Chapter 288: Princess Her Highness

Xian Yuan calendar, year 100,013, June 22.

Clear, with gentle wind and fine weather.

Southern Zhanzhou Volunteer Immortal Army, Third Corps, 20th Battalion.

Around the camp, a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps; the guard is strict.

In the center of the camp, Volunteer Immortal soldiers line up in neat square formations by company. Each holds head high, chest out, with resolute expressions, eyes straight ahead.

Xu Yun Lao Dao stands at the front of the formation. Today, he has specially put on a brand‑new uniform, with a sparkling medal on his chest.

Behind him, officers of rank above the Second Division's corps are arranged in two rows. They stand upright, eyes filled with anticipation, joy and pride.

Today is a great day.

Today is a day worthy of being recorded in the annals.

Today, the Celestial Emperor's only daughter, the beautiful Princess Yunmeng, will, accompanied by the senior officials of the Volunteer Immortal Army's command, come to inspect and pay respects to all the officers and soldiers.

Zhu Dafu stands under the blazing red banner, holding a shining magical spear.

He is sturdy, his uniform crisp, with a golden‑gleaming eagle medal on his chest.

He originally intended to pass through here to visit his family, but unexpectedly Xu Yun Lao Dao conscripted him as a strong youth.

Xu Yun Lao Dao said, "Zhu Dafu, as the champion soldier who went out from the Second Division, the heavy task of guarding the banner and protecting the princess is now entrusted to you."

Everyone looks up in anticipation.

Camp south sector, kitchen.

Spirit fire flares, spirit meat boils.

Fang Shiwen lifts a pot with his left hand and scoops with his right, busy nonstop.

He is today's head chef.

After years of dedicated study, he has become an excellent chef.

Anyone who has tasted his dishes cannot stop praising his skill.

In Xu Yun Lao Dao's words: "Shiwen, today's reception task rests on you. Go ahead, make the best dishes."

Next to him, Ouyang Lanlan holds a bag of red‑glowing Spirit Stones.

Whenever Fang Shiwen finishes a dish, she quickly steps forward to replace the altar's Spirit Stones with new ones.

"Brother Fang, want to take a break?"

Fang Shiwen shakes his head: "No problem. With the Spirit Liquid supplied by the principal, my inner spirit energy won't run out."

At the camp's center, not a bird chirps.

Xu Yun Lao Dao leads everyone, eyes lifted in waiting.

At that moment, three soft "du‑du" sounds came from his waist.

Xu Yun Lao Dao turns his head, waves to the crowd: "Everyone, attention—welcome Princess Her Highness."

An officer steps forward, shouting loudly: "All present, stand at attention! Volunteer Immortal Army anthem. Begin!"

"Come, warriors of humanity, let us defend peace together. Cross the towering snow mountains, protect the motherland and home. Come, raise your swords, slay all wicked enemies......"

In an instant, the powerful, soaring anthem reverberates through the clouds.

In front of the camp, at a hundred‑meter altitude.

An exceedingly splendid flying vessel slowly approaches the camp.

Inside the flying vessel.

Zhang Xingyu stands at the hatch, his expression excited.

Finally back, I have finally returned to Southern Zhanzhou.

The comrades of the Second Division are so enthusiastic, Principal Xu Yun is so enthusiastic, actually came out to form a line and welcome.

Behind her, Demon King Harry pulls out a bronze mirror to carefully check his makeup.

The celestial vessel slowly descends.

The hatch opens, a hanging ladder is lowered.

Zhang Xingyu straightens his collar, slowly walks out of the hatch.

He raises his right hand and swings forcefully downward.

"Hey! Hello, comrades! You've worked hard!"

Below the vessel, the anthem abruptly stops, and everyone is petrified.

Zhang Xingyu waves again.

He steps down the ladder, one by one, arriving before Xu Yun Lao Dao.

"Dear Principal, I missed you to death!"

