261 White Candle Autonomous State

"White Candle Star has been bid 89.6 million twice, is anyone else bidding higher?"

Seeing that no one inquired, the auctioneer finally announced:

"White Candle Star, 89.6 million, sold in three transactions. Congratulations to buyer number 077 for purchasing White Candle Star."

Thud! Andy fell to his knees, his face contorted in embarrassment.

"How could this be... It shouldn't be like this, he should be pouring money into the Polis Star!"

Ignoring her distraught fiancé, Nalia stood up and said with a hint of disdain:

"It's really disappointing."

"For now, it's satisfactory."

Li Aoz breathed a sigh of relief and stood up from the chair.

"I made a huge profit by acquiring White Candle Star for less than 100 million."

That's what they say... but in reality, Li Aoz's initial expected price was only around 50 million.

If the Crystal Tower Civilization hadn't been so greedy, Li Aoz wouldn't have spent so much money.

Fortunately, he has enough cash on hand, so he doesn't have to worry about his plans being disrupted.

"But I wonder who got the short end of the stick and paid three times the price to acquire Polis Star," Nikita complained.

From his perspective as an observer, it was simply a cunning trick, yet so many people were chasing and intercepting him, allowing Li Aoz to achieve his ultimate goal.

"After all, Polis Star is the grand finale, so it's bound to cause a climax."

Li Aoz didn't think much of it; once he got the goods, he got them. He quickly transferred the money to the account and received the receipt.

"I'll be running around doing paperwork for the next month... It's such a hassle."

Li Aoz put down the receipt and looked at Nikita expectantly:

"Brother Nikita, why don't you come and help me..."

"Ah, I'm too old for interstellar travel," Nikita stroked his beard. "How old are you? How hard is it for you to find yourself a secretary or assistant?"

"Isn't it because we don't have a suitable candidate?" Li Aoz spread his hands. "I did find a few people before, but none of them were quite suitable. Either they didn't have enough education, or they knew nothing about government business. I don't have time to teach people."

"Since you think hiring is troublesome, let's talk about it later. You'll have to handle the paperwork yourself for the next month."

Actually, there was something Li Aoz didn't say.

The assistant position was perfect for Ya Wen. She was a former special agent, familiar with the government, and knew how to negotiate with people.

Of course, now that it involves social issues, Li Aoz is already preparing to immigrate to a Narrative-level Civilization and join the Interstellar Alliance, these matters can no longer be mentioned.

"Campus recruitment is coming soon this year, let's select from recent graduates."

Li Aoz shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

For the next month, his work focused on receiving Azure Planet, which included some qualification checks and assessments, but nothing serious, and he prepared everything thoroughly.

Over the past five years, all the school buildings in Trivella have been demolished. The only remaining White Candle Star Interstellar University was merged with other universities on White Candle Star and became White Candle Comprehensive University.

Five years after its establishment, the student resources were also transferred, and the Graduate School was directly connected with universities on a new educational planet.

Li Aoz was quite lucky. Because Dean Nastisha changed his student record, he not only completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years, but also finished his military service.

This is also why Li Aoz was able to participate in the auction; for Crystal Tower, he could be considered one of their own.

However, even though White Candle Star has fallen to such a state, the Crystal Tower still doesn't forget to shovel a shovel at their grave.

On the day the auction was successful, the faculty of White Candle Comprehensive University, the last magic high school on White Candle Star, announced their withdrawal.

No matter how much they tried to persuade them to stay or how much salary they were offered, these teachers still left indifferently.

Just like when they left, nearly 10,000 students from magic high schools were left without anyone to take care of them. They were already unemployed before they could even successfully enter society.

One month later.

It was 10:30 a. m. on the 15th of the lunar month.

White Candle Comprehensive University announced its closure, prompting thousands of unfinished magic students to launch a "Protect White Candle University" protest, beginning a sit-in and hunger strike.

On this very day, White Candle Star officially changed his surname to Li.

Breaking News: At the edge of the Galaxy Eye, the former administrative planet of the Crystal Tower civilization, White Candle Star, has declared its independence and is now in a state of self-determination.

"Lioz, who was once a hero in the fight against Mash Gergang the Machine World Society, has announced the takeover of the entire White Candle Star and the establishment of an interstellar autonomous state. He has now submitted an application to join the Interstellar Alliance."

"Will the edge of the Galaxy Eye welcome its first member state? Will the last isolated area of the Abyss be opened up?"

"Next, we will broadcast this to reporters on the front lines."

On this very day, the previously unknown planet, White Candle Star, suddenly appeared on the screen.

"White Candle Star once appeared as an affiliated civilization of the Crystal Tower. Although we have now chosen the path of independence, we will maintain a friendly relationship until the handover. We hope that our friendship will last forever."

Li Aoz read the manuscript calmly.

