Lan Jue rolled her eyes. "If you don't know, how could I?"
The Wine Master asked. "Did she see your master?"
Lan Jue nodded. "Yes, but I can't say anything about what happened between them. Even if I saw or heard, I'd have to pretend I didn't know."
"Yes, that's how it should be."
The Wine Master had no intention of forcing her to reveal anything. After all, this involved Jueti, the world's most powerful Paragon!
Lan Jue went on. "I don't know why my mother chose to come back. She wanted to stay by my father's side.
Only she knows the reason why she came back. "
The Wine Master smirked. "No matter what, it's a good thing she's back.
You and I are the only ones who know about this. Not even the Gourmet, the Keeper, or the Bookworm.
They're not familiar with my aunt. She left Skyfire Avenue not long after they arrived. Even if she reopened the Roxanne wedding shoot, they wouldn't be able to guess.
We'll keep this a secret for now. "
The two of them exchanged a look, understanding in unison. It was best to keep this a secret.
"How's the Clairvoyant?" Lan Jue asked.
The Wine Master's face hardened, and his eyes flashed with sadness. "He'll be out in three days.
When that time comes, we'll send him on his last journey.
A week ago, he contacted me and gave me the final list of names that he sent to me. Astonishingly enough, it included Aunt, the four of you, and us Sovereigns. "
Lan Jue nodded. Sorrow welled up in her heart. For humanity, for Skyfire Avenue, the Clairvoyant was a lamp without oil.
He'd protected Skyfire Avenue for so many years, it was a pity.
Lan Jue asked. "Are my brothers here yet?"
"Not yet," the Wine Master replied. "But they should be on their way.
The airship hangar has received a landing request.
They'll be here in a day or two.
I called you here because there's something else I need to discuss with you. "
Lan Jue nodded. "Go ahead."
The Wine Master went on. "Aliens could appear in the human world at any time. Judging from their strength, it's going to be a tough fight. Add to that the Clairvoyant's prophecy, and we need to be prepared.
We followed the Clairvoyant's instructions and started expanding the Star Alliance.
At present, all Adepts under the age of 60 in Skyfire Avenue have begun to practice mecha piloting. "
Lan Jue was surprised. "Everyone under the age of 60?"
The Wine Master nodded. "Of course, this was agreed upon by everyone.
Those who do not wish to participate can withdraw.
After all, Skyfire Avenue has never been a compulsory organization.
Of course, we Paragons don't participate in mecha training. To us mechas are of little use, and if we don't use them properly, we'll lose our lives.
It's not even as good as our original strength. "
Lan Jue couldn't agree more. It didn't mean mechas couldn't enhance a Paragon's abilities.
It was just that in order to enhance a Paragon's abilities, it would take a lot of top-quality materials!
That level of exhaustion was not something a god-class mecha could compare to.
Most importantly, not many Paragons were willing to use mechas. Once they were a Paragon, they had the power to fight in space.
One step to Paragon, one step to the heavens. It wasn't a joke.
"What do you mean?" Lan Jue asked.
"You mean we're going to form a mecha division and join the war in the near future?"
"That's the general plan," the Wine Master replied. "I'd like to hear your opinion.
We Paragons will also be part of the Legion.
Based on our understanding of our enemies, we may not have the advantage in numbers, but we'll be stronger than the average mecha.
In small skirmishes or skirmishes, we'll have good results.
But when it comes to pricing, we're not experts.
That's why I'm asking you and your brother. "
Lan Jue's brows furrowed. "This is a very important matter. I'll have to think about it.
I can't give you an answer right now, but that's not a bad thing.
That said.
Our Adepts have their own specialties, and they're all strong.
If we were to design mechas for them, it wouldn't just take time, it would also take resources! "
The Wine Master smiled. "You don't need to worry about that. Skyfire Avenue's hundred years of experience isn't just for show.
All the Mechas will be produced with our own money.
We've been working on it for some time now.
The Keeper and Bookworm are in charge. With their status in the Eastern Alliance, we don't need to worry about these things. "
Lan Jue asked. "How many have responded?"
The Wine Master answered. "Originally only a third. But after you won the Great Adept Tournament, fifty percent of eligible Adepts have risen, and it's still growing."
Lan Jue looked at the Wine Master in surprise. He hadn't expected so many to sign up for the Star Alliance's mecha division. This was a mission that involved direct combat with aliens, and it was dangerous.
