The battle between Yang Ying and Huras left its traces across the entirety of Hammer City's battlefield, though Yang Ying had already cleaned up before Master Merlin and his party arrived.

Most crucial were the corpses of the Blade Emperors. They were scattered across the few streets where Yang Ying first engaged Huras. Dealing with them was not difficult for Yang Ying, as the Blade Emperors' bodies were manufactured on the Floating Continent; they could be summoned back with a flash of golden light, and likewise dispatched with a flash of golden light.

Yang Ying walked through those streets, spreading his golden light over the entire area, sending the corpses away without leaving behind a single cell. He then returned to the lakeside to await the arrival of Master Merlin and his entourage.

When they arrived at the lake, they saw Yang Ying, unsurprising to them, along with Huras's corpse. Yang Ying was seated on a rockery nearby, idly fiddling with the other half of the light staff. Seeing them approach, he stepped down.

“Did you do all this?” Master Merlin asked, gesturing toward Huras’s body, surprise coloring his tone.

Master Pang Qian was not among the Psionic Masters accompanying the group. He belonged to the Seventh Fleet and had, through sheer coincidence, returned to the Asteroid Belt to assist in transporting a batch of supplies. Master Merlin had pressed him into service, and after the battle at Paradise City, he had already returned to the Jupiter front lines a few days prior.

Recalling his agreement with Ulysses, Yang Ying nodded. “Yes.” He had rested for a period, and his psionic energy had recovered considerably, allowing him to manifest a small portion of it.

An aura of lightning spread outward, and the ground began to tremble, cracking open in an instant. The nearby Psionic Masters felt as if the very air was charged with electrical energy, causing a tingling numbness even on their skin.

“Apex Master!”

“It is an Apex Master!”

“Strange. I saw Commander Yang Ying in Paradise City just a few days ago; he was only a Quasi-Master then. How did he suddenly—”

Yang Ying retracted his aura instantly, leaving observers feeling as if it had been an illusion. However, the Psionic Masters were not inclined to dismiss something so extraordinary as mere hallucination simply because it seemed illogical.

The several Masters simultaneously thought: How did he achieve this? They looked at Yang Ying, then at Huras’s corpse on the ground. Being unfamiliar with Yang Ying, they all waited for Master Merlin to speak first.

Master Merlin savored the residual power Yang Ying had emitted, then concurred. “That was indeed the standard of an Apex Master. Commander Yang Ying, you have now become the sixth Apex Master among humanity. Coupled with the death of the Primate Apex Master Huras, this is truly cause for celebration.”

The accompanying Psionic Masters voiced their agreement. In the solar system, the Human and Primate races together had ten Apex Masters. In the span of ten days, the Primate side had lost Agon and Huras in succession, while humanity had gained one more in Yang Ying. On the Apex Master level, the balance had suddenly shifted from five-to-five to six-to-three—from parity to a two-to-one advantage. This was major good news rarely seen in recent years.

Master Merlin then inquired about the details of Huras’s attack. Yang Ying recounted the events starting from the assault on Rubelen up to the ambush in Hammer City. However, regarding his own promotion from Quasi-Master to Apex Master over ten days, and the full process of ambushing and killing Huras, Yang Ying remained deliberately vague, offering no complete explanation.

Yang Ying merely stated: “The method by which I advanced to Apex Master is useless to others. No one else could possibly follow the same path I took. Revealing it would only sow confusion. As for the process of killing Huras, one can form a general idea by observing the surroundings. I endured a long, extremely arduous battle and only found a chance to kill Huras under a highly fortuitous circumstance—a chance that is unlikely to ever reappear.”

In this statement, Yang Ying told no lies. His psionic power was backed by millions of Zerg, something no other Master possessed. In the melee with Huras, he had consistently been at a disadvantage; describing it as a bitter fight was no exaggeration. Furthermore, Ulysses’s arrival and intervention were accidental, contingent upon a series of coincidences linked together by a prophecy from decades past. Now that the prophetess Catherine had been dead for decades, where could they find another person in a circumstance identical to Ulysses’s? Certainly not within the solar system!

Yang Ying’s status was now different. As an Apex Master, even if he said nothing, the Psionic Temple would not press for further details.

Master Merlin tapped his forehead with the knuckle of his index finger, clearly pondering something. Yang Ying’s explanation had made his position quite clear. Master Merlin knew that further questioning would yield nothing, so he changed the subject. “Let us conclude the investigation into the specifics here. When we arrived, we noticed several pop-up air raid shelters around Hammer City. Presumably, the city’s residents are still drifting in space. We need to figure out how to manage their living conditions for the next few days. This city won't be habitable again until a complete renovation.”

