34: Chapter 34: Understanding the Distribution of Federation and Interstellar Power! Identifying Enemies and Opportunities!

The pale blue information stream from the ancient interstellar communication tower still spanned the starry sky, continuously feeding the entire galaxy's pulse into the command hub of the Star River Empire.

The panoramic sand table of the Star Sector Network hovered in the center of the mothership's command cabin. Billions of stars, thousands of forces, territorial boundaries, military deployments, faction entanglements... everything was as clear as the lines on one's palm. Commander Ling Shuang, Major Hu Feng, Administrative Director Guo Shouyi, and the others, who had just broken free from their "frog in the well" perception, could still not hide their agitation, their eyes locked onto this universe map that overturned their imagination.

Emperor Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm as water, without a hint of panic, only the composure of someone orchestrating the galaxy. He looked up at the holographic sand table and, in a majestic voice, directly issued the full-domain analysis command:

"Zero, deploy the full-dimensional intelligence map. First, sort out the distribution of forces throughout the Human Federation, distinguishing between the loyal, the traitors, the neutral, and the hidden backers. Second, mark the interstellar forces in the 7th Star Sector and its surroundings, categorizing them as enemy, friend, neutral, or exploitable. Third, list the priority of the Star River Empire's enemies, from near to far, from weak to strong. Fourth, unlock currently grabbable interstellar opportunities, marking resources, ruins, talent, and strategic locations. I want to see the game board beneath our feet within ten minutes."

[Command confirmed! High-speed analysis of the Star Sector Network core data in progress...]

[Intelligence coverage: 10%... 50%... 90%... 100%!]

[Federation—Interstellar All-Force Map, generation complete!]

With a crisp system prompt, the entire command cabin was completely filled with the most real, cold, and thorough interstellar intelligence. Commander Ling Shuang took a step forward, her fingertips trembling slightly. She had fought for the Human Federation for eight years but had never seen such a complete, naked, and unmasked power structure chart.

I. Distribution of forces throughout the Federation: Few loyalists, traitors entrenched, rotten to the core.

Zero's voice synchronized the commentary, peeling the Human Federation—a third-rate frontier regime in the universe—inside out:

1. The Federation's highest level: A tripod of power, surging undercurrents.

- The Federation Orthodox Faction (Loyalists): Occupies only 30%, loyal to the Federation Constitution, advocates for clearing out traitors and reorganizing military equipment. Led by Marshal Lin Chongshan of the Federation Headquarters, they have no real power, no military power, and no foreign aid; they have the name of loyalists but are completely hollowed out.

- The Traitor Group (Deadly Enemies): Occupies 50%. Led by Governor Bai Zhenbang of the 7th Star Sector, General Armaments Chief Zhao Hongyuan, and the behind-the-scenes financiers of the Black Crow Legion. They control border military power, arms smuggling, and the interstellar black market, colluding with the external Interstellar Commerce Alliance, conspiring to split the Federation.

- Neutral Observer Faction: Occupies 20%. Local warlords and planetary governors who only guard their own territory, helping whoever wins, without any bottom line.

2. The 7th Star Sector (at the doorstep of the Star River Empire): Completely the traitor's backyard.

- Regular Army: 80% controlled by traitors, 20% low morale, no will to fight.

- Naval ports, factories, resource planets: All privately divided by traitor families.

- Law enforcement agencies: Colluding with the Black Crow Hunting Group, reduced to assassin organizations.

Seeing this, Commander Ling Shuang clenched her fingers until they turned white, her voice ice-cold: "I knew it... the entire 7th Star Sector has long since rotted through! When I submitted the evidence back then, it couldn't even reach the Federation Headquarters; it was all intercepted by them halfway!"

3. Federation military deployment: Strong on the outside but weak on the inside, vulnerable to a single blow.

The Federation's entire Main Fleet, totaling 732 frigates, 41 destroyers, and 9 command ships, has 60% stationed in the core star sector for pleasure, 30% smuggling for profit at the border, and only 10% used for actual defense.

In terms of real combat power, it is less than two-thirds of the Star River Empire's active fleet.

Major Hu Feng sneered after reading: "Just this? They deserve to be called a frontier regime? If we send out a hundred Blade-class Frigates, we could directly steamroll 70% of their forces!"

Administrative Director Guo Shouyi frowned and said: "Do not underestimate the enemy. Although the Federation is weak, it can request aid from the Interstellar Commerce Alliance behind it at any time. That is a mid-level interstellar force we cannot afford to provoke for the time being."

II. Distribution of surrounding interstellar forces: A mix of fish and dragons, survival of the fittest.

The Star Sector Network marked all forces within a fifty-light-year radius of the No. 7 Dead Zone, making it clear at a glance:

1. Hostile forces (Must fight)

- Black Crow remnants: Remnants of the Federation traitors, roaming the Dead Zone, waiting for an opportunity to retaliate. About 3,000 people, 17 warships, low threat level.

