The experience of plane-hopping was beyond words.
It was a chaotic distortion that transcended time, space, and even sensory perception.
When the soul-shaking turbulence and hum finally ceased, Mark suddenly opened his eyes.
What greeted his sight was no longer the advanced and tidy shuttle cabin of the Main Universe, nor the magnificent starport of the Viltrumite Empire, but cold, silent, fragmented void.
He was floating in a familiar area, strewn with planetary debris and energy turbulence.
In the distance, the former site of Sui Xie (Debris) Star, which had completely vanished, leaving only a distorted radiation belt, silently spoke of the tragic explosion that had occurred not long ago.
He was back.
He had truly returned to his own universe.
But… how much time had passed?
Days? Weeks? Or even longer?
Mark immediately checked his condition.
The abundant solar energy he absorbed in the Main Universe put him in an unprecedented peak state, even stronger than before he went to the Main Universe.
He had brought a compressed space device, filled with technology blueprints, samples, and small equipment from the Main Universe, which was also intact and secured at his waist.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mark instantly transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards the direction of Lishi Star in his memory at a speed exceeding his past limits!
Eager to return home, he didn't even have time to carefully appreciate his increased strength; all his thoughts were tied to the Alliance, Earth, and his comrades whose fates were unknown.
…
Lishi Star, Starfire Alliance Headquarters.
Low pressure still enveloped the entire base.
The grief from Mark's sacrifice had not yet dissipated, while the threat of The Old Ones' Tide grew day by day.
Having lost their strongest spearhead combat power, the Alliance's actions became increasingly cautious, one could even say passive.
Several small-scale sorties had come at no small cost, and although Ruijia and White Lion were still recovering from serious injuries, they forcefully presided over the overall situation, trying to stabilize morale, but low morale could not be easily reversed with just a few slogans.
In the center of the plaza, the tall golden statue of Mark stood silently under the starlight, as if it were both a memorial and a silent interrogation.
This day, like many days before, was filled with oppressive busyness and a faint unease.
Suddenly.
The piercing long-range early warning radar issued its highest level alert!
"Super-high-speed unidentified object detected approaching!"
"Speed… speed uncalculable!!!"
"…My God! It's… it's Lord Mark!!!"
"This is impossible! It's really him!!!"
The entire command center instantly erupted, everyone thinking they were hallucinating.
Ruijia and White Lion, who were receiving treatment in bed, both heard the incredible news through their ward communicators.
"Confirm immediately, activate highest level defensive alert! It might be an imitation trap by the Great Old Ones!"
Ruijia, enduring her injuries, hoarsely ordered through the communicator, but her voice carried a tremor that even she couldn't control, and… hope.
However, before the defense system could fully activate, the streak of light had already penetrated Lishi Star's outer defense network like a teleportation, appearing directly above the base's main starport!
The light dissipated, and Mark's figure slowly descended onto the tarmac.
He stood there, still bearing traces of battle and dust, but his posture was upright, and his aura was as vast as the sea.
His molten-gold eyes swept over the Alliance warriors who had rushed over upon hearing the news, surrounding him but not daring to approach, their faces filled with shock, vigilance, suspicion, and disbelief.
His gaze passed over the crowd and saw his own statue in the plaza, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
"I'm back."
His voice was calm, yet it clearly entered everyone's ears like a grand bell.
"It seems I've been gone for a while."
Silence.
A deathly silence.
Everyone seemed to be under a spell, staring at him blankly.
"Mark?!!!"
A roar, mixed with ecstasy, weakness, and disbelief, came from behind the crowd.
White Lion, ignoring the medical staff's obstruction, dragged his bandaged and still-weak body, stumbling out, his crimson eyes fixed on Mark, as if to confirm that this was not an illusion!
Immediately after, Ruijia was also pushed out, sitting in a hovering medical chair.
She looked at the living Mark, her lips trembling, wanting to say something, but in the end, she just heavily slammed the armrest of her chair, her eyes flickering with extremely complex emotions—surprise, and relief.
"You… you bastard… what exactly happened?!"
White Lion rushed to Mark, wanting to punch him, but feared he would dispel the illusion, finally just growling.