A massive fire had scorched nearly everything flammable in the city. Thousands of buildings had collapsed, coupled with shattered roads and various forms of destruction, making Hammer City look like a ruin.

Fortunately, every space city had a set of procedures for handling sudden catastrophic events, and Hammer City was no exception. Yang Ying’s Tran Mercenary Group, as Hammer City’s protector, was intimately familiar with these procedures.

“I have already issued the orders. Specialists will arrive soon to manage this,” Yang Ying stated.

“That is good,” Master Merlin nodded. He glanced at the half light staff Yang Ying held, paused, and then pointed at it. “Commander Yang Ying, is that Huras’s light staff?”

“It is,” Yang Ying confirmed, activating the staff with a zzt, producing a golden energy blade.

“As I suspected,” Master Merlin chuckled. “May I ask, where is the other half of the light staff?”

“The other half has another use,” Yang Ying replied, certainly not intending to reveal he had given it to Ulysses.

“Are you planning to keep it for yourself?” Master Merlin laughed, then suddenly shook his head. “No, judging by the destruction in this city, your fight with Huras involved thousands of exchanges. An ordinary silver light sword couldn’t have lasted that long. You must have a weapon here comparable to Huras’s.”

“As expected of Master Merlin; your perception is very keen.” Yang Ying offered a compliment, tacitly confirming Merlin’s assertion. Since he had been seen through, openness seemed the best approach. However, he had already returned his two original golden light swords to the Floating Continent, so he did not produce them now.

“I heard that the Gamma Lab on the Moon recently forged a batch of power-focusing crystals—one hundred in total. Among them, one extremely rare Golden Crystal appeared by chance. Commander Yang Ying, have you heard of it?”

Upon hearing that Yang Ying possessed a weapon comparable to Huras’s, Master Merlin’s mind immediately began to form theories. The origin of the weapon was a very serious matter, but instead of asking directly, he used an example as an indirect probe.

Yang Ying was no longer the man he used to be; an Apex Master commanded appropriate respect across the entire galaxy.

“No, I am not familiar with the Gamma Lab. My weapons are company produced,” Yang Ying replied simply.

Master Merlin understood Yang Ying did not wish to elaborate. Hearing that the Tran Corporation possessed the capability to forge light swords was satisfying enough. He cleared his throat. “If Commander Yang Ying has time, perhaps we should have a proper discussion. I wonder if you would be interested in trading this Golden Crystal that originally belonged to Huras?”

“That is certainly negotiable,” Yang Ying agreed. He had no need for Huras’s Golden Crystal and had long planned to trade it for something he required. Master Merlin’s proposal suited him perfectly.

After some negotiation, both parties quickly finalized the transaction. Yang Ying traded the Golden Crystal for fifteen space cities. Although Yang Ying had considered asking for other things, when he inquired about the Psionic Temple codices he most desired, Master Merlin reiterated his old maxim: trading responsibility for power. Among things other than knowledge, space cities were the best alternative.

Fortunately, Yang Ying was reasonably satisfied with the number fifteen. The frequency ratio of Silver Crystals to Golden Crystals was about ten-to-one, but while a Silver Crystal was worth one space city, a Golden Crystal was worth fifteen. This immediately surpassed the total number of space cities he currently held. As for the population issue, Yang Ying was unconcerned; as long as the Floating Continent continued to develop, it could always be filled.

Soon after, rescue teams arrived outside the city and began retrieving the air raid shelters. These shelters were generally rectangular, with non-sharp edges, varying in size, capable of holding fifty to sixty people, while the larger ones could accommodate nearly a thousand. Hammer City had a population of over 400,000, meaning there were likely over a thousand shelters of various sizes.

Once recovered, these shelters were diverted to temporary housing in other space cities until Hammer City was fully renovated and they could return home.

Hammer City was naturally handed over to the Song-Earth United Industry Group (hereafter referred to as Song-Earth United Industry) for complete overhaul. Yang Ying and Huras’s battle had not only damaged surface structures but also many mechanical systems within the space city that maintained daily operations were broken by the aftershocks of their massive fight.

Afterward, the Tran Corporation bore a small portion of the costs for personnel relocation and Hammer City’s repairs, while the insurance company covered the majority. It was worth noting that the insurance company responsible for the space city’s insurance was itself an enterprise under Song-Earth United Industry. In essence, Song-Earth United Industry covered almost all the losses resulting from the battle in Hammer City.

Song-Earth United Industry’s action was clearly a gesture of goodwill. Furthermore, according to later reports from the Ghost Agent Unit, the news of Huras’s death at Yang Ying’s hands and Yang Ying’s ascension to Apex Master temporarily quelled many undercurrents targeting the Tran faction. Major powers were absorbing the news, reassessing the Tran faction’s strength, influence, and potential. The Ghost Agent Unit continued to track and investigate what measures they would take after completing their analysis.

