Since the complete annihilation of that E-level monster, the three-year-long interstellar catastrophe had finally begun to draw to a close.
As the flames of war subsided, the monstrous hordes scattered, and Star Alliance forces across the galaxy methodically swept up the remaining enemy.
The star networks buzzed with cheers and praise. Soldiers of every race danced and sang, fireworks and banners marking the victory. Outside Dawnstar Starport, the squares overflowed with celebration, tears and laughter intertwining in a dazzling festival.
—Yet inside the main vessel’s conference room, the atmosphere was starkly different.
Milton, Gu Qing, Philip, Il, Vili, Raine, Navien, and Ace sat in tense silence, the air heavy with oppressive weight.
Raine slammed his fist on the table first, his anger practically burning from his pupils. “You’re suggesting that this disaster—these monsters—were manmade?”
Navien frowned deeply, voice low and grave. “Gu Qing, what basis do you have for saying that?”
Gu Qing’s expression was calm, but his words carried absolute certainty. “This war arrived too precisely. The monsters’ emergence, expansion, attack patterns—all too accurate. Their resource raids target energy stone zones in particular. These actions aren’t instinctual—they’re deliberate maneuvers.”
He paused, sweeping his gaze over the group before continuing. “More crucially, their attack patterns and evolution clearly target the psychic seas—the most vulnerable point common to all interstellar races. Their reproduction rate defies natural law. All these signs are far from ordinary.”
“I suspect there is deliberate interference behind this,” he said, his eyes darkening, his voice cutting like steel.
“This… is insane,” Il muttered, disbelief almost shaking her voice. “Pushing every race to the brink of extinction—what could possibly be gained?”
Gu Qing shook his head, his tone growing heavier. “Which is why I suspect it’s not merely an internal issue. This could be an outside force. Not the Star Alliance, not the Insectoid Hive, not any known civilization.”
Philip added, unusually solemn, “Gu Qing’s deduction has merit. Looking at the battlefield, this war unfolded like a carefully planned, organized strike. The monsters’ movements were not random—they gradually targeted strategic points.”
“And every area they seized…” Vili continued, frowning, “was either energy reserves, hyperspace communication stations, or strategic hubs like Dawnstar Starport.”
Milton had been silent until now. His voice was low and resolute when he finally spoke: “I agree with Gu Qing. If he’s right—this is only the beginning.”
Gu Qing turned to Raine and Navien, his tone calm but forceful. “I know our intel is limited. These suspicions are not proof, and I don’t expect immediate belief. But stay vigilant. This war may not be over—it may just be the prologue.”
Raine and Navien exchanged a glance, finally tempering their earlier fury. Though still serious, they nodded.
“…Understood,” Navien said, his voice heavy.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Raine added, each word a low, controlled edge of ice and fury.
Ace, seated silently all this time, remained motionless. Hands folded, he observed Gu Qing with those deep violet-red eyes, expression unreadable. From the first word, he had been fully attentive. Though the war had ended, a lingering shadow crept into his heart. If Gu Qing’s suspicions were true, this bloodshed was merely the prelude to a greater storm. He lowered his gaze, a glint of thoughtful resolve flickering across his eyes.
When the meeting concluded, everyone departed quietly, leaving the massive conference room to sink into silence once more.
Milton and Gu Qing exchanged a glance before leaving for the lounge.
As soon as the door closed, Milton noticed Gu Qing standing by the window, brow furrowed, silently watching the starlit expanse illuminated by starship flares.
“…I suspect the outbreak of this war is connected to the upper echelons of the Insectoid Hive,” Gu Qing said slowly, each word like a blade striking the core.
Milton’s expression changed instantly. He stepped closer. “What have you discovered?”
“It’s a hypothesis,” Gu Qing said, turning to him, unwavering. “I suspect the role of the alpha drones was artificially controlled. From birth, they were confined to positions of apparent authority—seemingly exalted, yet isolated from politics, economy, and military. This design… prevents them from ever truly awakening.”
“Their power?”
A silver light shot from Gu Qing’s mind, and the little spirit orb flopped energetically: “Ace’s psychic blade is super effective—made to slay those demonic monsters! Plus, the energy stones’ spiritual aura—that’s why monsters keep raiding Tumorafe Planet. They’re deliberately destroying it! So evil!”
