After traversing the Stargate and consecutive Warps, the Pluto Fleet returned to the Ten Stone Starfield in an extremely short time.
The fleet had just anchored at the designated location.
Qin Beiwang, accompanied by Zhuang Zhixuan, boarded a shuttlecraft and headed straight for the Wanshi System.
One must not be late for a pre-war Combat Conference.
Soon, the two arrived at the Wanshi Star Sector Theater Command.
The moment their steps crossed the threshold, the clamor in the hall instantly ceased.
All eyes around them, as if drawn by a magnet, focused squarely on Qin Beiwang, and even the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The officers and crew at the Command Headquarters first glimpsed the crisp uniform on Qin Beiwang, signifying the rank of Vice Admiral, and their pupils contracted slightly.
Then, unconcealed admiration and reverence burst forth in their eyes—a heartfelt deference to a legendary commander.
Some instinctively straightened their hunched backs, their postures rigid as sentries on standby.
Others whispered in hushed tones, their voices filled with excitement and awe, their words full of praise for Qin Beiwang.
As for the female administrative staff on duty, their reactions were even more direct and fervent.
Their eyes instantly lit up, sparkling with admiration, their faces unable to conceal their infatuation.
Their gazes clung to Qin Beiwang like adhesive plasters, unwilling to even blink, as if each extra glance was a luxury.
This was hardly surprising.
Qin Beiwang had already been injected with a top-tier gene optimizer.
His figure was as straight as a pine tree, his features as handsome as a celestial being descended from the heavens, exuding an aura of cool sharpness.
At this moment, a blue standing-collar cloak draped over his shoulder, covering his chin.
His military cap pressed firmly against his brow, revealing only the straight line of his nose and a pair of deep Eyes.
The more his full appearance remained obscured, the more it added to his mysterious and unfathomable presence.
Moreover, stationed at the Theater Command, they had long been steeped in tales of Qin Beiwang's miraculous military exploits.
Penetrating deep into the enemy rear of the Empire, destroying Stargates, creating black holes, and single-handedly annihilating over 80,000 enemy starships—achievements that had become legendary in Federal Military History.
Such a legendary commander, possessing both looks and prowess, now stood before them in the flesh.
Almost every female administrative staff member in the Command Headquarters was utterly captivated.
Their gazes toward Qin Beiwang were uniformly filled with undisguised admiration and infatuation.
In contrast, Qin Beiwang remained as composed as ever.
As if the surrounding stares and the whispers in his ears had nothing to do with him.
He merely tilted his head slightly, his thin lips parting.
He spoke softly to Zhuang Zhixuan beside him.
"Let's go, the meeting is starting."
With these words, their steps never faltering, the two strode straight through the hall.
Heading toward the conference room door that held the fate of the battlefield.
The heavy Alloy Door of the conference room slid open slowly, instantly shattering the silence within.
Everyone inside looked up in unison, their gazes converging on him in an instant.
All bore the epaulettes of a General.
Nine pairs of eyes, carrying scrutiny, and also curiosity.
Qin Beiwang's steps paused slightly, a faint flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.
He had originally thought that this pre-war conference would only summon commanders of Duke-class Fleets and above.
He never expected that among those present, he was the only Duke-class Fleet Commander.
The other nine were all commanders of Sequence Fleets.
The nine Sequence Fleet commanders showed only a fleeting look of surprise when they saw who had pushed the door open.
They were surprised by Qin Beiwang's youth, but there was not a trace of underestimation in their eyes.
In the next second, all surprise faded away, replaced by their usual calm and steadiness.
No one questioned why he was present at a meeting that should have been exclusively for Sequence Fleet commanders.
The terrifying battle record Qin Beiwang had achieved in the Bushman Star System had long since spread to every corner of the Federation military, becoming a legend that all generals delighted in discussing.
In the eyes of these battle-hardened commanders, Qin Beiwang was no longer an ordinary Duke-class Fleet Commander.
Instead, he was a powerhouse who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them, an equal in status.
Wen Tingtao, seated at the head of the table, broke into a hearty smile the moment Qin Beiwang entered.
He raised his hand and pointed firmly at the seat that had remained empty on his right.
His voice boomed through the conference room, filled with undisguised regard.
"My great hero, I've finally been able to welcome you here!"
He paused slightly, his tone growing even more enthusiastic as he beckoned Qin Beiwang over repeatedly.
"Come, come, come, take your seat!
This spot has been reserved for you all along!"
Qin Beiwang's gaze fell upon that seat.
Right beside Wen Tingtao, adjacent to the head position, it was the seat of highest honor at the entire conference table, second only to the host's seat.
He understood instantly—Wen Tingtao had done this deliberately.
It was a clear gesture of support in front of everyone, meant to highlight his achievements and status.
Wen Tingtao had never forgotten the last Battle of the Bushman System.
If not for Qin Beiwang leading the Pluto Fleet into the Imperial Hinterland at the risk of total annihilation, precisely destroying the Stargate that could have deployed heavy reinforcements to the Ten Stone Starfield, the Ten Stone Starfield would likely have lost eight entire star systems by now, and the tide of the war would have completely turned.
It could be said that Qin Beiwang had contributed the most in the last campaign.
One might even say that Qin Beiwang had single-handedly lifted him firmly into the position of General.
Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Beiwang walked steadily toward that seat.
Under the gaze of the nine Sequence Fleet commanders, he calmly took his place.
As if this prestigious position had always belonged to him.
Zhuang Zhixuan followed silently behind him, standing quietly to the side and slightly behind his chair.
The atmosphere in the conference room was subtle and calm.
Then, Wen Tingtao reined in his smile.
His expression grew serious again as his eyes swept across the room.
"Everyone is here. The meeting will now officially begin."
Wen Tingtao continued.
"According to the latest intelligence from Agent Rose, the Empire's level of focus on the Opal Star Sector far exceeds all our previous estimates."
He paused briefly, his gaze sharp as a blade sweeping over each commander present.
"Currently, fleets from several of the Empire's top families have been appearing within the Bushman Star System."
"Based on intelligence from various sources, the Empire's reinforcements for this operation are estimated to be at least five Sequence Fleets."
As soon as the words were spoken, a collective gasp echoed through the conference room, completely shattering the previously calm atmosphere.
Five Sequence Fleets!
That meant a staggering five hundred thousand warships, with the power to shake heaven and earth, were advancing toward the Ten Stone Starfield!
Everyone exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief.
The Empire had just lost three Sequence Fleets in the Bushman Star System—how could they replenish five more in such a short time?
The speed of this conscription and shipbuilding is alarmingly fast.
Wen Tingtao took in everyone's shock and astonishment, then continued in a low, steady voice.
"Of course, this is only the most conservative estimate."
He suddenly intensified his tone, carrying a strong sense of warning.
"That old fox Strauss has always been cunning; he would never easily reveal all his cards.
We must prepare for the worst.
Assume their actual reinforcement strength is equivalent to our current forces."