Thus, during the brief period of calm while awaiting the next round of tournament arrangements, the undercurrents became even more turbulent.

On one hand, the "Sons of the Empire" heightened their vigilance and investigation of the New Bauhinia to the highest level. Speculations about "human modification technology" deepened their dread of Bai E's team, prompting a reassessment of its potential threat.

On the other hand, subtle divisions emerged within their ranks—

The younger generation's desire for power created invisible fractures against the conservative suppression based on political and historical fears held by the top ranks.

Though temporarily subdued, the seeds had been planted.

Amidst this complex and tense atmosphere, an urgent alert about a "massive Bug Race invasion" descended like a flood from the heavens, instantly breaking through all internal calculations and tournament arrangements, forcibly redirecting everyone's attention back to the existential threat concerning the survival of the entire race.

Disputes over technology, internal contradictions, the thirst for championship... all had to temporarily give way under the apocalyptic threat of the Bug Race invasion.

Whether for the great cause of humanity, or to prove themselves and suppress competitors on another kind of "battlefield," all forces had to swiftly readjust their focus to prepare for the real, blood-and-fire test.

The alarm information was broadcast through all official and military channels of the Star Alliance, sending a shocking message:

"The Star Alliance's Supreme Security Council emergency announcement: Confirmed detection of massive, high-intensity Alien Race fleet activities! The invasion didn't come from a single direction, but simultaneously erupted in multiple Edge Star Domains adjacent to the Milky Way's central stability zone such as the 'Broken Star Ring,' 'Silent Frontier,' and 'Far Voyager Corridor'! Preliminary statistics show over seven Stellar Districts have reported encounters with Alien Race fleet attacks, with several colony planets in three Stellar Districts confirmed devoured by the aliens, life signals vanished! The scale, coordination, and aggression of the Alien Race fleet far exceed any previous records! Threat level: Apocalyptic!"

"In accordance with the highest clauses of the 'Star Alliance Joint Defense Treaty,' the Milky Way is declared to be in a 'Pan-Star System Emergency State.' All Star Alliance member civilizations, particularly member states with military capabilities, are required to immediately enter the highest state of combat readiness and provide all possible support to the threatened Star Districts. The Star Alliance United Fleet has been urgently mobilized, and the first batch of reinforcement fleets is assembling."

This message exploded in the "Star City" like a heavy bomb.

The atmosphere, just immersed in the fervor of tournaments, was instantly replaced with panic and solemnity.

Countless communication requests surged toward various departments of the Star Alliance, while delegations and observers from major factions held emergency meetings; the screens on the streets were no longer playing competition replays but repeatedly showing alien alerts and blurry footage from the front line—

the hideous biological giant ships, planets shrouded in acidic clouds, and desperate distress signals.

"Aliens are a bunch of bugs? Are they really that large in scale?"

"Attacking multiple Star Districts at the same time? How is this possible? How could a bunch of bugs have such high strategic coordination ability?"

"Several planets in the Edge Star Zone have already fallen... Will we be next?"

"Can the Star Alliance United Fleet hold them back?"

Panic was spreading, even countries that prided themselves as the pinnacle of human civilization, the "Sons of the Empire," felt an immediate threat.

This completely alien enemy, the Bug Race, aiming to devour all organic matter and Spiritual Energy, is a common foe for all human civilization.

Against this backdrop, the arrangement of the upcoming Star Alliance Championship schedule immediately became a thorny issue.

The originally planned "final showdown" phase was meant to determine the final champion under the watchful eyes of many. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

However, in the face of such a large-scale external invasion threatening all humanity, holding a mere competitive tournament seemed inappropriate and might even provoke public discontent, both morally and practically.

The high-ranking representatives of the "Sons of the Empire" gathered once again, but this time, the atmosphere was heavy and pragmatic, completely different from when they had conspired against the New Bauhinia before.

"The tournament cannot proceed as originally planned," the priest from the Holy Silver Church Country was the first to speak, his tone heavy, "At such a critical juncture, if we keep indulging in internal rivalry and competitions, what will the people think? What will civilizations in other Star Districts think? The prestige of the Star Alliance will also be damaged."

A consultant from the Golden Federation nodded in agreement: "Moreover, continuing the tournament carries significant risks. Who can guarantee that the Bug Race fleet won't suddenly show up near the 'Glory Competition World'? At that time, some of the galaxy's top young mech pilots and a large audience will be gathered here, and if something goes wrong, the loss would be incalculable."

The representative from the Steel Alliance pondered: "But suddenly halting the tournament will also cause chaos, especially for the eight teams already advanced and their supporters. We need a solution that aligns with the larger picture and reflects the duty of the Star Alliance and the leadership of the 'Sons of the Empire.'"

The representative from the Flame Republic slapped the table, their eyes alight with battle intent: "Then why hesitate? Since the Bug Race is here, let's fight! Deploy our most elite young forces to the real battlefield! Prove who the true hope of humanity's future is with the Bug Race's corpses! That holds more meaning than determining winners and losers in an arena!"

This proposal made everyone's eyes light up.

Turning the final stage of the tournament into a real battle against the Bug Race, using battle outcomes to determine rankings?

"This... is indeed a solution," the representative from the Forge World Union contemplated, "It not only resolves the continuity of the tournament but also directly contributes to the fight against the Bug Race, meanwhile showcasing the courage and strength of our young generation, the 'Sons of the Empire,' to the entire universe. Besides, the strong ones vetted through real combat are far more convincing than arena champions."