MORIC - Chapter 186

Chapter 186: The Heckling Scene

After it was over, Xi Zhoumeng couldn't stand being covered in sweat and was the first to head to the base's lounge to take a shower.

Before she left, she was still being picky, complaining about how poor the conditions were and asking Chi Yueshan if she wanted to just go back with her.

She was fussy and demanding, and Chi Yueshan couldn't take it anymore. "Didn't you come here because you had something to say?"

Although holo-brain communications had been fully restored, the intermittent Zerg attacks made the connection unstable, often resulting in failed transmissions.

Xi Zhoumeng's hair was damp with sweat. Even when she perspired, she perfectly embodied the "glistening with fragrant sweat" trope from those messy Mary Sue novels.

It was just that, aside from Chi Yueshan, no one present was in the mood to appreciate her current state.

Unfortunately for Xi Zhoumeng, Chi Yueshan's resistance was much stronger than before. Seducing her with her beauty while she was serious about work was a bit difficult.

Just like now, she didn't care that Wen Xinghuo was present, clinging to Chi Yueshan and acting spoiled. To an uninformed observer, it would be easy to recall the dramatic love-hate entanglements between the three of them back at the academy.

As Xi Shuang and Ling Xun headed to the lounge, they heard people from the Special Forces chatting nearby.

"I heard Captain Wen and that parachuted-in... no, Commander Xi, used to be a couple?"

"I think so, because that young lady used to be an Omega."

"But isn't she an Alpha now? And she's even marked an Omega..."

"I know, I know! My sister told me that Omega used to have a huge crush on Captain Wen."

"OMG, that's so...!!! I didn't expect such a thrilling love triangle."

"So, isn't it super awkward for the three of them to be together now?"

"I don't know, but it's hard for me not to let my imagination run wild... Besides, even after differentiating into an Alpha, that Miss Xi still looks so delicate. Did you see it just now? The moment she got out of her mecha, she collapsed onto her Omega. What proper Alpha acts like that?"

"But she's incredibly strong. The fact that she could defeat Captain Wen is on a level we can't even compare to. Sigh, and they're still students... Truly, the new generation makes the old one obsolete."

Xi Shuang nodded vigorously upon hearing the first half. To this day, she still found it hard to get over the years she had worshipped Xi Zhoumeng as a goddess.

She muttered to Ling Xun, "Do you think Zhoumeng and Wen Xinghuo were a good match back then?"

Ling Xun's eyes held a smile as she half-comforted Xi Shuang. "Cousin, just try to get over it. No matter how much you liked Senior Xi back then, it was nothing like Senior Mu's... ah."

She had a refined appearance and was typically a prim and proper person in private. But she didn't give off an old-fashioned vibe; she knew how to strike a balance. Standing next to Xi Shuang, they were a perfect combination of motion and stillness.

It was just that the occasional sharp jab that slipped out was hard to suppress.

Right now, she was even taking a shot at the well-known scumbag-turned-reformed senior who was still recovering in the hospital.

Even if she didn't say the word.

Xi Shuang retorted, "How can I be the same as that lapdog Mu Lai?"

Mu Lai had already fought with her family several times over her desire to marry Xuan Ping. It was said that she had even gone on the practical training mission behind her family's back.

She was on the verge of being disowned. A typical Omega would feel deeply for their Alpha in such a situation, but Xuan Ping, on the contrary, advised Mu Lai not to hurt her relationship with her family for her sake. Showing no particular attachment, she was currently back in the lab, engrossed in her own research.

Even if Xi Shuang was a layman, she knew that Xuan Ping was now a powerhouse at the academy.

Ling Xun said, "Of course you're not the same. My dear cousin isn't a scumbag at all, just a bit brainless."

Perhaps because Ling Xun's tone was so serious, it took Xi Shuang several seconds to react, but by then, Ling Xun had already run off.

"You stinky cricket, get back here! Hey, that's the wrong lounge! That's not the one Zhoumeng mentioned."

Because Xi Zhoumeng was taking over as commander, Shen Yu had long since prepared a lounge for her at the base.

In these special times, even though her position was Commander of the Expeditionary Force, it made no difference to Xi Zhoumeng, who possessed the most intelligence on the Zerg.

After hearing her description, Shen Yu also became very interested in the Zerg that had injured the new commander and was very supportive of Xi Zhoumeng and her group of young people formulating their own plans.

Originally, Xi Zhoumeng had wanted to chat with Lan Lan alone, but Shen Yu wouldn't allow it, so she had to drop the idea.

