Chapter 26: The Battle of Spatial City (Part One)

Chapter 26: The Battle of Spatial City (Part One)

Rong Mi: "..."

At this moment, he was deeply "resentful" of the admiral's sharpness and straightforwardness!

The young man let out an "ah," his hands in his pockets as he calmly replied, "No. You're mistaken."

Nothing was different; it was just some reasonable associations regarding good looks.

"I'll go for a mental power and physical condition assessment." As he spoke, he signaled to Sun Tong with his eyes, urging the spaceship pilot and first squad's deputy captain to quickly take him away from the conference room.

During non-combat times, if the surrounding environment was normal, the spaceship would be on autopilot. As long as someone kept an eye on the spaceship's navigation screen at all times, there was no need for a constant driver.

Sun Tong stood up to carry out Lu Yi's assignment. He caught Rong Mi's gaze, though somewhat puzzled, but still quickened his pace, leading Rong Mi out of the conference room.

"Our first squad's spaceship is a mid-sized one and doesn't have top-notch diagnostic facilities," he said as they took the elevator down to the ship's lowest level, handing Rong Mi a black helmet.

This helmet didn't look much different from those used to connect to the Star Network through holographic means. Rong Mi put it on, feeling curious about his mental domain attribute values.

His original mental power had merged with the spirit domain of this body, creating some sort of synthesis. This was the first time he had measured his spirit domain since his rebirth.

"Stand here," Sun Tong pointed ahead, directing Rong Mi to step into the scanning position. "The machine will directly scan your body and spirit domain. It should take a few minutes, so relax."

"Beep—"

Scanning lights illuminated the four sides of the examination station. Rong Mi relaxed his mind and heard a calm prompt from the helmet, "Scan in progress—10%—20%—50%—"

At the same time, information was being continuously refreshed on the light screen outside the scanner.

"Overall Physical Fitness: B..."

Sun Tong read the data on the screen, "Strength: C, Agility: A..."

The initial data aligned closely with his impression of Rong Mi.

The young man had a slender build and didn't seem to have undergone extensive specialized training.

Fortunately, most modern mecha cockpits were equipped with gravity stabilization systems, temperature control, and other such devices, which lessened the physical demands placed on the pilot.

"Psyche Attribute Data..."

"Psyche Strength: S. (Undetermined, ++). (Confidence level below 95%, it is recommended to use a higher grade scanner.)"

Sun Tong: "..."

Sun Tong's eyes widened gradually.

An S-rated Psyche Strength aligns with Rong Mi's display of power in the Ice and Fire Tournament.

However, the appearance of the word 'undetermined' following that is not insignificant.

It implies that Rong Mi's Psyche Strength still has room for advancement, and the double plus sign (+++) suggests that the minimum upgrade threshold ascertained by the instrument is 2S.

The confidence level below 95% indicates that the instrument itself doubts the accuracy of its assessment.

... Meaning Rong Mi's potential for advancement might surpass the 2S level.

Sun Tong: "..."

Despite the daily assessments of mental power levels, it had been almost three decades since a human with a grade 2S or above was detected.

The last person to exhibit such heaven-defying talent was Lu Yi.

His eyes widened in astonishment, and before he could utter an expletive, the machine refreshed with more data.

"Mental Sharpness: S."

"Mental Domain Regulation: S."

"Mental Tenderness: F."

"Mental Rejection Level: F."

"A very low level of mental rejection detected. Initiating additional scan – connecting to Therapist Grade Assessment Module –"

Sun Tong: "…"

Sun Tong examined the series of data back and forth, wondering if some component of the machine had malfunctioned.

With a Strength of S, Agility of S, and Control of S, it was clear that Rong Mi possessed top-notch qualifications as an Ace Mecha Pilot. Not only could she fight fiercely, but she also recovered swiftly.

The Tenderness of F indicated that Rong Mi's spiritual energy was highly offensive, a common trait among Mecha Pilots' spiritual power.