A few days later, Yang Ying finalized all administrative matters and traveled to the Floating Continent. He had recently heard Grimoren and Boketana speak of the Protoss’s Path of Khala. Since that day, the matter had weighed on his mind. He had previously shelved it because he had not yet achieved Master rank, but now that he had broken through, Yang Ying felt it was the perfect time to realize the Path of Khala.

Since his breakthrough past the Master bottleneck and subsequent rapid promotion to Apex Master, the lights atop the nine-story, nine-angled tower at the center of the Floating Continent had ignited up to the first light of the fifth level. Before his breakthrough, the lights had been stuck at the ninth light of the third level. Igniting all nine lights of the entire fourth level at once indicated the profound change he had brought to the Floating Continent.

Not only had the area expanded more than tenfold, but new topography had appeared, such as mountains thousands of meters high, rivers thousands of kilometers long, and vast lakes tens of thousands of square kilometers in area—features that the previous 90,000 square kilometer Floating Continent had lacked.

In the center of the Protoss territory, a new complex had been completed, composed of three towers surrounding a plaza. The plaza could accommodate fifty thousand people, and the three towers were positioned to the left, front, and right of the plaza, respectively.

Inheriting the inherent aesthetic of Protoss architecture, the tower walls and plaza floor were crafted from a pure golden material, seamless and integrated. Large expanses of sparkling, transparent crystal stones were inlaid into the smooth surfaces, merging with the architecture and emitting a soft, brilliant ice-blue glow.

With its ornate, complex lines and majestic aura, Yang Ying was very fond of this place. This would henceforth be the venue for the Protoss High Council meetings.

The grand plaza was already filled with Protoss. On the left stood thousands of red Dark Prelates and tens of thousands of Dark Templar Warriors. On the right stood thousands of blue Light Prelates and Light Templar Warriors. Zealots and Dragon Knights were also gathering, but due to their sheer numbers, only a portion could enter the plaza; the vast majority remained outside. The plaza was now packed shoulder-to-shoulder, leaving only a fifty-meter circular empty space in the center, where a ten-meter-tall crystal spire stood.

As Yang Ying entered the plaza, he could sense the complex mental vibrations. The Protoss inside and outside the plaza were communicating through their innate psychic links, creating a sensation of bustling fervor in Yang Ying’s mental plane. He could “hear” the various thought waves, “hearing” the inner voices of every individual Protoss. Their thoughts varied, but all conveyed excitement and anticipation.

Walking across the cleared space in the center of the plaza, Yang Ying stopped beneath the crystal spire. Tens of thousands of eyes were fixed upon him—he was the focus of universal attention. Yang Ying felt the chaotic thought waves rapidly subside, restoring serenity to his mental world.

The Chief Light Prelate, Boketana, stepped out from the crowd and broadcast a thought wave across the entire plaza: “From this day forward, the Protoss will abandon the path of individual evolution and embark upon the path of collective evolution. The Path of Khala is the path of ascension, representing the most perfect form of the Protoss. Now, the Leader will open the gates of the Path of Khala for us!”

Yang Ying nodded, placing his right hand upon the crystal spire. Immediately, the spire burst into brilliant light. He sensed an extremely pure and powerful energy within the crystal, recognizing it as the foundation of Protoss supreme technology—the energy matrix.

Yang Ying permeated the crystal with his mental power, drawing a small amount of that energy out, which flowed through his right hand into his body, and subsequently to his brain.

Instantly, Yang Ying heard the inner voices of the surrounding Protoss again. Although they were not broadcasting thought waves, their emotions and thoughts were laid bare before him, as if completely exposed.

The power of the energy matrix makes the Protoss psychic links more transparent, allowing each individual to hear the collective voice, while simultaneously making it impossible for the individual to conceal the self from the group.

This meant that Yang Ying could foresee that once the Path of Khala was established, the new psychic link would bind the entire Protoss race even more tightly, achieving unparalleled unity. After all, every individual’s thoughts would be transparent, and the collective will would easily manifest.

However, Yang Ying immediately disliked this absolute transparency. The Protoss might view this as the ultimate manifestation of their social structure and psychic development, but Yang Ying still valued the self and did not wish to share it.

Fortunately, at this moment, he was the only one channeling the energy, meaning he was the only one capable of directly sensing the inner thoughts of the other Protoss. As long as the other Protoss had not done the same thing he did, there was still time to devise a solution.

