At the Empire’s border, there was a small planet—its size less than one-tenth of the Imperial Capital Star.
This planet might well be the Empire’s most remote location. Barren year-round and devoid of inhabitants, it was so insignificant that it didn’t even have a name, only known as a forgotten wasteland.
This desolate planet had likely remained untouched for countless years, but today, several individuals had set foot on its surface.
The ground was as hard as ice, and stepping on it sent a biting chill seeping through one’s clothing and into the body.
Chu Shiye tightened his grip on Ji Mian’s hand and asked, “Are you cold? Do you want my coat?”
“I’m not cold,” Ji Mian replied, casually slipping Chu Shiye’s hand into his own pocket.
Chu Shiye: “!”
Not long ago, they had received the blood-red letter, and the coordinates on it had led them here.
The letter demanded that both Chu Shiye and Ji Mian come together without any soldiers. If they disobeyed, Dirk and Jagger would be killed.
The moment they received the letter, both Ji Mian and Chu Shiye understood—Dorn’s shadowy faction could no longer remain dormant.
They had finally emerged from the darkness, like venomous snakes from the shadows, launching a sudden attack in an attempt to deliver a fatal blow.
They had succeeded, at least partially—managing to silently abduct Dirk and Jagger just outside the Imperial Capital Star.
Even without Dorn, they still wielded such power. However, it remained to be seen whether this was their last desperate struggle before death.
The planet’s temperature was bitterly cold. Ji Mian exhaled a cloud of white vapor, his thoughts wandering.
“I mentioned before that I’d take you to a planet with snowy mountains and oceans. We haven’t gone yet.”
Chu Shiye’s gaze fell to his hand, now snugly tucked in Ji Mian’s pocket. “It’s okay. We still have plenty of time.”
Ji Mian smiled softly. “That’s right.”
—
The two walked quietly across the barren expanse, the coordinates leading them to what appeared to be an abandoned outpost.
The entrance was hidden beneath a layer of hardened soil, and with one step, Ji Mian felt the faint vibration of a mechanism unlocking beneath his feet.
“Here,” Ji Mian said, pointing to the ground.
Chu Shiye crouched down and brushed away the layer of frost covering the entrance. A metallic hatch came into view, its surface engraved with strange, indecipherable symbols.
The hatch groaned as it slowly opened, revealing a dark, spiraling staircase descending into the earth.
“We’re going in,” Chu Shiye said, his tone steady.
Ji Mian nodded.
The two descended into the depths, their steps echoing against the cold, metallic walls. The air grew colder, and the oppressive atmosphere thickened with each step.
At the bottom, they were met with an enormous underground chamber illuminated by a dim, eerie light.
In the center of the chamber were two large containment pods. Suspended inside were Dirk and Jagger, unconscious and hooked up to various tubes and wires.
Before either of them could move, a voice echoed through the chamber.
“You’re here, Your Majesty. And you brought your precious Omega.”
The voice was laced with mockery and malice, its source hidden in the shadows.
Ji Mian narrowed his eyes, his hand tightening around Chu Shiye’s.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” the voice continued. “The Empire’s new emperor and his celebrated Omega, together at last. The perfect specimens for our next experiment.”
Chu Shiye’s golden eyes gleamed coldly as he pulled Ji Mian closer. “Show yourself.”
Laughter echoed in response.
Out of the shadows stepped a figure in a long, dark coat, their face obscured by a mask. Behind them, more figures emerged, each wearing similar attire, their presence radiating danger.
The masked leader gestured toward the containment pods. “Don’t worry about your dear relatives. For now, they’re still alive. But if you make one wrong move…”
The figure trailed off, their meaning clear.
Ji Mian’s expression remained calm, but his sharp gaze betrayed his calculating thoughts.
Chu Shiye, standing tall and unshaken, asked coldly, “What do you want?”
The masked figure chuckled. “We want what you both possess—unparalleled strength, the pinnacle of ability users. With you two, our research will finally reach its ultimate conclusion.”
