Guo Xuyang felt at ease, having figured many things out and gained clarity.
He understood that this life was just another cycle of entering the mortal world, one among countless others.
He intended to enjoy the process of this earthly sojourn and experience the myriad flavors of life.
Therefore, he no longer dwelled on the complexities of relationships, the right and wrong of matters. What was meant to come would come, and what was meant to leave could not be held back.
The next day, Guo Xuyang, along with Yu'er and Ye Zi, returned to the capital with Wu Youzhi, Pi Xiaoqian, and Lu Liang.
“You two go ahead and attend to your business. We’ll find Mr. Jiang. Call me immediately if anything comes up,” Guo Xuyang said to Wu Youzhi and Pi Xiaoqian upon arriving in the capital.
“Understood, take care.” Wu Youzhi and Pi Xiaoqian drove away, leaving one car for the four of them.
“Brother Liang, you drive. Let’s go find Mr. Jiang,” Guo Xuyang said to Lu Liang.
“Is Mr. Jiang in his office? Shouldn’t you call him in advance?”
“You drive first. I’ll contact him now.” Guo Xuyang said, dialing Jiang Qixin’s number.
“Mr. Jiang, we’ve arrived. Yes, we just entered the capital a little while ago. Are you in the office? Where should we find you? Alright, please arrange for someone to wait for us at the entrance.”
“Mr. Jiang isn’t in the office?” Lu Liang asked.
“No. He’s in the northern mountains, behind the mountain you took me to last time.”
“Mr. Jiang wants you to go directly to the training base?”
“Brother Liang, you know that place? That’s even better.”
“What mission has Mr. Jiang assigned you?”
“He wants me to participate in the Star scavenging project.”
“Star scavenging? Has this project been reactivated?”
“What? You’ve heard of this project?”
“Yes. It’s said that the casualty rate for this project was too high, so it was later scrapped by the higher-ups.”
“Brother Liang, can you tell me more about it?”
“What I know is very limited. I heard that the project originally involved going into space to collect defunct satellites that had been sent up, then extracting useful materials for reuse. However, after several attempts, the results were not ideal. The cost was too high, the casualties were too great, and the recycling rate was too low, so the project was stopped. I don’t know why the higher-ups decided to restart the Star scavenging project this time,” Lu Liang said, organizing his thoughts.
“Mr. Jiang didn’t tell me. He just asked me to come for training. Perhaps the measures for star scavenging in outer space are more mature now.”
“Perhaps? If you participate in this project, be extremely careful. One mistake up there could lead to your remains being scattered.”
“I know, Brother Liang. Before going up this time, there will definitely be specialized training activities, especially regarding safety precautions and escape skills. The higher-ups won’t let us throw our lives away for nothing.”
“Indeed. With your abilities, I believe you can absolutely take care of yourself.”
As they spoke and chatted, the two arrived at the base where they had tested their abilities last time.
Jiang Qixin and Xin Dali were already waiting at the entrance. Seeing the four of them get out of the car, Jiang Qixin visibly paused.
“Liangzi, you’re finally back,” Jiang Qixin said, embracing him tightly.
“Boss, I’m lucky, they couldn’t take me,” Lu Liang replied, maintaining his usual roguish demeanor.
“It’s good that you’re back. From now on, you’ll stay by my side honestly, and you can’t go anywhere else.”
“Boss, you can’t confine me.”
“It’s not confinement. Rest well. Xiao Yu was almost desperate with me earlier. Hurry up and get married, then someone will be looking after you, and I won’t have to worry about it.”
“Thank you for your concern, Boss. Xiao Yu isn’t that kind of person,” Lu Liang said with a playful grin.
“Did you see her this time?”
“Yes, I did.”
“How about having her come over?”
“We should ask for her opinion first, right? Or I could move in with her?”
“That’s fine. Anything can be arranged, as long as you expedite this matter. Once the wedding is done, I’ll grant you your freedom,” Jiang Qixin stated.
“Understood, Boss. I’ll try to do it as soon as possible. Xiao Yu’s attitude towards me has changed significantly since I returned from over there. Heh heh.”
“In that case, you’ve turned misfortune into a blessing?”
“One could say that.”
“Mm.” Jiang Qixin turned to Guo Xuyang. “Are you ready?”
“I don’t need any further preparations, Mr. Jiang. However, I’d like to bring Ye Zi and Yu’er with me,” Guo Xuyang said, indicating Ye Zi and Yu’er.
Xin Dali’s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.
“Are you willing to take these two lovely young ladies up there? It’s not a sightseeing tour; it’s very dangerous,” Jiang Qixin said.
“It’s no problem, Mr. Jiang. They are more capable than I am.”
“Is that so? Do they have any special abilities?”
“Why don’t you arrange for them to be tested?”
“That can be done. If they pass, I’ll allow them to go with you. If they don’t pass, don’t bring this matter up again.”
“Understood, Mr. Jiang. I’m not unreasonable.”
“Liangzi, you go back and rest well first. I’ll take the three of them inside,” Jiang Qixin said to Lu Liang.
“Understood, Boss. I’ll treat you to drinks tonight.”
“I’m afraid not tonight. When I’ll be out depends on Yangzi’s training results. However, these two girls might be done very quickly. Don’t wait for me; I’ll call you when I come out.”
“Then I’ll head back, Boss.”
“Drive safely,” Jiang Qixin instructed before turning and leading Guo Xuyang and the other two into the mountain cave.
“Yangzi, let Ye Zi and Yu’er test first. After their tests, you can go inside for training.”
“Alright, Mr. Jiang. I’ll follow your arrangements.”
“This training camp will be handled by Xin Dali. You’ve met him before. We plan to spend ten days on essential safety precautions and some coordination training among you. I won’t go into further detail.”
“Understood, Mr. Jiang. I’ll have Yu’er and Ye Zi tested shortly. I’ll wait until after their tests before going in together.”
“Are you so confident that they will pass?”
“Mr. Jiang, they might bring you a surprise.”
As they spoke, the two arrived once again at the place where abilities were tested previously.
“Yu’er, I need you to follow the voice prompts and reach the destination in the shortest possible time, but without harming anyone.”
“Understood, Yangzi. I got it,” Yu’er said with a playful smile.
Yu’er, being a system spirit, had participated in the entire process when Guo Xuyang had gone through it previously. Guo Xuyang’s elaborate instructions were actually intended to give Jiang Qixin a surprise.
“Please state your name and age?”
“Guo Xiaoyu, twenty years old.”
“Please proceed forward along the current path.”
Yu’er walked straight through the obstacles in front of her.
“Congratulations on successfully passing the first stage. Please enter the spaceship.”
Yu’er looked at the spaceship floating in the air and leaped into it.