Legacy of the Void Fleet

Emperor Wu remained composed. ”Be that as it may, at least we now know that they are not merely additional reinforcements for the Star Fleet but an entirely separate force. And they want to engage with us. We will proceed according to Commander Yu Tong’s instructions. If this is handled properly, we stand to gain much from it.”

He paused, scanning the faces of his ministers before adding, ”And remember—they are humans too, just like the Star Fleet and ourselves.”

Turning to Foreign Minister Liu, the emperor issued his orders. ”Contact the Indra Empire, the State of Avalon, and the Bear Empire immediately. Arrange a meeting with their leaders and make it clear that this is urgent and beneficial to them.”

Liu gave a respectful nod. ”Where should this meeting take place, Your Majesty?”

”Have it arranged in the capital of the Indra Empire.”

A heavy silence settled in the room as the ministers exchanged glances. The decision had been made—now, they had to ensure its success.

Emperor Wu gave a few more instructions to his advisors and ministers, ensuring they understood the gravity of the situation.

Finally, he addressed Foreign Minister Liu once more. ”After contacting the Indra Empire, the State of Avalon, and the Bear Empire, have our own delegation prepared to attend the meeting. I will personally attend this meeting to ensure our interests are properly represented.”

A ripple of surprise passed through the ministers, but none dared to question the emperor’s decision. His presence would elevate the significance of the gathering and demonstrate the Jiang Dynasty’s commitment to the negotiations.

With that, the emperor surveyed the room, his expression firm. ”This is a moment of great importance. If handled well, it could reshape our future. Proceed accordingly.”

The ministers and advisors bowed in acknowledgment before dispersing to carry out their tasks.

Far beyond Earth,

Hundreds of light-years away, a colossal planet shimmered with a jade-like glow. Its sheer size dwarfed even Jupiter, standing as a titan among worlds. Once, this planet was the heart of a mighty civilization, known and feared across half the galaxy. Their knowledge and power were unmatched, yet, for reasons lost to time, they vanished—leaving behind only ruins swallowed by nature.

What was once a thriving world, brimming with advanced technology and countless beings, had long since been overtaken by vast forests and untamed wilderness. Only remnants of their greatness remained, buried beneath thick canopies and vines.

Thousands of years ago, during their relentless search for resources, the Minotaur race discovered this massive, jade-hued planet.

Now, this planet had become the central home of the Minotaur race—a formidable people who had claimed dominion over its lands, their strength and resilience shaping a new era atop the bones of the past.

Drawn by its rich environment, they conducted extensive explorations and soon uncovered remnants of a long-lost civilization—one that had once thrived here in an age now buried beneath the sands of time. Among the ruins, they made a discovery that would change their future forever: a vast repository of ancient knowledge.

Among the vast troves of knowledge, the Minotaurs uncovered various cultivation techniques, formulas for potent potions and elixirs, as well as detailed records of rare herbs and precious resources—materials they had never encountered before. These discoveries alone elevated their understanding of strength, resilience, and longevity.

But what truly reshaped their civilization was the technological advancements buried within the archives. The ancient database contained blueprints for highly advanced weapon systems, both for offense and defense—some so powerful that even the Council of Twelve, the strongest beings among the Minotaur’s, would struggle against them.

Despite their inability to fully decode all the ancient knowledge, the Minotaur’s wasted no time in utilizing what they could understand. Using the recovered technology as a foundation, they began constructing powerful new weapons and war machines, pushing their military strength far beyond what it had once been.

Even with only a fraction of the ancient knowledge deciphered, the results were revolutionary:

-Planetary-Scale Weapons: Devastating energy-based artillery capable of obliterating entire fleets from a planet’s surface.

-Enhanced Starships: Newly designed warships incorporating artifact-tier shielding, weaponry, and propulsion, making them faster, deadlier, and far more resilient than their previous fleet.

-Personalized Warrior Gear: Armor and weaponry forged using the ancient techniques, drastically enhancing a Minotaur warrior’s combat potential, durability, and energy manipulation.

