The announcement did not directly accuse Bai E of being a "Bug Race infiltrator" or an "ancient calamity," but with vague yet grave wording such as "unknown energy activity," "connection to ancient forbidden relics," "questionable nature of Spiritual Energy," and "unpredictable risks," combined with the substantive blows of annulling qualification results and suspending sovereignty recognition, it was tantamount to putting Bai E and New Bauhinia on the defendants' bench as "potential public enemies."

As the information spread, it quickly became distorted and fermented; soon, all kinds of even more exaggerated and inflammatory rumors began to circulate secretly in small circles, such as "Bai E is a mole sent by the Bug Race," "Bai E is the vessel for the revival of an ancient evil civilization," and "New Bauhinia is the source of chaotic contamination."

When the contents of this joint announcement were transmitted via special channels to the Peak Alliance's supreme council, a brief dead silence fell over the conference room, followed by a burst of heated debate.

Some relatively cautious representatives, or those from member states that had previously cooperated with Bai E, raised objections, arguing that in the absence of conclusive evidence, treating a force that had contributed to the fight against the Bug Race in such a manner was unjust, and might trigger unnecessary conflict.

However, more voices—especially those from forces already hostile to Bai E, or worried that his rise would disrupt the existing power structure within the alliance—immediately seized this opportunity.

"You see? Even the 'Seven Sons of the Empire' have concluded there's something wrong with him!"

"We've said all along this man's origin is unknown, his power bizarre; sooner or later something would go wrong!"

"He's been fostering a cult of personality on the Mine Star, drawing in our population, undermining the alliance's stability—now even the Seven Sons of the Empire can't stand it anymore!"

"We must immediately draw a clear line with 'New Bauhinia'! Respond to the call of the Seven Sons of the Empire—that is the only correct choice! Are we really going to offend the seven great Empires that rule the Galaxy Center for the sake of one suspicious power?"

Fear, jealousy, and the urge to cling to a stronger authority quickly overwhelmed the few rational voices.

Within the Peak Alliance, those forces whose interests had previously been struck by Bai E, or who simply feared his power, were eager to use this fire to eliminate the thorn in their side.

Soon, under the pretext of a "state of emergency," the Peak Alliance's supreme council passed a resolution:

"In accordance with the security guidelines of the core member states of the Star Alliance, and for the sake of the security and stability of the Peak Alliance's Stellar Districts, it is hereby resolved:

Effective immediately, all official contacts and cooperation with the 'New Bauhinia Republic' are to be suspended.

'New Bauhinia' is required to immediately open its controlled Star Domains to allow a joint alliance inspection team to conduct security verification.

Member states of the alliance are called upon to strengthen border control to guard against any potential threats originating from the direction of 'New Bauhinia.'"

This resolution, although it did not completely annul Bai E's "record" as the announcement of the Seven Sons of the Empire had done, laid bare an even more hostile and repressive intent.

It was effectively a public declaration that the Peak Alliance and "New Bauhinia" were entering a state of hostility, and it demanded that Bai E open his gates to accept "inspection"—which was no different from demanding surrender.

When the news reached the Mine Star, the whole of "New Bauhinia" was shaken.

Having just returned from the joint exploration and currently discussing technological progress with Helen, Bai E looked at the two announcements urgently submitted by Catherine and Gong Yan, his face showing little complex emotion.

Helen's brows knitted tightly. "So they've… completely torn off the mask. The pretext is clumsy, but very effective."

Catherine gritted her teeth. "Those bastards! We saved so many people on Jade Stone Star! We resolved the Bug Race crisis in the Aisera Star System! And this is how they treat us?"

Gong Yan analyzed calmly. "The announcement by the Seven Sons of the Empire is the root. They fear, my lord, that your power is uncontrollable, or that you've touched on secrets they don't want revealed. The Peak Alliance is merely going with the flow, killing with a borrowed knife. Now we are almost isolated, turned into the 'enemy of the universe.'"

Bai E's gaze swept over those icy words and finally came to rest on the myriad lights gradually brightening on the Mine Star outside the porthole. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"What had to come, will always come." Bai E's voice was calm, yet carried a heaviness like a storm about to break. "Since they've chosen this path, then we… can only follow through."

The joint suppression by the "Seven Sons of the Empire," together with the Peak Alliance's act of kicking them when they were down, plunged New Bauhinia, at the public level, into a position of isolation as the "enemy of the universe."

Yet beneath the high pressure and hostility, undercurrents were still surging.

The Free Star Alliance, the Trade Star Domain Alliance, certain factions within the Holy Silver Church Country, and even scholars in the Forging Worlds Collective who focused on technological research… all used extremely covert channels to send Bai E and the Mine Star limited but crucial informational support, well-intentioned warnings, or expressions of interest in possible future cooperation.

Although these contacts could not alter the overtly hostile situation, they made the whole of New Bauhinia understand that not the entire universe stood with the "Seven Sons of the Empire"; potential allies dissatisfied with their hegemonic conduct had long existed.

At the same time, the countless civilians and low-ranking officers rescued by the White Calamity Squad from Jade Stone Star spontaneously established secret communication networks. Grateful for New Bauhinia's life-saving aid and angered and heartsick over the Star Alliance and their own national high commands abandoning them in a time of crisis, they became New Bauhinia's most genuine and steadfast sympathizers and potential supporters in distant Star Domains.

However, on the public front, the standoff grew ever more severe.

The Peak Alliance's joint alert fleet, like a cold chain, firmly sealed off the Mine Star's external space routes.