The base construction on the Mine Star, technology transfer, and population integration all require time and resources. The invitation from the Golden Federation conveniently provides channels for "resources" and "technology acceleration."

"Agree to their terms," Bai E made the decision, his tone calm and determined. "We need development, and we need to grow stronger quickly. Risk and opportunity always coexist. I will personally participate in this exploration to fulfill the partnership and also to supervise and learn. As for the Mine Star, and the subsequent technological development and fleet construction of 'New Bauhinia,' I leave it entirely to you, Helen."

He looked at Helen, his gaze filled with trust: "Make good use of the knowledge I've already deciphered from the 'Divine Fragment,' combine it with your wisdom, and lead Dai Lian, Zhou Wenjie's Fire Hammer Guild, and all the scientific researchers to quickly turn theory into practical productivity. We need stronger mechas, more advanced starships, and a more comprehensive defense system. Funding and parts of the basic technology transfer will be provided by the Golden Federation, but we have to rely on ourselves for the core components."

Helen met Bai E's gaze, her eyes shining with confidence and responsibility: "I understand. The Mine Star will be your strongest support. Go without worry, I will let the technology tree of 'New Bauhinia' bloom with new brilliance by the time you return." She recalled what Bai E had once told her, "The Mine Star is entirely up to you."

After reaching a consensus, Bai E formally replied to the Golden Federation through an encrypted channel, accepting the invitation for a joint exploration.

Both parties agreed on the coordinates for the rendezvous—near a secret jump point at the edge of the Golden Federation's sphere of influence.

Several days later, Bai E piloted the "Star Emperor" mecha, urgently maintained and upgraded by Helen's team, aboard a small, fast escort ship "Sharp Blade," separated from and camouflaged and reinforced from the "Dawn Light," heading alone to the meeting point.

Catherine, Rose, and others remained on the "Dawn Light" and, along with Helen, returned to the Mine Star region to start a new phase of development and construction.

When "Sharp Blade" arrived at the designated coordinates, the Golden Federation's main cruiser "Glorious Destiny," adorned with ornate golden and dark purple patterns, sleek in shape, and exuding powerful spiritual energy fluctuations, was already waiting silently there.

Surrounding the cruiser were several slightly smaller, yet equally formidable escort vessels.

The communication link was opened, and a voice that was familiar yet held a slightly different meaning sounded, carrying the elegance and restraint unique to the Golden Federation aristocracy:

"Sir Bai E, welcome. I am Astra, the leader of this joint exploration mission."

Astra's face appeared on the screen; this was the "Child of Destiny" who had previously competed against Bai E in the Star Alliance competition. Now, wearing a high-ranking officer's uniform of the Golden Federation, his expression was steadier and more scrutinizing compared to the passionate fighting spirit he had shown on the competition field.

Clearly, he was not only a talented competitor but also held a very high status within the Golden Federation, likely being the "young prince" mentioned by Elorin.

"Sir Astra," Bai E responded calmly.

"Please dock with 'Glorious Destiny.' We need to conduct the final mission briefing and let you get familiar with our fleet and exploration team," said Astra, his tone formal. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Once docking was completed, Bai E met the core team of this joint exploration in the spacious and luxurious tactical briefing room of "Glorious Destiny."

Besides Astra, there were several elderly scholars dressed in the uniforms of the Golden Federation Academy of Sciences, exuding a calm aura, as well as several officers who were evidently elite mech pilots or spiritual ability users.

"Firstly, welcome once again to our mission, Sir Bai E," Astra said, standing in front of the holographic star map, speaking as the leader. "Our target this time is codenamed 'Silent Royal Court,' located deep within the 'Forgotten Corridor' in the undeveloped frontier of the Milky Way."

He manipulated the star map, zooming in on an area marked in dark red, exceedingly chaotic in appearance.

"The 'Forgotten Corridor' is an expansive area filled with unstable gravity wells, high-energy radiation storms, shattered nebulae, and a multitude of ancient war relics. Conventional warp travel is extremely difficult, and the internal environment is highly dangerous. Based on our years of secret exploration and fragmented ancient documents, we can confirm that the 'Silent Royal Court' is not a natural celestial body, but a place of... immeasurable scale, suspected to be the resting or fallen hub of a powerful ancient civilization's 'ruler' or 'core think tank.'

