Cannon fodder in the Interstellar

Relying on the fact that the SkyNet has stricter prohibitions, ensuring that nothing inappropriate can happen below the neck, Ruo Manni, unable to push away Hebrew Adam, simply let him kiss her to his heart’s content. After all, who suffers more, who is the one at a disadvantage.

During those few hours, the cold and emotionless warning from SkyNet rang out four or five times, and Hebrew Adam truly experienced what it meant to have pain and pleasure coexist.

The next day, after Ruo Manni exited the game pod, she found herself chuckling at the memory. She really wanted to send him a message asking how he felt about it, just to tease him a bit.

However, after some thought, she realized that teasing him about such things could lead to problems unless they decided to no longer see each other as a couple. He would definitely find an excuse to “get back” at her.

To be honest, even though they had been kissing in the game, in reality, she still felt as if her lips were swollen from it.

Some things don’t seem appealing until you’ve experienced them, but once she had, Ruo Manni found it a bit unbelievable how she could so foolishly hug Hebrew Adam, lost in a dreamy haze, and kiss for hours without feeling bored, her mind and heart completely occupied by the boy holding her.

No wonder some people say that being in love can lower your intelligence; Ruo Manni felt there was some truth to that. She couldn’t help but feel grateful that she and Hebrew Adam were currently separated by several stars, making it impossible for them to see each other every day like before; otherwise, their IQs would be in serious jeopardy.

As she realized it was almost time to log off, she felt an unprecedented reluctance to part from Hebrew Adam and readily agreed to see him again the following evening. Ruo Manni couldn’t help but think that this game, The War World, was undoubtedly a revolutionary development for humanity.

This game not only allows people to train in their dreams but also enables two individuals separated by several stars to fall in love in those dreams. It is said that if a married couple with a marriage certificate uses a private room in War World, they can engage in certain indescribable, restricted activities.

Ruo Manni, having personally experienced a kiss, felt dizzy from it; if it weren’t for that cold mechanical warning, she would have forgotten that this was a virtual network.

It is evident that with the War World, lovers no longer have to endure the longing and pain of being separated, unable to see or be close to each other for long periods. This significantly reduces the emotional turmoil caused by the cruel constraints of time and space.

The best part is that meetings in the War World do not take up any time from regular work and training.

As Ruo Manni thought about this, she changed into the military uniform of Topaz Star.

Under normal circumstances, new recruits must report to their assigned military camp and collect various supplies before they can wear their uniforms.

However, given Ruo Manni’s status, there was no need for Lin Changfeng to explain anything. Last evening, Officer George personally delivered her military uniform and other items.

After five years, Officer George hadn’t changed much. Although he was still referred to as an officer, his military rank had advanced three levels compared to five years ago.

Five years ago, Officer George held the rank of lieutenant; now, he was a major.

With his current rank, Officer George was considered relatively high-ranking in Topaz Star, at least far superior to Ruo Manni.

However, Officer George’s attitude toward Ruo Manni was completely different from five years ago. He no longer treated her as a senior but rather with the demeanor of an equal, speaking to her with a hint of respect.

After all, he was an old acquaintance who had protected her in the past and was now serving as an officer under Lin Changfeng. Ruo Manni naturally treated Officer George well. They discussed the recent developments in Topaz Star and the possible future scenarios before amicably concluding their meeting.

Today is the day Ruo Manni has set to report to the military camp. After changing into her military uniform and handing the other uniforms to her officers, Tamaki Kazia and Sheila also arrived.

As a lieutenant, Ruo Manni is allowed to bring two personal officers into the camp, who essentially act as her secretarial assistants.

Generally, an officer’s personal officers must be promoted from within the military, requiring long-term observation and assessment to ensure they have no ulterior motives before being placed at the officer’s side.

However, for someone like Ruo Manni, who has strong family backing, her choice of officers had already been cultivated by her family, and they even had the option to select individuals who suited her preferences.

The two sixth-level warrior escorts accompanying Ruo Manni are well-rounded talents, skilled in various areas, and were chosen from the talented individuals nurtured by the Hua De family.

While others changed into their uniforms, Ruo Manni took the opportunity to look at the key news points regarding Topaz Star.

Yesterday, many passersby in the space station recognized her and were discussing who she was with great enthusiasm. Ruo Manni thought that given her current popularity, there should have been news released last evening, and by this morning, it should have become a trending topic known across the planet.

