Inside the fully enclosed gymnasium, Yang Ying’s figure moved with an agility that surpassed his previous self, his blue lightsaber flickering in and out, transforming into streaks of light and shadow.

Master Pang Qian stood amidst the envelope of light, casually deflecting with his own blue lightsaber.

The two blades clashed intermittently, emitting a sharp zzzt sound at the moment of impact, before separating once more.

Yang Ying exerted all his strength, his lightsaber wielded effortlessly, the movements flowing in an unbroken chain. He unleashed the full extent of the swordsmanship learned over the past month—sweeping, thrusting, pointing, turning—all techniques were employed, yet he could still not breach the Master’s impregnable defense.

After over a hundred exchanges, Master Pang Qian nodded with an expression of satisfaction and called out, "Stop!"

Yang Ying immediately executed a backflip, springing five meters back, then extinguished his blade light. He gripped the hilt in a reverse hold, lowered both hands, and came to a halt.

Master Pang Qian also deactivated his sword light. "Your progress in the Lightsaber vs. Lightsaber form has been remarkable, and your fundamental swordsmanship has reached a significant level of proficiency. Going forward, even practicing alone, you won't make fundamental errors."

If the Tome of Psionics was the Nine Yin Manual, then the Swordsmanship Manual was Dugu Nine Swords. Besides the fundamental techniques, it contained four advanced sword forms designed to counter specific situations.

The first was the Lightsaber Form, effective against opponents using standard lightsabers; The second was the Twin-Headed Lightsaber Form, for engaging those wielding dual-ended sabers; The third was the Dual-Saber Form, to counter opponents using two lightsabers simultaneously; The fourth was the Aerial Form, reserved for combat when both feet are off the ground and the body is suspended in the air.

These four forms were integrated with exceptional density; any one of them, taken in isolation, was a high-level sword art capable of founding a school of its own.

In the recent days, Yang Ying had been focusing on the Lightsaber Form, hence his frequent sparring sessions with Master Pang Qian. However, the Master’s skill was far superior, and his understanding of the forms, coupled with his combat experience, dwarfed Yang Ying’s. Yang Ying had yet to secure a single victory.

Yet, through Master Pang Qian’s guidance—feeding him complex scenarios with varied moves—Yang Ying’s experience had grown substantially, proving far better than secluded practice.

"This is truly the benefit of the Master's instruction," Yang Ying said, bowing slightly in humility.

Master Pang Qian shook his head. "Guidance alone cannot bring you to this level if you do not put in the effort yourself. Judging by your performance today, you are now capable of handling an ordinary high-grade Ape-man independently!"

Yang Ying knew this referred to standard high-grade Ape-men; experts like the Ape-man Commander were still beyond his scope to handle solo.

Over the past month, by challenging his limits with the Psionic Body Sculpting Method, Yang Ying had successfully undergone a profound transformation. His physical endurance had greatly increased, and his progress in swordsmanship was swift—he could now intercept a laser beam fired directly from the front, though deflecting one coming from a ninety-degree angle or from behind still required further refinement.

At that moment, the gymnasium doors suddenly swung open.

A communications soldier, his expression grave, appeared at the entrance and rushed towards them immediately upon seeing the pair.

The instant Yang Ying saw that face, a premonition struck him: the destined connection was ending; separation was imminent!

The communications soldier approached Master Pang Qian, glancing at Yang Ying first.

Knowing what was about to be said, Yang Ying spoke up, "Master, I will step out for a moment."

Master Pang Qian nodded. Yang Ying retreated two paces, turned, and exited the gymnasium. He found a chair just outside the door, sat down, and waited for the two to conclude their brief exchange.

A while later, the door opened, and the communications soldier emerged. "The Master needs you." He then hurried away.

Yang Ying re-entered the gymnasium and saw Master Pang Qian sitting by the side of the training area in deep thought. He walked over.

"Master, I have a feeling my training is about to conclude."

"Your intuition is correct," Master Pang Qian smiled calmly. "I have taught you everything the Psionic Temple authorized me to impart. A typical Psion would require at least two years to master the knowledge you’ve absorbed in just one month, and you’ve grasped it profoundly. Even if I were to leave right now, you could continue your cultivation without issue."

"Master, may I know what exactly is happening? Has the Ancient Legion done something again?" Yang Ying sat down next to Master Pang Qian.

Master Pang Qian nodded. "You were bound to learn this eventually. Knowing sooner will allow for earlier preparation. Do you recall how difficult it was a month ago when I described bypassing the Twin Star defense line?"

"I remember."

"What I feared most has indeed come to pass," the Master sighed. "The Ape-men found a small loophole in the defense line—a channel at its narrowest point, only four square kilometers in cross-section, which our radar stations failed to cover. By the time we discovered it, it was too late."

"Was this the channel the Ancient Legion used to send in fifty high-grade Ape-men?" Yang Ying asked.

"Precisely. The Ancient Legion conducted massive tactical deception around this channel to divert the majority of the military's attention. When we realized the truth, two full fleets had already passed through it, circumventing the Twin Star defense line."

"And now?"

"Those two fleets are now attacking our forces stationed in the orbit of Uranus from the rear, while the fleet dispatched by the Ancient Legion's main headquarters is simultaneously assaulting the forces in Neptune's orbit. Although all our troops entered Level One alert following the attack on Titan’s Light, preventing a complete surprise, the Ape-men's preparation this time is far more thorough, and their offensive is incredibly fierce. Two front-line fleets have already suffered heavy damage, and withdrawal is now on the agenda," Master Pang Qian stated with a serious expression.

"Withdrawal?" Yang Ying looked up through the ceiling viewport. The sky outside was shrouded in dark clouds. "If we pull back from the Twin Star line, we fall back to Saturn's orbit?"

"Correct," Master Pang Qian nodded. "Titan will soon become the new front line. This city is no longer safe."

"Then how will the city's population be evacuated?"

"The Seventh Fleet has already formulated several plans for civilian evacuation. Shortly, once those who need to know receive the news, an emergency meeting will be convened, and a resolution will be reached there."

Given that Master Pang Qian had sensed the looming clouds of war a month prior, it was entirely normal for him to have prepared contingency plans ahead of time.

At this moment, the Master’s communicator beeped. He answered it, spoke briefly, then turned back. "That was the notice for the emergency meeting. I must leave now. Go back and await news from the City Hall; the final resolution will be broadcast city-wide from there."

With that, the Master rose and departed the gymnasium.

Yang Ying did not move immediately, sitting there contemplating for a long time.

He now commanded a force equivalent to a mixed reinforced battalion—mostly infantry, with a small contingent of armored and air assets. Compared to an entire fleet, however, this was merely a drop in the ocean, capable of making an impact only in localized ground engagements.

Furthermore, he needed a way to deploy these forces openly before the world. This was a question he had wrestled with for a long time.

Throughout the past month, while expanding his troop numbers, he had simultaneously mapped out his future path, eventually devising a plan.

A plan that would allow him to participate freely in the war with the troops stationed on the Floating Continent, without being constrained by either the military or the Psionic Temple.