Since Li Yang's abilities are no longer invincible, they are not worth relying upon. Ren Zhong, who is cautious and meticulous, striving for perfection, naturally would not gamble the lives of nearly twenty billion people staying on Source Star and the two billion following him to the Empire on Li Yang's abilities.

Therefore, things are bound to develop this way.

"Everyone, I've finished speaking. If you have any opinions, please feel free to speak freely."

Having finished, Ren Zhong smiled warmly as he looked around.

He focused especially on the expressions of some members from the Supreme Elder Council of the Association.

Although Ren Zhong was already in a high position, it was actually his first time dealing with this group of top aristocracy of Source Star in plain sight.

He seemed quite skilled, even somewhat disdainful.

After a brief silence, one of the somewhat elderly Elders coughed lightly, "Commander, I have a different opinion."

This old man is the current rotating Chief Elder, theoretically enjoying the greatest administrative power.

Over the past fifteen years, the previous generation of Chief Elder chose to retire after turning forty and is now peacefully asleep in a frozen storage chamber on a core transport ship.

The last generation's rotating Chief Elder was Ying Hao, who unusually accepted two consecutive terms and dedicated his life until his last day in this position.

The current Chief Elder comes from the Alson Group, named Donald Alson, the former chairman of the Alson Group, the father of the current chairman of the Alson Group. Whether his promotion was Li Yang's strategy or just a random selection is no longer important.

Now, facing Ren Zhong as Fleet Commander, only Donald Alson can barely surpass Ren Zhong in administrative rank, having the most say.

Ren Zhong made a gesture of invitation, "Please speak."

"The system of the Association's Elder Council, created by the nine great ancestors, has protected Source Star for a thousand years, and it has perfectly and even overly completed colonization tasks. The facts prove that our wisdom is not just for show. I oppose implementing an absolute, centralized system; we should maintain the original system. Because, as long as one is human, mistakes are possible, but with more people involved in decision-making, the tolerance for errors increases. The decision-making speed may indeed be slower, but I believe avoiding mistakes is more important."

Ren Zhong faintly smiled upon hearing this, "It seems somewhat reasonable. But I reject your opposition; your objection is invalid."

"You... don't you think this is quite inappropriate?" The Chief Elder's face suddenly flushed, seemingly wanting to point angrily at Ren Zhong, but vaguely sensed a flash of cold light in Ren Zhong's pupils, and remembered the military power in Ren Zhong's hands, quietly lowered his finger.

On the other side, another Elder from the Alson family stood up, "Commander, we do not deny your military command capabilities. Despite your demonstration of abilities was by commanding our army to launch an attack on the ancestors and even succeeded, but that indeed is a fact. However, don't forget that the entire Source Star civilization was created by our ancestors, and as their legitimate heirs, we naturally should enjoy their authority after their unfortunate sacrifice. Li Yang is no longer here, our thoughts regain freedom. Our ancestors held Empire titles, and as direct descendants, we are naturally in a noble status in the Empire. Essentially, you're merely a descendant of frozen embryo savages, an Empire's lowly citizen, perhaps even a slave. Why should you override us? Do you really think your Ren Group has become so powerful it has greater dominance than the combined Nine Major Groups?"

These words indeed expressed the true feelings of the Alson family and some others.

Even though the future is still full of unknowns, they have already set their eyes on the rights they might obtain after returning to the Empire.

Whoever controls the power on the way back can naturally receive the most praise, the most benefits upon reaching the Empire.

This is reasonable; after all, before Li Yang's appearance, the Nine Major Groups coexisted and overlapped in this manner.

Especially now that people from the Alson Group have grasped the Supreme Elder Council, the biggest competitor, Promotion Association, has vanished with Ying Hao's death.

The opportunities before the Alson Group are great, inevitably tempting.

Ren Zhong did not refute, but quickly swept his gaze across Ma Xiaocheng, Ying Ye, Tang Youyun, the current chairman of the Tanggu Group, and Gao Ya, the current chairman of Purple Crystal Mining.