The Heavenly Star Independent Army's direct Corps of Engineers carved a hidden entrance into a cliff face, revealing a long tunnel that bored into the mountain belly at a thirty-degree incline.

Within the mountain, a space spanning four hundred meters in length and width across three levels had been excavated. Three heavy patrol cruisers were docked on the first level, alongside small mountains of energy crystals, ammunition, and other necessary supplies for the numerous patrol craft.

The second level housed rows of barracks, where the five thousand-plus soldiers of the main battle regiment were stationed. Several tunnels led outward from this level, each heavily guarded.

The third level was the command center of the Independent Army, densely packed with electronic instruments. Dozens of glaring white incandescent lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the space so that not a single speck escaped notice. Centered in the room was a massive square table, fifty meters long and wide, across which a soft light curtain flickered, constantly displaying topographical data for nearly ten thousand kilometers surrounding the peak where the command post was located.

Gu Xiachen, clad in flowing Taoist robes that suggested celestial immortality, stood by the table, pointing here and there on the three-dimensional map with a laser pen. He spoke with grave intensity, “All vessels must remain hidden. The few warships we possess are not enough to satisfy one first-class cruiser from the Roman people in a single bite. Except for essential duties, all brothers must conceal themselves in various bases. Unauthorized departure is strictly forbidden.”

Clearing his throat lightly, Gu Xiachen picked up the tea cup presented by an orderly and said calmly, “Our objective is not to clash head-on with the Roman people; the military command should understand we lack the strength for that. Our goal is to harass the Roman people relentlessly, delaying their progress outward after landing as much as possible, and slowing down their construction of forward bases. We must lock onto one prominent Roman family and hound them persistently, seeking to ignite internal strife amongst them!”

The high command of the Independent Army surrounding the table nodded in agreement. Everyone was aware of Roman customs; before the official Roman army departed, those who arrived here would undoubtedly be forces composed of the numerous great Roman families. The competition between these great Roman families could be described as ‘pitch black’; Gu Xiachen’s plan to fixate on one prominent family and relentlessly harass them was highly likely to spark internal conflict, thereby disrupting the entire Roman scheme.

Having finalized the guiding ideology for operations against the Roman people, Gu Xiachen turned to Ling Hu and inquired, “How much stock do we have in the items I requested the brothers prepare three days ago?”

The plump Ling Hu smiled genuinely, slowly calculating on his fingers. “We managed to transport five applicable production lines this time. Hmm, and the raw materials here are extremely abundant, plus the brothers have been working diligently. Consequently, we now have over one hundred and three thousand tons of high explosive ordnance produced.”

“Aside from that, in the last three days, we have stockpiled over five thousand tons of various rare metals, and over two hundred thousand tons of strategic metals like iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, manganese, and tungsten. All integrated mining machines are operating past capacity… However, we also managed to steal two production lines from the Black Water Canyon Mining Company’s warehouses this time. Once these are assembled, which will take another twelve hours, we can produce a new large integrated mining machine every eight hours.”

“As for Zakla energy crystals, sixty percent of our mining capacity has been dedicated to them. In these three days, we have excavated two giant veins, seven large veins, and thirty-eight medium veins of crystal found nearby, stockpiling over one hundred thousand cubic meters of raw Zakla energy crystal ore. After polishing and processing, we estimate this will yield eighty-seven thousand cubic meters of standard energy crystal blocks.” Saying this, Ling Hu couldn't resist smacking his lips with force. The gazes of everyone around the table could practically ignite the air before them. Eighty-seven thousand cubic meters of standard Zakla energy crystal blocks was, without a doubt, an immense fortune. Just a month ago, even selling off every member of the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps piece by piece wouldn't have yielded even a fraction of that sum.

Gu Xiachen applauded vigorously, shouting, “Quickly, increase the pace! Exhaust every Zakla crystal mine we can reach. Clear out all space on those transport ships for me. Hmm, energy crystals and rare metal ingots—select these items specifically to be moved onto the transports and hidden deep in the ocean immediately.”

All the high-ranking officers of the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps snapped to attention and acknowledged the order. Everyone was surging with fighting spirit; every heart at that moment beat in unison with Gu Xiachen’s pulse. There was no commander more understanding than Gu Xiachen. Whether the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps would ever secure even one-tenth of the mining rights on Heavenly Star was secondary; securing the tangible benefits they could grasp right now, the profits held firmly in hand, was what made them feel secure!

