Chapter 564: Impact (Thanks to the patron "If I tip, it just means I'm bored"!)

"Yes..." The many high-level lifeforms' hearts tightened, and they hurriedly agreed.

The big boss had spoken, and the order was passed down rapidly.

The Peripheral Outposts scattered in every corner of the Interstellar space simultaneously received the order, and many persons in charge were somewhat bewildered.

Some of them didn't even know what the Dormant program was. After all, it had been an unknown amount of time since the Abyss Institute last issued a slumber command.

After checking the popped-up emergency explanation, they drew in a breath of cold air and hurriedly ordered their subordinates to begin executing the order.

Everything that could be taken away would be packed up and taken away; if it couldn't be taken away, it would be destroyed on the spot.

And the Dimension worlds wouldn't be wasted either; they would forcefully mine them, draining the pond to get the fish, extracting maximum value in a short time, and then the entire Dimension world would be abandoned.

This would cause a group of middle and high-level Dimensional Proxies to lose their source of power. If they had no other Evolutionary System to support them, they might even fall on the spot.

However, Abyssal Head's order had been issued, and no one could resist.

They wouldn't leave anything valuable behind after retreating.

By the time Li Yu learned of this news, it was already a few days later, while on his way back, and Hunter came to report.

He closed the System page, and a special spider-shaped badge in his hand suddenly disappeared.

This was the harvest of Number Two during this period—[Genetic Mutation], from Spider-Man.

[Genetic Mutation—As a typical representative of a poor person relying on mutation, you can mutate a certain Gene Chain in the Host's body to obtain even stronger power.]

This was a quite interesting ability; the Ruthless Number Two had finished off another quite popular character.

"The Abyss Institute has Vanished Without a Trace?" Li Yu frowned. "What does this mean?"

He looked at Hunter.

Hunter, who came to report the news, turned on his Smart Terminal and said: "This is news from the Salvation Ark. They say the Abyss Institute seems to have initiated the Dormant program."

"Dormant program?" Li Yu was somewhat surprised: "Are these people that ruthless?"

"Directly choosing to go dormant?"

"Yes, the factions connected to the Abyss Institute have also released news that the Abyss has cut off contact with them." Hunter nodded and added:

"In addition, some known Strongholds of the Abyss Institute are already Deserted, and the Dimension worlds have all disappeared."

"They destroyed the Dimension worlds themselves?" Hearing this, Li Yu couldn't help but frown.

Without this huge crop of leeks, where would he go to find Dimension worlds?

Wait... could it be that these Crazy Bastards simply didn't want him to continue devouring those Dimension worlds, so they directly went dormant?

Hunter continued: "According to the Salvation Ark's speculation, they believe the Abyss Institute wants to concentrate on digesting the Dimensional Fusion data and avoid external influence."

Li Yu couldn't help but shake his head. Digest my ass, Sagura and the experimental data are both with him.

The Abyss must be doing this because their recent losses were too great, and they believed they might continue fighting with the Other-Dimensional Camp next.

The losses outweighed the gains too much, so they directly Cut one's losses to survive, first vanishing without a trace for a period of time.

To avoid unnecessary battles.

Fuck, these people were rather decisive. You guys disappeared and even destroyed your own Dimension worlds; where am I supposed to find leeks now?

"Whatever, dormant is fine too. I can just use this to exaggerate propaganda and see if Klein can reap a wave of benefits."

Li Yu pondered for a moment and decided that the Abyss Institute vanishing without a trace wasn't considered bad news.

…………

Returning Star, in a certain Star System, a Spaceship of the Silver Ring Chamber of Commerce was slowly leaving. The person in charge was in the Command Center conversing with a certain person on the Holographic Screen.

The other party was wearing an Archon uniform, but his expression was somewhat helpless: "Your Excellency Dakman, why leave in such a hurry, you didn't even have time to bid me farewell in person."

"Archon Reis, since there's no need to renew the contract, let's skip the farewell. We've only been mining the Heizeng Stone Mine for less than half a year." Dakman's expression was indifferent:

"As a result, in the last month, Marauders springing up from who knows where have successively robbed several of our Chamber of Commerce Transport Ships, causing heavy losses. What we earned before wasn't even enough to cover this month's losses."

