Chapter 124: Departing the Uninhabited Planet

Hearing that the Zerg had all fled, he frowned and asked, "What happened?"

Their various measures had been well-executed, and the surrounding area was already surrounded. Why was there no reaction from the outside when they escaped?

"I'm afraid the Zerg have come up with some new methods. We must notify the Imperial Capital immediately," Zhan Yu said. He glanced at Xuan Xuan before continuing, "It should be the use of a spatial ability."

"What kind of ability is so powerful?" Kuang Shao asked, his face full of disbelief.

Zhan Yu could only shake his head; he did not know either.

Seeing that Zhan Yu was also in the dark, Kuang Shao glanced behind him and asked, "What about Xuan Guo?"

"Should we just finish her off, or find a way to extract the Zerg from her body?" Kuang Shao asked.

To Kuang Shao, evidence was not important at all. It was better to deal with such a dangerous person immediately, and as for a justification, they could come up with one later.

Xuan Xuan shrugged and said indifferently, "Whatever."

Keeping a person like her around would not cause any impact on her. At most, she was just an eyesore.

"Let's keep her for now. Do you have any way to control her? We need to ensure that the Zerg inside her won't parasitize anyone else and won't discover our actions," Zhan Yu asked Xuan Xuan.

After thinking for a moment, Xuan Xuan said, "Controlling her is no problem, and I can monitor the Zerg inside her at any time, but it won't work if the distance is too great. It's hard to prevent the Zerg within her from releasing parasitic larvae, though."

"I want to have someone monitor her constantly. The only clue we have now is that Zerg inside her," Zhan Yu said.

Keeping this one for continuous monitoring—its intelligence was not low, and Zhan Yu felt certain that its status within the Zerg ranks was not simple.

Therefore, if any Zerg entered the Imperial Capital, they would likely contact it, and by following this lead, they might be able to find them. Even if there was no contact, this Zerg certainly knew where the others had gone. Perhaps, by following it, they could find the missing Zerg.

Xuan Xuan thought for a while and shook her head. "No way. But I can monitor her at any time, at least while we are in the Imperial Capital. I can monitor her and the Zerg within her simultaneously."

Zhan Yu pondered this. He would have someone track Xuan Guo, while Xuan Xuan would control her and monitor the Zerg for any signs of activity. Once it moved, Xuan Xuan could alert the tracker, allowing them to apprehend Xuan Guo at any moment. This way, they would not have to worry about the Zerg using Xuan Guo to carry out any plans.

Wanqi Weihao and the others did not notice anything amiss and excitedly watched the battle between Zhan Yu's subordinates and the Zerg. Xiao Daopeng, however, rushed into the central area after the battle, but he found nothing of value, leaving a shadow of doubt in his heart.

Because a portion of the Zerg had retreated, the battle ended quickly. Only a small number of low-level Zerg scattered and escaped. Zhan Yu did not send anyone to hunt them down; he directly had one group protect the students and let them handle the pursuit. He wanted these students to develop practical combat skills rather than being jokes who only knew how to talk on paper. This was their best opportunity. He would have them go first, and then arrange for the remaining students to enter the jungle.

Xuan Xuan left in Zhan Yu's mecha. Although Wanqi Weihao and the others were exhausted, they were filled with passion, influenced by the victorious battle. Even the usually shy Lou Yitong was excited and followed Wanqi Weihao, refusing to return to the camp with Xuan Xuan. Xuan Xuan figured that since they were being protected and Wanqi Weihao’s group was strong enough to keep her safe, and she could even help improve their squad's capabilities, she did not force her to leave.

When passing by Xuan Guo as they left, Xuan Guo did not dare to look up. She only felt that the gazes of Xuan Xuan, Zhan Yu, and Kuang Shao upon her were too cold, making her shudder.

As Xuan Guo remained unresolved, Ai Zhe had to avoid her.

Upon returning to the camp, Zhan Yu sent Xuan Xuan back to her quarters. He looked at her for a long time, then glanced at Kuang Shao beside him, but the question that had been in his heart for a long time remained unspoken. Seeing Xuan Xuan’s departing back, he patted his head in frustration. Kuang Shao assumed Zhan Yu was still annoyed about the Zerg escaping and paid no mind.

Whenever he saw Xuan Xuan afterward, Zhan Yu still could not bring himself to ask the question. He lacked the courage he had that day. He smiled self-deprecatingly; how could he ask about something that even he found absurd?

Yet, that deep suspicion remained buried in his heart. Whenever he saw Xuan Xuan, his eyes inevitably held a complex expression.

No matter how troublesome it was, Zhan Yu did not mind Xuan Xuan coming to his place for meals every day, and he even began to vary the dishes to satisfy her. Every time he saw her looking satisfied, Zhan Yu’s suspicions grew. Kuang Shao praised Zhan Yu, saying his strategy of "saving the nation by a detour" was working well—at least he didn't have to let the kitchen staff abuse his stomach.