Though only half of the data remained intact, and much of it was outdated, the information still held immense value. It contained insights into advanced technologies, warfare, and civilization-building—concepts far beyond what the Minotaurs had mastered. Traditionally, they were not known for technological prowess or expertise in artifacts.

Instead, they were revered—and feared—for their immense physical strength, resilience, and warrior culture. Their society valued honor, combat strength, and respect for the powerful. Many saw them as aggressive expansionists, conquering worlds through sheer force.

However, with the knowledge inherited from the ancients, their race underwent a turning point. They used this wisdom to strengthen their existing rule, refine their strategies, and accelerate their influence across the stars. The very foundation of their civilization was reshaped by what they had learned.

In the present day, this planet—now called Minotaur Prime—stood as the heart of their empire. At its center, the Minotaur’s had erected a massive, ancient-style structure—a monument of reverence to the lost civilization that had unknowingly contributed to their rise. Though they never met its creators, honoring them was a testament to their warrior code: respecting strength and those who shaped destiny, even in absence.

Within this grand structure lay a gigantic hall, its centerpiece a colossal circular table made of an unknown metal, its surface gilded in gold. Twelve ornate chairs surrounded it, each occupied by a being of unmatched strength—warriors who stood above even the rank of World-Building.

These were the Supreme Elders, the Council of Twelve, the most powerful rulers of the Minotaur race. It was they who dictated the course of their people, deciding upon the future of their ever-expanding dominion.

The chamber was silent, save for the soft hum of the holographic map hovering above the circular table. The massive projection displayed a region of space that had remained undisturbed for millions of years—the sector surrounding the Sol System.

Seated at the head of the council, the most senior of the Supreme Elders narrowed his eyes as he studied the data. His deep, commanding voice echoed through the grand hall.

”Whether this is mere coincidence or not, our ancient artifact detectors have picked up fluctuations in this sector.”

At his words, the Supreme Elder seated to his right leaned forward, eyes glinting with recognition.

”Hmm… isn’t this the same region that was accidentally sealed by an immensely powerful artifact millions of years ago?” he mused. ”It happened during the war between two great forces. At least, that’s what the archives of the ancient civilization recorded.”

Across the table, another elder furrowed his brows in confusion.

So… what does that mean?” he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

A different elder, one of the wisest among them, simply shook his head at his colleague’s lack of foresight.

”This sector was once renowned for its abundance of rare resources and its incredibly rich environment,” he explained. ”If there are fluctuations now, it could mean only one thing...”

The council chamber grew tense as his words sank in.

”The artifact’s seal is weakening. Perhaps... it is close to crumbling.”

A heavy silence filled the air as all twelve Supreme Elders turned their gazes back to the holographic map. The possibility of the sealed star sector reawakening was a development none could afford to ignore.

The room remained tense as the Supreme Elders absorbed the implications of the discovery. Then, one of them finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the silence.

”Do we have confirmation of when this will happen?”

Another elder, his expression dark with frustration, let out a heavy sigh.

”Our inability to fully utilize the detection artifact limits our precision,” he admitted. ”We cannot obtain an exact date, nor can we predict the full extent of the consequences when it happens.”

Another elder leaned forward, his tone filled with urgency.

”Can we at least estimate an approximate timeframe?”

The elder in charge of the calculations nodded grimly.

”Based on our rough projections… the artifact’s seal will be fully weakened—perhaps even completely destroyed—in about four months.”

A weight seemed to settle over the chamber. The implications were immense. A sector that had been sealed for millions of years—hidden from the galaxy—was on the verge of reopening.

The Supreme Elders exchanged glances. The next course of action would determine the future of the Minotaur race—and perhaps the fate of whatever lay beyond that ancient seal.

The First Supreme Elder let out a deep sigh, his expression heavy with both caution and resolve.

”Whatever, and whenever it may happen, we must be prepared.” His voice carried the weight of centuries of wisdom. ”This could be both an opportunity—if we act swiftly—or a grave threat.”

His sharp gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of each Supreme Elder.

”We cannot afford to be caught off guard