Lu Yuan turned into an icy-blue streak of light, speeding across the dusky yellow sky of Red Lotus Star.
With every beat of his Ice Wings, he sliced through the heavy air. Below him flashed cracked red earth, rocky wastelands, and the ruins of villages torn apart by ferocious beasts.
The three-hundred-kilometer journey took barely more than ten minutes at his terrifying speed.
In the distance, at the center of a barren rocky wasteland, a lone silver-white alloy spire stood tall.
The tower bore the emblem shared by the Cosmic Civilization Alliance. It was not particularly imposing, yet carried a sense of cold order that clashed with the desolate, ruined landscape around it.
A neat, square building stood at its base, serving as a small outpost. Wind and sand had weathered its outer walls, and the energy shield at the entrance flickered faintly, emitting a soft hum.
Lu Yuan slowly folded his wings, their icy-blue feathers scattering into specks of cold light behind him.
His feet touched down lightly. Dust stirred, then slowly settled.
He raised a hand to straighten his collar, which the wind had mussed. His fingers paused slightly as they brushed his neck. Calmly, he surveyed the entire outpost, his long lashes lowered. There was not a trace of nervousness in his eyes, only composure.
The smart assistant on his wrist lit up softly, translating all the surrounding text and signs in real time into a language he could understand.
"Cosmic Civilization Alliance—Red Lotus Star Outpost—Junior Office."
Lu Yuan stepped forward.
As soon as he reached the entrance, a pale blue scanning beam descended from above and slowly swept over him from head to toe.
"Beep—Unknown life-form. No Alliance identity record found. Please complete initial identity registration."
The cold, synthesized voice echoed outside the empty entrance.
Lu