Li Yose’s eyes widened slightly, clearly intrigued by Yang Ying’s answer. What he had implied in the preceding question was whether Yang Ying would accept a higher position in the human world—perhaps even entering the very pinnacle of human society, gaining the powerful influence required to determine the direction of humanity’s progress.

However, Yang Ying’s response clearly indicated that compared to such immense influence, he preferred the boundless expanse of the starry sky, choosing instead to deal with aliens beyond the solar system.

Li Yose fell silent, seemingly calculating the impact Yang Ying’s decision would have on him and the cohort who shared his ambitions. After a long pause, his gaze shifted to one of approval, tinged with a wistful longing for something just out of reach.

“Commander Yang Ying’s ambition lies in the stars; I truly envy that,” Li Yose confessed. “In my youth, I too dreamed that the sea of stars was the true stage for a man. But one thing followed another, a series of unavoidable circumstances that forced me into this position.”

He sighed. “Truthfully, I never wanted to be a Marshal in the first place. I only wanted to be an explorer, venturing outside the solar system, drifting through the Milky Way. But Earth’s shipbuilding technology wasn't advanced enough; we couldn’t construct vessels with sufficient propulsion. If I had explored with them, I’d likely have died of old age onboard before reaching even the first destination…”

He stopped abruptly, forcing a self-deprecating laugh. “Forgive me, Commander Yang Ying. Hearing the talk of the stars stirred some old feelings, and I’ve wandered off topic. Please don’t mind me.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Yang Ying quickly interjected. “Quite the opposite. I find it fascinating. We haven’t known each other long, Marshal, and I’m very curious about your story. How did you end up joining the military, and eventually become a Marshal?”

“What’s so curious about it? Whatever I’ve done, you can search for Li Yose online, and you’ll find enough material to read for an entire day,” Li Yose shrugged.

“But even if you gathered all that data, how could it compare to hearing it directly from you, Marshal? That information is just what others have published based on your deeds, mixed with their own speculation. It doesn't truly represent you,” Yang Ying stated earnestly.

Li Yose considered this, then nodded. “Very well, I’ll keep it brief… At that time, humanity and the Ape-men had been fighting for over twenty years, locked in a standoff at the edge of the solar system. Fortunately, the periphery of the system is vast—plenty of room to maneuver above, below, and all around. The Ancient Legion only occupied the region around Pluto, so exiting the solar system remained relatively easy. The only constraint was the matter of spacecraft.”

“Building a single vessel involves tens of thousands of technologies; improving everything comprehensively was too difficult. Relying solely on humanity, we simply couldn't manufacture a qualified ship in a short time. However, around then, I accidentally learned about a cooperative project between the Earth military and the Kexing people. The military could send a few explorers to survey the nearby star regions using technology provided by the Kexing. I was very interested; it was the only viable path before me. But it required being a military explorer, so I enlisted and applied for that program.”

“However…” Li Yose spread his hands. “Based on the physical examination results, I was rejected. The military had plenty of candidates with longer service records, better physiques, higher academic qualifications, deeper backgrounds, and extensive experience in piloting spacecraft, wilderness survival, and combat. How could I, a raw recruit, compare to them?”

“Indeed, you couldn’t compare to them,” Yang Ying agreed.

“And so, the problem immediately presented itself,” Li Yose managed a wry smile. “I couldn't get into the program, yet I couldn't resign either. Earth was in a state of war; the military wouldn't permit a new recruit to simply walk in one day and walk out the next. I had to complete a three-year term before I could even apply for discharge. If I left a day early, military court would instantly charge me with desertion and throw me in prison!”

Li Yose shook his head again. “In wartime, even committing desertion off the battlefield meant a minimum of ten years in prison. As for those who dared to flee on the battlefield—even if shot on the spot, they would receive no mercy. I had no choice but to remain in the army. Later, through a series of fortunate turns and seizing opportunities, I won some decisive battles, and that’s how I climbed step by step to my current position.”

Though the final sentence was delivered lightly, combining it with his established battle records, Yang Ying could vividly imagine the spectacular yet turbulent tapestry of battles those words represented.

“Perhaps this is for the best,” Yang Ying said with a smile. “Without that complex chain of causality, Li Yose might not be a Marshal now, but instead living an obscure, unremarkable life in some forgotten corner of the solar system, dying nameless. The human world might even be entirely different.”

“Don’t make me sound so vital; the Earth would keep spinning without me,” Li Yose waved dismissively, then pointed at Yang Ying. “It’s your decision that might change this world, Commander Yang Ying! At least… it will alter the dynamics in this solar system, and change the war between us and the Ape-men.”

