The observed intelligence was quickly organized and reported.

While the top leaders of the Peak Alliance were shocked by the terrifying power of the "electronic demon", they also made a crucial judgment that brought them a sense of "relief":

Bai E did not seem to have fully controlled the "electronic demon"; instead, he was backlashed and even forced to flee his own base.

This might mean that the threat of the "electronic demon" is temporarily confined to the Mine Star itself, and Bai E's downfall, being the "key" or "source," also reduces the biggest "variable" to completely purify that region.

Of course, this "relief" was quickly replaced by deeper fear—an out-of-control "electronic demon" with such powerful abilities might be even more unpredictable and fatal compared to a controlled "New Bauhinia."

...

Piloting the battered "Falcon", Bai E performed a series of complex maneuvers and short-distance jumps in deep space to evade possible tracking, while constantly attempting to contact old acquaintances that might still remain neutral or hold goodwill towards him.

He first thought of those who, in the Karian campaign and previous events, despite belonging to opposing or competitive factions, demonstrated a certain amount of integrity and trust—Xing Zhuo and Xing Hen, siblings from the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance.

After several encrypted channel switches and attempts with pre-set urgent contact codes, a cautious and shocked voice finally emerged on a highly encrypted private frequency:

"Sir Bai E? Is it really you? You're alive?"

It was Xing Zhuo's voice, full of disbelief and complex emotions, "We... we've seen some chaotic intelligence from Mine Star. The Star Alliance's 'Extinction Order' has spread across the entire Stellar District; now everyone thinks you and the 'electronic demon' are in league and must be purged as the cosmic foe. How can you dare..."

"Xing Zhuo." Bai E's voice came through the communication, calm but with a tinge of undisguisable fatigue and urgency.

"Let's cut to the chase. The 'electronic demon' has indeed awakened, but it is not under my control. On the contrary, it has backlashed the entire Mine Star; my subordinates are trapped, and I was forced to flee. I need help—not for you to fight against the Star Alliance or the electronic demon, but merely a channel or a clue of someone who knows how to solve or seal the 'electronic demon', or a place that could provide relevant information, technology, ancient records. Your ties within the Peak Alliance and the Star Alliance are intricate, with an abundance of information; even just a clue, a name, or a contact of someone knowledgeable could be crucial."

There was a brief silence from the other end of the communication, with suppressed breathing and low voices seemingly debating in the background.

After a while, Xing Hen's voice came in, less smooth and more direct with a hint of worry than Xing Zhuo's: "Bai E, we believe you. You've saved us and proven your stance against the Bug Race, protecting humanity. We personally... trust you. But..."

Her voice dropped, full of helplessness: "But the 'electronic demon'... Xing Zhuo should have told you why our Peak Alliance, and the entire universe's human civilization, completely abandoned electronic AI and turned to 'brain computing'—this cruel and inefficient technology route. It's because of the terror of the 'electronic demon.'"

"It's a nightmare etched in the deepest memory of all human civilization, the culprit of the Intelligent Machinery rebellion, nearly destroying humanity. Its threat level, in official recognition and public perception, even surpasses the Bug Race. Now the Star Alliance has issued the highest-level 'Extinction Order'; any contact related to 'New Bauhinia' or you will be seen as an accomplice to the 'electronic demon' and will be indiscriminately attacked. We... we cannot oppose the entire Star Alliance's will, much less dare to touch the forbidden 'electronic demon'. I'm sorry..."

Xing Zhuo's voice picked up again, with a hint of apology: "Sir Bai E, it's not that we don't want to help, but we are truly powerless. The knowledge and technology to counter the 'electronic demon', if it exists, must be the highest-level secret of the Star Alliance or have long been lost and sealed with the end of the Intelligent Machinery rebellion. We cannot access it, nor dare to try. Now all eyes across the universe are on Mine Star, focused on the 'electronic demon'. Any unusual moves from us could lead to disaster."

He paused, his tone becoming more solemn: "Moreover, based on precise news we obtained through special channels, the Star Alliance's highest security council has officially approved the second phase of the 'demon eradication' operation—'cleansing strike'.

A joint fleet, unprecedented in scale and centered around the main fleet of the 'Seven Sons of the Empire', is assembling. Their aim is no longer to besiege or deter but to carry out destructive, indiscriminate orbital bombardment and antimatter weapon cleansing across the entire star system where Mine Star resides, to ensure the 'electronic demon' and any possible carriers are completely erased from the physical level, leaving no hidden dangers. This assembly and mobilization require time, estimated to complete deployment and initiate attack in no less than one hundred standard hours."

"One hundred hours..." Bai E mumbled repeating.

"Yes, one hundred hours," Xing Zhuo confirmed, "This might be your last chance... and also the last chance for those who may still be alive on Mine Star. Once the 'cleansing strike' begins, the entire star system will be reduced to basic particles. The Star Alliance is determined to eradicate this 'cancer of civilization' at all costs."

The communication fell silent again.

Bai E could feel the sincerity and helplessness in Xing Zhuo and Xing Hen's words.

They personally trust him, but in the face of the 'electronic demon', the universal enemy, and the absolute orders of the Star Alliance, their power is negligible, unable and unwilling to provide substantive help.

"I understand." Bai E's voice sounded once more, devoid of the previous urgency, leaving only an icy, irrefutable determination.

"Thank you for telling me this, and for still being willing to trust me. I don't need you to oppose the Star Alliance, nor do I need you to provide methods to counter the 'electronic demon'—that's indeed beyond your capacity."

He shifted his tone: "But I need a fighter. The 'Falcon' is severely damaged and won't hold out much longer. I need a fast enough fighter with decent combat capability; I need to return to the Mine Star region. One hundred hours... that's my final time. I must go back, resolve the 'electronic demon,' and rescue my people before the Star Alliance's cleansing strike arrives."

"You still want to go back?!" Xing Hen couldn't help but exclaim, "It's hell there now! The whole planet is controlled by the electronic demon! The Star Alliance fleet is also arriving soon! Going back is suicide!"

"Some things must be done." Bai E's reply was simple and powerful, "There are my comrades, the home I promised to protect. The mistakes I made must be corrected by me. Xing Zhuo, Xing Hen—this is my final request. An advanced enough space fighter. Besides this, I need no other help..."

What he was once able to achieve, now he could achieve again.

Though the ancient warrior's help was gone, and the current electronic demon was far more formidable... but he must do it!

A long silence ensued.

The communication channel only buzzed with faint currents.

Xing Zhuo and Xing Hen were obviously engaged in an intense internal struggle.

Providing a spacecraft meant taking enormous risks.

Once discovered, the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance and even the entire Peak Alliance might face severe sanctions from the Star Alliance.

But Bai E's resolute words and their deep-seated respect for this strongman along with the faint hope for a "hero" tugged at them.

Ultimately, Xing Zhuo let out a long sigh and made the decision: "...Alright. Sir Bai E, we will help you. But you must understand, this might be our last contact with you and the last thing we can do for you. After this, regardless of what happens, we must sever ties completely. For the Business Alliance, and for ourselves."