During the night, Song Jin successfully stayed over.

The following morning, Song Jin was awoken by the vibration of his terminal. Hearing from 07 that it was a message transmitted by his father, he sleepily forced his eyes open to check.

The laboratory test results for the two crates of blood sent back previously had been generated; the PRM values exceeded 600, and they also contained trace elements of stimulants.

Lin Zhou was suffering from multiple organ failure; his condition was abysmal, and he had already been placed into a state of induced hibernation while the research team desperately sought a countermeasure.

The body of a modified human resembled a starship that had undergone an upgrade to its energy supply infrastructure, transitioning from the 362 energy system to the 384 system. Once the supply of 384 energy was severed, the original 362 energy system would be utterly incapable of sustaining the starship’s operations.

Yet in reality, the human body was exponentially more complex than a starship.

His father’s research team was attempting to help revert Lin Zhou to his original physical parameters, but certain modifications were completely irreversible; everything still remained a massive unknown.

Song Jin dispatched a reply.

Song Jin: 【Thank you for your hard work, Father.】

Shen Sinian: 【How are things over in Danse?】

After a brief thought, Song Jin wrapped his arms around Li Xiao and snapped a photograph, sending it over.

Shen Sinian: 【Who cares to look at your bed photos.】

Song Jin: “…”

Jealous.

Awoken by the subtle commotion, Li Xiao shifted onto his side to encircle Song Jin, his voice laced with the hoarseness of someone who had just woken up. “Sleep a bit longer.”

“Father sent a message over.” Song Jin lightly traced the slight stubble along his jawline.

Li Xiao’s mind hadn’t fully cleared yet. Only after a moment elapsed did he recall exactly who Song Jin’s father was. Looking blearily toward the screen, his gaze landed squarely on that joint photograph, causing his drowsiness to vanish instantly.

“…Who did you send that to?”

Song Jin: “My dad.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Noticing Li Xiao’s silence, Song Jin asked in bewilderment, “You don’t wish for him to see it?”

Helpless, Li Xiao nipped lightly at his ear. “At the very least, I don’t wish to be seen in such an improper state.”

Song Jin retreated a fraction before lunging forward to bite him back in retaliation.

Another line of text materialized within the message interface.

The two cast their gazes over simultaneously.

Shen Sinian: 【The daughter-in-law is very lovely. When you secure some free time, bring him back to recognize the family home.】

Song Jin laughed out loud.

Li Xiao stared blankly at this heartless youth laughing so uninhibitedly. “…”

His image was completely destroyed.

Shen Sinian: 【Pay attention to hygiene.】

Song Jin: “?”

Song Jin dispatched a reply: 【I wash my hair and shower every single day.】

Before Li Xiao could act to intercept, the message had already been transmitted.

The other side generated a rapid reply containing a thumbs-up emoji.

The praise left Song Jin’s mind filled with question marks. “Why is Father suddenly displaying concern regarding my personal hygiene parameters?”

Usually exceptionally perceptive, he was abnormally dense in matters of this nature, revealing his entire baseline to a simple line of probing.

Li Xiao pressed a hand to his forehead, deciding it was better not to explain as he stepped off the bed to wash up. “Perhaps he’s terrified you’ll grow lazy in a foreign country.”

Song Jin: “…”

Was that so?

While shifting into their attire, Song Jin relayed the matters his father mentioned in the message to Li Xiao.

“Looking at it this way, there might truly be only one variation of genuine blood—one with exceptionally high PRM parameters and containing stimulants.”

Synthesizing the intelligence gathered during this period, Li Xiao felt this probability was immensely high. Failing to differentiate the blood variations made it significantly easier to conceal; even if exposed, they could utilize that surface narrative to fool their way through. After all, quite a few wealthy individuals had already paid the bill for it; at worst, they would lose a bit of money, but at least it perfectly masked the matter regarding the modified humans.

Li Xiao: “If there is only one variation, executing an investigation will turn out significantly easier.”

Song Jin: “If we can locate the equipment in the Ferryman’s possession, it will be immensely helpful toward my father’s research.”

Li Xiao slipped into his military academy uniform jacket, gathering his textbooks as they walked out together. “We will find it. Let us find an opportunity to verify Yan Qing’s identity first.”

Upon concluding the morning’s military theory lecture, Li Xiao’s group of five walked out of the classroom, joining Da Bei who was waiting at the main entrance to head out for lunch.

While cutting through the corridor behind the academic building along the way, a wave of arguing voices echoed out.

Li Xiao discerned the voice belonged to Wei Wen. Pausing his footsteps, he signaled for the others to halt.

On a terrace concealed behind a patch of flower bushes, Wei Wen was pursuing Zheng Lin, only to be frequently brushed off by the latter.

