Yun Yi opened his eyes, finished his cultivation, and stood up. He clenched his fist, a look of pleasant surprise on his face.

  His gaze shifted to the force-measuring device in the corner of the room.

  He pulled his body back, his right fist drawn to his waist.

  "Ha!" With a shout, Yun Yi swung his right arm with full force, channeling all his strength into the punch. His fist slammed heavily into the force-measuring device.

  "13 tons!"

  Looking at the number displayed on the device, Yun Yi stared at his fist in astonishment, taking a long time to process what he had just achieved.

  "Incredible! The difference between mid-level and early-level eighth stage is truly remarkable!"

  Just moments ago, through persistent cultivation, Yun Yi had successfully advanced to the mid-level of the eighth stage in martial arts. He had already felt a significant improvement in his abilities, and after testing, he was thrilled to see that his maximum punch force had increased from 10 tons to over 13 tons.

  Is this the difference between the early and mid-levels of the eighth stage?

  What would it be like if I reached the high-level of the eighth stage?

  Yun Yi was filled with anticipation for the future.

  A month ago, after successfully absorbing almost all of Captain Solon’s combat experience, Yun Yi decided to go into seclusion. Solon fully supported his decision, privately telling Zhao Xuanxin that Yun Yi was likely about to break through to the mid-level of the eighth stage. Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanxin immediately changed his earlier plans, canceling or modifying all orders related to Yun Yi’s participation in battles, and fully supported his seclusion.

  Yun Yi lived up to their expectations, successfully breaking through to the mid-level of the eighth stage in just one month. His current martial arts level could truly be considered the highest in the Restoration Army. Even Solon, the captain of the royal guards, was only at the early-level of the eighth stage.

  Unexpectedly, just as Yun Yi finished showering and was changing clothes, the communicator on his bedside table began beeping.

  Glancing at it, he saw it was a message from Zhao Xuanxin. How did he know I had just made a breakthrough?

  Puzzled, Yun Yi opened the communicator.

  "Yun Yi? There’s no more time for cultivation. I’m ordering you, as the base commander, to report to the temporary palace immediately."

  "Yes!"

  Although confused by Zhao Xuanxin’s serious tone, as a soldier, Yun Yi immediately accepted the order and set off for the palace.

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  The distance between his residence and the palace wasn’t far, so he didn’t need any transportation. As he walked, he noticed that everyone around him seemed to be in a hurry. Occasionally, he encountered soldiers who were fully armed, directing the residents.

  "Excuse me, what’s going on?"

  Despite having received Zhao Xuanxin’s order, Yun Yi couldn’t help but ask a passing soldier.

  The soldier, surprised that someone didn’t know what was happening, was about to scold him when he noticed Yun Yi’s rank of lieutenant colonel. He immediately stood at attention and saluted, saying loudly, "Reporting, sir! By order of the base command, we are assisting all residents in evacuating to the shelters."

  "Shelters..." Yun Yi’s pupils constricted. "Does that mean the government forces are attacking?"

  "Sorry..." The soldier, though curious that someone didn’t know about such a major event, still answered, "The command center notified us that the government fleet will arrive at the base in five hours..."

  Before he could finish, Yun Yi interrupted urgently, "What about our fleet? Why haven’t they mobilized yet?"

  The soldier’s face showed a pained expression as he lowered his head and said sadly, "Half an hour ago, they were all annihilated. The only ones left are the royal fleet guarding the base entrance..."

  "What..." Yun Yi felt as if he had been struck by lightning, stunned in place.

  Nearly four thousand warships, four entire fleets, had all been annihilated...

  Those comrades who called him teacher—Thomas, Hewitt, Tom, Eve... and Captain Chen Kuang... were they all gone?

  Standing there in shock, Yun Yi’s mind flashed with memories: teaching those soldiers, listening to their combat experiences, receiving notes on fleet command from Chen Kuang... The past flowed through his mind like water. He was still alive, but those people were gone. For the first time, Yun Yi felt a deep aversion to war.

  Back then, war had taken the lives of his parents and relatives. He hadn’t thought much about it, only focusing on training hard to avenge them.

  But now, war had once again taken the lives of his comrades, brothers in arms. Beyond vengeance, another thought arose in his heart.

  If there were no war, how wonderful it would be. His parents wouldn’t have died, his little sister wouldn’t have died, his comrades wouldn’t have died. Captain Chen Kuang wouldn’t have aged prematurely from the stress of endless battles. Zhao Xuanxin wouldn’t have to work so tirelessly every day, and Solon wouldn’t have spent decades guarding the queen, with little time for his own life.

  "War, damn it all!"

  In a daze, Yun Yi cursed aloud. As soon as the words left his mouth, he snapped back to reality. Now was not the time to be lost in thought.

  Time was running out. Otherwise, Zhao Xuanxin wouldn’t have interrupted his cultivation and ordered him to the palace.

  With that in mind, Yun Yi immediately broke into a sprint. The power of a mid-level eighth stage martial artist was terrifying when unleashed.

  The soldier, who had been observing the stunned lieutenant colonel, was shocked when the man suddenly cursed and then disappeared like a gust of wind, his speed rivaling that of a hovering vehicle.

  "Yun Yi, you’re here just in time. I’m sorry to interrupt your seclusion, but your mecha is ready and waiting outside. I’m ordering you to immediately pilot the mecha and report to the flagship of the royal fleet, the Phoenix Sky..."

  "Wait a moment." Zhao Xuanxin’s order was interrupted by a voice. Both men turned to see the queen and her guard captain, Solon, approaching. Beside the queen was an adorable little girl, about ten years old, who was curiously looking at Yun Yi.

  "Your Majesty..." "Your Majesty, Princess."

  As soon as they saw the group, Yun Yi and Zhao Xuanxin immediately saluted and spoke in unison. After saying "Your Majesty," Yun Yi had already stopped, but upon hearing Zhao Xuanxin’s words, though puzzled, he followed with "Princess."

  "Please rise." The queen’s face was veiled, her features obscured. Her voice, though authoritative, was soft and pleasant, still very youthful.

  "Lord Zhao, I apologize for interrupting." It was Solon who spoke, stepping forward urgently. "Yun Yi, have you broken through to the mid-level of the eighth stage?"

  "That’s impossible!" Zhao Xuanxin’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Yun Yi, disbelief written all over his face. "That’s absolutely impossible! I’ve never heard of anyone breaking through so quickly!"