The phenomena occurring in this coastal city was happening simultaneously in many other cities across the planet. Every city was so chaotic, so full of sin. The difference was that those cities did not have a flood strong enough to wash their sins clean. But that was not Xiao Yu’s concern. Xiao Yu wanted only technology and cared about nothing else.

On the battlefield, fierce fighting continued. However, with the capital planet’s shield having been rammed and destroyed, the situation on the battlefield had been completely reversed by Xiao Yu. Stranger still, the Pegasus Civilization’s flagship, the Galloping Pegasus spaceship, did not continue fighting at this time. Instead, it strangely withdrew with hundreds of thousands of warships, disengaging from the battlefield.

This made the Pegasus Civilization’s defensive strength even more insufficient. Yet after their flagship withdrew, the ships that remained seemed to erupt with even tougher fighting will and an even stronger zeal for battle. This phenomenon was very familiar to Xiao Yu.

“So this is… they are going to flee. Those left here are the rearguard.” Xiao Yu pondered silently. “I originally thought the Galloping Pegasus spaceship went to the capital planet to set up a second line of defense. It seems I was probably wrong. They must be going to pick up those valuable intelligent beings left on the planet. But trying to run will not be so easy. To be honest, I am very interested in your Galloping Pegasus spaceship. I want to dissect it and study its internal structure carefully.”

“The Asia and the America, move out. Lead one million ships to pursue.” Xiao Yu issued the order. At this moment, the Galloping Pegasus spaceship formation had already departed from the planet and begun to flee toward the rear of the star system. Some Blood Blade Squad ships had already set out to harass them, but since their numbers were too few, they could not form an effective containment. After Xiao Yu gave the pursuit order, the Asia and the America led one million warships, bypassed the Pegasus Civilization’s front-line defenses, disengaged from the battlefield, and began the chase.

At this moment, there was utter chaos inside the Galloping Pegasus spaceship. On this flagship and its escort formation ships, panicked crowds were running everywhere. Under the strong organization of soldiers armed to the teeth, these people barely managed to steady their nerves and calm down a little.

Their recent memories were like a scene from hell. Those who could make it here all held a certain social status and position in the Pegasus Civilization’s social system. In daily life they were lofty and enjoyed all the good things one needed in life under the radiance of order. Yet just a few hours ago, everything changed. Order collapsed with a crash. Only then did they realize that those lower-class people they had always despised actually possessed such tremendous power.

Their security teams were instantly overwhelmed. Their companions were cruelly killed by the mob. Even their own security teams began to mutiny and strike at the superiors they had been so deferential to. Such scenes filled them with despair and terror.

While they were living in daily panic, these guards descended from the sky, dragged them into small ships without a word, and immediately took off. They had originally thought they were doomed, but unexpectedly they ended up here.

“Fortunately, fortunately, there is still order here.” Countless people rejoiced inwardly. In this moment, they finally appreciated the preciousness of order.

At this time, the leader’s familiar voice reached their minds.

“I regret to inform everyone that in the war with the Divine Ark Civilization, our civilization has been defeated, utterly defeated. In order to preserve the seed of our civilization, I have chosen to lead you away from this star system and head to the Death Flower Star System, where we will unite with other Level 5 civilizations to augment our strength.”

“All of you here are the most outstanding figures of our civilization. There are scientists, statesmen, military experts, magnates… every person who has come here is of value. I hope that in the time to come, you can continue to contribute your worth. That is all. Please follow the security personnel’s instructions and proceed to your designated areas. Maintain silence. If a disturbance occurs, the source will be immediately shot by security. For your own safety, it is best to remain calm.”

At this time, the leader’s voice had finally regained composure. Moreover, the leader’s composure seemed contagious. As the broadcast was transmitted, all the panic-stricken crowds settled down.

“Most of the outstanding individuals are here.” The assistant reported. “This is the list of those who died unexpectedly and failed to board.”

