Game: Civilization Paradise

Guangxiao Star Sea.

An ethereal white nebula permeated the entire star sea, where countless stars twinkled with brilliant light, a beautiful and dazzling sight.

At the center of the star sea, a planetary fortress of immense size floated in space. Shaped like a mystic turtle, its entire body was constructed from dark green metal. The fortress's surface was covered in launch ports and cannon barrels, and its underside was split open with numerous entry hatches, where swarms of dark ships waited in orderly lines to enter and exit.

This planetary fortress was none other than the Third Legion's strategic weapon: Blacktan Fortress.

Blacktan Fortress, Sector H19.

Inside a massive, circular hall.

Numerous officers in military uniforms were anxiously gazing at a giant electronic display screen up ahead.

At that moment, Luoxue, dressed in the uniform of a second lieutenant, stood at the back of the crowd, quietly watching the electronic screen.

"Miss, why haven't they announced it yet?"

Jing Chuan asked anxiously.

"Yeah, the other legions have already announced theirs."

Zhihan was also very confused.

"It should be soon. Our Forty-Second Legion is the last one, so it'll be a bit slower."

Luoxue replied, remaining composed.

SWOOSH~

Suddenly, a dense list of assignments appeared on the electronic display.

"They're up!"

everyone shouted with joy.

Luoxue and the others also hurriedly started searching for their assignment.

They found it quickly.

42nd Legion, 16th Battalion, 12th Squadron, 7th Squad Resource Assignment: Asteroid Belt, Designation XXV-145.

"You've got to be kidding me! They gave us an asteroid belt!"

"This is outrageous! I'm not saying they should have given us a whole planet, but at least an asteroid would've been something. What good is an asteroid belt? To put it bluntly, it's just a pile of rubble."

...

Jing Chuan's heart sank when he saw it.

Luoxue fell silent for a moment as well.

Just then, Qian Wei hurried over to ask Luoxue.

"How is it? Where did we get assigned?"

"Asteroid Belt, Designation XXV-145."

Luoxue told Qian Wei calmly.

"Worse than expected. Now we can only count on Xiao Ning."

Qian Wei frowned slightly, raised their wristband, and sent a message to Xiao Ning.

"Mm-hmm."

Luoxue nodded slightly.

After they were absorbed by the Star Alliance, their original group was broken up. She and Qian Wei were assigned to the 42nd Legion to form a new squad, while Vice City Lord Xiao Ning was put in charge of their logistics.

...

「Meanwhile.」

After receiving the message, Xiao Ning arrived at the Forty-Second Legion's logistics office with a smile on his face, carrying a basket of exquisitely packaged preserved fruits.

A non-commissioned officer wearing a second-generation mechanical exoskeleton armor stretched out an arm to stop Xiao Ning.

"Who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Supervisor Dikaya. If you would be so kind as to inform him."

Xiao Ning said with a cheerful smile.

"Wait here."

The NCO then walked into the office.

Inside, a short, middle-aged man in a military uniform sat at a desk, flipping through documents. He had a slicked-back pompadour, small eyes, and a thin mustache.

"Supervisor Dikaya, someone is here to see you."

"I'm not seeing anyone!"

Dikaya replied impatiently to Gaza.

"Yes, sir!"

Gaza immediately withdrew.

"How did it go?"

Xiao Ning asked with a smile.

"Supervisor Dikaya said he won't see you. You should go back!"

Gaza replied irritably.

"Could you please do me a favor and announce me again? I really have business with him."

Xiao Ning quickly took out a red envelope and stuffed it into Gaza's hand.

Gaza took the red envelope, glanced at it, and then said to Xiao Ning.

"Wait here."

He entered the office again and said to Dikaya with a grin.

"Sir, that man insists on seeing you. It seems to me he's come with some... sincerity."

"You took another bribe, didn't you?"

Dikaya said, narrowing his eyes at Gaza.

"Heh heh."

Gaza chuckled.

"Let him in!"

Dikaya said, looking thoughtful.

"Right away!"

Gaza hurried out.

Soon, he was leading Xiao Ning inside.

Xiao Ning greeted him respectfully.

"Supervisor Dikaya!"

"What do you want?"

"Supervisor Dikaya, the resource site we were assigned, Asteroid Belt XXV-145, is just too poor. There are basically no resources there. Could you possibly help us switch to a better one?"

"You want to change resource sites?"

Dikaya squinted at Xiao Ning.

"Yes. This is a small specialty from our Mountain City Mountain. Please, accept it!"

Xiao Ning immediately placed the gift on the desk, set a red envelope down beside it, and said with a cheerful smile.

Dikaya picked up the red envelope and glanced inside. It contained about ten thousand Star Coins.

He tossed the red envelope back onto the table and said self-righteously.

"Take it all back. The Military Department assigns resource sites based on military merit. Everything is fair and just, and we do not accept gifts."

"Huh?"

Xiao Ning was taken aback.

"Gaza, show him out!"

Dikaya said to Gaza.

"Yes, sir!"

Gaza quickly stuffed the gift and the red envelope back into Xiao Ning's hands, then pushed him out.

At that moment, Dikaya gave Gaza a look.

Gaza immediately leaned in.

Dikaya whispered a few words in Gaza's ear.

Gaza, instantly understanding, left the office.

Xiao Ning was standing outside the office with a worried expression, not knowing what to do. When he saw Gaza come out, he swallowed his pride and went up to him.

"Sir, could you possibly put in a good word for us?"

"It's not that I won't help you. You saw it yourself just now; Supervisor Dikaya won't accept your gifts at all."

"Sigh."

"However, it's not like there's no way at all."

Gaza's tone suddenly changed.

"What do you mean?"

Xiao Ning quickly pressed.

"I'll tell you a little secret. Our Supervisor Dikaya happens to be looking for a companion. Isn't your Mountain City Mountain famous for its beautiful women?"

Gaza said with a chuckle.

"What are you talking about?"

"How could there not be? For example, that Qian Ying, Qian Luobing, and Qian Luoxue... aren't they all? As long as you're willing, this whole matter becomes much simpler."

Gaza was grinning from ear to ear.

Hearing Gaza's words, Xiao Ning's face instantly darkened. He was about to explode with anger as he said furiously.

"How could... How could we do that!"

"I know you're angry, but hear me out. For a newly joined civilization like yours, you have no power, no money, and no connections. Who's going to give you a good resource site? But if you learn to be flexible and get on Supervisor Dikaya's good side, resource sites are a trivial matter. I'm telling you this for your own good."

Gaza said, putting on an act of looking out for Xiao Ning's best interests.

"That is absolutely not happening."

Xiao Ning replied, suppressing his fury.

'I really can't afford to antagonize them, not when we're at their mercy.'

"I've said my piece. Think it over yourself."

With that, Gaza turned and left.

...

「A short time later.」

Xiao Ning returned to the circular hall in Sector H19 with a heavy heart.

When Luoxue, Qian Wei, and the others saw Xiao Ning, they immediately went up to him.

"How did it go?"

"Sigh... I went to see Supervisor Dikaya, but there's no way to change our resource site."

Xiao Ning replied with a sigh.