Fang Senyan’s promotion through the military ranks is hardly worth detailing; the process was largely the same as always.

However, a similar process does not guarantee an equally favorable outcome. For instance, Fang Senyan overlooked one crucial matter:

The existence of the Rank Wall.

The Rank Wall is the chasm separating quantitative change from qualitative transformation.

For example, advancing from Corporal to Sergeant is a promotion within the enlisted ranks. No matter the progress, one remains a soldier. But the jump from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, though only one level up, signifies a shift from soldier status to commissioned officer—this is the Rank Wall.

To surmount this barrier, the difficulty is exponentially greater than any previous promotion.

By extension, the same holds true for promotion from Captain to Major. The transition from an officer to a field-grade officer also involves a Rank Wall. Back then, Fang Senyan cleverly utilized an item acquired from a Gold Branch Mission, taking a shortcut to leap over that hurdle.

But this time, when confronting the Rank Wall between Colonel and Major General, Fang Senyan slammed straight into it!

Yes, his current status was "Brigadier General"—meaning a general in name only. His actual authority remained that of a Colonel; the title was merely pleasing to the ear. The substantive change was that his Merit Points were now earmarked. If they dropped below 400, the promotion would be deemed a failure, costing him 50 Merit Points and forcing him to start over. In short, he had lost the chance to back out.

As for how to cross the Rank Wall, that decision rested entirely with the Imperial Nexus—more accurately, the General Staff of the Galactic War Zone. Usually, one must complete specific related missions to earn the advancement. But Fang Senyan was rushing to save someone, meaning he’d likely have to shelve any quest assignment for the time being.

Mulling this over, Fang Senyan felt a sting of regret. He should have seen to unleashing the SARS virus first. Who knew that fate was so capricious, leading to this damned situation?

At this moment, however, his team provided some much-needed support. Firstly, that Dark Gold Battle Staff had found a sucker... although perhaps not a true sucker, but rather a powerhouse who desperately needed such a suitable weapon, resulting in a hefty profit. Secondly, for the thirteen "Fetid Phantom Particles," they found someone who was only six Merit Points short of learning an S-rank ability. Six pellets were sold at several times the extra profit margin.

With capital secured, 'Third Brother' immediately issued a commission, paying handsomely to have Fang Senyan’s nearly collapsing deep-green gloves repaired. Those poor gloves had been ravaged by the Metal Lifeform. After restoration, Fang Senyan estimated they could withstand two uses of his Annihilation ability. The remaining seven "Fetid Phantom Particles" yielded three that Zizi took to boost her own abilities, while the remaining four were converted into four Merit Points, all handed over to Fang Senyan.

Next, Fang Senyan naturally intended to use the Legendary Item: the Scalp of the Cretan Deity.

Previously, Fang Senyan’s understanding of this item was limited to it being a scroll—

To elaborate slightly: a heavy scroll bearing the cross-section texture of an ancient oak tree.

That was all.

But Fang Senyan soon realized he was wrong. Sometimes, what you see is merely the surface; only by immersing yourself in understanding something firsthand can one form a truly reliable perspective. It was like an otaku who watches countless videos, knows every scene by heart, and has enjoyed numerous ** sessions with the help of his hands—yet he will never become an expert during his first intimate encounter with a real girl.

When Fang Senyan decided to activate the item, he was grumbling about why he needed to be in his absolute best state. Five seconds later, he understood. The scroll began to float, and the surface layer, rippling like water waves and a mirror, started to crackle and break apart. Then, it revealed what lay concealed within.

Yes, it was a scalp!

A bloody, palm-sized piece of skin, freshly stripped, with sparse, unruly hair still clinging to it. Ancient Hebrew divine script covered the scalp, radiating oppressive power!

Immediately, centered on the scalp, a ghostly silhouette began to form, as if a deity subjected to such cruelty was attempting to resurrect through this remnant. Although the outline wasn't perfectly distinct, just observing its stance exuded an aura of untamed defiance, madness, and bloodshed!

Gazing at the remnant shadow, Fang Senyan's expression drastically changed: a massive frame, bulging muscles, a hooked nose, a bald head, and ghastly battle markings smeared in white ash across his face. Red stripes adorned his body. Most alarmingly, facing this phantom existing only because of the scalp, Fang Senyan felt as though his entire being was being pierced by waves of killing intent! (Haha, can you guess which unfortunate god had his scalp peeled off?)

