In the depths of the ruined base, the last light above the automatic door flickered and gave out under the strain.
Only faint light leaked through the blast-damaged ceiling, illuminating the bleeding corpses of alien creatures.
“Young Excellency!”
It was the Black Shark researcher’s voice, breaking the silence with tears of joy. “You… you’re awake…”
Just as the words left his mouth, the researcher suddenly realized something, his expression shifting slightly, “No, could you be…?”
In the darkness, transparent liquid slid down a slender jawline, making a dripping sound.
The black-haired young man holding the gun silently exhaled.
His face was buried in deep shadows, his expression unclear. His body was completely soaked in medical fluid, thin clothes clinging to his paper-white frame. At first glance, he appeared extremely frail, as if he might collapse at any moment.
But when he turned his head, the faint light revealed a pair of composed eyes that seemed to contain unfathomable power.
Jiang Jianming said, “First tell me what the current situation is.”
“Y-yes…!”
The researcher started, feeling his soul nearly leave his body under the commander’s gaze. He hurriedly took off his outer coat and respectfully draped it over Jiang Jianming.
“This is Omega Alien Star, Black Shark Base. You’ve been in stasis for a year. Four days ago, Omega encountered a surge of alien creatures. The chief took some people to the Third Fortress to help Silver Big Dipper with defense work. But at dawn today, alien creatures broke into Black Shark Base. We lost contact with the Third Fortress, and we’re all trapped here…”
After finishing, the researcher couldn’t help but swallow and ask softly, “You are… are you the Commander?”
Jiang Jianming lowered his eyes and was silent for a second.
Good question – was he truly the Commander or not?
The memories in his mind were in chaos. He should have died, but he couldn’t distinguish whether it was in a bed bathed in warm summer sunlight, or inside a mecha amid wind and snow.
He could feel that the memories belonging to Dawn Aslan were gradually fading, like how people forget the contents of a dream after waking up.
He could only say that right now he was still the “Commander” the researcher spoke of, but at the rate these memories were diminishing, he soon wouldn’t be.
At that time, he would simply be Jiang Jianming, Little Excellency Jiang, who grew up in Purple Silk Star City, graduated from Kaios Military Academy, and was now the Imperial Military’s youngest Lieutenant Colonel… and the Crown Princess.
—But none of that mattered right now, Jiang Jianming thought to himself.
Including why he had died and come back to life, why his body hadn’t rotted after lying dead for a year, why his body seemed to be even better than before his death.
Even why he had become a key figure in the nation’s founding gossip, or in other words, why after his amnesia and rebirth he had attempted to stage a drama of love and hatred with his former self.
That didn’t matter for now, temporarily!
Because from the hole in the ceiling, he could faintly hear approaching scratching sounds that were likely alien creatures scraping against the floor.
“Project the base’s map, let me take a look.”
Jiang Jianming spoke quickly and calmly. “Do you know how to use a gun? Go get a working weapon from the back and follow me.”
In the current situation, if they didn’t handle things properly, he would truly die again.
Soon, Jiang Jianming led the researcher, avoiding alien creatures as they made their way out.
Being trapped in the depths of a fortress by alien creatures “before death” and ending up in the same situation “after revival”, just with a different map… the feeling was quite strange.
Jiang Jianming divided his attention three ways – staying alert as they moved forward, reviewing the base structure map hastily drawn by the researcher on his notebook, while also asking in a low voice. “Where are the others in the base?”
“I… I lost my wrist device in the chaos and can’t contact them, but most people should be in Zone B.”
The researcher was very nervous, pointing at the image with his hand. “They should have retreated to the safety zone by now. There are enough intelligent machines and strong barrier systems there, so no need to worry.”
“But a small number of people are in Zone A’s Base Body cultivation room. I’m more worried about the situation there… Oh, you were just in Zone C, which is the core area of the base.”
Jiang Jianming nodded. “From the current situation, your offensive and defensive forces have been completely cut off. This was a premeditated attack—the target was probably the Base Body cultivation room you mentioned, and perhaps me as well.”
The researcher’s face changed drastically, immediately showing a ready-to-die expression.
No matter what, he was still a crystal human. When danger came, he would risk his life to protect the Commander…!
Jiang Jianming remained calm. The return of his past memories had an extraordinary impact on him… after all, from raising an army on Blue Mother Star to ten years of bloody battles in the sea of stars, what hadn’t he seen?
“Do you know who did this?” he asked. “The Crystal Cult?”
The researcher: “The Crystal Cult has been silent for a long time, ever since the Alpha battle…”
Suddenly, Jiang Jianming’s expression sharpened. “Back!”
Quick as lightning, Jiang Jianming kicked the researcher sideways, sending him tumbling several meters away with a scream.
By the half-collapsed wall in front, a huge crystalline head suddenly emerged!
The next second, the muzzle of a new crystal machine gun spewed out a dazzling stream of bullets, the muzzle flash illuminating the dark corridor.