Since Xi Zhoumeng couldn't drag Chi Yueshan home with her, she ended up going to the lounge to shower by herself first.

Chi Yueshan walked over slowly with Wen Xinghuo.

A sparring match of this intensity consumed a great deal of mental and physical energy. Wen Xinghuo wiped away her sweat, drinking a supplement as she walked and listened to Chi Yueshan speak.

Chi Yueshan was usually talkative, but today, she was well aware of the source of Wen Xinghuo's anger, so she was less chirpy than usual.

After all, the one who made this decision was Xi Zhoumeng.

Chi Yueshan said, "That's just her temper, you know that."

She thought for a long time, trying to say a few good words about Xi Zhoumeng, but she sadly discovered that her Alpha was simply too much—the epitome of flamboyance, with no understanding of restraint.

Wen Xinghuo's fighting style was wild; Xi Zhoumeng's was chaotic.

Like blinding, chaotic snow blown by a winter wind, yet possessing a unique elegance.

Wen Xinghuo said, "I know. She's been like that since she was a child."

Chi Yueshan sighed. "That's true. You two are the ones who grew up together."

Her tone held not a hint of regret. Coupled with the words she spoke on Xi Zhoumeng's behalf, in Wen Xinghuo's eyes, Chi Yueshan had changed a lot compared to before.

Xi Zhoumeng had actually changed too.

If it were the old her, she would never have arranged a sparring match. It was unnecessary. Even if she was parachuted in as commander, she had the capital to back it up and didn't need to explain herself to anyone.

Rather than calling it a fair competition, it was more like a stage set up specifically for Wen Xinghuo.

Whether she could make a splash or not depended on her own ability.

The sharp-tongued and arrogant young lady was inherently cold and unfeeling, yet now that coldness was tinged with affection. It was clear that Chi Yueshan had given Xi Zhoumeng a new life.

It wasn't just Wen Xinghuo who thought this; Xi Shuang had also deeply agreed with this point before.

Wen Xinghuo said, "You don't have to comfort me. I get it."

Her bangs were also damp with sweat. Because she had run her fingers through them, a few strands were stuck together, revealing a full forehead and strong brows and eyes.

Wen Xinghuo had naturally striking features, with deep-set eyes and a large frame. At first glance, her sternness carried a commanding pressure.

But she wasn't that kind of person at all. When she encountered team members who greeted her on the way, she would smile and nod, completely unaware that while she looked imposing when she wasn't smiling, her smile made her look rather simple and honest.

Chi Yueshan said, "Actually, the Princess and her that day..."

Wen Xinghuo cut Chi Yueshan off. "Has she not fully recovered?"

Chi Yueshan let out a soft "ah" before realizing what she meant and humming in affirmation.

Xi Zhoumeng's body was actually in good shape. She had daily check-ups at home, and the supplements Xi Li arranged for her were sent over as if they were free.

In any case, besides Xi Zhoumeng, there was also the recovering Xi Mingguang. It didn't take long for Xi Mingguang's abs to disappear, earning a good deal of complaints from Chu Jing.

Xi Zhoumeng, however, was fine. She had strict requirements for her own figure. Occasionally, after eating too much with Chi Yueshan, she would have to work it off, which made Chi Yueshan think she was such a hypocrite for claiming to have "good genes" on the academy forums in the past.

Shameless fraud.

Wen Xinghuo said, "I felt a brief moment of sluggishness when she attacked. It shouldn't be a problem with the mecha."

She reviewed the fight in her mind as she walked.

Besides fuel, a mecha's power source also required the pilot's spiritual power, which was why the military required Alphas to be A-rank or higher.

The more powerful the mecha, the higher the demand on the pilot's spiritual power. Moreover, the sensory feedback function was also very strong. If an attack on the mecha exceeded its defense value, it would damage the pilot's spiritual power and also affect their body.

Xi Zhoumeng's control was masterful; even when her maneuvers were broken down on screen, they were impeccable.

But Wen Xinghuo herself had high spiritual power, and the high-intensity battles during this period had greatly enhanced her acuity. She was able to capture even Xi Zhoumeng's momentary flaw.

Wen Xinghuo found it a bit strange. "Doesn't the Xi family have the best doctors? Why hasn't she recovered yet?"

Chi Yueshan said, "You know, her Soul Chain is very unique."

Wen Xinghuo hummed in acknowledgment. "And?"

Chi Yueshan brought up the time during the practical training when Xi Zhoumeng used the obsidian given to Sheng Yangkui by the Queen to resist the other's consciousness invasion.

Chi Yueshan said, "She..."

