Zeus -1 came to a stop on a special landing pad. Lan Jue, the Pharmacist, and Jueti disembarked.
Lan Qing, the Wine Master, and the Clockmaker were already waiting for them. There weren't many people, but they were of a high standard.
Lan Jue, however, knew they weren't here to greet her. They were here to give face to her father.
He approached with a smile. "Wine Master, it's been a long time!"
The Wine Master shot him a cold glare, but ignored him. He stepped forward and bowed to Jueti. "Your Majesty, you've worked hard."
Jueti waved a hand. "What's so hard about saving my own son?
Come with me to a quiet room. Wake me when the battle begins. "
"Yes, I've arranged everything for you.
My aunt is there as well.
I'll take you there. "As he spoke, the Wine Master personally led the way, leading Jue Di away.
The Pharmacist came to Lan Jue's side and nodded to the Clockmaker. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I've caused everyone trouble."
The Epochrion smiled. "A blessing in disguise, a blessing in disguise.
There's no need to talk about the past.
Come, everyone's waiting for you. "
Lan Qing walked over to Lan Jue and clapped him on the shoulder. He nodded to the Pharmacist, then turned and left without another word.
He was still as cool as ever.
The Clockmaker led Lan Jue and the Pharmacist to a verti-car. As soon as Lan Jue climbed in, she asked. "What's the situation?"
The Clockmaker's voice was low. "It's not clear, but I'm afraid the people on those planets …"
Lan Jue's eyes darkened. After all the time they'd been occupied by the alien planets, their chances of survival were close to zero.
That was more than five percent of the entire human population, and they had perished just like that.
"The aliens are cunning," the Clockmaker said. "They've used the planets as a barrier and a host of aliens to control the airspace.
They've sealed off all possibilities of our reconnaissance.
The Northern Alliance had tried many times, but all had failed.
The Northern Alliance's bastions tried to test the waters, but the aliens were cunning. As soon as the bastions got close, they moved closer to the planets they occupied, using them as a barrier.
The Northern Alliance's bastions don't dare venture too deep, for fear of falling into a trap. We're at a stalemate right now. We'll have to fight our way in. "
Lan Jue's brows furrowed. This wasn't something he'd anticipated. The aliens' strategy was to bait the enemy in. If they only relied on the ordinary aliens to defend, they wouldn't be able to withstand the combined firepower of the Bastions and the fleet.
But there was no way to investigate what was going on inside the alien planets, so there was no way to know what was going on.
If the alien planets hadn't been in the process of evolution, things would have been different.
Even now, no one knew just how powerful the alien home worlds truly were.
"What are the Northern Alliance's plans?" Lan Jue asked.
The Clockmaker answered. "You've brought back information, as well as His Majesty Jueti's confirmation. The Northern Alliance has decided to launch an all-out attack.
Whether the planets are in the process of evolution or not, they'll have to.
This was something they had no choice but to do.
The Northern Alliance is confident in their strength. Although the enemy is strong, their bastions are more than enough to hold them off. This isn't the Shattered Starfields, where there's less cover. This is our home turf.
All three Major Leagues have gathered their armies here. Once the war breaks out, even if the planets aren't in the process of evolution, as long as they can't teleport away, we'll have a chance to defeat them. "
Lan Jue nodded. "That's true, but I don't know why, but something doesn't feel right."
"Wrong?
Where is it?
Is there something wrong with the information you brought back? "The Clockmaker asked.
Lan Jue shook her head. "The information we brought back shouldn't be a problem. The problem is, the way the planets are acting, they're waiting for us to attack.
From what we've seen so far, the planets are highly intelligent. At least in terms of strategy and tactics, we've never had the upper hand. They know the Major League's combined strength is formidable. Why would they wait for us to attack?
Let's not talk about who will win or lose. This is different from the aliens' cunning. "
The Clockmaker's brows furrowed. "But the problem is, we're like an arrow on a bowstring. There's no turning back.
