What followed was far from what Lu Yu had envisioned. On the second day after the first negotiation ended, the Storm Joint Fleet stationed itself in the Celestial Crystal System. A brief probing attack marked the beginning of the conflict, but it was swiftly concluded.
However, starting on the third day, battle reports began to flood Lu Yu's desk. Within seven days, the Storm Fleet had conquered all the Eastern War Zone's Five Empires except the Celestial Crystal Empire.
While conquering these empires, the Storm Alliance simultaneously used the StarNet to disseminate its new policies. Resistance was minimal, and most forces surrendered upon hearing the news. Once the Four Empires were fully subdued, the Storm Fleet moved directly to the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress.
Given the Storm Fleet's configuration, its presence at the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress was enough to repel ten T5 fleets. The fortress itself didn't even have ten fleets. Facing the Storm Fleet, there was no hope of victory.
At this point, the Celestial Crystal Empire seemed like an isolated island. Its thirteen fleets were completely cut off, leaving the entire Pan-Human Alliance shaken. The size of the second negotiation delegation was significantly increased, making it evident that the Beastmen Clan's chieftain was ready to concede.
Feng Mo, in turn, extended a degree of respect to the Pan-Human Alliance delegation. He received them in the largest conference room at his base and invited the commanders stationed there to accompany him.
Once both sides were seated, the second round of negotiations officially began.
"Honorable Lord Feng Mo," began Dester, the Elder of the Interstellar Beastmen Clan and acting head of the delegation, "the Pan-Human Alliance comes with sincerity this time. We are willing to cede all the star systems of the Five Empires except for the Azure Dragon Fortress. We only ask that you withdraw your forces. The Chieftain of the Beastmen Clan is prepared to sign an alliance treaty, ensuring eternal peace between our races and forbidding conflict inside or outside the fortress."
Before Feng Mo could respond, Xing Shuwen interjected. "Your proposal lacks any sincerity. The Five Empires of the Eastern War Zone and the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress belong to the Starsea Human Federation—they are human territories. Besides, only the Celestial Crystal System remains under your control. The rest have long since fallen into the hands of the Storm Alliance. Your offer is meaningless."
Feng Mo's commanders joined in, belittling the Pan-Human Alliance at every turn. It was a stark demonstration of power dynamics—when one is stronger, they can humiliate the weaker party without consequence. Unless the weaker side is prepared to fight to the bitter end, they have no choice but to endure.
Despite the verbal barrage, Dester's expression remained unchanged. As the Elder of the Interstellar Beastmen Clan, he maintained a respectful demeanor. Weak nations have no diplomacy—Dester understood this painfully well. They had no real leverage in the negotiations and could only lower their stance.
"Honorable Lord Feng Mo," Dester continued, bowing further, "the Pan-Human Alliance is willing to cede the Five Empires and the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress and pay reparations worth 10 billion Star Coins. This is already beyond what the Beastmen Clan can bear. We ask for your leniency."
This time, Dester made it clear that this was the Beastmen Clan's bottom line. Feng Mo, however, showed no intention of prolonging the discussion. His response was sharp and to the point:
"First: All star systems of the Five Empires in the Eastern War Zone and the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress must be returned to the Federation.
Second: The fleets of the Celestial Crystal System may return to the Beastmen Clan, but all others must remain under the Storm Alliance.
Third: Reparations of 20 billion Star Coins.
Fourth: The Pan-Human Alliance must be dissolved and replaced with the Interstellar Beastmen Clan.
If these four conditions are met, I will let bygones be bygones. If not, when the Storm Fleet descends upon your homeworld, it will mark the end of your clan."
Feng Mo's conditions were precise. While they weren't insurmountable for the Beastmen Clan, they were enough to put them in a chokehold—accepting would feel like a loss, but rejecting would result in an even greater defeat.
And Feng Mo's threat wasn't idle. His words carried weight; he was known to deliver on his promises. If he said he would destroy a race, he would follow through. Dester had no illusions that this was a bluff.
"Honorable Lord Feng Mo," Dester said cautiously, "I need to consult my chieftain. Please allow me a moment."
Feng Mo nodded and gestured for Xing Shuwen to escort Dester to a private room. Turning his gaze to the rest of the delegation, which consisted of fourteen members—eight humans and six Beastmen—he noticed how uncomfortable they appeared. Few could meet his eyes, and most lowered their heads in unease.
After half an hour, Dester returned, bowed deeply, and said, "Honorable Lord Feng Mo, our chieftain has agreed to all your terms. Furthermore, he promises that the Beastmen Clan will not violate the peace for the next hundred years. We only ask that there be no further conflict between our two races."
Feng Mo pondered briefly. He had no immediate plans to target the Beastmen Clan. It would take years to fully integrate the Starsea Human Federation's territories. He nodded in agreement.
As for the Beastmen Clan's promise of a century of peace, Feng Mo dismissed it as meaningless. In the face of enormous profit, treaties and reputations held little weight. He understood this reality all too well and placed no trust in such assurances.
With the negotiations concluded, the Federation experienced reunification. Lu Yu and the others voiced no objections to the terms—even if they had any, they dared not express them.
Within three days, the Beastmen Clan's fleets withdrew from the Federation's territory. An official announcement was made on StarNet, declaring the dissolution of the Pan-Human Alliance and celebrating Feng Mo's monumental achievements.
This announcement elevated Feng Mo's reputation to unprecedented heights. Leaving the Azure Dragon Interstellar Fortress under the temporary control of the Storm Fleet, Feng Mo returned to the Apocalypse Empire with Ai Er and Xing Shuwen.
The Apocalypse System was now the Storm Empire's capital system, with its main planet serving as the imperial base and home to the palace.
As Feng Mo stepped onto the starport, a notification appeared on the Spark System's mission panel. The temporary mission had been completed.
[Temporary Mission: Dominate the Starsea Human Federation, establish a new order, and become the Federation's sovereign. (Completed) Rewards: 100,000 points, T7-level privileges unlocked.]
Feng Mo eagerly claimed his rewards.
[Reward successfully claimed: 100,000 points, T7-level privileges unlocked.]
Excited, Feng Mo accessed the Spark Mall, scrolling to the T7 section. The first thing that caught his eye was the design blueprint for a T7-class standard starship, priced at a staggering one million points. Seeing his remaining balance of just 200,0
00 points, Feng Mo sighed deeply.
"The road ahead is still long."
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