Above the Galaxy

But before safely settling the old man, he wouldn't leave easily.

Who knows if Shen Wuxiang has any tricks left?

He just heard Zhao Jingzhi mention that they have several flight squads searching for them all around.

Little Fatty and Lu Siyu naturally had to go with Tang Fei. Lu Siyu was still the pilot of Hummingbird; without her, it wouldn't work.

"Alright." Lu Yan didn't say much more. After saluting again, he boarded his Wyvern once more.

Thus, escorted by the Fire Dragon Squadron, the small Hummingbird took off again, heading towards the vast pine sea.

Luckily, there were no other dangers along the way. They smoothly traversed the fog-enshrouded pine forest and entered the Barren Land.

Lu Dongyang had established a base at the border of the Barren Land with heavy troops. Seeing the Fire Dragon carrying the Hummingbird safely back, he called Lu Yan, telling them not to stop and to enter the inner city directly.

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The Barren Land, true to its name, with vast mountains and deserts, gave an impression of expansive bleakness.

For this reason, it was originally a 'no man's land' where no one wanted to station.

The Lu Clan, marginalized by the Zhong Royal Family and other major factions, seized an opportunity, saying they were willing to send troops to guard the area.

After contemplating, everyone felt this impoverished place held no profit and couldn't support many soldiers.

Even if seized by the Lu Clan, it could achieve nothing.

Posing no threat to the Empire and other faction families.

Who knew that after decades of cultivation, they had turned it into a massive mechanical factory?

Not only did they achieve energy and mineral self-sufficiency, they even afforested and planted crops and fruits in some moist areas.

This is also why Shen Wuxiang's army encircled the Barren Land yet couldn't completely break through it till now.

It's too damn solid.

Years ago, they couldn't conquer even one Lu Ban Mountain with hundreds of thousands of troops; now they have such a vast strategic space...

How could they fight?

How many people would it take?

The Hummingbird stopped directly in the Mechanical City amidst the mountain peaks, also known as Heavenly Craft City.

Entirely constructed from steel, alloys, and various high-density minerals, it's an iron fortress.

This is the Lu Clan's headquarters, where direct lineage, peripheral personnel, technical, and combat personnel gather.

This city was built by the Lu Clan as a worst-case preparation, so it could also be called a 'combat city'.

Everyone inside the city can participate in battles; they are warriors and warriors' families.

The Hummingbird stopped in the square in front of the City Lord Mansion, where a ready medical team rushed in, carrying the Life Nourishing Instrument into a larger transparent nutrition tank filled with green liquid.

Then, pushing the nutrition tank, they charged towards a large door.

At this time, Tang Fei, Little Fatty, Lu Siyu and the others couldn't offer any help.

Lu Dongsheng personally came forward, carefully examining Tang Fei, and said with profound emotion, "I invited you to join the Lu Clan, promising you the future position of the Lu Family Master, and now it seems... my perspective was too narrow."

The former minister of the Imperial Mechanical Industry Department has now welcomed Lu Qingshan to become the new Lu Family Master.

It's precisely because of his presence that the Lu Family united, working together to create an impregnable stronghold in such extreme conditions.

Under Shen Wuxiang's encirclement and bombardment, they not only survived but seem to live quite well.

"Third Uncle, you are too kind. I was forced to do this, just to stay alive." Tang Fei respectfully saluted Lu Dongsheng: "If I could choose, I'd prefer to be a rich second generation in the Lu Clan, with wealth and technology at my disposal... Isn't that better than fighting to the death?"

Lu Dongsheng shook his head, saying, "You're not that kind of person. You're born to be a leader."

"Third Uncle, even among family... isn't your praise a bit too excessive? My small arms and legs can't handle it."

Lu Dongsheng laughed heartily, pointing to Tang Fei and saying, "Good, good, still the same as before, without any change."

He affectionately patted Lu Siyu's shoulder, saying, "Si Yu is back?"

"Third Uncle..." Lu Siyu felt the elder's affection but did not know how to express, only calling emotionally.

"Home. It's good to be back. Let's go, Grandpa is waiting inside."

"Alright."

Lu Dongsheng proactively held Lu Siyu's hand, Lu Siyu shyly glanced at Tang Fei but ultimately didn't pull away.

Tang Fei and Little Fatty followed behind with a smile, finding Lu Siyu quite adorable at this moment.

Unlike the Soviet-style courtyard at the foot of Lu Ban Mountain, the architectural style here was rougher, focusing on practicality and sturdiness, somewhat akin to the fusion of industrial style and minimalism popular on Blue Star before the great catastrophe.

In a spacious, bright room, Tang Fei met the former Lu Family Master, Lu Qingshan.

Hastily parted, only to meet again now.

Compared to last time, Lu Qingshan was still pale and fat, but looked even frailer, as if the red nutrition tank behind him could scarcely sustain his waning life.

Tang Fei's nose tingled; he stepped forward to hold Lu Qingshan's big hand, calling out, "Grandpa..."

Back then, Lu Yu lied to Tang Fei, saying he was his biological grandson, to conceal Tang Fei's identity.