The alien creature shook violently from the impact force, losing two-thirds of its head within seconds. Its crystal bones struggled to lunge at the remaining humans, but was struck down by a crimson-gold flash with a “clang,” followed by another spray of bullets.
The massive body was a horrible sight when it fell, shattering a series of alloy glass panes along the way with crackling sounds.
Jiang Jianming breathed slightly heavily, putting away his crystal bone ring.
“Commander!” Everything happened too fast – only now did the researcher get up.
Jiang Jianming glanced at his right ring finger: “It’s fine now. Let’s move forward and regroup with the people in Zone A.”
****
Black Shark Base Zone A, Base Body cultivation room.
“So now, we can only wait for rescue?”
Yuan Changze, the researcher who had projected the original Changze, had just changed into new clothes and was staring blankly at Diana Lance.
The situation was much worse than he had imagined. They were all research personnel with zero combat capability – once the external defense system was breached, they would be helpless against the alien creatures.
The sound of artillery fire could still be faintly heard from afar – that should be the Third Fortress in battle.
Someone tried to stay positive: “Don’t panic. Silver Big Dipper knows the importance of our base. Once we hold out for a while, the fortress will come to assist.”
“But,” Diana suddenly looked up and said, “the device maintaining communication with 000, and 001’s Base Body, are both in Zone C.”
“…”
These words froze the air like a cold current. Everyone fell silent.
Hiding here, they were at least safe for now, but no one dared say what the situation was like outside. If anything happened to Zone C, the consequences would be unbearable for everyone!
What should they do… The members of Black Shark Base looked at each other helplessly. No matter how anxious they were, they were powerless.
“Please listen to me.”
Diana suddenly stood up, looking around at the blue-glowing instruments and rows of mysterious base body chambers. “I- I want to ask everyone to help me with something!”
“There’s still one person who could become our combat strength. If we succeed, we at least won’t be completely passive!”
Immediately, everyone turned to her with stunned looks.
Yuan Changze exclaimed in surprise. “Combat strength? Who?”
Although most researchers here were crystal humans, untrained new humans couldn’t last even one round against alien creatures, right?
Diana bit her lower lip nervously. “No, it might not work… but it’s worth trying.”
She walked quickly to the back, stopping in front of a chamber. The electronic light from the floor indicators illuminated her blue eyes.
“That person is… right here.”
****
Meanwhile, at the other end.
“Are you alright?”
Jiang Jianming lowered his gun and looked back. “Do you need to rest for a few minutes?”
The researcher responded numbly. “N-no…”
Jiang Jianming: “Good, then let’s continue on for a bit.”
After following the Commander through the base for an hour, the researcher had become numb, abandoning his dreams of martyrdom and quietly accepting his fate as a burden.
During this hour, he had been dragged along running by the Commander, played hide-and-seek with alien creatures, watched the Commander collapse corridors to protect the rear laboratories, watched him shoot, watched alien creatures fall in sprays of blood…
The researcher from earlier was on the verge of tears: Damn it, who’s really the non-crystal human here?!
Now he had given up – not being a burden was victory enough, hehe.
Jiang Jianming glanced at him, secretly amused: this researcher really wore his thoughts on his face.
While fighting the alien creatures, Jiang Jianming was also analyzing his current condition.
First was his physical function.
Since his abrupt awakening from the stasis chamber, an undeniable weakness hadn’t dispersed – things weren’t actually as easy as they appeared.
—Obviously, anyone who soaked in medical fluid for three hundred and sixty-five days straight wouldn’t feel good. It was already strange that he could still fight.
Even stranger was that the pain from chronic crystal disorder had diminished to almost imperceptible levels.
The reason was unknown, but compared to “dying and coming back to life” it hardly seemed worth making a fuss about. Jiang Jianming planned to ask about it slowly once they were safe.
The second change was in combat skills.
In “this life” as a Base Body, Jiang Jianming wouldn’t say his physical combat and shooting skills were outstanding – just enough not to shame Kaios Military Academy.
He was better at mecha. Other skills were mostly desperately crammed in during those three years after Ryann left.
But his original self was completely different. To give her child, a disabled human, more chance of survival in harsh conditions, Helga had forced young Jiang Jianming to learn all her combat skills with absolute rigor.
However, after leaving the wild areas in his previous life, he was plagued by illness, and His Majesty had protected him too well – it had been a long time since he had actually fought.
Now coming full circle, those memories had returned to this young military officer’s brain. Whether physical condition or muscle memory, he could execute those skills.
The effect of merging two lives was greater than 1+1=2. He prayed this state could last a bit longer, at least until he resolved the current trouble.
Lastly was… his ring.
That crystal bone ring, originally infused with almost all the crystal particles from His Highness’s body, had now weakened considerably. Jiang Jianming didn’t dare use it freely anymore, fearing it might break.
