Chapter 80

Just as Wen Ling's resonance training with Mirror Sea Heart entered the most critical stage, the latent contradictions within the Nine-Nation Alliance finally broke out.

The trigger was a "Resource Priority Allocation Plan" proposed by Sai Jianguo. Purportedly to "ensure the absolute security of the energy supply to the real-world stability field," the plan mandated that, over the next three standard months, 70 percent of the alliance's high-purity energy crystals be prioritized for the Jinghai Base in Taoyuan and its directly related energy network construction.

As soon as the plan was released, it immediately aroused strong reactions from other countries.

The Saiyi general was the first to slam his desk and say, "Seventy percent? What a joke! Doesn't my fleet patrol and base maintenance require energy? Do I want my soldiers to fly empty ships to deal with those elusive attackers?"

Queen Saiwen also subtly expressed her concerns: "Our country's life science research and ecological maintenance systems also require stable energy. Excessive cuts will affect the foundation of people's livelihood."

Even the representative of Sairang, who had always supported Wen Ling, looked hesitant: "Your Highness, this move may cause unrest in the domestic situation of each country and will be detrimental to the unity of the alliance."

Clearly, while Miao Weizhen's previous high-handed tactics temporarily suppressed opposition, they also accumulated discontent. Now, over the issue of resource allocation, which concerns their respective core interests, these discontents have finally found an outlet.

There was endless quarreling at the meeting, with representatives from all sides arguing with each other and the situation coming to a stalemate for a while.

Wen Ling sat in the main seat, quietly listening to everyone's speeches, not rushing to express his opinion. He noticed that Miao Weizhen was sitting behind him, his face cold, his fingers tapping unconsciously under the table, a sign that his patience was running out and he was ready to take tough measures.

Just as Miao Weizhen was about to speak, Wen Ling gently raised her hand to stop him.

"Everyone," Wen Ling's voice was calm, yet clearly carried throughout the venue, temporarily quelling the arguments. "I understand your concerns. Saiyi needs to defend its territory, Saiwen needs to maintain its people's livelihood, and Sairang needs internal stability... All of these are just as important as activating the Reality Stabilization Field, because together they constitute the 'future' we want to protect."

He stood up, walked to the huge star map, and pointed to the shadow area representing the "Tide of the Void".

"But please consider this: if the Reality Stabilization Field cannot be activated in time, if we cannot defend this star field against the Void Tide, then everything we're arguing about today, whether it's the fleet, livelihoods, or stability, will be meaningless."

He turned around, his eyes sweeping over each representative: "This isn't a matter for Sailiang alone, nor is it a matter for me, Wen Ling alone. This is a matter of life and death for all nine nations, and indeed all the civilizations that depend on us."

He paused, his tone becoming more earnest. "I'm not asking for unconditional sacrifice. I propose establishing a resource coordination committee composed of representatives from various countries to jointly review every resource request and ensure that every bit of energy is used where it's most critical. At the same time, the Sailiang National Congress will release our strategic energy reserves to prioritize filling the gaps in defense and livelihoods faced by various countries during this period."

This proposal not only demonstrates a firm stance but also flexibility and sincerity. More importantly, it brings all countries into a joint decision-making process rather than forcing orders.

A brief silence fell over the meeting hall. The general of Saiyi State frowned, as if weighing the pros and cons. Queen Saiwen, on the other hand, looked at Wen Ling thoughtfully.

At this moment, Miao Weizhen added coldly, his voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear: "Of course, if someone insists that their country's interests are more important than the survival of the alliance, the security department doesn't mind helping them 'recognize' the current situation."

This naked threat made several representatives' faces change slightly. But strangely, this time, the threat did not provoke a stronger backlash. Because Wen Ling's rationality and tolerance just now formed a sharp contrast with Miao Weizhen's coldness, instead, the threat became a means to ensure the bottom line.

A sword of Damocles that will only fall when Wen Ling's appeasement policy fails.

Ultimately, after intense negotiations and detailed revisions, the "Resource Priority Allocation Plan" was passed with seven votes in favor and two abstentions. Saiyi and Saiwen ultimately voted in favor.

After the meeting, Wen Ling returned to the lounge and rubbed his eyebrows tiredly.

Miao Weizhen followed him and closed the door.

"You don't need to be so polite to them." Miao Weizhen said, his tone still tinged with dissatisfaction. "Under high pressure, they will eventually give in."

Wen Ling turned and looked at him. "High pressure can make them submit, but it can't make them truly follow. Wei Zhen, what we want to build is not an empire of fear, but an alliance willing to fight together. Fear may maintain order temporarily, but only faith and common interests can take us further."

He walked up to Miao Weizhen and reached out to smooth his slightly wrinkled collar, his movements gentle: "Your way is very important. It can clear many obstacles for us and eliminate deadly threats. But there are some roads that require me to walk my own way. We need to combine hardness and softness, don't we?"