Gu Qing continued: “Those mechanisms are naturally evolved defenses against demonic energy. But someone is exploiting the world’s infancy to remove these powers at the root.”
Milton’s expression grew grimmer as his mind raced through the implications.
“This means… someone has known the truth for a long time but chose to keep the entire species in ignorance.”
Gu Qing nodded lightly. “Yes. The Hive’s societal structure naturally nurtures demonic energy: hierarchical oppression, emotional suppression, rigid caste—feeding it endlessly. Looking back, it seems none of this was natural evolution… but a product of a millennia-long plan.”
Milton’s eyes widened, voice lowered. “This plan… has it been in motion for a thousand years?”
“Yes,” Gu Qing said calmly, yet each syllable weighed like a mountain. “As I’ve said before, this world is tied to the cultivation realms. And that connection… has never been severed.”
The room fell into silence.
Milton exhaled slowly. “But if it’s been so long without action, why strike now?”
Gu Qing’s eyes darkened like night. “Because the Immortal Lord… is gone.”
He looked at Milton, black eyes heavy with a rare mix of grief and resolve.
“Immortal Lord Xuanxiao was a wildcard in this chessboard. His presence made them hesitant. Now, with the guardian gone, they… can finally begin the harvest.”
“Next, they’ll seek the sealed vessel, break its seal, release the demonic seed, and claim the world completely.”
Milton frowned. “The sealed vessel was transferred to the fleeing Insectoid soldier from the Immortal Palace, right? Its whereabouts unknown, and centuries have passed… the seal still holds? How could they find it?”
Gu Qing’s gaze darkened. “Immortal Lord Xuanxiao foresaw this. He modified the seal to automatically transfer upon the host’s near-death. The seal will not break with the host’s demise.”
He produced a white crystal from his pocket.
“This crystal was left by the Immortal Lord. When the world’s demonic energy exceeds a warning threshold, it emits guiding light, helping us locate the sealed vessel. Because the seal subtly shifts with demonic energy fluctuations, the crystal can sense these changes.”
He added, “The vessel appears no different from ordinary people. The Immortal Lord hid it to avoid pursuit—why no one has discovered it to this day.”
Milton asked quietly, “So… we can only follow the crystal?”
Gu Qing considered for a moment. “Not entirely passive. The Hive is divided into four major factions: Royalty, Nobility, Military, and Council. If there’s an insider, they likely reside at the core. We must investigate first, before they locate the vessel.”
His tone sharpened. “A plan spanning centuries, across star systems, manipulating public opinion—it’s beyond ordinary forces.”
Eyes like blades, he said calmly but with lethal intent: “The four factions restrain each other, incapable of sustained cooperation, and cannot dominate the species’ destiny. Only—the Royalty. Holding the longest historical records, the makers of systems and hierarchies.”
He stated decisively, “If an outside force infiltrates the Hive elite to push a millennia-long plan, the Royalty… are the most likely collaborators.”
The little spirit orb’s silver light flared with fury. “No way! The Royalty is in league with an outside force?! That’s… that’s a traitor! Completely rotten!”
Milton reached out, gently lifting the restless orb as one would a frightened, fur-fluffed pet. His voice was tender, but underlined with barely contained pain: “Calm down, little one. I can’t swallow this anger either.”
He lowered his head, violet cold light flaring in his eyes, voice inching colder: “If the Royalty is truly involved… this war isn’t merely an external invasion. It’s an internal… apocalyptic rebellion.”
Gu Qing lifted his gaze, black eyes glinting like steel. “Starting from the Royalty—we will uncover this millennia-long chessboard, piece by piece.”
That night, Milton slept in Gu Qing’s arms, silver hair spilling softly, breathing steady and peaceful. Gu Qing remained motionless, gazing at him with tenderness that could melt stone. His fingertips traced Milton’s facial contours, as if imprinting this moment in the deepest recesses of his heart.
Within Gu Qing’s mind, the little spirit orb floated over, whispering: “Were you telling Raine and Navien earlier… to pave the way for Mimi?”
Gu Qing remained silent a moment before softly replying: “If the Royalty is the mastermind, he will be first. I cannot gamble on this. If one day I cannot be at his side, I must at least leave someone to protect him.”
The orb’s voice held a hint of worry: “…If you truly aren’t there, Mimi will cry so terribly…”
Gu Qing did not answer. He simply lowered his gaze, silently watching the person in his arms until night faded and dawn light emerged.