“All production schedules must be accelerated, especially the output of high explosives—that must be sped up,” Gu Xiachen stated, tapping the three-dimensional map in over a dozen locations with his laser pen. “These spots are areas we surveyed—the most scenic locations near our current camp. I demand that an average of ten thousand tons of high explosives be buried beneath each of these locations! That is the minimum requirement!”

“Yes!” everyone roared in assent again!

Gu Xiachen’s plan was simple, almost crude in its simplicity, yet it targeted the various strange peculiarities of the Roman people, and should prove highly effective. Perhaps the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps would not only reap a massive initial benefit but also earn considerable military merit! Although they were not formally part of the Federation’s regular army, the rewards would certainly not be few.

Siren, with his silver hair flowing, approached without making a sound and spoke quietly, “Gu Xiachen, I need some personnel and some resources.”

“Hm?” Gu Xiachen looked toward Siren. “Siren, you should participate in our…”

Siren gently raised his right index finger and waved it slightly left and right. “No, I will not be participating in the operational meeting; you understand what I mean.” Just three days prior, Siren had been the supreme commander of the Holy Unicorn on Heavenly Star, and he understood the principle of avoiding suspicion. He moved beside Gu Xiachen and said calmly, “Give me fifty Pseudo-Innate Fighters and three hundred soldiers with true Qi cultivation. I also require three thousand cubic meters of processed and polished Zakla energy crystals.”

Moha, the most fiery and violent among them, pointed at Siren and bellowed, “On what grounds? Fifty Pseudo-Innate Fighters and three hundred skilled masters with true Qi, plus three thousand cubic meters of energy crystals—you say that so lightly!” Three thousand cubic meters of Zakla energy crystals were valued at three hundred billion Federation Credits, enough to build ten first-class cruisers equipped to the highest specification. Fifty Pseudo-Innate Fighters and three hundred elite warriors possessing true Qi; on a frontal battlefield, the actual casualties inflicted by this force would not be weaker than an entire main battle regiment.

Gu Xiachen signaled to Banyan with his eyes. Banyan immediately seized his younger brother by the neck and tossed him quite a distance away.

Moha scrambled up from the ground, grumbling, but upon seeing Banyan looked somewhat annoyed, he obediently shrunk back to the side, not daring to utter another sound.

Gu Xiachen looked at Siren, and Siren squinted back at him. After a long moment of mutual scrutiny, Gu Xiachen asked calmly, “What is the purpose of needing these people and these things?”

Siren chuckled a few times, “Are you truly a Realm Master? Have you not sensed the surplus Innate Gang Qi generated when absorbing Zakla crystals?”

Gu Xiachen nodded thoughtfully, “I have! Furthermore, the Innate Gang Qi produced is several times more condensed than the Gang Qi we cultivate ourselves, and its power is astonishing!”

Siren let out an “Mm,” nodding. “Our bodies have a limited capacity to contain this Innate Gang Qi, but we can input this Innate Gang Qi into others, immensely enhancing their combat strength in a very short time.”

Banyan, Moha, and the others all sucked in a sharp breath. Medusa even exclaimed, “So you mean to say…” Everyone stared intently at Siren.

Siren laughed triumphantly, “Did you think the origin of my Dawn Detachment was something else? I opened their Governing and Conception Vessels for them, I infused them with Innate Gang Qi, allowing them to reach the combat strength of a Saturn mid-stage warrior in a brief period.”

A silver glint flashed in Siren’s eyes. He sneered, “Give me fifty Pseudo-Innate Fighters, and within seven days, I can raise them to the strength of Saturn mid-stage. The three hundred skilled masters with true Qi can have Aredia help them open their Governing and Conception Vessels after seven days, allowing them to achieve at least Uranus low-stage strength!”

Siren held up three fingers toward Gu Xiachen. “All you need to pay is three thousand cubic meters of Zakla crystals, and in return, you receive three hundred and fifty Pseudo-Innate Fighters whose strength has skyrocketed.”

The major commanders of the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps’ faces changed in shock. They finally understood the other crucial reason the Federation granted Realm Masters legal immunity. Besides the unfathomable power of the Realm Masters themselves, a Realm Master could forge large numbers of elite warriors in a short period—this was perhaps even more significant than the Realm Master’s extreme personal martial prowess.

A Pluto-level fighter could contend with an enhanced platoon of elites on the battlefield. A Neptune-level fighter could wipe out a small unit equipped with light armored vehicles. A Uranus fighter? That was equivalent to a large-caliber mortar moving at high speed; one could imagine the destructive power it commanded on the field. As for a Saturn-level fighter, unless he was catastrophically unlucky enough to be hit by several large-caliber shells, such an individual could rout a regiment of light infantry in direct combat; medium tanks would look like scrap metal before him.

