When I Appear Before You

Lin Yi straightened his expression and did not reject Hui Yao's overtures.

"Thank you, Brother Hui Yao. I appreciate your kind gesture."

Upon hearing this, Hui Yao's face broke into a hearty smile, and he raised the jade goblet in his hand once more. "Very well! Then I wish Brother Lin a speedy journey to the Extreme Realm."

"I will do my best!" Lin Yi raised his glass in response.

The gathering at "Star Sea Pavilion" lasted for several hours in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

As the moonlight climbed to its zenith, Hui Yao, as the Dao Lord, raised his glass once more, delivered a brief closing speech, thanked all his fellow human beings for coming, and reiterated the importance of unity and cooperation among the geniuses of the Human Race.

Everyone responded enthusiastically, agreeing to stay in touch and share resources in the future.

Lin Yi farewell to Hui Yao, Qing Feng, and several other key figures.

"Brother Lin, if you need anything in the training camp or on missions in the future, please don't hesitate to ask," Hui Yao said solemnly, his promise clearly representing more than just himself.

"Of course. Hui Yao very much, Brother Huiyao, for your hospitality and generous gift today." Lin Yi his hands in a fist salute again.

Qing Feng laughed and said, "Lin Yi, next time we meet, we might have to work together on a mission. Don't blame us for holding you back then!"

"Captain Qing Feng is too kind. I look forward to fighting alongside you," Lin Yi replied with a smile.

Ling He nodded to Kenkes again, everything understood without a word.

After the gathering ended, Lin Yi's consciousness exited the Virtual Network.

Almost simultaneously, Xuanji's notification sounded, "Master, a package has been received from the training camp's internal logistics system. The sender is marked as ' Hui Yao,' the item has been confirmed as the Star Vortex Twin Lotus, and the delivery address has been automatically set to the border fortress."

Two more days passed.

The transport ship "Morning Star" smoothly docked at the 93778th Border Legion.

The hatch opened, Lin Yi stepped out first, followed by the third batch of reserve members from the Silver Blue Civilization and the Xina Family. They were wearing uniform training clothes, their eyes filled with a mixture of excitement for the unknown battlefield and awe at stepping into a military stronghold for the first time.

As soon as she stepped onto the cold alloy deck, a familiar figure came to greet her—it was Aurelia.

She was still wearing that emerald green battle armor. Her blue eyes quickly swept over Lin Yi, and after confirming he was unharmed, a slight smile appeared on her lips, "Commander, welcome back."

"Thank you for your hard work, Ellie."

Lin Yi nodded, sensing that her aura was becoming increasingly concentrated, and her understanding of the Life Rule was clearly deeper.

Just as Aurelia was talking to Lin Yi, a slender young man with unusually sharp eyes suddenly trembled in the ranks of prospective members, his gaze fixed on a woman standing behind Aurelia in the group of prospective members.

The woman had a cold and agile face, and wore the combat uniform of a formal member of the East Peak Mercenary Group. Her temperament was like that of a lurking cheetah.

The Star Core emblem on her epaulettes shows that she is no longer the same naive girl she once was.

It was Nightingale.

Feeling that burning gaze, Nightingale turned her head to look, her cold eyes freezing the moment they met the thin young man's gaze.

Nightingale's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly, her lips pursed slightly, and in the end, she only nodded very slightly.

Without a word, the exchange of glances in that instant conveyed the hardships of separation and the complex emotions of reunion.

Aurelia noticed the subtle interaction but didn't point it out, continuing to report to Lin Yi:

"Commander, the Mercenary Group operated normally during your absence. We completed seventeen routine missions, and all members have completed their grouping and adaptation training according to the new combat plan. In addition, as you instructed, we continued to monitor the K-439 area of Star Shatter Ring. The Kunmo Race has been active in that area recently, putting considerable pressure on our Star Realm Army."

"Understood," Lin Yi said. "Ellie, you'll be in charge of arranging the reserve team members. Get them into the acclimatization training as soon as possible."

"Yes," Aurelia replied.

Lin Yi then returned to his private rest room.

"Xuanji."

"Master, please give your orders." A phantom figure in palace attire quietly appeared.

