After this period of growth, the total population of the various species within Xiao Yu’s fleet had surpassed 800,000. This number included only naturally born individuals; those created through biotechnology were not counted. Among them, the Luka Race was, without a doubt, the largest in terms of both population and number of scientists.

To appear in a broadcasted awards ceremony watched by all intelligent beings of every species was the greatest aspiration of all scientists. With material resources amply provided by Xiao Yu, honor had become their highest pursuit. Xiao Yu managed this aspect extremely well, resolutely adhering to a policy of not granting honors lightly, using prestige as a tool to motivate them to dedicate their lives to technological advancement.

So far, only two scientific teams had ever received this honor, and one of them was from the Luka Civilization. In other words, this Fifth Subdivision was the first among the nearly one hundred civilizations that later came under Xiao Yu’s rule, and among thousands of scientists, to receive such an honor.

Thus, the award carried additional symbolic weight. Inside a lavishly decorated hall within the Central Research Academy, dozens of the most respected and capable scientists were seated. These individuals essentially represented the entirety of the scientific community under Xiao Yu’s command. Under their watchful eyes, a holographic projection of Xiao Yu, created with 3D imaging and strong magnetic field energy manipulation technology, appeared holding a trophy that symbolized glory, and smilingly presented it to the trembling, overwhelmed members of the Fifth Subdivision.

“As you’ve all seen, the Fifth Subdivision has made a tremendous contribution to our technological development. Therefore, I am granting them an honor that matches their achievement. This honor is well deserved. Furthermore, the Fifth Subdivision shall become the leading authority in tachyon shield research and will have the right to lead all related scientists. The team leader of the Fifth Subdivision, Species Number Thirty Six Ers, shall be promoted to Director of the Defense Technology Institute under the Central Research Academy. From this moment onward, Ers will also have the right to join the Supreme Scientific Assembly.”

At present, the Supreme Scientific Assembly was composed entirely of members of the Luka Race. Ers was now the first non-Luka intelligent lifeform to join. Thus, under the complex and somewhat unreadable gazes of Luka Two, Luka Three, and Luka Four, the three leaders, Ers excitedly accepted the trophy from Xiao Yu’s hands and took his place in a seat that symbolized honor and status.

“Number Two, Number Three, do you think it’s time for us to reform our species’ internal education system?” Luka Four said with a hint of concern as he sat in the audience, watching Ers’ excited and joyful expression. “In recent decades, our youth’s success rate in training seems to be declining. And even when they become scientists, the number of contributions they produce has dropped noticeably. If this continues, I worry our Luka Race might be surpassed by the others. In fact, ever since scientists from other species joined, our standing in the Master’s eyes has already begun to decline, if only slightly.”

“Yes,” Luka Three sighed as well. “Our young ones seem content with the title of being the Master’s most valued and contributing race. There’s already a trend of complacency and lack of motivation. If this continues, the future looks grim. Both Four and I are from the scientific field, but you, Number Two, are from psychosocial studies. We’ll need you to come up with a solution for this.”

“Don’t worry, Three and Four,” Luka Two replied with confidence. “I’ve already detected this issue and have established a dedicated psychological research team. We’ve been studying the various ideological trends and social currents within our society. Don’t worry, before long, I’ll present a viable proposal to restructure our society and work to restore the Luka Race’s prominence in the Master’s eyes.”

“That puts us at ease. If there’s anything we can do to assist, just say the word. This concerns the future of our race, we’ll do everything we can to support you,” Luka Three and Luka Four said in unison.

Let’s set aside the quiet discussion among the three great scientists of the Luka Race for now. On the stage, Ers, seated in the chair symbolizing honor and authority, had already begun delivering his speech.

“…As everyone can see, the advancement of science and technology is not something that a small group can achieve alone. Especially now, as we approach the peak of Level 4 Civilization and near the threshold of Level 5, it is no longer something a handful of individuals can accomplish. Our achievements today would have been impossible without the Master’s tremendous support and without the experimental data provided by our fellow scientists in various fields. Here, I would first like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to our Master, thank you for giving us new life. Secondly, I offer my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues who supported our work. That concludes my speech. Thank you all.”

