This meeting was unlike the first one when everyone was eager and felt that confronting the Three Great Civilizations was just within reach.
Yet, when it came down to it, it was still the same old way, with each person silently lamenting in their heart.
However, fortunately, this time we didn’t end up being notorious; if we were to pass the Three Great Civilizations’ draft, who knows how many nicknames we’d get.
Cowards, weaklings, all sorts of labels might have been thrown upon us.
Nevertheless, the crisis of council seat rotation still looms ahead.
If it were possible, of course, everyone would like to retain their council seat.
After the meeting, everyone logged off heavily burdened, and the virtual projections before them gradually dissipated.
Li Ming appeared calm, considering the council seat as something he could take or leave. If they wouldn’t allow him to use a mechanical body, then he’d just give it up.
He certainly can’t fight with just an S-class body.
The interstellar alliance moved quickly, with several provisions published to the universe shortly after the meeting.
The simple proposals within were addressed, with more detailed supplements detailing crimes not to be committed, essentially heinous offenses that no one would be forced into committing.
Coupled with the secondary council seat objection system, this finally allowed a significant portion of people to relax.
"I said, it’s impossible for the Three Great Civilizations and the interstellar alliance to accept truly vile criminals..."
"Hehe, but I heard the Three Great Civilizations’ original proposal wasn’t like this..."
"Don’t spout nonsense, where’s the concrete source? Must be blabber from some foolish streamers..."
As for the high-level lifeforms, the "Ultimate Path" prepared jointly by the Three Great Civilizations was more tempting.
This was a rumor that wouldn’t be placed on public channels, but it already made many x-level lifeforms who were initially unwilling to join eager to do so.
Whether or not to become a tool of the Three Great Civilizations, they didn’t care, what mattered most was their own evolution.
Interstellar disputes were incessant, and the specific expansion time of the High-level Life Form Union was announced alongside many detailed provisions.
It would be one month later.
......
The Mechanical Court, Heavenly Palace.
Anduin’s virtual projection wandered in front of Li Ming, worriedly saying, "Trouble..."
"The interstellar alliance has formulated more detailed challenge rules. After each challenge, there will be designated personnel to thoroughly inspect the health status of each council seat member, to ensure they can withstand the next challenge."
"If they refuse the challenge, it’s regarded as a forfeit, automatically relinquishing their council seat identity, while ordinary members can challenge council seat members at any time, and those who fail cannot initiate a second challenge."
Challenges aren’t spaced out; as long as one is healthy, they must accept a challenge, which seems odd.
But in practice, the number of ordinary members is limited, so even if each takes a turn, there would be at most a few dozen challenges.
Moreover, there are those who know they are no match, so all in all, there won’t be too many.
Anduin sighed repeatedly, as the interstellar alliance had patched the loopholes, causing his bug-exploit plan to fail.
He felt helpless: "And apart from that, there’s a detailed rule indicating that weapons can’t be used during challenges, though it doesn’t mention anything about mechanical bodies, it should be aimed at you."
"Your seat was allocated to the Star Alliance, which is why they focused on you last time."
"Don’t worry," Li Ming shook his head, unconcerned about the matter.
The council seat means nothing; strength is what truly matters. Alves, Tan Ding, are they members of the council? Yet, they overshadow everyone.
Anduin was speechless and couldn’t understand Azure Dragon at all.
There’s still the Three Great Civilizations, and Quintus, Tan Ding, and their hidden x-level lifeforms.
He couldn’t figure out where the other party’s ease came from.
If Azure Dragon didn’t care about other matters, he wouldn’t have needed to interact with the interstellar, just stay hidden away.
For years, nobody had seen him, so since he’s shown up, he must have a motive.
No matter the intention, the council seat is an extremely convenient channel, giving it up so easily?
But Azure Dragon remained utterly indifferent, leaving him no choice but to sigh several times.
After the major reshuffle of the council seat, he’ll also need to consider his own path.
After Anduin’s virtual projection disappeared, Li Ming opened his smart terminal to scan Blackbeard’s reports and messages.
Before Anduin unexpectedly contacted him, he was doing the same.
"...There were several conflicts with the Empire...traced back the temporal condensation state..."
Blackbeard’s recent reports were quite excited, suggesting that the Eternal Silence Star was indeed near.
"..."
...
A month flew by, and the interstellar alliance headquarters, located in an independent star system, existed outside the domain of any civilization. It was modified to the highest standards, and various subsidiary institutions’ headquarters are also here.
Usually, many people come and go here.
Today, however, was even more astounding, with a large number of uniquely grandiose interstellar spacecraft arriving, all custom ships for various x-level lifeforms. They were not ordinary individuals, so their travels were naturally grandiose.