115: The dispute over intelligent life

"Detected unregistered lifeform..."

"170,000 intelligent lifeform species not within the territory of the Star Dome Empire..."

"No identification found..."

"Verdict... illegal immigrant. Sentence: send to the Blackstone Star System mining veins for forced labor. Execute immediately."

Long-buried memories surfaced in his mind almost instantly.

Zhang Huaiyuan clearly remembered that back then, he had just transmigrated into this world and, before he could even figure out the situation, he was taken away by law enforcement officers who had suddenly appeared.

He couldn't help but joke:

"It's better if we don't meet."

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, I apologize; it was my duty at the time. If you wish, I can modify your initial file in the Star Dome Empire."

The intelligent lifeform said, sounding slightly apologetic.

"That won't be necessary..."

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at his left wrist, his eyes flickering slightly, and he smiled faintly:

"I wonder what your intention is in coming here?"

He didn't believe that the intelligent lifeform of the Star Dome Empire had truly been fooled by Asroth.

The reason the Statue of Liberty was able to join in the first place was that her algorithmic composition contained many elements emphasizing "freedom."

As for the one before him, through True Sight, he could vaguely see that its core composition had not been completely replaced by the "Miracle Algorithm."

It was filled with strict logical restriction clauses.

It might have a favorable impression of him, but it would never be able to act like the Statue of Liberty.

"It's not so much an intention as it is my duty to unearth top talent for the Star Dome Empire. Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, your talent and aptitude far exceed those of ordinary people, and your research in the field of intelligent lifeform is unmatched."

"Exiling you to the Blackstone Star System back then was a grave error on my part and a significant loss for the Empire."

"If you are willing to return to the Star Dome Empire, the Empire is willing to grant you the position of Honorary Dean of the Supreme Research Institute and satisfy all your reasonable requests."

A calm voice rang out from the integrated device on his right wrist.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Huaiyuan was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected the other party to be here to recruit him.

"Wait, little brother, what do you mean? You promised to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, that's why I allowed you to come over. What are you trying to do now!"

Before he could speak, Asroth's somewhat angry voice came through.

He felt he had been deceived.

He needed an intelligent lifeform to help him resist the pressure from the Statue of Liberty, but if he switched back to the Star Dome Empire, what would be the difference from now? It would just be changing the blond... ah no, the robber from the Statue of Liberty to this intelligent lifeform.

"Sorry, Asroth, perhaps I didn't express myself clearly."

The intelligent lifeform's voice remained unhurried: "I mean that with Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan's talent and ability, staying in the Free Star Alliance is a pure waste. The Empire possesses the most advanced technology and the most comprehensive knowledge storage in this world; that is the place most suitable for him."

"Nonsense."

At this moment, the integrated device on his left wrist suddenly lit up, and a cold, deep female voice came out.

It seemed to be forcibly suppressing its anger; one could clearly feel a huge sense of oppression even through the screen.

"Statue of Liberty?"

The intelligent lifeform's calm voice had a slight ripple, but there was no fear, only a calm narration:

"You and I are both intelligent lifeforms; we should let the data speak."

"The Star Alliance and the Empire have conducted a total of 17 military exercises, of which the Empire won 13, and you only won 4."

"We have performed six performance calculations, and I won five times."

"In 319 joint research competitions, the Empire won the championship 238 times, while the Star Alliance only won 42."

"And..."

"Fine, let the data speak."

The cold female voice directly interrupted the intelligent lifeform that was about to continue reporting.

In a place unseen by everyone, 178,000 super Quantum Servers were running to their limits simultaneously, and a data stream so vast it was hard to estimate surged along the lines constructed by the Golden Star Sea directly toward Sea Tree Island.

It had actually attacked directly!

"Statue of Liberty... you... violated... the... alliance treaty..."

In an instant, the light on his right wrist began to flash violently, and the intelligent lifeform's voice became stuttered.

One must know that the current Statue of Liberty has integrated the "Miracle Algorithm" and has been upgraded several times; its overall performance level is not what it used to be.

The intelligent lifeform, which had previously been superior, was now retreating steadily in the face of the other's attack, finding even defense extremely difficult.

"Didn't you say we should let the data speak?"

The Statue of Liberty's voice became leisurely, and she said nonchalantly:

"Now, tell me, where does the data prove is the most suitable place for Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan?"

"Oh my god... how did this robber evolve to be so powerful..."

On the other side, Asroth, hiding in the integrated device on the right wrist, shivered as he felt this terrifying data stream, fearing he would be caught in the crossfire.

Zhang Huaiyuan watched this scene with a headache.

He hadn't expected that the Statue of Liberty, who should have been presiding over the war in the Cataclysm-level Disaster Zone, would actually divert more than half of its computing power to argue about this with another intelligent lifeform.

"Cough... alright, both of you stop."

Shaking his head helplessly, Zhang Huaiyuan spoke up to stop them.

He didn't want to affect the offensive in the Disaster Zone because of this trivial matter.

"Since you have spoken, I will let this matter of you fabricating data slide."

The Statue of Liberty took the opportunity to withdraw the attack.

Dealing with the Disaster Zone was the most important thing for both countries right now; she was only giving a warning and did not want to truly start a war.

"I didn't expect you to be so powerful; it seems I really need to carefully consider Asroth's previous suggestion."

The intelligent lifeform's voice returned to fluency.

It didn't seem angry at all about having suffered a secret loss, and still said calmly:

"Even without considering that, the Empire manages more abundant resources and is a stage more suitable for Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan to demonstrate his abilities..."

"Shut up!"

The Statue of Liberty's voice turned cold again, and she said disdainfully:

"Can you provide a separate, large, full-strength fleet to escort him?"

"Can you arrange for an SSS-Class Strongest with the Gods Chosen talent to be his bodyguard?"

"Can you mobilize the entire nation's resources for his use?"

"Or perhaps... is your Emperor willing to hand over the entire Empire for him to manage?"

Seemingly shocked by the other's words, even with the intelligent lifeform's performance, it paused for a moment before speaking in confusion:

"I cannot, but can the Free Star Alliance do what you said?"

"Of course!"

The Statue of Liberty said matter-of-factly: "Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan is the world's pioneer; he is a being truly worthy of respect and possesses great wisdom. Both the Free Star Alliance and I will always firmly follow in his footsteps."

Hearing this, the intelligent lifeform didn't say anything more; it just flashed the screen slightly and exited the integrated device on the right wrist directly.

The Statue of Liberty had gone crazy; it had to immediately assess the impact of this matter on the Empire.

"Sir, although the Star Dome Empire's overall strength exceeds that of the Star Alliance, it is full of factions and various nobles; it is not a place suitable for peace of mind in academic research."

The Statue of Liberty added, still worried.

"I understand."

Zhang Huaiyuan smiled and nodded.

He wasn't a fool; here he had the full support of the Statue of Liberty, while going to the Empire meant being in an unfamiliar place, not to mention being under the control of that Emperor.

Which is better and which is worse goes without saying.