As soon as these words were spoken, Ren Zhong's gaze became slightly dazed.

He experienced another illusion before his eyes.

He vaguely saw himself standing on the high platform of a plaza hall at the outer layer of the Tracker Spaceship, looking down below.

Below, thousands of people were arrayed in formation, standing in a gigantic square.

These people appeared solemn, with varied appearances.

Most of them were Mechanical Warriors wearing various mutated armors modeled after the Red Blade Armor. They had two medium engines hanging on their backs like miniaturized versions of the Water Drop engine.

Some others had massive firearms hanging on the backs of their war armors.

A few were Colonized Wearers of varying sizes, whose bodies presented a strikingly beautiful aesthetic. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

In the front row stood some people Ren Zhong was very familiar with, like Ma Xiaoling, Shi Lin, Noel Sandro, Wang Qiao, and other experts.

However, the faces of those behind them were obscured by a layer of mist, making their appearances indistinct.

...

Space Mecha Soldier, Space Bomber, Space Shooter, Space Colonized Wearer, Space Miniature Mother Ship Legion Soldier.

These are all ultra-level professionals emerging from the Source Star occupational system, formalized for space combat.

Ren Zhong knew this wasn't an illusion; it was a premonition.

Clearly, his subconscious, always in high-frequency, intense communication with information, had given an accurate prediction.

But he wasn't satisfied.

He called upon Sun Ai in his heart again.

"Xiao Ai, break down the related research tasks and also issue them to the Source Star base through your avatars."

Sun Ai responded in his mind, "Alrighty."

As Sun Ai spoke, the next instant, the illusion in Ren Zhong's mind updated again.

The size of the formation before his eyes increased by a factor of two.

Twenty thousand!

A smile slowly emerged on Ren Zhong's face.

Others standing below had been slightly anxious when he suddenly drifted into silence, but now, seeing him smile, they relaxed considerably.

Ren Zhong refocused, glanced around slowly, and said, "Donald, Vincent, Ma Xiaocheng, Tang Youyun... do you know the biggest difference between you and me?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Ren Zhong pointed at these people first, "You were born as high-level citizens. From birth, you enjoyed the best resources, received the finest education, and could easily ascend to the most crucial positions, gaining the greatest power."

Then he pointed at himself, "But I'm different. I'm merely a wild outsider with no roots. I've climbed step by step from the very bottom of society to where I am today. No one understands the potential of the lower class better than me. For an outsider to become a Fourth Level professional is ten or hundreds of times more difficult than it is for you born nobles! Yet, in reality, the number of Fourth Level professionals from outsiders is not less than those from citizens. Moreover, if placed in a fair environment for a life-or-death struggle, the one who survives will definitely be the outsider!"

"Bloodline never determines talent. Talent is just talent! I don't actually have much hope for you citizens stuck in traditional thinking. What I genuinely need and rely on are those few citizens who still have passion and those outsiders and low-level citizens who, in the last twenty years, have desperately strengthened themselves to earn extra tickets. Ten thousand ultra-level professionals are never the end because I know their potential exceeds your imagination!"

As Ren Zhong spoke passionately, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly glanced to the side, seeing a petite figure emerge from the back of the crowd.

Her expression seemed somewhat conflicted.

In her gaze towards Ren Zhong, there appeared to be resentment and fear, but also guilt.

Her eyebrows were dusted with thin frost, indicating she had recently come out of a frozen hibernation state.

After staring at Ren Zhong for nearly two seconds, she finally summoned the courage to quicken her pace, passing through the crowd, stepping forward to stand in the foremost position directly below the throne.

"Boss, I... apologize... I am the Commander of the Starfire Corps. The Commander must not disappoint her soldiers. No matter what the reason, I should be responsible for those who are alive."

She said with her head lowered, gathering tremendous courage.

Ren Zhong suddenly laughed.

For the first time in days, his laughter was genuine and heartfelt.

He pointed at the petite figure below, speaking firmly, "Zheng Tian is the very example I just spoke of. She was once merely an unremarkable lower-class scavenger team leader in Starfire Town. Back then, she was humble and weak, vulnerable under the whims of any random Fourth Level professional. But it wasn't a matter of incompetence; she was born into a life at odds with the entire society. She carried too many shackles, struggling at every step to move forward. However, current facts prove she is the most trustworthy Commander of an army among all humanity on Source Star. Vincent, I previously modified the fleet formation you devised. But I must tell you, through countless campaigns with Zheng Tian, I've never altered any of her plans because she always deserves my full trust."

No one knew that while saying these words, Ren Zhong saw a new illusion.

With Zheng Tian's unexpected arrival, the formation of ultra-level professionals in his vision expanded once more by 1.5 times, reaching thirty thousand!

"Everyone, our war has already commenced. We must take a generation to prepare for it. We also need to show the Empire that even without their escort, our Source Star Fleet can navigate through all barriers, reaching the Empire's territories with brilliance and honor!"

"This is the response I received from that Nanxiang Marquis of the Nanxiang Star Cluster regarding my appeal for aid. You can hear it."

...

"You are unworthy!"

Liu An's original words, relayed by Sosgate, echoed in everyone's ear.

Sadly, no one felt betrayed or abandoned, only sorrow and disappointment for their own fate.

But Ren Zhong immediately interrupted everyone's sentiment, "What he said doesn't matter. Let's show him with facts whether we're worthy or not. Meeting adjourned!"