Chapter 134: Before the Battle (Combined)

Chapter 134: Before the Battle (Combined)

Yadie's ice-blue tresses cascaded down, while his scarlet eyes were as blood-red as ever. Shackled with heavy mental restraints, he couldn't maintain his perfect human form due to the prolonged lack of energy supply. His butterfly wings behind him hung limply on the ground.

"It was you who sought me out, Rong Mi," its gaze swept across everyone before settling back on Rong Mi's face. "You've killed Cecil's strongest fragment."

"You've grown more formidable."

Rong Mi replied, "Cecil's life and death are now in the hands of the Human Military."

"I can sense that," Seiko answered. It smiled, involuntarily swallowing. "Cecil's energy is fading significantly. Perhaps it only has a feeble remnant left? Death is imminent."

...It was a pity that the fragment wasn't in its possession.

Otherwise, this would be the perfect moment to devour Cecil.

Rong Mi met Seiko's gaze and suddenly smiled.

"You mentioned that you prefer collaborating with humans."

"You can have Cecil's last fragment of spirit energy," the young man offered. "As long as you answer my questions honestly, and we can finally reach a collaboration."

Seiko: "…"

Seiko gaped in disbelief, casting a skeptical glance at Rong Mi, filled with astonishment and a touch of concealed fear.

Seiko: "The last time I mentioned cooperation, you decapitated me."

"Humanity currently holds the absolute advantage," Rong Mi said nonchalantly. "If we were to discuss collaboration now, it would be the Ice Butterfly Star Region that would suffer the loss."

"And… if cooperation isn't considered, your species should be on the brink of extinction, right?"

Seiko: "…"

Seiko's expression shifted.

"You've guessed correctly," its voice, tinged with the hum of the Ice Butterflies due to emotional fluctuations, replied. "What is it you wish to ask?"

"Is it also the insectoid race that threatens the Ice Butterfly Star Region?"

Seiko's neural filaments of the Butterfly God fluttered gently.

"If we were to follow your classification and call sentient, insect-like Star Beasts 'Insectoids'... then yes."

"We refer to it as the Cosmic Golden Spider."

"Its energy fluctuations are incredibly subtle, but when it springs into action for the hunt, it flashes like a sun in gold."

"We didn't notice its arrival. Suddenly, one day, golden threads began appearing at the outskirts of our territory. The batch of young butterflies born near the edge of the stellar region were ensnared in its web, triggering a series of golden glints."

And so, the Ice Butterflies met their assailant.

"It weaves its web swiftly," Seiko said. "In just a year, it devoured nearly half of the Ice Butterfly Star Region."

"It's also incredibly powerful. No number of Ice Butterflies can approach it, and the Sub-Butterflies stand no chance against it... even Cecil wouldn't dare face it head-on."

The courtroom fell silent for a moment.

This Insectoid's strength had stirred up a storm in the hearts of the high-ranking officers from the major legions.

The majority of human fleets had to approach the Adlets with caution.

Unless Rong Mi or Lu Yi were present, they would deploy dozens of massive warships and their most advanced energy cannons to deal with a single fragment of Cecil's mental energy.

...If even Cecil dared not confront it head-on, how powerful must this insectoid be?

Humans knew very little about the insectoids. Apart from the Ice Butterflies, there were also the Solo Bikers, the Sakkar Worms, and so on. Some operated independently, while others were in the midst of migrating as a group. All of them had attempted to invade human territories at one point.

This was an instinctive drive of the insectoids.

The military officers all pondered the same question in their hearts.

If they allowed this Cosmic Golden Spider to devour the entire Ice Butterfly territory, how long would it take for it to reach the edge of the human domain and launch an attack?

What was even more terrifying, based on their understanding of insectoid behavior... The more food they hunted, the faster they evolved and advanced in rank.

If the Cosmic Golden Spider consumed an entire Ice Butterfly domain before advancing and reaching the edge of the human domain...

How would humanity be able to withstand it? !

The courtroom fell into a tense silence, with many people feeling a chill in their palms from the lingering fear.

Among all the attendees, Rong Mi's reaction stood out for its remarkable calmness.

