It was perfect timing to catch them at the murder scene.
On the way back, Yang Ming started creating a simple chart, arranging the three already encountered low-level civilizations.
Contestant number one: Earth, eight billion people, 0.75 civilization level.
Contestant number two: Unknown, more than three billion people, 0.9 civilization level.
Contestant number three: Semi Star, 4.6 billion people, 0.95 civilization level.
Lyu glanced over and muttered quietly, "Boss, if we ignore the civilization level—you said before that the technology of low-level civilizations is negligible—your home star is actually quite powerful."
"Lots of people," Lyu pointed at the mark of eight billion people, "in the interstellar age, population is the most powerful resource! The larger the population, the more players it produces. As long as everyone unites under the pressure of planetary destruction, a 1-on-2 scenario is possible."
Even though Yang Ming knew Lyu was trying to comfort him, he gladly accepted and did not point out the flaw in Lyu’s words.
Counting on the advantage of eight billion was just Yang Ming trying to find solace in hardship.
"We’ll see later," Yang Ming muttered, "I think contestant number two is currently the strongest, with a population entirely made up of soldiers and over three billion players... uh, kids probably can’t use equipment, so there are certainly two billion players, which is terrifying compared to the number of players in the first trial of my home star!"
"You don’t need to be too pessimistic, it’s up to human effort."
"Alright, let’s stop discussing this and continue to collect all-round information related to the Faya Civilization and the Pioneer... After we return, we’ll bring 026 aboard. This matter is top secret, only you and I have access."
"How is Hera’s condition?"
"There’s nothing major, I’ve been monitoring in real-time," Lyu said quickly, then suddenly stopped and frowned slightly.
The projection screen in front of Yang Ming switched images, and a pitch-black spaceship suddenly appeared, slowly sailing near a white dwarf star.
"Boss, one of our detectors placed throughout Wind’s territory just observed this ship, it’s a bit strange, it’s entering Wind’s border."
Yang Ming’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
A pitch-black ship, with no light in the portholes, and no energy shield outside.
He had some impression, as if he had seen a similar scene in the "Abyss" data footage, it seemed like...
"Lyu, calculate the trajectory and landing point of this warship," Yang Ming spoke without any fluctuation in his voice, "Feinan, full speed back, Luofeng Empire on full alert, send Edwan to the refuge area."
Lyu immediately executed the command, and after issuing the order, he asked quietly, "Boss, what’s going on?"
"Heading straight for Ilando Star."
"Don’t let it approach Ilando Star," Yang Ming said calmly, "have Dabiji and Gudun Mah mobilize more than half of their main fleet, search in its direction, and attack immediately upon discovery. This is an Insect Race assimilation warship; its sole function is to determine transition coordinates."
Lyu was momentarily stunned.
Was the Insect Race planning to sneak attack Wind?
"Boss, Miss Hera’s experiment!"
"Fly Hera’s transport ship to the Wind border."
Lyu’s figure flickered and disappeared, while Yang Ming tightly pressed his lips, leaned over, and quickly tapped on the control panel in front of him, setting the course for an early transition.
Inside the black box, the examiner was leisurely admiring the starry sea scenery when his eyes suddenly lit up.
That would be perfect, it would make the entire initial examination process much simpler.