The spacecraft entered the Hal star system.
Jiang Ye immediately received two messages on his phone.
Hal Star Space Force: "Identity confirmed. The Hal Star Space Army extends its sincerest welcome. Please dock according to the planned schedule. There are still a few combat zones."
Jiang Ye replied: "Okay, will land as planned. Thank you."
High Priest of Hal Star: "Your family will still stay in the same place as last time. Others will be guided to their accommodations by specialized personnel. I'll send you the recommended candidates first, so you can take a look in advance."
Jiang Ye: "Okay, okay, thank you for the trouble."
High Priest of Hal Star: "Hey, it's all handled by subordinates, no trouble."
Then a file was transmitted, containing various profiles. The filename was the name, and opening it revealed a photograph and personal information.
Jiang Ye sent a copy to Che Zhen and opened one himself.
[Name: Yi Gaofei]
[Age: 36]
[Physical Condition: Healthy and robust, history of injury, left lower leg amputated twice, healed. Lung chemical weapon damage once, recovered.]
[Education: Hal Star Laya Mountain University, Department of Physics, Associate Degree; Zed University, Biochemistry, Bachelor's Degree; Second Army Officer Academy, Third Term; Hal Star First Commander Academy, Dual Master's Degrees (Interstellar Warfare Major, Domestic Warfare Major)]
[Family Status: Has a wife and one son and one daughter, suspected of having long-term improper relationships with three women.]
[Military Experience:]
[Upon graduation from the Third Term of the Second Army Officer Academy, Yi Gaofei participated in the encirclement and suppression operation against the 'He Shou Wu' terrorist group. With precise judgment, he single-handedly blocked 12 fleeing bandits and killed them all with two pistols, sustaining only minor injuries. Awarded one personal first-class merit and one Gold Medal of Courage.]
[In the 'Advance to the Deep Blue' all-army exercise, he led a special company to penetrate deep behind enemy lines, killing the enemy's highest commander. Awarded one collective second-class merit and one Gold Medal of Command.]
[In the campaign against the Mil people of the Four-Dimensional Star, he led a student division to successively capture 12 Mil bases. Awarded one collective first-class merit and one Gold Medal of Command.]
[In the Hal Star pacification operation, awarded one Gold Medal of Command.]
[Comprehensive Description (Top Secret): This individual possesses superior intelligence, approximately 165. He has a habit of borrowing various books for many years, with literature and military history being his primary reading directions, demonstrating considerable ambition. Extremely strong execution, stoic, resolute character. Refused anesthesia during surgery for fear of brain damage. Grew up in a poor neighborhood, relying on his fists to maintain dignity. Experiences of humiliation have instilled in him a great desire to become superior. Enjoys associating with high-ranking individuals, lacks compassion for the lower class. Does not engage in gambling or drugs, but frequents establishments of pleasure. Excellent with the opposite sex, rumored to have 6 illegitimate children. His wife lives off his income and therefore pays no attention to his romantic affairs. He is quite attentive to his children's education, having spent heavily to help them choose schools.]
There were also a large number of photographs. He was an ordinary-looking man with a slightly fierce expression.
Jiang Ye secretly clicked his tongue. Hal Star investigated each officer in such detail, even recording their private lives in their files. There were likely special intelligence organizations dedicated to comprehensively tracking and monitoring these high-ranking officers.
While reviewing these documents, he felt as if he were looking down on everyone, with no secrets, seeing through them at a glance.
Jiang Ye looked through several more files, people of all sorts, with different personalities, experiences, and ranks.
The only commonality was that they were all over 35 years old, more than half even over fifty, and all had sustained injuries multiple times.
For some individuals, their injury history spanned seven or eight lines. Looking at the dense medical records, it felt as if they had been shattered and pieced back together like a jigsaw puzzle multiple times.
Jiang Ye pondered for a moment and sent a message to the High Priest of Hal Star.
"I noticed that these individuals have extensive injury histories. Is this a coincidence or a common phenomenon? Do Hal Star troops sustain so many injuries on average? Or are you specifically recommending the injured?"
High Priest of Hal Star: "It's not a coincidence; those with many injuries are indeed recommended. They have sacrificed too much, facing near-death situations in the military. And they are older, so we are considering letting them retire with honor and move into education, which is more relaxed and comfortable."
Jiang Ye: "There must be another reason, right?"
High Priest of Hal Star: "The list was decided by my husband. He might have other considerations, which I don't know specifically. As you know, I don't get involved in military matters. Would you let your wife control military power?"
Jiang Ye: "Is your husband here?"
High Priest of Hal Star: "He is still on the front lines quelling the unrest. The fighting is winding down, but a dying centipede still has strength. There are many remnants in the Southern Hemisphere that he needs to eliminate one by one. These days, his hair has turned white, he's lost over twenty pounds, sleeps only three hours a day, and is extremely busy. Please forgive him for not being here to welcome you personally."
Jiang Ye: "Of course, I understand. Please forgive us for causing trouble by coming. It seems we've come at an inconvenient time."
High Priest of Hal Star: "No trouble, no trouble, you are always welcome."
The spacecraft slowly descended.
When they came last time, there was a red carpet, an honor guard, and the High Priest and Li Nannan came to welcome them, with reporters flocking.
This time, it was completely secret. The space station was cleared, with no reporters or honor guards, but a red carpet and a dedicated spacecraft were prepared.
Cen Yemeng picked up Jiang Senlin and followed Jiang Ye off the spacecraft.
"Please follow me," a ceremonial staff member covered in golden gauze bowed.
Jiang Ye followed her onto the first spacecraft. Then, someone brought the luggage, bowed, and closed the cabin door. The spacecraft automatically took off, flying towards the Divine Palace.
The spacecraft had prepared snacks clearly meant for children. Cen Yemeng peeled some and fed them to Jiang Senlin.
Jiang Ye frowned.
"Why do you look so worried?" Cen Yemeng asked.
"The reception this time is not right. There are no important figures welcoming us," Jiang Ye said. "Are we really here at an inconvenient time?"
"I have a feeling too. From a diplomatic etiquette perspective, at least the High Priest should have come. If she couldn't come, she should have sent an official of the highest rank. But there's no one, except for some staff members," Cen Yemeng said. "Who knows? Let's see after we meet the High Priest."
Jiang Ye nodded and closed his eyes to rest.
As he was about to fall asleep, he suddenly heard Cen Yemeng's exclamation.
He opened his eyes and looked out the window, and he was also startled.
The Divine Palace could already be seen in the distance. Unlike the gleaming golden radiance last time, the Divine Palace was now shrouded in smoke, with large areas scorched black and many buildings collapsed, looking as if it had been bombed. The nearby wilderness was also burning, with streams of fire-fighting water flying up and down, spraying into areas with dense smoke and flames. The fire was so extensive that it would have to burn for at least three to four days.