His expression remained unchanged, not even a flicker of a frown crossing his face. It seemed that the cosmic golden spider mentioned by Seiko was as ordinary to him as the arboreal spiders he had encountered during the Ice and Fire Tournament.

The young man merely responded casually before asking further, "Just one? Or a group?"

"You were unaware of its existence before? That suggests its habitat is not in the vicinity."

"When did you first become aware of it? It can't have been just a year ago, right?"

If the golden spider had devoured most of the Ice Butterfly Star Region within a year, the Ice Butterfly insectoids... at least those near the Human Star Region, should have already gone extinct.

Seiko knew these were the concerns on Rong Mi's mind.

It could have used this opportunity to stall, negotiate terms, and try to leverage the situation to get Rong Mi to hand over Cecil's Ice Butterfly fragment first, allowing it to complete its ascension.

Or perhaps it could sign a cooperation treaty between sapient beings, ensuring that Rong Mi would truly choose collaboration and join forces to kill the golden spider.

Seiko was aware of Rong Mi's capability.

When Cecil's heart fragment launched its assault, the entire capital planet's energy field trembled.

Even in the depths of the military prison, Seiko could hear Chengdu's heartbeat.

It also heard Chengdu's enraged roar and its dying cries.

There was no doubt that Rong Mi had successfully advanced.

He was now an opponent that the Ice Butterfly couldn't match.

However, they were not entirely useless to humans.

Allying with the Ice Butterflies, humanity could minimize their losses in war and secure stability around the star domain at the smallest cost.

And once the Golden Spiders were eradicated, Seiko would lead the other members of the clan away from the human star domain, finding a new place to settle, recuperate, and search for an opportunity.

To return and reclaim their former power.

Its thoughts were lucid, initially intending to attempt negotiations with Rong Mi first.

However, under the young man's calm gaze, its butterfly wings involuntarily quivered. Seiko sensed an indescribable, immense pressure from Rong Mi's eyes.

Despite Rong Mi not standing directly before it, merely casting a holographic projection, the creature instinctively felt fear.

This fear made it unconsciously answer Rong Mi's question first when it spoke.

"We've only observed a solitary Cosmic Golden Spider. We've never encountered its traces before; perhaps it migrated from another galaxy in the universe."

"It obtained the Zerg's food after its first assault on the Ice Butterfly Star Region and entered a dormant phase."

"Cecil once attempted to sever its web energy threads while it was vulnerable, but not only did he fail, he nearly roused it, potentially triggering a calamity earlier."

"That's why we chose... to escape its control."

Rong Mi acknowledged with a tepid smile.

"A more intense attack on the human star domain," he said. "Breaking free from its web and utilizing human resources for further evolution..."

"Cecil's haste to accelerate the assault, could it be because it's almost awake?"

Seiko replied, "…Yes."

"It's nearly fully awakened."

"A month ago, the Ice Butterflies at the edge of the stellar region witnessed the golden energy web again."

"Though the glow faded quickly and didn't reappear… that's clearly not a good omen."

This brief lull after the hunt was like the Cosmic Golden Pearl, recharging and dozing off after replenishing its energy.

When it awoke fully refreshed, it would be time for another ruthless onslaught.

"Ice Butterfly knows the location of the Cosmic Golden Pearl's energy web," Seiko said, looking at Rong Mi. "We can provide intelligence to your human military to prevent your starships from getting trapped in the energy net."

"We can also act as vanguards for you, pinpointing the Golden Spider's exact position."

"Its web is vast. It weaves new energy threads across the cosmos, striking from unexpected angles."

"I suppose that's why you've renewed your proposal for collaboration."

"After slaying the Golden Spider, I'll only need the weakest fragment of Cecil's spirit to lead the Ice Butterflies away."

"I won't resurrect Cecil..."

"I'll take their place instead," Rong Mi said nonchalantly. "I'll evolve into a butterfly on my own."

Seiko: "...Yes."

It contracted its wings under Rong Mi's gaze.

The aura exuded by the young man was vastly different from when they first met.

Seiko could no longer associate the Rong Mi it knew before the Ice and Fire Tournament with the person standing before it now.

