At the same time, Caesar, the newly appointed President of the Interstellar Federation, was listening to a report from his subordinates.

"Lord Caesar! According to the latest intel we've just received, on a barren planet in the southern region of the galaxy, the Alien is engaged in a decisive battle against the Parasite Beasts!"

Caesar abruptly sat up, excitement flashing across his face. "Is this information reliable?"

"Yes, my lord!" the officer replied. "Moreover, this particular Alien has a peculiar trait we are all familiar with—any Black Thread limbs not connected to its main body will automatically disintegrate within a few days."

Upon hearing this, Caesar excitedly turned to another officer. "Neil, what are the findings of your investigation into the post-apocalyptic planets that this Alien rescued?"

Neil reported, "According to the feedback from the troops and research personnel we deployed, no remnants of the Alien’s Black Thread have been found on the Polluted World, the Zombie World, the Mechanical Apocalypse, or Earth. This suggests the intel is indeed accurate."

Another officer stepped forward and reported, "Our reconnaissance starship has already reached the outskirts of this barren planet. The planet appears to have activated a teleportation array blockade, preventing any biological entities from freely entering or leaving. This is our golden opportunity, my lord—one that will allow us to kill two birds with one stone!"

Caesar’s face flushed with excitement. "Convene a high-level Federation meeting immediately. Everything must be carried out in secrecy! We cannot allow the Ability Users of the Salvation Alliance to catch wind of this!"

Five minutes later, hundreds of high-ranking Interstellar Federation officials gathered at Federation headquarters.

"The time has come for us to completely eradicate the remnants of both the Alien and the Parasite Beasts!" In the strategic conference room, Caesar addressed the Interstellar Federation’s top officials and the planetary governors from various smaller star systems.

"If we strike while the Alien and the Parasites are locked in mutual destruction, we can swiftly obliterate that barren planet! Humanity’s two greatest enemies will be wiped out in one fell swoop! And when that happens, each of you present today will be remembered as heroes of humanity. Your names will go down in history alongside this glorious achievement!"

"We should immediately organize a nuclear bombardment of the barren planet!" Heinrich declared.

At this moment, another official also stood up in agreement. "Our starship fleet has already been secretly dispatched toward the barren planet at full speed. According to reports from our reconnaissance starships, only half of the Alien and Parasites have perished so far. Their battle won’t end anytime soon! Moreover, the teleportation array blockade activated on this planet appears to be irreversible! As long as we act decisively, they won’t have any chance to escape!"

"Excellent," Caesar said. "However, launching a planet-wide nuclear strike requires a vote from all Interstellar Federation committee members. Those in favor of this action, please raise your hands and sign the authorization document!"

"Wait a moment!" An elderly official hesitated. He was none other than the planetary governor of the Polluted World—the very one whom Xiao Yi had saved. "This Alien has rescued many planets and has never displayed hostility toward humans. Even now, on that barren planet, it seems to be fighting against the Enhanced Parasites…"

"Francis, what exactly are you trying to say?" an impatient official beside him interrupted. "Are you seriously suggesting that an Alien is willingly saving the world? That it can coexist peacefully with humans? It's an Alien! If we don’t seize this opportunity—"

"Let me finish!" Old Francis flared up as well. "What I’m saying is that if we unanimously decide to obliterate that barren planet along with the Alien, the general public—yes, even those from the planets it saved—will cheer! After all, to them, that so-called ‘rescue’ was merely a facade for the Alien to disguise itself.

Take my planet’s citizens, for example. The moment they learned that the Black Threads were actually part of the Alien’s body, half of them immediately emigrated to other worlds! They were too terrified to continue living on a planet that had been touched by an Alien’s limbs. The entire planet became even more unstable than when it was suffering from severe pollution!"

At first, many were annoyed by Francis’s untimely remarks, but his words made them fall silent. They now listened attentively.

"Killing the Alien is what everyone wants," Francis continued urgently, knowing time was short. "However, we won’t be able to justify it to the Salvation Alliance!

Originally, we assumed that G Planet was a secret extension of the Main System’s influence and that the Enhanced Parasites were nothing more than an excuse they fabricated. We intended to use this opportunity to suppress the Salvation Alliance, discredit them for resisting the Parasites, and, in turn, boost the Interstellar Federation’s prestige.

But now, it has been confirmed that the Enhanced Parasites are real. If we kill the Alien—who, as a member of the Salvation Alliance, is actively fighting against them—it will give the Salvation Alliance the perfect excuse to retaliate against us!"

