The exchanges between Yang Ying and Joseph Lee were maintained with external confidentiality, causing no worry.

Yang Ying was quite interested in the group Joseph Lee mentioned—about thirty individuals, according to Joseph. These were figures of immense influence in their respective fields, yet they possessed absolutely no organization. The collective was so loose it was almost unbelievable; they didn't even have a shared designation, rarely convened, seldom met, and communication between them was nearly nonexistent. When Yang Ying uttered the single word "Come," he was considered part of this cohort, skipping even a formal approval step.

This aligned perfectly with what Joseph Lee had previously stated: everyone acted under the guidance of a single shared objective.

Yang Ying later posed two questions to Joseph Lee. The first concerned the handling of any member who might lose the will to strive for the goal of changing the human world.

Joseph Lee’s answer was that since there was no organization, there were no regulations for disposal. If someone among them was dissatisfied with another’s decision to withdraw, they could initiate a punitive action independently, unrelated to the rest. However, others could voluntarily assist in this punishment. Thus, the ultimate fate of a withdrawal largely depended on the individual’s standing within the group.

If one was well-regarded, withdrawal was as calm as a breeze. If not, a collective assault was entirely possible.

Hearing this, Yang Ying couldn't help but sigh at their sheer indolence. But on second thought, it seemed normal. These were the apex figures of the human world’s pyramid; asking them to shed their status to join an organization, be constrained by rules and regulations, or submit to the leadership of others, would naturally make them uncomfortable. Why should someone already at the peak deliberately seek out an organization to govern them?

Yang Ying felt the same way. He mused that if this group formed an organization with bylaws to restrict members, and leaders issuing directives, he probably wouldn't join even if Master Kong Li, President Cyler, and Joseph Lee jointly extended an invitation.

Yang Ying’s second question to Joseph Lee was for the roster and usual contact information for “this group.” While infrequent contact was one thing, lacking contact details entirely was another. If trouble arose and no one could be located, what difference was there between them and strangers?

Fortunately, even without an organization, a list did exist. As Joseph Lee handed the roster to Yang Ying, he repeated his caution several times: not to use it lightly.

Yang Ying glanced at the list and saw names like Tu Xin, the Peak Master of the Nian Neng Temple, and Merlin, clearly indicating a profound connection between the Nian Neng Temple and “this group.”

After accepting the roster, Yang Ying’s conversation with Joseph Lee reached its conclusion.

In the following two days, the Joint Fleet handled various lingering tasks in Saturn’s orbit: reporting and certifying military merits of different units, numerous celebration events, treating the wounded, and searching for the missing—keeping the logistics department incredibly busy.

Meanwhile, Yang Ying led his own troops away from Mars, returning to the Asteroid Belt. Before leaving, he caught rumors that the Earth Forces Commander-in-Chief, Marshal Nakken, and Marshal Joseph Lee had quarreled over how to proceed with the next phase of the offensive.

Because the swift fall of Saturn had been unanticipated, all previous follow-up plans were scrapped. Joseph Lee submitted a supplementary plan to Earth Forces High Command, presenting two options: either secure the current position, establish strongholds, and advance methodically toward the Twin King Star Defense Line; or, capitalize on the victory and directly assault the Twin King Star Defense Line, which would require at least ten main fleets, including all six of the Earth Forces' frontline main fleets.

Each plan had its merits. The former was safer, less likely to result in major errors. The latter was riskier, though Marshal Joseph Lee’s military command ability suggested it was possible to capture the Twin King Star Defense Line in one decisive push and reclaim lost territory.

These two proposals had ignited arguments within Earth Forces High Command, with proponents for both the steady advance and the decisive strike. However, between the lines, it was clear Marshal Joseph Lee favored the latter—the all-out assault to secure the Twin King Star Defense Line.

This meant that the two frontline main fleets currently acting as the defensive core in the Inner Solar System would be deployed to the Twin King Star Defense Line, leaving a significant gap in the Inner Solar System’s defensive capabilities.

“Sir, the bickering over Saturn has lasted over a week, and Marshal Nakken still refuses to budge, citing insufficient defensive strength in the Inner Solar System to release the two frontline main fleets to the front,” Kalia reported the latest intelligence from the front and rear to Yang Ying in his command room.

“That old man is truly obstinate, stubborn as a mule,” Yang Ying grumbled. “His insistence on his own arrangements, unwilling to follow Joseph’s plan, is likely not just because he genuinely believes his plan is correct, but more so because he refuses to yield to Joseph Lee and undermine his own authority.”