Even when it saw Rong Mi at the Capital Star Hospital on the night of the attack on the amusement park base, the young man had already shown inklings of his current imposing presence.

But it wasn't as overwhelming as it was now, driving the butterflies to want to flee.

But... until it transforms into a butterfly.

Then, this fearsome and immense power might be devoured by it...

With its eyes lowered, hiding the innate craving for strength in its crimson gaze, the Young Butterfly inquired, "Should we seal the pact now?"

Rong Mi raised an eyebrow. "You seem very certain that you can fully represent the Ice Butterfly Insect Clan."

Seiko: "As long as you gift me Cecil's fragments."

Rong Mi sat on the bench with a smile, turning to look at Zhang Lingyu.

"I'm done with my questions, Supreme Commander," the young man said casually. "Now we can proceed with the execution."

Seiko: "...."

Seiko: "?!?"

"Wait!" Seiko cried out. "You just said we should cooperate! There can't be another Yatide who's a better choice than me! I was human to begin with..."

"We wouldn't choose another Icmoth either," Rong Mi interrupted, his smile innocent yet casual.

"Cooperation... Of course, that was a lie."

Cruel conquerors were not to be trusted.

No one could predict what actions the Icmoth would take in war.

Besides... The mountains of corpses and seas of blood from the past, the lives of millions, could not simply be erased or overlooked.

In the dim courtroom, as Rong Mi finished speaking, the dark metal partitions on all four walls split open, revealing rows upon rows of energy rifles.

The fully charged weapons unleashed their full firepower upon Seiko, causing intense energy fluctuations.

Leaving no chance for it to heal its wounds or cling to life.

Only when the Icmoth's energy had completely dissipated did cleaning robots enter to tidy up the aftermath. One by one, the holographic projections on the bench faded away.

Rong Mi rose to his feet, locking eyes with Zhang Lingyu on the throne. He nodded in assurance.

"Relax, Supreme Commander," he said. "We can still secure victory without Ice Butterfly's aid."

"I request to join the vanguard for the initial reconnaissance mission."

Zhang Lingyu fell silent for a moment.

"Of course," she sighed, finally responding. "You mentioned that your mental power coverage has significantly expanded. That's precisely what we need."

She felt that the burden on Rong Mi's shoulders was too heavy, much like the weight she once perceived on Lu Yi's.

Yet, humanity needed them both.

And Rong Mi wouldn't be crushed by the load.

The young man stood tall, his smile confident and carefree.

"My wish is for humanity's future to be filled with hope and light."

His tone was unexpectedly lighthearted.

"Because I too want to live in a hopeful and bright tomorrow."

"And I'm not alone in this..."

The young man's voice paused briefly, catching a glimpse of the bedroom door crack open in his peripheral vision.

Ayin, clearly banking on Rong Mi's leniency, had disregarded the order to return to sleep. Unlike its owner, the wolf, after waiting in the room for a while and not seeing anyone, stealthily approached the door, peering through the narrow opening.

Their eyes met, and the wolf's gaze immediately lit up. It scampered over to Rong Mi in tiny, quick steps.

Perched on the wolf's back was a dragon bird.

The little bird was still sound asleep, coiling its body around Ayin's abdomen, its head nestled between the wolf's upright ears. The curved dragon horns swayed gently as the wolf ran, its movements rhythmic.

Reaching the sofa, the wolf leaped up gracefully.

Rong Mi gracefully bent down and reached out to scoop up the wolf, along with the little bird, in his arms. With a glance around the bedroom, he confirmed that Lu Yi was sound asleep.

"Ao." Ayin let out a soft howl, hugging Rong Mi's arm with its paw and rubbing its fluffy head against the young man's palm.

Its owner was now incredibly obedient!

The wolf could come, but Lu Yi couldn't be two-faced!

From its cozy spot, the wolf watched attentively. Lu Yi initially tossed and turned before forcing himself to sleep, despite his discomfort. Eventually, he drifted off, still thinking about Rong Mi's absence.

Looking at the wolf's proud expression, Rong Mi couldn't resist tapping Ayin's nose playfully.

The wolf recoiled slightly and let out a gentle howl.