Holographic images switched, revealing some extremely blurry and multiply restored fragments of ancient star maps and glimpses captured by passing probes—

These were outlines of unimaginably massive, unnatural geometric structures, quietly floating between the nebulae and the dark, exuding a cold and lifeless aura.

An elderly scholar with white hair took over, his voice trembling with excitement: "It shares high homology with the 'ancient bell' relics you discovered in the Aisera Star System, in terms of energy characteristics and materials science! But the scale... is worlds apart! The 'Hammer of Morning Star' on the 'ancient bell' satellite is likely just a 'regional defense node' or 'small purification device' of that lost civilization. And the 'Silent Royal Court'... we suspect it is one of the core sites of that civilization's supreme power or wisdom, akin to... a throne, or an archive."

He brought up some analytical data: "According to feedback from our most advanced long-range spiritual energy remote sensing and quantum entanglement detectors, the main structure of the 'Silent Royal Court' is enveloped by an extremely powerful, near 'absolute' static field domain. Time is nearly frozen there, and the physical laws exhibit significant 'inertia' or 'deviation.' Conventional physical contact, energy scanning, and even spiritual energy probing are severely weakened or distorted. This is why it is called 'Silent'—it responds with 'silence' to almost all known detection methods."

"Our goal," Astra summarized, "is to utilize your unique ability, Sir Bai E, that resonates with such ancient artifacts, to attempt to penetrate or at least 'perceive' the internal conditions of the 'Silent Royal Court' static field domain, locate possible entry points or 'interfaces.' If possible, attempt to establish preliminary connections, obtaining any valuable information or technology blueprints. The entire operation will be centered around 'Glorious Destiny,' supplemented by specially designed anti-interference detection ships and elite exploratory squads. We will not rashly venture deep; the first phase will focus on reconnaissance and establishing outposts."

He looked at Bai E, golden eyes glinting: "Sir Bai E, your 'key' is crucial to the success of our mission. According to the agreement, the exploration gains will be shared. Now, please follow the fleet as we first head to the observation station at the outskirts of the 'Forgotten Corridor' for the final replenishments and adaptive adjustments, and then... we enter that silent domain."

"Alright." After finalizing the plans, the fleet set off.

After several carefully calculated long-distance jumps and conventional voyages, the exploration fleet of the Golden Federation arrived at the periphery of the "Forgotten Corridor."

Even when still outside the gravitational influence of the "Corridor," the scene before them was sufficient to make any observer feel their own insignificance and the bizarre nature of the universe.

Through the enormous observation window of "Glorious Destiny," Bai E saw the boundary of the "Forgotten Corridor," like a scar in the cosmos.

It was not a clear line, but a slowly rotating, chaotic band of nebulae, mingled with countless fine star dust and ice crystals emanating eerie lights.

Further in, faintly visible were fragments of massive star bodies, twisted metal remnants, and some inexplicable "rifts" that seemed to have been left behind after space itself was torn apart, flowing with dark energy.

Probes transmitted intermittent data, filled with noise:

"Space curvature anomaly ahead... gravity readings chaotic, presence of multiple temporary micro black holes or gravity vortices..."

"Background radiation intensity exceeding limits... frequent activity of high-energy particle storms detected..."

"Spiritual energy background field highly chaotic, presence of intense 'information annihilation' effect, conventional communication severely obstructed..."

"Detected a significant amount of metal signals of non-natural origin... size... unbelievable..."

Astra stepped next to Bai E, both gazing at the desolate and dangerous stellar region, his tone carrying a barely noticeable hint of reverence and feverish excitement:

"Do you see it? Sir Bai E. This is the 'Forgotten Corridor,' a graveyard buried with countless secrets and dangers. The 'Silent Royal Court,' lies in the deepest part of this chaos. According to our latest effective detection data, it is located in an... unusually 'clean' area, as if the surrounding chaos and destruction intentionally avoid that place. There, is our destination."