BOOM—

Suddenly, a loud explosion shattered the quiet, leisurely stroll and conversation between Yu Ruoyun and Wang Lan. Looking towards the sound, they saw waves of Star Energy Fluctuation sweeping towards them from a few hundred meters away.

Almost instinctively, the two figures flickered and, in the blink of an eye, appeared outside the gate of the blast site.

This was the Space Checkpoint Bureau, the entry and exit point for the Pioneer Space. Anyone leaving the Pioneer Space required a permit from the Checkpoint Bureau to depart.

"A mere Space Checkpoint Bureau dares to detain our Lv Family's fleet? What gives you the nerve? What makes you so bold?" Just as they arrived at the Bureau, stepping over the shattered gate before they could fully assess the situation inside, an arrogant voice boomed from within.

"Regardless of your family or status, all goods must be inspected when leaving the Pioneer Space."

"We enter and leave space two or three times a year and have always been waved through. Are you new to the space-time checkpoint?" The young man arrogantly glanced at the badge on the official's chest. "Indeed, you've just taken office. They say a new official makes three bold moves. But you should be careful about who you cross. Do you dare to target the Lv Family? Is your backing that powerful? Go on, tell me which family you're from. Let's see if your connections are strong enough to challenge the Lv Family."

"Mr. Lv Ao, please watch your language. I am following regulations and orders, not targeting anyone. Furthermore, my backing may not be immense, but it's not insignificant either. Behind me stands Jade Country!"

"Heh... truly fearless, are we? Believe it or not, I can have you removed from your post today."

"And do you believe I can break your legs today and make you crawl out of here?" a cold voice suddenly interjected from behind.

"Which blind fool..." Lv Ao spun around, ready to unleash a torrent of abuse, but his words caught in his throat. The moment he saw Yu Ruoyun's livid, steely expression, Lv Ao's face turned deathly pale.

"Lv Ao, you certainly bring honor to the Lv Family... daring to spout such nonsense at the space-time checkpoint?" Turning her head to look at the space-time checkpoint director, she said, "Carry out the checks according to the rules. I'd like to see if the Lv Family dares to cause any trouble. What happened to the gate?"

"He smashed it," the space-time checkpoint director said flatly, pointing at Lv Ao.

"Why hasn't anyone from the Judgement Place arrived?"

"We've already reported it; they should be here soon..."

Yu Ruoyun glanced at Lv Ao, noticing the disdain on his face, and she immediately understood. If people from the Judgement Place were really coming, he wouldn't have dared to smash the gate. She took a Double-hooked Fish Emblem from her bosom and held it before the checkpoint official.

"Report it again."

This time, Lv Ao's complexion changed drastically.

"Ruoyun, what are you doing? I'm your cousin..."

"When you were disgracing yourself, why didn't you remember you were my cousin? Do you think you're justified in openly defying laws and regulations?"

After waiting less than half an hour, adjudicators from the Judgement Place finally rushed over, panting and drenched in sweat. It was unclear whether they were terrified or merely exhausted.

"Princess Yu, we apologize. We were negligent; it was our fault. The receptionist at the front desk was audacious, daring to conceal the report, so we had no idea."

"Take him away and deal with him according to the law," Yu Ruoyun said coolly, not wanting to waste any more words.

"Director!" As the Judgement Place was escorting Lv Ao away, an employee from the Space Checkpoint Bureau in a suit hurried over. "Director, we've discovered one hundred kilograms of Space Stones."

Hearing this, the Director looked coldly at Lv Ao. "Do you have anything else to say? One hundred kilograms. Right on the mark. That's precisely the death penalty threshold."

"It's only a hundred kilograms of Space Stones. That amount can't open a Different Dimensional Space, so what's the big deal? The Lv Family has research companies and ongoing projects studying Space Stones. What's wrong with transporting a hundred kilograms of Space Stones?"

"Once might not be a major issue, but multiple times would be. Do you really need to feign innocence with me about why you're smuggling Space Stones?" Yu Ruoyun snorted contemptuously. "It's parasites like you who tarnish the reputation of the Star Martial families and harm the nation's interests."

"Ruoyun, don't just scold me. Is the Lv Family the only one secretly transporting Space Stones? The Chu Family, the Zhang Family, the Zhao Family, Nangong, Situ, Sima… Which renowned family isn't involved?"

"And you think you're justified?" Yu Ruoyun's Star Power erupted in her anger. "Since that's the case, it seems it's time for a thorough cleanup. Wasn't the lesson from the Duanmu Family enough? What on earth are all of you trying to achieve?"

Lv Ao fell silent, his eyes darting around in a panic as large beads of cold sweat dripped down his face.

Speaking so rashly had felt good for a moment. But he abruptly realized that because of his words, the state might launch a rectification of the Space Checkpoints and a purge of the major families. Would he even survive? Forget other families; within his own Lv Family, people would be lining up to kill him!

Lv Ao was taken away by the Judgement Place. Caught red-handed, with Yu Ruoyun personally apprehending him, Lv Ao was unlikely to escape legal punishment.