It didn't actually hurt, but it pretended to be in pain to match Rong Mi's action.

Knowing the wolf was playacting, the young man's smile widened.

He stroked the wolf affectionately and then turned back to Zhang Lingyu, earnestly repeating the latter half of what he had said earlier.

"Not anymore, whether on the journey to the future or in the dreams of a brighter tomorrow... I am no longer alone."

Here, he had wolves and a little bird.

And another master for Ayin.

*

It was midnight in the capital star's local time. The military's official account on the Star Network suddenly updated with a new post, officially announcing the commencement of a full-scale offensive against the Ice Butterfly Star Region.

At the same moment, all official media outlets simultaneously reposted the military's message, and electronic billboards across all shipping lanes displayed the announcement concurrently. On major plazas, vibrant holographic advertisements dimmed, reverting to basic light screens that now broadcast the military's declaration.

The Human Federation had officially entered a state of war, and the Star Network was abuzz with excitement.

"I guessed it when I saw the military announce the other day that they had fully contained Cecil's spirit fragments! Now is the perfect time to capitalize on our momentum!"

"The Ice Butterflies have been a threat to our star region for years... It's high time we put an end to them once and for all!"

"The military seems more confident than ever! This must be the first large-scale offensive by humans against the Ice Butterfly Star Region in centuries, right?"

"It is indeed the first large-scale offensive! And it's also only the second proactive attack! The last one was more than a month ago, led by Admiral Lu Yi in a surprise assault."

"I used to ignore news about the Ice Butterflies, so I had no idea how many people have died in the war zones just to resist them! After Rong Mi scolded someone in the discussion group following the amusement park battle, I specifically looked up the military's annual reports... It was heart-wrenching! Many of those fallen soldiers were even younger than me."

"Well, now it's our turn to avenge them!"

"We're going to war," someone fretted. "There'll be more casualties, right?"

"More accurately, the war between humans and the Ice Butterflies has been ongoing for centuries already."

"There will always be sacrifices in war, but passive defense isn't a viable strategy. Only by truly eliminating the Ice Butterflies can humanity develop in peace."

"I'll give my full support to the military this time around!"

"I'm on a border planet, and there's been a widespread lockdown near the military spaceport these past two days. Some civilian routes close to the spaceport have also been sealed off."

"Oh, oh, oh, same here! I even saw a massive warship landing at the port!! So freaking cool! ——"

"Oh, I saw something different. I saw Rong Mi."

"..."

"???"

"????"

"What?!" This reply quickly became one of the most popular in the thread. "Bro! Sis! Where were you?! When?! How did you see them?!"

"It must have been at the First Legion's base! The First Legion fleet leads the way to the Icetaur Galaxy. It's unlikely that God Rong Mi would casually wander around other legions at this time!"

"The person above is from the First Legion or related to someone in it, right? If that's the case, it's not surprising to see Rong Mi and Admiral Lu Yi."

"But I'm still envious! Damn it! I wish I could see Rong Mi in person too! Maybe I should sign up for next year's military assessment!"

"To the person above, I'm not from the First Legion's base. I was just on a border planet."

"Rong Mi must have been on a mission!"

"My family runs a fast-food restaurant outside the restricted zone near the naval harbor! Rong Mi came to eat at our place!"

"I didn't dare to take a sneaky picture! His combat pet, a dog, looked so fierce! As soon as I tried to take a photo, it gave me a stern glare!"

"But it's so tiny... It looks like a stuffed toy, aww... I want to pet it too."

"Stop daydreaming, Forum Master... That's not some random puppy companion, that's Admiral Lu Yi's combat companion, the Ice-land Silver Wolf. Someone captured footage of its adult form on the Capital Star. Take a look at this picture and tell me if you still dare to touch it!"

"Ahhhh! So the non-combat form of the Silver Wolf is this adorable?! Last time, Cecil's Ice Butterfly fragments attacked the planet I was on! Before I hid in the underground safe house, I saw it from afar! Wow, it's totally a different size altogether!! It's unimaginable!!"

"I've seen it too! Back then, there was also that purple Flame Dragonbird! So if the wolf is Admiral Lu Yi's companion, does that mean the dragonbird belongs to Rong Mi? Did Rong Mi leave her dragonbird behind on a mission?!"