"I really don't know how the internal defense of your Returning Star is done. How could we possibly feel at ease continuing to set up a branch here."

Dakman's words were not polite. Reis's face turned ashen, yet he didn't know how to retort.

"Alright, let's leave it at this. We'll cooperate again if we have the chance in the future." Dakman shook his head and directly hung up the communication.

Although the other party was a Star System Governor, as a large cross-civilization merchant guild, the Silver Ring Chamber of Commerce didn't need to be respectful and submissive to a Star System Governor.

"The Lord, we got the mining license for Returning Star with great difficulty, are we really just giving it up like this?" The Subordinate said softly.

"Seven mining Transport Ships lost in a month's time, do you know what concept that is?" Dakman's expression sank slightly.

"According to the news on the Black Net, the Abyss Institute and the Black Net are jointly sniping Returning Star. At least until there is a result from their three-way struggle, continuing to renew the contract will only waste money and resources."

"The Lord, quick... quick, turn on the news channel..." Just at this moment, someone suddenly came running quickly, speaking loudly.

Dakman frowned slightly, but still turned on the news channel. A piece of news was being broadcasted on it, and the spokesperson was precisely Returning Star's official spokesperson.

"......Citizens, some time ago, the large Interstellar armed organization Abyss Institute and the Black Net Organization jointly launched an attack on Returning Star, causing a large number of Citizen casualties, and various incalculable losses..."

"...Empress Klein reacted rapidly, ordering Duke Li Yu to lead troops to counterattack, and completely concluded the battle a few days ago..."

"...Duke Li Yu killed the Abyss Institute's high-level lifeform——Shadow Demon, causing massive losses to the Abyss Institute. They have issued a dormant command a few days ago; in the short term, they will not appear in the Interstellar space..."

This piece of news was not long, and it was followed by a large amount of data reports to support the authenticity of the news, as well as an explanation of what "dormancy" was.

Dakman's expression froze on his face, looking at this news in disbelief.

This was news released officially by Returning Star, sufficient to prove its authenticity.

The Abyss Institute was beaten to the point of initiating the Dormant program?

What kind of A tall tale is this?

Returning Star is actually this fierce!?

He was stunned, his expression changing drastically as he said: "Quick, contact Archon Reis!"

The communication device quickly connected. Reis looked indifferent, his tone relaxed: "Your Excellency Dakman, is there anything else?"

"Haha... Archon Reis, don't be so distant..." Dakman smiled flatteringly: "I want to discuss the issue of renewing the Heizeng Stone Mine contract..."

The corners of Reis's mouth curled up slightly. "Of course no problem, but this price..."

This news quickly spread throughout all of Returning Star, and the discussion heat went straight to the top.

The various attack incidents some time ago did indeed make the Citizens of Returning Star exceptionally dissatisfied. However, they didn't know much and could only vent on the internet.

And the officials didn't release much information, but who would have thought they would directly announce a big one.

"Abyss Institute, is this institute very famous?"

"Remove 'very'. A large Interstellar Armed Organization, some small civilizations don't even dare to confront them head-on."

"The Researchers coming out of the Abyss Institute are all crazily sought after by some civilizations."

"I thought the officials hadn't investigated clearly yet, I didn't expect them to directly do a big one. The Empress is awesome, Li Yu is awesome!"

"Yeah, directly wiped them out..."

"Not wiped out, it's dormant. The announcement said they only retracted all Peripheral Outposts."

"Oh, well, close enough. I didn't expect that since the Empress ascended the throne, various major events would emerge endlessly, and now we've even started waging external wars..."

"No, I have to go to the Star Glory Empire's network to boast a bit, fuck, those star people were even mocking us some time ago..."

The repercussions caused by this event were far greater than imagined, mainly because this was Returning Star's first external war since experiencing a Life-and-Death Crisis.

Moreover, they won the war in a hearty and dripping manner, directly beating the enemy into Withdrew due to defeat.

Even the renowned hardliner Digor, although he launched many wars during his reign, essentially just sanctioned small civilizations.

Going head-to-head with a top-tier Interstellar faction like this, and winning, had truly never happened before.

More crucially, this touched some older generation Citizens. They were not as easily swayed by public opinion as the younger Citizens.

But they were quite interested in warfare, politics, and the like. They understood the power of the Abyss Institute even more, thus were even more excited, and for the first time, paid positive attention to this new Empress.

