377: sigh

Victory came so easily for Li Yang and his side, as if everything was within their control, like a script with an already written ending, smoothly progressing along its predetermined path to the finish line of triumph.

In the spacious, bright, yet tense Command Room, the communication device suddenly emitted a crisp alert.

A subordinate quickly checked the message, then immediately strode with firm steps to Li Yang, stood at attention, saluted, and reported loudly.

"General Commander, the target planet has been fully occupied!"

The voice echoed in the Command Room, clear and powerful, proclaiming the victory of this grand operation.

Li Yang, seated in the command chair, heard the news, and his tense expression instantly relaxed, a smile of relief appearing on his face.

This occupation operation had gone through many twists and turns, but now it was finally a success.

Now, the subsequent wrap-up work was on the agenda.

They only needed to wait for the smooth delivery of the next Star Controller, and for Hua Dong and Researcher Hua Xi to complete their detailed research report on the power of rules as soon as possible, then they could successfully complete their mission and embark on their return journey.

"After all this time, we can finally leave."

Li Yang tilted his head slightly and sighed softly.

Recalling this mission, it had taken more than a month, a long time, which was quite lengthy among the many missions he had undertaken in the past.

During this period, they faced many unknowns and challenges, and every step forward was arduous; now with victory in sight, a wave of emotion surged within him.

"Oh, right."

Li Yang suddenly snapped back to reality, his expression turning serious, and he instructed his subordinate.

"Notify Pal to bring Xiao Ran to me; I have important matters to discuss with him."

"Yes!"

The subordinate responded without hesitation, saluted again, then quickly turned and hurried out of the Command Room to convey Li Yang's order... On the planet already under Imperial control, Xiao Ran sat alone on the ancient and imposing city wall of Jiangcheng.

He quietly overlooked the scene below, where teams of Imperial Soldiers patrolled in neat, orderly formations.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the Soldiers' cold battle armor, reflecting dazzling light, as if ruthlessly proclaiming the cruel reality that this world had changed hands.

"I really didn't expect that in just one day, this world would be completely occupied by the Empire..."

Xiao Ran's eyes showed a hint of confusion as he murmured to himself.

"So, even a Celestial Realm Experts is nothing more than this in the face of the Empire's mighty power..."

Just yesterday, when the nine Celestial Realm Expertss, representing the peak combat power of this world, reluctantly chose to give up resistance and surrender to the Empire, the Imperial forces quickly transmitted this news to every city on the planet.

In an instant, like a cold frost, it extinguished the last flicker of hope in the hearts of all resistance forces.

For those who were still stubbornly resisting, the Celestial Realm Expertss had always been their last reliance, their hope that they believed could turn the tide of battle.

However, now that even these most powerful beings had surrendered, the remaining resistance forces immediately felt disheartened and lost all will to fight.

They knew that in the face of such a vast disparity in strength, continued resistance would only be a futile struggle, leading to more unnecessary sacrifices.

Thus, in this atmosphere of despair, resistance forces in various places laid down their weapons and chose to give up resistance.

Otherwise, given the vast territory and numerous cities of this world, even with the Empire's powerful military, it would have been by no means easy to take all cities in just one day.

After all, conquering each city one by one and eliminating each resistance force one by one, even if it was just pure slaughter, would require a lot of time and effort.

But now, with the surrender of the Celestial Realm Expertss, everything concluded rapidly within this single day, and the entire world fell completely under Imperial rule.

"What? Is our famous genius, Xiao, regretting it now?"

Just as Xiao Ran was lost in thought, Hua Mulian approached with light steps, like a ghost, and quietly sat beside Xiao Ran.

Her lips curved slightly upward, and her eyes sparkled with playful light as she asked with a half-smile, her tone carrying a hint of teasing, as if probing Xiao Ran's true thoughts.

"No, not at all."

Xiao Ran shook his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the distance, his expression as calm as water.

"Although I still don't understand why the Empire chose me specifically, even without my involvement, with the Empire's formidable strength, occupying our world was only a matter of time, that much is undeniable."

His voice was steady and firm, as if he had already seen through the inevitable outcome behind this unequal contest of strength.

"Putting everything else aside, there are quite a few people in the city secretly cursing you right now."

Hua Mulian raised an eyebrow and continued.

"Do you really feel nothing at all? After all, in their eyes, you are a 'traitor' to civilization."

She stared at Xiao Ran with interest, seemingly wanting to catch even the slightest emotional fluctuation in his expression.

"No."

Xiao Ran shook his head again, his eyes revealing a resolute determination.

"Since I've made my decision, I will never go back on it. Besides, looking at it from another perspective, if not for the Empire's intervention, given my previous situation, I probably wouldn't even have the chance to sit here right now... Oh, right, what about you?"

Xiao Ran said, turning his head to look at Hua Mulian curiously.

"Do you have nothing to say about all this?"

"Tch, the weak obey the strong, isn't that a very normal principle?"

Hua Mulian pouted indifferently.

"So what if we're occupied? It's not like being occupied means becoming slaves. On the contrary, we can use this to access a larger, broader world and witness more unprecedented things. What's wrong with that? Why not seize the opportunity?"

As she spoke, she gestured excitedly, her eyes sparkling with yearning.

"Oh, right."

Hua Mulian suddenly leaned closer to Xiao Ran, asking excitedly.

"I'm considered to have joined the Empire now, right? Can you also let me join the army? I really want to experience those powerful weapons, and maybe even make a name for myself!"

She stared intently at Xiao Ran, her eyes filled with anticipation.

If, in the past, Hua Mulian's unwavering goal was to reach the pinnacle of martial arts through her own unremitting efforts and experience the beautiful scenery at that lonely height,

then now, after the world-changing event of the Empire's occupation, her ambition had quietly shifted; she was determined to carve out her own glorious path in the vast and boundless world of the Empire.

"You truly are unique; your ideas are always so different."

Xiao Ran looked at Hua Mulian, his eyes showing both admiration and a touch of helplessness.

"As for you joining the army, I really can't say for sure. After all, I'm not very clear about the intricacies involved. Once you install a smart brain and officially become a true Imperial Citizen, I'll help you inquire about it."

Xiao Ran frowned slightly, speaking thoughtfully.

To be honest, even his own process of joining the Empire was hazy, like looking at flowers through a fog; he inexplicably became a sergeant, and he truly had no clear concept of the Imperial army's recruitment process.