Deep in the Mingdou Mountain Range.
An unbroken sprawl of military camps occupied most of the area. With the Star Luo Empire's defensive line destroyed and the White Tiger Duke missing, the Mingdou Mountain Range had long since become a strategic war zone in name only. After all, there was no opponent left.
The Star Luo Empire had never sent anyone to garrison the area, either. Though it was called a border, only the Sun Moon Empire stationed troops there. Since the fighting had ended a few days earlier, reinforcements had gradually returned to Mingdu, leaving only two battalions, one from each of two Beast Soul Guidance Corps.
"You're back?"
Inside the Fire Phoenix Corps' conspicuous Crimson Command Tent.
Dressed in practical, crisp clothing, Huo Qing glanced down with her almond-shaped eyes at Ju Zi, who knelt on one knee before her. An involuntary softness entered her gaze.
Because of Xu Cheng, she had always regarded Ju Zi as her own child. In the army, she had held nothing back, passing on everything she knew. This resounding victory had proven the girl's talent and hard work.
"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief! Ju Zi, Battalion Commander of the Mecha Battalion, reporting back for duty!" Ju Zi declared.
"All right, just call me Aunt Qing when no one else is around." The longer Huo Qing studied the girl's face, the kinder her expression became. She was not particularly old, only just past forty, but she carried herself more like a veteran commander. Since becoming a Level 9 Soul Engineer and taking command of the Fire Phoenix Corps' Soul Engineer Corps, her air of authority had only grown more pronounced.
Huo Lei silently marveled at this gentle side of the normally intimidating Commander-in-Chief. She glanced at Ju Zi, whom their commander had helped up