"Lock onto the Blade Prince's real-time movements, analyze the areas where he is most likely to appear, and then filter out suitable Human Race defense missions within those areas for my hunting plan."

"The command has been confirmed. We are currently mobilizing all available intelligence nodes to analyze target biosignals, fleet movements, and energy signature data for screening."

A moment later, Xuanji responded, "Master, according to the latest Star Realm Army synchronization data, the last confirmed energy signal of the target, Talolanke, appeared at the edge of the Star Shatter Ring K-442 region, approximately five standard days ago. Based on its past behavior patterns and the recent situation in that region, there is a greater than 78% probability that it will be attracted by the fierce battle between the Human Race and the Kunmo Race in the Dark Dust Star Belt."

The screen unfolded, revealing a complex region composed of dense asteroids and interstellar dust to Lin Yi, with several nodes highlighted.

"The Dark Dust Star Belt contains abundant Dark Ash Crystal veins, crucial auxiliary materials for forging Soul Weapon, making it extremely valuable strategically. The conflict in this region has escalated to a Level 2 battlefield. The Kunmo Race's Rending Claw Assault Cluster is leading the attack, while our Star Realm Army's 114th Battle Regiment under the 93778th Border Legion is responsible for defense. The battle for the Broken Blade Outpost Base is particularly fierce. Built on the remnants of a giant asteroid, this base controls three vital mineral veins and is now semi-encircled by superior Kunmo Race forces. Its defenses have been severely damaged, with over 30% of the defending troops killed or wounded, and they have repeatedly sent out emergency distress signals."

"Broken Blade Outpost"

Lin Yi pondered for a moment. "This is it. Xuanji, in the name of the East Peak Mercenary Group, select and accept relevant defensive missions to support the 'Broken Blade' outpost."

"Mission accepted successfully. Relevant information has been entered into the Legion system."

Having defined their mission, the main fleet of the East Peak Mercenary Group quickly and quietly departed the fortress, heading towards the "Dark Dust Star Belt."

Meanwhile, at the Broken Blade Base, the headquarters of the 114th Star Realm Army.

Chapter Commander Bert stared at the constantly flashing red dot on the battle map of the "Broken Blade" base, his face ashen.

Over the communications channel, the subordinate commander reported hoarsely:

"Command! This is the third defense zone. The energy barrier generator is currently overloaded and damaged. We can hold out for at most ten days. Repeat, no more than ten days. Requesting immediate support."

Bert slammed his fist on the control panel, his voice low and menacing. "Reinforcements! Tell me, where are we getting reinforcements now?"

"Report! We just received a message from the Legion Command: the East Peak Mercenary Group has accepted the mission to support the Broken Blade Outpost."

"East Peak Mercenary Group?"

Potter looked up abruptly, his eyes gleaming with hope. "Is it Lin Yi's East Peak Mercenary Group?"

"Confirmed! It is their main fleet, and Commander Lin Yi is confirmed to be accompanying them!"

Bert immediately grabbed the communicator and practically roared, "Hold on! The East Peak Mercenary Group, Commander Lin Yi, is personally leading reinforcements to support you! You must hold the line! Reinforcements are on their way!"

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the communication line, followed by a reply, "East Peak Mercenary Group? Understood! Our unit swears to live and die with this position."

--

Six days later.

On the Frontline of the Kunmo Race, the "Cracked Claw" assault group.

A Kunmo Race general, clad in heavy bone armor and with a ferocious expression, was listening to a report from his subordinate.

"General, the energy barrier of the Broken Blade Outpost has been destroyed. Our forces have breached its outer defenses and will soon completely capture it."

"Very good, speed up the process, don't Human Race a chance to breathe."

The Kunmo Race commander's words were interrupted by his subordinate who suddenly barged in.

"Urgent report! Multiple high-energy transition signals detected approaching the Dark Dust Star Belt!"

After pondering for a moment, it asked, "There shouldn't be any regular Star Realm Army able to come to our aid right now. Mercenaries? Which organization? What's their size?"

"The insignia on the fleet's paint scheme identifies it as the East Peak Mercenary Group."

"East Peak Mercenary Group?"

Its bony armor scraped together, producing a piercing sound, clearly indicating it had heard of the name before. "That Human Race prodigy's team? He's come in person?"