Forum Master: "I didn't see the purple Flame Dragonbird either! Wow... Upstairs, you just spotted something significant!"

"Rong Mi going out with Admiral Lu Yi's companion... Then where's Rong Mi's own companion? Could it be with Admiral Lu Yi?!"

The netizens' speculations were logical and spot-on.

In the First Legion's pre-battle meeting, Lu Yi sat upright in his military uniform.

The ice butterfly poison within him had been completely eradicated. After resting for two extra days at Rong Mi's request, he fully returned to the legion.

With the Federation in a wartime state, the First Legion was racing against time to prepare for battle.

The general's gaze was stern, his aura daunting.

Yet, perched on his shoulder was a small, purple dragon bird, roughly the size of an adult's fist, akin to a toy figure, which seemed at odds with his demeanor.

The dragon bird stood on the general's left collar, puffing its chest and holding its head high with regal bearing. However, the latter half of its dragon body, along with its slender tail, curled around the general's neck.

The bird's action was not overly conspicuous. Its long tail snaked from behind Lu Yi's neck, looping forward to rest its flame-shaped tip gently on Lu Yi's right shoulder, swaying loosely. Occasionally, it would twitch in response to the meeting's discussions.

Officers of the First Legion: "...."

...Though not overly showy, it was still hard to ignore!

They all knew that the dragon bird was Rong Mi's battle pet, adorable enough to make one want to cuddle it, but ferocious on the battlefield.

The recent incident of Lu Yi's flower confession had stirred up quite a commotion throughout the entire legion's encampment.

Neither Lu Yi nor Rong Mi made any attempt to hide the matter, and thus, the news swiftly spread not only within the First Legion but also within the military headquarters.

Senior officers of the First Legion, in particular, who had more opportunities to witness Lu Yi and Rong Mi, had had their fill of dog food!

It was unexpected that even while Rong Mi was away on a mission, they still got a share of the "dog food"!

The dragon bird standing so intimately on Lu Yi's shoulder seemed to be both his bodyguard and General's supervisor... It also resembled a territorial claim, an assertion of ownership.

And Lu Yi accepted it all without reservation.

"Upon Rong Mi's delivery of the high-density defensive metal to the legion base, all vanguard squad mechas will undergo upgrades within half a month."

Deputy Legate Robert tore his gaze away from the little bird and reported seriously to Lu Yi.

When the dragon bird had first "grown" on the General's shoulder during a meeting, some officers had been distracted, and others couldn't help but exchange whispers and glances during training. Without exception, they were all punished by Lu Yi with extra drills. With Lu Yi personally overseeing the additional training, the pressure on the officers was immense. After one round, Lu Yi's physical fitness and mental strength recovery progressed swiftly, and the First Legion became immune to the sight of the dragon bird and Lu Yi being close.

They could gossip all they wanted in private, but when it came to official matters, this image wouldn't affect them.

The same principle applied to wolves and Rong Mi being close.

Thus, when the young man returned to the legion base with the most crucial resources and carried the dozing silver wolf off the transport starship, the officer in charge of the handover ignored the wolf sleeping against the youth's chest, focusing solely on filling out the transfer report.

Rong Mi glanced at the time and, with Ayin in tow, piloted their aircraft back to their apartment.

The artificial weather system had been operating deep into the night, but the First Legion's headquarters were still brightly lit as various departments made their final preparations for the imminent battle.

Rong Mi arrived at the apartment entrance, yet instead of using his own authority, he took Ayin's paw and pressed it against the electronic lock, hearing the "beep" that indicated the door was opening.

Ayin twitched its ears, allowing Rong Mi to handle it. Upon hearing the sound, it lifted its eyelids slightly, then nestled deeper into Rong Mi's embrace, closing its eyes once more.

Wolves were always vigilant outside the legion's compound. It had guarded Rong Mi through several nights, and even though star beasts were more energetic than humans, it began to feel drowsy within the safety of its territory. On the flight back to the apartment, it had fallen asleep.

"Chirp-chirp!"

