Solar System, Earth, around 9 p.m. Beijing time, the spaceport on Atlantis Island.
On an observation deck, hundreds of invited media representatives and dignitaries from various countries gazed at the stars through a transparent crystal dome.
In stark contrast to the dignitaries in their varied attire stood a small group of about ten people amid the crowd.
Their crisp black military uniforms and ramrod-straight posture left no doubt about who they were.
Each wore a conspicuous insignia on their chest. Against a blue planet, black outlines of the five continents represented Earth, while a golden ring encircled the planet, signifying the Guardians of Earth.
This insignia was already known to everyone on Earth. It was the military emblem of the Earth Defense Force!
Judging by their rank insignia, even the lowest-ranking officer among them was a level 4 officer with four stripes. Yes, you heard that right: the Earth Defense Force had fully adopted the Virtual World's leveling system, so designations like "level N private" and "level N officer" no longer surprised anyone.
The Ghost Captain's influence on the Earth Defense Force ran deep, and combat using Virtual Reality technology differed dramatically from traditional warfare. After much deliberation, its leadership had decided to incorporate military ranks into the fully digitized and virtualized "Ghost System" to better integrate with its virtual combat platform.
The Ghost Captain's attitude toward the Earth Defense Force could be called a perfect example of the "Five Principles of Mutual Noninterference." He showed little interest even in the all-important power to appoint personnel, and had not planted a single "one of his own" within its ranks.
Yet Nie Yun's influence over the Earth Defense Force could be summed up in one phrase: governing through nonaction!
Although the Earth Defense Force nominally belonged to the United Nations, with