As the various lingering matters with the Quartermaster Corps were properly handled, it was already midnight. Unobstructed views stretched out, illuminated by three moons hanging high in the sky, casting ample light upon the ground.

"Alright, that should basically cover it," the Krell commander concluded, closing one electronic memorandum and handing another copy over. "Master Yang Ying, when you return to the Solar System, please deliver this copy of the memo to the Krell Embassy. I will report the situation here, and I trust the Ambassador will take over."

Yang Ying accepted the memorandum copy. He replied, "I will. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"As you wish," the Krell commander said. He turned and called out to a Krell soldier, "Prepare a conveyance to take Master Yang Ying and Master Voss wherever they wish to go."

"Unnecessary," Yang Ying demurred. "We can manage on our own."

"That will do then," the commander called the soldier away again and asked, "May I ask when Master Yang Ying plans to depart this planet? Will you be leaving immediately upon concluding your business?"

"Yes," Yang Ying nodded. "I've caused this city enough trouble; it's best if I leave as quickly as possible."

"In that case, I wish you safe travels, Master," the commander said.

"Thank you." After bidding farewell to the commander, Yang Ying approached the old captain and his group standing nearby. "Thank you all for your hospitality, especially to Flinn and Hoke for showing me around the city. And to Xilna, I apologize for disrupting your competition; I must leave now. If you ever have the opportunity in the future, feel free to visit Earth. Once there, just find the Tran Mercenary Group and say you are my friend; they will bring you to see me."

"We will, Captain," the old captain replied.

Returning to the landing pad, Yang Ying and Talgas boarded the Behemoth. They quickly reached the bridge, where Howard and the assembled staff were already in their positions, clearly having waited for some time.

"Sir, I have heard about the situation in the city. Shall we depart now?" Howard inquired.

"Let's go. That Talin has ruined what was a perfectly good mood. This matter had nothing to do with me from the start. Not only did Talin drag me into his assassination attempt on Vida Prime, but now he refuses to relent, intent on my death and shamelessly using many innocent lives just to make killing me more convenient. Such actions are truly vile. Damn him!" A murderous intent stirred within Yang Ying—for public order and for personal vengeance. Talin must not be allowed to live!

While instructing his staff to prepare for departure, Howard commented, "Sir, this Talin is an ace assassin from an interstellar killer syndicate. He has his own forces and intelligence channels, with safe houses scattered across the entire Orion Arm. Finding Talin will likely not be easy."

"Indeed, it won't be easy," Yang Ying sat down and straightened his attire. "That is the biggest problem we currently face. Our Phantom agents can move unimpeded within the Solar System; after all, they appear human and can easily blend into human society. But once out in the Galaxy, the aliens of various species have countless bizarre appearances and vastly different backgrounds. Rebuilding an effective intelligence network is a task that cannot be accomplished in a short time."

As they spoke, the Behemoth's aft thrusters had already completed ignition and thrust, lifting the hull into the air. Once at high altitude, Yang Ying glanced out the window and added, "Perhaps we won't need to search for him. I have a premonition that Talin has not given up; he will come to us. We might not have to wait long for that opportunity."

Howard nodded and asked, "Sir, should we still proceed to the third relay station? Or head directly back to the Solar System?"

Yang Ying considered it and replied, "Let's go to the third relay station. Revisiting that place will be a pleasure. Besides, if we return directly to the Solar System—which is our base—Talin might be too scared to make a move."

A staff member shouted, "Altitude sufficient! Hyper-drive engines ready! Clear path ahead, ready for spatial jump!"

"Engage hyper-drive!" Howard commanded. "Target: Third Relay Station—Planet Bante!"

"Aye!"

The Behemoth suddenly flashed as it was enveloped in a light screen and plunged into hyperspace, vanishing without a trace.

About three days later, the Behemoth burst out of the beautiful, spectacular, yet monotonous hyperspace, arriving once again at Bant, the first planet they had set foot on in the Galaxy.

Outside the bridge viewport, the planet was still the same deep blue as ever. Boundless oceans dominated the surface, dotted here and there with white clouds of constantly changing shapes, evoking awe for nature's power.

As on the previous occasion, the Behemoth landed on the large island. After docking securely on the landing pad, Yang Ying and Volungus disembarked to find several Octopoid intermediaries waiting to greet them.

"Greetings, esteemed guests, welcome to Bante."