As the apartment door opened, the dragonbird flapped its wings and eagerly greeted them. It perched on Rong Mi's arm, gently pecking at the wolf's head as a way to say hello to Ayin.

"Ao." The wolf responded groggily, swishing its fluffy tail and rubbing it against the tip of the dragonbird's tail.

Holding the two furry creatures, Rong Mi looked up at the sofa.

There, Lu Yi was propped up on one elbow on the couch, with multiple holographic screens displaying information in front of him. However, still recovering from severe injuries, he had succumbed to sleep due to exhaustion.

A gentle smile tugged at the corners of Rong Mi's lips. Under the dim light, he leaned down and kissed the sleeping beauty awake.

Their lips brushed gently, and Lu Yi's breath hitched for a moment. His eyelashes fluttered as he opened his eyes to look at Rong Mi, pulling the young man into his embrace.

Rong Mi: "I believe I mentioned that if I returned too late, there'd be no need to wait for me."

During their return journey on the starship, they encountered a rare cosmic storm. To avoid it, they had to detour, delaying their arrival at the First Legion's base by almost half a day. Rong Mi had intentionally sent a message to Lu Yi when he set off from the safe sector.

"Midnight hasn't come yet," Lu Yi's voice held the rasp of just waking up, "It's not too late."

"Go freshen up," the general simply held the youth for another kiss before releasing his grip, gesturing for Rong Mi to rise, "Wait for me in bed."

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi straddled Lu Yi's lap, pinching the general's chin lightly.

"It should be you waiting in bed for me," he raised an eyebrow, "What else do you want to see?"

Lu Yi turned the topmost holographic screen towards Rong Mi.

The star map displayed the known Ice Butterfly Galaxy, with numerous electronic markings. Some of these markings were even placed outside the boundaries of the Ice Butterfly Galaxy.

The plan for eliminating the Ice Butterflies was already intricately detailed.

Lu Yi had shifted his focus, contemplating how he would "weave the web" to ensnare all the butterflies if it were up to him.

Rong Mi couldn't help but chuckle.

This was because they shared a telepathic understanding. It was a question that had been on his mind these past few days as well.

Memories and knowledge from the Era of Interstellar Nomads held no relevance in this battle.

Rong Mi knew nothing about the Cosmic Golden Spider; there were no records of its existence throughout humanity's long nomadic history.

Evidently, in the past, the fully resurrected Cecil, who had consumed many high-ranking human psychics, had become powerful enough to deal with the Cosmic Golden Spider.

But Rong Mi's analytical skills, powers of observation, and combat mindset weren't diminished just because there were no historical remnants to trace back to.

The young man snatched the e-pen from Lu Yi's hand, circling a few more areas on the admiral's light screen.

"Let's piece it together," Rong Mi smiled. "Are we making progress toward your goal for tonight?"

Lu Yi lifted his gaze to look at him, mimicking the corner of his lips in a faint smile, and turned off the light screen. "Exceeded expectations."

Rong Mi nodded, imitating Lu Yi's usual tone, speaking briefly, "Wait for me on the bed."

As the young man spoke, he took off his military jacket and headed towards the bathroom. Standing by the bathroom door, he faced away from the general as he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing toned muscles along his waist and back.

Lu Yi's expression subtly shifted; his gaze lingered on Rong Mi's back for a moment before he composed himself and got up from the couch in the living room, about to enter the adjacent bedroom.

The last time, they couldn't engage in their nightly activities due to an unsuccessful treatment session. But with a major battle looming, some matters had to be postponed.

However, while he could restrain his actions, he couldn't control his body's reactions.

Feeling Lu Yi's gaze, Rong Mi turned his head, glancing downward, then tilting it slightly.

"Sorry," the young man pulled his shirt back into place, apologizing, "I forgot."

He had never been in love before and often forgot that when facing his beloved, their bodily responses were always sensitive and truthful.

The young man casually buttoned up his shirt and stepped towards Lu Yi. The general paused in his rising motion, watching as Rong Mi approached, bending down to support his knee, wanting to assist him.

Lu Yi admires Rong Mi's uninhibited sincerity.

Each time the young man blushes yet still offers aid so candidly, Lu Yi has to exert extra control over his desires to refrain from further action.