- Red Bone Interstellar Bandit Group: Occupying the Broken Star Belt, burning, killing, and looting, hostile to all newborn forces. 22 warships, medium threat level.

- Dark sentinels of the Galactic Freedom Commerce Alliance: The behind-the-scenes financiers of the traitors, specializing in assassination, sabotage, and intelligence blockade. High threat level.

2. Neutral forces (Can be allied with)

- Liuyun Space City-State: An independent city-state established by exiles, hating the Federation, longing for protection. Can be wooed as an ally.

- Broken Star Mecha Mercenary Group: Composed of wandering mecha warriors, recognizing only money, not people. Can be recruited with heavy payment.

- Grey Stone Mining Alliance: Controls surrounding resource planets, seeking only stability. Can cooperate in trade.

3. Top-tier forces (Cannot be provoked)

- Outer stronghold of the Eternal Shadow Empire: Tentacles of one of the three great empires of the galaxy, managing only assassination and intelligence, not interfering in frontier disputes.

- Augustus Empire Scientific Research Station: Frontier observation point of the super mecha empire, having no interest in the Dead Zone.

Commander Ling Shuang stared at the list of hostile forces, her war god mecha spirit soaring: "Sovereign! The Black Crow remnants and the Red Bone bandits are jumping around right at our doorstep! As long as you give the order, I will lead the Sharp Knife Regiment to root them out within forty-eight hours!"

III. Star River Enemy List: From near to far, clear at a glance.

Zero automatically generated the "Star River Empire Enemy Priority List" according to threat level, hatred value, and engagement probability:

1. Black Crow remnants + 7th Star Sector traitors (Deadly enemies at the doorstep, must kill)

2. Red Bone Interstellar Bandit Group (Border scourge, must clear)

3. Federation Armaments Faction (The culprit who framed Commander Ling Shuang, must take revenge)

4. Galactic Freedom Commerce Alliance dark lines (Behind-the-scenes mastermind, long-term hostility)

5. Federation Headquarters Observer Faction (Potential future threat)

Seeing the third item on the list—the Federation Armaments Faction that framed her—Commander Ling Shuang had murderous intent in her cold eyes: "Sovereign, my grudge is ranked first. But I put the Empire first; let us flatten the external threats first, then clear out the internal traitors!"

Emperor Chen Fan nodded slightly: "You are the Star River Commander, your grudge is the grudge of the Star River. But there is no rush, one step at a time."

IV. Interstellar Opportunities Fully Unlocked: Gold everywhere, the opportunity for rise!

If enemies are the thorns in front of the Star River, then the opportunities unlocked by the Star Sector Network are the road to rise paved by Emperor Chen Fan for the Empire!

Zero listed six major strategic opportunities in one breath, each one enough to make the Star River Empire's strength soar!

1. Ancient energy ruins in the Dead Zone (Highest priority)

Coordinates: Deep in the No. 7 Dead Zone, an abandoned energy planet, leaving behind an ancient stellar core. Can infinitely extract high-energy crystals, three times stronger than existing star marrow energy!

2. Abandoned Federation naval port (Within easy reach)

Coordinates: Border unowned star sector, a large naval port abandoned by the Federation. Can be directly converted into the Star River's second space port, doubling the capacity for the fleet!

3. Exiled Mecha Sect (Top talent)

Information: A sect of mecha masters persecuted by the Federation, exiled in the Broken Star Belt, all members are S-class mecha pilots or above, currently looking for a place of refuge!

4. Unmanned resource star system (Strategic materials)

Three sparsely populated resource planets, rich in hull alloys, high-energy ores, and electronic components, enough for the Empire to expand its military three times over!

5. Ancient technology blueprint (Highest value)

Star Sector Network hidden archive: [Galactic High-Level Energy Shield Technology], left behind by an ancient civilization, defense strength is five times that of existing shields, can be installed on the entire fleet!

6. Neutral city-state allegiance (Geopolitical security)

Liuyun Space City-State publicly stated: Willing to submit to the strong, seeking only protection. After submission, can obtain a population of 300,000, space docks, and trade routes!

As the opportunities were laid out one by one, everyone in the command cabin breathed rapidly, their eyes shining!

Administrative Director Guo Shouyi said with a trembling voice: "Sovereign! This... this is simply capital for rising sent by heaven! With these opportunities, within a month, our fleet, mecha, resources, and population will all double! The Star River Empire will directly leap to become the number one power in the 7th Star Sector!"

Major Hu Feng could not suppress his fighting spirit: "Take the energy ruins first! Then take the abandoned naval port! I guarantee that within half a month, I will expand the fleet to one hundred and fifty ships!"

Commander Ling Shuang locked her eyes on the Exiled Mecha Sect and the energy shield technology, and said in a deep voice: "Sovereign, the Mecha Sect can reinforce the Sharp Knife Regiment, and the energy shield is the foundation of the fleet's survival! These two items must be taken first! Especially the shield technology—as long as it is installed on the entire fleet, we will truly achieve invincible defense and stand in an invincible position!"

