Chapter 1248 - 49: Shadow_4

When Chen Ming returned to the hardware store on the first industrial space arm again.

He saw the boss sitting behind the counter, just like before.

However, the boss used to wear sandals and short sleeves, looking idle and laid-back.

But now the boss has changed his dressing style, still casually dressed, but he seems more spirited, as if he has some goal in mind.

When Chen Ming walked into the hardware store, the boss glanced up and down at Chen Ming with no sense of unfamiliarity despite a long absence, and casually asked, "Is this real?"

"Fake."

"Looks pretty real."

Chen Ming casually pulled over a chair from the side and chatted, "Boss, what have you been up to lately? The matters in Cai Mo Star Realm should have ended long ago, but you didn’t come to the engagement party."

"I wanted to come back earlier, but the president held me up, asking me to help research the mental state of some Dimensional Infection Entity."

"Didn’t I appear on video at the engagement party?"

"On the other hand, you’ve been quite active recently, I’ve heard a lot about you outside, care to share?"

Chen Ming nodded.

His purposes, plans, preparations, and arrangements can be concealed from anyone else, but there’s no need to hide them from the boss.

The boss is his guide on the path of Spiritual Energy, his mentor who contributed to his achievements today; there’s no need to hide anything from him.

"I’ve indeed done quite a bit lately."

"I used An Wuping’s fake identity to cooperate with the Insect Race, attracting the attention of the Empire and Mechanical Race to the border of the Mechanical Race Star Realm, and then simultaneously leveraged the Insect Race to launch an attack on the logistics star system of the Mechanical Race."

The boss listened to Chen Ming’s narrative with an unexpected excitement that surprised Chen Ming, signaling him to continue speaking in detail.

Chen Ming did not hold back, detailing the Mechanical Race’s movements, his thoughts on the Mechanical Race’s Mother Ship and Star Gate, the source of the Insect Race’s powers, the circumstances of re-entering the Crimson Dimension, and the matter of the Phase Giant Beast—all explained clearly to the boss.

Just as the boss was greatly satisfied reminiscing about Chen Ming’s recent experiences.

Chen Ming suddenly realized something.

The boss’s abilities are related to consciousness and mind; could he contact the Phase Giant Beast?

Chen Ming promptly asked.

The boss seemed quite interested, asking, "How could I contact the Phase Giant Beast here?"

"My Spiritual Energy can now directly teleport people."

"Through what means?"

"Crimson Dimension."

Shortly after, Chen Ming left the boss’s hardware store.

Took a spaceship prepared to head to the division.

While on the road, he received a message from Cheng Xinghai.

Learned that Cheng Xinghai had completed training, and after two days of rest, would be heading to Galor.

Cheng Xinghai’s training completion meant the Empire’s backbone forces were readying for the front lines.

Previously, the Empire’s response to the Mechanical Race only utilized probing vanguards.

Only now would proper military force be employed.

Even with only vanguards, the Empire’s war against the Mechanical Race progressed favorably; even knowing the overall situation and background of the war, Chen Ming couldn’t help but wonder what preparations the Mechanical Race was making.

The Mechanical Race couldn’t just wait for death; even if its logistics had been smashed by him, it would at least try to fight the Empire, impossible to remain totally inactive.

He felt he must wait for the Insect Race to develop further, to dispatch a ship to each star system of the Mechanical Race for reconnaissance.

Just as Chen Ming expanded his thinking, his terminal suddenly filled with messages from Cheng Xinghai, recounting the struggles of the training.

Chen Ming comforted her while continuing to think about the war.

Soon after.

Chen Ming arrived at the star system where the division was located.

Compared to when he last left, it has undergone tremendous changes.

The division is no longer limited to a single volcanic planet; every planet in the star system shows signs of development, all with foundational constructions.

Chen Ming’s spaceship landed on the only volcanic planet, the division’s headquarters.

He was immediately escorted to the command headquarters.

On the way, Chen Ming noticed everyone was in a hurry, looking tense as if something had happened.

Come to think of it, he suddenly recalled seeing a large fleet entering and exiting when he was landing.

He thought it was routine, but now it seems something else is wrong.

As for what exactly happened, he should find out soon.

Chen Ming was quickly led to the newly constructed command center building’s command center.

The command center was bustling, dozens of screens flashing on different devices.

Long unseen Qiu Bowen sat in the center, while Bai Quan sat in the deputy position.

Seeing Chen Ming enter.

Bai Quan and Qiu Bowen greeted him, approaching Chen Ming.

"What happened?"

"The Mechanical Race finally made a move; they’ve launched a surprise attack on one of our planets at the border."