128: set sail

Peaceful Passage, space platform above Qinglan Star.

A massive mixed legion was assembling.

Zhang Huaiyuan opened 300 temporary Warp Devices in one go, and starships, battle robots, and other war equipment from various industrial bases throughout the "Peaceful Passage" were constantly assembling through the warp points.

With the massive resources sent by the Statue of Liberty, raw materials were finally no longer a limitation.

The wreckage of the entire "Spear of the Sky" legion was transformed and reorganized into "legend generation ii" warships and battle robots personally improved by Zhang Huaiyuan.

They lined up in neat formations across the starry sky, their blue exhaust trails maintaining a uniform frequency.

The occasional glimmer of Transcendent metallic luster showcased the charm of technological civilization weaponry.

At the very front, there were also three War Fortresses, each over ten thousand kilometers long.

After being transported back from "The Great Millstone" and undergoing full repairs by Zhang Huaiyuan, this ultimate weapon of interstellar warfare finally displayed its formidable might once again.

"Master, the "Wings of Freedom" legion has finished assembling. Please provide instructions."

Asroth's voice was no longer its usual lively self, becoming solemn and grave.

Zhang Huaiyuan walked out of the Qinglan Star city lord's mansion, having changed into a military uniform customized by the Star Alliance's top designers.

The overall design had a deep black base, with starlight blue and dark silver light patterns shimmering as he walked, appearing steady and majestic.

"Finally, it has come to this step."

Zhang Huaiyuan looked up at the vast, continuous fleet in the dome, unable to help but feel a surge of excitement.

A full 3 million level-eight starships and 10 million battle robots comparable to an A-Class Transcendent.

With Asroth as the core, they were equipped with combat AI utilizing parts of the "Miracle" algorithm.

Even if pushed to the brink of destruction and fighting to the last soldier, morale would never falter; they could judge and execute the optimal solution in the most rational state under any circumstances.

Ignoring top-tier combat power, they would not lose even if they encountered the ace legions of the three major factions.

"It is time for this world to be reshuffled."

He opened his right palm slightly, and a deep blue "empowerment stone" rotated.

Instantly, the Warp Device beneath his feet materialized from the void.

After a flash of light, his figure appeared on the core command ship of the entire "Wings of Freedom" legion.

He stepped forward, skipped any unnecessary mobilization, and pressed the start button directly.

"Target, Port of Friendship. Depart."

...

As this steel torrent advanced at full speed, the entire Port of Friendship fell into a predicament on multiple fronts.

As the border between the Free Star Alliance and the Star Dome Empire, besides its special geographical location, it also hosted thirty permanent, full-strength fleets.

Most importantly, the Port of Friendship had no top-tier experts stationed there, and Varian, as the Commander-in-chief, lacked sufficient prestige and background to participate in the struggle for hegemony.

Naturally, it became an object that multiple factions vied to win over.

Up to now, he had received invitations from 37 factions, either openly or covertly.

"Sigh..."

Varian let out a long sigh, unable to help but smile bitterly to himself.

He could not afford to offend any one of them.

"Forget it, let's see what others think."

After pondering for a long time, Varian simply summoned the other management staff.

Before such a major matter, even the most lax individuals rushed over immediately.

"Colonel Varian."

"My Lord."

After everyone exchanged greetings, a fleet Commander of commoner origin couldn't help but ask first:

"My Lord, has the Head of State really left? I heard that the internal situation is in chaos. Is it true?"

"It's about that, except for the fact that they haven't officially clashed yet. But looking at things, it's coming soon."

Varian shook his head, tapped the integrated device twice, and projected several images into the center:

"This is also the purpose of why I called you all here. These are all the factions trying to recruit us. Tell me, how should we choose to maximize our benefits?"

Everyone's gaze couldn't help but turn toward them.

"The First and Second Main Fleets..."

"The Keynes Family..."

"Regent Kolen..."

"Oh my... these are all famous big shots in the Star Alliance; I've only heard of them in the monthly reports."

A few Commanders with weaker backgrounds couldn't help but exclaim.

Most of the others had flickering gazes and exchanged wary glances.

Many of them were descendants of collateral branches of great families, so they naturally hoped their own families would win.

"Colonel Varian, the Keynes Family is one of the most powerful factions in the northern region of the Star Alliance, holding one of the ten major regular legions, with protégés spread throughout the Star Alliance. No matter how you look at it, they are the most suitable backing."

A senior official of the Port of Friendship suddenly spoke up to suggest.

"Seconded."

Two fleet Commanders immediately agreed upon hearing this.

They were all collateral descendants of the Keynes Family, so they naturally hoped to persuade the group to join their own family.

"Bullshit. When did the Keynes Family ever get to be the strongest?"

Another senior official sneered: "If we really talk about strength, the two Marshals of the First and Second Main Fleets are far ahead in terms of status, strength, and position. I suggest we consider the First and Second Fleets."

"That's right."

"I think that's acceptable."

Some of those who did not belong to great families agreed to choose those with obviously greater strength.

"I think that is inappropriate."

A cold voice rang out from the crowd.

"Who... uh... Colonel Gore, what are your thoughts?"

The senior official who was refuted looked over with dissatisfaction, but upon discovering it was the Third Fleet's Commander, Gore, his tone softened.

Ever since this guy returned from escorting that Researcher, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, not to mention his rank had risen to Colonel. He now held a special status in the Port of Friendship.

"Colonel Varian."

Gore ignored him and bowed directly to Varian in the main seat: "No matter which one of these it is, they are all factions that have existed for over a thousand years, with complex internal structures. Even if we join them, the talent they prioritize using will be the talent from within their own families."

"We might even be used as cannon fodder, making pointless sacrifices."

Upon hearing this, Varian couldn't help but nod inwardly.

This was also one of his concerns.

His only bargaining chip was this "Port of Friendship" he had managed for so long. If he were to be sidelined after joining and the other party turned hostile, he would have no way to counter it.

"I wonder what thoughts Colonel Gore has."

He looked at him, waiting quietly for what would follow.

"Since we want to maximize benefits, we should naturally choose an emerging faction that has no complex relationships but possesses sufficient strength."

Gore smiled faintly.

"Colonel Gore, that is incorrect."

A senior official shook his head and said: "An emerging faction without a background, how can it talk about having sufficient strength?"

"That's right..."

The others also agreed.

The interstellar era is not like the primitive era where one could wave an arm and potentially change the world.

Without sufficient resources and powerful technology, one can only be on the receiving end of a beating.

"Then what if..."

Gore scanned the crowd, his expression unchanged, and smiled: "What if that emerging faction has the support of the Statue of Liberty?"