Miao Weizhen stared at him, watching the young man before him increasingly display the bearing and wisdom of a king. The taut nerve deep within him seemed to loosen a little. He had to admit that Wen Ling was right. Relying solely on fear and an iron fist could not forge a truly stable alliance.

He held Wen Ling's hand and whispered, "It's up to you. But the bottom line cannot be touched."

This is both a compromise and the last red line he draws.

"I know." Wen Ling smiled, "Because you are here."

After the resource allocation plan was approved, the tension within the alliance eased slightly, but the undercurrent remained. Late at night, Luo Yan quietly appeared in Miao Weizhen's private office and handed over a piece of encrypted intelligence.

"We've tracked down the Saiyi general's adjutant, who's been in unusually frequent contact with an encrypted communications node." Luo Yan's voice, like his presence, barely caused any vibration in the air. "The node's location has jumped multiple times, ultimately pointing to a very unique encryption protocol, a new type of encryption developed by the Federal Intelligence Agency on the eve of their defeat."

Miao Weizhen's eyes swept over the intelligence, his eyes cold: "Are you sure?"

"Eighty percent certain," Luo Yan replied. "They're very cautious, so there's no direct evidence. But the general's recent objections to the military budget and fleet deployments coincide with these communications."

Just then, Wen Ling emerged from the inner room, having apparently overheard their conversation. He had just finished communicating with Xing Lan, and a trace of fatigue still lingered on his face.

"General Saiyi..." Wen Ling pondered, "Although he strongly opposed it at today's meeting, he ultimately voted in favor."

"Perhaps it was to avoid arousing suspicion." Miao Weizhen handed him the information. "It seems that it was a mistake for us to let Qu Beichen 'disappear'."

Wen Ling quickly scanned the document, frowning slightly. "At the time, accepting his secret surrender was necessary to quickly stabilize the situation. But now it seems he hasn't truly given up."

"He's been secretly plotting this whole time." Miao Weizhen's voice was cold. "His real goal is to destroy us from within."

When the federal army surrendered one after another in various star regions, Qu Beichen quietly disappeared under the protection of his personal guards.

He left behind a secret agreement, offering to surrender some of the Federation's core technology and military deployment maps in exchange for freedom from public trial. Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen accepted this condition in order to end the war as quickly as possible. Now, it seems this was just a retreat-to-advance strategy by Qu Beichen.

"It's best not to alert the enemy without solid evidence," Wen Ling pondered. "We need to know what they're trying to do and who else is involved."

"I've arranged for close surveillance," Luo Yan said, "but their anti-reconnaissance capabilities are very strong, so our men don't dare get too close."

Miao Weizhen pondered for a moment and looked at Wen Ling: "Perhaps, we can give them a 'chance'."

Wen Ling immediately understood what he meant: "You mean... using the upcoming first full network consciousness resonance test?"

"That's right." Miao Weizhen's fingertips tapped lightly on the table. "The test requires the mobilization of a huge amount of energy. The alliance's defense focus will temporarily shift towards Taoyuan Mirror Sea. This is the opportunity they've been waiting for."

This was a risky plan. Using the test as bait could expose Wen Ling and the entire network to unknown risks.

Wen Ling was silent for a moment, then finally raised his head, his eyes firm. "Yes, but we need to be fully prepared. Weizhen, you will be fully responsible for security and countermeasures. Luo Yan, continue to dig deeper. I want to know where this line leads."

"Understood." Luo Yan accepted the order and his figure disappeared silently into the shadows again.

Miao Weizhen walked over to Wen Ling and held his hand: "I will be by your side during the test."

His tone was unequivocal: "Anyone who tries to hurt you will pay the price."

Wen Ling felt the warmth and strength coming from his palm and nodded.

At the same time, deep in an unmarked star field.

Qu Beichen stood in front of the viewing window, gazing at the slowly rotating nebula in the distance. Compared to when he was defeated, he looked thinner, but the sharpness in his eyes had increased rather than diminished.

"They've taken the bait," a deep voice boomed from the shadows. "The test date has been set."

"Very good." Qu Beichen sneered, "Let them continue to build their 'Ark'. When they think victory is in sight, that will be the best time to take action."

"About the 'key'..."

"Continue monitoring." Qu Beichen turned around, his face full of confidence, "Remember, we don't want to destroy, but to take over. Wen Ling and that stabilization field will become the cornerstone of our reconstruction of the Federation."

Silence returned to the space station, with only the faint light from the operating instruments reflecting the ambition flashing in Qu Beichen's eyes.

Within the alliance, beneath the seemingly calm surface, shadows whisper. The first full-network consciousness resonance test is about to become a critical point that tips the balance. This time, Qu Beichen secretly aims to reclaim everything he has lost.