Starforce Warriors

When Li Xiaofei returned to Chongque City, he immediately sensed that something was off. The atmosphere within the city was tense. The Military Guard Bureau had clearly entered a state of high alert. The level of security was dozens of times stricter than usual.

There was a sentry every five steps, and a security post every ten. Every soldier was fully armed and battle-ready.

Li Xiaofei had just stepped out of the office of the Third Operations Division within the Military Guard Bureau after finishing his debriefing when Director Hu Shuo arrived in haste and stopped him.

"What happened?" Li Xiaofei asked, curiosity piqued.

Hu Shuo replied, "Zhou Dongfei has died in action."

Li Xiaofei froze. The name sounded familiar. He thought carefully, then suddenly remembered. When he had been ordered to escort Miss Fan back to Earth No. 1818, he had met a handsome and refined young man outside the teleportation fortress of the Military Guard Bureau. The young man had said he became a fan after watching Li Xiaofei's battle with Nangong Longjian. He had seemed quite enthusiastic.

That young man's name had been Zhou Dongfei. His mission at the time was to escort Zhu Yunwen back to another base planet. Li Xiaofei had not seen Zhou Dongfei since then. He had assumed Zhou Dongfei had completed his mission and returned safely to Chongque City. He hadn't expected this...

"Just like you," Hu Shuo said, "he completed the escort mission successfully. Afterwards, he was selected by the Military Guard Bureau to carry out an investigative task in an unopened base planet, where traces of Eden's activities had been detected as well. Everything was going smoothly at first. But three days ago, the Dark Division of Chongque City received word of a sudden change on that base planet.

"When the special forces from the Military Division arrived, they found the planet had become a living hell. Almost the entire population had been slaughtered while Zhou Dongfei and his team were all killed.

"According to the investigation by the Dark Division, Eden's God General, Angrus, had opened a space-time wormhole which allowed the Reapers to descend and annihilate the base planet... In the end, Chongque City had no choice but to use special measures to seal and reset the planet."

Hu Shuo didn't hide the matter from Li Xiaofei. He gave a rough but honest account of what had happened. After hearing everything, Li Xiaofei felt rage ignite within him. The cold and simplified account couldn't possibly capture the true scale of the catastrophe that had befallen the base planet.

The planet Zhou Dongfei had gone to was also a backup Earth timeline. Specifically, the Ming Dynasty era. It was one of the most glorious dynasties of the Han people in Great Xia's history.

Li Xiaofei had always held a particular fondness for that period. The people who lived in that era had been real, living humans. They were ancestors of Great Xia's own citizens. And once again, it was Angrus!

Murderous intent surged in Li Xiaofei's heart. This so-called God General of Eden, this prime instigator of chaos, seemed to be everywhere and committing unspeakable atrocities without end. Sooner or later, he would catch this man, tear him to pieces and grind his bones to dust.

"What did you come to see me for, Director Hu?" Li Xiaofei calmed himself and asked.

Hu Shuo lowered his voice and replied, "I've received word. The frontlines of the Star Battlefield are under great pressure. They need a massive influx of troops. Chongque City is stretched thin and has already shifted into a wartime posture."

Li Xiaofei's heart tightened.

The frontline is in trouble?

He couldn't help but grow curious.What kind of place is the Star Battlefield in the vast expanse of the cosmos? And how is this war being waged?

Hu Shuo continued, "Zhou Dongfei's death also proves something. The fact that Reapers could directly invade an unopened base planet means the situation at the front is dire. If a Reaper team can infiltrate the solar system itself...sigh, a storm is coming."

Li Xiaofei's heart rippled as he asked, "What level of strength is required to enter the Star Battlefield?"

Hu Shuo glanced at him in surprise and said, "What? Don't tell me you're thinking of going to that meat grinder?"

"When the survival of humanity is at stake, every man has a duty," Li Xiaofei replied calmly. "To be honest, I really do want to see it for myself."

"I'd advise you not to." Hu Shuo remained candid with him as they walked and talked. "Even Black Hole level cosmic lifeforms are like dust on the Star Battlefield. They die as easily as breathing... Of course, if you're really determined, you can go. Chongque City will soon begin an emergency recruitment campaign. Any qualified cosmic lifeform is eligible to go and they'll even receive a large sum in Glory Credits."

In the end, Director Hu finally revealed the true reason he had sought out Li Xiaofei. Just as Angrus had said back on Rebun Island, Chongque City was indeed preparing to initiate rapid evolution on Earth No. 1818.

According to protocol, a Chief Evolution Officer had to be selected. This officer would lead a team to carry out the evolution and oversee the entire process. And Director Hu wanted Li Xiaofei to take on that role. So he had come early to persuade him.

"Chief Evolution Officer?" It was the first time Li Xiaofei had ever heard of such a position.

"Yes," said Hu Shuo. "The role is equivalent to being the full-authority overseer of the base planet. The chief will be responsible for selecting its evolutionary direction, planning the evolution process, correcting deviations, managing faction distributions, national borders, rewards and punishments, resource allocations, and even the number of star beasts released... It's a position of immense power."

Hu Shuo gave a brief explanation.

Li Xiaofei asked curiously, "You mean the evolutionary direction is something that can actually be chosen?"

"Of course," Hu Shuo replied. "Chongque City controls twenty-one different evolutionary pathways. Based on the current state of a base planet, it will deploy an appropriate path. That's exactly where the Chief Evolution Officer comes in. You're the one who understands Earth No. 1818 the best, so you're the most suitable candidate for the job."

"I see," Li Xiaofei said thoughtfully. "But shouldn't the appointment of a Governor-level position like that be made by the City Lord's Office? Even if I wanted to take the job, it's not up to my will alone, is it?"

Hu Shuo smiled and replied, "That's exactly why this role is so critical; it can't be assigned lightly. According to protocol, qualified individuals must first apply. Then the City Lord's Office and the Council will discuss the candidates and make the final decision. You've been working on Earth No. 1818 for a long time and are deeply familiar with it, so you're eligible. All you need to do is submit your application and we'll handle the rest."

Li Xiaofei stopped walking and looked at Hu Shuo, who maintained a pleasant smile. That word he had used 'we' clearly referred to a sizable faction within Chongque City. What Nagashima had said wasn't wrong. Even Chongque City was riddled with factions.

"Very well, I'm willing to apply," said Li Xiaofei, nodding in agreement.

His original plan had been to do everything in his power to stop the evolution of Earth No. 1818. But now, it was clear that stopping it was no longer an option. His strength alone couldn't stand against the might of the City Lord's Office and the Council. Since that was the case, then it would be better for him to become the Chief Evolution Officer himself. At the very least, he could prevent many unnecessary losses and disasters.

Hu Shuo was overjoyed at his acquiescence. Just then, a piercing military horn sounded across the fortress square of the Military Guard Bureau and a vast shadow loomed over them. Li Xiaofei looked up and his expression instantly turned to one of shock.