More than three months ago, when that slash fell at the zenith of Oceania, the swarms of Great Spike airships hovering over the coastal skies suddenly massed toward the distant horizon before swiftly retreating and flying toward Antarctica.
Less than an hour later, the Great Spike airship fleets still massing above the twenty-seven cities worldwide seemed to abruptly lose command and control—the intelligence department's analysis suggested it was also possible they were mounting a diversion to buy time for the construction of defenses in Antarctica—launching an all-out assault on the ground one after another.
As a result, Azure forces in Oceania were forced to rush back to provide emergency reinforcement. Even the combat strength Stream Vanguard had left behind at the Third Fixed Exploration Site was deployed in full to assist the nearest battlefronts.
The sheer brutality of the subsequent battles was something Han Qingyu had not taken part in or experienced. A desperate, large-scale struggle raged across the globe for four long days. Only after all Azure fronts suffered horrific casualties was the onslaught finally halted, inflicting massive casualties on the enemy in the process.
Four days later, the remnants of the Great Spike airships around the twenty-seven cities suddenly made a full withdrawal, flying toward Antarctica to regroup.
With that, on September 22, 1994, the most crucial and largest battle in the century-long history of humanity's resistance against the Great Spike invasion—the Zenith War—was officially declared over.
In this war, the moment humanity's source energy armaments were unveiled before the world without reserve, an unimaginable, staggering sacrifice was exacted.
Indeed, all of humanity had paid an immeasurable price.
In total, more than twenty million people perished.
In exchange for such sacrifice came victory in the Zenith War, precious time for development, a revival of faith across the entire populace, and an immense harvest of postwar resources.
Vast quantities of source energy, dead iron, breakthroughs and discoveries in source energy science, and a massive number of Great Spike craft across various classes...
Among them were six "mothership-class" Great Spike vessels.
During the Great Spikes' earlier encirclement of the cities, each city had been blanketed by swarms of small and medium craft orbiting a colossal "mothership-class" vessel.
During the final offensive across the twenty-seven cities worldwide, six of these motherships were ultimately pinned down and captured by Azure soldiers at the cost of their lives.
To Azure, this was beyond precious. With an existing technological foundation already in place, it meant humanity was virtually guaranteed a monumental leap and breakthrough in source energy vessel technology.
It was akin to a nation in the ordinary world finally acquiring an aircraft carrier.
In this way, perhaps in the near future, humanity would no longer be trampled underfoot and pinned to the ground as they had been this time. The zenith would no longer be a place of helplessness and humiliation, but the fiercest battlefield of all.
Looking even further ahead, perhaps one day humanity could fight their way beyond the dome of the sky...
Thus, the significance was monumental for all humankind.
And for Voyage as well...
The most solid foundation for Voyage's so-called "Project Fireseed"—their space refuge and exploration initiative—had finally materialized: these six mothership-class Great Spike vessels.
After decades of unwavering dedication and longing, this was the first time they were so close to their "ideal"—an invaluable opportunity right before their eyes.
Hence, Zhe Qiuhong should have departed long ago. She had only delayed for more than three months because Han Qingyu had remained in a coma.
She had just conducted one final, comprehensive examination on Qingzi.
Nearly four years of companionship had finally reached its end. Over this time, Stream Vanguard owed Zhe Qiuhong countless lives—truly, so very many.
"What's the matter? There's no need for this. It's not like I'm going somewhere terribly far away. Don't forget, Voyage submitted to Azure long ago."
Faced with their evident attachment and reluctance to part, Zhe Qiuhong felt an abrupt flutter of emotion the moment the sensation registered. Her gaze drifted across Wen Jifei and the Little Prince.
These two definitely knew her identity, though they likely did not yet know what Voyage planned to do. Back then, they hadn't shared the secret with anyone else.
As for Han Qingyu, he had known too, but he had forgotten.
"So, going forward, you'd all better avoid getting seriously injured, understood?"
