These students considered themselves exceptional, but that was merely among ordinary people. A figure like Bai Yunpeng was someone even their fathers would treat with respect.

Many of them had originally known Chen Gu only as someone "with great potential," hence they were willing to engage with him. It was only tonight that they truly understood: if ordinary people were on the first level, they themselves were on the third, and as for Chen Gu... he had strapped a rocket to his backside and WHOOSHED straight into space.

In the competition arena, the atmosphere was still fervent! The fans had their fill of excitement tonight, engaging in spirited discussions and somewhat reluctant to leave. The Alliance was quite generous, deciding on the spot to produce a batch of "commemorative coins" for tonight's event. Every spectator who had attended would receive one.

After they were made, they would be mailed to each audience member.

The audience cheered once again, then reluctantly started to exit the venue.

Chen Gu wanted to see everyone out, but his classmates quickly declined. "No need, you stay with Marshal Bai. We're classmates; no need for such formality with us."

Then, these students lined up one by one before Bai Yunpeng to show their faces. "Uncle Bai, we're heading back first."

"Go ahead, go ahead." Bai Yunpeng was in an excellent mood tonight, his attitude extremely amiable.

Bai Zhijin was very perplexed. After they came out, he quietly found Liao Mingliang and Fan Yutong, with whom he was on good terms, and asked in a low voice, "Who is that man? It looks like you all know him?"

Liao Mingliang whispered in his ear, "Central Operations Room, one of the three giants, Marshal Bai Yunpeng!"

"HISS—" Bai Zhijin took a sharp breath. This was a big shot whose name he often saw in military news! And who among those who applied for the Tiangong Military Division didn't dream of becoming a marshal?

Bai Yunpeng was definitely an idol.

He looked back at Marshal Bai, who was arm in arm with Chen Gu, and had to admit that he felt envious once more.

Fan Yutong patted his shoulder. "Let's go. Chen Gu and us... are no longer on the same level—truly unbelievable!"

Wasn't he jealous? He was even more jealous than Bai Zhijin.

Chen Gu accompanied Bai Yunpeng as they left the competition arena. All along the way, undercover guards continually converged beside Bai Yunpeng. These people were all hidden in key positions around the arena, covertly ensuring Bai Yunpeng's safety.

Chen Gu wasn't surprised at all; the security level for military dignitaries was definitely very high. Otherwise, if anything happened, it would greatly impact the entire military.

Outside the gate, a motorcade was waiting. Chen Gu stopped. "See you next time, Marshal Bai!"

But Bai Yunpeng suddenly grabbed him. "Come with me." Without further ado, he pulled Chen Gu into his car. Chen Gu was baffled, and before he had the chance to ask, Bai Yunpeng's guards got into their respective vehicles, and the motorcade swiftly set off.

"Marshal Bai?"

Bai Yunpeng smiled faintly and said, "There's an operation tonight. I just suddenly thought, if you go back alone, you might become a target for those lunatics, so it's safer to be with me."

Chen Gu immediately understood and exclaimed in shock, "Someone is targeting you? Indeed, they must be lunatics... no, not lunatics, that's completely foolish!"

Bai Yunpeng explained, "It should be people from True Knowledge Sin."

Chen Gu said, "They are indeed lunatics, but this is like an egg striking a stone; they're seeking their own deaths."

One of the three giants of the Central Operations Room, a marshal with real military power—his personal guard force was unquestionably strong.

In the era of the mother planet, it was possible for military leaders of some weaker countries to be assassinated by enemies. But in this era, such occurrences were virtually impossible, especially for the four major Star Nations, whose defenses in this regard were impeccable.

Bai Yunpeng said, "For a long time, those lunatics from True Knowledge Sin seemed to have suddenly disappeared."

"But recently, our intelligence department has picked up some faint clues. Their activities have suddenly become more frequent. After gathering and analyzing intelligence from various sources, we found out that their target is actually me. Haha!"

Marshal Bai also laughed. "I thought about it. Rather than let them lurk in the dark, I'd use myself as bait to draw them out. That's why I've made sure to attend every match recently, allowing them to track my movements."

Chen Gu had a sudden realization. Those who play tactics indeed have dark hearts!

Marshal Bai laughed sheepishly. "Two birds with one stone—I did, in fact, want to watch the matches, so I guess this is using my public role for a bit of personal benefit."

"This probably won't be possible after tonight, as my schedule is indeed very tight, and I hardly have this much free time."

Chen Gu asked, "Does True Knowledge Sin have that much power, enough to defeat these guards around you?"

"That's why tonight is a rare opportunity. Two of my high-Energy Level professional bodyguards have been sent on other missions for some reason, making this the moment when our defenses are at their weakest."

Chen Gu laughed.

"I just thought of it suddenly," Bai Yunpeng continued. "True Knowledge Sin has always been cunning and vicious. In case they get a crazy idea to ambush you halfway and then use you to threaten me... that's also a potential threat, so I decided to pull you in."

Chen Gu said cheerfully, "Then I'll join Marshal Bai in watching a good show."

Marshal Bai said, "We can't let our guard down. According to our intelligence, True Knowledge Sin has recently been in secret contact with certain forces, seeking support."

"Since they're making a move again, it's likely they've found some external assistance. And we have yet to figure out who these forces willing to support them really are."

Chen Gu speculated, "Star State?"

Bai Yunpeng nodded. "Star State and the Empire are both possibilities."

"Star State suffered a great loss at the hands of the Dean and has been looking for ways to retaliate. And the Empire, after their last operation against your Bureau of Mystic Security failed and they lost both resources and personnel, will certainly not let things rest, given their nature."

The two chatted idly as the convoy made its way to a secluded district.

This place was similar to Wuzhaoyin City's "Gods' Poison," but since it was located on Capital Star, it was a bit better off than "Gods' Poison"—at least not completely devoid of law and order.

Suddenly, the warrior driving the car turned back and said, "Marshal Bai, there is strong electromagnetic interference."

With a HUM, the convoy slowly descended, its maglev suspension system having failed.

But Bai Yunpeng's vehicles were military models. Just before landing awkwardly, they extended four wheels from underneath their chassis. As soon as they touched the ground, they powered up and swiftly moved forward, preparing to break out of the area.

Suddenly, bright spots of light flew towards them from the front, back, left, and right.

Commanders' urgent shouts erupted from the convoy: "They're man-portable missiles, military weapons!"

"Activate the 'Bee Swarm' energy generator, initiate defense!"

Several small energy generators were launched, arranging themselves outside the convoy in a fixed pattern. Then, with a BUZZ, they activated simultaneously, the counteracting energy pulses they produced connecting to form an "energy shield."