However, there was nothing. After searching the Internet, Ruo Manni found no news about her return to Topaz Star. She suspected that Lin Changfeng had suppressed the information to prevent the commander of the stationed regiment from learning who the incoming lieutenant was too early.

This aligned perfectly with Ruo Manni’s wishes, as she did not want everyone to know her whereabouts.

So, Ruo Manni set aside this matter and looked at the others, who were now dressed in their standardized military uniforms.

Indeed, people look their best in well-fitted attire, and with everyone dressed uniformly, each person appeared spirited and imposing.

Ruo Manni’s thoughts drifted involuntarily; over the past two years, Hebrew Adam had grown significantly. In his military uniform, he truly looked so handsome that it was hard to look away.

As soon as Sheila saw Ruo Manni, she noticed that her complexion looked particularly rosy today. Now, seeing her with a bright expression, Sheila couldn’t help but say, “Why do I feel like you’re a bit mischievous when you smile today?”

“Is that how you speak?” Ruo Manni shot a sideways glance at Sheila to mask her discomfort.

Sheila wouldn’t have been at the First Guild last night, would she? She must know that Ruo Manni had spent a full six hours in Hebrew’s personal lounge, which was why she was deliberately teasing her now.

“I think you look like you’re hiding something naughty,” Sheila said seriously. “Can you share with me what you plan to do once you get to the camp?”

“I can’t,” Ruo Manni replied briskly.

She was simply in a good mood from being in a relationship, but this girl was saying she was up to no good; she was definitely not observant and not on the same wavelength at all.

Once they were all ready, the seven of them took the flying car out of Baili City. The Topaz Star stationed regiment’s camp was only a little over one hundred kilometers away, situated on the edge of a forest. After leaving Baili City, it only took about ten minutes for the flying car to arrive.

This base, which housed over a thousand people, wasn’t very large, but because strange beasts often ambushed from the forest, there was a light-magnetic protective net around the camp. To enter, one had to go through identity verification and other procedures.

Lin Changfeng had told Ruo Manni that he had a purpose for placing her here.

The Topaz Star stationed regiment was originally commanded by a direct subordinate of the former commander. The current commander was a side branch descendant of the Beery family, while the former commander was an elite member of the Beery family who had been dismissed by the Crown Prince for making a grave mistake.

However, even though the former commander was removed, this commander was still safely in his position, so the stationed regiment was almost entirely made up of Lin Changfeng’s opposing faction, who would never obey his military orders.

They relied on the Seventh Legion, so Lin Changfeng didn’t dare use military resources to pressure them. If he cut their supplies, they could easily make up for it through the Seventh Legion.

Lin Changfeng had also tried other methods to influence them, but the Seventh Legion seized the opportunity to target the Topaz Star military headquarters.

He couldn’t fight or scold them, and there was nothing he could use to suppress them, so the stationed regiment had essentially become a thorn in Lin Changfeng’s side.

Over the past three years, he had sent two trusted aides to try to seize power and placate them, but both failed—one died and the other left.

With his recent rise to power and needing to place his own people everywhere, Lin Changfeng found himself without anyone suitable to use, and he couldn’t come in person. He could only endure until Ruo Manni’s return.

Given Ruo Manni’s identity and abilities, the commander of the stationed regiment wouldn’t dare harm her. As for any underhanded tactics, as long as Ruo Manni didn’t show weakness, they definitely wouldn’t risk acting openly against her.

Ruo Manni was aware that her task would be challenging, so she prepared herself for difficulties. She brought two aides along with Sheila, Tamaki Kazia, Pan Shaolu, and Marcus Wright to the entrance of the regiment.

The guards on duty initially approached with ill intent, but upon noticing the cultivation levels of the group and the military ranks on their uniforms, their expressions wavered. When they recognized the black-haired lieutenant leading the group, disbelief flashed in their eyes.

Ruo Manni raised an eyebrow, her pressure as a late-stage telekinetic overwhelming them, making the guards feel as if they could barely breathe and their legs weakened.

“Do you want to stop me from entering?” Ruo Manni asked calmly.

“No, no, no, that’s not it,” one of the guards stammered. Trembling under Ruo Manni’s pressure, he verified their identities and confirmed that Ruo Manni was indeed the girl they suspected.

The other guard hurriedly opened the camp gate and respectfully said, “Lieutenant Hua De, please go in.”

Once Ruo Manni and her group entered, the two guards whispered to each other.

