Hearing that the other party was the First Divine General, the two shipgirls also heightened their alertness. Although they were unarmed, they were willing to block attacks for Bai Zhongqi if necessary. However, Bai Zhongqi was far more formidable than the two shipgirls. Moreover, Chancellor His Highness had not sensed any hostility from Lv Zhinian, an old acquaintance.
"Can you tell me how you went from being an officer of the Star Alliance to becoming the First Divine General of the Galaxy?"
A trace of reminiscence appeared on Lv Zhinian's face as he said reflectively, "After the Wuyan Palace incident, my identity was naturally listed as a target for purge by Xiao Yu. I had already been captured, but fortunately, I was rescued by the incumbent Divine General. The incumbent Divine General came from a civilization known as Girabodhi Mountain, obscure and unheard of, but as the First Divine General, his strength and talent were unquestionable. I followed the First Divine General for seventeen years, learning his experience and knowledge, and gaining more understanding about the mysteries of the universe, until he passed away. I then inherited his mantle and received the Ring of the Divine General."
Bai Zhongqi asked curiously, "How did the incumbent Divine General find you and choose you as his successor?"
Lv Zhinian shook his head in confusion, "I asked him too, but he just laughed and told me that when it was my turn, I would naturally understand."
Bai Zhongqi gave a hum, but did not inquire further. Instead, he looked intently at Lv Zhinian, who seemed to be lost in the past, and said, "What are your plans by crashing into my conference this time?"
Lv Zhinian replied calmly, "Please, let me finish my story."
"Please, continue," Bai Zhongqi was in no hurry.
"When I became the First Divine General, you had already reclaimed all that belonged to you. I was very relieved by this, and I also hoped that our homeland Earth would develop in a better direction. However, afterwards the Galaxy merger incident occurred, and I didn't have the chance to visit Earth. It was then, quite coincidentally, that I encountered the Swarm—and not yours, but the real Swarm that is now plaguing the Galaxy."
Bai Zhongqi's interest was piqued, and he leaned forward slightly.
"I met someone—or rather, an Insectoid—on a doomsday planet that had almost been swept clean by Insectoids, leaving no life behind. She stood there, gently picking up a small animal in her arms. I don't know what that animal was called, it was a bit like a dog from Earth, covered in fur, and very cute. Just as I thought she would eat the little animal, she cradled it, gently rocking it as if lulling a baby to sleep. Even though her face was that of an Insectoid, I saw a serene humanity within her."
Bai Zhongqi felt as if he might guess who he had seen, and his eyebrows raised in keen concentration.
"She noticed me, looking bewildered, probably because her kind had eaten many of my Primate Clan. When she saw me, she did not look at me the way one looks at food but didn't understand why I was there by her side. I walked over and asked her, 'What are you thinking?' Holding the small animal, she said to me that her instinct was to tear it apart and eat it to gain its DNA, but she found the tiny creature so adorable that she hesitated. Then, she asked me, 'Why is this so?' I answered, 'Every intelligent being, in the course of growth, enters a new stage, one that resists instinct. Your instincts might drive you to obtain food, to claim a mate, to guard territory. Yet, when you can survive perfectly well, following every action by instinct is quite unnecessary.'
The female Insectoid holding the small animal seemed to understand somewhat and then asked Lv Zhinian, "So that's how it is, but if we don't follow our instincts, what else should we do?"
"Different intelligent species have different hobbies. For my species, we enjoy art, we love sports, we like to try new things. In short, any behavior beyond instinct that can make oneself happy and maintain the survival of the species as a social whole, is considered commendable. Just as you don't want to kill this little animal because it is cute and can keep you company, bring you joy, so you resist the instinct to kill it. What you are experiencing is merely a stage that all intelligent beings inevitably go through."
The female Insectoid seemed very interested, her pair of antennae trembling slightly, "You seem to know a great deal, then can you tell me more?"
Lv Zhinian nodded, "I can, once I take care of some trouble."
Bai Zhongqi seemed to have heard quite an astounding story and asked Lv Zhinian, "What trouble did you deal with?"
Lv Zhinian answered, "It seems that five Dukes from the Swarm intended to rescue their Empress, so I pinned them to the ground and gave them a beating."
"So it was the Swarm Empress after all? But Lv Zhinian, you seem a bit formidable now, taking on five Dukes of the Swarm alone. Have you become a Star God?" Bai Zhongqi asked with great interest.
Lv Zhinian shook his head, "I'm not a Star God, nor do I understand Star Energy, but I am, after all, the First Divine General."
Bai Zhongqi nodded and asked, "How long ago did this happen?"
"About half a year ago, I guess."
"Did you approach the Swarm Empress to reform her?"
"Not at all," Lv Zhinian answered crisply, "The First Divine General has his own principles. For a Galactic presence of the Swarm Empress's level, I have already eliminated her. My visit there was more to understand the Swarm up close and to see where the future of the Galaxy truly lies."
Lv Zhinian continued, "However, the strength of the Swarm has grown far beyond my expectations, and new Dukes have emerged. With their combined efforts, they have confined the Empress and even attempted to kill me. I ultimately managed to escape, but the Swarm's rampage has accelerated, eventually leading to a direct conflict with Iridium Star."
Bai Zhongqi's eyes brightened, "The Swarm Empress was actually overthrown in a coup? Such an event is unimaginable; this Swarm has renewed my understanding from many aspects. Now, an important point is, Mr. Divine General, do you know where the Swarm Empress is being held?"
Lv Zhinian nodded faintly, "This is also the main reason for my visit. If this galactic disaster continues to spread, I fear that even if Iridium Star completes the pan-galactic process, the Galaxy will suffer tremendous losses, even entering a period of relative weakness. Therefore, I hope to cooperate with the United Empire of Iridium Star and You, Your Chancellorship, to resolve this dispute and restore peace to the Galaxy."