"We all thought you…"
"It's a long story."
Mark looked at his two seriously injured comrades, a flash of guilt and warmth in his eyes.
"I'm fine, and I've brought back something that can change the tide of battle."
His return, like a spring thunderclap, instantly shattered the lifeless Lishi Star!
The news spread like wildfire throughout the base, and wherever it went, despair and sorrow were replaced by incredible ecstasy and surging morale!
The God of War had not fallen!
He was back! And stronger!
After simple comfort and confirmation, Mark didn't even have time to rest and immediately got into action.
He went directly to the command center, where Ruijia, White Lion, and all core members were already waiting.
"To make a long story short."
Mark stood in front of the star map, his tone decisive.
"Due to the spatial distortion caused by that explosion, I accidentally entered another parallel universe, spent a not-so-long period there, and successfully returned."
Parallel universe?!
Everyone was once again stunned by this astonishing information.
"The technological level of the other universe far surpasses ours, and… there is no threat from the Great Old Ones."
Mark continued, his words making everyone's eyes burst with intense longing.
"I've brought back some of their technology blueprints, weapon designs, and high-energy source technology. We need to immediately organize the top-tier team, at all costs, to digest, replicate, and produce these technologies as quickly as possible!"
He took out the compressed space device and directly transmitted massive amounts of data to the central main computer.
The exquisitely brilliant design plans, far beyond current understanding, that cascaded across the screen instantly drove all scientists and engineers into a frenzy of obsession and excitement.
"We have hope!"
The R&D department looked at the data, their voices trembling with excitement.
"If all of these can be realized… our fleet's firepower, shields, and energy systems can be upgraded by at least two generations!"
"Not only that."
Mark looked at Ruijia and White Lion.
"I also brought back some finished weapons and equipment that can be immediately outfitted to your rapid response units."
He paused, his voice becoming even deeper.
"And, in the other universe, I saw my father; he is still alive."
This news was only somewhat surprising to Grom, but to Ruijia, who understood Mark's past, it was undoubtedly another bombshell.
They could feel the complex emotions in Mark's tone, but also knew that now was not the time to ask for details.
"The Great Old Ones won't give us much time."
Mark concluded, cold flames burning in his molten-gold eyes.
"We must race against time, technology upgrades must be fast, and troop reorganization must be fast!"
"While we accumulate strength, reconnaissance cannot stop. I need to know how many areas the Great Old Ones have devoured during my absence, and what their movements are!"
"Yes!"
The entire command center erupted in a unified, hopeful roar.
The previous gloom was swept away, replaced by an unprecedented cohesion and drive!
Mark's return not only brought back powerful technology and hope but also the unyielding banner and the belief in ultimate victory!
However, while everyone was fighting for new technology and the future, Mark went alone to the communication room and connected to the encrypted highest priority line with Earth.
The screen lit up, showing Cecil, Allen, and… Debbie, supported by medical personnel, pale but with tears in her eyes, as well as Eve, standing behind, her eyes red-rimmed, trying to remain calm.
"Mom…"
Seeing his mother's frail appearance, Mark's heart clenched, and his voice involuntarily softened.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"It's good you're back… it's good you're back…"
Debbie was choked with sobs, only repeating these words, as if as long as her son was alive, nothing else mattered.
Mark then looked at Eve, their gazes meeting, a thousand words seemingly contained in that single glance, and in the end, Mark just gently nodded.
"I'm fine."
Eve also nodded vigorously, forcing a smile to her lips, but tears finally streamed down her face.
The communication with Earth was brief yet deeply emotional.
After hanging up the call, Mark stood in place, silent for a moment, the warm and peaceful scene of the Main Universe reappearing in his mind, in stark contrast to the cruel reality of this universe.
But he knew that peace did not belong to him.
His battlefield was here.
He turned and walked out of the communication room, his gaze once again firm and sharp.
New technology needed time to be transformed, the threat of the Great Old Ones was imminent, and the Alliance's morale needed victory to be solidified.
Perhaps… it was time to take the initiative, to seek trouble with the Great Old Ones and collect some interest before the full upgrade was complete.
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