On the open ground bathed in the dew-kissed sky, wooden tables were set, and Su Ling and others sat around them.
At the center of the table lay a large map of City A, marked with several large circles drawn in red.
These red circles were the locations being discussed for their base.
Everyone was engrossed in the discussion, each holding firm to their opinions, satisfied with their preferred spots, and trying to persuade others to agree.
Su Ling sat lazily on a chair, sucking on a lollipop, her waterfall-like long hair cascading behind her. Shang Qi sat beside her, his large hand resting on her back, gently stroking her smooth, dark, and shiny hair.
The warm sunlight streamed into every corner of the castle, bathing Su Ling and her companions in its glow.
Just as everyone was enjoying the harmonious and cheerful atmosphere, suddenly—
A thunderous boom struck, causing the entire castle to shake.
This deafening sound halted Su Ling and her group's discussion about base selection and also "woke up" the others who were sunbathing.
Everyone stood up, and then a second boom echoed, shaking the castle once more.
Su Ling rose and walked towards the control room without looking back.
Shang Qi remained in place, looking at Gu Shang Se and Zhang Wen Bin. "Prepare for combat."
Su Ling arrived at the control room and quickly understood the reason behind the two cannon blasts.
She hadn't hidden the castle, thus attracting the attention of other survivors who had targeted them.
Su Ling’s eyes narrowed dangerously as she observed the well-organized team with advanced weaponry and equipment on the surveillance footage.
Her fingers flew across the control panel, inputting her commands.
Soon, Su Ling’s castle retaliated against the team that had launched an attack on it.
The other side seemed prepared. As Su Ling’s castle launched its attack, their psionic users intercepted and blocked the assault.
Su Ling sat in the control room, eating her lollipop, and watching the surveillance feed.
On the screen, her attack was intercepted, and the other side then sent a request for negotiation.
Shang Qi entered the control room just as the opposing side was extending an olive branch for negotiation to Su Ling.
Sitting down beside Su Ling, Shang Qi looked at her and said, "Big Brother."
"What?" Su Ling turned her head to look at Shang Qi. As if realizing something, she abruptly looked back at the surveillance feed, observing the orderly, uniformly clad team with the most advanced weaponry and equipment, and it dawned on her belatedly.
"They want to negotiate with us," Su Ling continued to watch the screen, asking Shang Qi, "Should we agree?"
"Negotiate. I'll go," Shang Qi said, taking Su Ling’s hand. He looked at her and spoke each word extremely slowly, "You stay in the castle, all of you."
Su Ling grabbed Shang Qi, who was about to stand up and leave. She slightly raised her eyes to look at him, her expression a little cold, her tone indifferent. "What did you promise me? Do you still remember?"
Shang Qi met Su Ling's gaze and nodded. "I have never forgotten what I promised you. But now—"
"It's good you remember," Su Ling coldly interrupted Shang Qi’s words. She glanced at him, then operated the control panel, responding to Shang Qi’s elder brother that she agreed to negotiate.
After this action, Su Ling looked at Shang Qi. "We agreed to fight side by side. This time, no matter what, you can't leave me alone again. If you go, we go together."
Having said that, Su Ling stood up and walked out of the control room.
Seeing this, Shang Qi quickly stood up and chased after her. Walking alongside Su Ling, he took her hand and intertwined their fingers.
Tilting his head slightly, Shang Qi looked at Su Ling's profile and said, "We'll go together, always together."