Chapter 422

In a virtual conference room.

This place once symbolized the highest authority of the Laya Council, and only those who had reached a sixth-level civilization were qualified to set foot here.

Previously, although the atmosphere here was solemn, it always carried a hint of the arrogance unique to higher civilizations.

But today, the atmosphere here was somewhat different.

The huge conference hall was filled with tens of thousands of representatives from various civilizations, all having received invitations from the Yanhuang Civilization to come and deliberate.

Besides the original council members, there were also many leaders from fifth-level civilizations.

At this moment,

These overlords, who usually called the wind and summoned the rain in their own star domains, sat upright with solemn posture, deliberately lowering their breathing frequency by thirty percent, and their gazes would occasionally drift toward the high platform in the conference hall.

There, two representatives from the Yanhuang Civilization were seated.

The one on the left was slightly plump, with a faint smile on his face, holding a tea cup emblazoned with "Serve the People," and was leisurely blowing the foam off the tea.

This was Brother Li.

The one on the right was Mao Xinyang.

As for the truly soul‑shaking figure—Qin Hao—he did not appear.

Yet no one dared to slight him in the least, for not long ago that man had wielded a blade spanning ten light‑years, shattering not only the invincible Overlord but also the spines of every civilization present.

"Cough cough."

Brother Li set down his tea cup, making a crisp sound as it struck the table.

"Everyone, there's no need to be so formal."

Brother Li smiled, glanced around, and spoke in a tone like chatting with a neighbor: "Although our Mr. Qin is resting, he specifically instructed me to have a good talk with all of you."

"Let's talk… let's talk, that's great."

"Yeah, yeah, the Yanhuang Civilization has saved countless civilizations; we're moved to tears..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a scattered chorus of agreement rose from below, and everyone's face was piled with a smile uglier than crying.

"No need for thanks; we're all just trying to survive."

Lan Ge waved his hand, then shifted the topic, his gaze becoming deep and meaningful,

"But although we won this battle, our Laniakea has been left riddled with holes. Order has collapsed; if we stay like this scattered sand, next time a stronger enemy comes, what will we have to resist with?"

The conference hall fell into dead silence.

Everyone heard the implication behind his words.

"So then,"

Lan Ge pulled out a thin document from his pocket and gently pushed it to the center of the table: "After research and decision by the Yanhuang Supreme Command, we propose establishing a new organizational structure—the Yanhuang Pan-Stellar Community of Shared Destiny."

"In this community, there will be no distinction between suzerain and vassal states; we will all be lovingly close… one family."

Lan Ge smiled brightly, but that smile falling in the eyes of the old members of the Lanya Council was nothing short of a demonic grin.

One family?

The contents of this document had already been spreading through encrypted channels.

What community? This is clearly outright annexation!

Hand over military authority, open the core database, unify resource allocation… This is practically handing over the family fortune to the Yanhuang Civilization for safekeeping!

If we don't sign, then we'll only be targeted.

If we sign, the civilization's sovereignty will be nominal at best.

"This…"

The representative of the Huoyun Civilization, the "Panhuo" giant who had once been pressed against the wall by Qin Hao, now had an extremely grim expression.

As a former hardliner of the council, he instinctively wanted to oppose, but thinking of that man, the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

The other sixth-level civilization representatives also exchanged glances, their eyes filled with struggle and unwillingness.

Although the Yanhuang Civilization is strong, who would willingly hand over the foundation of their own civilization just like that?

The situation stalled for a moment.

Lan Ge seemed to have expected this all along, and he wasn't in a hurry.

He simply chuckled, picked up his tea, took a sip, and silently muttered to himself:

【A bunch of old fogies who won't cry until they see the coffin—do they really think I'm negotiating with you? If it weren't for Old Qin saying we need to pursue sustainable development, I'd have Mao Xinyang sail the fleet right to your doorstep to collect rent.】

Just then, a voice full of excitement suddenly broke the silence.

"I sign! I, the Poison Liquid Civilization, firmly support the leadership of the Yanhuang Civilization!"

