A hushed tension filled the chamber. The Minotaur’s had built their empire through strength and conquest, but this situation was unlike any before. An ancient seal, crafted by powers beyond their understanding, was about to break. Whatever lay beyond it—treasure, knowledge, or an unknown enemy—was something they had to be ready for.

The First Supreme Elder sat back, his gaze still intense. “We must act now. The question is—how do we proceed?”

The 9th Supreme Elder leaned forward, his expression serious as he spoke.

“While we cannot afford to be caught off guard, as you said, First Elder, I highly doubt this can be both an opportunity and a threat in equal measure.” His deep voice carried the weight of concern and foresight. “In my view, approaching this sector in the short term might indeed be beneficial to us. However, in the long term… it could become a disaster.”

The other elders listened closely as he continued.

“This artifact has remained intact for millions of years. The chances of something like this happening naturally are incredibly low. But if it has truly deactivated, then it will undoubtedly become a beacon—a beacon that powerful civilizations will detect.”

He glanced around the table, eyes locking onto his fellow elders.

“The Asura Empire and the Genome Dominion, both bordering our northern and southern regions, will undoubtedly take notice.” His tone darkened. “And as time passes, others will come, drawn to the riches and mysteries of this star sector. Once that happens, it won’t just be an opportunity—it will be a warzone.”

A heavy silence settled over the Council of Twelve. The implications were clear. If they acted too late, they would be forced to fight over the sector with multiple superpowers. If they acted too soon, they could be walking into an unknown danger.

The 10th, 11th, and 12th Supreme Elders nodded in agreement with the 9th Elder’s statement. Their expressions were serious, understanding the weight of what had just been said.

Then, the 6th Elder spoke, his deep voice filled with both frustration and realism.

“Indeed, the 9th Elder is right.” He exhaled sharply, his fists clenched against the golden armrest of his seat. “While we are powerful in this region, it frustrates me to admit that our strength is only dominant in this corner of the galaxy. We are a mighty force… but not an unrivaled one.”

His gaze swept across the council. “And we all know what will happen the moment the true powers take notice of this sealed star system.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. The Minotaur Empire had risen to great heights, expanding aggressively and dominating nearby sectors, but they were not among the true titans of the galaxy. The Asura Empire, the Genome Dominion, was on the same level as them, but other ancient factions held power that dwarfed even their most advanced war fleets.

If those behemoths were to shift their gaze toward this star sector, the Minotaur’s could quickly find themselves in a war they could not win.

The 9th Supreme Elder stroked his chin in thought before continuing.

“As for how we proceed… hmm. While it is certain that when the artifact fully deactivates, the fluctuations it creates will be detected by our rivals—the Asura Empire and the Genome Dominion—they currently have no knowledge of it. However, the moment it happens, they will certainly take action.”

He leaned forward, eyes sharp with calculation.

“That means our only advantage is time. We are aware of this event before them. Once the artifact collapses, the star sector will become the center of galactic attention, but until that moment…”

He let the words hang for a moment before delivering his proposal.

“I propose we…

The 6th Supreme Elder leaned forward, his voice firm and decisive.

“Then I propose we mobilize our Special Division 8th Light Fleet. They are among our most skilled in covert operations and reconnaissance. We will have them move cautiously, deploying near the regions closest to the locked star sector while avoiding detection by the Asura Empire and the Genome Dominion.”

The other elders exchanged glances, considering the plan.

The 10th Elder nodded. “A wise choice. The 8th Light Fleet is experienced in stealth maneuvers. If anyone can approach undetected, it is them.”

The First Elder remained quiet for a moment, then spoke.

“We must ensure that this deployment remains unnoticed. When our rivals sense unusual activity near the sealed sector, they will investigate. Our fleet must move with extreme caution—no unnecessary engagements, no reckless movements.”

The 9th Elder added, “We should also prepare for contingencies. If the artifact deactivates earlier than expected, we need a rapid response plan in place.”

The First Supreme Elder gave a firm nod. “Then it is decided. Special Division 8th Light Fleet will begin its silent approach. We will monitor the artifact’s status closely and be ready to act the moment the seal weakens.”

