Lin Muchen discreetly inquired with classmates from the Mecha Academy that evening.
Those whose families were local to the Central Planet, possessing some background, readily informed her.
"Indeed, we've heard that a new Nine-Star Grand General is arriving."
"Rumor has it that this new Nine-Star Grand General comes from a remote star domain, from something called the Yun Jing Federation… we've never even heard of it. Yet, this Grand General has soared so high, showing he must possess exceptional qualities to have been promoted so exceptionally."
"The military has never had such a precedent before, showing how much they value him."
"This news will likely be announced to the entire Central Planet any moment now."
Lin Muchen returned to her single dormitory room that evening. The little rabbit Yue Xiao hopped onto the table to watch her.
"Host, Ji Feng has also arrived, and it's become a complete mess now."
The place Lin Muchen stayed was a dormitory specifically prepared for students by the Mecha Academy. Her accommodations were quite good, even including her own private room.
This was also special consideration given to her by the Dean of the Mecha Academy, though the Mecha Academy did provide private rooms to begin with; it was achievable as long as one was willing to pay.
It wasn't an excessive privilege.
"Ji Feng has arrived, and he doesn't know I'm here."
"Moreover, this nominal father of mine is a doting father. If he knew that I, a female beast, had entered the Mecha Academy, he would likely go berserk."
"He wouldn't let anyone easily claim me either."
"The one who should be worried is Ling Kuang."
The little rabbit, hearing its host say this, obediently nodded and then spoke.
"That's the truth. Ling Kuang should indeed be worried."
"And it seems Ling Kuang doesn't have a good reputation here. This person, along with his mecha, 'Burning Heart,' doesn't seem to be very well-received on this Central Planet. It's only because he himself is too powerful that, even with such disfavor, they can do nothing about him."
The little rabbit sighed.
"Who could say otherwise?"
"The strong should always stand out from the crowd."
"I'm not saying others are chickens and Ling Kuang is a crane, but he is clearly stronger than others; that's evident."
"However, Host, your Destiny Mecha, you used it for the first time today; how did it feel?"
"This mecha is equivalent to your own equipment now!"
The little system was very concerned about whether its host's combat power had improved.
Lin Muchen nodded. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly asked the little system.
"The military asked my nominal father to become the Nine-Star Grand General. Do you think there's a possibility that because Ling Kuang put too much pressure on them, they decided to promote my nominal father to confront Ling Kuang on the Central Planet?"
The little rabbit nodded.
"Highly possible."
"After all, your father is also a peerless genius. However, I believe it's more because they also sense the threat from the Zerg."
"I secretly used the main system's authority to hack into their database and discovered a startling fact!"
The little system Yue Xiao paused here, clearly wanting Lin Muchen to press further. But Lin Muchen merely raised an eyebrow, appearing exceptionally confident. The little system, feeling unprompted, could only continue to mumble.
"Actually, the Zerg counterattack has already begun."
"Although the Mother Nest has not fully awakened yet, there have already been many cases of Zerg abnormalities in various regions. The Zerg, which were thought to have been completely eradicated, have surprisingly returned."
"It is precisely because of this that those old guys in the military value your father so highly, his ability to lead troops into battle!"
"They place immense importance on your father's prowess in leading troops. This proves that they are not entirely incompetent; at least they have some brains, knowing not to promote solely based on personal relationships or to flatter the children of noble families. They must find some capable individuals who can get things done."
Lin Muchen’s brows slowly furrowed.
After a moment, she spoke.
"So that's how it is."
"So they also feel the urgency."
The little system hummed and couldn't help but remind her.
"Therefore, Host… the time left for us might not be as much as you imagine."
...
The next morning, when Lin Muchen returned to the Mecha Academy, the news about the new Nine-Star Grand General had already spread completely.
Everyone was filled with curiosity about this new Grand General. Lin Muchen, standing nearby, also overheard some gossip and learned of the complete destruction of the Cang Hai Empire!
"That Cang Hai Empire, with its long heritage, unexpectedly collapsed so decisively. It is said that the royal family has been demoted to commoners, and those few stubborn individuals who continued to resist were directly executed!"
"However, over the years, how many people from the Yun Jing Federation has the empire killed? The Yun Jing Federation has merely returned the favor, an eye for an eye, and has not acted excessively. There is a blood feud between the two sides; reconciliation is absolutely impossible."
"It's just that no one expected the Yun Jing Federation could produce such an astonishing and brilliant military talent!"
"It is said that Ji Feng's battles were fought remarkably well, even in such a remote star domain, they managed to alert our Central Planet."