The entire plaza erupted in cheers, wave after wave of fervent thought-patterns surging forward. In the eyes of the Protoss, their leader had become the first to inherit the Path of Khala; the doors of Khala had opened. Next, upon Yang Ying’s command, they would each find a crystal spire, channel the energy into themselves, and activate a deeper level of psychic linkage.

Similar crystal spires were ubiquitous throughout the Protoss territory. They were as common as power lines in human society, forming the basis of the Protoss technological system.

Although Yang Ying issued an order quickly, it was not what they expected: “The activation of the Path of Khala is temporarily suspended. There are some issues we need to address. Grimoren and Boketana, come with me. All other Protoss, please disperse. No one is to channel energy from the crystal spires into themselves privately until further notice.”

Although the Protoss did not understand the command, this did not impede their obedience to their leader. Yang Ying could sense their deep-seated confusion, yet there was no sign of opposition.

They gradually began to disperse, while Yang Ying led Grimoren and Boketana into the central building of the High Council, ascending to the Supreme Hall on the top floor.

The Supreme Hall was cylindrical inside. Two circular tables, one large and one small, were placed in the center of the floor, the large one enclosing the small one. The large table had twenty-four seats, and the small one had twelve. Both tables had a break, allowing three individuals to sit abreast, and both breaks faced the entrance to the Supreme Hall.

The ceiling was at least thirty meters high. The walls were lined with ten tiers of windows, thirty-six in each tier. A seat was arranged behind each window, looking as if ten large rings were stacked one upon the other, encompassing the Supreme Hall.

The entire decoration of the Supreme Hall utilized a golden color palette, adorned with characteristic Protoss patterns, exuding an atmosphere of classical mystery, as if imbued with the sediment of over ten millennia.

“This will be the venue for the High Council from now on…” Yang Ying surveyed the layout of the Supreme Hall and nodded in satisfaction. “It is quite excellent.”

Boketana inquired, “Leader, what happened? Why halt the process of opening the Path of Khala?”

“It mainly concerns the issue of complete self-disclosure…” Yang Ying proceeded to explain his concerns.

“I understand the Leader’s reservations,” Grimoren stated in a deep voice. “And I concur completely. In fact, the vast majority of Dark Templar Warriors and Dark Prelates are unwilling to tread the Path of Khala. The theory of abandoning the narrow self to achieve a unified great self does not represent the entirety of the Protoss. The distinction between Light and Dark within the Protoss lies precisely in the acceptance of the Path of Khala. The Light faction possesses their energy matrix, and we, the Dark faction, possess Void energy that is no less potent.”

“If the Leader is unwilling, I cannot force it, though it is a pity,” Boketana sounded somewhat troubled. “The Path of Khala is the ultimate expression of Protoss social structure. Selfhood breeds isolation; isolation causes conflict; conflict incites confrontation; confrontation leads to destruction. Therefore, all beings with a self ultimately fall into the cycle of destruction and rebirth, and not all destruction leads to rebirth. Only by abandoning the self and merging into the collective can ultimate destruction be avoided. Once the Path of Khala is established, individual evolution will be replaced by collective evolution. Individual evolution is slow, while collective evolution is far swifter and better adapted to the myriad dangers of the universe.”

Yang Ying did not deny this, for he understood in his heart the massive impetus the Path of Khala would provide the entire Protoss race. Merging the race’s minds into one entity would multiply efficiency while minimizing waste.

It could be said that the Path of Khala could instantly increase the entire Protoss race’s competitiveness several dozen times over, but the question remained whether exchanging self-disclosure for this high efficiency was worthwhile.

Perhaps from Boketana’s perspective, it was worth it, but Grimoren clearly held a different view, and Yang Ying stood on the same side as Grimoren.

Grimoren pondered for a few minutes and then said, “Perhaps there is a way to solve this problem—to solve it with technology.”

“What technology?” Yang Ying was unwilling to abandon the Path of Khala either. If there was a solution that benefited both sides, he would happily open the gates of Khala.

“This technology is actually something the Leader has utilized for a long time,” Grimoren stated, seemingly confident in his suggestion. “That is, cloning.”

"A clone?" Boktana seemed reminded as well. "That's right, a clone could solve this issue."

Yang Ying fell into deep contemplation.

Boktana continued, "If a clone is used, the Leader could manage the High Council through it. The main body would only need to maintain contact with the clone, avoiding direct entry into the Protos mental link network. That way, there would be no worry about exposing the self."

"A clone is still me. Letting the clone enter the Protos mental link network is no different from my main body," Yang Ying stated.

"There is a difference," Glimorun interjected. "It's just that you would need to make some significant modifications to the clone. Please hear me out; the operation could proceed like this..."

As Yang Ying listened to Glimorun's explanation, the furrow in his brow gradually smoothed out.