The next morning, Weili reported to Milton’s office and spoke respectfully.
“Supreme Commander, I sincerely thank you for yesterday’s assistance. If not for you, I would not be standing here.”
Milton set aside the document in his hand and looked up. “How is your spiritual sea?”
Weili’s voice carried barely restrained excitement. “Frequent campaigns had kept my spiritual sea unstable. Even with numerous purification agents from the military physicians, the effects were minimal. But now… it is truly incredible. For the first time, my spiritual sea feels so thoroughly cleansed and clear. I owe it all to Lord Aisi, Lord Yifan, Lord Yase, Lord Leiou—and to the newly appointed spiritual coordinator, Lord Gu Qing.”
His tone shifted, dimming. “However… when I went to thank Lord Aisi and the others, they were still afraid of me. Males… have never liked military females.”
Milton studied him, his brow faintly furrowed. Such complete recovery could not be explained at face value. From experience, Weili was a high-ranking military female. To achieve this level of stabilization, it would require either deep marking, extraordinary spiritual compatibility with a male—or Gu Qing had concealed his true strength.
But was that possible? The highest recorded spiritual rating for males was Grade A. Could he truly surpass it?
The image of that “ill-intentioned male” surfaced in Milton’s mind. If Gu Qing were hiding power, what was his purpose in coming to the military headquarters? Genuine assistance? Or feigned goodwill masking ulterior motives? Stealing mecha data? Probing imperial secrets? Zerg technology had long led the interstellar powers.
What was his true identity? An experimental product from another nation? And where was the limit of his strength?
Perhaps… it was time to test him.
Weili, still lost in his melancholy about male aloofness toward military females, spoke in a subdued tone. Milton watched him silently, thoughts circling.
Then, in a mild voice layered with meaning, he said, “Do you know? Mecha are not something males usually have access to. Though… some males are particularly curious about them.”
Weili froze for a second, then his eyes lit up. Excitement flared across his face. He hastily bid farewell and left.
Milton watched his retreating figure, his gaze cooling. He transmitted orders to Yier and Feili.
“Monitor Weili and Gu Qing. If Gu Qing makes any unusual move—act immediately.”
—
On the other side, Gu Qing arrived at the military headquarters as punctually as ever, as though nothing had occurred the day before.
This time, he took the initiative to head toward the Supreme Commander’s office, intending to probe whether the military possessed energy stones suitable for cultivation. Just as he stepped into the administrative area, the door slid open automatically—
A tall military female in a silver-white uniform walked out. The moment he saw Gu Qing, his steps halted.
It was Weili, Commander of the First Legion.
The one who had been half-transformed and rampaging yesterday had now fully regained his form. Though his aura was weaker, his eyes were clear, his spiritual power stabilizing.
The instant he saw Gu Qing, he seemed struck by lightning. His eyes brightened, and he strode forward.
“Lord Gu Qing!”
He seized Gu Qing’s hand, visibly emotional.
“If not for you and the other lords yesterday, I fear… I would already have been sent for cremation!”
Gu Qing blinked when his hand was caught. His voice was gentle as spring water.
“I merely did what I could. I am relieved you are unharmed.”
Weili’s eyes reddened with gratitude. He refused to release Gu Qing’s hand.
“Lord Gu Qing is handsome, and righteous…”
Gu Qing lowered his lashes, slightly at a loss. He gently attempted to withdraw his hand.
“You flatter me. I am only an ordinary male, doing small things within my ability.”
Inside his sea of consciousness, the Heavenly Dao’s little orb drifted by and muttered:
[Is it just me, or is that military female looking at you like pink bubbles are forming around him?]
“Ah, right!” Weili suddenly released him, remembering something. “Did you come to see the Supreme Commander? Let me guess—you want to visit the mecha bay? I will take you! I know the place well!”
Gu Qing glanced at him, appearing faintly startled by the enthusiasm, but smiled politely.
“Then I will trouble you. You have just come from inside—are you not tired?”
As they walked, Weili’s thoughts ran wild.
This black-haired male was too dazzling. His temperament was pure as snow, his manner refined and gentle. Nothing like those males who screamed and fled at the sight of military females.
Even the Supreme Commander, whom all insects revered, seemed to regard him differently.
No… wait…
[He risked entering my spiritual sea yesterday—ahhh!]
Weili’s mind melted into a muddle. His face flushed as his inner monologue spiraled.