Everyone understood—connecting to the Star Sector Network was not just "opening one's eyes to see the universe," but also opening the treasure vault door for the Star River Empire's rise!

Enemies were clear, opportunities were clear, the path ahead was suddenly enlightened!

V. Emperor Chen Fan sets the strategy: Strengthen defense first, then expand territory, step by step!

In the command cabin, the atmosphere was hot to the extreme.

Commander Ling Shuang, Major Hu Feng, and Administrative Director Guo Shouyi all looked at Emperor Chen Fan with burning eyes, waiting for him to set the next general strategy for the Star River Empire!

Emperor Chen Fan swept his gaze over the enemies and opportunities on the holographic sand table, without the slightest impatience, his voice calm and majestic, setting the major trend for the Star River in one word:

"First, recognize the enemies: Federation traitors, Black Crow remnants, Red Bone bandits are immediate threats; Interstellar Commerce Alliance, Federation factions are long-term enemies; The three great empires are irrelevant for the time being. Do not actively provoke trouble, do not fear incoming enemies. Those who offend our Star River, even if far away, must be punished."

"Second, seize the opportunities: Population, resources, naval ports, talent, all must be taken step by step; But the highest priority item is only one—Ancient [Energy Shield Technology]!"

Commander Ling Shuang's eyes widened: "Sovereign!"

Emperor Chen Fan looked at her, his tone firm: "In interstellar warfare, survive first, then talk about winning. We have a mothership, mecha, a fleet, and a war god, but we lack a layer of truly invincible defense. Unlock the energy shield technology, install it on the entire fleet, the entire planet, and all mecha. From now on, the Star River Empire can attack and defend, standing in an invincible position!"

One sentence, hitting the core!

No matter how strong the attack is, there will eventually be dangerous paths; only with invincible defense can one advance deep into enemy territory!

Administrative Director Guo Shouyi realized instantly: "The Sovereign is farsighted! Shield technology is the foundation! With invincible defense, we can then go to compete for ruins, incorporate sects, and wipe out traitors without any worries!"

Major Hu Feng nodded thunderously: "Right! Cast the shield first! Then sharpen the blade!"

Commander Ling Shuang took a deep breath, looking at Emperor Chen Fan with even more awe: "Subordinate understands! Please, Sovereign, issue the order to immediately unlock [Energy Shield Technology] and start the full-fleet installation project! I will lead the Sharp Knife Regiment to guard it the whole time, and whoever dares to come and snatch the technology, I will cut them down!"

Emperor Chen Fan nodded slightly, pointing his fingertip at the technology entry flashing with golden light on the holographic sand table, issuing the final order for the Star River Empire to move towards "invincible defense":

"Zero, unlock the ancient Galactic Energy Shield Technology! Authorize the mothership's military production line to analyze, copy, and mass-produce at full speed! From today on, the star river sovereign, the hundred frigates, the super mecha warehouse, the Grey Fire Planet, Commander Ling Shuang's war god mecha, and the Sharp Knife Regiment's mecha, all must be equipped with the new generation of energy shields! I want—Star River defense to be the best in the 7th Star Sector, invincible at the frontier!"

[Command confirmed!]

[Ancient Energy Shield Technology, successfully unlocked!]

[Technology analysis progress: 1%... 10%... 50%... 100%!]

[Full-fleet installation project, starting immediately!]

Golden streams of technical data poured into the mothership's core, and brand-new shield blueprints were generated rapidly.

Commander Ling Shuang stood in the command cabin, watching the "invincible defense" that was about to descend, the last trace of worry in her heart vanishing like smoke.

She knew—when the entire Star River fleet donned this layer of ancient shields, that would be the day they were truly invincible at the frontier!

Chapter 35: Super Pre-Construction

Ancient Energy Shield Technology fully analyzed!

The new generation of shield defense strength surged by 500%, immune to tactical nuclear bombs, ignoring warship cannon fire, and impenetrable by mecha melee!

The star river sovereign was the first to be equipped, the golden shield enveloping the entire ship, like an interstellar myth!

A hundred Blade-class Frigates were retrofitted simultaneously, silver-white shields arrayed in the starry sky, their momentum suppressing the entire star sector!

The shield on the Grey Fire Planet itself was upgraded, resonating with the planet's core, truly becoming impregnable, impenetrable by ten thousand men!

Commander Ling Shuang's war god mecha + the Sharp Knife Regiment were all equipped with shields, invincible in melee, immortal in raids, and capable of counter-killing in desperate situations!

When the full set of shields was installed, the Star River Empire's defense was directly maxed out, invincible at the frontier!

Federation traitors and interstellar bandits, still ignorant of death, came to provoke—

A cannon blast hit, but the shield didn't move at all!

Everyone was stunned, their souls flying away in terror!

Commander Ling Shuang sneered: "Now, it's our turn to clear the field!"