Realm Masters could absorb the energy from Zakla crystals and mass-produce Pseudo-Innate Fighters! With sufficient Zakla crystals and a large number of martial artists possessing true Qi, a Realm Master could even establish an army composed entirely of fighters! Such an army would be helpless against starships, of course, but on the ground, such an army could rightfully be termed ‘invincible’!

Everyone looked towards Gu Xiachen. Gu Xiachen extended his right hand and firmly grasped Siren’s shoulder.

“I also know that Realm Masters require enormous amounts of Zakla crystal energy to continuously reinforce their own Realm, in order to grow stronger!” Gu Xiachen took a deep breath, and declared resolutely, “All fighters, including those True Innate Fighters, are handed over to you. You can freely select any warrior within the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps who possesses true Qi… I will give you twenty thousand cubic meters of Zakla crystals!”

Everyone who heard Gu Xiachen’s statement gasped again. Ling Hu’s chubby white face immediately crumpled into a frown. Twenty thousand cubic meters! That was twenty thousand cubic meters! Valued at two trillion!

Siren was stunned for a long moment, staring blankly at Gu Xiachen. After a significant pause, he finally gave Gu Xiachen a thumbs-up.

“Wanting to subjugate me is impossible! However, I admire your magnanimity! Hehe, twenty thousand cubic meters of Zakla crystals? If you continue to be this generous in the future, joining your Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps isn’t out of the question!” Siren felt his heart pounding; Gu Xiachen’s offer was too immense, so immense it was shocking.

“Oh? Forty thousand cubic meters of Zakla crystals! Ling Hu, transport forty thousand cubic meters of Zakla crystals right now. Open a warehouse right next to the command post for Vice-Commander Siren to absorb at his leisure. Assign five heavy patrol cruisers specifically to ferry these Zakla crystals to Vice-Commander Siren. Command authority over the five heavy patrol cruisers is to be given entirely to Vice-Commander Siren.” Gu Xiachen immediately altered his orders, adding, “Furthermore, allocate half of the fighters to be under the direct command of Vice-Commander Siren. Hmm, from the seven main battle regiments, draw one thousand elites from each to be assigned to Vice-Commander Siren. Corresponding artillery, armored vehicles, fighter craft, helicopters, etc., shall also be assigned to Vice-Commander Siren according to standard configuration.”

Gu Xiachen stepped forward, his nose nearly touching Siren’s. Gu Xiachen stared into Siren’s eyes and said, “With these terms, what do you think?”

Siren squinted, thin, extremely sharp silver light constantly shooting from his pupils. After a long moment, Siren smiled faintly, “Very well, Aredia and I will ‘temporarily’ join the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps. The Holy Unicorn has collapsed; I have no reason to serve it. But… you wish to subdue me, that is impossible… That is the pride of a Realm Master; no Realm Master will serve another Realm Master!”

“We shall see.”

Gu Xiachen’s attention returned to the three-dimensional map. He muttered over the various markings on the map, faintly saying, “We shall see. Now that I know the origins of your Dawn Detachment, I am even more interested in you. Siren, I have an intuition—you are destined to be my subordinate.”

“Nonsense!” Siren laughed dismissively and walked out with his head held high.

It was impossible for one Realm Master to subdue another. Moreover, Siren had Aredia with him.

Seven days later, the Zakla index of the Hell’s Angels Mercenary Corps’ high-end fighters, including the seven main battle regiment commanders who were True Innate Fighters, increased by an average of one thousand points. The Zakla index of over seventy Pseudo-Innate Fighters increased by an average of eight hundred points. Over seven hundred elite soldiers possessing true Qi successfully opened their Governing and Conception Vessels, their cultivation skyrocketing.

The high-end military strength of the Heavenly Star Independent Army instantly increased fivefold.

Gu Xiachen’s confidence grew stronger, and his covetous desire for Siren and Aredia intensified.

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Oh yeah… First update is here… Recommend, recommend, recommend, please… Accompanying explanation of the Realm Master issue—a Realm Master is like a fierce tiger; even the most powerful, white-eyed giant tiger is merely a kitten before reaching maturity… Tyson is formidable, right? Could a newborn Tyson defeat any random street brawler at the lowest level? Recommend, recommend, I need recommendations…