Ji Mian glanced at Chu Shiye. Without words, they communicated their plan.
Whatever this faction had planned, they would ensure it failed.
And this barren wasteland would serve as the final resting place for those who dared to challenge them.
At this moment, the Empire’s fleet was stationed several planets away, waiting for the right moment.
But the only ones who had stepped foot on this forsaken planet were Ji Mian and Chu Shiye.
Ji Mian had a premonition—this would be the last time.
The faction behind Dorn, the Relief Society… all the entanglements and grudges would be brought to an end here.
“Welcome, my long-lost guests,” came a voice, carried by the cold winds of the barren planet.
From the shadows, a young man with slightly curled hair and draped in a black cloak emerged at a leisurely pace. His casual demeanor was as if he were strolling through his own garden.
It was a face neither Ji Mian nor Chu Shiye would ever forget.
Joshua.
The leader of the Relief Society on Planet E-13.
Ji Mian’s voice turned cold. “So it’s you.”
Their suspicions were confirmed. The chaos on Planet E-13, the port attacks orchestrated by the Relief Society—it was all connected to the faction behind Dorn.
“There’s no need to be so hostile,” Joshua said with a smile, meeting their gaze without a hint of fear. “An old acquaintance’s reunion… isn’t that something to celebrate?”
Chu Shiye’s tone was frigid. “We have no connection to you.”
Joshua sighed dramatically. “Ah, such harsh words. It really hurts. Think about it—your little planet left me with some fond memories.”
Chu Shiye’s expression remained icy. “Where are my grandfather and uncle?”
Joshua’s smile lingered. “They’re exactly where they should be. Don’t worry; I’m a man of principles. No harm will come to them… for now.”
Without a word, Chu Shiye discreetly pressed a communicator tucked inside his pocket, sending a signal.
Ji Mian’s voice was as indifferent as ever. “Dorn is dead, and here you are, exposing yourself. That only confirms one thing—Dorn was the core of your organization.”
“And now that you’ve lost that core, your forces are crumbling, leaving you here to make one last desperate move.”
Joshua’s smile didn’t waver. “Perhaps you’re right. But honestly, I don’t care.”
“In fact, I’ve invited you before—more than once,” he said, his tone almost nostalgic.
“But you never responded to me. Not even once. What a shame.”
He let out a slow sigh.
“And it’s an even bigger shame I don’t have the gift of foresight. Otherwise, I would have taken you back then—when you were just a lowly B-rank.”
Chu Shiye’s gaze was devoid of any warmth, his body positioning to shield Ji Mian behind him.
Joshua casually shifted a couple of steps to the side, his eyes never leaving Ji Mian. “After Dorn died, I did consider using you as a hostage.”
“But I never got the chance,” Joshua said, spreading his hands in mock helplessness. “I hear the Empire’s new emperor and his Omega are inseparable. Wherever he goes, you’re there too—just like now.”
“So, perhaps the two of you will die here together. A tragic and utterly pointless romance, like something out of a melodramatic novel.”
Ji Mian’s voice was calm and steady. “Or perhaps the one to die… will be you.”
Joshua smiled faintly. “In that case, I’m very much looking forward to it.”
The moment his words fell, a deafening roar erupted. It was as if a massive machine buried within the planet’s core had suddenly been activated.
The surface of the planet began to crack inch by inch, and beams of blinding light shot out from within, slicing through the planet with terrifying precision, splitting it into fragments.
Chu Shiye and Ji Mian’s expressions shifted immediately. The light engulfed them, and it felt as though entire mountains were collapsing before their eyes.
Psychic suppression!
At that instant, they lost all connection to their mental power—it was as if their abilities had been completely severed.
“Su Mingye’s child… the only S-level Omega, and yet you always thought you were just a support-level,” Joshua said, smiling at Ji Mian as he stood bathed in the radiant light.
“Did you know? You were our precious, very first experimental subject.”
Thank you so much for support ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡ :Ko-fi