"Dear comrades, I missed you to death!"

Camp south sector, a battalion barracks.

Zhu Dafu, in charge of looking after Zhang Xingyu, is pulling his hand and chattering nonstop.

"Brother Xingyu, I knew you wouldn't die so easily. You're an indestructible Little Strong, any great storm you can pass safely."

"Brother Xingyu, did you know? The major who went with us to venture into Moyu, Major Nan Qi Yun, died; his corpse was never found."

"Brother Xingyu, did you know? The Central Realm Immortal Army listed you as a war casualty and even engraved your name on the Volunteer Immortal Army Martyrs' Monument. I objected then, but they wouldn't listen."

"Brother Xingyu, I ran into Brother Hu Si in the Special Forces Battalion. Brother Hu Si told me about your heroic deeds at Shanqi Cheng."

"Brother Xingyu......"

Zhang Xingyu listens quietly.

There is not a hint of impatience in his heart.

Zhu Dafu is still alive, Brother Hu Si is also alive, everyone is alive.

Being alive is truly wonderful.

The Zhu Dafu before me is thinner than before, stronger than before, and more mature than before.

This is great.

Outside the barracks, at the center of the camp.

The scorching sun hangs high, and heat waves assault everyone.

The officers and soldiers still wait quietly.

Crystal‑clear sweat gushes from the forehead, gathers on the chin, and drips into the chest.

At this moment, three faint "du du" sounds came again from Xu Yun Lao Dao's waist.

Xu Yun Lao Dao hesitated for a moment, then turned again and waved to the crowd: "Everyone, pay attention and welcome Her Highness the Princess."

"Come, my fellow human warriors, let us together defend peace..."

The resonant military song rang out again.

In the sky above the camp, a flying vessel dozens of zhang long emerged from the clouds.

Runes on the vessel's surface flickered, and on both sides of the vessel appeared a dozen or so black, gaping gun ports.

It is a combat flying vessel.

Following it, two more combat flying vessels flew out from the left and right sides.

The three vessels slowly descended.

The hatch opened, and squads of celestial soldiers clad in golden armor, wielding spears and halberds, streamed out in succession.

These celestial soldiers were of similar height, handsome in appearance, exuding an imposing aura.

One, two, three......

In total there are nine squads, eight hundred and ten individuals, each possessing early Golden Core cultivation.

Under the command of an officer, these celestial soldiers quickly dispersed, forming a circular plaza in the center of the camp.

Having set up the guard, the officer bowed his head and body, and shouted loudly to the sky: "Welcome Her Highness the Princess!"

"Welcome Her Highness the Princess!"

All the celestial soldiers shouted in unison.

With the shouts, an exceedingly splendid flying vessel broke through the mist and slowly descended onto the center of the plaza.

The hatch opened slowly.

Supported by a maid, a young girl slowly walked down the hanging ladder.

The girl's dark blue hair was like ink, her looks were stunningly beautiful, her waist slender, and she wore a floor‑length light‑purple gown, its wide hem embroidered with multicolored clouds.

Xu Yun Lao Dao bowed and stood.

He held his breath, restrained his emotions, and strived to appear calm and indifferent.

Footsteps sounded, and fragrant wind swept in.

Xu Yun Lao Dao composed his emotions, adjusted his tone, and softly called out: "Division Commander Ouyang Yunfeng, leader of the Second Division of the Third Corps of the Southern Zhanzhou Volunteer Celestial Army, leads all officers and soldiers to welcome Her Highness the Princess!"

"Division Commander Ouyang, please rise! Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Xu Yun Lao Dao slowly lifted his head, and a familiar smiling face came into view.

"Dean Xu Yun, long time no see!" the lady in purple greeted Xu Yun.

Xu Yun Lao Dao was petrified.

The lady in purple quietly looked at him, a sweet smile on her face.

After a while, Xu Yun Lao Dao finally came to his senses.

"Her Highness the Princess, long time no see!"