Lan Jue and Qianlin were much luckier. Jun Yongye and Xuanyuan Shishi, the two sword-spirits, had helped solve many of their problems. They'd taken the initiative to seal away the majority of the sword's power. They were also stronger than the Pharmacist, so the side effects were less severe. Even so, Lan Jue could still feel Captus inside him.
A soft hum sounded, and Lan Jue awoke from his meditation. The pain was intense, and yet again, he felt it.
He'd helped Zhou Qianlin with the fusion, and Demortus wouldn't help him repair anything. The pain was real.
"It's done?" The Pharmacist's surprised voice called out.
Lan Jue took a deep breath, and the energy within her flowed out like a tidal wave. It healed her damaged meridians. She smiled. "It's done, but I'll need some time to understand."
The Apothecary smiled. "You're much stronger than I was back in the day. I remember it took me seven days and seven nights to complete the fusion. You, on the other hand, only took three days, and two swords at that.
Focus on your cultivation, I'll be by your side. "
Lan Jue nodded. "I'll continue later. I need to see how the Division is doing."
Lan Jue spent the next three days meditating, and so did Star Division. He hadn't brought Star Division out to train with him, so he had to take care of the Division first.
Now that he'd merged the two swords, he didn't need to rely on a planet.
When he'd done the fusion, he'd understood why the swords needed to be on a stable planet.
Only on a stable planet would space be stable. But in space, space and energy fluctuated constantly.
Spatial ripples and energy ripples were constantly changing. The energy contained within the two divine swords was too enormous. If they were not controlled properly, it could cause a great disaster.
Leaving the room, Lan Jue saw the mechas of the four battalions engaged in a variety of combat drills.
Star Division didn't have that many mechas.
There were only about 800 of them in total, which was the same as the strength of a normal mecha clan in the army. The reason why it was called a legion was because of their combat strength.
There was a flash of light, and a figure appeared before him. It was the Gourmet.
"Done?" The Gourmet looked Lan Jue up and down.
What surprised him was that Lan Jue didn't seem to have changed much after the closed-door training. Her essence was restrained, and there seemed to be no difference from before.
Still, the Paragon's keen senses told him something was different about Lan Jue.
If one were to say that he was the leader of the younger generation of ability users.
The Gourmet could feel a sense of danger emanating from Lan Jue's body. But now he was at the same level as the Gourmet.
The only thing that could make a Paragon feel threatened was another Paragon.
However, Lan Jue was clearly still at the level of an Adept, which showed how special his current state was.
Lan Jue smiled and nodded. "You've worked hard.
Are there any more aliens? "
The Gourmet gave her a thumbs-up.
"You were right. A space-faring alien has appeared, and it must be very strong.
It was headed here. "
Lan Jue's voice was doubtful. "Strong?
You didn't fight it? "
The Gourmet chuckled wryly. "I didn't even have to fight. You hid it from me. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Lan Jue understood, and couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. "I didn't find out until we were close to Tempest.
Moreover, she was in a deep sleep at that time. Who knows if she's reliable or not! "
The Gourmet chuckled.
"Be careful with your words!
I'm telling you, Paragons have Perception that you can't comprehend.
The realm of perception is something you can't comprehend. Perhaps that person can hear you. "
Lan Jue jumped in fright. "I didn't say anything!
What happened to the alien? "
The Gourmet chuckled. "You should learn from Roxanne and carry a camera with you."
Lan Jue's jaw dropped. "An alien that can fly in space can be turned into a photograph?"
"You're not a Paragon yet," the Gourmet said. "You don't know how terrifying a Paragon can be.
Other than Jue Di, this was the strongest Adept in the world.
She could even turn me into a picture if she wanted to, let alone the Marauder.
I heard the Wine Master mention that when Jueti first came to Skyfire Avenue, she sparred with the Photographer. At first, even Jueti suffered at her hands.
Skyfire Avenue's number one fighter isn't just for show.
The Clairvoyant's departure wasn't a loss in combat power, but a guide. The Photographer is the true embodiment of Skyfire Avenue's strength. "
Lan Jue took a deep breath. She was seeing her mother in a whole new light.
