Chapter 26: I Call It Efficiency

As the words fell, the atmosphere in the conference room shifted instantly. Everyone turned their gaze toward Elder Huang and Ge Xiaolun, their expressions varying.

Du Kao subconsciously frowned and looked at Ge Xiaolun with some concern. He wanted to say something, but the principles he had upheld for so many years kept his lips sealed.

Leona, wearing her black trench coat, rested her chin on her hand. Seeing this, her eyes brightened; shedding her listless demeanor, she became immediately attentive.

Ge Xiaolun, who had been content to observe the proceedings like a spectator, looked at Elder Huang with some surprise. He had been brought to the meeting by Du Kao, assuming it was part of a gradual cultivation process. He had not expected this. However, seeing the hesitation on Du Kao’s face, he quickly realized this was likely not a premeditated trap.

"Elder Huang, throwing such a sharp question at me so suddenly... it seems you are aware of my negotiations with the Super Seminary and are feeling a bit uneasy about me," Ge Xiaolun said with a smile after a moment of deliberation.

He understood perfectly well what the unspoken debate between Leona and Elder Huang represented. He simply hadn't expected such a conflict to be brought to his doorstep so soon.

Hearing his words, worry deepened in Du Kao's eyes. If it were only himself, his reason and patience would have been enough to avoid such friction. But Xiaolun, after all, was young and spirited. For the moment, however, he found it difficult to intervene.

"Old Du has always been rigorous in his work. Regarding your affairs, he has indeed reported everything to me," Elder Huang replied, nodding slowly in response to Ge Xiaolun’s directness. He continued, "Also, Old Du, there is no need to worry. I have no ulterior motives; I simply wanted to hear Xiaolun’s perspective on this matter." He glanced at Du Kao, signaling him to remain calm.

Du Kao nodded. He realized where Elder Huang's inquiry had originated. He had to report Ge Xiaolun’s actions to Elder Huang—even if he had acted first and reported later, it was a principle he had adhered to for years.

Ge Xiaolun nodded as well, realizing that Elder Huang’s move was merely a test. The man was no reckless fool; this was simply a minor collision test between an old era and a new set of principles.

"Well..." After a brief moment of reflection, he looked at Elder Huang and the others with a smile. "Actually, from the moment I awakened my super genes, I realized that beings like gods and super soldiers do not necessarily bring only good things to a civilization in this era of Earth."

The room nodded in clear agreement. Although his words were blunt, they demonstrated a level of maturity and perspective that commanded respect. Even Leona set aside her nonchalance, looking at him with newfound seriousness. Du Kao and the others breathed a sigh of relief; regardless of the past, this boy had always remained rational.

"At the very least, they will cause a violent shock to the existing social order, especially one that is not compatible with them," Ge Xiaolun continued. "It will impact everything from people’s ideologies to their ethics and morals. Not just between gods and mortals, but between gods themselves, between gods and super soldiers, and even between super soldiers—there will be conflicts and chaos that words alone cannot fully describe."

Du Kao nodded deeply. "That is why we were so incredibly cautious. The Black Great Wall project is fatal for a pre-nuclear civilization." If not for the threat of an unavoidable interstellar invasion, their plan had been to delay this project for at least ten thousand years, until Earth began to enter the age of gods.

Elder Huang nodded as well. "Xiaolun is right. Please, continue." They had heard these concerns from Du Kao before. While it had caused much friction—with many regarding it as a technological blockade of Earth—reason had eventually prevailed, and Du Kao had held that line until now, when they were forced to face reality.

"I am the youngest here, so I won't list every single conflict," Ge Xiaolun said, keeping his gaze on Elder Huang. "But generally speaking, power equals authority, and power equals the right to speak."

The expressions of Elder Huang and Du Kao grew serious, and Leona’s eyes sparkled with interest. They knew the core of the matter had arrived.

"So, when I realized that my 'Power of the Galaxy' was indeed extraordinary and that I stood at the center of this conflict, I chose to assert my own conditions after gaining control of it. On one hand, it avoids the sharpest conflicts; on the other, it secures a reasonably comfortable space for myself. Although, if I wanted to, I could swing my great sword and perhaps have everything in an instant. I could even retreat to another land, another planet, or another civilization with gods, and become a king there, without having to face the crisis on Earth."

Ge Xiaolun stated this with casual indifference. "I believe there are gods who would roll out the red carpet and grant me whatever I desired."

At this, everyone’s expression shifted, and they instinctively held their breath. Despite Ge Xiaolun’s previous bluntness, they had not expected such a chilling assertion. This went beyond what Elder Huang had anticipated.

"Wait, Ge Xiaolun, you said you took control of the Power of the Galaxy?" Leona’s eyes widened, and she spoke up quickly. Her gaze was bright, filled with shock, disbelief, envy, and contemplation. Du Kao and Elder Huang looked at Leona, their eyes filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

"Oh, so you didn't know," Ge Xiaolun said with a faint smile at Leona’s surprise.

"Then you..." Leona began.

"However," Ge Xiaolun interrupted, "I have both my parents, I have had a happy life since childhood, and I love my country. My roots are deep and true."

These two sentences instantly suppressed the chaotic thoughts of everyone present, allowing the tense nerves of Du Kao and Elder Huang to relax. The ups and downs of life do not always require the bloodshed of a battlefield; they can happen in the span of a few words. Leona was rendered speechless, her excitement extinguished in an instant.

"So, I don't like to go to extremes in these matters. I am willing to grow alongside my own civilization and to answer your questions, Elder Huang," Ge Xiaolun continued, unconcerned by what others thought.

"I see. Now I finally understand how you managed to set so many conditions and, within a single day, make Old Du and the others speak so highly of you," Elder Huang nodded, a gratified smile appearing on his usually stern face. In truth, Ge Xiaolun’s response had far exceeded his expectations. Du Kao and the others also smiled; the starting point of this generation’s Power of the Galaxy was something they hadn't dared to dream of.

"However, the shocks are inevitable," Ge Xiaolun said, shifting to the topic he wanted to address. "Gods, super-gene beings, main gods, or leaders of civilizations—they are merely expressions and titles for different systems of civilization."

Everyone nodded; this was an objective summary.

"If we are to face the most intense cosmic wars, and in the midst of that, face the survival of our civilization, we must think about what the most efficient form of competition is. If that is indeed the path of gods, then we should actively think about it. Of course, the most direct beneficiary of that would likely be me," Ge Xiaolun said bluntly. "And I believe this is the most efficient form of competition."

The conference room fell silent. Only Elder Huang seemed truly deep in thought. For the others—Leona, Du Kao, and the others—there was no mystery to this question. In the dark forest of the universe, what constituted the most efficient form of civilization had been explored by countless others.

"It could perhaps be a modified version, as we people of Earth have our own preferences, and I am not a person who enjoys having others kneel before me," Ge Xiaolun said, his words subtly steering the direction of the conversation. "But this topic reminds me of some things I encountered yesterday, combined with the information I heard in your discussion. I think this is what is truly worth your serious consideration, Elder Huang." A smirk curled the corner of his mouth.

"What is it?" Elder Huang asked, curious.

"Based on your previous accounts, you said we don't know much about the Angel civilization and need to establish communication with them. That is to say, among us, neither you nor General Du have communicated with the Angels," Ge Xiaolun looked at them, then continued, "But yesterday, I met an Angel with Teacher Rui and Qiangwei. Her name is Angel Yan, and she said she came to discuss how to help Earth. She even took the initiative to chat with me later, implying that she had finished her talks with the Earth side—specifically, with your group."

"What?" Elder Huang frowned instantly.