Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

Planet Atreus-13571, Cloud Rider Command Center.

Mo Tingquan was systematically directing the various detachments when Qi Zhimu's communication suddenly came through.

"How's the situation on your end?"

"The entire squad was wiped out; only two people were rescued."

"Enemy size?"

"The father of the Great Hound is dead."

"…I see."

In just a few sentences, the information is sufficient.

That's how cruel the battlefield is.

The detachment was almost completely wiped out. Mo Tingquan felt a deep sorrow, but there was nothing he could do. No one could predict what kind of enemy they would encounter next.

Little did anyone expect that the chief of the hornhound pack would be hiding on this planet.

"When are you returning to command center? We need you here..."

"You will remain in charge of scheduling for the next three days. I have other things to do now."

"Does the general have any new military orders?"

"No, I'm going to kill those monstrous creatures."

"...Currently, there are too many squads carrying out sub-missions on Atreia-13571, and regulations require the main commander to be present in command..."

"Following the reasonable orders of the commander-in-chief is also a rule of Yunqi."

"..."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking, and the next second, Mo Tingquan realized that the communication had been cut off, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Okay, the words may be rough, but the principle is sound.

He understood Qi Zhimu's logic at this moment.

Because if it were him, he would probably do the same, otherwise, if he held onto that anger for too long, he might actually develop a demonic spirit.

Based on the current battle situation, it is estimated that it will take another half a month to liberate Attila-13571.

But Mo Tingquan never expected, nor could he have imagined, that Liberation Day would come much earlier than planned.

While many Cloud Cavalry detachments were engaged in a bloody battle with the monsters, a blood-covered figure suddenly appeared from a certain direction.

Without a word, Blood Shadow charged into the center of the battlefield, ruthlessly reaping the lives of the monstrous creatures.

Wherever it goes, any evil creatures turn to ashes.

The aura emanating from that blood-red afterimage and the scene it created sent chills down one's spine and made one's hair stand on end.

If it weren't for the distinctive insignia of the Yao Qingyun Cavalry that could be glimpsed on his blood-stained armor, many people would probably have been tempted to draw their swords against him.

That aura was too much like that of a bountiful, monstrous creature.

But despite the resemblance, no one actually thought about it in that way.

On this planet infested with monstrous creatures, there is only one Cloud Cavalry Warrior with such combat prowess.

Considering that Xiao Wei, who was in charge of the command center, was replaced by Mo Tingquan, the answer is self-evident.

Within just three days, not a single bountiful creature could be found in the entire Atlantean-13571, not even a shadow of them.

However, Qi Zhimu is currently in a semi-disconnected state.

Only Mianxue and Qinghan, who had returned to the command center early, told everyone not to worry about him.

Only they understood what Qi Zhimu was doing at that moment.

The sub-mission of Atreia-13571 ended more than ten days ahead of schedule. Shortly after the battle report reached the main ship on the march, new orders arrived.

The No. 1 squadron, led by Qi Zhimu and Mo Tingquan, can return to the main ship for rest and resupply at any time.

The cleanup of the battlefield and the assessment of battle losses will take time, and the detachment is expected to return in five days.

Mianxue and Qinghan temporarily separated from the main force, citing an order from Qi Zhimu.

Mo Tingquan didn't ask, nor did he think much of it.

Besides being the captains of the detachment, the two sisters were also Qi Zhimu's bodyguards.

……

Far from land, at depths of thousands of meters in the ocean.

Qi Zhimu acted as if he were insane, launching attacks without any clear target, constantly creating towering waves.

If it weren't for Mianxue's quick reaction and maneuvering of the star raft to dodge, she would have been swept away by the giant wave.

"Sister, I'll go down now."

"Um."

Qinghan plunged into the sea, braving the terrifying currents and undercurrents, and continued to dive deeper into the ocean.

In the past, without special equipment, she would never have been able to dive into the deep sea thousands of meters below so easily.

Now, it's no longer difficult.

Neither she nor her sister are the people they once were.

But as they said, they would never regret it.

The seabed was pitch black and the currents were violent and turbulent.

Qinghan's field of vision was extremely limited, so he could only rely on his senses to pinpoint Qi Zhimu's location.

Several hours later, the seabed finally calmed down, allowing her to approach.

However, what she saw shocked her to the core.

Qi Zhimu punched repeatedly, shattering his own head and torso.

The shattered parts are restored in the next second, and the cycle repeats.

It's said to be the next second, but it would be more accurate to describe it as an instant.

Such terrifying regenerative power would make any Immortal Ship inhabitant feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

But what welled up in Qinghan's eyes, in her heart, and throughout her body was only endless pity and sorrow.

Jade palaces, ancient city walls...

Fleeting figures appeared in both of the bountiful wars, causing Lord Zhimu to lose his family and ultimately lose everything.

He has not yet completed his revenge against Shuhu, but he is forced to confront the destiny of the immortal race: the demonic body.

Once you are led to your demise by the Ten Kings, and die midway, how can you even talk about revenge?

In order to fight against the demonic spirit, in order to gain power...

He didn't hesitate to dabble in forbidden things, using the forbidden Free Mantra to transform himself into what he is now, a creature more like a monster than the Abundant Monster.

Together with Qi Zhimu, they fell into an abyss from which there was no return. Qinghan and Mianxue's consciousness briefly merged with his, and they learned the secrets buried in the past.

On the day Cangcheng fell, he had already stepped one foot into the demonic realm.

The anchor that kept him going was Qiu Zhiyan's silent entrustment before she lost her mind: Jing Liu.

That was his mother's last request, and he was unwilling and unable to fail her.

Thus, a person who had nothing left to lose and no price to pay was given a new responsibility that could be abandoned, unlike revenge.

After rescuing the girl named Kagami Ryu, he didn't need to plan her future.

Even if Jingliu is trapped in nightmares for the rest of his life and can't escape them, at least he can continue to live on the Immortal Ship.

But Qi Zhimu didn't.

The girl asked him to teach her, and he did.

Gradually, the girl occupied most of his heart and became an important anchor for him to retain the last bit of rationality.

It became... a fear that was reborn in his mind and even the depths of his soul.

He had lost everything and could no longer bear the loss.

Otherwise... a broken mirror cannot be mended.

How pathetic...?

Qinghan felt as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been spilled in his heart.

The descendants of the Qi family have spent their entire lives facing loss.

Lord Qiu Zhiyan, fearing the loss of his last remaining loved ones, begged Lord Zhimu to retire from the army and live the life of an ordinary citizen for hundreds of years.

In the end, however, she embraced her fate in a way she could not accept, disappearing forever from Lord Zhimu's world.

Now, Master Zhimu is following the same path as his mother.

He could not and dared not imagine a future without Jingliu.

So he chose selfishness, choosing to make things difficult for Jingliu and delay her participation in the major battle.

But beneath this selfishness and刁难 (diāonán, making things difficult) was a deep concern for her...

If given a choice, who would willingly let the person they care about walk on the edge of life and death?