A dense ache spread through her heart. If she could, she wouldn't want Xi Zhoumeng to make such a sacrifice either.

During their month-long separation this time, Xi Zhoumeng had told her that she was no longer afraid of the Magnetic Star Meteorite.

That person was especially charming when she was confident. She had even reassembled the Magnetic Star Meteorite that had been split into three pieces and given it back to Xi Li.

Of course, she got a harsh scolding from her big brother for it.

Xi Zhoumeng had said, "I brought back a purer one from my hometown."

She didn't look pale like she did during the practical training. Instead, she showed it off to Chi Yueshan with ease, telling her about all its magical functions.

Finally, she said, "You don't have to worry too much about Sheng Yangkui. I still left a trump card for her."

Now, as Chi Yueshan and Wen Xinghuo walked past the star chart on the base's dome, they saw the boundless universe, countless galaxies, and innumerable planets. Humanity was so insignificant, not even comparable to the stars.

Yet, the will of humanity was everlasting, determined to make a flower bloom even in the most desolate ruins.

Generation after generation believed that there was still hope for the future.

Wen Xinghuo asked, "She split her consciousness?"

Consciousness was inherently linked to spiritual power, something a person was born with. Wen Xinghuo had mulled over the word "split" for a long time.

Before, she would never have believed such an operation was possible. But if a Zerg's consciousness could be parasitic and could be separated, then why couldn't these concepts defined by humans be deconstructed?

Besides, this was Xi Zhoumeng. It seemed there was nothing to be surprised about anymore.

Chi Yueshan said, "Not completely. Senior Wen, you don't have memories of your past life, so you probably don't know that our current world is actually..."

Wen Xinghuo said, "They've already told me everything."

She no longer felt the helplessness she used to when this group chattered on about the past while she knew nothing. She just continued walking forward and said, "It was rebooted by the power of Xi Zhoumeng's soul or consciousness."

Chi Yueshan nodded.

"She separated a part of her consciousness, stored it in a chip, and implanted it in the Princess's brain."

Chi Yueshan had initially disagreed. She was still worried about Xi Zhoumeng's safety, afraid that one mistake would lead to losing everything all over again.

Instead, it was Xi Zhoumeng who comforted her. "It's fine. My soul is so powerful. Worst case, we'll just reboot one more time."

Xuan Ping, standing to the side, chimed in, "That's right. The Miss Chi who formulated this grand plan with me should be afraid of nothing."

Chi Yueshan fell silent, looking at the pale-faced Xi Zhoumeng with heartache.

The next day, Sheng Yangkui secretly underwent surgery. Until she was recalled by the Queen, she never again asked to see Wen Xinghuo.

Wen Xinghuo took a deep breath, thinking to herself: Is she even human? To be able to beat me like this even in her condition.

On the contrary, humanity should be thankful that Xi Zhoumeng wasn't a villain.

If someone who could achieve consciousness parasitism like the Zerg were to join forces with them, that would be the true apocalypse.

But Wen Xinghuo also felt a sense of novelty. The Omega standing beside her was once so fervent towards her, yet fate was so unfathomable.

If it weren't for Chi Yueshan, Xi Zhoumeng might have remained that cold observer, treating her like a character in a virtual game—with occasional concern, occasional elder-like care, sometimes close, sometimes distant, as if she were just a tourist passing through.

Wen Xinghuo said, "I'm a little..."

Chi Yueshan asked, "What?"

They had already reached the door to the lounge. The sync card by the door indicated there were three people inside.

Xi Shuang and Ling Xun must have gone in, right?

As Wen Xinghuo authenticated her identity and pushed the door open, she said, "I still need to beat her up."

Just then, Xi Zhoumeng emerged after blow-drying her hair, filling the room with fragrance. Xi Shuang clutched her head in agony. "Can you two S+ Alphas show some respect for us poor sisters? Don't you know your pheromones are highly aggressive?! I don't want to fight!!!"

Just as Xi Zhoumeng was about to speak, Wen Xinghuo suddenly grabbed Chi Yueshan and gave her a push.

Xi Zhoumeng instinctively caught her in a full embrace.

"Wen Xinghuo, what is the meaning of this?"

Ling Xun: Wow.

Are they going to fight again?

Wen Xinghuo said, "You made Yueshan so worried. As someone on her side, I sentence you to... with her..."

She really didn't have a knack for joking. The word "kiss" seemed to burn her tongue. Xi Shuang, on the side, had a flash of inspiration. Unsure of the situation but getting into the spirit of things, she yelled—

"Frantically whip each other's lips with your tongues!!!"

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