New universes and galaxies were continuously forming, and at almost any point in the entire galaxy, astronomical spectacles were unfolding.
From the outset, the cores of the three galaxies had merged together, pushing the entire colossal star system outward, thereby slightly reducing the terrifying forces acting on other planetary systems and celestial structures.
Eight massive spiral arms were forming around the new galactic center, namely the Sagittarius Arm, Southern Cross Arm, Cygnus Arm, Shield Arm, Orion Arm, Three Thousand Second Differential Arm, Square Arm, and Orion Arm. The Iridium Star United Empire was located in the newly formed Orion Arm, while the original Second Universe Orion Arm had long been torn apart and scattered into other arms, with small remnants slowly coming under the influence of the New Orion Arm and gradually becoming part of it.
The frequency and intensity of extreme astronomical disasters were diminishing over time, and although Bai Zhongqi estimated that it would take another one to two years for the merging of the galaxies to completely settle, at the very least, the risks encountered by fleets during navigation had been significantly reduced.
After returning to the Iridium Star, Bai Zhongqi began to frequently coordinate and manage the affairs of the United Empire in his capacity as Chancellor, particularly in response to this severe merging of galaxies. The powerful technological capabilities of the Iridium Star meant that it suffered minimal impact and damage during the overall astronomical disasters, and the process of technological integration and upgrade had not been interrupted.
In addition to resolving governmental affairs, Bai Zhongqi now seemed to be addicted to "collecting antiques," tirelessly handling his Crimson God Stones every day. Apart from the Iridium Star, he now frequented the Taoran Star even more often than he visited Earth.
Today's Taoran Star had long resolved its communication difficulties; however, compared to other planets, its main method of communication was still via wired connections—involving a superconductive optical fiber directly connected to the planet's orbit for satellite communication relays—which was still quite inconvenient.
The indigenous population of the Taoran Star now accounted for less than four percent of the planet's 1.3 billion inhabitants. Most living on the Taoran Star were from Earth and other planets, primarily the Primate Clan, with a minority from other races.
Bai Zhongqi handled his stones with enthusiasm, just like how all women feel extremely upset when they see their husbands obsessed with their hobbies at the expense of more important concerns.
Zero stood by, watching Bai Zhongqi who had been fiddling with the stones for over two hours, and pouted as he asked, "How much longer are you going to fiddle with these? Besides the time you used the fire-drinking stone to consume some stars, it seems you haven't brought out any valuable stones lately."
Bai Zhongqi did not even look up, speaking in a very manly tone, "What do you know? These are all treasures; who knows when one of these stones might come in handy."
He truly believed that, just like the Homeland Stone, which Bai Zhongqi had modified to roughly match an Elder Race mothership. The inherent capabilities of the Crimson God Stone allowed it to traverse the Void, almost akin to a mothership.
When he inadvertently looked up at Zero, Bai Zhongqi was startled and moved back a bit from his chair.
The woman standing in front of him was Zhang Yingxi, who had gracefully charmed everyone in a fictitious world.
Bai Zhongqi was slightly stunned, but quickly realized what was happening. He said somewhat uncomfortably, "What are you doing?"
Zero smiled and said, "It seems you really girl; you even kept her body. Since you like her, wouldn't it be nice if I made a clone in her likeness?"
Bai Zhongqi felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't bring himself to speak harshly to Zero, only staying silent like a sulking child.
Zero keenly sensed his mood; her true form emerged from behind and she said apologetically, "Did I upset you?"
Bai Zhongqi sighed and replied, "It's alright, I was just being a bit melodramatic. She was a pitiful person, but now that she's dead, it doesn't really matter."
Zero said, "The real culprits are those Pilgrims, right? The people of that world were innocent, yet they ended up being used as weapons by them."
"Although the Elder Race lives long, they are not invulnerable. The Pilgrims hope to break the spirit and state of the Elder Race with a strategy of psychological warfare, thereby seizing their opportunity."
Zero stood up and touched the avatar she had created in the likeness of Zhang Yingxi, saying, "It's not easy either, creating such a beautiful person. Even mastering genetic technology and being able to craft various beautiful shells, there are still some individuals who seem flawlessly beautiful."
With a slightly teasing look towards Bai Zhongqi, she asked, "What's the matter, you really don't appearance of mine? Or do you think it's not enough? If you like, I can create many avatars for you, and you could enjoy the entanglement of many bodies at once, tsk tsk tsk, fulfilling every man's dream in that regard."
Bai Zhongqi coughed twice and said awkwardly, "I'm not that perverted."
As they spoke, a communicator on the table lit up. Bai Zhongqi casually activated it, and a message from Xu Lanzhou came through.
Bai Zhongqi frowned after reading it, "I didn't expect that we would have to go to war so soon."
The message was simple. The Solitary Civilization from the Upper Orion Arm Star Sector in the Second Universe Galaxy—known for its respectable strength—had seen its territory torn asunder and was merging with the new Orion Arm. This merger of galaxies had caused the Solitary Civilization great losses, with one-third of their planets destroyed and some of their territory being divided into the Orion Arm.
The remnants of the Solitary Civilization in the Orion Arm included several Administrative Stars, but they severely lacked resource planets. Unaware of the huge empire lurking nearby, they found several favorable planetary systems, including mineral-rich planets and habitable ones.
In light of the severe setback, the Solitary Civilization immediately dispatched a special Fleet to occupy several resource planets and one habitable planet, scavenging resources to satisfy the needs of their civilization.
However, although the planets occupied by the Solitary Civilization had no inhabitants or facilities, they were part of the forbidden zone of the Iridium Star United Empire.
Previously, the First Universe Galaxy had few civilizations and planets, but still, being a stellar galaxy, it had a considerable number. The Iridium Star United Empire did not have the capacity to swallow them all, leaving some planets as undeveloped reserves. Most of these planets would be labeled as Chancellor's territories. Some didn't even have that label, leaving them unguarded and unclaimed.
But now, a hungry little animal had intruded into the backyard of the Iridium Star United Empire.