Ers was met with thunderous applause. The applause wasn’t only from the Grand Hall before him, but also from the residential zones of every species. This awards ceremony was being broadcast in full via the television network to all of the nearly one million intelligent lifeforms under Xiao Yu’s command.

“Our Species Number Thirty Six has finally produced a great scientist? Thank you, Master… Thank you, Great God who watches over our race from the shadows…” The highest-ranking administrator of Species Number Thirty Six muttered tearfully as they watched the live broadcast of the ceremony.

“A scientist from our Species Number Twenty Five has also had the chance to step onto the highest honor stage? This proves that our race is no worse than any other! We must make full use of this opportunity. Have that kid Moss go on a speaking tour at every school, inspire the youth to study science harder, and contribute to the Master’s cause…”

Alongside the joyous broadcast of the awards ceremony, not everyone was pleased. The leader of Species Number Eighty Seven was throwing a furious fit.

“Out of a hundred races, we may not be the top in education, but we’re certainly in the top ten. After all the resources we’ve poured in, why can’t our race produce a great scientist? Isn’t our Richie currently leading a team researching tachyon shields? Why did Ers beat him to it? What’s wrong with Richie? I went through so much effort to secure spots for his children to receive the Master’s personal instruction, and this is how he repays our race?”

As Species Number Eighty Seven’s top administrator raged, several bio-engineered servants stood silently to the side, trembling, not daring to make a sound.

Scenes like this were playing out all across Xiao Yu’s fleet. Some races were preparing grand celebrations to welcome their triumphant heroes, while others were engulfed in rage and gloom.

Xiao Yu saw all of this.

Inwardly, he couldn’t help but feel pleased: “This is exactly how I’ll get you all to compete in a healthy way. Only then will you work wholeheartedly for me.”

After this awards ceremony, the pace of technological progress under Xiao Yu’s command accelerated once again. All races were secretly pushing themselves, all vying for the chance to earn the next honor. A few race leaders even issued extreme orders, demanding that their scientists produce a major scientific achievement within ten years, or else be ordered to commit suicide.

Naturally, under Xiao Yu’s comprehensive surveillance, such actions could not be hidden. When he learned of them, he couldn’t help but sigh bitterly. “Looks like I may have gone too far with the incentives. Even if these scientists don’t achieve major breakthroughs, they are still invaluable assets. How could I bear to let them be forced to kill themselves?”

As a result, Xiao Yu harshly rebuked those race leaders and ordered them to immediately revoke the policy. The leaders sheepishly agreed, intimidated by Xiao Yu’s authority. They were forced to abandon the extreme orders but continued to impose pressure on their scientists in other ways, doing everything they could to push them to work with maximum effort and deliver results as soon as possible.

Under such circumstances, all races under Xiao Yu’s command experienced a flourishing boom in science and education. Thousands of scientists worked day and night, giving everything they had. And all of this had been sparked by Xiao Yu’s reward, nothing more than a single trophy.

At this moment, while the Specter remained quiet, Xiao Yu continued to pour his energy into technological advancement, and the Molian Civilization fleet still lingered twenty light-years away… somewhere in another direction, an unusual fluctuation suddenly appeared.

This fluctuation seemed to be some form of life, but it had no physical form. It was advancing at faster-than-light speeds, rapidly approaching Xiao Yu, but then abruptly stopped twenty light-years away from the mysterious star.

“We’ve sensed danger to the Main Civilization, we must find a way to save them.”

“We can’t go any closer. We are nowhere near powerful enough to face the aging Specter. Even if it is old and on the verge of death, we still stand no chance. If we cross that line, it will sense us, and may instantly strike us down.”

“But the Main Civilization has no idea of the crisis they’re facing. We are separated by more than twenty light-years, how can we send them a warning?”

“We can’t get close to the Main Civilization, but we must find a way to save them. If the Main Civilization dies, we will fade into nothingness with them. What should we do?”