A citadel of steel suspended in the void of space. This was the secluded retreat of a certain elder relative of His Majesty, the Scarlet Flame Emperor of the Blazing Dragon Empire, situated right on the Empire's volatile border.

Gu Xiechen stood atop a high spire, gazing down at the tumultuous spectacle of joy, sorrow, ambition, and subterfuge unfolding in the plaza below. Thanks to the efforts of Xiao Xiao and the Blazing Dragon Empire, dozens of surviving members of the Yavier Empire’s imperial lineage had been located, including several of the highest-ranking heirs to the throne.

Those ambitious for the crown were now fawning over Mi'er, offering nauseating tributes. Although, by blood relation, Mi'er was their grand-aunt’s niece (their grand-uncle’s younger sister), judging by the throngs of people, they treated her as if she were their great-grandmother. Everyone understood clearly: the restoration of the Yavier Empire, its swift resurgence, and its subsequent annexation of territories belonging to several other five-star civilizations—expanding the imperial domain more than threefold—was all thanks to Mi'er, and all because of the Xinjia she carried.

Therefore, these individuals eagerly sought to curry favor with Mi'er, flattering her profusely while deliberately or inadvertently belittling the other potential heirs standing near them.

Watching the Yavier royal remnants with unconcealed disgust, Guohua leaned against the spire’s railing and let out a long, weary sigh. By Gu Xiechen’s side, Chi Long. Lie Yan regarded him with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice, “I will take full responsibility for the Yavier Empire matter. Is there anything else you wish to entrust to me? Regarding those squabbling youngsters below, who do you suggest should inherit the Yavier throne?”

Gu Xiechen paused before laughing dismissively. “It hardly matters who sits on that throne. At our level, do such trivialities still concern us?”

He paused again, then pointed at Mi'er. “I am taking this little girl with me. You can select whomever you deem fit to be the Emperor of Yavier, just consider it raising a dog to bite your enemies for you. Also, if the Star Alliance makes any moves, notify me immediately.”

Chi Long. Lie Yan gave a strange chuckle. “Davilms was utterly destroyed. What sort of moves could they possibly make?”

Gu Xiechen shook his head and delivered a hearty punch to Chi Long. Lie Yan’s shoulder. Chi Long. Lie Yan immediately laughed too, shaking his head and letting out a deep sigh.

Although the Star Alliance headquarters had been wiped out by Gu Xiechen in one decisive blow, how much hidden power still remained within that Elder Council?

Gripping Gu Xiechen’s shoulder, Chi Long. Lie Yan whispered, “That entrance the Wolf Pack youngsters discovered—are you interested in exploring it? Perhaps it leads to that place?”

Glancing sideways at Chi Long. Lie Yan, Gu Xiechen pointed to his own eyes and sneered, “Do you know what this is? The Eye of the Spirit, an eye capable of seeing into the future to a certain degree. I have a premonition: with our current strength, daring to approach that place is certain death. If you wish to die, I can graciously gift you one hundred tons of incense, candles, and yellow paper; you can go die by yourself. How about that?” Chi Long. Lie Yan shivered and hastily shook his head. “Then, perhaps we should wait!”

The two men clasped hands firmly. Chi Long. Lie Yan looked at Gu Xiechen and asked with great solemnity, “Then, we are allies?”

Gu Xiechen’s free hand delivered a solid punch to Chi Long. Lie Yan’s side. He laughed and cursed, “Have you forgotten? We are brothers… not allies bound by mere mutual benefit!” The two exchanged a knowing smile. Gu Xiechen called out to Guohua, then turned and descended the spire.

Chi Long. Lie Yan drew a deeply satisfied breath, murmuring, “Yes, we are brothers… you are a brother one can rely upon! Perhaps, because of you, our Zhu'er, the Lie Yan family, will no longer have to serve as slaves and lackeys for generations!” Opening his arms wide, Chi Long. Lie Yan embraced the boundless starry expanse, laughing contentedly, “The dawn of freedom—it truly looks magnificent!”

Exhaling forcefully, Chi Long. Lie Yan suddenly turned back and asked, “Old man, how accurate is your Zhou Tian Divine Technique prognostication? Did you really foresee that my brother’s future would be so extraordinary?”