However, for elite Healers, their Tenderness typically rated at S or above.

Sun Tong had initially assumed that the Tenderness of F explained why Rong Mi had only been a D-class Healer in the past. But the subsequent data from the scanner contradicted this assumption.

The Rejection Level of F... This suggested that Rong Mi's spiritual energy had a high level of tolerance, a characteristic often seen in high-ranking Healers.

Just as he was still grappling with this paradox, the final two lines of the scanner's assessment refreshed.

"Healer Rank Scan: S. (Confidence level below 95%, recommends upgrading to a higher-grade scanner for more accurate results.)"

"Scan complete."

Sun Tong: "......."

With a stoic expression, Sun Tong first sent the results to Lu Yi, along with a brief message.

"Admiral, I request authorization for a replacement measurement device."

Sun Tong was convinced that the device was malfunctioning!

"Shall I try the test again?"

Recording such implausible information in the legion's files... is rather unprofessional.

With an S-rank mental strength and high offensive attributes... an S-class healer is something unheard of.

Inside the command room, Lu Yi swiftly scanned through Rong Mi's data and, without any hesitation, promptly entered it into the database.

"No need," he replied. "We can reevaluate once we reach the capital planet."

Sun Tong: "..."

...Is this too hasty?

Within the testing chamber, Rong Mi had already removed her helmet and was looking curiously at the instrument's data display screen.

Sun Tong glanced at Lu Yi's response and scratched his head, saying to Rong Mi, "This machine might have been unused for too long..."

He was afraid that Rong Mi would question the quality of the First Legion's equipment after seeing the peculiar data, so he was about to explain when he noticed Rong Mi deep in thought, nodding with apparent satisfaction.

"It's quite close," he commented casually. "Disregarding the uncertainties and the 95% confidence level, it's quite accurate."

He had never seen such uncertain notations during the Interstellar Nomadic Era's measurements.

Aside from that, most of the numbers matched his previous readings before his rebirth, except for the gentleness factor.

His previous mental energy gentleness rating was F-, which often caused those he treated to howl in pain from the intrusive mental energy.

It was similar to Sandel Lion's reaction, but even more intense.

Now, with the gentleness rating upgraded to C, it seemed to be related to the original owner's inherent mental energy attribute.

His current mental energy seemed to selectively merge with the superior aspects of the original owner's.

Just as he, through this rebirth, had completely freed himself from the threat of genetic diseases.

It was indeed an extremely fortunate occurrence.

However, the mildness of C-rank treatments still caused discomfort to patients. But when he treated Ayin and Lu Yi, this wolf and man didn't seem to have any severe adverse reactions.

Rong Mi recalled Lu Yi's mention of their compatibility in mental strength, deep in thought.

"Therapist rank S," Rong Mi turned to ask Sun Tong, "How strong is your General's mental strength?"

After several treatments, he had been able to delve into the depths of Silver Wolves' mental domain, but with Lu Yi... he could only temporarily reach the middle-upper layer of his spiritual sea.

"Oh... oh..." Sun Tong was still perplexed by his initial statement, somewhat distracted. "The General's previous mental domain rank was 3S. After being injured and experiencing mental domain disorder... his condition recovered to 2S- at best when he was in good shape. But later, due to multiple instances of mental domain disorder, it fell below the S rank."

Rong Mi nodded in understanding.

This was the data on Lu Yi before they met.

However, after several treatments, the General's mental domain had become stable. Based on this estimation, it should now have risen back to S or even S+.

Rong Mi pondered, mentally calculating the possibilities.

If the parasitic toxins in Lu Yi's mental domain could be eliminated, there was no doubt he could recover to a 2S level, and perhaps even reach a 3S.

It was worth a try.

The young man plotted out his future plans. After a few days of interaction, Lu Yi's position in his heart had risen; he was no longer just the owner of a cute, fluffy wolf.

Unconsciously, he had developed some... somewhat related, yet not entirely, thoughts about healing.