With that, the decision was made. The Minotaur Empire would move before the rest of the galaxy knew what was coming.

While the Minotaur Empire was now aware of the impending event, it moved cautiously in the shadows, preparing in secrecy.

Back on Earth

Unaware that a powerful civilization had taken notice of their star sector, a day had passed since Yu Tong had left the Jiang Dynasty.

The imperial court was still abuzz with discussions regarding the upcoming meeting. Messages had been sent, and responses were beginning to arrive. The Indra Empire, the State of Avalon, and the Bear Empire had all acknowledged the situation’s urgency.

Their leaders were preparing to attend the summit, scheduled to take place in the Indra Empire’s capital.

Within the grand halls of the Jiang Dynasty’s imperial palace, ministers and advisors gathered once again before Emperor Jiang Wu. Reports detailed the growing curiosity—and unease—among their people.

Among the three, the Indra Empire was the most surprised. Emperor Jiang Wu had contacted them directly, a rare move that immediately signaled the meeting’s significance.

Even more intriguing was the fact that the meeting was to be held in their capital. This wasn’t just a routine diplomatic gathering—it carried weight and urgency. Emperor Wu had provided a brief explanation, hinting at the arrival of an unknown yet advanced force, emphasizing the importance of Indra’s role in what was to come.

The State of Avalon, known for its cautious and pragmatic approach to interstellar affairs, viewed the summons with measured curiosity. Their leadership harbored their own suspicions about the true purpose behind this sudden meeting. Was this an unprecedented political maneuver? A hidden crisis? Or perhaps an opportunity disguised as a diplomatic gathering? Despite their doubts, they ultimately agreed to attend, knowing that refusing could mean being left out of a crucial development.

Following Avalon, the Bear Empire also agreed to participate—albeit reluctantly. Their natural skepticism made them wary of being drawn into unnecessary entanglements. However, the fact that both Jiang Wu and the Indra Empire were taking this seriously forced their hand. They would not ignore a situation that could potentially shift the balance of power.

Out in space, on Earth and the Moon, things had changed significantly. Just a day ago, the Void Fleet’s flagship vessel had taken action, transforming the Moon into a bustling hub of construction. Automated, advanced construction bots were busy at work in the void of space—especially around the Moon’s south pole—rapidly assembling various shipyards.

Some of these shipyards were nearly half-complete externally and were expected to be finished within a day. The scale of the operation was hard to miss; the Void Fleet was not hiding their efforts but showcasing them for all to see.

The Star Fleet was taken aback by the sudden surge of activity. Chancellor Bai Zong Qi, who had been resting peacefully just a day ago, was now roused by the commotion on the surface—though not entirely, as he still clung to some of his earlier calm.

He marveled at the pace and scope of the construction, noting that multiple orbital shipyards were being built with astonishing speed. This impressive display once again highlighted the formidable capabilities of the Void Fleet.

Yet, despite the rapid progress, Bai Zong Qi remained puzzled. Why was the Void Fleet moving at such a breakneck speed? He had even attempted to inquire about it, but all he received in response was a directive to wait for their Imperial Commander to issue a statement—no further details were provided. Frustrated yet resigned, he could only wonder what the future held.

….

Earth

Indra Empire

Today was a significant day for Earth and its great powers.

In the heart of the Indra Empire, within its imperial capital, history was being made. The city itself was a marvel—a place where ancient architecture blended seamlessly with modern advancements. Known for its natural beauty and rich history, the capital had long been called the “City of the Gods”, a title earned through centuries of perfection in both design and prestige.

The Indra Empire, much like the State of Avalon, was one of Earth’s oldest powers, having existed for thousands of years. Its influence stretched deep into history, shaping civilizations long before the modern era. But today was not about the past—it was about the future.

At the Imperial City Airport, high-ranking officials of the Indra Empire stood in formal attire, waiting for the arrival of representatives from the State of Avalon, the Jiang Dynasty, and the Bear Empire—the four great superpowers of Earth.

For the first time in decades, the leaders of these titanic nations would sit at the same table, discussing matters that could shape the destiny of Earth and its place in the wider galaxy.

The air was thick with anticipation. What had brought these ancient powers together? And what decision would be made on this historic day?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep