Marshal Shu Jiuyun gazed at his four legion commanders, utterly unfazed by their scrutiny. His eyes swept over each of them in turn, finally settling on the youngest, who had just spoken.
"I believe you were all on leave," the Marshal stated, his tone neutral but carrying an undercurrent of amusement.
The commander of the Seventh Legion, eyes still gleaming with excitement, bore none of the icy demeanor he usually displayed in front of his subordinates. Instead, a palpable sense of joy radiated from his entire being.
"Yes, sir!" he exclaimed, before the commander of the First Legion swiftly clamped a hand over the young man's mouth. The older officer offered a genial smile to the Marshal.
"We simply couldn't resist the opportunity to meet the individual capable of defeating you, sir," he explained smoothly.
Shu Jiuyun remained unperturbed by this thinly veiled schadenfreude. These subordinates had followed him through thick and thin, enduring his rigorous leadership for years. Their current behavior was entirely predictable.
"After all," the Marshal mused internally, "once their gloating is over, they'll obediently return to work and resign themselves to my... guidance." He knew that maintaining a delicate balance was key to long-term leadership.
Aloud, he answered succinctly, "In the virtual training room."
With those words, Shu Jiuyun gave them a slight nod and turned to leave. The legion commanders exchanged bewildered glances as he departed.
"Did he just... let us off the hook?" one of them muttered incredulously.
"Could losing once have such a profound impact on the Marshal?" another wondered aloud.
The commander of the Seventh Legion shook his head emphatically. "No, I'm certain there's more to come. He must have something up his sleeve."
"Well, whatever it is, it's probably aimed at you," the Third Legion commander said with a lazy stretch, already turning to leave.
"Hey!" the young officer protested.
The Sixth Legion commander began steering his animated colleague away. "Come on, let's head to the training room. Move it."
As Shu Jiuyun walked down the silent corridor, he could hear their banter fading behind him. A slight smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he considered their assumptions.
"Fools," he thought. "As if I need to lift a finger to put you in your place. You're severely underestimating Yue An."
The Marshal's mood lightened considerably, and the intimidating aura around him seemed to intensify. As he walked, he pulled up a virtual notepad and began jotting down observations about Yue An's fighting habits.
"That reckless tendency to trade blow for blow must be corrected," he noted. "And his complete disregard for terrain advantages during combat is unacceptable. Most critically, relying purely on instinct for both offense and defense needs to change immediately."
Shu Jiuyun had plans to take Yue An into actual combat situations eventually. On the battlefield, such flaws could prove fatal. Even if Yue An were to remain on the imperial star, he would need to be prepared for potential threats. After all, the research value of an ancient Earth creature far outweighed that of even an SS-class gene body like himself.
Despite Yue An's formidable abilities, as long as others coveted his existence, he would always be at risk. Humans had spent centuries battling other intelligent species across the universe before achieving dominance. Once they set their sights on a goal, it was usually just a matter of time before they achieved it.
Unless, of course, the target could evolve as rapidly as the cunning humans themselves.
Contemplating Yue An's future challenges, the Marshal's resolve strengthened as he reviewed his list of necessary improvements.
"These must be addressed," he decided firmly. "And no snacks until progress is made!"
Meanwhile, in the virtual training room, Yue An suddenly sneezed, overcome by an inexplicable chill. The Second Legion commander, who had been analyzing their previous battle footage, turned to him with concern.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Meow," Yue An responded, glancing around for any sign of what might have caused his discomfort. Finding nothing amiss, he shook out his fur and resumed his attentive posture, ready to continue the lesson.
Perhaps it was due to the innate combat instincts of supernatural beings, but Yue An grasped the nuances of the techniques and strategies being explained to him with remarkable speed. At times, he even anticipated the solutions to certain challenges before the legion commanders could explain them.
As they finished reviewing the entire video, both Yue An and the commanders were itching for a practical demonstration of what they had discussed.
The Second Legion commander glanced around the room. "We don't have access to the Marshal's training room controls, and Yue An doesn't know how to use them. Shall we use mine?"
The others, including Yue An, nodded in agreement. The feline nimbly leaped onto the commander's shoulder, noting with slight disappointment that the virtual avatar wasn't wearing the usual military cap.
As they exited the room, they encountered the other four legion commanders rushing towards them. The newcomers, who had previously witnessed Yue An's impressive feat of embedding a camera into a wall with a single swipe, collectively froze in their tracks.
"Ah, perfect timing!" the Second Legion commander greeted them cheerfully. "We're heading to my training room. Care to join?"
The Third Legion commander's eyes widened in realization. "Wait a minute... You're not saying it was this cat that bested our Marshal, are you?"
Yue An's tail swished proudly as he meowed in confirmation.
"He has a name, you know," the Second Legion commander corrected. "It's Yue An."
The First Legion commander, ever cautious, inquired, "Do we have a combat assessment?"
"We do, but that's classified for now," the Second Legion commander replied as he ushered the group into his virtual room. "How about this - who wants to go first?"
Everyone except the Seventh Legion commander, who was still staring at Yue An with unabashed curiosity, took three large steps backward in unison.
"No way," they thought collectively. "If the Marshal went down, we'd be little more than practice dummies. Do they think we have no pride?"
The First Legion commander, without hesitation, volunteered his youngest colleague. "Little Seven, you're up!"
They all silently agreed it was best to assess the situation before jumping in themselves.
While this was unfolding, Marshal Shu Jiuyun retrieved a box containing fifty energy crystals from his private vault and placed it in his vehicle. He then meandered back from the landing pad, returned to his office to review and approve a few documents he had previously set aside, and finally made his way back to the training room. Donning his helmet, he entered the Second Legion commander's virtual space.
The scene that greeted him upon entry left even the usually unflappable Marshal momentarily stunned. The virtual room was filled with a sea of soldiers from various legions, all seated in orderly formations according to their units and roles. Despite the vast number of people present, they had conscientiously left clear pathways between sections.
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Virtual training rooms were designed with infinite expandability to accommodate large-scale, multi-legion combat simulations. However, the current number of occupants was unprecedented.
As the Marshal scanned the room, he realized that nearly every available soldier not currently on active duty must be present.
His arrival went unnoticed as all eyes were fixed on the large screen used for close-up observation during training sessions. Occasional whispers of conversation drifted through the air.
Standing at the back of the room, Shu Jiuyun watched as the previously cocky Seventh Legion commander was swiftly and decisively defeated by Yue An. The feline managed to destroy three energy compartments in rapid succession, depleting both primary and backup power sources, leading to an almost instantaneous declaration of the commander's defeat.
As the battle assessment was being calculated, the Marshal overheard nearby soldiers discussing in hushed tones.
"That's the eighth time the Seventh Legion commander has lost, right?"
"Yeah, after his second loss, he seemed to figure something out and won twice against the cat - Yue An, was it? But during the break, the other commanders apparently gave Yue An some pointers, and since then, the Seventh has been on a losing streak."
"Are all cats this formidable? The latest data from the Information Security Department said they were one of the most popular and common pets on ancient Earth! Pets!"
"If they could keep such creatures as pets, the combat prowess of ancient Earthlings must have been incredible. They were probably all like our Marshal."
"I read that report too. Although they were pets, all feline species were fierce carnivores. They just happened to be very close to humans."
"Well, from what I've seen, Yue An doesn't look particularly fond of humans when he's thrashing the Seventh Legion commander..."
"I think this is normal," one soldier chimed in, his voice filled with excitement. "I've been researching a lot about ancient Earth. Have you guys heard of a water creature called the mantis shrimp? It was quite popular as food back then."
"What about it?" another soldier asked, curiosity piqued.
"The mantis shrimp could create sparks underwater with a single punch! Yet, it still ended up on dinner plates. In fact, it was even mass-harvested and farmed."
A moment of stunned silence followed.
"Wait... what?"
"Our ancestors were truly terrifying."
"...I apologize. I've clearly failed to live up to our ancestral genes."
Marshal Shu Jiuyun, despite his galactic heritage, had always been more interested in Earth's cultural aspects rather than its wildlife. He listened quietly to the soldiers' discussion, amused by their awe and misconceptions. Having reviewed the complete historical records and even keeping a backup copy, he knew better than to take their exaggerated claims at face value.
The Marshal's attention was drawn back to the large screen displaying the battle assessment. He was genuinely surprised to see that Yue An had managed to improve his technique rating from D to C in just one short hour. What's more, the feline seemed to be using this C-level technique in combination with his explosive S or even SS-level physical attributes to thoroughly dominate the Seventh Legion commander.
Glancing at the rest area, Shu Jiuyun could see that his young subordinate was on the verge of an existential crisis.
Finally taking pity on his beleaguered officer, the Marshal entered a series of commands on the semi-transparent air panel before him. In an instant, he materialized in the front row of the observation area.
His sudden appearance brought an immediate hush over the entire room.
By now, everyone had heard about the Marshal's defeat at Yue An's paws. After all, his battle record panel had been displayed for all to see, the pristine "0" in the loss column now irrevocably changed to a "1". It was as if their undefeatable legend had been shattered before their very eyes.
Yet, as if by instinct, nearly 100,000 soldiers rose to their feet in perfect unison, saluting their leader with practiced precision.
"Marshal, sir!" The synchronized shout from tens of thousands of strong military voices was deafening, momentarily overwhelming the senses of everyone present.
Yue An, startled by the sudden cacophony, darted into Shu Jiuyun's pocket, leaving only the tip of his tail visible. Any semblance of the fierce warrior who had just been thoroughly trouncing a legion commander had vanished in an instant.
The Marshal first returned the salute to his troops, then glanced down at the tail tip peeking out of his pocket. Feeling the small creature curled up in fear, he turned to the First Legion commander, who had instinctively moved to stand beside him.
Taking the cue, the legion commanders swiftly dismissed their respective units, instructing them to independently review and analyze the battle footage they had just witnessed.
As the commotion died down, Yue An cautiously poked his head out of the pocket, looking up at Shu Jiuyun with an indignant meow. The Marshal, interpreting this as a plea for praise, gently extracted the cat from his pocket. He stroked Yue An's head and expertly scratched under his chin with surprising skill.
Yue An's initial irritation at being startled quickly melted away under Shu Jiuyun's masterful petting technique. Gradually, the feline relaxed, transforming into a fluffy white puddle of contentment in the Marshal's hands. Any remaining feline dignity was promptly forgotten as Yue An began to emit a soft, rumbling purr of satisfaction.
The Marshal looked down at Yue An, who was now shamelessly exposing his belly for more pets. He mused that this must be one of the greatest advantages of being an SS-class gene body – the ability to rapidly master any skill, including the art of cat petting.
The Second Legion commander dissolved the battle arena, replacing it with a cozy meeting room setting. The young Seventh Legion commander, who had been thoroughly trounced by Yue An in several matches, immediately sprawled across one of the sofas, exuding an air of world-weary resignation.
Shu Jiuyun cast a glance at his dejected subordinate before taking a seat in one of the single armchairs. He placed Yue An in the crook of his leg before addressing the group. "Has everyone had a turn?"
"Only our youngest," the First Legion commander replied, affectionately patting the head of his junior colleague. "The rest of us plan to challenge Yue An privately."
The Marshal turned his gaze to the young officer, who remained motionless on the sofa despite the conversation around him.
Yue An observed this interaction with curiosity, looking from the First Legion commander's gentle head pat to the unresponsive form of the Seventh Legion commander.
Yue An: ...
Humans really lack camaraderie, he thought. We cats would be grooming each other in a situation like this.
Dismissing these thoughts, Yue An contentedly settled back into the crook of Shu Jiuyun's leg. He lay on his back, playfully batting at and nibbling the Marshal's hand, thoroughly enjoying himself.
The cat looked utterly adorable – soft, fluffy, and emitting sweet, gentle meows. It was a far cry from the fierce creature that had been mercilessly pummeling a seasoned military officer just moments ago.
However, the legion commanders were too preoccupied to appreciate this charming display. They watched with trepidation as Yue An's paws – which looked delicate but could easily tear through battle mechs – batted at the Marshal's hand. They half-expected their leader to suddenly disappear from the virtual room at any moment.
But Shu Jiuyun seemed completely unfazed by Yue An's antics. Either oblivious to or unconcerned by his subordinates' worry, he proceeded to pull up the earlier battle footage and began a detailed analysis and review.
By the time they had thoroughly analyzed all ten matches, with particular emphasis on criticizing the Seventh Legion commander's mistakes and his inability to quickly adapt to non-human opponents, Yue An had fallen fast asleep in the Marshal's lap. The cat lay on his back, all four paws in the air, emitting soft snores.
Yue An stirred slightly as he felt himself being lifted. A large, calloused hand, warm and familiar, gently cradled his body. The cat's brilliant blue eyes opened to narrow slits, briefly scanning the person holding him before his ear tips twitched and he drifted back to sleep.
He was truly exhausted. The virtual training room was particularly draining, requiring intense concentration during battles and inflicting simulated neural pain, all of which took a heavy toll on one's mental stamina. This partially explained why the Seventh Legion commander's condition had deteriorated so dramatically, ultimately leaving him sprawled motionless on the sofa.
Shu Jiuyun carried his sleeping cat to the vehicle, carefully placing Yue An on a soft cushion before speeding home. The feline remained in a deep slumber, not stirring until early the following morning.
In the pale gray bedding of the minimalist bedroom, there was a human-shaped form and a small lump. The lump shifted, moving this way and that before finally settling on a direction. A small, milky-white furry head emerged from near the pillow.
Yue An turned to look at the gradually awakening Shu Jiuyun and promptly planted a paw directly on the Marshal's face.
Behold, the adorable cat's wake-up service! Be grateful, human!
The Marshal grabbed the offending paw and unceremoniously tucked the cat back under the covers.
Yue An: ...
Yue An: ??
Thoroughly confused, Yue An crawled back out from under the blanket. He took a moment to groom his ruffled fur, licking his paw and washing his face, before leaping onto the Marshal's chest. He began to prance back and forth atop the blanket-covered torso.
Unable to ignore the disturbance any longer, Shu Jiuyun opened his eyes and pointed to a box in the corner of the room.
"Energy crystals," he mumbled, his voice husky and low from sleep, with a slight nasal quality that made it sound particularly alluring.
However, his sexy voice did nothing to improve his situation. Yue An, the sole audience for this performance, simply used the Marshal's chest as a springboard to leap off the bed, nearly winding him in the process. Shu Jiuyun rolled over with a groan, finally abandoning any hope of further sleep and sitting up.
Another busy day was about to begin for the Marshal, which meant Yue An would be alone in the house.
As Yue An crunched on the energy crystals, he watched Shu Jiuyun complete his morning routine and dress for the day, completely unabashed by the cat's presence. Feeling a slight surge of spiritual energy within him, Yue An let out a soft "meow" towards the Marshal.
Hearing the cat's call, Shu Jiuyun walked over with his light computer and placed it in front of Yue An. The previous communication device was still downstairs in the living room, but the thought of leaving Yue An alone all day with nothing to entertain himself seemed cruel. So, the Marshal decided to leave his light computer behind – he still had his remote-access wristband, after all.
Yue An lay atop the box of energy crystals, looking up at the Marshal.
"Meow!" Yue An extended a paw towards him.
Shu Jiuyun, who was adjusting his collar and cuffs, responded with a simple, "Hmm?"
Encouraged by the acknowledgment, Yue An's paw tip sparked with a thin bolt of electricity, finer than a needle. In the blink of an eye, a small tuft of the Marshal's hair was singed and curled.
"Meow!" Yue An swished his tail, his bright blue eyes gleaming as he gazed at Shu Jiuyun.
Young hero, consider this a free perm in exchange for all these energy crystals you've given me!