135 Alien Base (Requesting Monthly Votes)

After finishing lunch together and chatting for a while, Vincent checked the time and stood up. "I've been out for so long, I should head back. Otherwise, they will start to worry."

Before leaving, he handed Zhong Yun a card. "Come find me when you have time. I will be staying here until the International Flower Exhibition concludes."

"I certainly will," Zhong Yun promised.

After Vincent left, accompanied by a woman who looked like a secretary, Zhong Yun smiled and remarked, "That foreign friend of yours is quite enthusiastic."

"That is only because you have earned the qualification," Yu Daoqing replied, shaking her head. She cautioned him, "People like them only respect strength. If you lack it, they wouldn't even spare you a second glance."

"What kind of strength do I have?" Zhong Yun laughed.

Yu Daoqing's expression suddenly turned peculiar. After studying him for a long moment, she said, "Are you pretending to be modest? If anyone else heard you say that, they would surely accuse you of being a hypocrite."

Zhong Yun curled his lip. "What is there to pretend about? It’s just level seven physical arts, isn't it? Don't think I don't know anything; there are countless people in the Physical Arts Association above level seven."

"True, there are indeed countless people above level seven, but find me someone under eighteen who has already reached level seven, and then we can talk," Yu Daoqing said, feeling both exasperated and amused. "Yes, with your current strength, you might not catch Vincent's eye, but it is your potential for the future that he values."

"Let's not talk about that. I have something I want to ask you," Zhong Yun said, changing the subject.

"What is it?" Yu Daoqing asked, lounging lazily on the sofa, her legs tucked beneath her. Her silk dress rode up to her knees, revealing a slender, fair calf.

Zhong Yun subtly shifted his gaze away from her legs. "Do you know someone named Yang Siqing? He is about fifty years old." If not for Chen Wen’s mention, it would have been hard for Zhong Yun to believe Yang Siqing was only fifty. Every time he had seen him before, he had assumed the man was eighty.

"Oh, and he has a Crystal Glaze Rose that he treasures like his own life. He calls her 'Qingqing'," Zhong Yun added.

Yu Daoqing pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know him."

"Are you sure?" Zhong Yun stared into her eyes.

"Why would I lie to you?" Yu Daoqing asked with a laugh, then looked at him curiously. "Why are you asking me this?"

The question caught Zhong Yun off guard. Indeed, why was he asking? "Because, I suppose I'm curious. I know this man, and it's clear he is deeply in love with that 'Qingqing.' He has been obsessively infatuated for twenty years, even going so far as to betray his own family for her. His name also made me make a connection."

"If what you say is true, his devotion is truly moving," Yu Daoqing said, a look of longing on her face. Women have little immunity to such unrequited, unwavering love.

Zhong Yun hesitated for a moment. "How old are you this year?"

"Asking a lady her age is impolite," Yu Daoqing said, looking at him with a mysterious smile.

"Can't you even tell me?" Zhong Yun pressed.

Yu Daoqing simply smiled.

Since she wouldn't say, Zhong Yun was helpless. Judging by her appearance, she couldn't be over twenty-five, and even taking into account maintenance, she was likely under thirty. Twenty years ago, she would have been a girl of about ten, so she really shouldn't have any connection to Yang Siqing.

Thinking this, Zhong Yun laughed at himself; it seemed he was just being too sensitive and letting his imagination run wild.

"Do you want to pilot a mech yourself?" Yu Daoqing suddenly said, surprising him.

Zhong Yun stared at her in shock. "You aren't joking, are you?"

"Do you want to try?" Yu Daoqing repeated.

"I do," Zhong Yun replied. "Can you really let me pilot a mech? A real one, not a virtual simulation."

"Of course, it's real."

"When?" Seeing she wasn't joking, Zhong Yun became excited. What boy didn't dream of mechs when he was young? Being able to step inside one and pilot it himself had been his greatest childhood dream.

"How about tomorrow? I'll take you to my mech base," Yu Daoqing said, pleased to see his enthusiasm.

