Yang Ming rubbed the tip of his nose.
"Then let’s release more water—no, more sea."
The examiner laughed and said, "We can distinguish between personal and work matters. We don’t let our personal emotions interfere with work, that’s a principle."
"What do you want me to promise you?"
"If, and I mean in the rarest of possibilities, you pass five assessments," the examiner said, "please allow us three to be destroyed, rather than enslaved."
What left him speechless wasn’t the latter part but the former.
Was his chance of passing the assessments really that low?
"I promise you, Mr. Examiner," Yang Ming shook his head, "so tell me, how can you help me handle this matter?"
"I can give you a comprehensive gift pack when you start choosing development directions and tech receptions after passing the initial test."
The examiner winked at Yang Ming:
"I can sense you really want to keep this human female by your side, you like her, it’s a time-sensitive feeling.
"This is very interesting.
"Generally speaking, after completing the assessment, you’ll choose three main directions to undertake technology, and you will probably choose the bioscience direction, right?
"I can give you some technology that you would only receive after passing the Third Rank assessment in advance, but only two auxiliary options—life energy shield, biological energy isolation materials, to build a haven for you and your partner."
Yang Ming’s eyes lit up.
The examiner laughed, "Then you can shield the Insect Race’s contact with your partner."
"Thank you," Yang Ming expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
The examiner, however, said, "But I still suggest you consult with your partner and information with her."
"I will, although it is a difficult decision," Yang Ming exhaled lightly, "I can almost predict what choice she will make."
"Only through mutual respect can true freedom be achieved," the examiner said, "That’s advice from someone who’s been through it."
The Insect Race emblem appeared on the projection screen.
Lyu’s calm voice had already sounded, "The insect swarm has started teleporting."
"No rush," Yang Ming’s eyes showed no extra emotion as he quietly watched the deep space ahead, "Wait for them to jump over."
Feinan changed direction, windows aligned with the expanding area, and the coating machine had begun to work.
The Insect Race Battleship, shrunk to twelve thousand meters in length, suddenly appeared.
Thirteen battleships, reduced to two thousand meters in length, immediately followed!
They adjusted the structure of their battleships, becoming denser, gaining greater maneuverability.
At this moment, the insect swarm had discovered the Feinan, which was about to teleport, each insect rapidly spreading, and six Insect Race battleships launched simultaneously.
From afar, the scene reminded Yang Ming of the ’sparkler’ he played with as a child.
The Feinan began teleporting, leaving a few detection monitors in its place.
Once the starlight outside the windows returned to normal, Yang Ming immediately saw the scattered ion beams in the distant deep space.
The teleportation coordinates were accurate.
They had reached the New Federation border, where a new round of battles between the Sherman Empire and the New Federation was unfolding!
"Insect swarm status."
"They seem very angry, feeling toyed with, and have started teleporting again," Lyu explained, "Boss, your deterrent against the Fifth Rank Fake Mother Insect is somewhat lacking."
Yang Ming responded with a smile, "After all, I am only secondary."
"Yes, boss... The insect swarm has started teleporting! They seem truly angry, forcefully sacrificing the life energy of a tenth of the insects!"
Lyu’s projection appeared beside Yang Ming, frowning:
"Boss, Feinan currently cannot teleport, nor can it engage in super-high-speed navigation."
Yang Ming contemplated silently, grasping the square helm, his actions interpreting his plan.
Feinan was heading straight for the battlefield ahead.
Lyu reminded, "We cannot rashly rush into the battlefield. Compared to the insect attack, the large-caliber ion cannon poses a greater threat to us, as Feinan remains fundamentally a light ship."
Yang Ming controlled the speed of the Feinan, responding simply.
The space behind began to expand.
The Insect Race flagship reappeared, more insects shed from its periphery.
Thirteen main battleships appeared simultaneously.
A large number of insects also perished directly due to this teleportation.
As if convinced that this small spaceship had run out of options, or perhaps sensing the threat in the space ahead, a total of fourteen Insect Race battleships unfolded simultaneously.
In the starry sky, fourteen spinning flowers appeared, countless insects swarming towards the Feinan.
The Feinan began to accelerate.
A faint tremor sounded through the hull.
The insect swarm started flanking maneuvers, already commanding a speed advantage, seemingly assured of victory.
Yang Ming said, "Broadcast the Emperor Star’s flag and the White Ghost’s emblem."
Lyu responded calmly.
She couldn’t help but ask, "If both sides ignore us, do we have a backup plan?"
"Yes," Yang Ming said calmly, "The Feinan has one last teleportation opportunity, release the polarizer restriction."
"But doing so will likely ruin the engine."
"Then let it be ruined."
Lyu pursed her lips lightly.
Yang Ming said softly, "I’ll perform a full upgrade on your main processor."
"Life safety is most important," Lyu nodded decisively.
Yang Ming smiled, but his smile quickly faded, his attention fully focused on the control panel before him.
Feinan could not withstand a direct strike from the main battleships nor endure the dense offensive of the insect swarm from behind.
The number of insects was overwhelming.
The fourteen spirally unfolding flowers had formed a covering stance, like a golden tsunami, chasing the Feinan.