As he spoke, the assistant handed the leader a long list. The leader skimmed through it and found many familiar names. The leader knew these were socially outstanding individuals who had died due to natural disasters or riots. They could have continued to serve the civilization. Now they were nothing more than a series of cold names lying on this list.

With a sigh, the leader set the list aside and ordered, “Connect me to the planet’s live feed.”

“Understood.” The assistant complied and activated the nearby communications device. The instruments left on the planet immediately began to operate, transmitting segments of audio, video, and images.

Seeing the chaotic cities and the rioting populace, the leader’s expression was extremely complicated.

“The Divine Ark Civilization has already begun rapid incursions into the relevant research areas. The amount of scientific data is too great. We cannot destroy it completely in a short time. So, as of now… yes, nine hundred eighty-seven research institutes have been occupied by the Divine Ark Civilization. However, the Central Research Academy of Science has not yet been breached. The Central Research Academy of Science stores over 60 percent of our civilization’s science-related data. Its defenses are also the most complete. With the Divine Ark Civilization’s current strength, they cannot break the Central Research Academy of Science’s defenses in a short time. Moreover, even if they break through, it would take at least one month to complete data transfer. There is one difficulty. One month is too short, and the data inside the Central Research Academy of Science is too vast. We will not have time to completely delete everything there. At most… we can delete 30 percent.”

The leader’s eyes flickered and he said, “Why should we delete this data? Since the Divine Ark Civilization wants these things, give them to them. It is nothing important.”

“Huh? Leader, you, you…” The assistant once again looked at the leader in great shock.

The leader sighed lightly and said, “The Divine Ark Civilization does not wish for us to escape. Look, their pursuing forces have already arrived. In open battle we cannot be their match. Then let us use this science-related data to make a transaction with the Divine Ark Civilization. Transmit my order. Immediately broadcast the following message to the Divine Ark Civilization’s pursuing fleet.”

The leader’s expression grew solemn. He spoke slowly. “Divine Ark Civilization, congratulations on winning this war. But do you truly intend to cut the grass and pull out the roots, and destroy this last fleet of ours. How about this. We will exchange all the science-related data stored in the Central Research Academy of Science for our lives.”

This message was quickly transmitted to the Asia, where it was received by Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu sneered and replied, “Using these things as a bargaining chip. Even if I refuse to spare you, do you think I lack the ability to breach your Central Research Academy of Science. I do not believe you can erase such a massive quantity of data in a short time.”

“We do not have that ability.” the leader said calmly, “but we can directly blow it up. With a single order from me, all data in the Central Research Academy of Science will vanish completely within three seconds. I simply want to make a deal with you. As long as you abandon the pursuit, I will give you this data. Perhaps you can choose not to believe me and take a gamble to see whether I truly have the capacity to destroy these things.”

After receiving this message, Xiao Yu fell silent. Xiao Yu could not rule out this possibility. The Pegasus Civilization might indeed have prepared in advance and planted bombs there.

The purpose of Xiao Yu’s war was precisely for this data. This data was Xiao Yu’s ultimate goal. Xiao Yu could not accept the outcome of gaining nothing after working so hard and paying such a massive price.

After weighing everything, Xiao Yu made a decision.

“Very well, I will believe what you said. Then I wish you a smooth journey. But you had better not play tricks. Within one month, if I discover that you have deceived me, I can resume the pursuit at any time. Do not forget that the traces of your escape cannot be erased.”

After issuing this warning, Xiao Yu maneuvered the Asia and the America formations to turn back, decisively abandoning the pursuit.

Seeing this, the Pegasus Civilization’s leader breathed a slight sigh of relief, but he immediately grew serious again. “Transmit my order at once. Organize all scientists in the fleet to begin research and tamper with the data in the Central Research Academy of Science. We cannot completely delete the data, but we can alter part of it. Order the scientists to immediately modify the data in the Central Research Academy of Science at those critical parts that are easy to confuse and difficult to detect errors in, and do everything possible to mislead the Divine Ark Civilization’s scientific progress.”

“At the same time, immediately estimate the Divine Ark Civilization’s effective tracking range and report the data to me.”