But on the way back, Yu Ruoyun's expression remained grim. Wang Lan, never good with words, didn't know how to comfort Yu Ruoyun, so he silently accompanied her to the entrance of a residential complex.

"Aren't you curious about what I've been thinking this whole time?"

"I learned something at a very young age: never try to guess what's on a woman's mind."

"Am I the kind of girl with a surprisingly unique way of thinking? Or is it Jiang Xinyu whose thoughts you find so elusive?"

"I never said that. Don't spread rumors."

"Actually, this phenomenon among the Star Martial families is long-standing, especially with the old-guard families. Since the imperial era, it has persisted, impossible to eradicate. In the hearts of these old Star Martial families, Soul Beads represent wealth and their fundamental strength.

Those fools! Don't they realize Soul Beads will soon be obsolete? Their supposed scarcity is just a 'diamond lie.' Jade Country has five major Pioneer Spaces, and vast quantities of Soul Beads are stockpiled from each one every year. Controlling Soul Beads is one method the state uses to manage Star Martial Warriors. However, soon, with the popularization of the Immortal Cloud Mysterious Green Record, the state will introduce a military service law to regulate Star Martial Warriors. So why are they still desperately clinging to Soul Beads? Are they planning to take them to their graves?"

"Transforming existing industrial dependencies isn't easy. Even if some people understand the situation, if they're on a ship that hasn't docked, how can they get off?"

"In recent years, the actions of the Star Martial families have increasingly diverged from the nation's interests. I'm afraid this might lead to unforeseeable consequences."

"Every innovation comes with growing pains. The invention of the lock made many guards resentful and even devalued dogs, creatures that had evolved alongside humans.

If human society is to progress and the nation is to develop, then those holding it back must be eliminated. People who refuse to change and adapt to the future, yet try to halt the world's progress, are destined for self-destruction."

"What if a civil war breaks out?" Yu Ruoyun stopped and asked.

"I imagine the state wouldn't act without absolute certainty, right? If the state does move, any resistance would be as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot. A civil war won't happen."

There were many vacant houses in the residential complex. Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun each took an apartment as temporary quarters. After sleeping for a night, they flew directly to the front-line command center the next day.

Upon arriving at the command center, they sensed a rather solemn atmosphere. After learning of Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun's arrival, Mo Tai quickly invited them to the front-line staff office.

Based on their qualifications, Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun were certainly not senior enough to participate in decisions affecting the nation's fate, but their strength was more than sufficient.

These two rising stars had killed three behemoths, each at least at the Titled Strongman level. In all of Jade Country, fewer than one hundred individuals could independently kill such a beast.

"You're here. Good. Find a place to sit."

Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun discreetly found seats in a corner, next to Director Longya of the academy's tactical department.

"Director Longya, what's the situation?"

"You relayed the information you obtained. The Vermilion Bird Squad terminated their mission early and rushed back. Just this morning, they dispatched a scout team to explore deeper into the area. We are now convening a battle meeting."

Soon, the meeting room doors opened again. General Zuo Ming, whom Wang Lan had met several times, entered with a few young men exuding an aura of grim determination. Zuo Ming's eyes swept the room, pausing on Wang Lan for a second before moving on.

"Old Zuo, you've worked hard."

"Mr. Mo, you're too kind. It's our duty," Zuo Ming replied as he sat down, the three he brought with him taking seats beside him.

"They just returned and lost two brothers, so they're a bit on edge," Zuo Ming said with an apologetic smile. "You three, relax a bit. This is just part of the job for the Vermilion Bird Squad. Haven't you gotten used to it yet?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Tell everyone, what's the situation?"

"We traveled east, penetrating the mist and venturing five hundred kilometers deep. There, we were startled by a major battle and went to investigate. We found a vast area with complex terrain. This area contained no small Exotic Beasts, only about fifty giant ones.

"The largest of these Exotic Beasts was likely under two thousand meters in size, while the smallest was over three hundred meters. They varied in form but had similar levels of strength. Strangely, these Exotic Beasts seemed to be engaged in some sort of competitive duel.

"Outside the dueling area, smaller Exotic Beasts watched peacefully, including some leader-type Exotic Beasts at the peak of the Star Sea realm.

"We observed their dueling rules, which showed very clear organization and discipline. The intelligence of Exotic Beasts is generally not high, but we can't rule out the existence of highly intelligent ones. At least that group of giant Exotic Beasts displayed very clear thinking and reflexes.

"If our observation is correct, this group of Exotic Beasts is selecting a leader through combat. The defeated Exotic Beasts didn't leave the arena, which highly suggests they intend to unite.

"It's well known that the Pioneer Space contains Exotic Beasts stronger than the Star Sea realm. However, these creatures usually hide deep within the Pioneer Space, retreating as we advance. They only make a stand when they have nowhere left to retreat.

"However, this group of giant Exotic Beasts is distinctly different; they are highly aggressive. We used to speculate that newly emerged, powerful Exotic Beasts invading others' territories triggered the multiple beast tides. But what we witnessed in Lethe Canyon clearly showed that this group of Exotic Beasts deliberately ordered lower-tier Exotic Beasts to attack our defensive lines."

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