"By the way," Rowan suddenly said, turning toward Luo Feng. "Even though I can't return to Earth with you right now, I have a small favor to ask."
"A favor?" Luo Feng asked curiously.
"If it's not too much trouble, when I contact you after I've finished handling things at the Virtual Universe Company, could you prepare some specialties from Earth for me?"
Rowan rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Especially the local foods. I'd really like to taste home again."
"That's easy," Luo Feng replied without hesitation.
"I already know what you like. Remember? Your favorite was always Longjing tea, and those traditional Suzhou-style mooncakes."
"Haha, your memory is incredible."
Rowan laughed.
"You're right. The fragrance of Longjing tea and the delicate texture of Suzhou mooncakes have always represented the taste of home for me."
"Then I'll bring you the very best."
Luo Feng nodded seriously.
"Fresh pre-Qingming Longjing from West Lake and handmade mooncakes from Suzhou's oldest bakeries. The authentic stuff."
"And if possible," Rowan added, "bring some specialties from other regions too. Things like twisted fried dough snacks, noodle dishes, local desserts. I want to experience all those familiar flavors again."
"Looks like you really miss Earth's food."
Luo Feng chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'll make a complete list and gather the most representative specialties I can find."
"Then I'll be looking forward to that day."
Rowan's eyes shone with anticipation.
"Just imagine it. Sitting in a Virtual Universe Company office, handling work while enjoying food from home. That sounds perfect."
"You'd better be careful," Luo Feng teased.
"If your coworkers find out you're hiding all those treasures, they'll be jealous."
"Haha, maybe I'll share a little."
Rowan grinned.
"Let them experience the charm of Earth's culture too."
The ship gradually settled into its assigned docking berth.
The two friends began gathering their belongings.
Though they were about to part ways, neither felt particularly sad.
Instead, they were filled with anticipation for the future and confidence that they would meet again.
"Remember our promise," Rowan said as he prepared to leave the ship.
"Once I've finished handling company business, we'll return to Earth together and enjoy the warmth of home."
"I won't forget."
Luo Feng nodded solemnly.
"I'll be waiting for you on Earth. And I'll have plenty of surprises prepared."
"Then I'll look forward to it."
Rowan extended his hand.
"May we both find success on our own paths and reunite in our homeland."
"May our friendship endure, and may our home always remain beautiful."
Luo Feng clasped Rowan's hand firmly.
"I'll be waiting for our reunion on Earth."
In the station's premium commercial district, Rowan quickly contacted the transportation department of the Virtual Universe Company and arranged his return journey.
As a core member of the organization, he enjoyed significant privileges.
The company immediately dispatched an advanced escort frigate to bring him back to headquarters.
"Estimated arrival in three hours," the captain's voice came through the communicator.
"Please wait at the designated boarding area, Mr. Rowan."
"Understood. I'll be there on time."
Rowan ended the call.
He still had several hours to spare, which gave him enough time to deal with the transport ship they had seized from the Black Shark Mercenary Group.
Although the vessel was impressive, keeping it would likely cause future complications.
As he had already concluded, the smartest option was to hand it over to the station's security authorities.
They could investigate and process it legally.
Rowan headed to the station's Security Administration Office, where ship registrations, inspections, and ownership disputes were handled.
When he explained the situation, the duty officer immediately became interested.
"You obtained this vessel from a mercenary group?"
The officer was a middle-aged blue-skinned alien whose experienced eyes carefully examined Rowan.
"Could you explain exactly what happened?"
"Certainly."
Rowan briefly summarized their encounter within the Mist Forbidden Zone.
Naturally, he omitted certain sensitive details.
He simply explained that they had been attacked by the mercenaries and had acquired the ship while acting in self-defense.
"The Black Shark Mercenary Group?"
The officer frowned.
"We do have records on them. They're suspects in multiple robbery and assault cases."
"If your statement is accurate, your actions fall entirely within the legal definition of self-defense."
"And the ship?"
"We'll conduct a full investigation. If it's confirmed to be legitimate salvage or a lawful war prize, we'll process it according to interstellar law."
The officer nodded.
"You may authorize us to handle the vessel on your behalf. After deducting administrative fees, the remaining value will be transferred to you."
"That works for me."
Rowan agreed immediately.
He had never intended to keep the ship anyway.
After completing the paperwork, Rowan waited in one of the station's luxury lounges.
The facility was exceptionally comfortable, offering entertainment venues, restaurants, and enormous observation windows overlooking the stars.
As time passed, Rowan sipped a drink and thought about his return to the company.
He would need to report everything that had happened during his leave before resuming his research duties.
Although he had failed to obtain the inheritance of the ancient civilization, the experience itself had provided valuable inspiration for his cultivation path.
"Sir, your ship has arrived."
A waiter approached respectfully.
"Thank you. I'll head over now."
Rowan settled his bill and left the lounge.
As he stepped into the corridor, his instincts immediately warned him that something was wrong.
Several individuals in the crowd were clearly watching him.
Their movements were disciplined and coordinated.
These were not ordinary travelers.
Could it be...?
Rowan's heart tightened.
He subtly increased his pace.
Even though he and Luo Feng had acted carefully, it seemed someone had still tracked them down.
Sure enough, after turning a corner, three familiar figures appeared ahead.
The leader was Karl.
His gloomy face was twisted with hatred and fury.
Beside him stood Old Wu and another surviving mercenary.
"Rowan."
Karl sneered.
"We meet again."
"This time, there are no ancient traps or mystical ruins to save you."
"Karl? What are you doing here?"
Rowan feigned surprise while rapidly assessing the situation.
