The battle at Lun Tao Qi Chang also allowed the mercenary corps to collect a good deal of data, giving them a relatively clear estimate of the combat effectiveness of the Ancient Legion. The final assault launched by those nine Master-level fighter jets left a particularly deep impression on Yang Ying.

Master-level experts possessed truly formidable survivability on the battlefield.

The level of anti-air fire coverage achieved near perfection, yet not a single Ape Master was taken down. The nine fighters committed not a single error; every maneuver was as precise as a cold machine, their evasions appearing as if perfectly choreographed by a director, executed with impeccable timing. It was almost as if gaps had been pre-arranged within the net of fire, inviting them through.

It was easy to imagine how difficult it was to kill a Master-level expert in battle.

However, aside from the nine Masters and some of the higher-ranking Apes, the rest of the pursuing forces were all eliminated.

“Without the burst attack from the Terrence Corps, our rearguard forces, with their limited numbers, could never have achieved this result. We’ve almost completely annihilated the Ancient Legion’s pursuers while our own losses were negligible. This is surely one of the most significant victories in the centuries-long conflict between humanity and the Ancient Legion,” General Hans stated to Yang Ying with sincere conviction.

“We were merely fulfilling our agreement,” Yang Ying, who was not one to boast in victory, replied with a slight smile. “During the recent engagement, I witnessed your fleet, from the lowest soldier to the highest officer, show no hesitation when facing a formidable enemy. That spirit of facing death without flinching is something truly precious. The reason our contingent performed to that extent was precisely because we did not wish to see the warriors under your command sleep eternally in this desolate place.”

Although Yang Ying’s demeanor was humble, General Hans harbored no contempt; instead, he valued Yang Ying’s character all the more. The same was true for Master Yan, who stood nearby.

“No wonder Master Pang Qian holds you in such high regard. The Ancient Legion lost two and a half main fleets in this single engagement, bringing their total losses in the entire Jupiter Campaign to three main fleets and six patrol fleets. Such substantial force attrition is enough to impact their next moves, creating vulnerabilities in many sectors and causing a shortage of follow-up capability. This will make it significantly easier for the Earth Forces to re-establish a firm foothold in the Asteroid Belt.”

Master Yan provided a rigorous analysis, detailing the potential ramifications of this battle for all present.

“According to the plan devised by the government and the highest echelons of the military, the Earth Forces must stabilize the frontline in the Outer Solar System. This involves rebuilding the thirty damaged military bases within the Jupiter Asteroid Belt and establishing ten new ones to counter the Ancient Legion’s attempts to breach the Inner Solar System.”

General Hans elaborated: “The most critical part of this plan is constructing these bases despite the constant harassment from the Ancient Legion. Now that the Apes have lost three main fleets and six patrol fleets, coupled with the forces recently destroyed by our frontline elements, I imagine the Ancient Legion will struggle to mobilize effectively. The Ape forces assigned to harass our base construction will certainly face significant difficulties.”

Yang Ying’s brow twitched. He paused for thought. “General Hans, I haven’t heard any whispers of this strategy. Is it still highly classified? Is it safe to tell me now?”

Master Yan chuckled. “It makes no difference. Preparations for this plan began long ago, and necessary supplies are already en route. The secrecy level has been considerably lowered. We intended to announce it publicly after the successful conclusion of the Jupiter mission and hire mercenaries to assist in the defense. Revealing it now is fine, just a bit sooner than planned.”

“I see,” Yang Ying nodded.

While the conversation continued, the rearguard fleet was concluding cleanup operations on the battlefield. Because the pulse wave had crippled the warships while keeping their hulls intact, some crucial data or Apes who might provide significant intelligence were still aboard the vessels.

A squad of Psionic Specialists was dispatched to gather intelligence from several disabled Dragon King-class battlecruisers. As for the other warships deemed useless, they were stripped of all personnel using biological casualty munitions, and the surviving hulls were captured.

After all, these ships were largely intact; with electronic components replaced, they could be used. Destroying them with main cannons would be a colossal waste. Even if the Earth Forces couldn't use them immediately, they could be sold, or their armor plates salvaged for building new vessels.

The vanguard fleet sent back the latest combat reports: the Pirate Coalition Fleet had been severely mauled by the recent joint operations between mercenaries and the main fleet, and the forces they managed to muster this time represented only forty percent of their peak strength. Facing the Second Fleet, the Small Eleventh Fleet, and dozens of major mercenary groups combined, they posed virtually no threat.

But, as expected, they had laced the main thoroughfare with space mines, attempting to obstruct passage for the vanguard fleet.

