Allies

The Asha Empire was the most powerful ruler in the western universe, holding dominion over thirty-seven galaxies and boasting an imperial fleet that had never known defeat.

But Zhang Fan did not care about any of that. He had decided to reveal himself only because the Asha were humanoids, hoping they could help him find a temporary home for Earth's humans.

The Asha did not look very different from Earth's humans, except for an extra pair of hands. They had two feet and four hands, with no obvious differences in their facial features. Their skin was pale, and their hair was predominantly golden.

Zhang Fan carefully studied Liya, who stood before him in formal attire styled like golden-scaled battle armor. He opened the conversation by asking, "My people and I are searching for a way home. Commander Liya, have you ever heard of a galaxy called the Milky Way, or the Qiya People?"

After a moment's thought, Liya whispered a few words to an attendant beside her, then answered with a smile, "Lord Zhang Fan, I have already sent someone to fetch the high priest regarding the locations of galaxies. I hope he can help you."

Zhang Fan bowed his head in thanks.

Before long, an old man in sumptuous robes and a ceremonial hat bearing a four-handed emblem slowly approached Zhang Fan, supported by two scantily dressed Asha women.

The old man looked Zhang Fan, an Insect Race {Broodmother}, up and down as Liya led him over.

Liya introduced him. "This is the high priest, one of the most learned people in our Asha Empire."

After Zhang Fan and the high priest exchanged greetings, a star chart of the Milky Way suddenly appeared in the high priest's mind.

The high priest exclaimed in wonder, "Lord Zhang Fan, what a miraculous power you possess, to manifest a star chart within my thoughts!"

Zhang Fan did not directly address this. After studying the star chart carefully, the high priest shook his head. "There is no such galaxy within six million light-years!"

The high priest spoke with absolute certainty, leaving Zhang Fan somewhat disappointed.

Liya immediately said, "There is no need to be too disappointed, Lord Zhang Fan. Somewhere in this vast sea of stars, someone is bound to know. Our Asha Empire is willing to do everything in its power to help our friends among the Rebecca Insectoids find their way home."

Grateful for Liya's warmth, Zhang Fan held out a large-eyed Purple Thorn to her.

"This is the rarest Purple Thorn among the Insect Race. Only one is born every three million years. I offer it to Your Highness Liya as a token of friendship between our peoples."

Looking at the wriggling insect, Liya could only suppress her disgust and reluctantly take it. After all, this was a sacred creature born among the Rebecca Insectoids only once every three million years.

After Liya assigned someone to care for Purple Thorn, six Asha warriors clad in magnificent golden armor carried a huge crystal into the hall.

The ice-blue crystal measured about five meters and was translucent, revealing a creature curled up inside, waiting to hatch.

Liya explained to Zhang Fan, "This is an egg of the Ice Blue Dragon, the sacred beast of our Asha."

Zhang Fan bowed his head. "The Rebecca Insectoids thank the Asha people for their generosity. Rebecca and Asha shall forever be friends."

Within six units of cosmic time, news that Asha and the Rebecca Insectoids had established diplomatic relations and signed an alliance agreement spread throughout every galaxy in the western universe.

Inside the Blue Crystal Temple on Duoer Star, the homeworld of the Lila People.

Shifting currents crackled over the body of Mierduoduo, the Lila commander. In a low, ethereal voice, he addressed the Whirlwind Emperor hovering above the throne. "This enormous fleet's sudden appearance and establishment of diplomatic relations with the Asha people bode ill for the empire's future."

The Whirlwind Emperor laughed heartily. "Diplomatic relations? They're courting their own destruction. Those strange members of the Insect Race are exceedingly cunning. I reached an agreement with them long ago. Those inferior Asha creatures think they've gained a powerful ally. Hahaha! All they've gained is their own demise."

Mierduoduo looked thoughtful. Only after a moment did he say, "Your Majesty, if these members of the Insect Race are so cunning, we must be on our guard."

The Whirlwind Great Emperor nodded. "Cunning though these members of the Insect Race may be, we don't have what they want. That is why they agreed to help us defeat Asha. When the time comes, each of us will take what we need."

Mierduoduo asked curiously, "We had only made contact with the Insect Race once before our forces withdrew of their own accord. Was that Your Majesty's decision?"

"How could inferior creatures like the Asha know that higher life-forms communicate through consciousness? I took the initiative to clearly convey our development and intentions to the Insect Race, and they responded."

The Whirlwind Great Emperor smiled faintly. "Consciousness is far more honest than language."

"Then what should our next step be? Do we continue attacking Asha?"

The Whirlwind Great Emperor nodded. "We will certainly attack, and launch an all-out offensive at that. But we must fail, not succeed."

"Your Majesty intends to build our allies' prestige among the Asha, then leave the Asha to them?"

After the Whirlwind Great Emperor confirmed this, Mierduoduo said worriedly, "Once they replace the Asha, we will be facing an even stronger enemy."

"As I just said, their needs differ from ours. That will make them our finest allies."

Seeing how firmly the Whirlwind Great Emperor trusted the Insect Race, Mierduoduo could hardly say anything more. Deep down, however, he did not share that faith in this strange race that had suddenly appeared.

Asha and Zhang Fan signed a series of peace treaties for mutual development.

Asha would provide Camille Star as a home for the Insect Race of Rebecca Star. The Insect Race of Rebecca Star would hold temporary sovereignty over Camille Star, while Asha would retain Mujing mining rights.

The Rebecca Insectoids and the Asha people would exchange technology in science, biology, and other fields. Rebecca would provide biological armor, and in exchange, Asha would equip seven hundred {Rebecca} with holy defensive armor.

The Asha Empire would supply the food the Rebecca Insectoids needed and help them search for Earth in the Milky Way and the Qiya People. Rebecca would be responsible for protecting Camille Star and all Asha territory within fifty thousand light-years of the Third Colony Star.

The contract would remain in effect for 999 years.

Before pressing his handprint onto the agreement, Zhang Fan suddenly brought up the Lila People.

"Commander Liya, regarding the Lila People, when we first arrived, we promised them we would not take part in your war, without fully understanding the situation. Unless the Lila People attack you first, we Rebecca Insectoids will not dispatch troops at your request. I hope you understand."

Liya nodded. "Mora already told me about this, and we have received His Majesty the Emperor's permission. You can rest assured on that point. We Asha are a peace-loving people as well."

Zhang Fan and Liya pressed their handprints onto the agreement at the same time, formally establishing the alliance between Rebecca and Asha.

Meanwhile, the Lila People's warships had already crossed the border star region...

Liya was discussing Camille Star's defensive arrangements with Zhang Fan when a messenger rushed into the banquet hall and cried out anxiously, "The Lila... three thousand Lila People warships have crossed the border and are heading toward us!"

An uproar swept through the banquet hall, and almost every noble turned their gaze toward Liya.

Liya steadied herself. "Three thousand? Have the Lila People sent their entire fleet?"

Mora glanced at Zhang Fan, then said to Liya, "It seems the Lila People are coming because we signed an agreement with the Rebecca Insectoids. They don't want us to have a powerful ally."

Taking the hint, Zhang Fan said, "Then how about this? Since the Lila People are attacking, let this first battle be the Rebecca Insectoids' gift to the alliance."

"Well..." Liya hesitated.

After swallowing a slice of Gegeduo Beast meat, Zhang Fan gave a chuckle. "My fleet has already departed. Commander Liya, Mr. Mora, please come along and watch the battle."