The incident also caused quite a stir internationally. You can't keep everything under wraps; the things that should be known couldn't be concealed, as the Federation was able to silence its own people, but not those abroad. For a time, it caused such an uproar that there was no peace to be found...

What exactly was the significance of the Federation Special Command that it could challenge a Mech combatant single-handedly? To tell the truth, would you believe it? Regardless of whether others believe it or not, those who hadn't seen the video were almost entirely skeptical. To some extent, this fact reflected from a side angle that Mecha were not necessarily invincible; humans could surpass Mecha with their superior physique. He simply shattered the common knowledge of existing physics academia.

Some experts could no longer sit still and came forward to declare that truth couldn't be faked, and fake couldn't be true, the video must be doctored. As a result, they were viciously attacked online by a group of elementary school students. The headlines from the schoolchildren labeled them "Another brainless expert produces pseudoscientific statements," likening them to absurd claims, such as running for more than 40 minutes for weight loss, or crop circles by aliens. There were many similar instances.

Upon hearing the news, the Blade Warrior wasn't surprised at all. Some so-called expert scholars were overrated. She had been studying science for hundreds of years and had created quite a few inventions; the most famous being the Combat Power Tester, which determined strength based on variations in the human body's comprehensive magnetic field, and the scurvy capsules therapy for permanently curing coronary heart disease.

Sometimes, she found it hard to understand human thinking. A cardiovascular disease that had been troubling humanity for thousands of years was almost completely solved by a half-hearted effort after just a month and a half of her own research. Humans always thought of how to cure diseases perfectly, often overlooking the brute force method of using poison to fight poison, which resulted in a double-edged sword. To take a step back, her Micron Spider could also achieve treatment effects by being injected into the heart. When one focuses on researching a particular project, one may find that there really is nothing difficult in this world for those who are dedicated.

Not to mention Mecha, just a product of the technology of an era, akin to ancient chariots, spears, and repeating crossbows, which will be gradually phased out over time. What remains are rather the unadorned crafts from the common folk. In modern times, those flashy but impractical tools could naturally be surpassed by individual humans. This judgement must be made from multiple aspects, varying according to personal growth, physical condition, evolution, and different rates of brain development.

Of course, this concerns very few individuals, and there are significant limitations, such as the inability of the body to engage in combat in space, and so on.

As for why Feng Yi was in the Death Desert, she could guess a thing or two. Naturally, as for the forbidden flight artifact, the Blade Warrior never took it seriously. She had originally promised to give it to Feng Yi to deal with as he saw fit, because the item was considered a failed product to her. Although it cost a lot of efforts and the idea wasn't wrong, it still didn't change the fact that a perfect equipment wouldn't indiscriminately damage friends and foes alike.

Even so, a price of 5 billion for a failed product could hardly be considered too much, especially in today's world where humanity lacks creativity.

In comparison, what now intrigued the Blade Warrior most was the Elephant civilization. She had also sought help from Eggy, but unfortunately, despite collecting information, she couldn't find any solid evidence about the Elephant civilization. There were myriad rumors, like various countries claiming to have seen UFOs; some were even hyped by governments. However, this does not mean there are no clues. At least, Eggy once expressed that from time to time it could sense magnetic field changes unknown to humans.

These magnetic fields were neither natural phenomena nor human or biological interference. Aside from third-kind encounters, Eggy could find no other explanation. The Blade Warrior defined this phenomenon as mirror space, in other words, the parallel universe commonly referred to by ordinary people. The Elephant civilization maintained an observational phase with humanity, neither participating nor interfering, just like the animals in a nature reserve...

Considering current technology, it was virtually impossible to break through this barrier unless one entered a higher-dimensional space... It was said that Feng Yi once entered under certain special conditions. If possible, she could ask him about it.