He opened his communicator and called the group. "Xiaosu, the Driver, the Bartender, the Coffee Master, come to me."
"What do you plan to do next?" The Gourmet asked.
"Continue to fight the pirates, or search for aliens?"
Lan Jue answered without hesitation. "We don't know how the aliens got here, and we don't know what planet they're on.
We have to focus on the pirates.
The planets they live on are the ones where life is most likely to show up.
Even if the aliens have a choice, that's where they'll be.
If we run into them, we'll kill them. If we don't, we'll keep training.
However, I'll have to stay here for a while to stabilize my fusion with the two swords.
Star Division, however, can't stop fighting. Morale is high, it's better to keep it up. We have to keep going. "
It wasn't long before Xiaosu and the others arrived before Lan Jue. Lan Jue made her intentions clear.
Xiaosu already had a plan in mind. "Then we'll stick to our original plan. We'll leave some soldiers here to defend the base, while the rest go on to other pirate planets.
We'll use Tempest as the center to clear out the pirates. What do you think? "
Lan Jue nodded. "You're the most familiar with this place. You'll be in command.
We don't need too many soldiers here. First Brigade's Ace Squad will stay, Zeus -1 will stay, and the rest will be yours.
I'll be more at ease with Majesty's protection. "
As a commander, Su Xiaosu was very decisive. She didn't hesitate to make the necessary arrangements.
The Driver couldn't help but sigh as he watched Xiaosu leave. "Why are you so popular with the ladies?
Surrounded by beautiful women, and each one is more capable than the last. "
The Coffee Master chuckled. "That's a good word."
"Piss off!" Lan Jue gave him a flying kick, and the Coffee Master ran off laughing.
Su Xiaosu was efficient. Star Division regrouped and returned to Majesty. They were ready to go.
Lan Jue had the Gourmet go with them. Only the Pharmacist and First Brigade's Ace Squad were left behind on Tempest.
Su Xiaosu was given command of First Brigade.
Majesty dropped from the sky, and a tractor beam pulled Star Division's soldiers aboard. There was a flash of light, and Majesty's cloaking abilities were activated once more. They disappeared into the horizon, continuing their mission of cleansing the island.
"It's nice to have your feet on the ground!" A lazy voice called out.
Lan Jue didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Why did you stay behind, mother?" Lan Jue greeted her with a smile. She'd popped out of nowhere, and no one knew where she'd gone.
Luo Xianni pouted like a little girl and said with dissatisfaction, "You brat, you have no conscience. Isn't this old lady trying to protect you?
Chi Bupang doesn't care, but I can't. It's been a long time since I had a son, of course I have to keep you safe. "
His godmother was a little off the rails, but hearing her words warmed Lan Jue's heart. He'd grown up without parents, and especially without a mother's love. He was especially sensitive to these feelings.
"That's what I'll call you from now on, mother." Lan Jue said softly.
Roxanne paused. She looked at Lan Jue, and when their eyes met, she saw a sincerity she'd never seen before.
In the past, Lan Jue had called her 'mother' or 'godmother' because of her relationship with Jue Di. Now, however, he called her from the bottom of his heart.
"Okay, okay!" Luo Xianni said with a smile, but her eyes turned red unconsciously.
Lan Jue's call was from the heart. Without Roxanne, he and Zhou Qianlin would be long dead. Roxanne had come to protect him on this expedition.
She was a Paragon of Nirvana!
She'd done so much for him because of some unwarranted affection. How could he not be moved?
Lan Jue walked to Roxanne's side and took her arm. "My brother and I were orphans. My father took us in, and we trained hard under his guidance.
We didn't have to depend on each other.
When we first started school, the last time we wanted to be apart was at the beginning and end of each semester.
Because every time that happened, there would be many students' parents coming to the academy to pick them up.
We only had each other.
My brother didn't say it, but I know he felt the same way.
We longed to have parents, to have a family.
I'll take care of you when you're old. "
Roxanne rapped him on the head. "What do you mean old? Do you think I'm that old?
Hurry up and stabilize your cultivation.
I'm going to take a walk. "She broke free from Lan Jue's grasp, and disappeared in a blink of an eye.
All that was left behind was a single drop of water that floated down to the ground.
(To be continued)