similarly death‑gray companions beside him, then at Qin Hao,

and at Nangong Lin, whose mere presence made it impossible for them to breathe.

Finally, his spine, straight for millions of years, slowly bent deep down.

"The Watcher Civilization… wishes… to join the community."

His voice was full of bitterness and helplessness.

As he bowed, the other three civilization leaders likewise lowered their proud heads one after another.

"The Kala Xi Civilization… wishes to join."

"The Dark Shadow Civilization… wishes to join."

"The Dark Star Civilization… wishes to join."

At this moment, an old era ended and a new dawn began.

From today onward, this expanse spanning 1.1 billion light‑years,

the Virgo Supercluster containing nearly fifty thousand river systems will have only one voice, one master.

Yanhuang!

Gazing at the four civilization leaders bowing in submission, Qin Hao's face showed not a ripple.

He turned away, not glancing at them again, as if he had merely done a trivial thing.

His gaze pierced the endless sea of stars toward the place where the dimensional rift, recently severed by his finger, had vanished.

"Commander Zhang."

"Present!"

Inside the Heavenly Heart Command Center, Zhang Xianzhong responded immediately.

"Clear the battlefield, receive the fleets and technological data of the four civilizations. All warships, immediately return to the interior of the Great Wall for rest and upgrade."

"We can finally develop in peace for a long time."