At that very moment.
The sky over the entire Triumph Square suddenly darkened.
The next second, a brilliant golden light shot down from above the clouds.
Piercing through the cloud layer, it landed precisely on Qin Bei Wang, who had just stepped off the Kunlun Mountain - Modified.
His figure was illuminated, appearing exceptionally tall and straight.
He wore a sharply pressed Federation uniform, the star insignia on his epaulettes gleaming under the light.
His face showed no extra expression as he strode forward steadily, his posture as solid as a pine tree.
Simultaneously, all the giant holographic screens around the square switched their displays in sync.
The screens, which had been showing images of fallen officers and crew, now prominently displayed Qin Bei Wang's figure.
"Vice Admiral Qin Bei Wang!"
Marshal Ruan Zhixu's resonant voice suddenly boomed from the amplification system, filled with solemnity and respect.
As his words fell, the previously silent square instantly ignited.
A roaring wave of cheers swept over like a tsunami, overwhelming all other sounds.
People stood on tiptoe, their gazes locked tightly on the figure bathed in golden light, shouting in unison.
"Qin Bei Wang!"
"Qin Bei Wang!"
"Qin Bei Wang!"
The shouts repeated over and over, uniform and powerful.
They shook the ground slightly, filling the air with an atmosphere of excitement and reverence.
Hearing the rising and falling chants from the entire square, Qin Bei Wang's gaze swept over the crowd.
He then slowly raised his right hand, giving a slight wave of acknowledgment without any unnecessary movement.
Immediately after, Qin Bei Wang strode toward the floating platform where the Seven Grand Marshals stood.
Moments later, Qin Bei Wang stepped onto the platform.
When his eyes fell upon the seven figures clad in marshal's dress uniforms on the stage.
His pupils contracted slightly, clearly shocked by the sight before him.
He had originally thought this medal conferment would be like the last one, with only his father, Qin Qianfan, attending.
He had never imagined that all seven Grand Marshals of the Federation would be present.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Qin Bei Wang immediately snapped to attention.
He raised his hand in a crisp, standard military salute, his voice loud and respectful.
"Greetings, Marshals!"
His gaze slowly swept from right to left across the seven marshals, his expression solemn.
The seven marshals simultaneously raised their hands in return salute, their movements perfectly synchronized, their presence imposing.
After the salutes were completed, the other six marshals all turned their eyes to Qin Qianfan.
Yielding the floor to Qin Bei Wang's father.
Qin Qianfan took a step forward, his gaze resting on Qin Bei Wang.
His tone was steady and grave.
His voice, amplified, spread throughout the entire Triumph Square.
"In recognition of Senior Colonel Qin Bei Wang's outstanding contributions during the Battle of the Bushman System.
And to commend his noble spirit of selfless sacrifice for the Federation.
The Federation High Command has decided:
To promote Senior Colonel Qin Bei Wang to Federation Lieutenant General!
To expand the Pluto Fleet into a Special Duke-class Fleet!
To award Lieutenant General Qin Bei Wang the Stellar Medal!"
As his words ended, the people in the square were momentarily stunned, then erupted into even more heated discussion.
"Lieutenant General! He's only 22, right?"
A young man exclaimed, his face full of disbelief, his voice trembling slightly.
An elderly man nearby stroked his beard, his face full of admiration.
"He must be the youngest lieutenant general in Federation history. The younger generation is truly formidable!"
Others had eyes full of envy, whispering,
"The Stellar Medal! That grants ownership rights to a star. Just the resource taxes from that star alone would be enough to support me for tens of thousands of centuries!"
The murmurs of discussion continued unabated, with everyone's gaze fixed on Qin Bei Wang standing on the platform.
Just as the crowd buzzed with conversation, a team of honor guards in full dress uniform marched onto the platform with precise, synchronized steps.
Each held a silver tray, upon which rested new epaulettes, medals, a cloak, a military cap, and an exquisitely crafted ceremonial sword.
Marshal Xue Jintong and Marshal Su Qingyang stepped forward, each picking up a pair of Vice Admiral epaulettes from the trays before moving to stand on either side of Qin Bei Wang.
