"Wohr Star remains safe for now. However..." Zhang Haokun's face was still taut. "Jikun Star is in grave danger right now. Three hours ago, we received a message from the Provisional Operations Command: the Eastern Legion has lost contact."

A huge stone seemed to press down on Zhong Yun's heart, an unbearable weight. His nation was currently suffering shameless invasion by another country. The people of Dawa would face a war drenched in blood. Countless lives might be lost in this conflict.

Why had things escalated to this point? He had only been gone for half a month.

Zhong Yun, born in an era of peace, realized his country had entered its most perilous moment, facing the very real threat of annihilation.

The invaders hailed from a nation that had entered the Intermediate Civilization tier a thousand years prior. Their overall strength far surpassed Dawa's. Whether in technological capability or economic power, Dawa stood no chance against the Hongxian Federation.

This was going to be an agonizingly difficult war.

Although Zhong Yun knew little about military matters, he understood that war was financed by money. Dawa's territory was less than one-hundredth the size of the Hongxian Federation's. How could they possibly fight?

Unless they could rapidly crush the invading enemy, then counter-attack, conquer all of the opponent's inhabited planets, and force their surrender.

But was that even possible?

Recalling how the First Fleet had been utterly routed without the ability to fight back, Zhong Yun let out a sigh.

As Zhong Yun pondered deeply, Zhang Haokun asked the question that had been nagging him, "This might be presumptuous, but may I ask who you are?"

The question was somewhat abrupt and vague. "Who are you" was too broad. Others might genuinely struggle to answer. However, Zhong Yun was already prepared. "My name is Zhong Yun. I am from Wohl Star."

"Zhong Yun?" Zhang Haokun and the others searched their minds. They could find no information associated with this name. It was entirely unfamiliar.

Seeing their expressions, Zhong Yun understood their thoughts. "Also, Liu Yunqi is my fiancée."

The moment the words "Liu Yunqi" were uttered, several people’s expressions shifted instantly. After a moment of astonishment, the way they looked at him changed completely.

Zhong Yun smiled inwardly. This was exactly the effect he desired. Given the prestige and power of the Yang family within the military, establishing this connection through Yunqi would surely dispel any lingering suspicion they held toward him.

If he had claimed to be merely an ordinary high school student from a middle-class background, they would undoubtedly have become suspicious. Suspicion could hinder true cooperation, potentially leading them to falter when facing combat later.

Indeed, the leaders of the First Fleet visibly relaxed. Although Liu Yunqi's status was somewhat confidential, the Yang family had not deliberately concealed it. Thus, those who were observant knew something of her background.

Naturally, many high-ranking military officers would be aware that Liu Yunqi was the Yang family's most revered princess.

Since he was the Yang family’s prospective son-in-law, he was one of them. Those in the know felt an immediate sense of relief, simultaneously thinking that with such a formidable prospective son-in-law, the Yang family was sure to shine brightly in this war—no, he had already achieved unparalleled, world-shaking merit.

To annihilate an entire contingent of the enemy's advanced fleet with just a single starship—such an achievement was unprecedented in the history of the Republic.

Perhaps this war was not entirely without a chance of victory, some began to muse.

Of course, the idea of winning a war between Intermediate Civilization nations relying on just one ship was too fanciful, and they quickly dismissed the thought.

But at the very least, the outlook was no longer as bleak as before. What was the Hongxian Federation? Even their warships could be defeated.

After ending the communication, as prearranged, the Dawa warships, towing the two captured prizes, sailed ahead. The Mars followed at a distance of nearly ten thousand kilometers. Ostensibly for mutual support, there was arguably a degree of caution against the others as well.

In the unpredictable void of space, prudence was never wrong. Zhong Yun and Zhang Haokun’s cautious approach was entirely justified.

"Xiao Ling, do you think Dawa has any chance of winning this war?" Zhong Yun asked suddenly, slumping back onto the captain’s chair aboard the Mars.

"Insufficient data; deduction is impossible," Xiao Ling’s mechanical voice echoed in the main control room.

Zhong Yun shook his head helplessly. Although Xiao Ling had demonstrated increasing functionality recently, it was not omniscient. Given the current guarded relations between Intermediate Civilizations, gathering intelligence on the enemy was extremely difficult.

Perhaps the Dawa Military Department possessed data on the Hongxian Federation. Zhong Yun thought, resolving to find Yang Yunrong later to copy a set. Combined with Xiao Ling's formidable capabilities, this might add a fraction of hope for victory in this war.

As Dawa descended into the abyss of war, Zhong Yun felt he could not stand idly by; he had to do whatever he could.

Troubled by the war, Zhong Yun left the main control room and returned to his quarters. In the center of the room sat a bathtub made of obsidian metal, filled with water that was emitting thick, white vapor.

Zhong Yun stripped off his clothes and stepped into the tub, submerging himself entirely in the water. It felt like fine electrical currents stimulating his skin, causing every hair on his body to stand on end.

The Yuan within his body began to circulate rapidly, quickly forming a vortex that pulled the "minute electrical currents" from his skin into his body.

The liquid in the tub was no ordinary bathwater; it was a medicinal solution blended with the sap of the "World Tree." This was a unique secret formula of the Jialan people and the foundation of their strength. Soaking one's body in this fluid increased the rate of Yuan growth tenfold compared to normal conditions.

This was only because Zhong Yun's current level was too low to tolerate a stronger concentration. The actual undiluted sap of the "World Tree" produced effects that were even more astonishing.

It was no wonder the Jialan people were so powerful; even five millennia after their demise, they remained etched in the memory of every cosmic civilization.

With this cheat-like elixir, even those with poor aptitude could experience the thrill of progress measured in miles per day. Of course, it was not without side effects. The medicinal fluid derived from the "World Tree" sap was potent, causing an extremely intense itching sensation when it touched the skin.

Whenever he had time, Zhong Yun would immerse himself in the solution, enduring the maddening, frenetic itching that felt like countless ants biting his entire body, yet he never gave up.

Third level. I must reach the third level of Yuan as quickly as possible.

This was the conviction that sustained him. Every time he felt on the verge of collapse and contemplated quitting, he would think of the woman lying in the metal casket in the adjacent room, clad in a moon-white gown, and a fresh surge of strength would flood his heart, giving him the power to persevere.

Yu Daoqing, wait for me. I will come to save you soon.

P: My apologies, today’s update is only four thousand characters again, but I should return to normal tomorrow. Readers, please support with monthly passes; there is only one day left, and we must hold on no matter what. Pushing halfway is ninety percent done, but these final ten percent are the most difficult.

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