A gentle breeze swirled on the ground, and a withered, shriveled old man materialized from the air. In his left hand, he clutched a bronze Bagua; in his right, several divination stalks; stuck into the back of his neck were bone styluses made of jade. A rope strung with a dozen turtle shells of varying sizes was draped around his neck, and the front and back of his robe were smeared with countless Bagua symbols drawn in ink. He looked exactly like a wandering charlatan street-corner mystic, lacking only a bamboo pole bearing a white banner inscribed with the grand title, ‘Divine Clairvoyant of the Iron Mouth, Sagacious Soothsayer.’ He nodded very seriously. The old man let out a conceited, cold snort toward Chi Long. Lie Yan. “My Zhou Tian Divine Technique is inherited from the orthodox lineage of the Three Pure Ones, specifically passed down from the line of the original Celestial Venerable, the Ancestor Jiang Ziya. How could it possibly be wrong? That child’s destiny encompasses the world—following him, our Blazing Dragon Empire… is destined for glory!”

With a cold glare at the Yavier royals who were still hovering around Mi'er, Gu Xiechen signaled, and the group, including Mi'er and her few personal maids, entered a Death Star Ship. A burst of black and white micro-light erupted from thin air, flashed once, and the Death Star Ship vanished without a trace. All that remained in the void was Gu Xiechen’s parting message to Chi Long. Lie Yan: “Take care. I have the emperors of the other nations in my hands; their deaths are sealed. Use this opportunity to seize as much advantage as you can!”

The True Magnetic Two-Pole Light-Splitting Sword enveloped the Death Star Ship. The vessel was at maximum energy, hurtling forward at top speed within the spatial barrier. Its velocity even surpassed Gu Xiechen’s own maximum speed when flying on his sword. The energy from the Divine Crystals was rapidly depleted; the ship was essentially rocketing forward at the speed equivalent to a Golden Immortal-level master traveling at full evasion speed.

The ship’s controls were managed entirely by Ducat and Xiao Xiao; Gu Xiechen needed to concern himself with nothing else. He sat quietly near the ship’s core, before the massive Divine Grade artifact, calmly stroking a turtle shell brimming with spiritual energy, divining future events again and again using the Tortoise Divination Technique. The shell cracked repeatedly. A purple gleam burned fiercely in Gu Xiechen’s crimson eyes as he stared fixedly at the fractured pieces, pouring his entire vital energy into his gaze, continuously spurring the growth of the Eye of the Spirit.

Everything before him was hazy, veiled by a thin layer of black mist. He saw only intermittent, disjointed images, largely related to the Romans and Ducat. However, perhaps due to the current limitations of his Eye of the Spirit, the critical details in these visions remained blurry, offering no clear insight.

Throughout the journey, Gu Xiechen spent his time continuously engaged in divination. His Eye of the Spirit grew stronger, and his Dharma Eye Divine Ability ascended to the second stage of the eighteenth cycle of the Buddhist Dharma Eye—the Realm of Reincarnation. Yet, he still lacked confidence in his grasp of the future. The path ahead was unpredictable, the prospects worrying!

The Death Star Ship gradually approached the final stable navigation route left by the Spiral Star Field. Ducat piloted the vessel to jump out of the spatial barrier, materializing in normal space.

A small White Winged Warship replaced the immense Death Star Ship. Gu Xiechen and his entourage boarded the White Winged vessel and proceeded toward the Spiral Star Field at the slowest possible speed.

As the warship neared the entrance to the Spiral Star Field—which was currently the territory of the Yafik Empire—Gu Xiechen pondered for a moment before finally calling Ducat over. “Return to Paradise Star. Take Lili with you. Xiao, your current cultivation is insufficient. Once you return to Paradise Star, enter seclusion at the gate of the Nine Nethers Dao Mountain for ten years! After ten years, come out and assist me.”

Ducat looked at Gu Xiechen in surprise, not understanding the command. Was his cultivation truly inadequate? Perhaps so. Ducat’s expression softened slightly.

Gu Xiechen found it hard to voice his true, clumsy reason. He gripped Ducat’s shoulder forcefully, ordering him to take a production line for Death Star Ships and White Winged-class warships back to Paradise Star. Combined with the massive mineral reserves mined by Xiao Xiao, Paradise Star could become a colossal manufacturing base, constantly supplying Gu Xiechen with advanced warships. Coupled with the immense human resources of the Spiral Star Field, as long as he held that region firmly in his grasp, Gu Xiechen was confident he could handle any challenge.

