I hastily estimated the numbers; there must have been hundreds, a massive operation considering there were only a few hundred such craft in the entire world. Furthermore, the giant locusts were also massing their forces to accompany them, while the besieged beasts and clone soldiers were restless, ready to launch a new round of assault.

Elena cried out, "Are the rebels emptying their nests this time? We’ve never seen a UFO fleet this large."

Six millennia in the future, I commanded fighter jets in the thousands when waging war. These flight-limited saucers would be easily crushed, but this was six thousand years ago; there were no jets to call upon. Even if I could hack them down with my laser sword, it would take at least a hundred swings, and thousands of giant locusts swarmed around the craft. If I tried to cut them all down, I’d likely be hacking until dawn.

Staring at the overwhelming enemy forces blotting out the night sky made my scalp prickle. The Dragon Girl was treating me with exceptional care right now, perhaps cemented by the intimacy we shared that evening. She now treated me completely as one of her own, clutching my arm tightly. "Dragon Emissary, how will we fight this battle? Please instruct us quickly."

I shook my head with a wry smile. "There's no fighting this way. I suggested we withdraw from Dragon Mountain City to avoid the rebels' main thrust, but your brother disagreed. Even if he had agreed, it would be difficult to retreat safely; Dragon Mountain City is completely sealed off. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians cannot possibly slip away unharmed. There is only one option left: to fight bitterly and see how long we can hold out. You two must remember never to separate. If Dragon Mountain City faces critical danger, I will take you both out of here."

Elena nodded, greatly reassured. "I don't fear Zhao Qian. I know you will protect us."

The Dragon Girl nuzzled her face against my solid shoulder a few times, reluctant to let go. "Dragon Emissary, I don't want this to be the end. I beg you, in a moment of crisis, save my brother first, okay?"

I shook my head. "Dragon Girl, you still don't know my character. As my women, your safety is always the absolute first priority. I can disregard everything else. I will definitely save Long Xi, but only after both of you are safe."

Elena pulled the Dragon Girl closer. "Dragon Girl, relax. You've seen Zhao Qian's speed. Let's not cause him trouble and let him focus on fighting. If Dragon Mountain City truly cannot be held, give him thirty seconds, and he can save ten people. If you have any sisters, let him save them too. If they’re as beautiful as you, it’ll be a bonus for..."

The Dragon Girl cut in. "I have no sisters, only one brother. Sister Nana, you are right. Only when we are safe can the Dragon Emissary fight without distraction. The Dragon Emissary is a good man. I feel like the happiest woman in the world."

Elena was displeased. "Don't forget me, and don't forget the bevy of women at his home—they’re all very happy too."

Looking at the Dragon Girl’s almost celestial face, I almost regretted my actions in the main hall that evening; it felt like a desecration of such beauty. But then again, if a girl doesn't let the man she loves have her, can she truly be happy? Judging by the Dragon Girl’s demeanor that evening, she probably didn't mind my 'sexual assault,' but I wondered if I'd ever get another chance.

The UFOs were already hanging over Dragon Mountain City. This was a matter of life and death now. All sweet words would have to wait until we repelled this rebel assault. I activated my laser sword, preparing to ascend and strike the fleet, when a massive commotion erupted from the inner city, followed by shouts.

The Dragon Girl listened intently for a moment before turning to me, eyes wide with alarm. "Bad news! There’s an assassin targeting my brother!"

At that moment, the saucers in the sky entered firing range, unleashing intense laser barrages on the city wall defenders. Aided by the giant locusts, the defenders were quickly cornered inside the beacon towers, while the attacking rebels swiftly mounted scaling ladders against the walls. Dragon Mountain City was on the verge of collapse!

"Save my brother! I beg you, Dragon Emissary!" The Dragon Girl understood my hesitation and stated her plea firmly.

"The inner city will fall soon. Staying here is dangerous for you two as well. I'll get you out of the city first!"

"No!" the Dragon Girl countered. "Nana and I will stay to hold them off for a while. You save my brother and then come back for us. Go quickly! The rebels can't breach the ramparts that fast, Dragon Emissary! You cannot hesitate at this critical moment!"

Elena nodded her agreement to me. I could only reply, "Be extremely careful. I'm going now."

In a few strides, I entered the main hall where the meeting had taken place that evening. It was a scene of utter disarray. Limbless guards were strewn across the floor, testament to a recent, brutal fight. Who could have slain these guards in such a short time?

I dared not linger in the hall, quickly moving to the inner chambers behind it. To my surprise, there were numerous rooms inside, forcing me to search them one by one. Suddenly, with a crash, a section of the wall shattered, and a colossal figure emerged, clutching a person tightly in its grasp.

I stared intently. The person held in the giant's hand was none other than Long Xi! Looking closer at his captor, the figure stood nearly three meters tall, resembling the giants we had encountered before. But the facial structure was startlingly familiar—wasn't this the handsome Kang Hui I had first met? How had he transformed into this monstrous form? Mythology never mentioned him possessing seventy-two transformations.

