A series of events had left Liu Hai mentally exhausted despite the regulation from his Intelligent Nexus. Numerous matters required his direct involvement to establish frameworks before they could proceed systematically.
After months of relentless work, Liu Hai finally found some leisure time and began reviewing his recent developments.
It all started with the Kadon Explorers' reckless surprise attack on the Stardust Star Region, leading to the Pioneers collectively declaring war on the Kadon Explorers. The Hera Star System had since plunged into full-scale warfare.
Over the past decade, step by step, from discovering the Brolly Civilization to uncovering the Gemini Starfield, there had been trades, alliances, and development that seemed divinely aided. Starting with just one Seed Ship, the current situation had propelled him to establish dozens of Shipyards, with Tier-5 Battleships already in the manufacturing phase.
The rapid progress and existing developmental opportunities had brought Liu Hai tremendous benefits. His trades with the Pioneers had also earned him significant prestige among them.
During wartime, nothing was more beloved than a supplier of affordable, high-quality Armament.
Yet amidst all this busyness, when Liu Hai reviewed his work, he realized many of his arrangements had been sidelined, receiving no attention at all.
Pulling up various records and reviewing them comprehensively, Liu Hai finally breathed a sigh of relief after identifying the matters he had neglected.
The first was the research on Star Behemoth Biological Tissue, which ranked as the top priority after the Seed Ship.
Upon examining the recent research progress, he found it was advancing smoothly, thanks to tens of thousands of researchers, ample supplies of fifth and sixth-tier scientific equipment, and theoretical resources.
The current achievements included three main technologies: Energy Absorption Conversion Technology, Carbonyl Biological Gene Optimization Technology, and Auxiliary Bio-Chip Technology.
After reviewing the application theories of these technologies, Liu Hai was delighted.
The Energy Absorption Conversion Technology was based on the core principle that Starry Sky Behemoths could survive and move by absorbing cosmic energy. Liu Hai himself, after undergoing genetic modulation from the Seed Ship, had some energy absorption and conversion capabilities, though they were still far from ideal—mainly due to his limited biological energy reserves, which couldn't support high-intensity technical applications.
Now, his researchers had reached this stage as well, though they approached it from a physical technology perspective, using physical devices to embody the theories and create equipment with stronger conversion capabilities and higher efficiency.
They had even upgraded the Energy Block manufacturing technology, increasing the energy reserve of the same-sized block to one unit—a significant advantage for fleets and various defense systems.
Meanwhile, the Carbonyl Biological Gene Optimization Technology was developed by integrating the genetic structure of Starry Sky Behemoths into the existing Gene Optimization Technology for Federation citizens.
Unlike the Brolly Civilization, which foolishly inserted fragments of the Starry Sky Behemoth's biological genes directly into their own genetic chains—a suicidal move—Liu Hai's researchers took a safer approach.
Without fully understanding the Starry Sky Behemoth, merely studying its genetic structure to optimize human genetic chains had already allowed ordinary Federation humans to achieve a tremendous biological leap, extending lifespans to nearly three thousand years.
At the same time, various human physiological indicators experienced explosive growth, yet there was little change in daily living habits. People still needed to eat as usual, and reproduction remained freely possible.
However, after genetic chain optimization, individual strength surged to five or six tons, and body weight increased to the point where ordinary hover cars required upgrades to restore previous transportation convenience.
Further optimized ground combat soldiers became over three times stronger than standard enhanced humans, with weights reaching around three tons and minimum heights exceeding 2.2 meters. As a result, the logistics department had to develop and upgrade new Exoskeleton Armor for their use.
Another benefit was that optimized human bodies exhibited a simultaneous surge in neural link load capacity. Previously, only a few elites could operate Synchronized Mecha, but now they could be mass-deployed in the military—undoubtedly a significant advantage for fleet combat.
The final improvement stemmed from the auxiliary chip developed based on Liu Hai's design, serving as a comprehensive upgrade capable of supporting more advanced technologies and achieving a leap in computational power.
After reviewing this progress, Liu Hai instructed the Intelligent Nexus to verify whether this theory could upgrade his Bio-Assisted Chip.