Just as Gu Xiechen was giving instructions to Ducat, a communication signal flashed on the warship’s comms panel requesting contact. Upon answering, Du Meng, who was overseeing the development of Vol Star, appeared on the screen. Du Meng’s expression was strange. After greeting Gu Xiechen, he addressed Ducat in a particularly peculiar tone: “Mr. Xiao, Mr. Borport, the current leader of the Roman Knights, arrived in the Spiral Star Field several days ago. He brings relics left by your mother. Do you wish to see him?” Ducat’s mother’s relics? Xiao Yiqiu’s relics?

Gu Xiechen’s face darkened unpleasantly. The Romans had indeed found the Spiral Star Field; some of the visions from the Eye of the Spirit had been correct. What were they planning? Were they intending to persuade Ducat to do something? He turned to look at Ducat, noticing that Ducat was staring back at Du Meng, equally stunned and uncertain, clearly somewhat at a loss. “Do you want to see him?” Gu Xiechen frowned. He knew Borport quite well; although the man was a profligate rake, he possessed genuine talent.

“I want to see him!” Ducat also frowned. He understood Borport better than Gu Xiechen—a man who appeared shallow and frivolous but was actually deeply cunning.

“Just meet him, and then immediately return to Paradise Star. Can you do that?” Gu Xiechen gripped Ducat’s hand tightly. “Just see him, and then return immediately to Paradise Star! This is for your own good!” Ducat nodded vigorously; he seemed to grasp something.

The White Winged-class vessel immediately accelerated, flying into the Spiral Star Field at top speed, utilizing several jump points to quickly head for Vol Star. After flying for three days and nights, passing through seven spatial jump points, the White Winged vessel smoothly arrived at Vol Star. Gu Xiechen accompanied Ducat to meet Borport, who had been waiting on Vol Star for several days.

The meeting took place in the secret chamber beneath the former Presidential Palace of Vol Star. Everyone Borport had brought was hidden within that chamber; Du Meng dared not leak any information about their presence! The high-ranking officials around Gu Xiechen were well aware of the notorious reputation of the Romans throughout this sector of space; even after so many years, the Romans’ infamy remained unchanged.

After a long absence, Borport’s complexion was noticeably sallow and dark, and his eye bags were prominent. Looking at the listless Roman girls and other beautiful women of unknown races surrounding him, Gu Xiechen frowned and greeted Borport with heavy irony: “Honorable Lord Borport, it is truly remarkable that you are still able to rise from… your recent activities.”

Borport forced his waist to twist, his lumbar joints emitting an unpleasant ‘crack’ sound, clearly indicating that the muscles and bones in that area had suffered considerable strain. He chuckled and nodded slightly toward Gu Xiechen with a faint smile. “Look at you, always joking. Well, I have come this time bearing goodwill. Coincidentally, the headquarters of our Roman Knights is located in the Savage Star Field; we are neighbors, after all!”

Glancing coldly at Borport, Gu Xiechen sneered, “You certainly don’t treat yourself like an outsider. Neighbors? We can hardly afford neighbors like you. Are you unaware of the evil reputation your Roman people hold in this expanse of stars? Ancient demons—do you wish to be besieged by every civilization in the entire Star Alliance?”

Borport forcefully pinched the hip of a girl beside him and laughed heartily, “Oh, I was very careful when I arrived; I wouldn’t implicate you.”

Sighing, Borport smiled faintly. “Of course, I know the consequences of appearing here. It is very dangerous; I have placed myself in a perilous location. But for the sake of my younger brother, for my dear half-brother, I had to make this journey.” Ducat’s face immediately darkened, and he glared furiously at Borport.

Borport chuckled a few times and nodded toward Ducat. “The last time you returned to the Spiral Star Field, I intended to find you. But you left again before I could catch up. This time, I deliberately sought out the esteemed Queen Fuya; she arranged for us to wait for you here. See? I waited, and you arrived!”

“Say what you need to say sooner,” Ducat stated coldly. “I dislike seeing you.”

“Is that how you put it?” Borport frowned and sighed helplessly. “Then I’ll be direct. To mend the broken relationship between you and us, Father wants me to deliver the items left behind by Xiao Yiqiu—your mother—to you.”

Gazing deeply at Ducat, Borport snorted coldly. “I know Earth was destroyed, and you lost the last thread of connection to your mother. Therefore, these relics might remind you of her. Father knows how much importance you Gu Huaxia people place on such things. Regardless, these are your mother’s remaining possessions.”