“The commander ordered us to stop these people and make them wait at the gate for an hour and a half. If we let them in so quickly, how will he punish us?” Guard A said, fear evident in his voice.

“Do you dare? Do you know who this Lieutenant Hua De is? Do you really want her to stand at the gate and not let her in?” Guard B replied.

“I know, but…”

“There are no ‘buts.’ The commander doesn’t know that this young lady is here; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare give such an order.”

“Then we should hurry and inform the commander. That way, we might be able to redeem ourselves…”

…

Ruo Manni smirked slightly. Indeed, regardless of any conspiracy, her identity and strength were the greatest advantages.

Just yesterday, Lin Changfeng had told her to keep her identity hidden. He didn’t consider that he had made her so famous in the news that everyone on Topaz Star knew about her.

There were no other genius girls who matched her characteristics in this world, so anyone with a brain would quickly connect her identity.

Since she couldn’t hide her identity anymore, Ruo Manni decided not to retract her pressure. As they encountered a patrol unit along the way, the members, after some hesitation, saluted her according to the rules.

As Ruo Manni and her group arrived at the camp’s administrative office, they saw a late-stage sixth-level warrior approaching from the opposite direction with two others.

In the stationed first regiment, the highest-ranking individual was the regiment commander, the only warrior at the sixth level.

Ruo Manni herself was at the late stage of the sixth level, while her two aides, Officer Tong, was at the early stage, and Officer Ma, at the mid-stage of the sixth level.

As the three of them released their pressure and entered the administrative office, the six clerks and the deputy commander, who was at the mid-stage of the fifth level, found it hard to breathe under the overwhelming force.

Ruo Manni watched as the deputy commander stammered, explaining that the commander had just gone out on a patrol and would be back shortly, asking her to wait a moment.

Ruo Manni smiled knowingly, “I saw that. I thought the commander wanted to avoid me, leaving me hanging to show his authority.”

The deputy commander’s smile nearly faltered. Goodness, this young lady was so straightforward; it was too much for them, the smaller figures, to bear.

Whoever said this young lady was a delicate flower—high in rank but weak in overall strength—was mistaken. The aura she exuded was anything but gentle; she was certainly not someone to be trifled with. Everyone had assumed she had just graduated from military school and couldn’t possibly have many merit points. But now the deputy commander no longer doubted the authenticity of her merit points; he was convinced she had earned them through her own abilities.

If the commander intended to assert his authority, the deputy commander was eager to see how it would unfold. He immediately signaled for a clerk to send a message to the commander, urging him to return at once.

Ruo Manni casually found a seat and activated her holographic device. The six people accompanying her also settled into their seats. Although they didn’t exude the same presence as Ruo Manni, each of them maintained a composed demeanor.

In contrast, the others in the room were increasingly sweating, half from the pressure and half from the attitude of Ruo Manni and her group.

The deputy commander waited for over ten minutes without seeing the commander, so he discreetly sent a message.

Time slowly passed, and soon half an hour had gone by without the commander returning.

Ruo Manni wasn’t anxious; did the commander really dare to avoid her? She had arrived at the military camp within the reporting deadline, so what if there were delays?

“Lieutenant, the military rules here on the fringe planets are different from those in the central star regions.”

“This is a show of authority,” Ruo Manni smiled and replied. “I’ve just decided that if the commander doesn’t return within half an hour, I’ll challenge him once. If he’s still gone after an hour, I’ll challenge him twice, and so on.”

In the Gus Empire and throughout the Gumera Star Region, there were rules allowing subordinates to challenge their superiors. If a superior lost five consecutive matches, they had to be demoted.

If this commander dared to leave her waiting, she would force him to step down.

This young lady was indeed outspoken, unafraid to say anything, even in front of them, and no one could argue against her.

The deputy commander was sweating profusely; if the commander didn’t return soon, his position might be at risk.

Before encountering this young lady, no one had even thought about challenges. But now that she mentioned it, the deputy commander felt a surge of panic. He could guarantee that their commander might not stand a chance against this not-yet-adult girl.

After all, her mid-level fifth stage cultivation was already intimidating, but her strongest asset was her telekinesis. A late-stage sixth-level telekinesis master was someone no one dared to trick easily in a competition.

If this young lady truly began to challenge him repeatedly, their commander would be humiliated by someone who had just graduated from military school. It would surely turn him into a laughingstock throughout the entire military.