"Currently, the possibility is extremely high."

The commander's crimson pupils flickered a few times before he immediately ordered, "Notify the Frontline attack troops to strengthen vigilance and be alert for surprise attacks by elite enemy squads! At the same time, report the intelligence that ' the East Peak Mercenary Group has intervened in the Broken Blade Outpost battle, and the Human Race prodigy is suspected of being present' to the cluster command and simultaneously to the ' Bloodfang '."

He knew the "Blade Prince's" quirks well, and this intelligence was exactly what he wanted.

At this moment, the East Peak Mercenary Group fleet has arrived at the edge of the War Zone.

However, Lin Yi did not rush to send his team into the War Zone. Instead, he used the Star Dust Belt as cover to conduct a final tactical briefing.

"The situation at Broken Blade Outpost is critical. We will conduct an orbital airdrop to seize key defensive nodes."

In the flagship briefing room, Lin Yi addressed the core members and squad commanders involved in the operation, saying, "According to the information synchronized from the battlefield system, our main responsibility is to rebuild the energy barrier node in the eastern part of the base and stabilize the left flank defense. Ranged squads will occupy high ground to suppress enemy heavy units and small infiltration forces. The rest of you will be responsible for your respective defensive areas according to the pre-arranged plan."

"Yes!" The crowd obeyed, and the atmosphere grew tense.

While the team members went to the airdrop compartment to prepare, Lin Yi went alone to the core control room of the flagship "Eastern Edge". He concentrated and calmed himself, and the Space Rule around him began to flow silently.

Then, Lin Yi raised his hands, his fingertips swirling with silver light, and slowly moved them in front of him, weaving together tiny spatial runes into the void.

These runes are not static, but rather slowly rotate along some profound trajectory, interlinking with each other to ultimately form a complex three-dimensional structure that exists between the real and the unreal.

It is firmly anchored to the flagship's core energy source and spatial coordinates. Unless the flagship is completely destroyed, even under severe spatial interference, Lin Yi can sense and activate it to return instantly thanks to his absolute mastery of Space Rule.

Advanced spatial beacon completed!

Although, based on the available information, there was only one Blade Prince nearby, Lin Yi still chose to be on the safe side and leave himself a crucial escape route.

Meanwhile, inside the airdrop cabin, the atmosphere was tense yet orderly.

The team members are conducting final equipment checks.

As a reserve member, Skinny Monkey was not assigned to combat missions. Instead, he was placed in the logistics support group, responsible for assisting the regular team members with the final equipment adjustments in the last moments before the airdrop.

He jogged to the area where Nightingale's ranged squad was located and found Nightingale calibrating her heavy warbow.

"Sister Nightingale"

The Skinny Monkey handed over a fully charged Source Energy Crystal replenishment box. "Here, spare energy."

Nightingale looked up at him, took it, and skillfully inserted it into the miniature storage slot on the side of her leg without pausing.

The Skinny Monkey looked at her calm profile, took a deep breath, and whispered, "Be careful."

Nightingale paused slightly as she prepared to close her visor, letting out a barely perceptible "hmm." Then, the cold composite visor fell away, concealing all her expressions, leaving only the calm and focus characteristic of a sniper.

"All personnel, enter the drop pod! Repeat, all personnel, enter the drop pod! Countdown three minutes!" the announcement began.

Skinny Monkey watched as Nightingale and her teammates stepped into the orbital drop pod, which resembled a metal coffin, one by one. The hatch slowly closed, separating the inside from the outside into two worlds.

He stood there, his fists clenched.

Soon, the fleet's drop pods opened, and thousands of orbital drop pods, like steel dice thrown into the air, trailing scorching flames, broke through the thin atmosphere and plummeted toward the war-torn asteroid below.

Broken Blade Outpost Base, surface.

The Star Realm Army's Frontline commander also noticed the blinding streaks of meteors in the sky and roared hoarsely, "It's our drop pod brothers! Hold on! Reinforcements have arrived!"

The Star Realm Army soldiers, who had been struggling to hold on, rallied and mustered their last bit of courage, temporarily repelling the Kunmo Race, who were trying to take advantage of the situation to press forward.