"The military wants him to rush to the Central Planet overnight and directly appoint him as the Nine-Star Grand General. Isn't this a genuine legendary figure?"
"In my memory, the last such legendary figure among our human race was that..."
Someone nearby, full of curiosity, immediately interjected.
"Who? Who is that last legendary figure you speak of who was so formidable?"
Unexpectedly, the other person immediately shut their mouth and refused to say more.
"Don't mention that person, it's bad luck. He has already been shattered into pieces, and all his family members have also died. Let this person be as if he never existed. Why bring him up? Even if he was a genius back then, our human race does not crave such geniuses."
"Exactly, what's the point of mentioning a traitor like that? And in the end, he also met a pathetic death, with nothing left of him..."
"Not a single bone remained."
"The person is gone, the family is gone, and in the end, only a mecha remains… tsk tsk tsk, that is an ominous object. It is said that this mecha is stained with the grievances of our human race. Anyone who takes that mecha is courting death."
"Anyone who becomes the owner of that ominous mecha is an ominous monster!"
"Indeed."
"This general who has emerged out of nowhere is clearly the Ziwei Star bestowed upon the Central Planet by heaven!"
Lin Muchen suddenly understood who the previous genius, the last legendary figure they were referring to, was.
It was the previous owner of Ling Kuang's mecha, Burning Heart, Jiang Yu Ye, who acted as a spy for humanity and was then devoured by countless Zerg.
The former commander of humanity.
All that remained of him was the mecha Burning Heart.
And Ling Kuang was the owner of Burning Heart.
But in the mouths of these people, Ling Kuang had become an ominous monster.
Lin Muchen felt an immense surge of injustice. She let out a cold snort, her expression suddenly turning cold. She clenched her fists, and a domineering voice reached her ears.
"So much chatter. Regarding past events, who can truly know the real truth? Who can know what is right and what is wrong?"
"We made you study not for you to gossip and spread rumors."
"Today, each of you will train for an additional four hours. You are not allowed to leave the training room until you collapse."
Ling Qianhe, with a cold expression, walked past in the corridor. The students immediately looked crestfallen.
Then, he turned to look at Lin Muchen and suddenly beckoned her over.
"Come here."
Lin Muchen ambled over.
"What is it?"
Ling Kuang glanced at her and then handed her a bottle of psychic power enhancer.
"A good item to help stabilize your psychic power. Don't say I'm stingy, that I can't even spare a bottle of milk. This thing, even Yang Lanyan from the council might not be able to get their hands on it."
He actually still remembered that. Lin Muchen was startled. She quietly accepted it, hesitated, and then suddenly realized something.
"Is this for you to drink?"
Ling Kuang opposite her actually blushed slightly.
"Don't ask too many questions."
"Don't worry about whether this is something I drink."
"Since I've given it to you, it's yours."
"Everything of mine is yours."
He said this very quickly, audible only to Lin Muchen. By the time Lin Muchen lowered her head and looked up again, he had already hurried away, likely with something to attend to.
Lin Muchen watched his retreating back. The surrounding students crowded around, pitying her.
"Did this eccentric instructor say something to you?"
"These past few days, many of us have been disciplined by him. Who knows where this guy popped up from… he claims he was a prison warden before. I think the academy has gone mad, letting someone who managed criminals manage us."
"Does he know how to manage students? He only knows how to punish us!"
"What did he give you? Is it his foot-washing water?"
Lin Muchen hadn't expected everyone to be so fearful of Ling Kuang, even suspecting he gave her foot-washing water. She coughed and quickly put the psychic power enhancer into her schoolbag.
Then Lin Muchen spoke.
"It's nothing."
"He just thought it was rather special that I could tame the Destiny mecha, so he gave me a bottle of mecha maintenance oil."
The students hummed and immediately lost interest.
As she walked back to the classroom, the students were still discussing Ling Kuang.
"It seems that before he became a prison warden, he also came from the Central Planet. That day, he seemed to be on par with the council's executives and the military's magnates, the Nine-Star Grand Generals. Was he also a prominent figure in the Central Planet back then?"
"Could it be that he returned to the academy as a hero who also came from the Mecha Academy? But why have we never heard his name?"
Lin Muchen also wanted to know.
The group of students fell silent. After a long pause, someone softly said.
"My elder brother said that many years ago, he indeed… amazed the Central Planet. But later, he became a demon."
"That's why he was sent to Prison Eight."
"How can a demon hold a high position?"
These students became even more frightened, and for some reason, Lin Muchen's heart felt as if it were suddenly being squeezed.
A demon?
Is this how Ling Qianhe was seen by others?
A demon.
Even if he is a demon.
She would not be afraid. She would always only move towards him.