People found it peculiar that the Jade Clear Sect had always had secretive dealings with the Military Department, yet there never were any overt interactions. Why, then, did Wu Tian insist on involving these particular law protectors in the operation? Mingfei subtly sensed something unusual, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it, puzzled as she was for a full three days.

Mengdie had once spent time at the Zana Military Department. Besides, with her astute and naturally intelligent mind, after much thought, Mingfei eventually decided to consult Mengdie to see if she could guess the intentions of their sect master.

On hearing this, Mengdie contemplated for a while before gently shaking her head to indicate that she also couldn't figure out why law protector-level figures were sent to investigate this matter.

Ah! So even Mengdie couldn't discern the master's profound intentions, Mingfei sighed to herself. While she continued pondering, she suddenly saw Mengdie's eyes snap open as if sensing something...

——

Elsewhere on the satellite, just moments after Bai Zhexian had left, Feng Yi's Heavenly Communication suddenly activated...

"General, the Military Department is extremely concerned about your situation after hearing of your entry into the bizarre warship."

"I have gathered some information about the bizarre warship. There are numerous issues inside. Inform the higher-ups to cease the exploration mission. I will have Xiu Yi's team deliver the intelligence later."

"Understood."

"Has there been any movement outside lately? I assume all the countries are still exploring."

"Yes, indeed. All the countries have already landed on Satellite 8, but for now only a small number of explorers are involved in the investigation. Due to the multitude of forces, negotiations surrounding the exploration efforts are ongoing and making very slow progress."

"Is that so..."

Feng Yi ended the Heavenly Communication. It seemed that even if he put a stop to further exploration, it was just the high-ups valuing his personal opinion, yet unable to halt the actions of the various nations. There were too many rules within the bizarre spacecraft that humanity didn't understand. The major powers, though, were too eager and greedy for quick success, and it wouldn't be too bad if a few people died because of reckless incursion; what was to be feared was a slight mishap potentially causing an inexplicable chain reaction in space. At least until Xiu Yi had made their intelligence public, it wasn't too late to take the long view.

Rather than slow progress, it might be better to temporarily halt the probing. With that thought, Feng Yi promptly contacted John's Heavenly Communication, instructing him to send espionage agents to Satellite 8 and to vigorously spread rumors locally. Detachments of ships could disguise themselves as the vanguard of the Bergheide and Rekart powerhouses, framing and inciting dissent between them by forcibly intervening in the investigation via military power. If absolutely necessary, they could consider a space strike on the area of the black-hulled vessel, one strike only, careful not to give themselves away.

This move was undoubtedly a smokescreen, yet it could completely disrupt the exploration efforts amid the storm. Other powers would also direct suspicion towards the two giants. As rumors intensified, nations would inevitably cease exploration in the short term. As for what followed—whether he would need to apologize or how to deflect the blame—that was not his concern at the moment.

Biting cold winds blew in gusts... Yet Feng Yi's body and mind were ablaze with a heat he couldn't contain. After ending the Heavenly Communication, he struggled to take out pure water from the Space Crystal, drinking it and dousing his face with it, turning to frost flowers, momentarily causing Red Ghost, Xiu Yi, and the others to be astonished.

"Brother Feng, in such cold weather, you..."

"I'm used to it," Feng Yi didn't address the question, his body swaying, unable to stand any longer, and reluctantly, he thudded to the ground, stirring up a spray of snow...

Staring blankly at the scene before her, Xiu Yi found herself momentarily unable to come to her senses. She hurriedly moved forward to lift Feng Yi but was completely unable to understand why, as she saw his ghastly pale complexion and felt his burning temperature. A foreboding sense of dread emerged, "Brother Feng, you... What's this..."

Xiu Yi gave a gentle shake, but there was no reaction, to the incredulity of all four present—Feng Yi had actually fainted...

Why would this happen? If his Mental Power had become exhausted, it should have happened upon his arrival at Satellite 8; the few minutes of conversation should have allowed for some recovery, yet instead...