This is not their first time.

Yet, each instance is just as thrilling as the first.

He pulls Rong Mi back onto his lap, encircling the youth's waist, leaning in, their faces brushing against each other.

In truth, Rong Mi also finds it challenging to withstand Lu Yi's demeanor.

One who usually endures pain silently would now let out a few involuntary moans.

By tilting his head, he can see Lu Yi's expression.

The General's brows are knitted tightly, initial restraint turning into torturous longing as time passes, lasting until the very end.

After a moment, Lu Yi pants, looking at Rong Mi, then lets out a low chuckle.

"Role reversal."

His voice was hoarse, carrying a subtle innuendo.

Rong Mi, still under his control, let out a muffled sob. The clothes she wore were in disarray.

This brief indulgence did not hinder their preparations for battle.

As the offensive plan took shape, the mechas and starships underwent swift upgrades.

Rong Mi and Lu Yi's severely damaged mechas had been fully restored.

Inside the mecha repair bay, the repaired black mecha had passed its final inspection. Rong Mi stood on the workbench, tapping gently on the metallic exterior of the black armor.

"Within this lies a piece of your heart," he teased Lu Yi, pressing the button for the mecha's spatial device in his hand.

The black mecha was safely stored within the spatial device, now hanging once again around his neck.

Lu Yi acknowledged with a soft hum, his expression composed as he reached out to gently press against the younger man's lower lip.

"Affirmative," the admiral acknowledged. "Let's proceed."

Today, the joint fleet destined for the Icetail Galaxy was set to embark on its mission.

The two exited the maintenance bay, traversed the corridor, and entered the command tower's middle level, where they stepped into the expansive legion hall that extended outward from the tower.

Several officers were already waiting. They greeted Lu Yi and Rong Mi, then fell in line behind them without prompting.

The silver wolf, which had been held in Rong Mi's single arm, leaped out of his embrace. Upon landing, it elongated its body, transforming into an adult-sized silver wolf.

After the battle for the Heart Fragment of the Ice Butterfly, the wolf had also gained the ability to shift into a spirit form.

Its non-combat form was no longer fixed as an adult; instead, it could alternate between its juvenile and adult states.

Just like the little bird, Ayin often assumed its juvenile form to cuddle with Rong Mi.

The dragonbird, which had been nestled with Ayin in Rong Mi's arms, spread its wings and took flight.

It accelerated outward, stretching its body. Its wings, barely larger than a palm when folded, ignited with a flame that grew as it expanded, eventually becoming a pair of fire-colored wings that blotted out the sky.

Outside the Legion Hall, a broad elevated pedestrian walkway led directly to the First Legion's starport.

Along the sides of the path, several cameras hovered midair, their lenses trained on the exit of the legion.

With all eyes upon it, the soaring dragon-bird let out a clear cry. After circling high in the sky, it dove downward, returning to the entrance of the hall just as the members of the First Legion were emerging from it.

All cameras captured the scene.

In the brilliant daylight, young men and women in military uniforms radiated vitality and enthusiasm.

Beside the majestic Silver Wolves at the forefront of the formation, a handsome youth with an elegant demeanor tilted his head and saluted the hovering camera orbs with a dashing military gesture.

Next to him, the First Legion's commander, known for his icy sharpness, turned his gaze towards the lenses and nodded in acknowledgment with a succinct yet powerful motion.

Officers behind them followed suit, waving at the cameras with cheerful expressions that maintained a sense of solemnity.

As the camera panned out, a vast array of starships, stationed around the military harbor, came into view.

More soldiers from the First Legion formed ranks within the starport, some accompanied by their furry companions.

Golden Thunderlions strode across the gangways, while schools of white dolphins frolicked beyond the naval harbor.

One by one, starships activated their navigational beacons, illuminating the dark expanse of space.

The spectacle was breathtaking, causing all those following the fleet's departure through the Star Network to hold their breath in anticipation.

Similar scenes unfolded across the major legion bases.

Human fleets assembled, departing the starports in an orderly fashion, bound for the depths of the universe.

In silence, they vowed a triumphant return to all of humanity.