The results were promising—it was indeed possible. After all, the Biochip he had installed was merely a Fifth-level Civilization technology. Through extensive research and development by scientists, combined with a touch of creativity and the influence of individual combat enthusiasts, the current Bio-Assisted Chip had evolved into various specialized models tailored for different users.
After casually assigning a research task to upgrade his chip, Liu Hai closed the scientific projection with satisfaction.
"This exploration ship has traveled 20,000 light-years away? How did it get so far?"
Turning his attention to the second matter, Liu Hai was baffled again. The Corvette he had dispatched to follow the military exploration ship in tracking the Starry Sky Behemoth had now reached the middle section of the fourth spiral arm, 20,000 light-years away.
According to the voyage logs, no military exploration ships had appeared nearby in recent months—not because exploration had ceased, but because their inferior performance had left them far behind the Angel Frigate.
During this period of independent operation, the Angel Frigate had indeed discovered some rare non-natural artifacts along the Starry Sky Behemoth's trail, all preserved in a Force Field Cage for future research upon return.
What astonished Liu Hai the most was that during the pursuit, the Angel Frigate had also discovered two remote star systems harboring life. One had followed the same fate as the Brolly Civilization, while the other—a grotesque-looking but cheerful and docile alien race—remained highly cautious, refraining from directly utilizing the unknown Biological Tissue they had found.
Currently at the early stages of a Third-level Civilization, this alien race was extremely prudent, even in exploring beyond their star system. Perhaps due to their small population, their technological progress was slow. However, thanks to the Starry Sky Behemoth's Biological Tissue, their biotechnology had advanced significantly, showing signs of leaning toward a Biological Civilization.
After compiling and sending this intelligence to the Clone Soldier management for resource utilization strategies, Liu Hai turned his attention to the final matter.
From the very beginning, the various civilizations' knowledge that the researchers had been studying had been preliminarily integrated. By combining strengths and compensating for weaknesses with the Federation's existing scientific and technological theoretical system, a comprehensive technological framework without any deficiencies emerged before Liu Hai's eyes.
A projection of a faintly glowing technology tree unfolded before him. A main trunk dominated by physical sciences soared skyward, and as the mainstream ideologies of different technological civilizations converged into it, the trunk continuously branched out—biotechnology, energy technology, mechanical technology, and more.
Each branch grew exceptionally lush, with intersecting theories and technologies bearing abundant fruits.
Although only Third-level Civilizations had been integrated so far, the potential of this technology tree was immense. It could be said that every type of civilization found in the current supercluster had a corresponding branch on this tree. The richness of scientific theories also made the researchers' work on applied technologies exceptionally smooth, as if this was how it should always have been. Any hesitation or lack of direction in research would be the real anomaly.
Despite the encouraging results, what alarmed Liu Hai was the Research Institute's ever-growing demand for researchers. There was no way around it—there were too many branches, each representing the core content that supported entire civilizations.
Advancing even one step further required massive amounts of verification and integration. Powerful auxiliary equipment alone wasn't enough; it still required the flexible thinking of researchers to sift through and study the material.
Moreover, as learning outcomes emerged and R&D integration progressed steadily, some researchers found their preferred directions of study and became so engrossed that they couldn't pull themselves out, leading to an overall decline in work efficiency.
To accelerate integration up to Fifth-level and even Sixth-level Civilizations, Liu Hai once again expanded the researcher training program. A few months later, the number of researchers in Gemini would surge once more.
To accommodate these researchers, sufficient research facilities and supporting infrastructure had to be built, along with specialized research equipment that only Seed Ships were capable of manufacturing.
This immediately tightened Liu Hai's previously relaxed mood. The already tight production schedule, now compounded by research demands, left even less time to spare.
Slapping his face, Liu Hai quickly turned off the projection. He had come to relax, only to dive back into work. Should someone as high-ranking as him really be micromanaging like this? What were those hundreds of thousands of employees for?
