Sky-cracking Rider

The Energy Center at the 911 Aircrew Base, with the Target Low Temperature Nuclear Fusion Energy Tower and the sunlit small building, is still there and maintained regularly by dedicated personnel.

Chen Fei, familiar with the place, found his personal belongings left in the small building, and even Boss Hanna's little wine cellar remained. Little Bird immediately fluttered happily among the lush plants in the sunlit room.

A transparent glass dome and floor-to-ceiling glass walls isolate the indoors from the outside environment. There is no lack of sunlight, air, moisture, or fertilizer, and those who maintain it put in a lot of effort. There are visible signs of careful pruning, and even the harvested fruits are made into bottles of fruit wine, separated into first-pressed and distilled, just like the time when Chen Fei and the former house owner, the Neanderthal elder Barut, lived there.

After a sound sleep, Chen Fei was woken up by the roar of the turboprop engines of a medium-sized transport aircraft at dawn.

Except for the daily attendance of the Combat Flight Squadron and the occasional missions of the tricycle aircraft, the 911 Aircrew Base is mostly very quiet. The most disturbing noise is often the cold wind that whistles through the Xingdu Kush Mountain Area.

"Are you back?"

Hanna Gagel, wearing an eyepatch over her left eye, came to the small building first thing and saw Chen Fei preparing to have breakfast.

The breakfast on the table was for two; she sat down directly.

"Yes! Just arrived yesterday!"

Chen Fei washed his hands and also sat down.

"Jiu!"

A streak of light landed on the table with lightning speed. When the vermilion little claws landed, there was a soft thud, leaving a pair of small claw prints on the solid wooden table.

Little Bird tilted its head and looked curiously at Hanna Gagel, who was about to have breakfast.

"Little one, don't you remember me?"

Hanna smiled slightly, reaching out her fingers to caress Little Bird's head affectionately, only to be pecked gently.

While picking up the still warm fried dumplings with chopsticks, Chen Fei said, "It remembers you! Or else your entire hand would be pecked off!"

A Human Position Ninth Order magical beast, adorably fierce, even the giant dragons have to avoid it.

Obviously, it's a Light-element Magical Beast, yet it's black all over and has a gang-like demeanor, a kind of reverse cuteness!

"Hehe, you're such a little rascal!"

With the person, the bird, and the small building all present, Hanna Gagel recalled the days gone by.

What once seemed like an insurmountable chasm now appeared to be an embarrassingly trivial gap that could be crossed in a single step. This world doesn't believe in tears, and not only had she grown, but Chen Fei had as well, and yes, Xiao Jiu had grown noticeably too.

"How's business lately? Both aspects!"

Chen Fei cocked his head to the side. He wasn't just an employee of Boss Hanna but also a partner in another business venture, so inquiring about either aspect of the business operations was well within his rights.

"The Jiu Defense Company's business is blessed by your presence. Rumors have spread from who knows where, and many wealthy folks specifically request you to take orders."

Boss Hanna's right eye, not covered by the eyepatch, gazed deeply at Chen Fei.

With her social connections, she could only gather sporadic information about Chen Fei being summoned to the Global United Defense Committee, but it wasn't comprehensive.

"Looking for me?"

Chen Fei swallowed the fried dumplings and, with a small laugh, continued, "For how much?"

Since we're all out here selling ourselves, it all comes down to the price being right.

"You definitely wouldn't accept, so I turned them down directly!"

Hanna Gagel had now been honed into a sharp-witted person. While she didn't say it outright, it was evident that those wealthy people's offers were a farce.

Offering pennies to get their hands on someone like Chen Xiao'er, a B-class Metal Ability User, was truly underestimating Hanna Gagel as if she were blind.

"It's just as well you turned them down. Too busy, no time to deal with it."

Chen Fei smiled and continued enjoying his hearty breakfast. Reader support at M*VLEM*PYR made this translation possible.

"The profits from the Flesh Mushroom are quite good. I'll send you the financial annual report later. You're now a little tycoon."

