099 The Newcomer

Although Zhong Yun briefly felt a fleeting pang of compassion, it passed in an instant. He held no grand internationalist—no, interstellar—ideals compelling him to send these ten thousand pitiful "slaves" back to their home planet.

The expansion of Qiyun Star was impossible without manpower. Relying on himself alone to maintain a vast harem was like a drop in the ocean, even over a century. Purchasing some people was imperative.

At most, he might treat them a little better in the future, Zhong Yun thought.

After listening to Zero’s report on the base’s situation, he connected to the virtual space. His success rate in the box-opening game had already surpassed fifty percent. He needed to keep pushing harder, aiming for the second rank of Yuan in two years.

Night fell swiftly. Just as Zhong Yun was feeling a bit hungry, someone knocked on the door. Upon opening it, he found six young people in their twenties—four men and two women.

“I heard there’s a new companion at the base, that must be you,” said a man of average build, pale and clean-faced, smiling warmly as he extended his hand. “I’m Zhang Xiao.”

“I’m Zhong Yun,” he replied with a smile.

After Zhang Xiao introduced the other five, he said, “From now on, we’re companions. We have to look out for each other.”

Zhong Yun shyly scratched his head. “I’m new here, don’t know much yet. I hope all of you older brothers and sisters will take good care of me.”

A slightly plump girl standing beside Zhang Xiao chuckled, “Xiao Yun, you sure have a sweet tongue. I’ll take you in as my little brother. If anyone dares to bully you in the base, just call my name.”

Zhong Yun remembered Zhang Xiao had introduced her as Mu Qinghong—a straightforward girl by all appearances. He smiled faintly, then seemed to recall something. “By the way, everyone, come in and sit down. Don’t stand by the door.”

Zhang Xiao shook his head. “No need. Dinner time is almost here. The instructor asked me to bring you to the cafeteria.”

Zhong Yun had many questions and was glad to have someone familiar to ask on the way to the cafeteria. Finally, he learned more about the situation.

The base was strictly managed, with rigorous training focused entirely on physical combat. The instructors were masters of martial arts and hand-to-hand combat. All training content revolved around these skills.

What surprised Zhong Yun even more was that Zhang Xiao and the others were not students of Pearl School, but second-year students from Mingzhou City University. They had come here for intensive training, this being their fifth time.

When asked which organization the base belonged to, no one seemed to know. The base was shrouded in secrecy, completely cut off from outside contact during training. Surrounded by steep mountain cliffs impassable to birds, access and supplies came only from monthly delivery shuttles. It was a sealed-off world.

Zhong Yun could guess this base must be government-affiliated, perhaps even directly military-run. Otherwise, what force could possess such power to gather top students from key schools nationwide for training?

The cafeteria was simple—a large, roughly constructed room with rows of heavy tables and benches. The walls bore no decoration, painted a monotonous dark gray. Large windows brightened the space.

Though the room was packed, it was utterly silent. The hundred or so young people, all around twenty years old, sat with grave expressions, motionless and upright.

Zhang Xiao and his group fell silent and returned to their seats, leaving Zhong Yun standing awkwardly, glancing left and right. There were plenty of empty seats but he didn’t know which was his.

Just as he hesitated, a loud roar came from the doorway: “Instructor’s here—”

The sudden shout startled him.

In an instant, everyone in the cafeteria stood simultaneously, their movements precise and rehearsed countless times.

“Greetings, instructor!” Over a hundred voices shouted in unison, making Zhong Yun’s ears ring.

Footsteps echoed at the entrance. Turning, Zhong Yun’s eyes nearly popped out in surprise.

Six or seven men in dark green military uniforms strode in, each step steady, chests proud, backs straight like an array of spears.

What stunned Zhong Yun was not their military bearing or the tangible pressure of their immense Yuan presence, but the familiar elderly man leading them.

This old man was none other than Yang Siqing—the one who had stayed in Zhong Yun’s home for a month, disappeared without a word after Zhong Yun revived the “Crystal Rose.”

Encountering him here was a shock. Zhong Yun had also glimpsed this familiar figure days ago during the Pearl School exam.

Though Yang Siqing’s current demeanor was entirely different from his former decadent self, Zhong Yun recognized him at once by a special aura—a unique Yuan “flavor” that clung to him.

Yang Siqing and the others ignored Zhong Yun completely, passing by him to stop before the assembled trainees. Raising his teaching baton, he calmly commanded, “Sit down.”

With a crisp sound, everyone sat in perfect unison.

Surveying the room, Yang Siqing nodded with satisfaction, lifting his chin slightly. “First, I have good news to announce. Today, twelve new members have joined our base.”

Just then, about a dozen people entered from outside the cafeteria. Leading them was a woman in a uniform similar to Yang Siqing’s, early twenties, with a stylish short haircut and a prominent nose—clearly an instructor. Behind her followed men and women around Zhong Yun’s age, likely new recruits like him.

Under the female instructor’s direction, the other eleven lined up beside Zhong Yun, all curiously glancing around.

Yang Siqing walked past this line of new recruits. Under his piercing gaze, they all stiffened nervously.

Reaching the end of the line, Yang Siqing slowly said, “Introduce yourselves—name, hometown, and special skills. You start.” He pointed with his baton to the person next to Zhong Yun.

“I’m Qin Tianhua from Fenghua City…” the young man stammered nervously.

One by one, the others followed.

Listening to their introductions, Zhong Yun sensed these newcomers hailed from various cities on Wol Star, each quite capable. His increasingly sharp perception detected faint Yuan fluctuations within them.

After introductions, the twelve were seated at the last row of tables, accompanied by the female instructor.

On Yang Siqing’s command, everyone began eating.

In the tense and silent atmosphere, Zhong Yun finished his first meal at the base.

Then the instructor announced there would be a bonfire party that evening.