Back then, at the bottom of the Stele of Heroes in the wind and snow, before dying, he seemed to feel the ring heat up… Could the miracle that happened to his body be related to this ring Ryann left behind?
Thinking of this, Jiang Jianming’s heart ached slightly.
His Majesty, his little Highness…
Where was he now?
It had been a year – how had His Highness been living without him by his side?
Jiang Jianming’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he pressed his lips together in silence.
He dared not ask, afraid it would affect his rationality.
Boom…
Suddenly, sounds of battle came from around the corridor ahead!
“Shh, quiet.”
Jiang Jianming’s expression sharpened as he raised his hand to signal the researcher behind him to stop.
“There are people ahead,” he said in a low voice. “Chopping sounds, crisper than crystal bone impacts… Someone’s using new crystal cold weapons. Do you know who it might be?”
The researcher’s face was tense. “Commander, our base had few combat personnel to begin with, mostly relying on intelligent machines. No one uses cold weapons here?”
Jiang Jianming pondered. He’d guessed as much – in this era, there weren’t many old-fashioned people using cold weapons, let alone at a high-tech research facility like Black Shark.
“Stay here, I’ll take a look.”
The researcher hurriedly grabbed the Commander’s sleeve, saying nervously: “Shouldn’t we wait for that battle to end?”
Jiang Jianming shook his head. “No need. When friend or foe is unclear, the more complex the situation, the better.”
The researcher suddenly understood – indeed, if they were enemies, the alien creatures would occupy their attention, preventing direct confrontation.
If they were allies, they could simply go help.
After explaining, Jiang Jianming didn’t look back, moving quietly forward along the wall.
One step, two steps… However, just as he was about to reach the corner, there was a huge crash and the battle sounds ceased.
Over already? Jiang Jianming tensed up – that was fast. He rushed forward two steps, using the corner as cover, and leaned out to look—
In the silence, a female figure stood backlit on high ground.
She held a pair of slender knight’s swords, standing on the massive severed limb of an alien creature. The tips of her silver short hair were stained with drops of blood, disheveled yet dazzling.
“—!”
In an instant, Jiang Jianming’s eyes widened slightly as words escaped his lips. “…Audrey?”
Those twin swords— they were the crystal bone weapon “Blood of the Moon Goddess”, Audrey Lance’s swords!
How was this possible!
The silver-haired woman turned around, revealing a pair of moist blue almond eyes, walking step by step towards Jiang Jianming. Her pretty face was finally illuminated— it wasn’t Audrey.
Yet Jiang Jianming stood rooted to the spot. Even though it was a familiar friend, he stared for several seconds, and even after seeing clearly, he still couldn’t confirm the identity of the person before him.
“Diana?”
The black-haired youth frowned slightly, inhaling softly as if with a headache. “No, that’s not right, you…”
Diana held the long swords behind her back in reverse grip, looking at him with a faint smile in the corners of her eyes.
The two stood face to face, casting long shadows at their feet.
“…”
Jiang Jianming remained silent, experiencing a long-forgotten sense of confusion.
It was like those perplexing multiple-choice questions in humanities theory finals at military school, where you’d stare at the last two options, feeling like both could be right, yet neither seemed quite correct.
Finally, he chose to trust his intuition and made his decision.
Jiang Jianming composed himself, hiding his weariness, and calmly said, “Audrey.”
The “Diana” before him raised an eyebrow, flashing a spirited smile that was indeed identical to Audrey’s mannerisms.
“As expected of Jiang, I was hoping to keep you guessing a bit longer.”
She extended her hand, speaking softly. “Yes, it’s me. Hope you’ve been well, my dear friend.”
Jiang Jianming’s expression softened – some memories weren’t easily diluted by another lifetime or decades of time; they only became more deeply etched in one’s heart.
That day when Audrey had suffered crystal disorder before him, he had thought they would be separated by death and life, yet now they met again on the battlefield, each seemingly reborn.
“Could you explain,” Jiang Jianming reached out to Audrey, “why your personality consciousness is inside Diana’s body? Is this a new branch of mental consciousness projection?”
However, what he never expected was that his hand grasped empty air.
He couldn’t shake hands with Audrey.
Instead, the woman before him suddenly threw herself into his arms!
“Jiang!!”
Jiang Jianming stumbled back in shock, watching as Diana’s previously spirited expression completely vanished.
In the blink of an eye, she seamlessly transformed into a pitiful doll, her blue eyes brimming with tears—
“Wuu wuu wuu Jiang!! You’re finally awake, I’m so glad you’re okay! Wuu, wuu, I really, we were really so worried something happened to you…”
In an instant, the silver-haired female researcher was crying uncontrollably, while the black-haired military officer was held in her tight embrace around his neck, his eyes vacant.
Jiang Jianming: “Miss Diana, please don’t… you’re scaring me.”
This face-changing act was truly a billion points terrifying.
At this moment, Jiang Jianming just wanted to know – what kind of legendary technological explosion had happened at Black Shark Base in just this short year?
