Liu Huadie's words plunged everyone in the tactical vehicle into silence.

The Sword Master is very proud and is unwilling to owe anything to anyone.

But he is not some Santa Claus handing out gifts, nor is he a fool.

What did Ma Ran give in return to obtain such a promise from Lin Qiubai?

All eyes focused on Ma Ran.

Ma Ran looked at Liu Huadie and smiled slightly: "Sister Die, like Brother Guang, is very gentle."

"However, if it's about this matter, there's absolutely nothing to worry about."

"I just gave the Sword Master a promise."

A promise?

Not only Liu Huadie, but also Wei Zuxia, Huang Weiguo, and others felt very confused.

It sounded like a very simple trade, just one promise for another.

But upon deeper thought, it's clear that…

Lin Qiubai regarded Ma Ran as an equal!

"..."

Liu Huadie subconsciously cracked her knuckles, falling into deep thought.

She, like everyone else present, had some appreciation for Ma Ran's personal charm.

From the first meeting, she knew Ma Ran was not ordinary.

From appearance, personal ability, virtue to temperament, all were impeccable, always seeming to be under the spotlight wherever he went.

Occasionally recalling this, Liu Huadie always felt that Ma Ran had made many sacrifices to resist alien forces.

She thought perhaps it was this selfless dedication and sacrifice that made everyone add a thick filter in their hearts when mentioning Ma Ran.

But what about Lin Qiubai?

This Sword Master is not Chinese, not even an Earthling!

He comes from Cangming Star, and Ma Ran's sacrifices and dedication are meaningless and valueless to him!

Why did Lin Qiubai view Ma Ran differently?

Perhaps he saw a reflection of himself in Ma Ran.

Perhaps he has high hopes for Ma Ran's future.

The title of a [National Guardian] superpower user might not be an honor for Ma Ran, but a heavy burden that hinders his progress!

After all, although [Limited Foreknowledge] can allow Ma Ran to help China avoid many alien biocrises through prophecy, every use that changes the future consumes Ma Ran's lifespan!

Without [Limited Foreknowledge], even if Ma Ran focused solely on Black Rock Martial Arts and the Inner Qi Cultivation System, he might still reach a realm for others to admire, right?

"Huh..."

Liu Huadie placed her ten fingers before her chest and sighed: "I see."

"Is it a potential investment?"

If it weren't Ma Ran, for anyone else to gain such a promise from the Seven Vortex Sword Master, they would likely need to pay much more.

"Who knows?"

Ma Ran shook his head: "I can basically understand what others are thinking with a little thought."

"But… the Sword Master's mind is completely beyond my grasp."

"The promise I gave him was…"

"In the future, if people from Cangming Star come to Earth, regardless of whether they are men, women, young, old, kind, or evil, I will do everything possible to help them."

Huang Weiguo and Wei Zuxia, who had been quietly listening, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that Ma Ran wasn't going to Cangming Star himself to care for the Seven Vortex Sword Sect.

The issue of the massive time flow difference between Cangming Star and Earth was noted by not only Wan Haihao; people in the command office had reached the same conclusion long ago.

One day on Earth, and countless years might have passed over there on Cangming Star.

If Ma Ran really promised to go to Cangming Star to help the Seven Vortex Sword Sect develop and solve their social development issues…

Without even talking about how he'd get there, by the time he returns, Ma Ran might already be white-haired, elderly, and frail!

After a simple response, Ma Ran said no more, closing his eyes as if resting in a light sleep.

...

At the same moment!

Behind the Red Rock Giant, countless pores swirled with black-red light, forming a pair of burning wings!

The air was filled with a nauseating stench.

It smelled like a mixture of sulfur and ammonia, but upon closer sniffing, there was a significant difference.

The burning black-red wings slowly transformed into flowing light, gradually gathering onto the Red Rock Giant's fist.

Run?

Impossible!

An invisible force held the assault team members in place as if nailed down!

Since they couldn't run, resisting head-on was the only option!

Su Qiangwei's sixth sense was screaming warnings at her — in her current physical state, she couldn't possibly withstand the Red Rock Giant's punch.

Yet...

Behind her were more than three thousand Lotus City citizens in a coma.

Along with Lin Qiubai, Zhu Hanyi, and Wan Haihao…

At this moment, Su Qiangwei had only one thought — to deplete the Red Rock Giant's energy as much as possible!

If she did well enough…

Perhaps Lin Qiubai — who made himself a highly injured being in pursuit of the "Perfect Sword" — would have the chance to take on the punch…

With this in mind, a glint of determination crossed Su Qiangwei's beautiful eyes.

She interlocked her ten fingers, firmly clasping them together, and extended her telekinesis, emulating the X9500's invisible shield, trying to block the Red Rock Giant's punch.

At this moment, Su Qiangwei, thin to the extreme, almost looked like a severe anorexic patient, seemingly susceptible to being blown away by a gust of wind.

"Xiao Su, you don't need to take action."

Wan Haihao's eyes flashed with complex emotions, and he sighed softly: "From the moment we entered this city, you and Zhu Hanyi have performed excellently."

"I can say…"

"You have all exceeded the tasks Brother Ran assigned you."

"As for me, I've been caught up in my dilemmas, dragging my feet, not contributing much."

"If you were to die here, even if I managed to survive and return, I wouldn't know how to explain it to Brother Ran."

"So…"

"Let me do it."

With that, Wan Haihao stepped forward a few steps, standing in front of everyone.

"Now, it is indeed my turn."

"The responsibility I've been avoiding."

"Using Xiao Su's words, I'm the kind of person who 'never disappoints in disappointing others,' right?"

"Sword Master, I apologize…"

"These times must have troubled you!"

Wan Haihao knew well that he had never done anything shameful or immoral in his life.

He hadn't achieved anything significant either!

Just an ordinary person, nothing more.

But…

After engaging with the Seven Vortex Sword Sect's cultivation system, he realized many things — everyone's Sword Spirit and Sword Remains differ greatly.

There are significant differences even between identical twins.

Among Earth's more than seven billion people, why did Lin Qiubai's "sword" intertwine with his soul?

Why not someone else?

A coincidence?

Clearly not!

There is only one truth!

That is…

Wan Haihao's nature and heart were highly similar to and compatible with Lin Qiubai!

Thus, the question arises.

What exactly is Lin Qiubai's [Way]?

When Wan Haihao was blown away by the blast caused by the Red Rock Giant, past memories flashed before his eyes like a lantern parade.

Over twenty years of life experiences, and what impressed him most was the words spoken by the Sword Master!

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