The three Quasi-Grandmasters from the Dark Group did not return with them. Instead, they remained on the flanks to stand guard, ensuring the retreat proceeded without interference.
Han Mo, Tie Zhan, and Lu Wenquan escorted Xu Wuyi as the group boarded the assault shuttle that had been waiting for them.
The hatch closed, the engines ignited, and the shuttle sped off in the direction of Mountain Stone Base.
Outside the viewport, Broken Star Castle gradually shrank, finally disappearing below the horizon.
...
By the time they returned to Mountain Stone Base, it was already evening.
Two dim yellow suns sank beneath the horizon, one after the other, dyeing the sky in interwoven shades of dark red and deep purple.
The sea breeze grew stronger, and waves crashed against the base's outer walls with a dull boom.
Xu Wuyi didn't rest, following Han Mo directly to the command center instead.
