A young girl with a pink backpack appeared from the corner of the street, her face scrunched up and her eyes angrily glaring at Su Mo.

"Xiao Yu?"

Su Mo and Qian Chengxue were both very surprised to see Lin Xiaoyu here.

Lin Xiaoyu walked up to Su Mo, glaring as she said, "You’re a liar."

"Huh? A liar? No, how am I a liar? Xiao Yu, you shouldn’t just say things like that."

Upon hearing this, Su Mo felt his head spinning.

"You promised to take me to play, but you? You ran off on your own!"

Lin Xiaoyu replied angrily.

"Play? When did I play?"

"How not? I saw the broadcast image, seeing you getting praised. Such fun and thrilling stuff, and you didn’t take me with you."

Lin Xiaoyu got increasingly upset.

Upon hearing this, Su Mo was increasingly amused and distressed. Lin Xiaoyu’s interest was really a bit unusual, so he had to patiently explain.

"I wasn’t playing, I was fighting desperately."

"I don’t care, I want to play too."

Lin Xiaoyu said fiercely.

Buzzzzz~

Suddenly, Su Mo’s bracelet vibrated, showing a call from Xiao Xun.

"Hold on, my mother is calling, let me take this."

Su Mo then answered the call.

"Su Mo, have you seen Xiao Yu? That child ran away from home. She used to tell us before going anywhere, but this time, she ran off without a word."

Xiao Xun said somewhat anxiously to Su Mo.

Lin Xiaoyu heard this and quickly gestured to Su Mo, shaking her head like a tambourine.

Su Mo coughed and then responded with an exaggerated tone.

"You mean Lin Xiaoyu~ I don’t think I’ve seen her, ah, ah."

Upon hearing Su Mo’s answer, Xiao Xun immediately understood and silently paused for a few seconds before advising Su Mo.

"If you don’t see her, that’s fine. If you do see her, take good care of her. Also, tell her to come home early."

"Alright, no problem."

Su Mo promptly replied.

Xiao Xun then hung up, and a busy signal sounded from the bracelet.

Su Mo then looked at Lin Xiaoyu somewhat helplessly and said, "Why did you sneak out? You should go home."

"I’m not going back. I want to follow you and play. You promised me."

Lin Xiaoyu replied with a cold snort.

Su Mo was also amused and distressed. This little girl really had an unmatched stubbornness, so he looked at Qian Chengxue.

But Qian Chengxue just chuckled and shook her head, indicating she had no solution either.

Su Mo was indeed out of options; he could only muster the courage and speak to Lin Xiaoyu.

"You really want to follow me?"

"Mm-hmm."

Lin Xiaoyu’s eyes brightened as she replied.

"You can follow me, but you must obey commands and orders."

Su Mo conceded helplessly, knowing Lin Xiaoyu well enough to understand that forcing her to go back would be futile. Who knows where she might run off and cause trouble? It was better to keep her close.

"Alright!"

Lin Xiaoyu replied happily.

...

-----------------------------------------------------------

Three days later.

Star Ring City Center Administrative Building.

In the waiting area on the third floor, several NCOs and national representatives gathered together.

They chatted excitedly.

"How much Star Ore are you handing in this time?"

"7 grams."

"That’s quite a lot; I brought less than 3 grams."

"3 grams is fine too; you can exchange for quite a few rewards."

"That’s nothing. I hear the most impressive ones are Commander Lorrek of the Second Legion and the Mechanical Empire. I heard one handed in seven kilograms, and the other four kilograms."

"That’s amazing, but it’s understandable when you think about it. Commander Lorrek has been operating on Ceres for many years, and the Mechanical Empire is so powerful. Getting that much is no surprise."

"Yes, it’s something to envy but not attainable."

...

In the office, Icaroya was looking at a statistical report, her gaze growing gloomier.

"Just this?"

"Yes, the national representatives and NCOs are waiting outside, and they’ve brought the Star Ore."

Crock reported steadily.

"Too little."

Icaroya was very dissatisfied with this result.

Standing beside her, Goli said to Icaroya, "Sister, don’t be too anxious. Now that the big era has arrived, every nation will strive to excavate resources on Ceres, and the production will rise soon."

Icaroya placed the statistical report on the desk, walked straight to the window, and gazed at the bustling Star Ring City, saying indifferently.

"Time is what I’m most lacking."

...

----------------------------------------

Immortal Empire · Immortal City.

In a grand underground palace built downward.

Prince Kyarat, Buseray, Reoter, and the core members of the Immortal Empire all gathered together.

Everyone’s expression was tense, not daring to make a sound.

In front of them, on a giant throne, sat a dark and indistinct figure with purple eyes that inspired awe.

The figure was none other than the Immortal Empire’s Emperor Kilmock (the Second Vice Clan Leader of the Eternal Sleep Clan).

Kilmock’s purple eyes scanned everyone present, speaking in a low voice.

"Can anyone explain to me what’s the issue with the VI-type Lord Level Alien Species, Antotan?"

"Emperor, after capturing it alive, we handed it over to the Eternal Sleep Clan immediately. We can’t say what happened afterwards."

Reoter explained with a somewhat unpleasant expression.

"Father, Lord Mankadi made it clear that someone tampered with the corpse. It seems we have a traitor among us."

Prince Kyarat said solemnly.

Upon this revelation, the high-level members of the Immortal Empire were instantly thrown into chaos.

"A traitor? Who could it be?"

"This...."

"Not likely, right."

...

For a moment, everyone felt uneasy and whispered among themselves, worried that suspicion might fall on them.

"A traitor? You’re saying there’s a traitor? Then who is this traitor?"

Kilmock stared at Prince Kyarat.

Prince Kyarat also showed a troubled expression, unsure how to begin.

At this moment, Wajir, Kyarat’s confidant, spoke respectfully.

"Emperor, if I may be bold, I believe the traitor is Princess Krisia."

Everyone present was astonished by Wajir’s words and started discussing fervently.

"Princess Krisia is a traitor?"

"This...."

"How could that be?"

...

"Reason?"

Kilmock’s voice revealed no hint of anger or joy, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"It’s well known that Princess Krisia is very close to Star Ring City, especially to Su Mo of the Royal Order of Twelve Knights. When we captured the VI-type Lord Level Alien Species, Antotan, that Su Mo was present, and Princess Krisia vigorously defended him, making her the most likely traitor."

Wajir boldly continued.

The others present pondered after hearing this, somewhat uncertain.

At this moment, Buseray stood up, angrily refuting Wajir.

"You’re slandering."

"I’m speaking the truth."

Wajir retorted without hesitation, unfazed.