The next morning, the Flame received a message from the Military Department of the Capital, and the message was then communicated by Feng Yi to all units above the company level, stating that Athena was expected to arrive in Mardis in ten days. The Military Department hoped that the Flame Legion would be brave enough to participate in the escort mission. To put it bluntly, they were short of bodyguards. Of course, if Feng Yi could take on the job himself, that would be the best. However, everything would depend on Feng Yi's decision.

Feng Yi received the order with an understanding smile. He gathered some of the core members of the legion and inquired about everyone's opinion. "Let's all speak up and share your thoughts," he said.

Resulting in the Command Room, many officers surprisingly chose collective silence...

Heh, it seems Athena's prestige truly isn't simple, as even these iron-blooded female soldiers have been captivated by her charm.

"John, what do you think?" Seeing that no one spoke up, Feng Yi tossed the tough question to John.

"Me?" John asked, pointing to his own nose.

Before Feng Yi could respond, the surrounding staff members nodded again and again, as if to say, it's definitely you, no escape.

"Heh heh, Commander, I'm just a straightforward man." John paused, then spoke with rare seriousness: "But I think Athena's arrival might not necessarily be a bad thing; it could actually accelerate the progress of the war effort in Mardis."

"Well said, what else?" Feng Yi's voice inadvertently stirred doubts in the minds of the officers present; they looked at each other, clueless...

After waiting for a while, Feng Yi let out a soft sigh and said, "You've only got half of it right. Not only is Athena going to come, but she needs to come earlier, the sooner, the better—of course, this is a test I set for John alone."

As for what it involved, Feng Yi didn't say, and there was no need for anyone else to know, but as the deputy commander of the Flaming Legion, John needed to be clear about the responsibilities he faced in this position.

This question was a lingering thought that Feng Yi had left for John to ponder: why Athena would come and why the earlier, the better? Feng Yi hadn't explained the specifics, but instead ordered John to tighten the defenses, especially in the heartland of the Flaming Legion, to seemingly maintain calm on the surface while setting up an ambush, ready to strike—anew recruit not to be overlooked was Apophis, who had graduated from the Solar System's Golden Sword Academy, with mecha piloting skills that might even surpass those of Cangmu, Kuang Qi, the Haier Brothers, Angelina, Ophelia, and Dovir.

John's brain struggled to process all this information at once, first with Apophis, then the swift deployment of defenses, and Athena's ten days changing to one week; he wasn't really a straightforward man, yet no matter what, he couldn't fathom the so-called test from the commander. But since the boss had said so, there must be a reason, and for a moment, it nearly became John's obsession.

Obsession required the right remedy; the key was to treat the condition with the right medicine and to know where the ailment lay—that was crucial. According to Kexiao's calculations, Athena's arrival in Mardis coincided with the best opportunity for the Empire's forces to launch a counter-offensive.

There were many factors at play, and the failed assassination attempt was one of them. With the mission of the three Faceless Power Kings ended in failure, Feng Yi thought to use this opportunity to lend a hand to the Apostles and ostensibly respond in kind, declaring that "Feng Yi, having been targeted once, will surely be on guard; now is not the time to advance," a statement that would, to some extent, relax the vigilance of the Flaming Legion. Now, with Athena's impending arrival in Mardis, her personal role would transcend the entertainment circle and would have a ripple effect on politics. As the Flaming Legion was the main force of Mardis, they would undoubtedly strengthen their defenses during this period, making it also the most relaxed time for the Legion—a calm before the storm, so to speak.

But who was Kexiao? Athena was mere political chess to him; he cared more about the Flaming Legion, the core force traversing Mardis.

Kexiao's target was not truly Athena; he had anticipated the evolution of Mardis to the present situation and that the Federation would eventually arrange for Athena's presence here. So, he had disingenuously expressed his lack of intent to besiege while in essence using the Apostles to lower Feng Yi's guard.

Upon learning of Athena's arrival, Kexiao quickly issued an order: Jiu Ling, Mary, Xia Mu, and two pilots whose names were best left undisclosed were to take this time to rest and recuperate, for soon they would face a direct confrontation with the Flaming Legion.

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