Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 987 - 686: Inspection Team (Part 2)
But at present, these out-of-control incidents appear more like random, isolated accidents, lacking a clear indication of conspiracy.
"Yes, that's all we can do." Xing Zhuo seemed a bit helpless, "I have already submitted the relevant situation and our concerns, along with some data on the Bug Race's disguised infiltration during the Karian campaign, to the Council's highest security committee. Hopefully it will attract higher-level attention, deploying more resources for investigation. However..."
He hesitated for a moment, "There are voices in the council that believe the current priority should be addressing the Bug Race threat and accelerating the development of the 'Divine Fragment' weapon. These small-scale spiritual energy incidents internally should be lower in priority. Especially... After you demonstrated such powerful personal combat strength, many people feel that the Bug Race is the only worthy enemy to worry about."
Bai E was not surprised by this.
"Prepare yourselves well." Bai E finally said, "Tell your people, if they spot any suspicious spiritual energy pollution signs, or if personnel exhibit inexplicable personality changes, frequent nightmares, abnormal interest in specific symbols or whispers, they must be vigilant, immediately isolate and report it. Sometimes, the seeds of disaster lie hidden in these subtle anomalies."
"Understood, I'll pass that on." Xing Zhuo solemnly agreed, ending the communication.
Bai E was left alone in the command room, looking through the observation window at the orbital shipyard gradually taking shape above the Mine Star.
The starry sky seemed calm, but the news Xing Zhuo brought implied that beneath this calmness, there was a hard-to-detect undercurrent hidden.
Is the loss of control of Spiritual Ability Users really just coincidental?
Or is it that, beyond the fangs of the Bug Race, another more invisible and insidious threat has already quietly begun to grow within the human Star Domain?
He didn't know the answer.
But he knew, whether it is the Bug Race or possibly an existing shadow from higher dimensions, to protect the newly budding home beneath his feet, he and his followers must become stronger and more vigilant.
And deep in the space of higher dimensions, the wills of those four ancient existences were looking satisfiably at the emerging sparks in the material world.
Loss of control, fear, suspicion, barriers... these are the best nutrients.
They were not in a rush; patient sowing and watering would ultimately allow the fruit of betrayal and chaos to mature again on the body of human civilization.
...
With the near blood-transfusion-like assistance from the Karian Federation and the Golden Swallow Trading Company, the Mine Star has been able to provide the best welfare policies within the Star Domain, attracting a large number of immigrants without stable industries to join.
In half a year, with the influx of abundant resources and manpower, there were earth-shattering changes on the surface of the Mine Star.
The previously dilapidated and scattered mining area settlements were completely transformed.
A new city— "New Jing City", centered on the original basic mining area, with orderly planning and clear functional zoning— rose from the ground.
Although the architectural style has a noticeable utilitarian character, far from luxurious, the sturdy alloy framework, stable energy supply, comprehensive circulation system, and basic public service facilities are enough for tens of millions of residents to live a life far surpassing the past.
At the city's center, a magnificent "Civilization Council Hall" and its adjacent "Technology Archive" were established, serving as the spiritual and knowledge center of New Bauhinia.
Though the archive is far from being enriched, it has at least symbolic significance.
Around the central area are academies, hospitals, workshops, markets, and... a building with a simple and solemn style, privately referred to by many as the "Holy Temple."
Despite Bai E's repeated public statements discouraging and not needing personal worship, that blue and white beam of light across the starry sky during the Karian campaign, alongside the god-like mecha figure, has already been imprinted in the minds of countless people.
The spontaneously gathered people, especially those he saved or who came in admiration among the new immigrants, began to silently pray and express respect in the "Holy Temple."
A belief in the personal power of "Bai E" quietly took root and spread among the populace.
Catherine and Gong Yan followed Bai E's instructions and tried to guide multiple times, but with little effect.
Regarding population, through various channels, the registered population of Mine Star surged within half a year, although still distant from the hard standard of one billion, it already far surpasses the initial barren state, and continues to grow rapidly.
More importantly, most of these new immigrants hold a high degree of recognition and belonging towards "New Bauhinia," which is valuable wealth exchanged with resources and policies.
In terms of technology, with the help of Karian engineers and some defecting scientists, the Mine Star established a basic industrial research and development system, able to digest, improve, and produce some existing technologies on a small scale, preliminarily possessing an "autonomous" embryonic form.
Militarily, besides the Seventh Legion, a "Planet Defense Army" primarily composed of new immigrants and miners' offspring was formed, although the equipment mostly relies on external sources, at least they have a framework.
Overall, despite the gap from a mature, deeply-rooted sovereign nation, the development speed, potential, and uniqueness Mine Star displayed within just half a year has garnered attention from many parties.
Of course, this near-barbaric growth inevitably caused dissatisfaction among some member states within the Peak Alliance, especially those who were initially hostile or wary towards Bai E and "Bauhinia."
They expressed protest through various channels, claiming Mine Star's population absorption affected their domestic stability, criticizing the Karian Federation for "assisting the enemy," and even suspecting Bai E of secretly engaging in illegal human trafficking or brainwashing.
However, under Bai E's soaring prestige and the explicit support from Karian and other countries, these murmurs were temporarily suppressed and couldn't form effective substantial obstruction.
As Mine Star rushed to prepare for the upcoming assessment, the Star Alliance's inspection team arrived on schedule.
This inspection team was not large, consisting of a medium-sized silver research ship and two escort ships, with the emblem of the Star Alliance—a star surrounded by olive branches—painted on the hull.
Their arrival was low-key yet formal, and they communicated with the Mine Star side through official channels ahead of time.
In the command center, Catherine, Gong Yan, Black Beast, and others appeared serious.
Although there is some confidence in their development, facing the Star Alliance—the highest joint organization ruling the known universe's human civilization—no one dared to be careless.
"The primary purposes of the Star Alliance inspection team are twofold." Catherine reported to Bai E, "First, to verify the actual situation of our 'Bauhinia Republic' reconstruction, assessing whether it meets the minimum standards of a Level 1 Sovereign Civilization. This is crucial for determining whether we can gain formal recognition in the Star Alliance from a legal standpoint. Second, to confirm the validity of our qualification as champions representing this Stellar District in the Star Alliance Grand Competition. According to the Star Alliance charter, the entity representing the Stellar District must be a sovereign state or political entity recognized by the Star Alliance."
Bai E nodded: "Arrange the reception, let me know when I am needed."
"Understood."
The members of the Star Alliance inspection team were not arrogant bureaucrats; instead, they demonstrated a high level of professionalism.
The team leader was a male scholar named Elorin, with a gentle disposition but sharp eyes, alongside the president of the Star Domain Competition Committee seen in the last competition.
After a brief welcoming ceremony, the assessment began immediately.
They delved into "New Jing City," assessing city layout, infrastructure, public services; visited newly established academies and technical workshops, conversing with engineers, teachers, and students to evaluate technological level and knowledge inheritance; randomly interviewed citizens about their living conditions, recognition and sentiment towards "New Bauhinia," and rights protection; reviewed the thick documents about national institutions, legal frameworks, and development plans prepared by Catherine's team; even requested to examine some economic operation data and material supply chain records.
The inspection was meticulous and comprehensive, lasting a whole week.
Throughout the process, Bai E only appeared at the initial and final stages, having brief discussions with Elorin.