Waving his hand lightly, two Roman girls approached, carrying a large casket. Borport stated indifferently, “We hope that in consideration of our goodwill, you will speak favorably for us when Romans and Earthlings interact in the future… Honorable Lord Gu Xiechen, what do you think?”

Gu Xiechen scrutinized Borport, a faint purple light flickering in his eyes, trying to discern the man’s true scheme. His behavior today was extremely odd. Hearing Borport’s question, Gu Xiechen coldly laughed, “Unsolicited attention usually means ill intent. Speak plainly: what exactly do you wish to obtain from Ducat?” Borport looked deeply at Gu Xiechen and smiled, “You value Ducat highly, so he owes us a favor this time; you cannot deny that. Although these are merely ordinary relics, they hold great sentimental value for Ducat. So, what is your opinion? What if our Roman people and the Earthlings become allies again… or even form a joint government?”

Gu Xiechen was stunned. Guohua, who had been smoking nearby, was dumbstruck, and even Ducat stared at Borport with wide eyes. “Are you insane?” Gu Xiechen and Guohua shouted simultaneously.

Borport raised his right hand and declared piously, “I swear by the name of the Mother Goddess, our Roman people will be friends of the Earthlings for eternity.”

He pointed toward the ceiling of the secret chamber and roared with laughter, “Don’t you find this universe magnificent? With such a vast territory belonging to the Star Alliance, shouldn’t we conquer it together?”

Taking a deep breath, Borport grinned ferociously. “We Romans possess the technology. We are developing even more advanced and powerful warships based on the technology left by our ancestors in ancient times. We are rapidly updating our technology and striving to restore the glory of the Roman Empire. And you Earthlings—you possess a terrifying capacity for learning, an astonishing ability to imitate, and the most terrifying martial instinct we have ever witnessed.”

Borport shouted with fanatic fervor, “When Roman technology merges with the Earthlings’ martial instinct, when we completely fuse into an entirely new race, we will be invincible and conquer all! We will stand at the apex of the universe; we will become the masters of everything! We will…”

Leaning toward Gu Xiechen, Borport whispered mysteriously, “Eventually, we will evolve into beings akin to gods!”

Borport’s speech was undeniably persuasive; Du Meng, for one, looked very interested. However, Du Lang had specifically instructed Du Meng before he came to the Spiral Star Field that he must obey Gu Xiechen’s orders in everything. Thus, Du Meng dared not act rashly on his own accord; he merely narrowed his eyes and looked toward Gu Xiechen.

Gu Xiechen, however, regarded Borport coolly. He scoffed, “Is that so? I’m sorry, but I’m not interested. Forming a new nation with you Romans? Uh, no thank you, not interested.”

He pointed toward the secret chamber door and snapped, “Du Meng, escort Borport and his group out. Escort them off the premises secretly, ensuring no one discovers their connection to us.”

Borport hesitated, looking deeply at Gu Xiechen, and said in a low voice, “Think about it carefully! This benefits both of us! Ducat, regardless of anything else, you cannot deny that I am your elder brother, nor can you deny Father’s deep affection for your mother. So, please persuade Honorable Lord Gu Xiechen.”

Nodding politely, Borport led the large group of women behind him out of the secret chamber, the departure causing quite a conspicuous stir.

Gu Xiechen watched Borport’s retreating back coldly, then smiled at Ducat, who had taken the large casket. “See what’s inside? Are these really your mother’s relics?” Ducat frowned. He placed the casket on the floor and carefully lifted the lid.

Inside lay a tattered, old-style special operations suit. Gu Xiechen recognized it instantly as one designed and manufactured by the Gu Corporation over forty years ago for the Earth Federation’s Special Operations Forces—a bio-protein fiber suit reinforced with synthetic spider silk. If he guessed correctly, this was the attire Xiao Yiqiu was wearing when she was captured by the Romans.

Aside from the suit, there was an old high-energy particle ray pistol, a high-strength alloy dagger, several small pieces of specialized tactical gear, a pen, and a notebook. The notebook contained Xiao Yiqiu’s complete combat records since joining the military; the handwriting was intensely familiar to Ducat.

Snatching up the notebook, Ducat flipped through several pages urgently, murmuring, “It’s Mom’s handwriting. These are indeed her things.”

Gu Xiechen rose and walked to Ducat’s side, gently patting his shoulder. “It’s clear the Romans put effort into this. But I still believe their intentions are not pure.”