Shi Lang spent two days inside the medical bay alongside Amelia. The array map had affected the two of them much more deeply, and the team outside was worried about their situation. Unity personally spent her time guarding the two people.
In the meantime, the people did not say much. They all tried to focus on their tasks and strengthen themselves. Minax and Li-yah were the only ones who had nothing to do. They had landed on the base on Novus the day after. Darcx received the news that the sudden planetary explosion was stated to be the cause of the fall of a big clan.
The news sent out ripples in the entire galaxy. The effects were almost immediate. The big three rose to swallow all the assets they could grab, but the situation changed. Many smaller players also stepped up to the task and seized all they could.
Two days passed in a quick blink when Shi Lang woke up. The young man stood before the team and said, "What is going on with you?"
Darcx said, "Boss, given the track record, I suspect the guy will strike again and use some other big clan."
The others nodded; this was in line with the past. Shi Lang shook his head and said, "The moment we took out those array maps of our bodies. That guy would have sensed this happening."
Unity nodded and said, "I think this guy will be coming out of the shadows soon."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "We need to track him down."
Amelia asked, "How would we do that?"
The sword spirit said, "The demonic energy we took out. I have taken stored it in a spiritual barrier. I can determine his location if this guy comes out and uses his skills even for a bit."
Shi Lang frowned and said, "Will that not make your location obvious to that guy too?"
Unity nodded and said, "It will, but what other option do we have?"
The mood became solemn, and Shi Lang said, "Call over one of the old men here."
Unity frowned as she pursued her lips. Then looking at the severe expression of the person, she said, "Fine, I will agree to it."
Shi Lang said, "I will go into meditation. Now you people have to rush forward as well."
The people nodded, and they all began discussing with each other. Suddenly, Darcx approached Shi Lang and whispered something to him. The terran nodded and said, "Young Master Minax, Lady Li-yah, may I have a word with you two?"
By now, the two people were aware of Shi Lang's status in the group and were overwhelmed by his gesture. They wanted to talk to Shi Lang about a few things but never expected him to call them over. Minax looked at Darcx and then bowed to him. The latter just waved his hand with a smile.
The people here did not look down on people because of their weaker strength. Dracx had vouched for them, so Shi Lang agreed to call them over.
Minax and Li-yah walked over, and Shi Lang said, "Let's take a walk."
Shi Lang walked ahead, and the two people followed behind him slowly. Amelia smiled and said, "Darcx, I wonder if you will get subordinates?"
Darcx scratched his head and said, "I won't mind them, but their skills are more suited to the office."
Hayley cheered and said, "About time I get rid of the adjutant duty."
The group began to giggle and laugh at the internal jokes they had.
...
Shi Lang said lowly, "I am sorry for what happened to your home. Please accept my condolences."
Minax bowed and said, "It is not your fault, Sir. The family was headed towards doom as it was."
Shi Lang nodded and paused before asking, "What do you plan for the future?"
Minax shared a glance with Li-yah, who said, "Sir, we want to learn about true cultivation."
Shi Lang nodded. He expected this. After all, the people who had witnessed the cultivators' marvel wanted to learn cultivation. He replied, "Do not worry, you will learn, but who to learn from is the question of the hour."
Minax and Li-yah nodded. Shi Lang asked, "Would you mind telling me your specialties?"
Minax nodded and said, "Li-yah is apt in sword arts and archery. She has often accomplished good results in scouting missions for the company."
Li-yah was surprised as she gazed at the man. Shi Lang nodded and said, "She will flourish under Amelia's tutelage. My wife is the best scout that one can ask for."
The girl was surprised to find that Amelia and Shi Lang were married. Shi Lang asked, "What about you, Young Master Minax?"
Minax sighed and said, "I spent most of my time drinking wine and moving around women. I have no skills. However, I was very impressed by how Mister Darcx used his diplomacy skills. Though I wonder if I can learn all that."
Shi Lang shook his head and said, "You do not need to worry too much. Skills come to people when they try to learn. Life is too short to learn. Always try to learn all that you can."
Minax was embarrassed, and Shi Lang said, "As long as you are alive, you can learn and lessen the gap. A steady and stable climb is what you need to get to the peak."
Minax nodded and said, "Yes, sir."
Shi Lang said, "You must master the basics before you can dwell on diplomacy skills."
Minax nodded, and the terran continued, "I will put you under the wing of Jenkins. Do not underestimate his talents. He has the best qualification when it comes to the basics. His specialty is martial arts, so he will make you develop a solid foundation."
The two people nodded, and the young man took them to walk for quite a distance before they came to a stop. Shi Lang said, "You might think your home was gone, and you might be overwhelmed with negative emotions like rage and hatred."
The two people took a deep breath and agreed with his notion. Shi Lang said, "Your training will start tomorrow. Set your affairs in order. You will not be allowed to see your parents until you have achieved the core condensation realm. If you have any objections, then speak now."
Shi Lang was not their master but their trainer. He was arranging for their training, and that was all. The two people thought for a bit, and they nodded. They did not have any objections to this arrangement.
Shi Lang nodded and said, "Your parents will be sent to live with my family, and my parents will guide them with cultivation. Do not worry. My parents are core condensation realm practitioners, so they will be able to handle it nicely."
The two nodded, and Shi Lang sent them back. Amelia appeared beside him a few moments later and asked, "What do you intend to do with the culprit behind all this?"
Shi Lang replied, "Is that not obvious? I will be taking him down."
Amelia nodded and said, "I understand and do not doubt you. However, you need to make sure that you come back alive. Do not put your life on the line because there are a lot of people depending on you. Use the old relics of the spirit beast community."
Shi Lang smiled and said, "Yes, do not worry. I will be mindful this time. The front line will belong to the people who do not have any hope of ascending to the realm of immortals."
The people nodded, and gradually they all went on with their cultivations. The main culprit in the shadows did not act up, and things seemed to have normalized in the galaxy. Unity was the only one paying attention to the movement of the black mass. However, one day, she wondered whether this mass would be helpful.
The mass shivered, and Unity was shocked. She did not rush to send in a wave of her spirit energy and check the location of the enemy. She waited till the fluctuations lowered to a minimum. The moment the black mass simmered down. She latched onto the spiritual resonance of the mass with her spirit soul.
The next moment, she opened her eyes, and her figure became slightly surreal. She did not waste time and rushed to find Shi Lang. The threat has finally surfaced. They did not have the luxury of avoiding this guy because he would put the entire galaxy at stake.
...
Shi Lang was sitting inside a cave abode when he sensed someone knocking on the boulder he had placed as a door. He sighed and, walking out, pushed away the door and asked, "What is it, Unity?"
The sword spirit said, "The target has appeared. He is headed this way. I do not know. What shall we do?"
Shi Lang smiled and said, "Let's go and see what is this guy up to."