The sky suddenly darkened as twelve deflector magical instruments simultaneously enveloped the two giant dragons and the four "Sky Falcons," wrapping them inside.
The merged giant conical deflector magical instrument slowly rotated as it took off, its ascending speed getting faster and faster. When it appeared as a mere speck to the people on the ground, it suddenly accelerated.
The explosive sound of the air barrier being broken was like deafening thunder. In an instant, the conical deflector magical instrument shot straight into the sky, disappearing from everyone's view and bursting into the ionosphere. It was then engulfed again by the scorching plasma, becoming a retrograde fire meteor, quickly breaking free from the planet's gravity to enter a near-Earth orbit.
"Cybertrom! Cangqiong Star 2***-002 returning diplomatic mission, the access list has been submitted, requesting verification."
As it slowly approached the gigantic digital intelligence construct in a higher orbit, the flowing numerals and symbols in the pupils of the female Metallic Dragon Yilan inside the conical deflector magical instrument authenticated the diplomatic mission.
"This is Cybertrom, conforming to application process, initiating manual approval… Approval granted, preparing to establish a diplomatic green channel... Cangqiong Star 2***-002 returning diplomatic mission, the diplomatic green channel will open in approximately 37 minutes, sequence number 19, with a time limit of 15 minutes.
Please enter the standby area to queue and start planning the flight path."
A beam of light shot forth, landing in front of the conical deflector magical instrument, projecting a dynamic flight trajectory that led directly into the waiting area.
At the end of the flight trajectory, several transport airships of various sizes awaited their turn to enter Cybertrom's Dimensional Gate.
The Dimensional Gate secured with Longinus as the space key is not a unique feature of Cybertrom on the near-Earth orbit.
In fact, on the surface of Blue Star, there are several smaller Dimensional Gates directly connected to the surface of Cangqiong Star, but these gates cannot match the scale of Cybertrom's massive portal; their responsibility is not the transportation of personnel and materials, but maintaining the frequent and close data linkage tasks between the two planets.
Every second, massive amounts of digital information flow between Cangqiong Star and Blue Star via many Longinus keys, keeping the communication between the two planets smooth. Scientists have never ceased to optimize and enhance the transmission efficiency and bandwidth of the Longinus space key ports to keep up with the expanding network communication demands of the two planets.
The conical deflector magical instrument, matching the speed of the digital intelligence construct, carried the two giant dragons, four Sky Knights, and their fourth-generation "Sky Falcons" along the projected flight path, accelerating into the queue in preparation for flying toward the Dimensional Gate's waiting area.
The diplomatic mission from Sky Dragon City of Cangqiong Star departed.
Chen Fei appeared somewhat dejected as he watched the conical deflector magical instrument vanish into the sky.
"Why? Are you disappointed because you didn't become a Dragon Knight? Cheer up, these things are all down to fate. There's a saying that goes, 'What's meant for you will come eventually; don't force what's not destined.' This weekend I'll take you hunting, have a good time, and then you'll forget all your troubles!"
Squadron Leader Chekhov, from the Genuine Fragrance Combat Flight Squadron, walked over and slapped Chen Fei on the back carelessly.
The man was rough and his words were crass, leaving one utterly speechless.
"It's not because of that!"
Chen Fei had never even considered becoming any damn Dragon Knight, in fact, he wisely kept his distance knowing his own limitations.
"Eh?!" Chekhov Big Bear looked confused and said, "You seem pretty unhappy, what's there to be unhappy about? Share with us so we can have a good laugh!"
"I've got a problem!"
Chen Fei shook his head in annoyance, this Big Bear really had no idea how to console someone, his few words were aggravating enough to make one want to hit him.
Big Brother Xiao didn't hit him hard enough!
"No problem, leave it to me, Chekhov. Tell me, how can I help you?" Chekhov smacked his chest with a loud thump and added, "Let me say upfront, you still owe me the original model AK-47, you're not getting out of that. Better replace my gun, I'm not looking to swindle any money from you."
"I have a mission; I must kill a good person within 56 hours, or I'll die."
Chen Fei looked seriously at Big Bear.