My thoughts raced, but my speed did not lag. The giant Kang Hui hadn't even clearly discerned my appearance before I severed his thick arm with a single sword stroke. Before his scream could register, Long Xi tumbled toward the ground. I stepped forward to catch him, but a blur flashed before my eyes—then, Long Xi, along with the giant Kang Hui's severed arm, vanished!

Such speed! It seemed the soldiers outside had all fallen victim to this entity. This one, holding Long Xi, stood across the inner corridor, our eyes meeting. This figure was also Kang Hui! His grotesque appearance clearly identified him as the one who had previously captured Bai and Xue!

Kang Hui held the gasping Long Xi. "Who are you, really? Why do you insist on opposing me at every turn?"

Of course, I couldn't understand what Kang Hui was saying, but the giant Kang Hui behind me was already enraged, swinging his remaining arm at me. His fist was enormous; one punch could probably gouge a massive crater in the ground. I leaped lightly, evading the blow.

Boom! Another wall was smashed apart by the giant. I pointed my laser sword at the agile, flying Kang Hui. "Let Long Xi down, or neither of you will leave this place! I don't care what game you’re playing or how many doubles you have. He is the person I want; you will not lay a finger on him!"

Regrettably, Kang Hui also failed to comprehend my words, but he understood that my focus was on Long Xi in his grasp. A sinister grin spread across his face. He chattered incomprehensibly for a moment, then vanished in a flash, intending to flee with Long Xi.

The giant behind me had already turned and launched another attack. I dared not engage in a protracted fight with him, instead chasing the Kang Hui who had abducted Long Xi. The two of us exited the palace, one ahead of the other.

A contingent of soldiers, gathered outside the palace gates to aid their sovereign, opened fire as soon as a figure burst from the hall. These fools didn't even check who they were shooting at—they might have killed their own king! Fortunately, Kang Hui was exceptionally quick, dodging the laser fire as we rapidly headed toward the peak of Dragon Mountain.

Kang Hui was fast, but I had already resumed supersonic speed. Moreover, he was encumbered by Long Xi, and unlike the last time he captured Bai and Xue, he didn't have cavalry screening him. I quickly caught up. Mindful of Long Xi in his grip, I refrained from using my laser sword, instead slinging it back to my waist and reaching out to grab his shoulder.

Whoosh! Kang Hui's previously bare shoulder suddenly sprouted several tentacles that wrapped around my hand. These were the same tentacles he had used to bind Bai and Xue. They felt rough and tenacious, seemingly covered in barbs. I shook my hand violently several times but couldn't break free.

In a burst of fury, I pulled my two hands apart with maximum force. Crack! The tentacles snapped one by one. Kang Hui roared and staggered back two steps, clutching his shoulder. I thought he was injured and felt a surge of triumph, but then I watched the severed tentacles slowly regenerate. Kang Hui raised Long Xi and let out a loud, mocking laugh.

Since we couldn't communicate anyway, I decided to stop trying to reason with him. I used my momentum to swing my body, intending to throw him off balance, and used my grappling technique—if I could just pin the real Kang Hui, perhaps this war could end sooner.

We grappled hard. I intended to slam Kang Hui to the ground, but unexpectedly, as he seized my arm, countless tentacles erupted from his arm. These tentacles coiled around my hand and rapidly tightened their grip. When I yanked hard a couple of times, they stretched like rubber bands rather than breaking. It seemed Kang Hui planned to counter brute force with yielding softness this time.

More and more tentacles sprang forth from Kang Hui, soon enveloping both him and me like a rice dumpling. For a moment, I was truly restrained by these incredibly tough tendrils. They stretched longer and longer, proving impossible to manage. I had underestimated this 'soft' approach.

Seeing me ensnared, Kang Hui flew upward, carrying me and Long Xi. I stopped struggling, watching where he was heading. If I could capture the real Kang Hui, maybe this war could be concluded sooner.

Kang Hui unfurled his massive wings and quickly soared over the vast plain before Dragon Mountain City, finally landing before a mountain. This mountain had somehow been hollowed out; a massive metallic gate stood in the center, guarded by patrol after patrol of soldiers. Rows of military camps were set up before the entrance. This was clearly the rebels' temporary command post.

As Kang Hui landed, the guards at the gate immediately opened it for him. He entered the command center, carrying me and Long Xi on his back. The tentacles covering Kang Hui were pressed tightly together, allowing me to only observe the situation inside the command center by peering through the gaps.

We moved rapidly along a tunnel inside the mountain, soon reaching a central hall teeming with people—all of them human. I saw no one else of Kang Hui's bizarre species.

Someone approached and spoke, and Kang Hui replied casually. The person's face lit up with surprise, and he shouted something that brought the crowd running. Kang Hui retracted the tentacles covering his back and set Long Xi down. The group crowded around the unconscious Long Xi, chattering incessantly.

Soon, someone splashed cold water onto Long Xi. Startled by the water, Long Xi groaned and tried to struggle up, but his injuries caused him to collapse again with a thud, drawing laughter from the onlookers.

Long Xi lay on the ground, his composure unshaken, and delivered a righteous, long speech to the crowd. The faces of the listeners showed shame. Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted a few indignant words, and the crowd’s expressions shifted back to resentment. This person was the human-looking Kang Hui. I was utterly confused—who was Kang Hui, exactly?