You bring us a sense of Honor, then we approve of you; this group of Veteran Armchair Politicians was very simple.

…………

In the High Echelon conference center, Klein's Secretary was reading multiple orders——

"Dunster, the Star System Governor of the Gasna Star System, was found to be keeping female slaves and accepting bribes from Chambers of Commerce, and has been transferred to the Supreme Tribunal."

"In addition, Albo is additionally appointed as the Star System Governor of the Gasna Star System."

"...Bolston Star System..."

A successive total of over fourteen Star System Governors were dismissed, all replaced by Klein's trusted confidants.

After the orders were read, the many High Echelons and Archons had varied expressions.

Dunster was the guy who previously told Klein not to bother with Li Yu. Now his face was pale, and his projection was somewhat unstable.

Among the many Archons, a few wanted to speak, but after hesitating for a moment, ultimately said nothing.

If it were ordinary times, such a large-scale appointment and dismissal of Star System Governors would inevitably cause tremendous turmoil.

But now, the overall situation didn't have much ripples.

Who told Li Yu, this guy, to be so fierce, directly beating the Abyss Institute into shutting down, and also generously giving the prestige to Klein.

Now the entirety of Returning Star was boiling over this, saying Klein was Returning Star's greatest Empress. Of course, Returning Star only had her as the sole Empress.

This was the first external war after the Council's attack, although it didn't have much to do with Returning Star.

But the leading figure directed the reputation towards Returning Star. Now Klein came wrapped in prestige; it was simply a matter of whoever she pointed at died.

Vimala, sitting not far from Klein, had a tense face, clearly feeling Klein's occasionally sweeping gaze. She was demonstrating her power!

Not long ago, she had just reprimanded her, saying Li Yu harbored unpredictable motives. As a result, the other party turned around and pulled a big one.

Vimala was also very puzzled inwardly. What exactly was Li Yu doing?

Was he truly so selfless?

Or was his love for Klein that deep?

Willing to yield the reputation to help Klein achieve her goals.

No, she didn't understand Li Yu too well, but that guy was absolutely not someone easily swayed by emotions.

Moreover, the most crucial point was that he had absolutely no need to do this.

Even if he didn't do this, Klein's approval rating in Returning Star was currently very high, and some normal orders simply wouldn't be obstructed by anyone.

Why do something superfluous to continue raising Klein's prestige.

Could it be that he really expected Klein to thoroughly control Returning Star?

Under normal circumstances, a civilization leader must hold power for at least over a hundred years or even longer, so that any of their orders, even those detrimental to the civilization's interests, could be transmitted without any obstruction to any corner.

……

In the Black Net Organization's online meeting, numerous black shadows were indistinct. Blinking in their center was precisely the combat information regarding the Baltan Galaxy.

"It can basically be confirmed that the Abyss has indeed initiated the Dormant program, temporarily vanishing without a trace."

"I feel it's somewhat absurd. According to known information, they only lost Shadow Demon. Is it necessary to go directly dormant?"

"The Salvation Ark released news saying that the Abyss Institute is doing this to digest the Dimensional Fusion experimental data."

"It's possible. That Old geezer of the Abyss hides too deeply. On one hand, joining us to attack Returning Star, and on the other hand, secretly planning Dimensional Fusion."

"If it weren't for Li Yu, we wouldn't even know that their Dimensional Fusion had succeeded."

"With Returning Star making such a big fanfare with propaganda, aren't they afraid that when the Abyss Institute makes a comeback, they'll give them a harsh slap in the face?"

"Who knows how long it will take for the Abyss to popularize Dimension Fusion Technology?"

The crowd discussed for a moment before returning to the core question: "Do we still continue to launch attacks against Returning Star?"

"The Abyss has already withdrawn, there's no need for us to continue."

"Then wouldn't we be giving the reputation to Returning Star for free?" Several people said in dissatisfaction.

"Then you guys go fight yourselves. The Abyss was decisive enough, abandoning so many Peripheral Outposts just like that, yet we're hesitating here for this bit of reputation..."

They didn't discuss for too long before reaching a conclusion. With only their single faction left, there was no need to continue attacking Returning Star.

If Returning Star turned around and focused on dealing with them, they wouldn't benefit either.

(End of Chapter)