Unlike the Senior Colonel epaulettes he had worn before, the Vice Admiral epaulettes were set on a pure gold background, adorned with three silver star insignias that gleamed brilliantly under the light.
Feeling the weight of the gazes upon his shoulders, Qin Bei Wang instinctively straightened his posture, his bearing growing even more imposing.
With practiced coordination, Xue Jintong and Su Qingyang simultaneously reached out, gently removing the Senior Colonel epaulettes from his shoulders.
They then securely fastened the brand-new Vice Admiral epaulettes in their place, their movements crisp and solemn.
Once the epaulettes were replaced, Marshal Ji Wangshu and Marshal Lu Yanzhi stepped forward.
Each held a corner of a deep blue, stand-collar cloak.
The collar of the cloak was edged with a thin gold trim, with golden cord-woven neck fasteners on either side, exuding an air of understated authority.
Qin Bei Wang slightly raised his shoulders, and with the seamless cooperation of the two marshals, the cloak was draped steadily over him.
Ji Wangshu deftly and solemnly fastened the neck fasteners with a simple, dignified motion.
Immediately after, Marshal Chen Chongguang picked up the Vice Admiral cap from a nearby tray.
He then strode quickly to stand before Qin Bei Wang, placing the cap upon his head with both hands and gently adjusting its angle.
Beneath the cap's brim, Qin Bei Wang's gaze grew even more resolute.
Next, Marshal Ruan Zhixu stepped forward, holding a traditional Chinese heavy sword with both hands. The scabbard was entirely black, inlaid with dark gold patterns.
Qin Bei Wang extended both hands, firmly receiving the sword.
With a slight exertion of his wrist,
a metallic clang rang out as half the blade was drawn from its scabbard, a flash of cold steel appearing.
The sword featured a double-fuller design, its blade engraved with intricate golden Federation inscriptions.
The guard was shaped into an exquisitely detailed dragon's head, lifelike in its craftsmanship.
The hilt was wrapped in a Dragon Scale texture, feeling solid and weighty in the hand.
Qin Bei Wang tightened his grip on the hilt, his arm suddenly lifting to point the heavy sword straight toward the sky.
His voice, loud and unwavering, carried across the entire Triumph Square.
"I swear to defend the Federation unto death!"
As soon as this oath fell, the citizens and officers and crew below the platform erupted in an instant uproar.
Everyone straightened their posture, responding in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
"I swear to defend the Federation unto death!"
The Medal Awarding Ceremony entered its final stage as Marshal Qin Qianfan took the Stellar Medal from the honor guard's tray.
This medal, symbolizing the Federation's highest honor, was entirely different from the Planetary Medal already worn on Qin Bei Wang's chest.
It was crafted from the crystalline core of a real Star.
Formed into a precise seven-pointed star, each of its seven points was inlaid with the ashen remnants of seven elements from the final stages of stellar evolution: carbon, oxygen, neon, magnesium, silicon, iron, and gold.
The whole piece glowed with a warm amber hue, faint starlight shimmering across its surface in the light.
Qin Bei Wang slightly puffed out his chest, maintaining his stance at attention, his gaze steady as he looked at his father.
Qin Qianfan stepped forward, his movements solemn and deliberate, securely fastening the Stellar Medal to the right side of the Planetary Medal on his son's chest.
The two medals, one silver and one amber, complemented each other brilliantly, making him appear even more upright and imposing.
After Qin Bei Wang's Medal Awarding Ceremony concluded, it was his subordinates' turn to receive their commendations.
Deputy Commander Zhuang Zhixuan led the core members of the Pluto Fleet as they stepped onto the floating platform one by one.
They did not have the honor of receiving their medals directly from the Seven Grand Marshals; instead, officials from the Federation Department of Military Affairs presented the awards. Yet, the recognition remained profound.
Everyone was promoted two ranks above their original positions. Zhuang Zhixuan was elevated to Brigadier, while the other staff officers and captains also received promotions accordingly.
Each was awarded a Meteorite Medal.
Crafted from meteorite and engraved with the campaign insignia, the medals represented their unique glory.
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