That Kang Hui spoke to Long Xi, who responded sentence by sentence. Kang Hui suddenly grew angry, seizing Long Xi and dragging him toward a sand table. It turned out they had military sand tables too; this place seemed to share many similarities with modern times.

Kang Hui pointed at the sand table, incessantly speaking to Long Xi. I stealthily glanced at the miniature models. My heart sank. The sand table used miniature representations: the foot soldiers likely represented the clone troops and beastmen, while the cavalry, giant locusts, and plasma-spewing giant insects were represented by miniature physical models. Outside Dragon Mountain City, these models were clustered densely. It seemed the rebels' reinforcements had arrived. Among the models, I also spotted a miniature siege engine—a simple device utilizing leverage to hurl massive stones. If used to launch stones from long range, the inner walls of Dragon Mountain City would likely be quickly smashed down.

More critically, those giant insects spitting plasma and sulfuric acid—if they unleashed their payload on Dragon Mountain City, few might survive. It was too late for Long Xi to retreat now. Would history change because of our arrival? Would Kang Hui’s rebellion succeed?

From the look on Long Xi’s face, I already knew the outcome. Boom! Long Xi suddenly overturned the massive sand table and began to question them loudly. The dejection on his face was gone, replaced by a sense of righteous, ready-to-die resolve. Honestly, despite my aversion to Long Xi’s fixation on his sister, I genuinely admired this king; his backbone was certainly worthy of respect.

Kang Hui and the others didn't seem angered, watching Long Xi with amused smiles. They were confident of victory and wouldn't stoop to arguing over a sand table. The Kang Hui who captured us said a few words to the crowd, and their attention shifted to me, tightly bound by the tentacles.

Immediately, a squad of soldiers encircled me and Kang Hui. Then, Kang Hui began to slowly retract his tentacles. This creature was shrewd; he even managed to reel in my laser sword along with the wrapping. He must have considerable strength, treating such a heavy weapon like a mere toy.

Soon, save for my bound hands and feet, I stood before the assembled crowd. Enemies meet, and eyes burn. The human-looking Kang Hui was indeed the one I had slapped earlier. He leaped forward instantly, swinging a palm strike at my face.

No force could stop the movement of my limbs. Even bound by these tentacles, they couldn't restrict my freedom; I only needed to exert more than a dozen times the usual effort to move the tentacles along with me.

Whoosh! I pulled the tentacles taut like drawing noodles and slapped the charging Kang Hui to the ground. This Kang Hui was disappointingly weak; perhaps it was because he was a genuine human, whose physical form paled in comparison to the half-beasts.

When Kang Hui fell, the vigilant soldiers immediately aimed their rifles at me. Kang Hui scrambled up, yelling and screaming, snatching a laser rifle from a nearby guard and opening fire on me.

My laser sword was wrapped up in the tentacles not far from my body, and the 'ugly' face of the tentacled Kang Hui was right before my eyes. If I hadn't needed to uncover the truth, I would have attacked long ago. Now that I was at their lair, this was the perfect moment. I wrenched my tentacle-bound hands and violently grabbed Kang Hui's mouth, then tore downward with a mighty wrench. Tear! The handsome facade of Kang Hui's face was ripped off, skin and flesh following.

Tenacity in the tentacles didn't mean the body was equally resilient. Before Kang Hui could react after his face was torn, I drove my fist into his chest, then plunged both hands into his torso and pulled them apart violently. Bang! A spray of black blood splashed around. The body of the tentacled, swift Kang Hui split into two halves.

What surprised me was his sheer tenacity. His body was mangled, blood sprayed everywhere, yet the tentacles stubbornly clung to me. However, if they couldn't stop my actions before, they certainly couldn't now. I grabbed the laser sword, activated it with a hum, and slashed around. The tentacles were instantly severed, while Kang Hui's two halves swung limply, refusing to fall.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The pain was like a thousand needles piercing me. Kang Hui’s and the guards’ laser rifles rained down upon me. My clothes immediately turned into shredded sieves, then burst into flames. I endured the pain and swung my laser sword in a wide arc. Immediately, a pile of bodies crashed to the floor, and the firing ceased.

Knowing these figures were the rebel leaders, I showed no mercy, letting the laser sword flow like water. Those who had been watching the spectacle instantly became corpses. In the chaos, Kang Hui had somehow vanished.

More guards rushed in, but more corpses fell within the command room. They never imagined they had captured Death itself. In a short while, this massive command center was enveloped in the carnage I wrought. Then, I picked up Long Xi and calmly retreated the way I came. Outside, the entrance was triple-layered with guards. I slashed a path through them and leaped into the air with Long Xi. I couldn't stop worrying about Dragon Mountain City; the two women were still inside, and if they were in danger, I couldn't tend to them.

By this time, Dragon Mountain City was an inferno. Several breaches had already been made in the inner city walls, and the defending soldiers were dwindling, with more perishing from the laser bombardment from above. I circled twice, casually slicing down a UFO before finally locating Elena and the Dragon Girl.