Comrade Chekhov, your time to help has come.
Comrade Chekhov Leonidovich Ivanov spat on the ground without hesitation and said resentfully, "Do I look like a good person? My mom always told me, eat your food and do your work; I can't help you with this. Go find someone else! Farewell!" And with that, he turned and left without a second thought.
Chen Fei raised his middle finger at the retreating figure.
But Big Bear was right; he really wasn't a good person.
He had to figure it out himself; Chen Fei sighed and once again became gloomy.
Manager Hanna Gagel of the Aircrew Base 911 watched the parting of Squadron Leader Chekhov and Chen Fei. It was clear to see how much the rookie detested his squadron leader.
She walked over and said, "It seems you don't get along with Chekhov. Do you want me to transfer you out of the 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron and give you a part-time job? The work at the control tower isn't bad either, and the income is guaranteed."
"Thank you, Manager Hanna, for your concern, but... no thanks." Chen Fei shook his head. "The salary of a 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron pilot is basically at the top level at 911 Aircrew Base, other than a few senior managers. With how envious Takar and his fellow countrymen are, they still haven't managed to arrange for people to join."
Unless Chen Fei became the big boss of the control tower, he'd rather just be a content pilot, taking his base salary and mission bonuses. His work didn't conflict with the maintenance team's duties; in fact, it was a perfect match.
"All right then, I want to talk to you about another matter."
As Hanna Gagar was about to speak, Chen Fei interrupted her.
"Sorry, I'm not selling!"
Chen Fei had already noticed her glance occasionally falling on the Magical Beast Crystal Core in his hand.
Those who graduated from the Ivory Tower, the new generation university students, were no fools. Even those with a slightly lower IQ didn't have the right to touch the college entrance exam papers and were streamed out directly in their second year of high school.
Everyone would have their eyes on a Third Rank Magical Beast Crystal Core.
The warnings of the female Metallic Giant Dragon Yilan shielded Chen Fei from those despicable tactics, but they were useless against open and legitimate schemes.
"10 million Star Yuan!"
The executive manager named a figure.
That's right, just paying cash. One was willing to sell, the other was willing to buy, a mutually agreeable transaction. Even Sky Dragon City could hardly say anything about it.
That price was enough to instantly clear all of Chen Fei's debts and leave him with a significant surplus, turning him from a millionaire debtor into a real millionaire.
Chen Fei was even more resolute.
The First Rank magic potion "Life Resuscitation" that Apocalypse Defense Group used on him was priced at 12 million Star Yuan, yet they only offered 10 million Star Yuan for a Third Rank Light Beast Crystal Core. This was the blatant face of a capitalist.
"20 million Star Yuan!"
Hanna Gagar doubled her offer without hesitation.
Chen Fei admitted he was involuntarily tempted, if just for a moment.
20 million Star Yuan could not only clear his debts but also turn him into a multimillionaire, and even if he stopped working, he could live comfortably for the rest of his life.
Pure Light Sparrow Xiao Jiu continued to peck tirelessly at the Light Beast Crystal Core, striving to absorb and activate the light element energy by instinct.
The executive manager watched him.
Chen Fei shook his head with difficulty, turning and walking away without hesitation.
Given the pattern of her offers, the next offer might well reach 40 million Star Yuan. Even if it was just 30 million Star Yuan, he couldn't guarantee he'd have the willpower to continue rejecting such a large sum of money.
The Magical Beast Crystal Core was left by Yilan specifically for Xiao Jiu. He had to stay strong for his little one!
Once Xiao Jiu finished absorbing the Light Beast Crystal Core, and the quantitative change reached a qualitative transformation, some unexpected changes might occur.
Watching Chen Fei's retreating figure in disarray, Hanna Gagar wore a look of regret.
Returning to her office, she picked up the phone and personally reported the investigation of the Sky Dragon City diplomatic mission to the Apocalypse Defense Group headquarters.
With the situation having developed to this stage, the Apocalypse Defense Group could be said to have successfully held onto the major part of the benefits from the Metallic Dragon remains.
However, no one could find the missing Heart Core, preventing them from achieving a perfect result and leaving some regrets on this harvest.