"Damn it all! This scroll actually possesses its own life and will!" Fang Senyan gritted his teeth.

The indistinct phantom turned around and roared at Fang Senyan:

"Another mortal chasing power, yet foolishly attempting to steal the strength of a god! Such a stupid notion is infuriating! I dislike using violence, but your incurable stupidity can only be saved by brute force!"

With that, the terrifying divine illusion charged directly at Fang Senyan. In that instant, Fang Senyan felt the sensation of being violently struck by a heavy freight truck. For the first time, he felt weakness! He could only cross his arms instinctively to shield himself.

Still a shocking two to three meters away, Fang Senyan—with 110 Strength and 153 Stamina—was flung away like a small pebble. His eardrums buzzed painfully, and a coppery taste flooded his throat.

"Is it his overwhelming power? His terrifying speed? No! My reactions have slowed down, my strength has waned! I am completely suppressed by him!" This thought flashed through Fang Senyan’s mind. Watching the phantom raise its hands high and prepare a thunderous downward strike, he instinctively moved to block, but—Fang Senyan discovered his reflexes were maximally suppressed!

"Is this the power of a god? Is this divine majesty??"

But just then, the illusion froze.

Because from the veins on the back of Fang Senyan’s outstretched right hand, a root-like black tentacle suddenly shot out. Its speed wasn't fast or abrupt; it simply moved forth plainly, at a pace an ordinary person could dodge, striking the bloody scalp.

Then, the hazy phantom slowly dissolved, vanishing instantly like a punctured balloon. Fang Senyan stared dumbfounded as the Solar Ladder used its own root tentacles to pull the scalp over. One, two, three, four... a total of six tentacles wrapped around it, clearly indicating this food was to its liking. It then expertly secreted digestive fluid, consuming the Legendary Item: the Scalp of the Cretan Deity...

"Why is this thing completely unaffected by divine presence? Right! It has no soul! Only the desire to survive!"

"Why would this quest item be eaten by the Solar Ladder?"

"Eaten?"

"Ea...ten???"

"ten......."

"Aaaargh!!! That S-rank/Legendary ability tailor-made for me!?"

In reality, Fang Senyan searched thoroughly and truly found that the "Scalp of the Cretan Deity" seemed to have been consumed for nothing! He angrily questioned the Space about the situation, but the Space responded only with "No comment." Thus, almost fainting from anger, Fang Senyan failed to notice: the Solar Ladder's main body, located behind his sternum, was glowing with a strange red light, as if something terrifying was about to hatch within it. Simultaneously, the description text for the Devouring Beast began to blur.

Despite being troubled by both the military promotion issue and the matter of the Cretan Deity's Scalp, Fang Senyan still had to embark on the journey to save Ronnie with a heavy heart. This was because he suddenly realized that the mission to save Ronnie made no mention of the consequences of failure.

Yet, precisely because it was unmentioned, it implied that the likely outcome of failure would be anything but pleasant... It was like that sleazy guy we used to know who kept lending money to a very pretty girl without ever bringing up repayment—truly selfless devotion, no regrets. But in the end... that girl became his girlfriend, and he lost his entire principal!

Undoubtedly, someone as shrewd as Fang Senyan would never overlook such a glaring loophole. Therefore, he felt the burden on his shoulders grow significantly heavier.

Waiting less than ten minutes in the corridor connecting the Nightmare Space to the outside world, the spaceship sent by the Empire arrived. It was an identical vessel, but the personnel greeting him were different.

From the lieutenant sent to retrieve him, Fang Senyan learned some news about people he knew. Archer was always highly capable in technical fields. Now, having received the political donation (two Bars of Ethereal Element) sponsored by Fang Senyan and gaining the appreciation of Lieutenant General Mongo, his career advancement was entirely normal. He had risen to the rank of Imperial Lieutenant Colonel and was tasked with leading a major, high-level laboratory project.

The lieutenant who arrived now had been dispatched by Archer.

Lieutenant General Mongo had become one of the most influential figures. He had successfully ascended to become the chief leader of Alpine Base No. 7. Due to its proximity to the Epros Rhino, this man wielded considerable power and benefited from substantial resources.