Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1094 - 742: Flashpoint

While the official bulletin didn't directly label Bai E as a "Bug Race infiltrator" or an "ancient calamity," its language, hinting at "unknown energy activity," "links to ancient forbidden relics," "questionable Spiritual Energy," and "unpredictable risks," coupled with the severe actions of nullifying qualification results and revoking sovereignty recognition, effectively placed Bai E and New Bauhinia in the dock as "potential public enemies."

As this information disseminated, it rapidly mutated and festered. Soon, all sorts of exaggerated and inflammatory rumors began to secretly circulate within smaller circles, such as claims that "Bai E is a mole dispatched by the Bug Race," "Bai E is the chosen vessel for the resurgence of an ancient, wicked civilization," and "New Bauhinia is the very source of this chaotic contamination."

When the contents of this joint announcement were relayed through special channels to the Peak Alliance's supreme council, a palpable silence descended upon the conference room, quickly followed by vehement debate.

Certain cautious representatives, or those hailing from member states that had previously engaged in cooperation with Bai E, voiced their opposition. They argued that in the absence of concrete proof, condemning a faction that had aided in the fight against the Bug Race was profoundly unjust and could incite needless conflict.

However, a greater number of voices—particularly those aligned with factions already inimical to Bai E, or those apprehensive that his ascendance would destabilize the existing power dynamics within the alliance—swiftly capitalized on the situation.

"You see? Even the 'Seven Sons of the Empire' have acknowledged something is amiss with him!"

"We've consistently maintained that this individual's origins are obscure, his power unnatural; it was only a matter of time before trouble arose!"

"He has been cultivating a cult of personality on the Mine Star, siphoning our populace, and destabilizing the alliance—now, even the Seven Sons of the Empire find it intolerable!"

"We must decisively sever ties with 'New Bauhinia' immediately! Heed the call of the Seven Sons of the Empire—that is the unequivocal correct path! Are we truly prepared to alienate the seven great Empires that govern the Galaxy Center for the sake of one dubious faction?"

Fear, envy, and the inherent desire to align with a dominant authority quickly overshadowed the few voices advocating for reason.

Within the Peak Alliance, those factions whose interests had previously been undermined by Bai E, or who simply harbored trepidation regarding his capabilities, were eager to exploit this crisis to eliminate a troublesome rival.

Consequently, under the guise of a "of an emergency state," the Peak Alliance's supreme council ratified a resolution:

"In accordance with the security protocols established by the core member states of the Star Alliance, and to safeguard the security and stability of the Peak Alliance's Stellar Districts, it is hereby resolved:

Effective immediately, all official interactions and collaborative efforts with the 'New Bauhinia Republic' shall be suspended.

The 'New Bauhinia' is mandated to promptly grant access to its controlled Star Domains, permitting a joint alliance inspection team to conduct comprehensive security verifications.

All member states of the alliance are urged to reinforce border controls to proactively counter any potential threats emanating from the direction of 'New Bauhinia."

This resolution, while not completely negating Bai E's prior achievements as the Seven Sons of the Empire's announcement had, conveyed an even more pronounced and oppressive hostility.

It served as a public declaration of an adversarial stance between the Peak Alliance and "New Bauhinia," and it demanded that Bai E open his gates to submit to an "inspection"—an act virtually indistinguishable from demanding unconditional surrender.

Upon receiving this news on the Mine Star, the entirety of "New Bauhinia" was thrown into turmoil.

Bai E, having just returned from joint explorations and engaged in discussions regarding technological advancements with Helen, surveyed the two urgent reports submitted by Catherine and Gong Yan, his expression revealing little discernible emotion.

Helen's brow furrowed deeply. "So, they have... completely dropped the pretense. The justification is crude, yet undeniably effective."

Catherine clenched her jaw. "Those scoundrels! We rescued so many individuals on Jade Stone Star! We resolved the Bug Race menace in the Aisera Star System! And this is the gratitude we receive?"

Gong Yan offered a calm analysis. "The decree from the Seven Sons of the Empire is the crux of the matter. They fear, my lord, that your power has become unmanageable, or perhaps you have uncovered secrets they wish to keep buried. The Peak Alliance is merely following their lead, using an external force to achieve their objective. We are now nearly isolated, painted as the 'enemy of the universe.'"

Bai E's gaze swept over those chilling words, finally settling on the myriad lights that began to bloom outside the porthole, adorning the surface of the Mine Star.

"What is destined to happen will inevitably occur," Bai E stated, her voice steady but weighted with the gravity of an impending tempest. "Since they have chosen this path, then we… must see it through."

The combined might of the "Seven Sons of the Empire," alongside the opportunistic betrayal by the Peak Alliance, had strategically positioned New Bauhinia in the eyes of the universe as a public pariah, an "enemy of all."

Yet, beneath this suffocating pressure and open hostility, unseen currents were undeniably at play.

The Free Star Alliance, the Trade Star Domain Alliance, specific elements within the Holy Silver Church Country, and even the technologically focused scholars of the Forging Worlds Collective – all reached out through exceedingly clandestine channels. Bai E and the Mine Star received limited, yet vital, intelligence, well-intentioned advisories, and overtures of potential future collaboration.

While these discreet communications couldn't shatter the openly antagonistic reality, they did serve to inform all of New Bauhinia that the universe's sentiment wasn't monolithic in its opposition to the "Seven Sons of the Empire." Allies harboring discontent with their tyrannical ambitions had been quietly waiting.

Simultaneously, the countless civilians and lower-ranking personnel, whom the White Calamity Squad had valiantly rescued from Jade Stone Star, spontaneously established covert communication networks. Deeply appreciative of New Bauhinia's life-saving intervention, and filled with righteous anger and sorrow over the abandonment by the Star Alliance and their own government's high command during their darkest hour, these individuals became New Bauhinia's most sincere and unwavering supporters across the distant Star Domains.

However, the situation on the public stage grew increasingly dire.

The joint alert fleet of the Peak Alliance, akin to an icy blockade, effectively sealed off all external space routes to the Mine Star.