“Brother, I beg of you, permit me to participate!” Wei Wen’s tone was urgent, laced with pleading.

The injuries across Zheng Lin’s face hadn’t fully healed yet. He waved him away irritably, “Are you not annoying? I told you to wait a bit longer, did you fail to hear me?!”

Wei Wen was on the verge of tears. “Weren’t you urging me to participate previously?”

Zheng Lin let out a laugh of pure irritation. “Indeed, I urged and invited you multiple times yet you remained entirely unmoved. Now that the plan is temporarily paused, you suddenly wish to come. Why are you this difficult to handle?”

“Paused? Why?” Wei Wen panicked slightly.

Zheng Lin snapped, “How should I know? A good thing of this caliber was never bound to last indefinitely. Wait for the notification. If you continue to block my path like this, don’t blame me for being discourteous!”

Not far away, Li Xiao and Song Jin exchanged a glance. Both felt this so-called plan sounded more and more like the modified human initiative the longer they listened.

Wei Wen happened to be included within the expedition roster this cycle as well; perhaps they could locate an opportunity to extract some information from him.

With the departure scheduled for Wednesday evening, Li Xiao wished to verify credentials with Yan Qing, yet continually failed to locate a suitable opening.

Dispatching a message risked surveillance, while arranging a meeting elsewhere risked being tracked. Ultimately, he simply brought his history assignment workbook along to the faculty office to test his luck.

The moment the door opened, Li Xiao knew his luck wasn’t particularly exceptional. There were at least ten individuals present within the main office.

“You must be the Second Prince, right?” A young Beta instructor sitting at a workstation near the entrance rose, welcoming him with a beaming smile.

“Calling me by my name at school will suffice,” Li Xiao stated calmly.

The Beta instructor’s smile turned exceptionally brilliant as she turned to extract a photograph from her drawer. “My daughter likes you immensely. Could you assist me by writing a phrase of blessing?”

Li Xiao originally intended to decline, but seeing the little girl was only five or six years old, he accepted the pen and penned a sentence across the back of the photograph before handing it over.

“Has Instructor Yan departed for a lecture?”

The Beta instructor offered her thanks, checking the time. “He’ll be back shortly. You can head over to his workstation to wait first.”

Li Xiao nodded. Before he could take two paces, another middle-aged Beta instructor approached with a smile.

“I’m from the mathematics department; my surname is Han. Your problem-solving methodology during the phase examination was highly intriguing; I happen to have a question here I’d love to deliberate with you.”

Li Xiao: “…”

By the time Yan Qing concluded his lecture and returned to check, a ring of individuals had gathered around his workstation, actively discussing the teaching focus parameters for the next stage of each department with Li Xiao.

Yan Qing: “…”

Utterly lacking in principles.

To actually discuss these matters with a student.

“Director Yan.” An Omega instructor walked up beside Yan Qing. “Are you departing for the expedition tomorrow? Should the daily work briefings for these next few days be dispatched to your terminal, or the management backend?”

Possessing sharp hearing, Li Xiao precisely locked onto this sentence amidst the continuous chatter, casting his gaze through the crowd.

Yan Qing replied, “Dispatching them to the backend will suffice. Matters will be hectic during the expedition; I likely won’t possess the time to review them.”

Li Xiao rose, and after greeting several instructors, he walked toward Yan Qing’s direction. “Instructor Yan, you are departing for the expedition as well?”

Yan Qing turned to look at him. “Correct. It’s my turn to lead the team this cycle, plus with several exchange students participating, I truly wouldn’t feel at ease failing to accompany the group.”

Since Yan Qing was accompanying them, there was no necessity for Li Xiao to be this anxious. Casually picking up his history workbook, he prepared to ask two random questions before heading back.

Halfway through Yan Qing’s explanation, the second-year Dean of Instruction, Xiang Hong, entered the room, handing a file document into his hands containing various cautionary notes regarding the expedition.

Sensing a gaze directed at him, Li Xiao looked up from his workbook, locking eyes cleanly with Xiang Hong.

The other’s eyes were concealed behind thick lenses, yet they failed to mask the probing scrutiny within the depths of his pupils.

“Is there a matter?” Li Xiao inquired.

Xiang Hong adjusted the frames of his glasses, smiling as he noted, “Nothing. It’s clear that you truly are exceptionally outstanding.”

Li Xiao: “Thank you.”

Yan Qing looked toward Xiang Hong, “Have all your preparations for the expedition been completed?”

Xiang Hong replied, “Still quite a few matters to handle. I’ll head back first.”

Once Xiang Hong departed, Li Xiao inquired in a low voice, “He is attending as well?”

Yan Qing smiled slightly, “The second-year students constitute the primary practicum group this cycle. As the second-year Dean of Instruction, he naturally must go.”