He wanted to see the Admiral free from the torment of illness, vibrant and full of vigor.

Mental domain treatment had always been a gradual process, and Rong Mi was in no rush.

Under Sun Tong's guidance, he familiarized himself with the war zones on the starship, preparing for any potential battles that might ensue.

The starship sailed through the universe, drawing closer to their destination, the H9 Space City Starport.

H9 Space City was a small space station in this expanse of stars, serving as a refueling point for long-distance starships.

Not many vessels docked or departed from here each day, usually around ten.

The Spatial City had issued a warning half a day ago, alerting nearby star seas of an A-class pirate presence and requesting all spacecraft to dock for inspection. As expected, not long after, a medium-sized warship from the military department berthed at the starport, commencing the screening process.

To avoid tipping off the pirates, Squad One began their search operation for the A-class pirate within the Spatial City discreetly.

A few mecha team members who stayed behind assumed the roles of investigators, setting up temporary checkpoints in the lower levels of the military port for incoming personnel verification.

The head of the city's security department hurried over to liaison with Lu Yi and the others.

Rong Mi, however, being non-military personnel, was not involved in the "manhunt" and awaited orders in the preparation cabin.

His communication screen was open, and through the wartime communication channel, he learned that the small civilian starship, specially modified by Squad One, had quietly left the port unnoticed.

Rong Mi gazed out of the cabin window.

Below, several starships were queued up to enter the civilian port, while the military port was eerily empty.

Most of the patrol fleet that had been docked here had embarked on missions to the barren stars to participate in the pursuit of the Level Five Ice Butterfly.

As Rong Mi looked at the deserted military starport, he was lost in thoughts of history.

In his recollection, although the Brood Alliance was known for its frequent activities, there were no records of a large-scale Zerg invasion of human territories in the old times.

Certainly, it could be that humanity's hasty escape at that time led to the loss of many records.

After all, there were no records of any abnormal activities on Desolate Star in history.

It seems, then, that resolving this crisis cannot rely solely on historical knowledge.

"Reporting," came Sun Tong's voice through the holographic communication channel. "We have entered the Stormy Sea of Stars."

At the spaceport, all was calm. Rong Mi, with a touch of boredom, fiddled with the metal chain of her spatial pendant as if it were a yo-yo, all the while attentively listening to the wartime channel.

"Report. We have reached the outskirts of the Storm Sea. No unusual activity detected so far."

"Report. We have entered the midsection of the Storm Sea. No anomalies reported at this time."

Rong Mi studied the star map, calculating the position of the civilian starship.

In the previous records of disappearances, on average, one vessel vanished every ten days. It had been a week since the last disappearance; that high-ranking Ice Butterfly lurking in the wormhole must be quite hungry by now.

Logically, it should have intervened.

Or perhaps... the mastermind behind the Level 5 Ice Butterfly's attempted promotion on Barren Star didn't completely give up after discovering that the butterfly had been lured into a trap and their plan had failed. Instead, they decided to "recycle" the Spatial City, using it as sustenance for the injured butterfly's recovery.

Rong Mi: "…Lu Yi. If there's no unusual activity in the Stormy Sea, the Spatial City might be the first target."

Lu Yi: "Yes."

Small spacecraft belonging to the Spatial City's security force were flying overhead from the spaceport.

In response to Lu Yi's request, the head of Spatial City's safety department initiated a lockdown above the city, preventing any pirates from escaping by force.

Then, silver descended.

Lu Yi's mental energy spread outwards, enveloping the entire Spatial City, monitoring every movement within while safeguarding its existence.

Silver particles drifted through the air like scattered ice crystals, reflecting the artificial light from the starport like festive illuminations during a grand winter celebration.

This mental domain was much gentler than the one on Barren Star. Rong Mi felt that the field Lu Yi had cast this time was akin to the romantic holographic effects used in major shopping districts during winter festivities.

The Admiral's mental energy traversed the avenues of the Spatial City, searching for any anomalies within.