Zhan Yu’s methods were no joke. Half a month later, when the group of ordinary students entered the rainforest, their lack of strength meant they could barely get enough to eat, but people are often forced to adapt. After only half a month, although many had been eliminated, those who remained had changed significantly; at the very least, they could survive on their own in the rainforest. Zhan Yu then arranged for the special training students who had entered earlier to ambush the later arrivals, decreeing that all students must be eliminated within a month or they would be eliminated themselves. This jungle warfare helped many people grow.

By the time Xuan Xuan had grown plump and her double chin became increasingly apparent, Wanqi Weihao and the others returned. Everyone, including Lou Yitong, had almost completely changed. Xuan Xuan couldn't help but look at Zhan Yu with newfound respect.

Wanqi Weihao and his group were jubilant, having eliminated all the students who had entered later, and their strength had improved significantly compared to before. If they encountered the situation at the Zerg gathering place again, while they might not necessarily be able to escape, at least they wouldn't be in such a sorry state. Only Ai Zhe’s eyes dimmed when he saw Xuan Xuan. For over a month, he had been searching for her tracks in the jungle, only to learn from Wanqi Weihao that she hadn't gone in at all, but had stayed at the camp with Zhan Yu and Kuang Shao. After much hesitation, Ai Zhe did not join Wanqi Weihao’s group and chose to fight with his own squad instead.

Xuan Xuan thought that Zhan Yu might have done this to save on food costs. Thinking about the daily expenses for such a large group of students, sending them into the rainforest saved almost the entire food budget. Looking at the two chefs who had been there three months ago, both of whom had expanded horizontally, Xuan Xuan felt her theory was increasingly likely.

"Three months ago, I said you were the future of the Federation. I just wanted to tell you clearly how pathetic you were. In these three months, you proved to me with your actions that you are not pathetic; you have your own determination, your own ability, and your own hard work," Zhan Yu said, standing on the same podium he had stood on three months ago, looking down at the crowd.

"The soldiers under my command are not cowards. Three months ago, you were not worthy of being my soldiers. Now, you are qualified. Everyone who remained is qualified." Zhan Yu stood straight and gave a solemn military salute. Kuang Shao also cast aside his usual flippancy, stood at attention, and raised his right hand to his cap.

"You have passed. You are the future of the Federation." Zhan Yu’s voice was loud, and every student in the plaza could hear him.

Zhan Yu’s words were short, powerful, and inspiring. Everyone had reddened eyes, and Wanqi Weihao and his group were no exception. Without any command or anyone leading them, almost simultaneously, all the students spontaneously gave a salute. This salute was for Zhan Yu and Kuang Shao, for the Federation, and for themselves.

A smile touched the corners of Xuan Xuan’s mouth. Zhan Yu, Kuang Shao, and Wanqi Weihao looked quite good right now. In just three short months, Wanqi Weihao and the others seemed to have grown so much, and Zhan Yu and Kuang Shao had shown more sides of themselves to her.

With the departure imminent, Xuan Xuan felt a bit reluctant. Zhan Yu’s cooking skills had become increasingly refined. If not for Tong Wan and Wanqi Lianhao back home, she felt she would have just stayed by Zhan Yu’s side.

In the afternoon, Zhan Yu arranged for everyone to return to the Imperial Capital. Before leaving, Zhan Yu and Xuan Xuan discussed the matter, fearing there might be other Zerg stragglers. As everyone boarded the starship, Lou Yitong sang nearby. Everyone took it as a farewell, though the song was so sorrowful that everyone’s eyes turned red. Meanwhile, Xuan Xuan watched everyone closely, even checking every single soldier to ensure no one had any issues other than Xuan Guo, before arranging the return to the Imperial Capital.

Xuan Guo had been very well-behaved lately and had made no moves; even the Zerg inside her remained dormant. Xuan Xuan guessed that Xuan Guo was frightened, and that the Zerg probably realized they were suspicious of her and didn't dare to act. For the past month, Xuan Guo hadn't even dared to seek out Ai Zhe.

Although it made things easier, there was still no clue as to why the Zerg had left en masse. The entire uninhabited planet had been searched, and nothing was found. Fortunately, there had been no reports of Zerg-like incidents around the Imperial Capital so far, which could be considered a blessing in disguise.

The batch of Zerg captured at the time, except for the one Xuan Xuan had eliminated, had all been sent to the Imperial Capital. People from the Wanqi, Zhan, and Kuang families were studying them together, and even the people from Xiao Daopeng’s family had to put aside their pride and participate in the research. However, there had been no progress.

When everyone was sent to the Federation Imperial Capital’s military airport, the sky had not yet darkened. Wanqi Lianhao came to pick her up. Because of his mission, he only just learned that the chief instructors for the military training were Zhan Yu and that kid from the Kuang family.

As soon as Xuan Xuan got off the starship, she saw her father standing to the side with a stern face. Almost all eyes were on him. He was like a focal point, drawing everyone’s gaze. She squinted slightly; it had been three months, so why did her father look even sterner?

She turned back to look at Zhan Yu with lingering attachment; she wouldn't be able to eat the meals he made anymore. Zhan Yu’s gaze was even more complex. Watching Xuan Xuan turn away, he finally couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Who exactly are you?"