Chapter 1115: The Reactions of Nearby Factions (2)

Ash Star Alliance, Molten Throne.

The Flame Lord Kelaosuosi roared, his body churning like burning magma.

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is Human supremacist; they believe all non-Human civilizations should be conquered or assimilated! Although we are currently in a state of conflict with the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, if we stand by and watch the destruction of Fengqi today, it will be our turn tomorrow!"

"But the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is powerful right now."

The representative of the moderate faction, Aigenisi, said, her flames a steady deep red.

"Direct confrontation might bring fire upon ourselves. Perhaps we can reach some kind of... understanding with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

"What kind of understanding? Becoming their vassals? Abandoning our traditions and culture?"

Kelaosuosi retorted.

"The Ash People never bow under threats!"

"Then do you want to start a war? To face the Star Alliance alone after Fengqi falls?"

The debate reached a stalemate. Finally, the Great Elder Nisigehui spoke.

"Dispatch an observation mission.

Do not take a stance, do not pick a side, just observe. At the same time, strengthen our military preparations.

If Fengqi demonstrates the ability to resist, we can consider a truce and support them. If the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance demonstrates overwhelming power... we will discuss other options then."

The *Amethyst Insight* continued its voyage, thirty hours of travel time remaining until the Ningjing Huilang Kongjian Zhan.

Kalaier stood alone before the observation window, watching the starry sky fly by outside.

He recalled his youth, when he first participated in interstellar negotiations as a low-level Diplomat.

That was a negotiation between the Feng Qi Xing Alliance and a small civilization regarding a border dispute.

At the time, he was so nervous that his Third Eye kept twitching, he stuttered, and he almost ruined everything.

Later, his mentor told him.

"Kalaier, diplomacy is not a debate competition; it is not won by whoever makes the most sense.

Diplomacy is weaving; you must use words to weave a net to snare the opponent's footsteps, to snare time, to snare opportunity."

Now, he had to weave the most complex net in history to snare a rising giant.

"Commander."

Liana's voice came from behind him.

Kalaier turned around.

"Liana, haven't you rested yet?"

"The Intelligence Department just received the latest news."

Liana's expression was serious.

"The Sanguinius fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has completed its refit at K-78 and has begun moving toward our core region.

The Angron fleet is expected to complete resupply in 12 hours and will also follow."

"Faster than expected."

Kalaier frowned.

"Our negotiations haven't even started, and they are already preparing for the next offensive."

"Yes. And..."

Liana hesitated for a moment.

"The Mirror Rift Project team reports that they discovered some... anomalies during their experiments."

"What anomalies?"

"Doctor Lundengke wishes to report to you personally. He is waiting for you in the laboratory."

Kalaier nodded, followed Liana away from the observation deck, and arrived at the classified laboratory deep within the ship.

In the laboratory, Doctor Suolun was operating a complex instrument.

In the center of the instrument was a crystal ball half a meter in diameter, inside which points of light were rotating, colliding, and vanishing.

"Commander."

Lundengke looked up, deep dark circles around his Third Eye.

"While attempting to stabilize a small Rift, we discovered some... interesting patterns."

"Be specific."

Lundengke pulled up the data.

"Under normal circumstances, the Mirror Rift is random and unpredictable.

But in the last three experiments, the location and timing of the Rift's appearance exhibited a certain... regularity.

It is not a regularity controlled by us, but rather the Rift itself seems to have some kind of internal logic."

Kalaier walked closer to observe the crystal ball.

"What does this mean?"

"It could mean two things."

Lundengke said.

"First, the Mirror Rift is not a completely random natural phenomenon; it may follow some energy law we have yet to understand. Second..."

Lundengke paused.

"The other side of the Rift may not just be a passive mirror reality.

There may also be... consciousness there, attempting to make contact with us, or at the very least, influencing the appearance of the Rift."

All three of Kalaier's eyes widened.

"Are you saying that the existence in the parallel reality might know we are here trying to open the Rift?"

"It is just a hypothesis."

Lundengke said cautiously.

"But if it is true, it means the mirror rift is not just a weapon, it could also be... a gateway.

A gateway to other realities, other possibilities, other versions of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, or even other civilizations."

Kalaier pondered.

This information was too significant; it could change everything.

"Continue the research, but be doubly careful."

He finally said.

"Before we know more, do not reveal any information about this discovery during negotiations.

If the Star Alliance finds out... they might spare no cost to acquire this technology."

"Understood."

Lundengke nodded and said.

"Additionally, the military's first Star-Glory Class Battleship, the 'Eternal Purple Sun', has completed its final tests.

The field test results of the new Energy Weapon... are impressive.

Theoretically, it can overload the Star Alliance's shield devices in a single strike."

"But can it hit the target?"

Kalaier asked.

"According to the combat reports from K-77 and K-78, the Primarch's sensory abilities and reaction speeds are beyond imagination. They might evade or Intercept before being hit."

"That will require tactical coordination."

Lundengke said.

"Use other units to draw attention and create a firing window for the main cannon. Or... use the mirror rift to interfere with the Primarch's sensory abilities."

Kalaier contemplated these possibilities.

New weapons, new technology, new tactics... but all of them require time to test, integrate, and deploy.

Time, time, time.

"Doctor, continue your work."

After leaving the laboratory, Kalaier returned to his cabin.

He stood before the mirror, looking at himself in the reflection: purple skin, three eyes, council formal wear...

Kalaier thought of his daughter, who was an artist creating sculptures in the Core World.

During their last communication, she asked.

"Father, will the war end? Can I go to other star systems to gather inspiration?"

Kalaier answered at the time.

"Soon, my dear. When all of this is over, Father will take you to the most beautiful places."

Now, he did not know if this promise could still be fulfilled.

But for his daughter, for all Fengqi, and for this civilization that nurtured him.

Kalaier adjusted his collar and took a deep breath.

He would not back down.

He could not back down.

"For the Feng Qi Xing Alliance."

He whispered, like a prayer, like an Oath.