"Your mech base?" Zhong Yun marveled. It seemed he had underestimated her status as the President of the Jialan Alliance. "Are you with the military?"

"I have some connections, but the military doesn't have jurisdiction over me," Yu Daoqing said nonchalantly.

"It seems I've met someone incredible," Zhong Yun said exaggeratedly. "Tsk, tsk, even the military doesn't scare you."

The next day, the young gardener, Xu Guanming, arrived at Zhong Yun's home on time. After watching her work and seeing everything was in order, Zhong Yun said, "It seems you’ve mastered it well. In a few days, I will send these flowers to Elder Huang. You won't need to come anymore."

Xu Guanming looked disappointed. Not only would she miss seeing these peerless treasures, but she would also no longer see her "Teacher Zhong Yun."

After she left, Zhong Yun found it amusing. He wondered what Elder Huang had told her to make her think he was an old man.

After telling his parents he was going on a trip for a few days and informing Tian Hai and the others that he would be away, Zhong Yun packed his bags and headed to the Mingzhou Spaceport. As soon as he reached the entrance, someone came forward to guide him.

Passing through a special passage, the man led Zhong Yun to a small shuttle bay. The ship was about one-fifth the size of the "Mars," and it bore the Davo emblem.

Although Davo rarely interacted with other countries, it possessed thirteen administrative planets and hundreds of resource planets, and its space travel technology was quite advanced.

The spaceport was not just for landing and takeoff; it was a hub for passengers, cargo, and a supply station for energy and resources.

Zhong Yun entered the shuttle bay and boarded the ship, where two staff members led him to the largest cabin. Yu Daoqing was already waiting there.

"Are you feeling any fear about boarding a spaceship again?" Yu Daoqing asked, reclining in a lounge chair without any intention of standing up.

Zhong Yun found a chair and sat down. Hearing her question, he replied indifferently, "What's there to fear? At worst, I'll just have another multi-day tour of a primitive planet."

Yu Daoqing chuckled, her amber eyes turning. "What about that 'Mars' of yours? I assume you didn't leave it parked at the Mingzhou Spaceport, did you?"

"It's in a very safe place."

"You really are mysterious," Yu Daoqing smiled. "That 'Mars' probably comes from a high-level civilization, doesn't it?"

Seeing him smile without answering, she added, "Come to think of it, I spent so many days on that ship and never saw a single crew member. Your captain runs a very tight ship."

Zhong Yun’s heart skipped a beat. She was right; he hadn't noticed it before, but there wasn't a single crew member on the "Mars," not even a captain. A fully automated ship?

"You're too kind," he responded vaguely.

As they were speaking, a meticulous-looking older man entered, followed by a group of people.

"I am the captain of this ship, and I will be in command of this voyage." The old man made a few perfunctory remarks before bowing to Yu Daoqing. "Young Miss, although you travel through space frequently, per protocol, there are some things I must clarify."

"Please go ahead. You are the captain; once the ship takes off, I shall follow your commands," Yu Daoqing nodded, showing her understanding.

"Thank you for your understanding, Young Miss." The old man stiffened and solemnly announced the safety precautions.

When Zhong Yun traveled on the "Tongguang Star," there had been similar procedures; it was said to be a pre-flight ritual. However, the captain of the "Tongguang Star" was nothing compared to this man.

Although the old man was a bit long-winded, he gave people a sense of security. This was the kind of captain one could trust.

Once the precautions were finished, the captain bowed to Yu Daoqing again and led his team away.

This was only a short-distance flight, and it shouldn't be dangerous, but Zhong Yun was already a "bird frightened by the bow." To be safe, he had the "Insect-Bee No. 3" follow them for the entire journey.

"Insect-Bee No. 1" was a micron-level spy robot; "Insect-Bee No. 2" was a small landing pod, which Zhong Yun had used during his first trip to the "Mars"; "Insect-Bee No. 3" was a small craft similar to a life pod.

Two days later, the ship safely reached Yu Daoqing's secret base, which was established on a moon orbiting a planet in a remote star system.

After the ship landed, Zhong Yun couldn't help but marvel at Yu Daoqing's wealth.