Time always flies when work piles up one after another.
By the time the exhibition trades concluded, over two months had passed.
Thanks to the large-scale order transactions, the total resources accumulated in Liu Hai's hands had exceeded 3.5 billion cubic meters.
The sheer volume of resources ensured that the factories in both star regions wouldn't face shortages anytime soon, allowing all construction projects to proceed at full capacity.
Billions of Engineering Robots of various models, controlled by intelligent AIs, carried out large-scale construction according to the plans integrated by the Intelligent Nexus.
Dozens of large Shipyards alone were under construction, expected to begin production within six months. Combined with those already operational and those undergoing expansion, Liu Hai's warship production capacity skyrocketed.
Once the construction plan was fully realized, monthly production would include 300 Angel Frigates, 200 Destroyers, 100 Light Cruisers, 80 Battlecruisers, and 30 Battleships.
Within a year, three Standard Fortresses and one Medium Fortress could be completed.
Additionally, tens of thousands of Armament Factories—excluding numerous outsourced components—could fulfill existing armament orders within a decade.
Particularly noteworthy were the millions of high-tech professionals acquired. After being equipped with Bio-Assisted Chips and undergoing genetic optimization, their capabilities advanced by leaps and bounds, accelerating the integration of several fifth-tier civilization technologies.
Building on this foundation, Clone Soldier researchers spearheading sixth-tier civilization scientific theories also made rapid progress, achieving significant breakthroughs daily.
With these scientific theories as the cornerstone, the development and application of various equipment became increasingly diverse. However, most devices were shelved after producing a few prototypes, as efforts shifted toward deeper theoretical advancements.
Two months later, in the Brolly Starfield, six Star Systems centered around the Brolly Star System were dotted with space stations and Space Factories of all sizes. Surrounding dozens of stars, continuously upgraded Stellar Energy Collection Converters harvested vast amounts of energy, converting it into high-demand materials like Antimatter to power factories and Shipyards.
In the virtual world, Liu Hai, dressed in formal attire, led Li Yali and others to a tea gathering organized by Cactus Sister.
Inside an antique-style teahouse, dozens of Pioneers exchanged information and conducted private trades.
Downstairs, numerous commanders and managers mingled, each striving to secure alliances and armament deals for their respective leaders.
As Liu Hai entered, many Pioneers waved in greeting. Over the past two months, most had already met him and signed numerous armament orders.
The tea party, led by veteran Pioneers like Cactus Sister, officially began amid enthusiastic welcomes.
As the lighting shifted to focus on Cactus Sister and her companions, all eyes in the room turned toward them.
Liu Hai, too, fixed his gaze on Cactus Sister, who remained clad in her striking crimson wedding dress, flanked by two shadowy figures.
"First of all, thank you all for attending my tea party today. This is already the third gathering I've organized in recent years. The previous two meetings yielded fruitful results, and I believe this one will be no different."
Cactus Sister carried herself with effortless grace, exuding the demeanor of a seasoned leader.
"Most of you should recognize these individuals beside me, though some may not have met them before, so allow me to make introductions."
Her slender finger pointed to a gaunt man on her immediate left: "This gentleman's codename is Scalpel. He operates primarily between the First Spiral Arm and the central regions, specializing in large-scale battles where he meticulously dissects combat situations through subtle maneuvers to secure victory."
As Cactus Sister spoke, several Pioneers cast surprised glances at Scalpel. Among veteran Pioneers, he was something of a legend—often heard of but rarely seen.
Scalpel typically ran with that crowd of old foxes, helping whoever was fighting Katon. His personal reputation was excellent, though his individual combat strength wasn't particularly remarkable.
From the hushed conversations around him, Liu Hai learned that Scalpel preferred temporary collaborations with other Pioneers over developing his own fleet, leveraging their warships for command operations. Consequently, his personal fleet numbered fewer than five thousand warships.
Liu Hai first became aware of Scalpel during that famous ambush and counter-ambush battle, where both sides ultimately committed several Legions in a massive engagement that ended with Cactus Sister's faction emerging victorious.
Combat footage from Scalpel's command during that battle still served as instructional material for Starsea Fleet's reserve officer training programs. Detailed analyses of the engagement's nuances remained mandatory study for every rookie commander.
Seeing him in person now, Liu Hai noticed Scalpel appeared to have minor genetic irregularities. For someone who'd undergone genetic optimization, his emaciated physique seemed unusually pronounced.
"This is Lan Fang, a veteran Pioneer from the central regions with formidable personal combat skills, specializing in surprise attacks." Ignoring the murmurs among the Pioneers, Cactus Sister gestured to a listless middle-aged man on her right.
"Lan Fang? That lunatic?"
The name surprised even Liu Hai. This was no ordinary opponent. His most famous exploit occurred over a century ago when three Katon Exploration Fleets ambushed him. Against all odds, he turned the tables—annihilating over two thousand Katon warships with just five hundred vessels before making his escape.
His lethargic appearance, Liu Hai had heard, resulted from his preferred combat method—controlling warships through Neural Link Matrix technology. This shared conceptual roots with Liu Hai's own Neural Link Warship system, though their technical emphases differed.
Where Liu Hai's system focused on overall fleet coordination, Lan Fang's approach resembled piloting a Mecha—complete immersion, becoming one with the warship itself.
As Cactus Sister continued introductions, all seven individuals present proved to be legendary figures whose celebrated battles were known to everyone in attendance—if not by name, then by reputation.
After completing the introductions, Cactus Sister cut straight to the point: "This tea party was convened to discuss the upcoming pioneering expedition to the Fourth Spiral Arm several months from now."
"Our fleet has completed its assembly and will arrive at the designated Star Region in three months. After a brief rest, we will commence the campaign for the Fourth Arm."
"If any of you present are interested in the Fourth Arm, feel free to contact me for further details."