The number of reporters in the audience was not large, but it wasn't small either. In addition to local media, there were also two Narrative-level Civilization media outlets that had good relations with Li Aoz.

For his first political debut, and to garner so much attention as a former dependent planet of a closed civilization, Li Aoz is already quite satisfied.

He has considerable political capital; his status as a hero who is a "social defender" is enough to attract attention.

"I hereby declare that White Candle Star has officially broken away from its status as an affiliate of the Crystal Tower civilization and will now participate in interstellar activities as an independent autonomous state."

Dressed in a dark blue printed suit, Li Aoz placed one hand on the newly drafted constitution and solemnly swore an oath:

"The path and the Star Abyss are above. I Lioz Dominate (meaning: the Lord of Lioz), am honored to serve as the first ruler of the Autonomous State. In the name of the President Plenipotentiary of the Autonomous State, I swear to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of human beings and citizens, to abide by the Constitution, to safeguard the sovereignty, independence, security and territorial integrity of the State, and to serve the people faithfully."

As the president of a country, Li Aoz couldn't be without a surname, so he simply added a transliteration of "dominant" to his name.

This also represents his ambition.

"Now, in the name of the President with full authority, I will announce the new national name, system, flag and National Anthem to be used by all the people."

Li Aoz picked up the script, though he had already memorized it perfectly. Facing the flashing lights of the media, hundreds of millions of people were watching him.

He knew very well what these people were worried about and hoping for.

"Our new nation's name will be: White Candle Autonomous State, with an independent mercenary city-state structure and a president who is responsible for life."

"The national flag is: Black Background Red Heptagram, representing that we are founded on the path of the [Dominion] system."

"The national emblem is: White Crystal background with olive branches surrounding a red seven-pointed star, connected by a gold ribbon. The white symbolizes that we once came from the Crystal Tower and uphold materialistic values; the olive branches represent peace and victory; the red seven-pointed star symbolizes dominance and rule; and the gold ribbon represents our respect for etiquette and law."

"We will align with Interstellar Civilization and implement an interstellar economic system. Based on the existing workshop system, we will increase the inclusion of private enterprises and, on this basis, appropriately increase the allocation of public resources, that is, the public economy..."

Li Aoz is the last and only Zeta-rank powerhouse on the entire White Candle Star. Whether from the perspective of force, law, or fact, his ascension to the throne is legitimate. In fact, his own assets alone support millions of more positions.

Strictly speaking, Li Aoz not only a ruler; his wealth accumulated over the years has made him an industrial oligarch of the entire planet. Therefore, to match his plans, setting up the entire autonomous state as his unique oligarchic garden is the most appropriate thing to do.

Li Aoz dislikes sharing power with others. As Deified Person through the path of "Dominion," his desire for domination far surpasses that of ordinary people.

They weren't worried that Li Aoz become a dictator or tyrant; in fact, people were more afraid that he would make enough money and then leave.

So, Li Aoz solemnly addressed the thousands of cameras:

"Fellow citizens, I am not a person of many words; I will speak my mind directly."

"The former White Candle Star suffered immense hardship. Terrorists, idealistic madmen, and Social Citizen, for various reasons, coveted our beloved land and launched inhumane invasions and destruction against us."

"I was a witness to those events, and I know very well how you feel. I understand the feelings of those who lost their loved ones, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and respected elders because of foreign invasion."

"That is why I solemnly promise you, and I solemnly promise to all the citizens of the White Candle Autonomous State."

"As long as I, Lioz, have a breath left, I will protect you from any enemy invasion. I will build an independent and self-reliant army and Combat Power to uphold our national dignity."

"I will make those who say we are a low-lying area of Interstellar Civilization realize that in the end, all that will remain is barren scorched earth."

"Blessed are those who believe that 'when you know this land well, you will find that their minds are worthy of their suffering,' for all that will be left for them are destroyed hospitals and schools."

"Let those who ridicule our arduous journey forward end up only looking at our magnificent industries and spectacular buildings with gritted teeth."

"We will rely on our own strength to live proudly in this universe. My dear people, do not be surprised by your past ignorance and shortsightedness. In any era, there will be a group of people who make mistakes, but those who can keep moving forward after making mistakes are more worthy of respect than those who have fallen."

Li Aoz a deep breath and said, "I will do everything in my power to lead you to the highest point of the Star Abyss."

You have legally obtained recognition of ownership of the White Candle Star.

You have acquired a new identity/profession—[President/Oligarch]

[Your profession/class does not provide bonuses to your Primary Attribute, but it will grant you more reputation based on your Primary Attribute.]

[Your territory, ' Trustworthy Village,' has been expanded. It has been detected that the planets and nations you control now encompass your home's area. Do you wish to incorporate them into the area?]

[It has been successfully incorporated into the territory.]

[First nation-building completed, system updated...]