“Oh?”

A flicker of intuition struck Yang Ying. He sensed that Li Yose’s emotion wasn't feigned but deeply believed. Yang Ying knew the testing phase was over; the conversation had entered substantive territory. After a brief silence, he asked, “How so?”

Li Yose dropped his customary languid expression, his face and tone becoming instantly serious. “Commander Yang Ying, I am not here representing only myself today. I speak for several like-minded individuals, including the current President, Mr. Kensler, and the Grand Elder of the Nian Neng Temple, Master Kong Li!”

“Master Kong Li?”

“Yes. Master Kong Li has prophesied that the future movements of the Teran Legion will interfere with the entire course of the war. Significant changes are coming soon to the solar system; things are about to happen…”

“What things?”

Yang Ying recalled Ulysses’ mother, who had accurately predicted decades ago that he would summon a nuclear missile before Huras. That immense power gave him a sharp sense of crisis. Now hearing that Master Kong Li had also issued a prophecy immediately put him on high alert.

“Actually, I don’t know precisely what it is,” Li Yose shook his head. “Master Kong Li seems unsure as well. He only knows something is going to happen. As for the specifics, Commander Yang Ying, you should be the one to know. After all, it concerns you.”

Yang Ying offered a slight smile. “Who knows? Perhaps when the time is right, it will reveal itself naturally.”

“That’s true.” Li Yose seemed disinclined to press the matter further. “After our discussion about the future of humanity just now, I believe there is potential for us to be like-minded. If Commander Yang Ying is interested in joining our group, both Master Kong Li, President Kensler, and I would be willing to introduce you.”

“Have you formed an organization?”

Yang Ying was inwardly astonished by this news. President Kensler, War God Li Yose, and Grand Elder Kong Li—the top figures across the political, military, and Awakened worlds—were all involved. Yang Ying couldn't believe someone of Li Yose’s stature would fabricate such a massive lie. But if such an ‘organization’ existed, what couldn't they achieve in the human world?

“Not an organization, but a collection of people,” Li Yose emphasized. “We are loosely affiliated, brought together only because our goals align, and we act independently for a common purpose.”

“Loosely affiliated, yet gathered. Sharing a common goal, yet acting individually,” Yang Ying paused. “You people are certainly peculiar.”

“Perhaps. The assembly of our group isn't meant to burden any single member. None of us owes any obligation to the others. If someone encounters a problem they wish to solve, others will help if they wish, but there’s no compulsion. However, generally speaking, anything related to achieving our objective will garner some assistance; the closer we get to that goal, the more people will respond.”

“Like this time, when Master Kong Li proposed absorbing you into our ranks, both President Kensler and I are prepared to facilitate it. Because we all believe in Master Kong Li’s prophecy—that moment is approaching, and the key lies with your Teran Legion!” Li Yose stated firmly.

“What is the goal you speak of? And what is this ‘moment’?” Yang Ying mused, already feeling swayed. Based on Li Yose’s description, joining this group, even without direct benefits, certainly seemed without harm.

“Our goal is to change the current state of the human world, to excise the malignant tumors that have poisoned us for centuries, and restore vibrant life to this world!”

Li Yose’s words sounded somewhat overly lofty, yet Yang Ying knew they weren’t an exaggeration. To reach the Master realm, he had sent avatars to travel the world, witnessing and contemplating things he couldn't see or feel when he first arrived in this era.

The Ancient Legion consisted of only ten million Ape-men, yet they had harassed humanity at its doorstep for half a century, and recently, they had gained the upper hand, threatening to push into the inner solar system. How far had the human world truly fallen when an entity with only one-three thousandth of humanity's population could press them so hard?

From his observations, Yang Ying had reached a conclusion: despite technological progress and increased wealth over fifty years of conflict, humanity was weaker than before. Waste, redundancy, injustice, and decadence had multiplied dozens, even hundreds of times compared to half a century ago. The spirit of humanity was eroding, and unless a fundamental change occurred, it would continue to decline.

The human world had truly reached a point where change was imperative.

“Well? Commander Yang Ying, are you in or out?” Li Yose fixed his gaze on him, his eyes flashing with intense light, awaiting the answer.

Yang Ying closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them again and stated resolutely, “I’m in!”

Li Yose’s face and shoulders relaxed slightly. Though the movement was minimal, these small details instantly shifted his demeanor back to his usual relaxed state.