Seated at the head of the table, Caesar listened to Old Francis’s concerns and analysis with a shrewd smile. His demeanor exuded both wisdom and authority. Looking at the officials who shared similar worries, he spoke:

"Francis, there is no need for you to worry—such a situation will never happen," Caesar said. "The Salvation Alliance insisted that the Enhanced Parasites would attack G Planet at precisely 6 AM this morning. Did they? No! The Enhanced Parasites are all locked in battle with the Alien! And G Planet remains the clearest proof that the Main System has betrayed humanity and is secretly amassing power!"

Upon hearing this, some of the Interstellar Federation officials revealed expressions of sudden realization while others exchanged knowing smiles.

Caesar continued, "As for that barren planet we are about to annihilate with nuclear weapons, it will serve as further evidence that our Interstellar Federation has successfully seen through the Main System’s ploy to lure us away from G Planet. Instead, we have uncovered the true headquarters of the Parasites. That cunning and deceitful Alien? It was merely on its way to collaborate with the Parasites when we intercepted and eliminated it."

The officials nodded in agreement.

Caesar went on, "Therefore, the greatest credit for exterminating the Parasite Beasts and crushing the conspiracy between the Parasites and the Alien belongs to our Interstellar Federation. Meanwhile, the Main System and the Ability Users must still answer for their heinous actions—expanding their influence on G Planet and harboring an Alien. They will be held accountable and subjected to humanity’s judgment.

When that time comes, the Salvation Alliance, this anti-human organization, will no longer have any reason to exist! Even if we cannot destroy them in one fell swoop, every move they make from now on—including any so-called ‘rescue missions’—will be strictly monitored and controlled by the Federation’s inspectors!"

With this shared understanding, the hundreds of high-ranking Interstellar Federation officials unanimously agreed, officially approving the nuclear strike on the barren planet and signing the authorization document.

Two minutes later, the Federation fleet, armed with nuclear warheads, reached the outskirts of the barren planet. A million nuclear bombs would soon be launched in unison, reducing the Parasite Beast’s experimental planet to smithereens!

.

The moment Huo Li arrived at Alliance Town, his immense mental power spread out like a spiderweb. Within two seconds, he anxiously realized that no trace of the youth could be found—neither in Xiao Yi’s villa nor in any street or building throughout the town.

Huo Li had initially feared that a crisis might have struck Alliance Town, putting Xiao Yi in danger. However, he now understood the truth completely: the young man had been hiding something from him all along. Now, in an unknown location, Xiao Yi was facing a deadly threat alone.

"Main System!" Huo Li called out. "Xiao Yi can’t block the system himself. You’ve always known his status—tell me where he is!"

"I’m sorry, Huo Li, but I cannot tell you," the Main System’s gentle voice echoed in his mind. "You’re searching for Xiao Yi because Xiao Mao indirectly conveyed her foresight to you, making you aware of the danger he might be in. If I help you locate Xiao Yi’s coordinates, I will be altering the future based on her foresight. That would lead to an even worse outcome."

“F**k the future!” Huo Li roared. "Main System, tell me where Xiao Yi is! Otherwise... you know what I'm capable of. If I betray the Alliance, you won’t like the consequences!"

"Are you threatening me with the lives of the hundreds of thousands of low-level Ability Users in Alliance Town, Huo Li?" The Main System’s voice remained as gentle and pleasant as ever. "The future hasn’t happened yet. You cannot be certain what awaits us. Huo Li, I urge you to reconsider your actions."

"Give me Xiao Yi’s coordinates," Huo Li demanded.

At that moment, despite Ability Users being much more complicated to control than ordinary humans, within an instant, thirty thousand Ability Users within Huo Li’s range in Alliance Town became vacant-eyed. Each one picked up the nearest short blade or handgun from their system storage and aimed it at their own throat.

"Huo Li, we have been friends for thousands of years," the Main System said, "but if the Salvation Alliance and humanity’s future are threatened, I will not hesitate to sacrifice you. Do not do something foolish."

"So my suspicions were right all along." Huo Li spoke an inexplicable sentence. "You really do have this ability… I never expected you to hide it for thousands of years. Tell me Xiao Yi’s location! Otherwise, you will lose tens of thousands of saviors—or you will lose me, the Salvation Alliance’s greatest trump card!"

The Main System let out a soft sigh. "Huo Li, I only wish to protect humanity."

"I’m counting down from three!" Huo Li remained unmoved.

