The next few days passed uneventfully.
Ling, who had been residing within Lin Hao’s body, also hadn't appeared during this time.
The insectoids continued to care for the cub with meticulous attention, just as they had before.
They also chased away any miscellaneous pests that dared to approach the cub.
However, seeing that the cub seemed to have taken a liking to the Empire’s Crown Prince, who had been constantly by his side, they gradually began to turn a blind eye amidst their scolding.
Indeed, thick skin was useful after all.
Meanwhile, Lin Hao sat in the main hall, propping his head with one hand and contemplating his next move, when he heard a voice that had been silent for a long time resound in his ears again.
"Currently, Yi is very weak. As long as we find where she is recuperating, we can directly seal her again."
Hearing this, Lin Hao looked up and saw Ling floating in the air, smiling at him.
She seemed even more transparent than the last time he had seen her.
Are you alright, in this state?
As if sensing the speculation and concern in the cub’s eyes, Ling’s gaze flashed with surprise, then she closed her mouth and shook her head, her eyes full of smiles.
She hadn't expected the cub’s thoughts to be so delicate.
Ling circled around Lin Hao, again and again.
It was as if she could finally openly gaze upon Lin Hao now, so she repeatedly observed the person he had chosen.
Just as she had imagined.
Each time Ling used her abilities, her body would dim slightly.
It was possible that after this battle, she might completely disappear.
However, she was aware of her fate, showing no anger or dissatisfaction, merely smiling as she watched.
So.
What had happened to her that made her so resigned, or rather, for whom was her departure?
"Then, where should she be now?"
Since the final method was known, where was she?
Ling, who had been circling, stopped when Xier, who had rushed over, arrived.
She extended her hand and pointed to the back of Xier's neck.
"When the time comes, it will tell them where she is."
Ling touched Xier’s hair from the void and then vanished from her spot.
Xier glanced at the cub, then reached up to touch her own neck.
It seemed that the heat on her neck had been intensifying over the past two days, as if conveying some message.
And what Ling had just told them perfectly confirmed their suspicions from the previous few days.
Where are you?
Me?
After an unknown amount of hesitation,
I am in the Empire. Are you coming to find me?
Xier tentatively asked in her mind. She had thought no one would answer,
but then she heard the ethereal yet surprisingly magnetic voice she had first encountered when she met that fish.
Upon hearing that voice, Xier nearly burst into tears.
She had originally thought her feelings for him were, at best, like those for a stray cat or dog she had rescued from the roadside. Even their months of interaction were akin to raising a pet. Yet, after everything that had happened, she had come to understand her true feelings.
It seemed she had developed different feelings for that fish.
She didn't know if this feeling had arisen the moment she first saw him and wanted to take him home as a decoration, or when she learned what he had done for her, or perhaps at the moment he disappeared.
She realized that she seemed to have truly developed an unprecedented emotion.
Xier touched the deep blue scales on her neck, her previously bewildered gaze instantly becoming resolute.
After this, she would properly reciprocate Lan Jia Ruo’s feelings.
After all this time, he must have been waiting for her to save him.
Xier raised her head, lowered her hand, and looked into the cub’s eyes.
"It seems they are in the Empire's territory. Shall we make a move?"
Lin Hao, of course, noticed the change in Xier’s gaze and smiled with some relief.
This little girl had finally clarified her feelings.
It wasn't easy.
He just wondered what expression Elfa would have when he learned of this.
Cough, cough, cough.
That's not the matter at hand.
"All insectoids, prepare yourselves. We are about to move towards the Empire."
Lin Hao communicated this to them in their mental group.
In less than a minute, all the insectoids were ready outside.
Lin Hao opened the door and stepped outside the house, finding Elfa and a few others standing before millions of insectoids.
The humans who had been watching their movements from the sidelines were also independently organizing their own ranks.
Xie Shuwen skipped over to Lin Hao’s side, lowered his head, and smiled at his brother.
"Brother, I saw you organizing the troops. Are you going to war? Why didn't you tell me? Let me go too."
This time, I won't let you walk away from me again.
Therefore, I will stay by your side, never leaving.
So that no stray dogs will try to bite at unattended meat.
The smile in Xie Shuwen's eyes vanished the moment he saw someone standing beside Lin Hao again, and a dark cloud seemed to be about to overflow.
Tsk.
What a disreputable stray dog.
From the moment I recognized Brother, Brother has been mine.
It's not like before, where any cat or dog could come and freeload.
Just as Xie Shuwen was contemplating how to silently eliminate this person, he was suddenly struck on the head.
"Is this how you greet an elder? Damn it, did I teach you all that etiquette to the dogs? Change that look on your face, it's annoying to look at."
Seeing his brother like this, the emotions in Xie Shuwen's eyes instantly disappeared.
He fawningly brought Lin Hao's hand to his mouth, blew on it, and coaxed, "Did it hurt? Hit me in the chest next time; your head is hard. Also, I was wrong. I haven't forgotten your teachings; I just got a little carried away when I saw you. I won't do it again. Forgive me, Brother."
I will not forget your teachings.
But in that kind of life, such politeness and etiquette would only make you die more gracefully.
It would also give you a better reputation after death.
However, for that kind of position, I have already lost enough.
If you like such etiquette,
then I will pick it all back up.
Lin Hao pulled his hand away, glanced at Xie Shuwen, whose gaze seemed a bit off, and then addressed the crowd below.
"We have reliable intelligence that they have fled into the Empire's territory. For the survival of all humanity, we must show great resolve. Furthermore, this campaign is optional; participation is entirely your decision."
After a few minutes, Lin Hao watched as the people below looked at each other, and then their gazes became firm again.
"Since no one is withdrawing."
"Then, for the survival of all humanity, let us march towards the Empire!"