The Caesar Mercenary Group, after all, held too deep a grudge against you. If they simply let things go now and sought peace, their image would immediately plummet. If they didn't seek retribution, many would view them as cowards. That's why they sought powerful third parties to act as mediators—our military is one such party," Rudolph stated.

"The military is one? Are there other mediators?" Yang Ying pondered inwardly, wondering what other entities could stand on equal footing with the military.

"They also approached the Nian Neng Temple," Rudolph replied.

"That's quite an imposing lineup of mediators," Yang Ying's brow twitched. He hadn't expected the Caesar family to arrange such a grand assembly just to broker peace.

Seeing Yang Ying's surprised look, Rudolph chuckled, "It's all about saving face, you see. The Caesar family is filled with arrogant individuals; they can't just bow down to outsiders so easily. However, this time there's a genuine reason—they severely underestimated the strength of your Trant Mercenary Group and consequently suffered an unprecedented defeat."

"The destruction of two Laurel Fleets has made them truly regard you as an evenly matched opponent. This prompted their desire to withdraw before being dragged deeper into the vortex of war. After all, they are merchants; profit comes first in everything they do. Engaging in a fight to the death with others isn't the mindset of a businessman. To find a respectable justification for reconciliation, they simultaneously approached both the military and the Nian Neng Temple to mediate this matter. Otherwise, do you think any stray cat or dog could get involved in discussions at this level?"

Facing the great enemy of the Ancient Legions, neither the military nor the Nian Neng Temple wished for the conflict between humans to escalate into a war of mutual destruction. Therefore, both the military and the Nian Neng Temple agreed to the Caesar Mercenary Group's request to mediate this dispute.

"I've said all I need to. I’ve told you the reasons why the Caesar Mercenary Group seeks reconciliation. Do you agree?" Rudolph asked. "Or perhaps you need to consult your chairman, Tom? I can wait a moment."

"No need. I can make the decision on this matter. I didn't want this war in the first place, and now, with both the military and the Nian Neng Temple mediating the relationship between our two mercenary groups, it grants me considerable prestige when announced. I agree to the reconciliation, but since the Caesar Mercenary Group initiated this fight, they should be prepared to compensate for the losses," Yang Ying stated firmly.

"Uh..." Rudolph was momentarily silenced, then slowly said, "If I recall correctly, you don't seem to have sustained any losses."

"The weapons used, the energy expended, and the psychological damage—they must compensate for all of it! They started the fight and now want to stop without consequence? That's not how things work!" Yang Ying raised his voice. "Reconciliation is fine, of course. But we can't abandon reason just for the sake of making peace, Uncle Rudolph, wouldn't you agree?"

"Agreed!" Another voice, unfamiliar to him, came through the communicator.

Rudolph turned his head toward the far end of the room. "Master Garcia, you've returned at a most opportune time. Regarding the mediation of the dispute between the Trant Mercenary Group and the Caesar Mercenary Group..."

"I know; I heard the latter part. As long as there is an intent to reconcile, the rest can be settled at the negotiating table." A tall figure stepped into the holographic screen's view.

This Master Garcia appeared to be around forty years old, with brown hair and brown eyes. A ring of beard circled his mouth, and his long hair fell down his back. He wore the robes of a monk, and his gaze was exceptionally calm.

"Master Garcia," Yang Ying bowed, using a form of salute common among Awakeners—a gesture universally understood even in the Milky Way galaxy.

"Young man, Master Pang Qian has told me of your exploits," Master Garcia returned the salute in kind. "This conflict was not your fault from the beginning; it arose because Caesar family's Istha was overly aggressive. It is only right that the Caesar family pays a price for it."

"Thank you for your support, Master," Yang Ying expressed his gratitude.

"It would be best if the peace talks commence sooner rather than later. How about we set the date for three days from now, at the Ceres Military Base? We will be responsible for all security during the talks. Once this is settled quickly, your mercenary group can take on those wartime assignments without hesitation. The front lines are in dire need of manpower; your addition could at least compensate for the loss of the two Laurel Fleets," Master Garcia proposed.

"Do I need to be present for the peace talks?" Yang Ying inquired.

"That's up to you. The Caesar Mercenary Group has decided to send Commissioner Andre to lead their delegation for these talks," Rudolph informed him.

"In that case," Yang Ying nodded, saying, "I will dispatch Robin, the highest-ranking commander at Gray Harbor, to lead our delegation to the talks."

"That seems..." Rudolph began, but then conceded, "Very well, it is settled then."

With that, he cut off the communication.

"Sir, why assign Robin to lead the delegation? Is there a special significance to that decision?" Kalia keenly noticed the underlying meaning in Yang Ying's choice.

