Ever since Xie Xingyan joined the legion, she had always pressed forward with unwavering determination. Each time she went on missions to slaughter the Zerg, she fought with zeal, showing not a trace of arrogance despite being Marshal Nalis's disciple.
During one such escort mission, she discovered traces of her old nemesis, Dirina. But this time, she was no longer the nameless rat who could only flee.
Dirina, still plagued by lingering injuries, realized she couldn't defeat Xie Xingyan and once again tried her old trick. But Xie Xingyan's mental power now far surpassed what it had been in the past. In the end, she captured Dirina alive.
After a round of harsh interrogation, Dirina revealed the names of human collaborators she had planted—Li Yuanyuan was among them.
It turned out that Young Master Li's mental affliction had been orchestrated by Dirina, who sought to exploit noble rivalries to gradually tear apart humanity's upper echelon.
From her, they also learned of the Zerg's century-old master plan: Dirina spread the insidious black mist, while other insect kings led their broods to burrow into planets across the galaxy, silently building power until the time was ripe to launch a full-scale assault on humankind.
Xie Xingyan's capture thus unearthed an earth-shaking secret—an extraordinary merit indeed.
Responsibility for purging Dirina's hidden corruption was entrusted to Xie Xingyan, for the interstellar world still lacked an effective method to eradicate the black mist completely.
Yet she did not treat outsiders for free. On the contrary, she raised the price for her services.
Especially for nobles with powerful backgrounds, her fees were steep—mechas, advanced potions, cutting-edge interstellar weapons, energy stones… she took them all.
They were fat sheep, after all. Not fleecing them would be a loss. Particularly when it came to Young Master Li, who once overreached in trying to "marry up," Xie Xingyan didn't even need to demand extravagant payment. Instead, during his treatment, she simply left his already damaged sea of consciousness unrestored. As a result, his downgraded C-class mental power remained unchanged.
The excuse was ready at hand: he had been infected for too long, unlike those treated shortly after infection.
Because of her outstanding contributions, at the annual interstellar military conference, Xie Xingyan was promoted to Marshal. At just 39 years old, she became the youngest marshal in interstellar history.
No one objected. She had unraveled the Zerg's century-old conspiracy. As for demanding compensation for saving lives—no one dared openly criticize her.
Her father, however, was filled with bitter regret. Staring at his son, Xie Xingyuan, whose mental power had fallen to C-class, he sighed and murmured, "I never expected it. In the end, I was wrong all along… but it's too late to go back now…"
Marshal Nalis considered handing the Ironclad Corps over to Xie Xingyan, but she refused. That legion was her teacher's life's work, and she would not take it.
But then Nalis dropped a bombshell:
"Xingyan, as your teacher, I must tell you—I'm pregnant. I can no longer handle legion affairs."
Of course, Xie Xingyan already knew who the father was. The gardener who had faithfully guarded the rose for years had finally made his move—and with one strike, hit the mark.
Well, since her teacher said as much, Xie Xingyan could only accept. But she resolved that once the child was born, she would raise and discipline him from the start. Only then could she finally retire in peace.
As for Seviya, he was miserable. Though his parents never pressured him to study, his sister Xie Xingyan never let him off.
He had barely started elementary school before his sister dragged him into the legion for training, while his peers still played carefree.
Only after reaching adulthood did Seviya truly understand his sister's devotion. Without her, and left to his indulgent parents, he would never have grown so fast.
At last, Xie Xingyan laid down her burdens. "Achoo—" she sneezed, sensing perhaps that little one was thinking of her.
Over the next hundred years, she traveled across countless planets, advancing not only her pharmacological knowledge but also studying the mechanical notes left by Master Xu Yuan.
Math had always been her weak point, so in the end she only managed to craft simple robots. She stored them in her space, freeing Little Tian's paws from farmwork. The little beast was overjoyed—not having to toil in the fields ever again.
Still, Little Tian asked, "Sister, why didn't you give me robots sooner?"
"These are handmade by me," Xie Xingyan said apologetically. "That makes them truly unique."
In truth, she had simply forgotten while living in the interstellar era, where her spatial space was rarely needed.
Of course, that was something she could never admit. Otherwise, wouldn't it hurt the bond between her and her little companion?