Hanna Gagel winked at him and continued, "Are you planning to leave again? If not, come with me to the South Continent of America; business is much better lately, lacking someone like you to hold the fort."

```

The North American Continent has become a mess, with deaths every day and constant warfare. Even between states or towns, people are fighting relentlessly. Missiles are being exchanged between even non-adjacent states, impacting even civil aviation routes.

Although separated by an artificial canal, the chaos still inevitably spread to the South Continent. Chapala City, where military contractors are gathered, is now bustling with business. No one knows when these contractors will shift their focus from defensive to offensive operations.

Previously, aside from internal corporate conflicts, military contractors rarely engaged in offensive operations because those were the duties of the sovereign military. In the eyes of the sovereign, the combat capability of private companies' equipment and personnel was no match, akin to weaklings pecking at each other, only slightly tougher than outlawed bandit forces.

Chen Fei sighed and said, "Please process my resignation! It's hard to stay uninvolved now, and it's going to get busier."

To be honest, he really liked the atmosphere at 911, where interpersonal relationships were simple, and things weren't too hectic. The current balance in his bank account allowed him not to worry about salary, as long as his mind was at ease.

Unfortunately, the general environment did not allow Chen Fei to remain peacefully. Every day, happily going to work and returning safely to enjoy a little drink was no longer a possibility. In times of civil strife and turmoil, no one can remain untouched. Trying to survive by hiding in the Life Space of the "Boundary Pearl" is incomparable to the vast resources of Blue Star, let alone the stars and seas beyond.

If the crisis of the "Sagali" civilization invasion could be resolved in his lifetime and then he could return... it would probably be an impossible return. By then, the 911 Aircrew Base and Jiu Defense Company would have been completely different, with neither the people nor the structures of the past.

A life journey is like a train ride, with people constantly boarding and alighting along the way. In the end, no one accompanies you to the final stop.

"What a pity!"

No matter how hard you try, you cannot go against the commands of the Global United Defense Committee. Hanna Gagel expressed her regret.

She added, "Would you like to invest in Jiu Defense? I happen to be able to offer a spot for you!"

A-level supernatural power users are hard to come by. The vast majority hold ironclad jobs with sovereign authority, fed by the sovereign state. Therefore, in the private sector, B-level stands out as notably formidable.

Although resignation is not a big deal, Chen Fei remains a partner with Hanna Gagel in the flesh mushroom industry. Still, Jiu Defense Company has lost an influential supernatural power user. Collaboration remains, but it lacks legitimacy and significantly reduces deterrent power.

"Hmm! Sure! How much for 1%?"

Chen Fei considered that in times of societal upheaval, military contractors excel at profiting. If not now, then when to make money?

"10 million Star Yuan! I can offer you 20%."

The current actual valuation of Jiu Defense Company is 10 billion, with 1% being 100 million Star Yuan. Hanna Gagel offered a reduced price, valuing not the money but Chen Fei himself.

Investing Chen Fei results in the best of both worlds. This deal is advantageous from every angle.

"Let's do 10%!"

Chen Fei estimated his bank balance and the profit share from the flesh mushroom industry. Even though he hadn't seen the latter's reports, he should at least have 100 million Star Yuan.

"Alright!"

Hanna Gagel didn't press further. To her, the difference between 10% and 20% wasn't significant. What mattered was having Chen Fei as her partner.

If Jiu Defense Company someday faces insurmountable troubles, this partner could justifiably step in.

Receiving the financial report from Hanna Boss on the flesh mushroom industry, Chen Fei confirmed his share, over 200 million, uh... No wonder he was advised to buy 20% of the shares, without any concern about bank balance.

The flesh mushroom industry is still expanding, so the profit margin isn't too high, particularly with large-scale industrial planting and fully automated management to ensure yield and quality, requiring considerable investment. Generating over 200 million Star Yuan in dividends is quite an achievement.

Chen Fei ultimately insisted on investing in a 10% stake in Jiu Defense Company, ignoring Hanna Boss's suggestion to subscribe to 20%. The rest of the dividends were left in the flesh mushroom industry for expansion.

After all, being an economics major, receiving dividends during the industry expansion phase violates economic principles.

Chen Fei spent a week at the 911 Aircrew Base, not just reuniting with colleagues but also enjoying drinks with Hanna Boss and visiting old locations as a farewell gesture.

No one knows when he'll return next.

Rabbits from Rabbit Valley had already spread extensively, and the wild wolves had forgotten that Chen Fei was their Wolf King. After receiving a few big slaps, they somewhat recalled, tucking tails and running away. Can't provoke, but can definitely escape.

The mountain elementary school where Teacher Shen Fei once stayed now has more Patan students, with two more teachers, and has added junior high grades.

Chen Fei pulled together with Earth Element Warrior Dang Wei Jun, and the two revamped the entire school.

A 200-meter diameter "Sky Dome" now covers the entire campus, including buildings and playgrounds, plus a plantation.

The "Sky Dome" not only shields the school from the harsh mountain climate but also keeps all sorts of beasts out. Even if someday bandits driven by despair wanted to invade the school, their outdated light weapons couldn't penetrate the silicon carbide translucent panels. It's like ants shaking a tree.

Chen Fei also left behind a Super Star Crystal, combined with solar panels covering the "Sky Dome" top, entirely solving the school's energy problems. Lighting, ventilation, temperature control, communication, and kitchen and bathroom electricity needs are fully met.

A week later, a small airship carried Chen Fei and Earth Element Warrior Dang Wei Jun, as well as hitchhiker Hanna Boss, leaving the 911 Aircrew Base and flying to the nearest International Public Airport.