Rong Mi gazed at the mesmerizing silver energy particles and suddenly recalled how Lu Yi's mental domain had become so severely compromised.

Due to his immense power, he had repeatedly utilized his abilities despite substantial injuries, leaving little room for recovery.

For there was no faster or better solution available.

"Report," Sun Tong's voice sounded again through the communicator. "We're about to exit the Storm Sea, still no disturbances... wait! Energy signatures of an Ice Butterfly behind the starship! The spatial rift in the Storm Sea is tearing open... alter course!"

A humming akin to fluttering butterfly wings echoed through the communication channel.

The First Squad Ace Pilot, patrolling the Spatial City under the pretense of hunting star pirates, pressed his headset and turned to his teammate. "Did we finally locate a high-ranking Ice Butterfly?"

"Wait," his partner's voice tensed as he stared below. "Look there first."

In a nearby city square, a handsome man with pale blue hair and deep red eyes held a cup of hot cocoa, gazing at the falling silver mental energy snowflakes like any other passerby.

"What is that?" asked a couple with their child, who passed by him. The child's eyes sparkled with curiosity, fixated on the sky above.

"Let's hurry home," Mother said, her expression uneasy. "The Space City Executor announced that an A-class pirate has infiltrated the city. They're about to enforce a curfew, and we might be in danger if we don't get back soon."

"We'll be fined if we can't make it," grumbled a group of students rushing back to their school. "How could there be pirates? This little corner of space has always been relatively peaceful..."

"Better head back now. If ice butterflies have emerged beyond a day's journey from this desolate planet, anything is possible."

Amidst the hurried crowd, the person holding the steaming cocoa stood still, smiling as the silver spirit energy landed on their arm.

Suddenly, a brilliant burst of silver light erupted.

Spirit particles rushed towards the man with blue hair from all directions.

The silver radiance intensified, creating a vortex on the Space City streets.

Ice crystals formed beneath his feet, and translucent ice columns shot upward, as if to trap him in place.

At the Star Harbor, Lu Yi's brow furrowed, and he barked, "Everyone, on high alert!"

Back at the square, the cocoa spilled from the man's hand as wings suddenly unfurled from his back.

With a flutter of its pale blue wings, his figure materialized instantly high above the sky.

At the same moment, the crimson venom glands within the wings shot outward in all directions, transforming into massive pillars of light that illuminated the central plaza and the surrounding streets.

Many pedestrians, still unaware of the situation, looked up at the sky with astonished expressions, their faces bathed in the descending crimson glow.

Should they be enveloped by the light, they would instantaneously turn to ashes, becoming sustenance for the ice butterflies.

Heavy snow swirled about.

In mid-air, a thick layer of ice suddenly formed, blocking the red light.

Lu Yi's mental power collided fiercely with the venom gland energy of the ice butterfly, creating a deafening roar of energy clash.

"Lu Yi," the ice butterfly, still maintaining its human form in the air, had no discernible difference from a human aside from its wings.

Not only that, it was capable of using human language.

"I didn't expect it to be you," Yadi said with a gentle smile. "I've heard about you for quite some time."

"I'm surprised. You should no longer be able to use your mental energy... In fact, I thought you had succumbed to mental domain disarray and perished. Who treated your mental domain?"

"However, it's only a temporary relief," Yadi's voice was soft like velvet, ethereal yet carrying a subtle hum akin to the fluttering of butterfly wings.

"Your control over mental energy has weakened. You can no longer cast Ice Blades precisely; instead, you're using this more draining area-of-effect attack."

"Fighting on in this state will only hasten your end."

"Would you consider joining us..."

"Ice Butterfly is never plagued by mental domain injuries..."

Yade's voice echoed throughout the entire Spatial City.

"Beep! Beep! Beep! Spatial Station under attack! All residents, please proceed to underground shelters immediately!"

Alarms blared across the city, as patrolling flyers descended, guiding the ground-dwellers to the nearest routes to the shelters.

