Ling Yin was incredibly outgoing, managing to befriend all the space station staff in just half a day. After sharing drinks during the evening reception, their acquaintanceship had swiftly blossomed into genuine friendship.

After a round of drinking, Ling Yin reeked of alcohol, her face flushed a deep crimson from the wine. She wobbled over and settled on the other side of Ziye.

Tang Wan glared at her with clear disapproval, but Ling Yin merely giggled, linking her arm through Ziye's. "Ziye, your people are great. I'm starting to really like it here. Please, let me intern somewhere."

Ziye poked her forehead lightly. "If you're willing to stay, that's welcome enough. No need for the 'please.' What field are you interested in?"

Ling Yin swayed precariously, resting her head on Ziye’s shoulder, the scent of liquor puffing out every time she spoke. "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it."

Ziye poured her a glass of water and handed it over. "Tomorrow, the Legion is sending someone to help the Xilian Galaxy with investment attraction. You'll be in charge of that—how about it?"

Ling Yin had extensive connections and social skills; she wouldn't be at a disadvantage in business matters.

Ling Yin nodded her head heavily. "I'll try."

Ziye patted her shoulder. "Don't drink too much; it's bad for your health."

Ling Yin mumbled, "My alcohol tolerance is great!"

Ziye shook her head and smiled, suddenly recalling something. She turned to look at Tang Wan, who let out a soft 'hmph.' "I wouldn't stoop to arguing with a drunkard anyway."

Since Ling Yin was leaning toward the commercial side, there was no conflict with her own duties. Moreover, she could still remain close to Ziye. Thus, while Tang Wan kept a stern face on the surface, her heart was singing with joy.

The next day, the support staff sent over from Wolf's Den arrived. Hale redrafted the personnel roster, clearly defining everyone's duties. With a single command, all sectors began advancing simultaneously.

Aside from the original galaxies under Wolf's Den, the Xilian Galaxy became the fastest-rebuilding system post-war, thanks to the most professional personnel, the most substantial funding, and the prime geographical location.

In the time between selecting the Xilian Galaxy and commencing construction, the traffic flow in Xilian multiplied over a hundredfold, rocketing it into the most bustling galaxy under Wolf's Den.

It was on this very day that a piece of news quietly surfaced on the interstellar news feed.

Bobo.Emani, the only son of the Supreme Commander of the Interstellar Federation, had been brutally kidnapped, and his whereabouts were currently unknown.

The moment Ling Yin saw the news, she jumped up and rushed to find Ziye, voicing her concern, "Will something happen to Bobo?"

Ziye felt uncertain herself.

The two of them went to the Virtual Master Training Base and found Buyan. Buyan stated, "We swear on the honor of the Teutonic Mercenary Group that we will not let a single hair on his head be harmed. Please examine the contract; it stipulates that if the hostage is killed, we will pay tenfold compensation."

Ling Yin felt slightly relieved and asked, "Where did your people take him?"

Buyan smiled gently. "Neither of you specified where you wanted him taken."

Ling Yin anxiously pressed, "Can I see him?"

Buyan shook his head. "No. If an outsider sees him now, our plan will be disrupted, and we cannot bear the consequences for Chu Xiang. Please remain patient; you will soon know where he is."

Ling Yin looked at Buyan, then at Ziye.

Ziye waved her hand, indicating she was powerless to intervene.

When Bobo had first asked her to arrange the kidnapping, he gave no further instructions, not even specifying a destination. Therefore, she hadn't made such a request to the Teutonic Mercenary Group. If Bobo, upon being kidnapped, believed Ziye was behind it, he would certainly have said something. She quickly added, "If he requests to speak, please relay the content of the conversation to us."

Buyan nodded. "That is a given."

Leaving the pilot training base, Ziye returned to her work. Ling Yin was somewhat distracted and decided to find someone to investigate Bobo's situation.

Before she could gather any valuable intelligence, unrest broke out in the Fip Galaxy.

The Interstellar Federation Army and the Fia Army engaged in a massive conflict along the Fip Galaxy border!

One hundred Federation warships brutally crushed the Fip border defenses, aggressively shouting the ultimatum: "Release Bobo!"

This particular contingent of the Interstellar Federation Army was under Bai Lanxue’s command.

Bai Lanxue had not been aboard the same vessel as Bobo when he was abducted and had not witnessed the hijackers firsthand. She was absolutely furious! After expending immense effort to locate Bobo in the Siyatu Galaxy, only to have him snatched away by others before she could utilize him—this was intolerable!

Accustomed to arrogance and pride, how could she tolerate petty scoundrels making trouble under her nose? In a fit of rage, she ordered a pursuit.

The hijackers seemed to be toying with her, circling the peripheral galaxies of the Interstellar Federation once, then cutting through the center of the Tem Galaxy, stopping for a drink in the Huaxia Legion's territory, and then relieving themselves in the Mo Ke Legion, moving at a leisurely pace as if the entire cosmos were their backyard, entering and exiting at will.

Seeing that the Fia Aristocracy was nearby, Bai Lanxue decided to incite a conflict, hoping the Fia forces would automatically push Karu back, thereby thwarting the objectives of both Karu and Ilia.

She maneuvered her hundred warships, driving the hijackers toward anti-Fia space. Conveniently, the Teutonic Mercenary Group's primary objective was also Fia; feigning an inability to resist, they slipped into Fia territory.

Fia naturally could not tolerate the Interstellar Federation provoking them at the border and ordered a counterattack.

The flames of war reignited fiercely on the Fip border, catching many completely off guard by the sheer speed of the escalation.

Bai Lanxue pressed forward with overwhelming military might. Although Fia resisted, their efforts were strained, as all their key personnel were currently preoccupied vying for the Queen's position in the Nya Capital—who had the energy for a major war?

This battle was undoubtedly won by Bai Lanxue.

Just as the Fip Galaxy was nearing collapse, the Teutonic Mercenary Group's hijackers dragged Bobo into the Fihua Galaxy, and Bai Lanxue continued her advance.

The Fia forces, realizing the situation belatedly after losing over a hundred warships, finally understood.

They organized resistance against the massive Federation army on one front while sending urgent pleas for help to the Capital on the other.

Upon receiving this news, the people in the Capital immediately redirected their anger toward Ilia.

"The Interstellar Federation is attacking right at our doorstep, and you still dare to keep Karu in the Capital, Ilia? This is inviting a wolf into the house! If Karu collaborates with Bai Lanxue, creating an inside-outside pincer attack, the Nya Galaxy will change hands!"

Ilia was only one step away from securing the throne. Every day she prepared for any contingency, but she had never anticipated that fate outmaneuvers human planning, resulting in border warfare erupting.

Now, she had no time to investigate the cause of the conflict; instead, she was in a state of utter panic, trying to locate Karu.

If Karu withdrew, her path to the throne would be seized by someone else. But if Karu remained, she would become the target of universal condemnation, making it impossible for her to advance further toward the Queen’s seat.

What should she do?

She didn't know.

In just one day, public protests erupted from nothing, growing until a crowd gathered outside the Crystal Palace, demanding an explanation from her.

Ilia could not withstand the pressure and finally had to seek out Karu.

Karu was even more anxious than Ilia.

-RS