"Drop the act," Old Wu snarled.
"From the moment you conveniently appeared in our team, I knew something was suspicious."
"Now it's obvious."
"You were after the treasure from the very beginning."
"I've told you repeatedly," Rowan replied patiently.
"We didn't take anything from those ruins."
"We never touched a single treasure."
"You still dare lie?"
Karl exploded.
"We searched the entire ruin and found nothing!"
"If we don't have the treasure, then who does?"
"And you stole our ship!"
"That ship was taken while defending ourselves from your pursuit."
Rowan remained calm.
"Besides, I just handed it over to station security."
"What?!"
Karl's face instantly darkened.
"You handed our ship to the authorities?"
"Damn it!"
"There was important data aboard!"
The moment those words left Karl's mouth, Rowan became even more certain.
There was definitely something suspicious about these mercenaries.
Most organizations would not react so strongly to losing a ship.
Unless that vessel contained something they desperately wanted hidden.
"No matter what," Karl growled through clenched teeth.
"You're going to pay."
"We lost too many brothers in the Mist Forbidden Zone."
"This debt must be settled."
"This is a public facility."
Rowan glanced around.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
"Relax."
Karl smiled coldly.
"We won't attack here."
"But sooner or later you'll leave this station."
"We have plenty of time."
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.
A squad of station security officers was rapidly approaching.
Apparently, Rowan's earlier report had already drawn attention.
"Damn it."
Old Wu's expression changed.
"Security's here. What do we do?"
"Withdraw."
Karl made the decision instantly.
"We'll find another opportunity."
The three men quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Rowan exhaled slowly.
But he knew the problem was far from over.
If these mercenaries had tracked him this far, they clearly possessed considerable resources and connections.
They would not give up easily.
"Sir, are you alright?"
The security team leader approached.
"We received reports of suspicious activity."
"A few people were following me," Rowan answered honestly.
"They may be connected to the mercenary group I reported earlier."
"We'll increase patrols."
The officer handed him a contact code.
"If anything happens again, notify us immediately."
"Understood."
Rowan continued toward the boarding area while maintaining full vigilance.
Sure enough, as he neared his destination, he felt that familiar sensation of being watched once again.
The Virtual Universe Company's transport vessel was already waiting.
It was a sleek escort frigate painted in the organization's signature blue-and-white colors.
Soft streams of energy shimmered across its hull, showcasing its advanced technology.
"Mr. Rowan?"
A middle-aged man in company uniform stepped forward.
"I'm the captain of this vessel. It's an honor to serve you."
"Thank you."
Rowan nodded.
"Can we depart immediately?"
"Of course."
"All preparations are complete."
"Please follow me."
Just as Rowan approached the boarding ramp, disaster struck.
Several laser beams suddenly erupted from behind nearby structures and shot directly toward him.
"Look out!"
The captain shouted.
The frigate's defense systems activated instantly.
A blue energy shield expanded outward and intercepted the attack.
At the same time, emergency alarms echoed throughout the docking zone.
"So they actually dared to attack here."
Rowan's eyes flashed with anger.
These mercenaries had truly lost their minds.
Launching an assault in such a public location was practically suicide.
"All personnel cease fire immediately and surrender your weapons!"
Station security forces rushed onto the scene.
But the Black Shark Mercenary Group had no intention of surrendering.
"Kill him!"
Karl's furious roar echoed through the chaos.
"Even if we die today, we'll avenge our fallen brothers!"
A fierce firefight erupted throughout the docking district.
Laser weapons flashed across the area like deadly streaks of lightning.
The station's security forces were well-equipped, but the mercenaries were experienced combatants.
For a brief moment, neither side could gain a decisive advantage.
"Mr. Rowan!"
The captain shouted from behind the shield barrier.
"Board immediately! We need to leave!"
But at that critical moment, powerful spatial fluctuations suddenly spread across the outer sector of the station.
Everyone looked up.
Then three colossal warships emerged from empty space.
Each vessel radiated overwhelming power.
Their mere presence dominated the battlefield.
A thunderous voice echoed through every communication channel.
"This is the Seventh Battle Fleet of the Virtual Universe Company."
"All hostile personnel are ordered to cease hostilities immediately."
"Failure to comply will result in full consequences."
The moment the fleet appeared, the battle stopped.
Both the security forces and the mercenaries froze.
No one dared challenge warships of this caliber.
"Impossible!"
Old Wu stared in disbelief.
"Why would the Virtual Universe Company's fleet be here?"
"Our intelligence showed no military operations in this sector!"
Karl's face had turned pale.
"Who exactly is this Rowan?"
"Anyone capable of mobilizing a fleet from the Virtual Universe Company can't be an ordinary person."
In truth, the fleet's arrival was no coincidence.
As a core member of the organization, Rowan's safety was continuously monitored.
The moment the system detected that he was under attack, the nearest fleet had received emergency deployment orders.
"All units, attention."
The fleet commander issued his next command.
"Begin area-clearing operations."
"Arrest all hostile participants."
Dozens of fighter craft launched from the three warships.
Flying in flawless formation, they rapidly sealed off the entire docking district.
Simultaneously, large-scale teleportation systems activated.
Squads of heavily armed company soldiers materialized directly onto the battlefield.
"Damn it!"
Karl's expression changed dramatically.
"We walked straight into a trap!"
"Retreat! Move! Don't let them capture us!"
But it was already too late.
The Virtual Universe Company's troops were elite professionals with superior equipment, flawless coordination, and overwhelming numerical superiority.
Within moments, the remaining members of the Black Shark Mercenary Group found themselves completely surrounded.
-------------------------------
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