The intermediaries spoke to Yang Ying in various languages, eager to solicit business.

However, Volungus stepped forward and politely dismissed them. During the descent, the Behemoth had already notified Pipinav, the top intermediary who had served them last time, of their arrival, and Pipinav's reply was that he was on his way immediately.

Indeed, after only a short while, a conveyance was seen rapidly approaching from a distance. Upon spotting the Behemoth parked on the landing pad, it immediately altered course and descended beside their ship.

"Ah, esteemed guest, long time no see. Pipinav, top intermediary of Bante, at your service." The four-armed, four-legged Octopoid descended from the conveyance, his face lighting up with joy upon seeing Yang Ying.

Yang Ying approached him. "The last consignment you handled was executed perfectly; I have received it. This time, we rely on you to lead the way again. Has anything interesting been happening recently?"

"Thank you for your praise, esteemed guest." Pipinav expressed regret. "There was something fun, but it has already passed. If you had arrived ten days earlier, you could have witnessed our proud Underwater Yachting World Championship. The final leg of the circuit was held just off the coast of this island, easily viewable from Bant Perni. The strongest underwater racers on Bante engaged in breathtaking sprints on the underwater tracks—truly thrilling! Unfortunately, it concluded ten days ago, and the annual champion was decided. You can't see it now."

"Since it's over, let's not dwell on it," Yang Ying said. "Anything else?"

Pipinav racked his brain, then suddenly exclaimed, "It's still early. When you visited last time, you've already seen most of Bant Perni. Another tour might be uninteresting. How about this: I mentioned last time that we Bantans reside in underwater cities. Why don't I take you to see our underwater city?"

Yang Ying readily agreed, smiling. "Yes, certainly. I have never seen an underwater city; this will be an eye-opener."

"However, there is one condition I must state beforehand," Pipinav became serious. "Our underwater cities generally do not welcome offworlders for overnight stays; this is a Bantan tradition. I hope you can understand. You may enter for visits during the day, but please return to the surface to stay in a hotel at night."

Yang Ying nodded. "I respect your traditions."

Pipinav immediately beamed, "Then there is no problem; please follow me."

Just as he was about to lead the way, he slapped his head. "Oh, right! A new batch of Gulou Grass has been listed in the Trade Center of Bant Perni, and the auction is set for tonight. Esteemed guest, would you like to attend?"

"Gulou Grass? Very well, I'll purchase some more to take back," Yang Ying nodded. He had already given half of the Gulou Grass purchased previously to Bai Bai for his cultivation. He had only used a small portion of the remainder, and he might not visit Bante again anytime soon. Thus, he decided to buy more to stockpile for future use.

Yang Ying and Volungus boarded the conveyance Pipinav had brought, first proceeding to the landing pad administration center to handle entry procedures. Being familiar with the process, they completed everything smoothly. Then, they proceeded to Bant Perni and switched to an underwater bus to descend into the sea.

The Bantans' underwater bus was a double-decker vehicle, cylindrical in the middle, with a rounded front and a pointed tail, powered by a high-output propeller.

The underwater bus traveled close to the seabed. Through the porthole, Yang Ying could fully appreciate the underwater scenery—various beautiful aquatic creatures, like vibrantly colored and strangely shaped fish, and gracefully poised, swaying aquatic plants.

When Yang Ying saw a massive school of fish approaching the bus, they scattered in alarm, instantly dispersing from a large mass into numerous smaller schools. He thought to himself, It's a pity I left Katrinna in the Solar System this time. With her recent rapid expansion, the medical corps she oversees has accumulated a lot of urgent official business that requires her presence. If she were here, she would surely love this undersea view. I must bring her next time.

The underwater bus traveled for about an hour before reaching its destination. Yang Ying looked out the viewport, and in the seabed not far away, a huge city appeared, its lights dazzling like scattered stars in the heavens—it possessed a charm entirely different from the cities on the surface.

"Esteemed guests, would you two like to change into underwater maneuvering suits? We Bantans can directly draw oxygen from the water, so our cities are submerged; there is no air inside," Pipinav suggested.

"No need," Yang Ying shook his head. "Neither of us requires oxygen."

"Neither of you... requires oxygen?!" Pipinav shuddered, stammering, "Are you, are you both... 'Third-Level Masters'?" If you wish to know what happens next, please log on to [Website Name]. More chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!