As far as he knew, there were more than forty thousand registered Adepts on the Avenue. More than half of them were of the right age. Didn't that mean there were at least ten thousand Adepts who'd signed up?
Ten thousand mecha pilots was a large number, even in the military. It was the equivalent of ten Regiments.
Not to mention a mecha division made up entirely of Adepts.
It was a number that couldn't be ignored.
"Not as many as you think." The Wine Master seemed to have read his mind.
Lan Jue looked at him quizzically. "How many are there?"
The Wine Master explained. "We also have a strength requirement. We only accept Adepts who are sixth level or higher. Below sixty years of age, sixth level or higher.
Yeah, that's it. "
Lan Jue looked at him helplessly. "Can you stop panting like that? You're going to kill me.
With that rule, we're going to have ten times fewer people. "
The Wine Master couldn't help but laugh. "Skyfire Avenue may have a lot of resources, but it can't produce ten thousand god-ranked mechas, can it?
What's more, we're looking for a spearhead that can be used directly in battle. Of course we have a strength requirement. "
Only Adepts who were fourth level or higher could register on Skyfire Avenue. With a sixth level requirement, it was only natural that the majority would be eliminated.
"Then tell me, how many are there?" Lan Jue asked.
The Wine Master shook his head. "Six hundred at the moment.
It's still growing. "
"Why are you telling me this?" Lan Jue asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" The Wine Master said.
The Clairvoyant gave you the Star Alliance, you can't just ignore it, can you?
We've helped you with the early stages, the rest is up to you.
You have to make sure everyone's fighting ability is up to you.
A good Adept doesn't necessarily make a good pilot. How you train them, it's up to you.
I've heard you were an instructor at the National Eastern University, and did a good job training the younger generation.
I can give you special permission to bring them to Skyfire Avenue as well. Make them custom mechas, free of charge.
What do you think? "
"Wait, wait!"
Lan Jue raised a hand to stop the Wine Master from speaking any further. She glared at him. "So you're telling me you're putting me in charge of this army?"
The Wine Master nodded without hesitation. "Of course!
Didn't you promise the Clairvoyant?
It's too late to regret it now. "
"I …" Lan Jue gaped at him. "You've planned this all along, haven't you?"
The Wine Master nodded. "Yes!
What's the point of the war between the Star Alliance and the Four Divine Monarchs?
Isn't it just to push the Star Alliance forward?
You've also promised the Clairvoyant that you'll inherit his will. "
The corner of Lan Jue's mouth twitched. "You're quite frank."
The Wine Master smiled. "Always."
"So what do you want me to do now?" Lan Jue asked.
The Wine Master looked at her in surprise. "How should I know?
I told you, we'll take care of the early stages. If you want money, we'll give you money. If you want resources, we'll give you resources. Do you want to trouble us old folks with the rest?
We're old, there's nothing we can do. The future belongs to you young people. "
Lan Jue almost spat blood. He'd really gotten himself into a pirate ship!
He suddenly realized he no longer sympathized with the Clairvoyant.
Training six hundred Adepts to become qualified mecha pilots didn't sound too difficult, especially for him. He was a God-ranked pilot, and had the experience of the A.R.C. classes.
But was that really the case?
Of course not!
Adepts weren't students. The students of National Eastern University were young, and simple in nature. They hadn't been baptized in the ways of society, and they weren't particularly strong.
For Lan Jue, managing them was as easy as moving an arm.
But Skyfire Avenue's Adepts were different. They weren't cunning, but they had a wealth of experience, and many of them were strong.
Lan Jue could still clearly remember when the Citadels had visited Skyfire Avenue, there were at least a hundred Adepts who could fly.
Even if you took into account the fact that some of them were adept at flight, there were still more than a few ninth level Adepts!
It was easier said than done to instruct so many high-ranking Arcanists to train.
Not to mention, Skyfire Avenue's management was lax. These people were used to being lax. Forming an army would require military discipline.
Whether it was training or fighting, it wouldn't be easy.
The Wine Master looked at Lan Jue's gloomy face. "What's wrong?
Is there a problem?
If you have any questions, you can also raise them. Don't worry, everyone in the committee will try their best to help you solve them. "
Monthly votes, recommendation votes!
(To be continued.)