Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1064 - 726: Apocalypse Crisis

In the brief respite before the next round of tournament arrangements, the atmosphere of simmering tension intensified. The "Sons of the Empire," on one side, elevated their scrutiny and investigation of the New Bauhinia to an unprecedented level. Whispers of "human modification technology" fueled their apprehension regarding Bai E's team, compelling a reassessment of the potential threat they posed.

Concurrently, subtle rifts began to form within their own ranks. The younger generation's yearning for power acted as an invisible force, creating cracks against the deeply entrenched, conservative fears rooted in political history that dominated the upper echelons.

Though temporarily suppressed, the seeds of discord had been sown.

Amidst this intricate and charged climate, an urgent dispatch detailing a "massive Bug Race invasion" descended like a celestial deluge. It instantly shattered all internal calculations and tournament schedules, forcibly diverting everyone's focus toward the dire, existential threat to the survival of their entire species.

Disagreements over technology, internal strife, and the pursuit of championship glory were all compelled to recede temporarily in the face of the apocalyptic menace presented by the Bug Race invasion.

Whether for the grand cause of humanity or as a means to prove themselves and subdue rivals on a different kind of "battlefield," all factions were obligated to swiftly reorient their strategies and prepare for a true test of blood and fire.

The alarm was broadcast across all official and military communication channels of the Star Alliance, delivering a stunning proclamation:

"Star Alliance Supreme Security Council emergency announcement: Confirmed detection of massive, high-intensity Alien Race fleet activity! The invasion is not originating from a single point but has erupted simultaneously across multiple Edge Star Domains adjacent to the Milky Way's central stability zone, including the 'Broken Star Ring,' 'Silent Frontier,' and 'Far Voyager Corridor'! Preliminary reports indicate over seven Stellar Districts have encountered Alien Race fleet attacks, with colony planets in three Stellar Districts confirmed as completely consumed by the aliens, their life signals extinguished! The scale, coordination, and ferocity of the Alien Race fleet surpass all previous records! Threat Level: Apocalyptic!"

"Pursuant to the highest stipulations of the 'Star Alliance Joint Defense Treaty,' the Milky Way is hereby declared to be in a 'Pan-Star System Emergency State.' All Star Alliance member civilizations, especially those possessing military capabilities, must immediately enter the highest state of combat readiness and render all possible support to the imperiled Star Districts. The Star Alliance United Fleet has been mobilized with utmost urgency, and the initial wave of reinforcement fleets is currently assembling."

This news struck "Star City" like a catastrophic ordnance.

The atmosphere, moments before alight with the fervor of the tournaments, was instantly supplanted by widespread panic and a somber gravity.

An overwhelming surge of communication requests flooded various Star Alliance departments, while delegations and observers from major powers convened emergency sessions. The public screens that had once displayed competition highlights now repeatedly broadcasted alien alerts and fragmented, harrowing footage from the front lines—

ghastly bio-organic capital ships, planets enshrouded in corrosive clouds, and desperate cries for help.

"Are the aliens truly just bugs? And are they on such a colossal scale?"

"Simultaneously assaulting multiple Star Districts? How is this even feasible? How could a mere collective of bugs possess such advanced strategic coordination?"

"Several planets in the Edge Star Zone have already fallen... Is our turn next?"

"Can the Star Alliance United Fleet possibly repel them?"

Fear began to propagate, affecting even those nations that boasted of being the vanguard of human civilization, the "Sons of the Empire," instilling in them a profound sense of immediate peril.

This utterly alien adversary, the Bug Race, whose objective is the annihilation of all organic matter and Qi, stands as a unified threat to all of human civilization.

Against this backdrop, the scheduling of the forthcoming Star Alliance Championship became an immediate and critical dilemma.

The initially planned phase of "final showdowns" was intended to determine the ultimate champion under the gaze of countless spectators.

However, in the face of such a widespread extraterrestrial invasion imperiling all of humanity, proceeding with a mere competitive tournament seemed profoundly inappropriate and had the potential to incite public outrage, both ethically and practically.

The high-ranking representatives of the "Sons of the Empire" reconvened, but this time, the atmosphere was imbued with a grim pragmatism, a stark contrast to their prior clandestine plotting against the New Bauhinia.

"The tournament cannot proceed as initially planned," the priest from the Holy Silver Church Country spoke first, his tone somber, "At such a crucial moment, if we continue to engage in internal strife and competitions, what will the populace perceive? What opinions will civilizations from other Star Districts form? The Star Alliance's reputation will also suffer."

A consultant representing the Golden Federation concurred, "Furthermore, proceeding with the tournament presents considerable risks. Who can definitively guarantee that the Bug Race fleet will not suddenly materialize near the 'Glory Competition World'? At that time, a concentration of the galaxy's premier young mech pilots and a vast audience will be present. Should an incident occur, the repercussions would be immeasurable."

The delegate from the Steel Alliance mused, "However, abruptly halting the tournament would inevitably lead to disarray, particularly for the eight teams that have already qualified and their devoted followers. We require a resolution that is in harmony with the broader interests and that embodies the responsibility of the Star Alliance and the leadership of the 'Sons of the Empire.'"

The representative of the Flame Republic slammed the table, eyes blazing with martial fervor, "Then why the hesitation? Since the Bug Race has presented itself, let us confront them! Let us dispatch our most accomplished young warriors to the genuine battlefield! Let us demonstrate who the true hope for humanity's future is through the vanquished bodies of the Bug Race! This endeavor carries far greater significance than merely determining victors and losers within an arena!"

This bold proposition ignited a spark in everyone's eyes.

Transforming the tournament's concluding phase into an actual engagement against the Bug Race, employing combat outcomes to establish the final rankings?

"This... is indeed a viable solution," the representative from the Forge World Union contemplated, "It not only addresses the continuity of the tournament but also directly bolsters our campaign against the Bug Race. Concurrently, it will showcase the valor and prowess of our younger generation, the 'Sons of the Empire,' to the entire universe. Moreover, individuals proven strong through genuine combat are undeniably more credible than mere arena champions."