Kalia brought up another matter: “It is rumored that President Cyler has already considered approving his resignation, though it hasn't been finalized. This stalemate has cost the front several days, allowing the Ancient Legion more time to regroup at the Twin King Star Defense Line. Such a major lapse demands someone take responsibility.”

“Will they send a scapegoat?” Yang Ying inquired.

Kalia pondered for a moment before replying, “No. That old man’s path has reached its end. His military talent is inferior to Joseph Lee’s, and he drags personal enmity into official matters—that’s the perfect reason for his removal. Furthermore, the public has long wanted to replace the aging Minister of Defense with the younger, more vigorous Joseph Lee. This trend wasn't obvious before, but now that a conflict has arisen, public support for Joseph Lee is skyrocketing. Even within the military, those supporting Joseph Lee form the majority. It's clear the time to topple Nakken has arrived.”

Yang Ying nodded. “Keep a close watch on this matter, Kalia. Report any new developments to me immediately.”

“Yes, Sir.” Kalia snapped a salute and exited the command room.

By this time, Yang Ying had been back at the base for several days. His daily life was very structured: reviewing documents during the day, then heading to the floating continent to cultivate diligently with his clone, seeking the path to a higher realm, and spending evenings watching the stars with Katherina, occasionally visiting Baibai to teach her about psychokinesis.

Baibai had grown slightly taller over the past six months. Perhaps due to the psychokinesis shaping her body, her skin was remarkably flawless, appearing crystalline and translucent, like white jade. Coupled with eyes that were distinctly black and white, pure to the point of seeming untouched by the mortal world, she instantly inspired affection.

In the last six months, her psychokinetic strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, recently surpassing five thousand, officially entering the stage of a Lower-Tier Psionicist.

After some consideration, Yang Ying decided to teach her some swordsmanship. Even if it wasn't for fighting, it was necessary for self-protection.

As a result, Yang Ying often saw Baibai darting around the training grounds with her low-power practice lightsaber. She had mastered the double-jump technique, able to land on ceilings and walls without leaving any footprint. As her foot struck the wall surface, it would create a ripple in the air, as if stepping on solid ground, allowing her to change direction mid-air.

As for traditional Rubik’s Cube practice, Baibai was already masterful. Now she played with the 4x4 cube; no matter how scrambled, she could restore it in under ten seconds. Once, Yang Ying even watched her use psychokinesis to hold three 4x4 cubes, rotating them rapidly, and completing all three within twenty seconds.

She had now begun practicing with the 5x5 cube.

Although Yang Ying had never witnessed the scene of Nian Neng Temple apprentices training, he understood the pace of progress for an apprentice-level student. Baibai’s rate of improvement far exceeded that of Earthlings who had awakened their abilities. If it weren't for the vast amount of psychic energy being continuously offered by the Zerg hordes, his own cultivation progress would likely lag far behind hers.

This realization only deepened his curiosity about Baibai’s origins. However, the investigation into the ruins of the Santos Research Base had been ongoing for over five months without yielding any useful clues. Spies dispatched to the Caesar Group had sent back intelligence, finding some data on the Santos base, but none related to Baibai’s background.

That entire lead had gone cold; connecting it again seemed a distant hope.

That afternoon, Yang Ying received an invitation letter from the Elder Council of the Nian Neng Temple, signed by Grand Elder Kong Li, inviting him for a visit.

Yang Ying didn't deliberate long before accepting. Since his promotion to Peak Master, the Nian Neng Temple had sent several similar invitations, but due to various reasons, Yang Ying had never made the trip. Now that he had joined the ranks of “that group,” he was eager to meet the long-renowned Master Kong Li. He quickly sent a reply, scheduling his visit to Mander Island.

Two days later, news broke from the official channels of the Earth United Government: President Cyler had approved Marshal Nakken’s resignation. After serving under several administrations and spending over a decade as Minister of Defense, Marshal Nakken finally relinquished the post.

The new Minister of Defense nominated by the President was naturally Marshal Joseph Lee, a nomination quickly ratified by the United Council. Marshal Joseph Lee, hundreds of millions of kilometers away, thus became the new Minister of Defense.

Due to the urgency of the military situation, Joseph Lee did not return to Earth to be sworn in. His request for reinforcements of the two frontline main fleets had been approved in the ministerial meeting and was scheduled to set sail within twenty-four hours.

At Earth Forces Headquarters, Marshal Nakken retained his position as Commander-in-Chief, but anyone could see that this tenure would not last long. Joseph Lee clearly had the backing of the President, the Council, the military, and the public. His ascension to Commander-in-Chief was already the prevailing tide; it was now only a matter of time.

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