"Legion Commander, is that you?"

"There's no need to worry about the Capital, I anticipated this day might come and had already written a letter for Eggy to deliver to the Military Department. Don't be impulsive anymore, perhaps this is the last thing I can do for you."

Feng Yi's voice gradually faded away. When John woke up, it seemed as if nothing had happened, except for his still-moist eyes. He also received the latest news from the Military Department.

The message stated that the Federation was currently negotiating with Zana over the recent attack, and the unauthorized action taken by the Flaming Fleet appeared to be much ado about nothing, with no real response. Instead, the news and newspapers were filled with reports of his dismissal trial. But beyond that, not a single person or piece of weaponry was mobilized from the higher-ups, and it seemed as though the incident was forcibly suppressed by those at the top.

John knew that the Legion Commander had anticipated all of this.

However, after learning of Feng Yi's death, Zana's anger over the Flaming Fleet's sudden attack seemed to have subsided significantly. The Jade Clear Sect had indeed been closely associated with the Zana military, and after investigating the matter years ago, Feng Yi ultimately perished on Death Planet. It was as if mud had fallen into one's pants – not initially feces, but it had become so. Thus, the response to the Flaming Fleet's actions was somewhat understandable.

But who was to compensate for Zana's fleet's loss of a hundred thousand people, hundreds of warships, and thousands of Gundams?

The Federation clearly wouldn't compensate, and if any compensation was to be made, it would undoubtedly be Zana compensating the Federation. After all, the Federation insisted it was all Zana's undeniable doing. With the Sky Eye, they could even find blurry images from satellite No. 8 from some time ago. As the saying goes, "Generals are hard to come by," and in the Federation's view, their losses far exceeded those of Zana.

With neither side yielding, a frustrated Zana chose not to retaliate directly, but used this as an excuse to default on its national debt.

In an era of inflation, money was already devalued, and the Federation also employed tactics, intercepting all of Zana's export trades. The two sides fought back and forth, but ultimately reached a settlement over the office desk—of course, all these were matters for later.

——

At Jade Clear Sect atop Immortal Mountain, five shuttle-crafts fled in panic, then hurried back. As they disembarked, this scene instantly made it impossible for the multitude of disciples to accept; some collapsed on the spot, some cried outright, while others cursed and wished they could have beaten those Flaming Fleet soldiers to death.

The centuries-old foundation of the sect had been destroyed in an instant. Wu Tian truly did not know how to face his ancestors. Thankfully, most disciples were still alive. A home might be gone, but it could be rebuilt; once disciples perished, however, everything was lost.

But to undertake such a massive reconstruction project was easier said than done. Could this be what the divinations hinted at—a light at the end of the tunnel? No, it was more like a dead end, although perhaps it was slightly better than a dead end. How could it be a light at the end of the tunnel? That would mean dead trees blooming at the advent of spring, coming back to life, but looking at the current state, what had become of everything?

Aboard the vast shuttle-craft, the disciples were at a loss, now only able to live day to day on these few civilian craft, with supplies to last only a few days. As for undertaking such a large rebuilding project, to be honest, the costs were counted in the billions.

Destruction was easy, but reconstruction was difficult. With the Jade Clear Sect's current destitution, where would they get such a sum of money? Without decades, it was virtually impossible to complete such a grand project.

The many high-level members were filled with melancholy. They were alive, indeed, but most of the Jade Clear Sect's foundations had vanished in the Flaming Fleet's merciless bombardment, and the remaining wealth consisted solely of closely guarded secrets. As for monetary wealth, even if they had a tenth or a twentieth, it wouldn't be as dismal.

Just as Jade Clear Sect was at their wit's end, suddenly, a communication came through from the Blade Warrior, "Hehe, it's actually Miss Blade Warrior. I still have to thank you for yesterday's affair, if it wasn't for your intervention..."

"Okay, okay, I know, stop babbling." Seeing Wu Tian's embarrassed expression, Blade Warrior truly couldn't stand to hear the hermitage school's flowery language.

The surrounding disciples' faces immediately turned cold. They were grateful, of course, but the way she spoke to their Sect Master was a bit too presumptuous.

"Eggy, do you really mean that?"

"Of course I do."

"I cannot thank you enough, please accept my respect."

Just as Wu Tian was about to bow in thanks, the Blade Warrior quickly waived her hands, dismissing it. As the leader, if he bowed, all his disciples would feel compelled to follow suit. She realized she couldn't bear such a gesture -- it would make everything too official.

"Hahahaha..." Wu Tian laughed heartily at her response, instantly returning to the image of a venerable immortal, "Many thanks, many thanks..."

"No need for thanks. If anyone, thank Feng Yi and Butterfly, and the child within her," suggested the Blade Warrior, her words loaded with meaning. "Hmm, I'm about to be an aunt, after all. I just don't know... what are your plans for rebuilding the Jade Clear Sect?"

"Ah! That's the trouble that's been plaguing me. When has our vast Immortal Mountain ever lacked funds? But we left in such a hurry this time, we didn't bring anything with us. I'm afraid most of our treasures are buried and destroyed. Tragic, truly tragic!"

"Don't worry—cough—the Master should not panic. The difficulty in rebuilding is merely a matter of funds, where I can offer some help. With substantial capital, I estimate the restoration could be completed in as little as three to five months or up to one to two years—at the same time, I hope your sect can provide some manpower support and cooperate with our skill experimentations during this period."

Wu Tian's gaze shifted. "Our Jade Clear Sect's skills are closely guarded secrets, but for Miss Blade Warrior, it's a different matter. However, most of our skills have been buried, how will we retrieve them?"

"There's no need to worry about that. I'm not asking for much, mainly the basic theories. After that, the construction of the Sky Garden may also require some extra hands."

"Heh, very well," Wu Tian stroked his long beard.

Right now, what he needed most was funding. With the generous support from the Combat Power Tester corporation's mogul, money should be easily within reach. Additionally, it was rumored that the free Bounty Tribe held a personal stake in the shares of the Blade Warriors. Wu Tian wondered what kind of scheme was hidden behind this capital investment and knew better than to trust the sugar-coated bullets of capitalists. He couldn't bring himself to believe that the Blade Warrior was so benevolent.

Indeed, her affection for Feng Yi was genuine, and her concern for Mengdie's child was real. However, there was no need to gather so many dependents so suddenly. Thus, Wu Tian couldn't help but remain slightly guarded when considering her offer. Despite his reservations, he couldn't find a better solution; this was a fortunate stroke of serendipity amidst misfortune. Should this turn of events be seen as light at the end of the tunnel, Wu Tian had no reason to dispute it.

Ah! Who would have thought that before the world's catastrophe even arrived, the destruction of the Jade Clear Sect would have preceded it. Despite the joy thinking of the future might bring, Wu Tian couldn't help but feel a heavy heart.

The members of the Jade Clear Sect did not delay and boarded a civilian shuttle that very day, heading to Maraca's Freedom Port. However, it was clearly impossible to transport tens of thousands of disciples all at once. But who would have known the Blade Warrior would be so capable -- she directly called in several giant shuttles from the free Bounty Tribe. A single shuttle could carry thousands, and it was estimated that everyone could be transported in only two or three trips.

Giant shuttles are usually escorted by armed forces. After recovering from his injuries, Desert Storm TK volunteered to come here. When he heard of Feng Yi's departure, his feelings were complex, to say the least. This journey could also be considered as fulfilling a friend's duty.

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