Zhe Qiuhong glanced at the dazed Han Qingyu, then slowly looked at everyone standing along the gangway of the Swordfish-class vessel. "And if nothing's wrong, don't bother contacting me."
Zhe Qiuhong truly wasn't someone who needed to keep in touch to maintain warmth. That was never her style, as everyone here except Han Qingyu well knew.
Meanwhile, Han Qingyu was thinking: *I'm done for. It looks like my head is beyond saving.*
"However, if something truly does happen, let me know. I will definitely come back." Zhe Qiuhong looked down at last, casting a glance at the pink moth brooch pinned to her chest.
Waving a hand, she walked down the gangway alone and headed toward a group waiting off to the side.
In that group were people from Voyage as well as Azure reception officials.
In reality, Voyage still held considerable influence throughout Azure's entire scientific research apparatus. After all, prior to this, they were the only organization in human history that had dedicated itself to research on "source energy propulsion" over a long period.
At the same time, in the field of source energy medicine, they stood at humanity's absolute forefront.
Without looking back once, Zhe Qiuhong walked straight over and extended her hand to the front-row Azure officials.
"Zhe Qiuhong, Navigator of Voyage. Pleased to meet you," she introduced herself.
...
The delegation waiting to welcome Stream Vanguard—or rather, Han Qingyu—stood directly ahead. By comparison, their array and scale were vastly grander, perhaps even excessively so.
Its ranks comprised Azure Headquarters council members, generals, representatives of various theater fronts... including Chairman Kemore standing at the very front, alongside two Huaxia old men who stood shoulder to shoulder, looking somewhat ill at ease.
"I told you earlier not to come," Chen Buer turned and muttered under his breath to Comrade Xu Xiaohong. "Me welcoming him? Heh, can the brat even handle it?"
"Don't worry, there doesn't seem to be anything he can't handle."
Xu Xiaohong replied glumly, because just earlier, he was the one who had repeatedly asked Chen Buer, *Are you really going?*—more than once, in fact.
Due to the news blackout, neither of them knew yet that Han Qingyu had lost his memories.
*Clack! Clack! Clack!* Combat boots struck the ground in rhythmic unison. Han Qingyu walked at the head of the hundred-man column, expressionless, carefully observing this world that was completely alien to him.
Across the wide airfield, lines of Azure warriors drawn up on both flanks drew their blades row by row in time with Han Qingyu's stride. *Schwing! Schwing! Schwing...*
Forests of blades pointed diagonally toward the sky.
Han Qingyu gritted his teeth and held his ground.
Aside from their group and the reception party in front, a great crowd watched from the distance.
Fortunately, Azure hadn't arranged a flock of little kids with rouge-painted cheeks holding flowers and shouting, "Welcome! Welcome!"
As if reading his mind, Wen Jifei whispered from behind, "A bit too plain. They should've arranged a crowd of girls from all over the world, with rouge-painted cheeks, waving bouquets and yelling, 'Blind date! Blind date!'"
"..." Han Qingyu walked forward.
He drew nearer.
Chairman Kemore stepped forward with the headquarters council members and generals, preparing to greet him.
Yet Han Qingyu didn't look at him...
Seeing that the brat knew to walk toward him, Chen Buer felt quite satisfied. He prepared to look serious this time—receive the salute, then return it.
However, Han Qingyu didn't look at him either...
Walking up to the Huaxia old man who, whether viewed from afar or up close, looked the most like an exemplary general, Han Qingyu calmly extended a hand. "Stream Vanguard, Han Qingyu."
"Huaxia Front, Xu Xiaohong," Xu Xiaohong replied in mild confusion, extending his hand in return.
*Huh? Little Red? Why isn't it the hungry one?* Han Qingyu felt a brief flicker of confusion.
Behind him, Wen Jifei and a few others held back their laughter, deliberately winking at Legion Commander Chen.
Beside him, the Invincible of the Mortal Realm turned on his heel and walked off.
"He did that on purpose. The brat did that on purpose to embarrass me. Heh heh..."
Chapter 715