Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1978 1: Extra Story 1

One month later.

In the pitch-black starry sky, Long Bai and others stood on the observation deck of the ship, their expressions sorrowful as they gazed at the distant Forbidden God Abyss.

Ever since Su Ming entered the Forbidden God Abyss, the entire abyss has ceased expanding, but there has been no movement either.

At this moment, Yun Rou walked up to Long Bai and softly reported.

"Lord Long Bai, everything is ready."

Long Bai nodded slightly.

One by one, the ships opened their launch ports.

Bouquets of flowers and lotus lanterns were pushed into the dark void.

Everyone watched this scene, their eyes welling up with tears.

Then a peculiar cry echoed in the starry sky, followed by beautiful Star Spirits emitting blue starlight soaring out of the subspace, freely flying in the black starry sky. The areas they passed by had their space fractures smoothed and restored.

People watched the soaring Star Spirits, mournfully reminiscing about their deceased loved ones.

Thus, the great battle came to an official end, and to celebrate the rebirth after the battle, the Federation officially announced abandoning the Old Era in favor of the New Era!

....

Three years later.

New Era Year 0003, June 12.

In the office at the Federation Administrative Building on the Third Planet.

Long Bai bowed his head, approving documents.

Knock, knock~

At this moment, a series of knocks sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Long Bai spoke in a somewhat weary tone.

Creak~

The door was slowly pushed open, Ferion and Jone walked in.

"Lord Long Bai."

Ferion softly spoke.

"What's the matter?"

Long Bai replied indifferently without looking up.

"The statue in Starlight Square has been erected. Would you like to take a look?"

Ferion reported to Long Bai.

Upon hearing Ferion's words, Long Bai stopped his pen, finally stood up and said.

"Let's go!"

"Yes!"

Ferion and Jone responded promptly.

On the spacious street, a nondescript black hovercar headed towards Starlight Square outside the City Lord Mansion.

Long Bai leaned against the car window, watching the street scenery passing by.

High-rise skyscrapers projected special interviews on their outer walls.

A short-haired, professionally dressed, intelligent female host began to speak.

"Hello everyone, I am Dannie, the host. Today we specially invited the renowned scholar Mr. Mankoli, who will tell us about the current state of the Federation and its future development!"

"Thanks to the official invitation, and thank you all for watching. It's been three years since the final battle for the Federation, yet three years on the Federation's economy is still in crisis. That war caused too many casualties, consuming hundreds of years of Federation's accumulation, making it difficult to recover in the short term."

Mankoli said to everyone.

"Mr. Mankoli, isn't there any other way to recover quickly?"

The host Dannie immediately asked.

"There is, but the hope is slim. For example, recently many researchers have boarded exploration ships to study the Forbidden God Abyss, hoping for a breakthrough or to find Su Ming, the hero of the Federation."

Mankoli said while releasing a video.

The vast Star Sea showed an exploration ship flying around the edge of the giant Forbidden God Abyss.

...

Long Bai watched this scene, his eyes growing ever dimmer.

Moments later.

Long Bai, Ferion, and Jone arrived at Starlight Square.

In the center of Starlight Square, three statues towering hundreds of meters high stood. The statue on the far left was Isabella, in the middle was the Dragon String Council President, and on the right was Admiral Su Ming.

Long Bai stood quietly in the square, raising his head to look at Su Ming's statue, staring at that familiar face, his expression growing ever more desolate.

Time slipped away little by little.

As night fell, Long Bai still stood there quietly gazing at Su Ming's statue.

At this moment, Jone watched this scene and softly spoke to Ferion.

"Old Fei, since Su Ming's sacrifice, it seems Lord Long Bai has been feeling low."

"Alas! Not just low, almost every day he stays at the Federation Government, working constantly."

Ferion sighed helplessly.

Then Long Bai slowly turned to look at Ferion and Jone.

Ferion and Jone immediately stood upright, their expressions becoming very serious.

"It's late, you both should go back."

Long Bai calmly said.

"Lord Long Bai, let us stay here with you."

Ferion and Jone hesitated slightly, then replied.

"No need, work is over, go home and rest."

Long Bai replied indifferently.

Ferion and Jone exchanged a glance, then respectfully said.

"Yes!"

Then the two turned and left.

Long Bai stood alone, quietly gazing at Su Ming's statue, as a gentle breeze blew past, stirring her hair.

...

Deep into the night.

On a secluded street, Irelia wore a purple lace gown, her long hair draped over her shoulders, with the Star Trace Tears around her neck as she walked into a noodle shop and sat down.

Granny Cai saw Irelia and immediately hung a "closed" sign on the door.

"Two bowls of clear beef noodle soup."

Irelia said in a low, dejected voice.

Granny Cai noticed Irelia ordered two bowls again, sighed slightly, then turned to make it.

Soon, Granny Cai made two bowls of clear beef noodle soup, placing one in front of Irelia, the other beside her.

Irelia picked up her chopsticks and bowed her head, silently eating.

Granny Cai watched this scene, revealing a heartache expression.

Then a man in a black shirt, wearing a smile mask, walked over.

Granny Cai was taken aback when she saw the approaching figure, and before her, the man raised his hand to make a silence gesture towards her.

Then the man sat beside Irelia, speaking with a smile.

"Miss, this bowl of clear beef noodle soup seems to be uneaten, may I have it?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Irelia's body trembled slightly and raised her head to look at the man beside her.

At this moment, the man reached out, removed the smile mask, and revealed his face.

Looking at the youth she longed for every night right before her, Irelia could no longer hold back and directly reached out to embrace him, her eyes moist as she said.

"You're back."

"Yes, I'm back!"

Su Ming stroked Irelia's hair, speaking softly.

After a long time, Irelia slowly let go, raising her head to look at Su Ming and asked confusedly.

"How did you get out alive?"

"Hehe, naturally, with my great strength, I defeated the will of the Forbidden Abyss God!"

Su Ming showed a very proud expression.

Irelia immediately reached out and pinched Su Ming's waist, laughing as she spoke.

"Are you sure? Then why come back now?"

"Ouch, ouch! I'll tell you!"

Su Ming spoke in pain.

"Speak!"

Irelia let go of her hand, smiling as she looked at Su Ming.

"Actually, I persuaded it."

"How did you persuade?"

"It happened like this, when I went inside, I intended to kill the Forbidden Abyss God. But, being a cosmic entity, it couldn't be touched or destroyed. It could only be weakened through self-destruction. Just as I was prepared to sacrifice nobly, it seemed fearful as well, choosing to communicate with me. Then I had a sudden idea and said this to the Forbidden Abyss God: if I die, it is impossible to find a representative as outstanding as me again, otherwise it wouldn't have chosen me. Plus, the Federation outside is holding fast, giving it no chance; better to reach a cooperation with us."

"Cooperation?"