Chapter 24: Familiar Figure

Confirm activation!

After a system prompt tone, a humming sound came from the nutrition cabin beside the cockpit.

Generating your biological form.

With Zhang Jie's eager gaze, the nutrition cabin slowly opened, and a humanoid figure faintly appeared in the thick white mist.

A pair of blue‑glowing eyes opened from the mist, and Zhang Jie could sense that the being inside was staring blankly at him.

The white mist gradually dissipated, and just as Zhang Jie was about to see the being's face clearly, the creature inside suddenly jerked, stirring the remaining mist back up.

After another ten or so seconds of silence, just as Zhang Jie thought something had malfunctioned, a pleasant, sweet voice sounded.

Alliance Type IV Intelligent Biological Warship, intelligent humanoid lifeform, at your service.

A beautiful girl‑shaped intelligent lifeform slowly stepped out of the nutrition cabin, smiling as she looked at Zhang Jie.

Hello, pilot. I am the warship's humanoid intelligence; you can call me Xiao Jiu.

Heh!

Zhang Jie's eyes lit up. No wonder the Alliance, with its advanced biotech, has a warship humanoid that looks indistinguishable from a real person.

But why does her voice always seem to tremble when she speaks? And her gaze at me feels off too.

Forget it, why think so much?

Zhang Jie shook his head, dismissing the useless thoughts.

Sir pilot?

Cough, it's fine. Could you please show me around the ship?

Sure.

Xiao Jiu smiled and led Zhang Jie on a leisurely tour inside the warship.

You mean your main body is the warship; unless the ship is completely destroyed, you won't die?

Yes.

Pretty good.

After getting familiar with his beloved ship, Zhang Jie became even more satisfied.

What surprised him was that this biological warship, like a person, could grow stronger by breaking its own genetic lock.

Zhang Jie couldn't help but sigh, if only Yong State back then had such technology....

Forget it, I won't think about it.

Xiao Jiu, please help me locate our current position and see what leisure spots are nearby.

Sure.

Xiao Jiu's eyes flashed with a brilliant azure light as data streamed before her.

We are currently at Dock A of the Alliance's super‑huge commercial warship; there are many leisure spots around. Where would you like to go specifically?

Zhang Jie nodded, very pleased with Xiao Jiu's functions.

Let's first search for the nearby food court; I've heard the Alliance has developed many interesting food industries, so let's check it out today.

Oh right, we can first buy some carbohydrate energy blocks for your operation.

Sure, I've already located it for you.

Xiao Jiu covered her mouth and laughed lightly; the entire biological warship slowly pulled away from the dock and flew toward the target point.

The Alliance's super‑huge commercial warship is a famed marvel across the Star Sea, divided into three decks; living inside feels the same as surviving on a normal life‑bearing planet.

Inside, it not only simulates normal sky, day‑night cycles and seasons, but its area equals that of three planets unfolded.

One could say this is actually the Alliance's main body; it's hard to imagine, but there are three such colossal warships, and each, strictly speaking, is a complete living entity.

In other words, this warship is still growing; you can even hear the creaking of its growth at its edges.

Alliance Super‑Huge Scenic Warship.

On the artificial simulated scorching sea and beach, Zhang Jie wore a pair of flowered shorts and relaxedly lay on a beach chair, basking in the sun.

Beside him, Xiao Jiu, in a swimsuit, held a fruit platter, spearing fruit with a toothpick and feeding it into Zhang Jie's mouth.

This is what life is all about...

Zhang Jie didn't know how long it had been since he last relaxed like this; before, he bore a fifty‑year‑long massive debt, forced every day to work.

Now it's fine—the Alliance cleared his huge loan, leaving him debt‑free and light‑hearted.

Zhang Jie would call the Alliance the Debt‑Clearing Great Sage!

Sir pilot, there's a call from your father.

Answer, answer.

Xiao Jiu handed the communications device to Zhang Jie; his father's vigorous voice came through the other end of the line.

You brat, don't forget to get ready; tidy yourself up—tomorrow at the banquet there are plenty of bigwigs who know your dad, so don't embarrass him.

Okay, okay, okay~

Zhang Jie felt helpless, silently vowing that once this deal is done he'll make that old geezer give him a proper vacation.

Let's go, Xiao Jiu—help me locate the nearby mall.

A day passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the day the banquet opened.

Zhang Jie entered early, looking at the vast and luxurious venue, feeling slightly bored.

He took a moment to learn about the banquet; the Alliance opens it each time after clearing a star sector.

The invitation to this banquet goes either to those who have rendered great merit in battle, or to the big bosses of various factions.

Many more accept the invitation actually to connect with the Alliance's colossal power, inviting it to come somewhere to clear natural disasters.

In short, whether this banquet is meaningful or not depends on the individual; it's not a particularly important event.

Just as Zhang Jie was bored stiff, his father finally arrived fashionably late.

Yo! You little brat, you're dressed pretty decently.

Looking at Zhang Jie's outfit, he nodded approvingly.

Alright, when we discuss business later, remember to play to your strengths.

Okay, okay, okay.

Come on, come on, Dad, let me introduce a few people for you to meet, so you can inherit the family business later.

Okay, okay, okay...

On the other side, in a room of the banquet, Lin Ran was being forced by her secretary to change into formal attire.

Leader, lift your arm, lift your arm.

The secretary huffed and puffed while dressing Lin Ran in the overly elaborate formal wear, while Lin Ran could only helplessly spread her arms; she disliked wearing such attire.

Can't I wear military uniform? This outfit doesn't suit my temperament.

No, we must have the proper etiquette.

The secretary sternly extended a finger and said.

In the universe, species are strange and varied, civilizations differ; what if some civilization sees your military uniform as a signal of war?

You represent the Alliance's image!

Lin Ran idly twirled a finger around her hair, staring with dead-fish eyes.

Then aren't they afraid that I could annihilate them with a single shot of the Star-piercing Spear?

You really are willful.

Finally, Lin Ran had finished putting on the formal attire, silently rehearsing her speech in her mind, and walked toward the banquet's second-floor platform in her extremely uncomfortable high heels.

Standing at the entrance of the second-floor platform, Lin Ran's gaze swept over the myriad civilizations and beings in the hall, she mulled over her prepared speech, just about to step forward, but out of the corner of her eye she caught a familiar silhouette.

She froze, squinting her eyes to confirm again and again; her speech stuck in her throat at that moment, not a single word could come out.

Countless recollections, countless remembrances, that person's figure had been firmly etched into her mind.

How is that possible...

She stared intently at that back, the faintly visible profile was too similar.

She would not mistake it, absolutely not!

The secretary beside her sensed something was off, about to ask what was wrong, but saw Lin Ran's tightly furrowed brow.

Leader... Leader, what's wrong?

Give me a copy of the guest list for the banquet, right now!