With both suspects participating, it couldn’t turn out any better.

Following dinner, Li Xiao and Song Jin had just returned to the dormitory when he received a communication link from the palace. It wasn’t his brother’s private frequency, but that of Special Assistant Old Liu.

Li Xiao signaled to Song Jin to step into a position outside the camera’s capture zone before opening the video call.

“Brother Liu, what is the matter?”

Old Liu spoke up with a trace of hesitation, “Your Highness, word states you intend to head to the frontline to execute a mission?”

Li Xiao understood in an instant. His brother disapproved of his departure for the expedition.

Li Xiao stated without breaking character, “This was the academy’s determination.”

Old Liu pressed, “Your status parameters are honorable; heading to a war-torn region carries far too much danger. His Majesty’s intent is for you to remain within the academy to focus on your studies.”

“It is precisely because I am royalty that I should head to the frontline to see,” Li Xiao stated expressionlessly. “Assist me by relaying to my brother that there is no necessity for him to worry.”

“Who is displaying concern for you?!” Li Ji’s low shout resonated from outside the frame. Shortly after, Old Liu was shoved cleanly out of the screen, leaving solely Li Ji clad in his elaborate formal attire within the frame.

Li Ji snapped, “The matters regarding the border, the incidents concerning Z152—how much time has even elapsed since then? You simply fail to retain lessons, do you?”

Li Xiao countered, “This cycle is different; I am operating alongside a legion.”

“What of it?” Li Ji’s face was cold. “They are executing a support mission, not acting as your protection detail! Cease causing disruptions for me!”

Li Xiao stated, “I guarantee I won’t cause any disruptions.”

“What parameters do you possess to guarantee that?!” Li Ji’s tone carried extreme impatience.

Li Xiao replied, “If I invite trouble this cycle, I won’t attend any future ones.”

If you die, there won’t be a next time! The words rushed to the tip of Li Ji’s tongue before he forced himself to swallow them back down.

“I cannot remain within the military academy for a lifetime.” Li Xiao looked at Li Ji within the frame. “Upon graduation, I must still venture outside. A location that appears hazardous to you is nothing short of regular to me.”

Temporarily failing to locate a rebuttal, Li Ji violently swept his teacup off the surface and stormed out in a fit of rage.

Old Liu was just about to deliver a few phrases to soothe the atmosphere, but hadn’t expected Li Xiao to sever the video call before he could open his mouth. He could only hurriedly rush out to pursue Li Ji.

“Your Majesty, please refrain from letting anger compromise your health. The Second Prince is still young; if you speak a few more phrases to him, I believe he will internalize them.”

“He isn’t incorrect.” Li Ji looked toward the end of the corridor with a freezing gaze. “It is precisely because he isn’t incorrect that it provokes such rage!”

Which location was hazardous, and which was secure—even he himself could no longer differentiate clearly. Perhaps only by concluding everything as swiftly as possible could they return to their original trajectories.

Back in the dormitory, seeing Li Xiao sever the video call with a heavy expression, Song Jin walked over to touch his face. “A useless brother can simply be discarded; your father will dote on you.”

“…” Li Xiao suppressed a laugh. “Don’t state that this is an execution of comfort.”

Song Jin countered, “What else could it be?”

Operating at such close proximity, Li Xiao caught that familiar wine scent once more. It was highly faint; an regular person likely wouldn’t discern it, but it was exceptionally distinct to him.

Previously, it couldn’t be detected at this exact distance. Was this youth turning more and more relaxed before him?

The familiar scent reminded Li Xiao of the little lion being stimulated into a state of berserk rampage back at the freight center. While it was highly lovely, executing a berserk rampage on a battlefield was truly no laughing matter.

“Did you bring any suppressants along for your journey to Danse this time?” Li Xiao inquired with a trace of concern.

Song Jin replied, “I brought them, but I don’t possess a fixed cycle for my susceptibility periods yet, so they won’t be needed.”

Li Xiao noted, “Remember to carry them along for the expedition.”

The military academy would distribute them as well, but since they were injectable pharmaceuticals, Li Xiao didn’t feel entirely at ease.

“Then I’ll bring two vials, and prepare one for you while I’m at it.” Song Jin scrutinized him with a trace of bewilderment. “Having known you for this long, it appears I’ve never witnessed you entering a susceptibility period either?”

Li Xiao stated, “I am earlier than you.”

His words carried a distinct sense of superiority, as if stating “I am an adult, you are a child.”

Song Jin gave a soft hum. “What utility does being earlier than me possess? Are you not equally childish?”

Li Xiao: “…”

Wednesday afternoon at five o’clock, the group of five organized their belongings, shifted into their field combat uniforms, and headed toward the assembly hall together, prepared to depart for Suyang Sector S80.