Everyone turned their heads in shock.

Only see, the Poison Flow of the Poison Liquid Civilization—a mass of liquid body trembling with excitement—shot up from the seat, transformed into a palm, and slammed heavily onto the virtual agreement before them.

"Everyone!"

Poison Flow turned around, looking at those hesitant colleagues with an expression of anguish and indignation,

"What are you still hesitating for? It was Mr. Qin who saved us! Without the Yanhuang Civilization, we would have long become sacrifices to the Overlord!"

"Now the Yanhuang Civilization is willing to bring us along to play; that's our honor, it's giving us face."

"I, Poison Flow, put my words here: whoever dares not give face to the Yanhuang Civilization is against me, the Poison Liquid Civilization, and against the peace of the entire Laniakea."

This impassioned speech, though sounding righteous, was actually all self-interest.

Poison Flow had long seen clearly: if not now to cling to this thigh, when else?

What's wrong with being a dog?

Being the dog of a powerful civilization is a blessing countless civilizations beg for but cannot obtain!

Lan Ge approvingly glanced at Poison Flow, thinking this stint as a lackey was professional enough; later he'd have to approve a few dimensional routes for them.

With the first one taking the lead, the psychological defense line began to collapse like dominoes.

I... I also join.

A Fifth-level Civilization on the edge weakly raised its hand, "We don't want to fight anymore; as long as we can survive, it doesn't matter whose orders we follow."

We also join!

Count me in!

……

In the blink of an eye, dozens of Fifth-level Civilizations declared their stance. To them, it's not a question of who to follow.

The Yanhuang Civilization is at least stronger in combat than the La Ya Council, and provides a greater sense of security.

The situation shifted instantly.

All the pressure fell onto the La Ya Council's dozen or so core members.

The Dark Star Civilization's leader clenched his fists, looking at his old comrades beside him—the Crystal Armor Civilization, the Photosynthetic Civilization… Everyone's eyes were filled with worry.

The situation is lost.

"Minister Ha,"

At this moment, Xun Tian spoke up, "We... are willing to join. But, regarding the openness of the core technology database, could we…"

"No."

The answer came not from the smiling Minister Ha, but from the ever-silent Mao Xinyang.

Mao Xinyang slowly lifted his head, his eyes devoid of any emotion coldly staring at Xun Tian.

He had no extra words, merely tapping lightly on the tabletop.

"Hum—"

The holographic projection at the center of the conference room switched instantly.

That is the current star-domain deployment map.

Around the outer reaches of every Sixth-level Civilization's mother galaxy, millions of black warships had silently hovered at some unknown time.

That is the Yanhuang Civilization's Ghost-class special vessel.

Mr. Qin is resting and does not wish to be disturbed.

Mao Xinyang's voice was calm, yet carried a suffocating chill: "He said, there is only one chance. If you are unwilling to be dignified, then we will make you dignified."

As for the so-called negotiations…

Mao Xinyang curled the corner of his mouth in a sneering arc: "That is based on equal strength. Tell me, are you worthy?"

Xun Tian's nebular body shuddered violently, as if instantly aging tens of thousands of years.

He looked at the black warships hanging above his homeworld, finally understanding one fact:

The era has changed.

Now, in Laniakea, there is only one voice: that of Yanhuang.

A few seconds later, the Dark Star Civilization's leader loosened his clenched fist.

The Dark Star Civilization… chooses to join.

These words drained the last vestige of spirit from the old era.

With the Dark Star Civilization bowing its head, the remaining dozen or so core members lost any will to resist, and one after another signed their names on the agreement.

Minister Ha looked at the screen full of 'approval,' his smile becoming even more radiant.

He stood up, stretched, and muttered in a voice only he could hear:

"Tsk, this diplomatic work is getting easier and easier, mainly because the big stick in our hands… is just too thick."

He put down his tea cup, gave Mao Xinyang a meaningful glance, and said: "Let's go, Old Mao, back to tell Boss Qin the good news."

Mao Xinyang nodded slightly, and the two disappeared into the conference hall.