Unless we can get a clearer picture of what's going on, especially where the planets are headed. "
Lan Jue's voice was resolute. "I want to try.
Can we get in touch with the Northern Alliance? We'll try to get past their defenses and find out what's going on inside. Once we're sure, we'll launch our attack. "
"Alright," the Clockmaker said. "I'll get in touch with Admiral Lan Qing and ask the Eastern Alliance to send a message to the Northern Alliance."
Lan Jue nodded. Others might not be able to get in, but he was confident.
The entire Star Division was here, along with Zeus' Amazons. With Lin Guoguo's Psionic Mimicry and Zeus -1's cloaking abilities and familiarity with the aliens, it wasn't impossible for them to infiltrate the enemy's defenses.
After all, Skyfire Avenue was home to many Paragons.
They could also coordinate with the main assault force. If they found nothing amiss, they could send word to the main assault force.
When the car stopped, Lan Jue stepped out. His heart was filled with emotion.
Star Division's soldiers were lined up in neat rows. When he stepped out of the car, they all saluted him.
"Commander!"
Lan Jue strode forward to stand in front of Star Division. He could feel the energy and vigor of the soldiers, and his heart was filled with excitement.
Standing at the head of Star Division were the Paragons of Skyfire Avenue. He also saw a familiar figure.
Her body was slightly stooped, her hair white, but her eyes were clear.
It was Granny Bize, the one who'd given him and Zhou Qianlin the Arrow of Kindness.
Bize, the legendary God of Wine!
The Wine Master had invited her, but he didn't get to see the other God of Wine, Aubert de Villaine.
The Infernal Vanguard, the Keeper, the Karmic Scholar, the Bookworm, the Arhat of the Taming Dragon, the Wine Master, and the Clockmaker, who'd accompanied Lan Jue, were all present.
How many Paragons were there …
Most of the Paragons of today were here.
The Eastern Alliance could only be described as extravagant in terms of individual strength. Don't forget the Photographer, Roxanne, Jueti, the Astral Phantom, and Lan Qing.
There were more than ten Paragons here!
It was easy to imagine the power of all of them combined.
Lan Jue's eyes lit up when he sensed a familiar aura. It was the Driver.
The Driver looked at him with a grin. His bandit aura had sublimated, and he looked taller than before. Not physically, but spiritually.
He was more reserved.
He'd broken through!
He'd become a Paragon!
Lan Jue's heart leaped with joy. Another Paragon meant another increase in their overall strength.
Don't forget, his breakthrough was through the fusion of yin and yang lightning. He'd forged a path of his own.
As a Paragon, the Driver's combat prowess was far greater than that of a first-degree Paragon.
Not even the Gourmet or the Bookworm could compare to the Driver.
"I've worried you all." Before Lan Jue could respond, the Pharmacist took a step forward and bowed deeply.
"Mama!"
A clear voice called out. A tiny figure emerged from the crowd and flew into the Pharmacist's arms.
The Pharmacist's face was filled with indescribable emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged Jun'Er tightly.
Her heart was filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Jun'Er, I'm so sorry.
I shouldn't have left you. I won't be so impulsive again.
I'm so sorry, my baby. "
Jun'er did not cry. Her little face was still full of smiles. She used her little hands to gently pat her mother's back. "It's okay, mom. Everything will be fine. I knew that daddy would bring you back.
We'll always be together.
I miss you, mama. "
The Pharmacist kissed her daughter's cheek, sobbing uncontrollably.
Lan Jue came to their side and gently tousled Jun'Er's hair.
The Wine Master's voice was low. "There's no need to say anything. We have to prepare for battle. How are you feeling?"
Lan Jue paused. "I'm fine. What's wrong?
Is the battle about to begin? "
The Wine Master nodded. "The Northern Alliance has informed us that they're about to launch an all-out assault. Star Division will be assisting them."