Meanwhile, the Kunmo Race's Frontline observation post immediately reported, "A large number of orbital drop pods have been observed. Identified by the external insignia on the drop pods, they are confirmed to be the symbols of the East Peak Mercenary Group."

The news quickly reached the Kunmo Race commander, who scoffed, "They've arrived as expected. Order the Frontline to give these parachute pods a thorough 'welcome'! Crush them before they even land!"

However, the East Peak Mercenary Group's drop pods have clearly undergone special modifications, possessing not only extremely high mobility but also additional energy shields, making them perfectly capable of withstanding several attacks.

Therefore, the vast majority of them successfully evaded anti-aircraft fire, landing precisely on the designated defensive nodes like a scalpel.

The hatch exploded open, and the fully armed East Peak Mercenary Group warriors, like tigers released from their cages, quickly threw themselves into the battle. With their superb combat skills and tacit cooperation, they instantly stabilized the crumbling defense line.

Lin Yi's parachute landed directly in the core position where the fighting was most intense.

The moment the hatch opened, dense beams of energy and the roar of explosions filled the air.

Without the slightest hesitation, he took a step forward.

Facing the surging, elite Kunmo Race squad attempting to annihilate the reinforcements on the beach,

"Clang!"

A metallic clang, seemingly capable of tearing apart the soul, resounded throughout the battlefield.

The Gold Domain unfolded fiercely, centered on him.

Within the area, the air seemed to transform into billions of invisible, fine blades. The energy shields of those low-level cannon fodder of the Kunmo Race collapsed instantly, like balloons punctured by needles, and their bio-armor was easily torn apart like fragile paper.

At the same time, Lin Yi also pointed his fingers like knives and swung them around casually.

The golden light, condensed to its extreme, seemed to possess a life of its own, drawing a deadly trajectory in the air. Wherever it passed, the Kunmo Race soldiers at the Star Core level fell in droves like harvested wheat.

He didn't display any fancy techniques, only the purest and most extreme Sharpness, demonstrating the destructive power of the Metal Rule to the fullest extent.

Lin Yi deliberately suppressed his strength to the level of "First Level Domain", only displaying the terrifying attack power of the Metal Rule.

Even so, he was still like a golden war god descending upon the battlefield, invincible.

His position instantly transformed from a precarious situation into a death trap, halting the Kunmo Race's offensive.

"That's... Lin Yi, the Commander of the East Peak Mercenary Group?"

"That's incredibly strong."

"Brothers! Let's fight our way back!"

Witnessing this scene, the garrison at the Broken Blade outpost was instantly ignited with low morale, unleashing astonishing fighting power.

The Kunmo Race's Frontline commander was terrified and immediately reported Frontline situation, "Lin Yi, the Commander of the East Peak Mercenary Group, has joined the battle, and our vanguard has suffered heavy losses."

This urgent battle report, along with an assessment of Lin Yi's location and the strength he "demonstrated," was quickly transmitted through the Kunmo Race's intelligence network.

In the nearby star system, inside the "Bloodfang," a dark red Kunmo Race warship shaped like curved fangs.

"Blade Prince" Talolanke was resting with his eyes closed, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the throne, enjoying the tranquility before the hunt.

A servant respectfully presented the encrypted intelligence that had just been received.

Talolanke lazily opened his crimson eyes and scanned the intelligence report.

When it saw keywords such as "Lin Yi", "East Peak Mercenary Group", "Broken Blade Outpost Base", and "Showcasing the Gold Domain, with Outstanding Combat Power", its originally lazy expression vanished instantly, replaced by an excitement and cruelty at the discovery of high-quality prey.

"Oh? This little bug finally couldn't wait any longer and came out."

It stood up, its naturally emanating Sharpness aura distorting the light in the cabin. "Very good, saves me the trouble of searching everywhere. Order the Bloodfang to turn immediately. Target: K-439 area."

Talolanke's lips curled into a murderous grin, his scarlet tongue licking his sharp teeth.

"Human Race genius? Ha, I bet your expression will be priceless when I appear before you. My kill list is just missing a decent Human Race prodigy for my collection."

The Bloodfang spewed a violent stream of energy from its tail, like a bloodthirsty red lightning bolt, tearing through the starry sky and heading straight for the Frontline line that was about to become a true hunting ground.