"Brother Feng, wake up, please wake up, what's happened to you?" Xiu Yi was at a loss, suddenly thinking of his older sister. "Xixi, quickly check on Brother Feng's condition."

After a brief examination, Xixi's complexion turned exceedingly grim. "Brother Feng's pulse is very weak, and his temperature has already reached 43 degrees."

"What!?" Xiu Yi abruptly grabbed Xixi by the collar. "What are you saying?" He simply couldn't believe her words.

As though he had heard Xiu Yi's roar, Feng Yi struggled to open his eyes, if only by a sliver, and said, "My time is coming to an end."

Somehow, upon hearing this, Xiu Yi's eyes suddenly moistened, and tears welled up... Looking at the dying Feng Yi, he simply couldn't accept the reality before him.

Xiu Yi bellowed, "Get the medicine, quickly!"

"It's useless; no one understands my body better than I do."

"Brother Feng, what's wrong with your body, tell me, why is this happening?" As Xiu Yi spoke, tears flowed uncontrollably down his cheeks... He had so wanted to show his maturity in front of Brother Feng, knowing all too well that his idol, the Revenge Shadow Rider, was a man of iron resolve, who detested weakness and tears, and would swallow his teeth whole if he had to — he never compromised, never gave in. Although sometimes capricious, he was always stubborn.

But this time, he hadn't been able to keep to his old creed and had helplessly fallen.

Death wasn't what Xiu Yi feared; he feared the collapse of his belief. Brother Feng was both a brother and a mentor-like presence who guided him forward, and hearing Brother Feng say these words, Xiu Yi couldn't accept it, and he refused to believe it.

Seeing Feng Yi like this, the three others by his side were also greatly shaken and couldn't come to terms with it. Red Ghost had always wanted to challenge Feng Yi, she had increasingly felt herself growing stronger and never thought this day would come. In a rush, Red Ghost took out an emergency medicine. "Hey, take this quickly."

"It's no use..." Feng Yi said with a weak smile, his voice no longer coherent in just a short time, "Save it for your journey."

"Hey! You're the Revenge Shadow Rider who never backs down, how can you fall so easily?" Although Red Ghost was trying to control her emotions, her tears were already falling freely. She was strong, proud, and at least she didn't want to appear weak in front of this legendary figure, yet her glistening tears betrayed her.

As Red Ghost spoke, she sobbed uncontrollably... It was unthinkable for her to be so vulnerable, "We haven't battled yet, didn't you promise to accept my challenge once I reached this level, you're the one who always keeps his word, Revenge Shadow Rider, you haven't fulfilled your promise yet... Revenge Shadow Rider is always true to his word, isn't he..."

Feng Yi smiled... That smile always seemed to carry a sense of unfathomable certainty. "Sorry, Red Ghost, let's call off that agreement, and this will always stand — I believe you'll surpass me someday, so why not concede early? I admit defeat and look forward to your stories..."

At that moment, Red Ghost was like a petulant child, hearing Feng Yi say this, she cried even harder — yes, Feng Yi, in his endeavor to motivate them and to break the shackles of that agreement, had actually spoken of giving up so lightly. Perhaps, that 'I admit defeat' was the very lie he was most reluctant to tell.

"Don't be sad, nor feel sorrow, my era has passed; it's up to you young people now, I have complete faith that the future will be even more brilliant." After Feng Yi finished speaking, he closed his eyes in contentment. He had foreseen this moment; if he weren't pursuing the others, maybe he wouldn't have waited until now, having already been struggling when he saw Xixi. If he hadn't exhausted the last bit of his strength to hold on, he might have died much earlier.

As they faced Feng Yi's heartfelt words and his current plight, the four could only remember and sob, having no other means to help. How they wished time could stand still; Brother Feng had helped everyone many times, repeatedly resolving everyone's crises and correcting their future paths, but now, they were so helpless that they couldn't even offer a bit of help.

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