Skipping over the work details, Liu Hai focused only on the results, which made relaxation much easier. Assigning tasks to the relevant management departments and letting the employees deal with the headaches—wasn't that what he was supposed to do?
For several days in a row, Liu Hai sorted through the tasks he had neglected during this period, while also adding more responsibilities to the already understaffed management teams on both sides, causing their already thinning hair to shed even more.
Just as Liu Hai was about to immerse himself in study again to continue his own upgrades, a communication came through.
"You're coming to the Brolly Star System? Then just come—it's not like you don't have the coordinates. Why call me specifically?" Liu Hai said, somewhat surprised, as he looked at Irina in her well-fitted naval uniform.
Irina smiled and replied, "Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. Let me explain in more detail."
"Irina, Lieutenant of the Federal Navy, Third Defense Legion of the Hera Star System. By order of the Star Queen Overlord, I'm deploying to the Brolly Star System to establish defensive outposts and ensure logistical armament support for our Pioneers."
"You joined the military? Or were you always Queen Mother of the West's subordinate?" Liu Hai asked with an I-knew-it expression.
Irina felt slightly deflated seeing Liu Hai's complete lack of surprise. "I was always part of the Defense Legion, and I truly am from the Elizabeth Family. All that's real—I just withheld a tiny bit of personal information."
Liu Hai grinned. "I knew the Overlords wouldn't just sit back and watch me enter the Hera Star System. Thanks for the protection along the way—without it, getting here would've taken much longer."
"It was my duty. You're highly valued in Queen Mother of the West's eyes. I didn't fully understand why before, but seeing your current growth rate—you're truly exceptional, soaring at the first opportunity." Irina couldn't hide her amazement. She remembered exactly what Liu Hai was like when he first arrived, yet in just over a decade, he'd built a Pioneers' armament logistics headquarters. His development capabilities were undeniable.
Only someone like him would draw the Overlords' attention—enough for them to discreetly deploy their own fleets for escort, and for her to forcibly establish a joint contract with him.
"By the way, with your current tech level, you must've detected the military fleet stationed in the 18th Star System long ago, right?" Irina asked curiously.
"Right. My scanners picked them up years ago, but I never initiated contact." Liu Hai didn't conceal it—this was expected, not confidential.
"That Legion is the First Sub-Fleet of my Third Defense Legion. I'm their direct superior, and the commander is your acquaintance—Lieutenant Elena."
Irina's smile faded. She couldn't enjoy catching Liu Hai off guard—why was he so unfazed? Had he already guessed?
"Welcome, Lieutenants Irina and Elena, to my Brolly Star System. It really has been years since we last met."
Liu Hai sighed inwardly. He truly hadn't expected both Irina and Elena to be military personnel, nor had he known about the escort fleet accompanying him to the Brolly Star System. Irina's sudden appearance had struck him as odd—her assertiveness didn't match the usual demeanor of Pioneers from major families. He just never imagined she'd be Queen Mother of the West's subordinate.
Seems I hold significant importance in the Overlords' eyes. From obtaining my Pioneer license onward, it's always been an Overlord personally dealing with me—not some staffer like with other Pioneers.
That Cactus Sister probably has ties to Queen Mother of the West too. Who else could've referred her as a "friend"? And those orders likely had the Queen Mother or other Overlords pulling strings behind the scenes—probably to accelerate my development.
However, Liu Hai felt they were being a bit too hasty. He had only been in the Hera Star System for less than twenty years, and they had already reached the stage of being able to build Battleships. Establishing their own Legion was just a matter of time—why the desperate rush to accelerate development here like a drowning man grasping at straws?
Liu Hai pondered over it but couldn't reach a definitive conclusion. The Lords stood too high and saw too far—their vision was beyond what he could currently perceive. The plans they had laid out were most likely the best fit for both his current situation and the local circumstances.
After receiving news of Irina's impending arrival, Liu Hai threw himself back into work. Meanwhile, the situation in the Hera Star System changed day by day. Due to the overwhelming number of orders they had accepted, the influx of resources grew increasingly massive, even causing traffic congestion in the Brolly Star System.
—Just when the family was already struggling, things took a turn for the worse.