Many residents, still unaware of the situation, pushed forward in a panic, glancing up at the sky in fear from time to time, listening intently to Yadie's tale.

Inside the starship, Rong Mi couldn't help but curse under his breath.

Outside the window behind him, silvery mental energy was retracting upwards, shooting straight into the sky, swiftly closing in on Yadie.

Yadie folded its wings, and a vivid red energy orb materialized around it.

In their second collision, a blinding flash illuminated the skies above Sky City.

All the lighting fixtures within Space City were destroyed by the expanding energy waves.

With a series of explosions, the city's lights flickered out one by one, plunging it into darkness.

Amidst the darkness, the snowfall ceased, and the red orb hovering mid-air dissipated upon impact.

It seemed like an evenly matched collision.

"This is far weaker than your previous power, Lu Yi," Yadie reopened its wings, still wearing a smile on its face. "You're definitely not my match anymore…"

Its voice abruptly ceased.

For in the seemingly unending darkness, a purple glow unexpectedly flickered in the distance.

At first, the light was feeble, but as it rapidly approached, it became blindingly bright.

"Aren't they amusing," Adai chuckled. "Another overambitious human."

The light seemed to be the discharge from some sort of military-grade handheld long-range weapon.

Despite being augmented by mental power, it posed little threat to the creature.

Thus, it reached out its hand.

Adai's palm was fair and smooth, without a single line or crease.

It grasped the purple light that glided through the air.

Yet, when its fingers closed, the light did not dissipate as expected.

A violet radiance burst forth without warning, erupting in an incredibly brilliant glow.

The power of this assault intensified by trillions of times in that instant!

It ignited into dancing flames, stretching forward and backward into a luminous burning blade. In the blink of an eye, it pierced through Yadi's palm.

And then it continued to extend...

With its fiery sparks leaping, it seemed unstoppable as it... tore through its chest... utterly piercing the boastful Yadi across the sky!

Yadi's pupils dilated abruptly.

The purple light blade was like a meteor streaking across the heavens, vanishing after a fleeting moment of blinding brightness. Yet, its afterglow still illuminated the crimson blood of the Ice Butterfly raining down from the sky.

Time appeared to freeze for a second.

Yadi's crimson eyes were also bathed in the lingering light.

Its gaze was filled with astonishment as its eyes slowly turned, gazing into the distance from where the radiance had originated.

A sleek black starship ascended from the horizon.

It was the First Squad's medium-sized warship, perpetually on standby, now departing from its port.

High above, an unusual sight: the hangar bay doors on the side of the spacecraft stood wide open.

Rong Mi stood by the edge, his right arm cradling a heavy machine gun as he knelt beside the open door, squinting slightly at the distant Adite.

The wind at altitude tousled the loose strands of hair across his forehead, brushing against his cheeks.

For a fleeting moment, Rong Mi's eyes met Adite's.

In the night sky that had returned to darkness, he witnessed a brilliant red glow erupt.

Adite had not succumbed to the previous attack.

Its red venom glands, embedded in its wings, radiated a blinding light. Countless glands wriggled towards the hollow wound in Adite's body, transforming into blood and human flesh, swiftly healing the injury.

In the meantime, a crimson venom gland detached from the underwing of the Subliminal Butterfly, hurtling towards Rong Mi with breathtaking speed.

The attack was so swift that its red glow, even in the realm of mental perception, was almost impossible to pinpoint. Only a lingering afterimage could be seen trailing behind it.

It resembled an extremely thin needle, shrinking into a dot before instantly reaching Rong Mi's eyes, ready to pierce his forehead.

Yet, Rong Mi was prepared.

Purple flames burst forth, engulfing the crimson spot.

With a deafening explosion, the flames detonated, dispersing the ice butterfly's assault into fragments that resembled falling fireworks in the air.

Rong Mi clicked his tongue softly, a hint of amusement tingeing his unamused expression as he muttered, "I knew it."