Free Web NovelChapter 343: Chapter 342: Turning Point
Ning Xuan knew that she couldn’t change the grand scheme of things by herself when it came to a crisis like a space rift. However, since she happened to be on this battlefield, she was naturally willing to contribute what strength she could.
"PING, PING, PING." Ning Xuan’s wrist communicator received a flurry of call requests. She glanced at it and saw they were from Liu Linfeng and the others.
All the soldiers from Zone 11 were currently participating in the base’s defense. Because of the merits they had earned in the Ninth Mining Zone, their current defensive post was on the fourth line, not yet at the very front.
Ning Xuan answered the calls and was met with the shocked and bewildered expressions of Liu Linfeng and the others. Their eyes were wide, and their mouths were slightly agape, as if they had been struck by lightning.
The data pad in Yao Yuyi’s hand fell to the ground with a CLATTER, but he didn’t seem to notice.
Liu Linfeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, but no sound came out. The entire communication channel fell into an eerie silence, broken only by a series of sharp gasps.
Liu Linfeng’s fingers worried the gun at his waist. He saw in the video feed Ning Xuan’s flawless and radiant features, which could only be described as perfect. The black scar that used to run across half her face was gone; not a single trace of the former General Ning remained.
And yet, from her lively and serene eyes, he could still tell that the person before them was the very same General Ning who had led them into battle side by side.
Fragments of their time fighting together flashed through his mind. The casualty rate for the squad she led was always far lower than any other. On the perilous battlefield, General Ning never retreated. She always led from the front, single-handedly taking on the most dangerous areas.
General Ning possessed extremely high military acumen. She was composed and calm in her battlefield command. No matter what unexpected situations arose, she could resolve the crisis with composure. Just seeing her was enough to reassure mid-level commanders like them, as if they had taken a calming pill.
General Ning’s combat prowess was also second to none. Her Thunder Energy was invincible on the battlefield. It was precisely because of General Ning’s immense strength that the squad she led not only had an extremely low casualty rate but also possessed powerful cohesion and loyalty.
"General, how did you suddenly become a female Spirit Controller?" Yao Yuyi asked, shocked and bewildered.
"Will you still be able to lead us in the future?" Yao Yuyi asked, looking uneasy.
According to the Federation’s unwritten rules, esteemed female Spirit Controllers were not allowed on the front lines. They were few in number and held a lofty status, and any unnecessary losses were forbidden.
Not only had Ning Xuan gone to the front lines, but she had also led the charge, always rushing into the most dangerous areas. All this time, they had been under the protection of an esteemed female Spirit Controller. The thought made Liu Linfeng and the others feel a pang of guilt.
Ning Xuan raised an eyebrow. "I’ve always been a woman. I was in disguise simply to experience the front lines. The time I spent fighting alongside you all was quite enjoyable. After this period of training, you have all improved greatly. In the future, even if I leave the battlefield, you will be able to stand on your own."
"No, General! I, Liu Linfeng, swore an oath in my heart long ago to follow you to the death! No matter what your identity is, you will always be the most outstanding leader in my eyes." After hearing Ning Xuan’s words, Liu Linfeng’s tense shoulders relaxed. As if he had a sudden epiphany, he straightened his back, slammed his right fist against his left chest, and spoke with determined eyes.
Yan Yundi, who was only in his early twenties, suddenly leaned closer to the screen, his young eyes shining with astonishing brightness. "Me too, General! If you hadn’t saved me, I would’ve been dead long ago. I swore in my heart back then that from now on, this life is yours. According to Federation law, the term of military service for a Federation citizen in the Edge Star Domain is two years. If you’re no longer leading troops, I’ll retire in two years to follow you."
"My term of service is already over. I can be discharged at any time. If you leave the army, I’ll leave with you," Yao Yuyi said immediately, his eyes lighting up as he heard Yan Yundi’s words.
Ning Xuan watched as the familiar faces before her shifted from shock to realization, and finally to a loyalty and eagerness even more fervent than before.
"General, I will follow your arrangements. I’ll go wherever you tell me to go and do whatever you tell me to do. For me, your command is absolute," said Liu Linfeng, who also wanted to stay by Ning Xuan’s side at all times.
But he knew that with Ning Xuan’s status, if she wanted to recruit guards or ordinary subordinates, countless people would be scrambling for the opportunity to be near her. Ning Xuan didn’t lack for followers.
Once Liu Linfeng made his stance clear, the others, not to be outdone, all expressed the same sentiment.
"Alright, I understand your feelings. Once we get through this crisis, if I have any arrangements for you, I’ll let you know." Ning Xuan was inwardly satisfied with their declarations.
She had come to this battlefield with the primary goals of improving her combat skills, experiencing the front lines, and forming her second Companion Spirit. But in the process, she had also offered a great deal of help and protection to Liu Linfeng and the others. Although she hadn’t done it seeking reciprocation, she was naturally gratified that they were grateful.
"Yes, ma’am!" Liu Linfeng and the others replied, their hearts pounding with excitement.
Over the next few days, Ning Xuan kept busy at the medical center. She spent most of her time concocting Spiritual Calming Potions. Ning Xuan’s Space Button stored a large quantity of medicinal herbs for all sorts of potions, but the herbs for Spiritual Calming Potions and Alienation Value Clearing Potions were the most numerous. A large portion of these herbs had been provided by the Controller Protection Association.
Ning Xuan provided such a large quantity of potions that she saved many patients who were previously considered untreatable. In just one day, she improved the entire atmosphere of the medical center. When Hu Jingjing and Hou Yan learned that the scarred General Ning Zhi was actually Miss Ning Xuan, the champion of the Alchemist competition, Hu Jingjing instantly turned into a fangirl, trailing behind Ning Xuan to discuss potion-concocting methods.
Admiral Yang Lei stood on the command center’s observation deck, looking up at the hideous, terrifying space rift. It now seemed to be contained by some invisible force, no longer expanding outward and even showing faint signs of closing and narrowing.
Ever since Ning Xuan had taken action to purify the heavily contaminated areas, the expansion of the space rift had halted. According to monitoring by the environmental safety department, the contamination levels were no longer rising. As a result, not even the front lines had seen any more instances of mass mutation.
This was another piece of good, morale-boosting news.
At last, what had been a devastating crisis finally had a turning point.
Yang Lei believed this was the good fortune Ning Xuan had brought them and felt incredibly grateful to her.