[What should I give him? A high-end mecha model? The newest entertainment holo-cabin? Or… myself?]
“No, calm down. A military female must not be bewitched by beauty… But he is really good-looking!”
Snapping back to reality, Weili realized they had reached the mecha warehouse. He straightened, attempting to look stern—though the tips of his ears remained faintly red.
“This is our newest mecha storage bay. There are several unfinished high-tier prototypes inside. Which type would Lord Gu Qing like to see first?”
Before Gu Qing could answer, footsteps sounded in the corridor.
“Oh? You really came?” A green-haired, green-eyed military female approached with an easy expression. “When I saw a familiar name suddenly added to the visitor list, I thought I misread it.”
It was Yier, one of Milton’s adjutants.
His gaze passed between Gu Qing and Weili casually.
“First time visiting the mecha bay, right? Feili and I happen to be free today, so we thought we would stop by.”
Another military female followed—Feili, composed and calm, sharply contrasting Yier’s relaxed demeanor.
“This sector has undergone recent adjustments. It is worth another inspection,” he said evenly. “If Lord Gu Qing does not mind, we may accompany you for a while.”
Gu Qing lowered his lashes, offering a perfectly measured smile.
“Of course. With two adjutants present, I feel even more at ease.”
His tone was mild, revealing nothing.
Yet in his consciousness, the little orb drifted closer and whispered:
[Does this not sound prepared in advance? They appeared just before you could speak…]
Gu Qing gave no reply. His gaze merely swept lightly over the surrounding military females.
Yier waved enthusiastically. “Come on. Two prototypes just arrived today—the exterior design is impressive. If Lord Gu Qing is interested, you can try the cockpit’s auxiliary visual system. It is rather entertaining.”
Feili quietly positioned himself at the rear, his eyes briefly scanning surveillance and defense systems, recording details without a word.
The four entered the warehouse. Lights illuminated rows of towering mecha—like sleeping beasts yet to awaken.
Gu Qing stood at the front, expression calm, as if merely sightseeing.
Only he knew that what he sought was not mecha data nor imperial secrets—
—but energy stones for cultivation.
“This is the Third Legion’s standard mecha, Thunder Eagle—optimized for mobility. Over there is the Steelstorm Type, equipped with dual shoulder ion cannons and a pulse shield module, ideal for frontal suppression and defensive holding,” Weili explained eagerly, sneaking glances at Gu Qing’s reactions, his eyes nearly glowing.
Yier and Feili appeared indifferent, yet sharpness hid beneath their composure. Whenever Weili shifted slightly closer, they subtly adjusted positions, ready to block at the first sign of abnormality.
If Gu Qing made even the slightest unusual move, they would strike first.
Unaware, Weili continued enthusiastically.
Gu Qing moved among the mecha like a stream of still water—upright, composed, hands at his sides. His gaze was clear and gentle, like light filtering through a mountain spring.
They stopped before the newest prototype.
“Lord Gu Qing, this is the Zerg’s latest development—the Blazing Eagle model,” Weili said proudly. “Would you like to see the cockpit?”
Gu Qing’s eyes rested on the red mecha. Inwardly, he reflected that it bore no resemblance to spiritual artifacts of the cultivation world—its structure and energy systems were entirely different, yet equally intricate.
He nodded.
They climbed into the cockpit via a maintenance ladder. Gu Qing’s gaze passed over the control panels and instruments.
Entirely different from spiritual tools—yet containing formidable power.
“These control systems are modular,” Weili explained excitedly. “Visual and combat assistance modules can be configured freely.”
Gu Qing placed his hands lightly beside the seat. “It does seem interesting.”
Feili’s voice carried a faint trace of probing. “Has Lord Gu Qing previously encountered any mecha?”
Inside his consciousness, the little orb cried out:
[They are testing you! Males cannot pilot mecha—their physical constitution is too weak! Just look, do not actually try anything!]
Gu Qing shook his head gently. “My body is frail. Observing is enough.”
Weili’s eyes flashed with regret. Yier raised a brow subtly, assessing. Feili remained composed, watching every minute shift in Gu Qing’s posture and expression.
Gu Qing surveyed the cockpit like a quiet breeze, curiosity faint but genuine in his eyes. His demeanor was unhurried, serene.
The adjutants observed carefully.
Yet they could not detect the slightest irregularity.