On Planet Kangta, following the conclusion of the league, teachers and students from various colleges were preparing to depart.
Upon landing on Kangta, they had been informed that according to the mandatory regulations of Ben Military Academy, outsiders could stay for a maximum of one week after the competition ended. Everyone had to evacuate before their entry codes expired, or face the consequences.
Faced with such overbearing behavior from the host, Ben Military Academy, these chosen elites of the Federation were initially unwilling to accept it. They were, after all, the top thirty selected from across the entire Federation. Many of their own schools had hosted the Grand Joint Competition before, and none had ever enforced such aggressive and unreasonable rules.
However, after witnessing the final battle with their own eyes—and especially after reviewing the recordings with their instructors to analyze Team 18’s maneuvers throughout the tournament—their tune changed.
Might made right, and they were thoroughly convinced.
Of course, among them were still those who considered themselves strong, who refused to admit defeat after the review and were itching for another fight.
For instance, the leader of the school that always ranked third.
For instance, Ji Wei, the leader of the Federation’s First Military Academy.
And, of course, Hill.
At that moment, as if sensing the intense fury of its host, the System—which had been silent for a long while after warning him—finally issued new tasks. This time, there were two.
While issuing the tasks, the System, well-versed in the "carrot and stick" approach, provided the host with a small convenience in advance.
Having received the benefit, Hill began to seriously examine the two tasks. They corresponded to two individuals. One he knew and had seen during the league: Ji Wei, the leader of the First Military Academy.
As for the other—
When he saw the character image provided by the System, Hill’s heart throbbed violently. Next to the second person, the System had annotated information in bright red letters: "Core Task."
Ji—Ye—ran?
Hill silently mouthed the name as he focused on the image provided by the System.
It was a very young Alpha officer wearing a military uniform. The dark fabric possessed a matte, ascetic quality. The collar was fastened tight, the brim of his cap pulled low. He had a cold, expressionless face, yet within the gaze directed straight ahead, there was a hidden trace of lingering tenderness that couldn't be suppressed.
Hill had seen this man before on Planet Kangta, though the person he had glimpsed briefly was similar yet distinct from this young officer.
A Core Task? Looking at Ji Yeran’s image, Hill was momentarily stunned, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Ji Yeran, unaware that he had been targeted once again, was contacting four people—the four courageous "lone wolf" stragglers who had followed him into the fray during the final match.
The first to receive the message was Number 29, the first one to surrender. This powerhouse, who had relied on individual bravery to lead fourteen "dead weights" into the top thirty, jumped up in excitement upon receiving the news.
Then, he and the other three hurried to the meeting, only to receive an enlistment invitation from their Commander.
Number 29: "??!"
Facing the four bewildered men, Ji Yeran offered a smile. He had handpicked these four. They had no tangled web of connections behind them, possessed immense potential, and were both bold and meticulous. Only such people were fit to become his direct subordinates.
After all, as one of the eight major legions of the Federation, the Ji family was far from a monolithic entity. One could even say that in his previous life, he had met his downfall in their murky waters.
Having lived a second life, Ji Yeran knew there were many "rats" around him. For example, the "rat" he had finally sniffed out in this life—he didn't plan to deal with it yet. After all, a rat hidden in plain sight was more useful.
In this life, with the addition of a certain delicate patient, he had to climb higher.
He needed a direct lineage that was loyal only to him. The Ji family was the Ji family; he was himself.
Faced with Ji Yeran’s olive branch inviting them to become prison guards, the soon-to-graduate Number 29 didn't hesitate for a second, agreeing on the spot.
Number 29 declared that this was a "golden rice bowl" within the system! His family would be so happy to hear the news.
The other three didn't hesitate either, though one of them raised a small request.
His girlfriend wanted to have another fight with the Commander-in-Chief.
What on earth?!
Under the shocked gazes of the three lone-wolf, single-dog soldiers huddling together for warmth, the final substitute member stated softly that his girlfriend—the leader of the perennial third-place school—wanted to fight the Commander-in-Chief again.
Ji Yeran: "..."
If he remembered correctly, this soldier, who was soft and mellow in private but fierce on the battlefield, had nearly been beaten bald by his girlfriend’s team. What kind of "love-hate" relationship was this?
At that moment, the soft-natured Alpha wore a look of blissful happiness. His girlfriend knew he was powerful, so she had led her team to take them out first. How brilliant of her!
Facing this fool in love, Ji Yeran remained silent for a moment before directly contacting Feng Zhixi.
Confronted with the challenge, Feng Zhixi merely arched an eyebrow and signaled: Bring it on!
Thus, a group of Alphas watched from a close distance as two beautiful Omegas slaughtered each other in the Star Net’s combat system, creating a world-shaking bloodbath.
Number 29 looked at the soft-natured Alpha with the eyes one would reserve for a hero. As for the Commander... well, he withheld judgment.
Still unaware that he was being gossiped about, Ji Yeran leisurely enjoyed Feng Zhixi’s "instructional match." Eventually, the leader of the perennial third-place school, that beautiful female Omega, tossed her high ponytail and conceded decisively.
She truly couldn't win. Even with identical starting conditions, there was a significant gap between her and her opponent. It was a distance that couldn't be closed.
This time, Emir was thoroughly convinced.
Emir, the leader of that third-place school, smiled at Feng Zhixi and said, "I lost."
