The generals and diplomats from various civilizations of the Order Association entered the space station orbiting Lingge Star through the opened automatic door, which had just been built less than three days ago.
Bai Zhongqi had inherited a particular trait of the C people very well, which is the penchant for launching large construction projects wherever they go. Stepping into the Intergalactic Era, Earth Civilization began undertaking engineering projects not only on the surfaces of planets, but even more so in orbital space. Orbital facilities are fundamental infrastructure for an interstellar civilization. In fact, many civilizations have already moved high-risk industries, those with potential for pollution or that demand external raw materials, into orbit. This way, the surface of the planet can maintain a better ecological environment, primarily for the population's dwelling.
Bai Zhongqi had brought to Lingge Star nothing more than a military fleet with auxiliary construction forces, but in a short span of time, he had already built numerous Iridium Star military bases on the planet's surface and constructed several dozen orbital facilities.
This orbital space station was primarily intended for administrative and logistical uses, not for productive activities, and was meant to accommodate personnel only.
Generals and diplomats from the Order Association, such as Caesar, were observing this station upon entering. This was a way to assess the level of the other civilization; among civilizations in the Galaxy that had not yet established diplomatic relations, it was deemed very impolite and considered hostile to directly inquire about each other's civilization level.
However, the space stations and other orbital facilities that Bai Zhongqi constructed were all operated in a simplified manner, and the Iridium Star Civilization itself was geared towards simplicity. Consequently, there were a great number of devices that looked like glass panels but had computing functions more powerful than the supercomputers of some civilizations several levels higher, or seemingly simple lathe platforms which could actually construct materials at an atomic level with Atomic Substance Construction equipment.
General Caesar formed his own preliminary judgment after entering the space station: "There is no well-constructed ecosystem, but the artificial gravity is obviously quite good. The overall technological appearance tends toward simplicity, suggesting that they don't possess a particularly wide range of technologies."
Inwardly, Caesar had already labeled the Iridium Star-Earth Civilization as a Level 16-20 civilization. He thought that Iridium Star-Earth Civilization's prowess indicated that it likely wasn't a primitive civilization, but he also believed that it evidently had not surpassed their Ape Planet Civilization, so it definitely would not exceed Level 20.
When the bulky General Caesar approached Xu Lanzhou, it highlighted the lamentable essence of "Beauty and the Beast." Despite Xu Lanzhou's statuesque figure, she was quite petite next to the upright gorilla species.
Caesar thumped his chest twice with his two black fists. The gesture was distinctively characteristic of the gorilla species, but then he let his hands hang and bowed his head. This was an upright gorilla's form of courtesy, roughly equivalent to a human handshake.
Xu Lanzhou also performed an Iridium Star chest-touching salute to Caesar.
"Welcome to our space station," said Xu Lanzhou. Although a military officer, she was well-educated in military diplomacy. She was of noble birth, making her a prime choice in etiquette and social engagement.
Contrarily, Bai Zhongqi, donning Universe Army officer's uniform, crouched behind, looking sneaky, pretending to be a passerby, eavesdropping on the meeting between the Order Association and the Star Alliance.
Xu Lanzhou emphasized the word "our," effectively delineating between host and guest.
Caesar, a very shrewd person, immediately sensed the subtext in Xu Lanzhou's words.
After both parties were seated, Bai Zhongqi still stood at the back, observing representatives from different civilizations within the Order Association.
There was not even one Primate Clan civilization in the Order Association, indicating a probable indifference towards the Primate Clan. To someone like Bai Zhongqi from Earth, civilizations within the Order Association all seemed to possess certain animal characteristics to some extent. Naturally, there's no need to mention the upright gorillas; others included the chubby capybara people (Gigite Civilization), those resembling amphibians, the Mu Ze people with dry, wrinkled skin and heads split into four lobes, and many more.
Bai Zhongqi, having encountered more and more extraterrestrial species, slowly deduced that the majority of civilization species, even if not like the Primate Clan, generally had two arms, two legs, and a head. Many religious-leaning Universe Civilizations believed that the universe's creator saw this image as most resembling themselves, while scientists thought that such "configurations" of intelligent lifeforms were more conducive to survival on the vast majority of habitable planets.
"General from Earth Civilization, if it really is as you say, and Earth has eliminated the Teizene Fleet led by Su Beisi, then that is truly a joyous matter. However, we in the Order Association still have doubts. Su Beisi's fleet was massive and formidable, and Earth Civilization has never had much of a reputation in the Galaxy; we haven't even heard of Earth before..." Upright gorillas are a straightforward species, very intelligent, but they speak bluntly.
Xu Lanzhou's eyebrows slightly furrowed, "We, the Star Alliance Universe Army, have defeated the Teizene people, that's a fact, and I have no obligation to explain further to you."
With Xu Lanzhou speaking in such a manner, it made the upright gorillas suspect even more that she was lying. Caesar had encountered many Primate Clans, and not many were particularly honest civilizations. He was somewhat infuriated and said, "General Xu, the Order Association assembled today's fleet to uphold justice in the Galaxy and to rescue those civilizations enslaved and slaughtered by the Teizene. Before this, to stop the Teizene Civilization from attacking you, we have already paid a tremendous price. So, I hope we can hear the truth from you. The Teizene are a formidable enemy, and only by first acknowledging this can we continue our unyielding struggle against them."
Xu Lanzhou and Bai Zhongqi were both irked by the words of this upright gorilla. If Bai Zhongqi were negotiating here, he probably would have immediately retorted, but Xu Lanzhou, after all, was a scion of a prestigious family, always mindful of diplomatic benefits. Especially now, the Order Association opposed the Teizene, a force that should be allied with, not repelled.
Xu Lanzhou could only reiterate, "Our Star Alliance Universe Army fought a tough and extraordinary battle, securing this victory at tremendous sacrifice, and we hope your side can show the basic respect due."
The upright gorilla sensed Xu Lanzhou's seriousness, musing internally, "Could these Earth people have really defeated the Teizene?"
Caesar continued to inquire, "You defeated the Teizene in your own star region, then took the initiative to launch an attack, even capturing the planet previously invaded by the Teizene?"
"That's exactly what happened."