"Okay..." the Main System responded. "Xiao Yi is currently on a desolate planet on the other side of the galaxy, engaged in a life-and-death battle against 8 million Enhanced Parasites. The teleportation array is being established. The transmission process will take approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds."

The Main System's easy concession sparked a trace of suspicion in Huo Li. Would it really risk worsening humanity’s future just to avoid losing him as an ally?

.

On the experimental planet, the remaining third of the Alien and Black Threads were locked in a desperate struggle against 2 million Enhanced Parasites. Amid the battlefield, where blood and flesh were strewn across the plains, a black-haired youth stood silently atop a high platform, gazing down at the hellish scene that engulfed the land.

At the same time, in the control rooms of the ten thousand starships that had silently surrounded the desolate planet—

"Commander, all nuclear warheads are ready. Once launched, the nuclear explosions will completely obliterate the planet, erasing it from existence!"

Through the massive screens, the fleet captains watched the chaotic battle unfolding on the plains—millions of Enhanced Parasites and Aliens slaughtering each other—while their eyes fixed on the Alien’s true body standing on the high platform.

The officers of the Interstellar Federation felt their hearts pounding with excitement. 'These disgusting, lowly creatures—let them all die!'

"Ready, fire!" the commander-in-chief shouted.

From the thousands of starships, dozens of launch ports fired their payloads in unison. Twenty seconds later, a torrential downpour of nuclear warheads hurtled toward the desolate planet where Xiao Yi stood.

Meanwhile, 2d14, who was watching the battle unfold alongside its host, remained blissfully unaware of the impending catastrophe. It cheerfully remarked:

"Master Host! Look, two-thirds of our Black Threads are gone, but three-quarters of the Enhanced Parasites are dead. That means we’re still winning, right?"

The black-haired youth, however, did not answer. He lifted his gaze slightly to the sky before speaking.

"2d14, when you return to the Main System, deliver my exact words to it if you don’t want to be reformatted. I believe the Main System will grant me this one final, small request."

2d14, who had just been laughing moments ago, suddenly froze. "Huh? Master Host, why would I need to return to the Main System?"

At that moment, the nuclear warheads in the sky became visible to the naked eye. Before 2d14 could ask a second question, the rain of nuclear bombs exploded across the plains, each detonation occurring mere seconds apart.

"Aaaah! Master Host! What's happening—"

Before 2d14 could finish its panicked scream, it felt its host, along with the millions of Enhanced Parasites, being incinerated into nothing but a wisp of heat and smoke…

At the same time, Huo Li emerged from the orange light, only to find himself not on the experimental planet but aboard a starship of the Interstellar Federation. Directly in front of him, the massive screen displayed the desolate planet being reduced to cosmic dust, obliterated under the onslaught of a million nuclear explosions.

"XIAO YI!!!"

A bloodcurdling roar erupted from Huo Li's throat, his berserk psychic energy lashing out like blades, piercing into the minds of the surrounding officers who had just drawn their weapons.

But all he received in return were the undeniable, absolute confirmations of Xiao Yi’s death.

This time, Huo Li’s psychic energy showed no mercy to the fragile human consciousness. Each officer whose mind he touched collapsed to the ground, shrieking in agony, the control room filling with the stench of urine and excrement.

"Huo Li, calm down!" The Main System’s voice rang out, urgent and uneasy. "You can't—"

"Where is 2d14? Answer me!" Huo Li roared, completely losing control.

The Main System hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully.

"2d14 has returned."

Huo Li tightened his grip around the officer’s throat, his fingers digging into the man's skin. "Xiao Yi has always been trying to save humanity! His heart is purer than anyone else's!" he growled. "YOU—how dare you!"

As his grip grew stronger, the officer’s face turned purple, and his spine made an ominous cracking sound.

"Huo Li, stop!" The Main System's voice rang out, urgent and anxious.

With a sharp crack, the officer's neck twisted unnaturally, but before his brain completely shut down, Huo Li had already extracted the truth he sought from the man's fading consciousness.

"You are all murderers," Huo Li declared, his expression frozen in an icy mask. "Every selfish and foolish human in the Interstellar Federation—"

He enunciated every word with chilling clarity:

"—All of you deserve to die."

Then, he turned to the Main System and asked coldly, "If I overthrow the Federation, whose side will you take?"

.

On a distant, desolate planet, a black-haired teenager watched the entire scene unfold through his ever-present network of Black Thread spies.

"So, this was your goal all along?"

Beside him, Xu Yuncheng looked at the youth as if seeing him for the first time.