Had the rearguard not dealt with the pursuers, the Coalition Fleet would have been trapped between the space mines and the pursuing forces, leading to utter chaos.

Upon learning that the rearguard, despite being outnumbered, had completely annihilated the pursuing force, the high command of the main fleet felt a wave of relief mixed with disbelief. Nevertheless, this success granted them ample time to clear the mines and carve out a safe passage.

To everyone’s astonishment, Hlas was not present with the Pirate Coalition Fleet but was instead found at the Ceres Base. This peak Ape Master seemingly intended to make everyone believe he was ambushing the Joint Fleet within the Pirate forces, using that opportunity to lure out Master Merlin, before wreaking havoc at Ceres Base.

If Ceres Base fell, the Earth Forces would lose their reliable anchor point within the Asteroid Belt. Retreating to the ten colonies near Jupiter might be a tactical victory, but losing Ceres Base would place the Earth Forces at a strategic disadvantage. Hlas’s logic was crystal clear: drive all humans back into the Inner Solar System.

Fortunately, Master Merlin saw through his gambit and was waiting for him at Ceres Base. A fierce battle ensued, after which Hlas was forced to retreat.

As for the Pirate Coalition Fleet, it was commanded by Yego. After deploying the space mines, they dispersed with lightning speed, giving the vanguard not the slightest opportunity to annihilate them.

The rearguard fleet finished scouring the battlefield and proceeded to rendezvous with the vanguard, carrying their spoils. Nearly half of their vessels were towing a crippled Ancient Legion warship behind them, giving the initial appearance of pirates returning from a raid.

After regrouping, the Joint Fleet sailed for another day or so before finally escorting the ten space cities safely back within the Ceres defense perimeter.

Yang Ying ignored the subsequent handover procedures, delegating everything to a lieutenant colonel of the Phantom agents. After Admiral Alexander officially declared the mission complete and dissolved the forces, Yang Ying piloted a Phantom fighter back to his secret base.

Anyone he needed to retrieve, like Katerina, he ferried back to the Floating Continent, bringing them along.

These handover tasks were tedious and inefficient—a prime example of bureaucratic process. In Yang Ying’s view, having an endless supply of talented personnel under his command, it would be tragic if he had to handle such paperwork himself.

Blade returned to Gray Harbor, heading straight for his quarters to rest.

Much had transpired during the Jupiter mission, including the collection of nuclear materials and the clashes between main fleets. Blade hadn't had a proper night’s sleep throughout the operation.

Of course, before resting, he uploaded the combat logs from his fighter to the relevant departments of the Joint Fleet. These records provided evidence of him eliminating five High-Level Upper Apes, and even during the final rearguard battle, he had killed two more, bringing his total to seven.

He still held some interest in that so-called souvenir.

Upon waking, Master Garcia happened to come looking for Dan.

Blade welcomed him into his office. The two sat on a pair of sofas, and Blade instructed his secretary to bring tea. After the secretary withdrew, Master Garcia took a sip from his cup and nodded. “The tea here is quite good, much better than the rations back in the military supply lines.”

“Does Master Garcia also enjoy tea?” Blade took a sip himself, set down the cup, and smiled. “In that case, please take two pounds with you when you leave.”

“That sounds excellent,” Master Garcia agreed with a smile. “Your Super Mercenary Corps makes money as if robbing banks; I won't be polite with you.”

After a few pleasantries about the Jupiter War mission, Master Garcia scrutinized Blade from head to toe. “I’ve come because you single-handedly killed five High-Level Upper Apes in combat, which entitles you to a souvenir from the Psionic Temple.”

“I just submitted the report. Did the souvenir arrive from the Psionic Temple Headquarters already?” Blade asked, feigning surprise.

“If it were being shipped from the main headquarters, certainly not this quickly. However, I keep a few of these souvenirs on hand; there’s no need to request one from the main office,” Master Garcia explained, pulling a ring and a bracelet from his pocket and handing them to Blade.

Blade took the items and found they were exquisite works of craftsmanship. The ring was fashioned from a silver-colored metal, etched with fine patterns drawn finer than a strand of hair. A brilliant ruby, the size of a soybean, adorned it, its surface luster like fresh blood, possessing an unusual beauty.

The bracelet was also silver, featuring similar delicate etchings, with a sky-blue gemstone, roughly the same size as the ruby, set into the pendant.

As Blade held the two ornaments, he keenly sensed they were no ordinary objects; they actively resonated with his psionic energy!

Turning them over repeatedly, Blade was certain. The patterns on the ornaments bore a strong resemblance to those on Master Yan’s fighter jet—they were clearly connected to the Apes.

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