"Kalia, we are now a large-scale mercenary group. We are entitled to station a representative at the Mercenary Alliance to participate in various resolutions. I have decided that after the peace talks conclude, Robin will take up the role of that representative," Yang Ying replied.

It was certain that Robin would be elected during the next Super Mercenary Group committee election. This was standard practice for a Super Mercenary Group.

"I understand. Then, who does the Commander intend to appoint as the new highest-ranking commander of Gray Harbor?"

"Regarding that position, I have an idea," Yang Ying turned to Kalia and said, "Come with me..."

With a flash of golden light, the two arrived at a barracks facility on the Floating Continent.

"Come in," Yang Ying led the way into the barracks, and Kalia followed closely. Although he didn't know his commander's exact intentions, he vaguely guessed that the matter was significant and perhaps beyond his imagination.

They passed numerous facilities, traversed a corridor, and arrived before a growth vat—the vessel used to generate all clones.

Currently, there was only a fist-sized mass of tissue inside the vat.

Another person was already there: Katerina. She stood outside the vat, facing a display screen upon which various data scrolled, showing the clone embryo's vital signs.

Seeing the two enter, Katerina offered a slight smile. She gestured toward the mass in the vat with a complex look and said, "His condition is extremely stable."

"What is his template?" Kalia knew the mass before them was a clone fetus currently developing, but Yang Ying wouldn't bring him here to see an ordinary clone fetus.

"Me," Yang Ying stated calmly.

"What!" Kalia exclaimed in shock. "Sir, you cloned yourself?"

"You heard correctly." Yang Ying extended his hand, stroking the glass wall of the vat. "Ever since I first eliminated the High Ape the first time, I discovered a yearning for battle within me, an instinct for combat. I always wanted to unleash my abilities on the battlefield, but at that time, you stopped me. You told me I am a commander and often cannot risk going to the front lines myself. You were correct. Therefore, although I practice my cultivation techniques and psychic energy training daily, I rarely get the chance to utilize them."

Yang Ying withdrew his hand and turned back to Kalia. "When we first arrived in the asteroid belt, we lacked personnel, and I could still venture onto the battlefield for a round or two. But now, as our operation expands and the amount of administrative work increases, I fear I will have to remain in the office more frequently, making it harder to find opportunities for actual combat."

"However," Yang Ying raised his head, looking at the ceiling, "after fighting those two Laurel Fleets, I realized my heart still longs for combat. My mind has been unsettled since our return journey. Then I came to the Floating Continent and asked Murphy, Odin, Baal, and the others if they had a solution. They discussed it and actually devised a method."

"Using a clone? But Sir, your clone will be an entirely separate individual, distinct from you," Kalia argued.

"That's why this isn't just utilizing human cloning technology; it also incorporates the psychic power of the Protoss and the mental link of the Zerg," Yang Ying explained. "I won't detail the exact process, but according to the final plan devised, this clone body will serve as a vessel for my consciousness. It won't be implanted with any memories, nor will it develop any subjective awareness."

"I have incorporated the unique, small-scale genes of the Zerg into this body's genome, which will make it easier to establish a mental connection with me. Coupled with the fact that its genetic basis is my own, there's a high probability it will achieve psychic resonance with me. This resonance can disregard distance—imagine creating a tunnel between two points, except what travels through this tunnel is my consciousness."

Yang Ying had witnessed the phenomenon of psychic resonance long ago. When he killed a High Ape within the Light of the Titan, an Ancient Giant Centipede immediately became aware of the situation through psychic resonance and pursued him using an iron token Yang Ying held.

Yang Ying continued his explanation: "The Nian Neng Temple's text, Knowledge of Psychic Power, mentions a technique called consciousness segmentation. This was originally only usable by Quasi-Masters, but the Protoss refined the technique, allowing a Dark Archon to cast a spell on me to divide my consciousness. This spell can split a person's consciousness, forming an avatar. However, since the avatar and the primary self share one body, it isn't practical. But if we integrate the previous advancements, I can have the avatar enter this cloned body, effectively turning me from one person into two—one to command, the other to hone combat skills on the battlefield. It's killing two birds with one stone, achieving the best of both worlds!"

Yang Ying pointed at the future avatar in the growth vat. "Once he is fully developed, he will take over Robin's position!"

Kalia asked, "Sir, what happens if the avatar dies?"

"An excellent question!" Yang Ying laughed. "This is the most exciting part. If the avatar dies, its consciousness will immediately return to the primary body through the psychic resonance channel. Then, we only need to prepare another physical body to transfer the avatar's consciousness into, and the avatar can be used again."

"And it works in reverse too! If the primary body dies, I can instantly resurrect in the avatar!" At this point, Yang Ying couldn't help but marvel, "The combined technology of the three races actually yields such a powerful result. By continually reincarnating into clones, won't I achieve immortality?"

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