Ouyang Bo sat back in his chair, his mind momentarily drifting back to his playful exchange with Su Xue. As he shuffled through the scattered notes, another knock on the door interrupted him.
He looked up to see Su Xue standing there, her cheeks still slightly flushed from their earlier interaction.
"Squadron Leader," she began, a hint of teasing in her voice, "are you still buried in those reports?"
Ouyang leaned back, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "You know, Su Xue, I could use a break from all this paperwork. How about you join me for a cup of tea? Or perhaps something stronger?"
Su Xue rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Sir, you know I can't do that. We have a mission to focus on."
Ouyang chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, always so serious. But I must say, your dedication is quite... attractive."
Before Su Xue could respond, another officer timidly entered the room, clearing his throat. "Squadron Leader, the latest reports from the scouts have arrived."
Ouyang's playful demeanor shifted instantly. "Leave them on the desk," he ordered, his tone sharp. "And don't interrupt us again unless it's urgent."
The officer, visibly uncomfortable, hesitated before speaking again. "Sir, there's something you need to see. It's urgent."
Ouyang's irritation flared. "Urgent, you say? You want your pay docked? No candies for you this month! I'm already stressed by the king sending us on this bounty hunting mission all of a sudden, and you can't even let me have some fun!"
The officer flinched but stood his ground. "I'm sorry, sir. But this is important."
Ouyang sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. What is it?"
The officer handed over a stack of papers. "We've detected a strange energy signature in Sector 12. It's unlike anything we've seen before."
Ouyang's eyes narrowed as he studied the report. "Could it be the fugitive?"
The officer nodded. "It's possible, sir. The energy signature matches some of the descriptions we've received."
Ouyang stood up, his playful demeanor replaced by a steely determination. "Prepare a squadron. We're heading to Sector 12 immediately."
As the officers scrambled to follow his orders, Su Xue stayed close by his side. "Who is this fugitive exactly, sir?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ouyang's expression darkened. "He's a traitor from an old clan, the Ming Clan. His name is Ming Zhao, and he stole a powerful sutra from the empire—a sutra that belongs to the royal family. We've been hunting him for years. What was supposed to be a quick mission turned into a long, arduous chase."
Su Xue's eyes widened. "Ming Zhao? I've heard stories about him. He's said to be incredibly powerful."
Ouyang nodded. "Yes, and dangerous. The sutra he stole, known as the Celestial Dragon Sutra, grants immense power and knowledge, making him a significant threat. Our mission is to capture him and retrieve the sutra. If we succeed, we'll be promoted from the 52nd fleet to a higher number, with more ships and resources at our disposal."
He paused, looking around the command center.
"In this world of cultivation, our fleets are our lifelines. Each ship is equipped with advanced technologies and spiritual arrays, allowing us to traverse the void and engage in combat with other powerful cultivators. Our success hinges on our ability to work together and leverage these resources."
As they approached the launch bay, Ouyang turned to Su Xue, his eyes softening. "Stay close to me, Su Xue. This mission is dangerous, but I trust you."
Su Xue nodded, her resolve strengthening. "I won't let you down, sir."
They boarded the ship, a sleek vessel adorned with intricate spiritual symbols and powered by a core of pure energy. The ship hummed with a palpable power, ready to spring into action at Ouyang's command.
"The Celestial Dragon Sutra is crucial to our empire," Ouyang explained as they settled into the command center of the ship. "It holds secrets that can enhance one's cultivation, unlock hidden potential, and even manipulate the flow of time and space. If Ming Zhao manages to master it, he could pose a threat not only to our empire but to the entire realm."
Su Xue listened intently, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Why are the ships so important, sir?"
Ouyang glanced at her, appreciating her eagerness to understand.
"The world we live in is vast, divided into 100 sectors. Right?" He asked, receiving a nod from Su Xue.
"The Emperor's palace is on the 98th sector, with only the 99th and 100th sectors remaining unconquered. Even so, managing 98 sectors is incredibly challenging. Traversing between them is difficult, even for those with a cultivation base of Demigod Manifestation."
"It takes an exceptionally long time to travel between sectors. Only someone at the Divine Ascendancy level can move somewhat freely, but there are no active Ascendancy cultivators around. Thus, our ships are our lifeline. They allow us to move swiftly, maintain our defenses, and conduct missions like this one."
Su Xue's admiration was evident in her eyes. "You're so cool, but how do you know all of this?"
Ouyang smirked, leaning closer. "Hehe, girl, I'll only tell you if you give me a kiss."
Su Xue shrieked, giggling as she playfully slapped his arm. "Captain!" She turned and ran down the corridor, her laughter echoing through the ship.
Ouyang watched her leave, a smile playing on his lips. But as soon as she was out of sight, his smile faded, and his expression turned serious.