When he saw Yanran breaking free from those trying to capture her and swiftly preparing to counterattack, he quietly praised her, thinking her actions: calm, swift, and well-handled.

However, he was somewhat disapproving that she didn't take the initiative to draw her bow and shoot, choosing instead to wait until those smugglers prepared to attack her before counterattacking.

Such kindness! Do you really need to consider so many things for these bloodstained smugglers and robbers?! Being ruthless would not be too much!

But the archery Yanran displayed against those thugs trying to attack him truly impressed him.

Even if he were to do it himself, apart from being faster, more accurate, and more powerful, there was no way he could handle it better than her.

In other words, in terms of skill, the only advantage he had over Yanran was greater strength. Given time, Yanran would gradually approach his level.

When Jiang Cheng saw Yanran once again being moved by Old Bit's pitiful demeanor and hesitating to act, he felt his disciple was not just overly sympathetic but downright foolish!

Do you really need to wait until those smugglers are charging at you with weapons, threatening your life, before you start to counterattack?

Jiang Cheng felt that when there was time, he needed to teach his female disciple a good lesson, quoting an ancient saying from the Hua Family on the Water Ball: "Strike first to gain the upper hand, strike later and suffer the consequence."

This seemingly simple phrase actually contains profound wisdom, fundamentally emphasizing the importance of timing.

Jiang Cheng felt it was necessary to do so, of course, he also needed to tell her about stories where kindness led to defeats, and even the annihilation of a family like the Qu Family.

Such stories were numerous throughout the long history of the Hua Family.

He believed she would be interested.

When he saw Old Bit pleading pitifully with Yanran for his life, Jiang Cheng even felt a slight admiration for the old fellow.

Tears came so easily—this wasn't a simple act.

As for his words, actions, expressions, etc., Jiang Cheng felt Old Bit's performance was overly dramatic, comparable at best to the traffic celebrities in the Hua Family from over a hundred years ago—he couldn't bear to watch.

Yet his naive female disciple believed him, unable to decide how to deal with the old man who, despite his pitiful appearance, was clearly deceitful.

Jiang Cheng scratched his head. Though his female disciple had superhuman sporting abilities and a physique that amazed others, he was skeptical when people praised her intelligence.

If being fooled by Old Bit once was understandable, being deceived by the same person again, especially after he just tricked you, could only show one thing: foolishness!

Intelligent? That's impossible.

Jiang Cheng thought it necessary to test his female disciple's intelligence; he was quite suspicious of whether the harsh environment had affected her.

The Little Flaming Firebird once again gained Jiang Cheng's favor.

Look at this bird—even she knew that Old Bit meant harm to her master and twice chirped in warning, yet her master still fell for the cunning old man's trap.

Humans are less than birds!

But Jiang Cheng remained unmoved; he wanted to watch until this play reached its conclusion.

So, when Old Bit pressed the button and the bomb was about to explode, he shielded Yanran with the protective barrier he released just in time.

Of course, the Little Flaming Firebird was included.

He had a certain level of fondness for Little Flaming Crow, the supporting role in this play. He believed the presence of the Little Flaming Firebird had a significant safeguarding role for his female disciple's life.

He, Jiang Cheng, "Protector of the Water Ball," holder of titles like "Cosmic Miracle," yet his first disciple's safety still required a bird—although a remarkable bird—to protect. Wouldn't people die of laughter if they knew?

In any case, based on what happened, he could only give his female disciple a score of 59.

Consider it a trial exercise.

"Let's go." He called out to Yanran, as without prompting, there was no telling how long his female disciple intended to keep hugging that bird.

"Teacher, how long have you been back?" Yanran enthusiastically asked Jiang Cheng, though it seemed a bit contrived since she was naturally not a very warm-hearted girl. In fact, she lacked eloquence, similar to her teacher in this regard.

For a long time.

"Then you saw everything? Why didn't you save me?" Yanran preemptively questioned.

Jiang Cheng had to explain, as he asked, "Do you have anything else to pack?"

Is there anything else to pack? Yanran looked back at the cave she had lived in for a long time; everything that needed gathering had been packed, and she brought some exquisite trinkets those elders made for her as mementos.

No more." Yanran said with a forced smile.

This sentimental girl again thought of those elders; may they rest long beneath the earth.

"Then let's go." Jiang Cheng finished speaking and led the way to the two transport ships.

"You can pilot it, right?" Jiang Cheng suddenly remembered something, pointing at one of the transport ships.

"Yes, when I was on the planet, I learned how to pilot it, and I even have a license." Yanran replied.

Jiang Cheng said nothing more and walked towards the transport ship. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Yanran hurriedly picked up the Little Flaming Firebird and followed.

"Oh yes, Teacher, did you manage the mothership?" Yanran suddenly remembered to ask.

"Mm." Jiang Cheng responded briefly.

Behind Jiang Cheng, Yanran playfully stuck out her tongue.

The two transport ships took off in succession, and through the cockpit, the Little Flaming Firebird saw the forest where she was born and chirped "gaga."

Jiang Cheng witnessed Yanran confronting the smugglers, and he wasn't entirely satisfied with Yanran's performance. However, this might have been her first real fight, and her first kill, even if it was a bad guy, after all, she was still a girl— her kindness and hesitation could be excused.

Everything was ready; Jiang Cheng and Yanran boarded the transport ships left by the smugglers to head to their Cosmic Gunboat, preparing to bid farewell to this Nameless Planet. Jiang Cheng didn't mind; he was just a passerby on this planet.

But Yanran, who had lived here for decades, although her companions now slept peacefully underground, found it hard to leave.

Feeling the same was her little pet, the Little Flaming Crow; this emotionally intelligent bird began to chirp "gaga" uncontrollably when she saw the forest where she grew up from the transport ship.

It was as if she too knew it was time to say goodbye to her homeland.