In a head-on clash, she finally understood where the other’s strength lay. She was skilled in strategic alliances and maximizing team advantages, but she wasn't skilled in creation.
In the face of absolute strength, any schemes or intrigues were futile.
Being someone who could let go as easily as she took up a challenge, the bright-smiling Emir extended her hand to Feng Zhixi and said warmly, "Let's be friends?"
Seeing the extended hand, Feng Zhixi blinked but didn't move. Then, he felt Ji Yeran lightly poke his lower back with a finger.
Feng Zhixi, who was ticklish, glared at the man. *Don't touch me, it tickles!*
Being glared at, Ji Yeran couldn't help but smile. The little delicate one hadn't changed at all.
After finishing his glare at Ji Yeran, Feng Zhixi reached out.
The hands of the two Omegas met.
Emir smiled, and then she dropped a bombshell: "Actually, I applied to Ben Military Academy once."
Looking at the slightly stunned Feng Zhixi, she said with a smile, "My score was high enough, but I didn't get into the Interstellar Combat Command major."
Therefore, knowing she couldn't get into that specific major, Emir ultimately didn't go to Ben. Instead, she chose the ace major of another prestigious school.
"You're in the Interstellar Combat Command major at Ben, right?" Emir asked.
"Yes." Feng Zhixi could tell Emir had more to say.
Then, he heard her say, "Chief, I've got high hopes for you! Good luck!"
Emir dropped the bomb with a grin.
Indeed, while the two of them were still unaware, Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran had already become candidates for the "Chief" of Ben Military Academy. A debate surrounding the two candidates had already begun quietly within the school.
Emir had placed her bet on the Commander-in-Chief, Feng Zhixi. Although she wasn't a graduate of Ben herself, her father was. By extension, she considered herself half a Ben Military Academy person.
Therefore, she could place a bet too!
Chief? What Chief?
The two people who hadn't even graduated and had only studied at Ben for a year looked at each other.
So, was *this* the reason they had been forced to attend the school back then?
Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran simultaneously realized the truth—the matter the Old Principal had intentionally kept hidden.
The Old Principal had calculated everything, but he never expected that a single slip-up would allow an outsider to reveal things to Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran that they weren't supposed to know yet.
At this moment, Emir didn't realize she had caused trouble; she was still smiling like a flower.
Emir said mysteriously, "Maybe we'll see each other again very soon~"
***
Soon, the final deadline for the various colleges to stay on Kangta arrived. One by one, the school teams, led by their instructors, prepared to return to their home campuses.
Among them, of course, were students who were about to graduate or who wanted to travel and see the world.
As the leader of Lanli Academy, Benjamin felt this way. He proactively submitted an application to his instructor, which was quickly approved.
The smiling instructor stated that this was exactly what the Old Dean intended—he hoped these children wouldn't work behind closed doors but would see how vast the world truly was.
At this time, Ji Wei, who intended to win over the leader of this year's Lanli Academy, approached Benjamin. "I have a slot for a joint military exercise. Do you want to join?"
Ji Wei had his own calculations. As the most outstanding descendant of the next generation of the Ji family, he never believed Ji Yeran was stronger than him. In Ji Wei's heart, the only thing Ji Yeran had over him was his family background.
While he was fighting tooth and nail for the First Military Academy on Kangta, that good-for-nothing brat had easily obtained a position of real military power—even if it was just a prison warden—simply because of a pretty face that looked like an Omega's and their grandfather’s favoritism!
He was clearly countless times stronger than that rebellious, unlearned brat. Why!
Ji Wei was furious, especially since Ji Yeran shouldn't even have the surname Ji!
His internal jealousy drove Ji Wei to seek partners outside, and Lanli Academy was his target this time. The mecha he piloted in this competition had been modified by Benjamin, so Ji Wei knew exactly how high the other's level was.
Faced with Ji Wei's invitation, Benjamin, who also wanted to see the world and hone his skills, agreed.
Benjamin nodded. "Fine, I'm in. Where is the exercise being held?"
Then, he heard an unbelievable location from Ji Wei’s mouth: "Planet M88?!" That Honeymoon Planet?!
Ji Wei nodded. He hadn't forgotten that Benjamin always had a little Omega by his side—very cute, blonde with blue eyes, petite and exquisite.
So, Ji Wei suggested casually, "You can bring your little boyfriend along. There's still half a month before the exercise."
They could take a vacation first.
A vacation? Thinking of the recently despondent Hill, Benjamin felt a sudden urge.
Benjamin asked, "When do we leave?"
Ji Wei: "Tomorrow."
At the same moment, Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran watched the villa doors slowly close. They looked at each other and turned to leave.
Their next destination was Planet M88.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
季崴 | Ji Wei | Leader of the First Military Academy, Ji Yeran's rival/relative.
艾米尔 | Emir | Leader of the "perennial third-place" school, a female Omega.
核心任务 | Core Task | A high-priority mission assigned by Hill's system.
嫡系 | Direct Lineage / Inner Circle | Subordinates loyal specifically to an individual rather than an organization.
金饭碗 | Golden Rice Bowl | A secure, well-paying job (often in the government/military).
艾米尔 | Emir | Leader of the third-place school.
M88星球 | Planet M88 | Also known as "Heaven's Kiss" or the "Honeymoon Planet."
联合军演 | Joint Military Exercise | The event Ji Wei invites Benjamin to.
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