Chapter 22: Ge Xiaolun: Let's Add Each Other as Friends

"If you put in a little effort, it’s not entirely out of reach, is it?"

Such a blunt and provocative remark caused Ge Xiaolun and Angel Yan to lock eyes, both wearing the same ambiguous, half-smiling expression. In the silence, genuine provocation and feigned intimacy intertwined, rapidly weaving a web of mutual testing.

Ge Xiaolun shook off his previous touch of solemnity, stood up with a smile, and faced the graceful Angel Yan. Under her amused gaze, he reached out his index finger and, just as she had teased him earlier, gently brushed her smooth, fair chin.

"Although I don't know why you're so pleased with me, if the wives the Angels send my way are all as beautiful as you, I wouldn't mind taking on a few."

Ge Xiaolun said this with a chuckle, finding the situation quite amusing. On one hand, he had to pretend he knew nothing. On the other, Angel Yan, believing him to be oblivious, was teasing, flirting, and seducing him as if he were a naive, inexperienced youth. Yet, from his perspective, watching her enjoy the act of seducing him while he knew exactly what was happening felt like watching his future wife play at being coy and arrogant.

"Hey... what do you mean 'a few'?"

Angel Yan let out a huff at his words. She put her hands on her hips, masking her amusement with a feigned look of indignation. "Angels are the embodiment of beauty and justice. Every Angel is incredibly noble and honorable. You actually want a few?"

While she hadn't spent much time dwelling on the idea that Ge Xiaolun might be a bit of a flirt, hearing him say it so brazenly still warranted a rebuttal. If a child doesn't learn to behave, they must be taught.

"Ha... don't think I can't count."

Ge Xiaolun didn't fall for her act at all. He scoffed, "Setting aside my life as a mortal, from the very first day I became a Super Soldier, I learned from the Power of the Galaxy that I possess the highest-level energy and the greatest potential in the known universe. It told me I am destined to be the main god of the Milky Way, carrying the hopes of many other gods. It told me much more. I even suspect that one day, I might become supreme."

Angel Yan was momentarily stunned, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. This child being too smart was a problem in itself.

"So, once I independently controlled the Power of the Galaxy, I naturally set conditions for Teacher Rui and the others. It was natural for them to regard me with such special importance, natural for me to receive such uncharacteristic enthusiasm from a stranger like you, and just as natural for you to accept all of this."

Ge Xiaolun shrugged dismissively. "So, regardless of why you are so close and enthusiastic toward me, to me, no one—no woman—can dictate my affairs. On the contrary, if you Angels truly like me and wish to establish a close relationship, it depends on whether I like you, or whether you are worthy of me. What do you think?"

He curled his lips slightly, a smile hidden within.

Angel Yan watched him, gazing at the depth and confidence in his youthful eyes. Her red lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

"Ha... this conversation is boring. Let's change the subject." A few seconds later, she scoffed as if in disdain and turned her head away.

The logic was too airtight for her to argue against; she had to accept this rare defeat in her long life as a god.

Ge Xiaolun glanced at her with a faint smile, deciding not to push her any further. He looked back at the pile of shattered armor and limbs on the ground and sighed. "I don't really think this battle was as excellent as you claim... though, I suppose it was a little bit excellent."

"Possessing the highest energy and defeating aliens who cannot even drive dark energy doesn't bring me much pride."

"I was just thinking that if my reaction speed had been faster, Qiangwei wouldn't have been injured."

He raised the God-Slaying Sniper Rifle in his hand, a flicker of depth passing through his eyes. After a brief internal summary of the lesson, he stopped blaming himself for his carelessness. He had realized that this accident was partly due to his own negligence. Staying put like a fool after killing the enemy was a sign that he hadn't truly taken the Taotie on Earth seriously. This made him realize more profoundly that while his understanding of the original narrative wasn't wrong, everything was subject to change, and he still needed to be careful.

This time there was a change; perhaps there would be many more in the future. He could only accept them—accept them willingly. On the other hand, it was his own lack of capability. With his current skills, he could protect himself, but he lacked the aptitude to handle more complex situations.

"There's no need to be so harsh on yourself. After all, you're just a rookie who hasn't even undergone basic training; you aren't even a new recruit yet."

Listening to him, a soft light flickered in Angel Yan's eyes as she smiled slightly. "Combat proficiency and reaction speed cannot be compensated for by intelligence alone; they require extensive training."

*By Queen Keisha... she really is her student! This new Power of the Galaxy is truly going to be the death of me!*

Angel Yan’s phoenix eyes sparkled as she looked at Ge Xiaolun, who was always lost in thought. No one knew the depth of her inner sigh. At least before today, she never imagined that the Power of the Galaxy mentioned by Queen Keisha would be so emotionally stirring.

"I do need training, of course, but that is a matter for later." Ge Xiaolun changed the subject, looking at the approaching helicopter and then back at Angel Yan. "Speaking of which, are your so-called negotiations over? Roughly when will you be leaving Earth?"

Angel Yan raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into an uninhibited curve. "Are you reluctant to see me go?"

"Let's exchange contact information. Perhaps we can discuss some collaboration in the future," Ge Xiaolun said earnestly, ignoring her constant teasing.

"Collaboration?"

Angel Yan's expression turned somewhat strange. "Given the current situation on Earth, are you sure you don't mean 'seeking help'?"

Exchanging contact info was no big deal, and she didn't need to mock Ge Xiaolun for it. But the word "collaboration" was truly unexpected and even felt a bit amusing. Who in the known universe didn't know about Earth's current predicament? Given the intelligence Ge Xiaolun had displayed, she assumed he should be able to see it clearly as well. She just didn't expect him to be so... concerned about face.

"Think what you want. Just tell me if you're giving it to me or not." Ge Xiaolun looked at her calmly.

He knew exactly what the gods of the universe were thinking, including the Angels. In the original story, Earth was always the one seeking help or being helped, only changing slightly in the later stages. Everyone, including the people of Earth, assumed that was how it should be. But he had never thought that way.

Although, if he were to swallow his pride and say to Angel Yan, "Dear, I don't want to work for it anymore," the people of Earth might be able to enjoy a period of comfort.

"How could I possibly refuse a friend request from the mighty Power of the Galaxy?"

Angel Yan certainly didn't refuse. She nodded with a smile and exchanged contact details with him. Furthermore, to ensure she could be reached at any time, she specifically gave him a way to contact her through the Knowledge Treasury.

"Aren't you curious about what I discussed with the Super Seminary?" She raised an eyebrow again, smiling.

Regardless, Ge Xiaolun's sudden proposal to exchange contact info made her realize that his perspective had indeed reached a certain height.

Ge Xiaolun shook his head directly. "I'm not interested in those things for now."

After a moment's thought, he looked at her earnestly. "Later, I may go to places on Earth that involve classified information; I probably won't be able to take you with me. Let me know when you leave Earth. Since we’ve met, let’s not have you leave without a word. Perhaps I can even see you off."

"Alright."

Angel Yan glanced at the helicopter beginning to hover, and at a dark alloy transport plane approaching from a distance. She nodded with a smile.

"Little brat, remember to keep in touch."

As she spoke, she reached out to flick Ge Xiaolun's cheek, then beat her wings, soared into the sky, and quickly disappeared into the horizon.

She hadn't said whether she was leaving right then or not. Ge Xiaolun shook his head slightly. He wasn't in a hurry anyway; he would just ask again in a while.

His gaze soon shifted to the dark alloy transport plane, watching it descend slowly nearby and seeing a familiar black-clad figure step out. Several helicopters were now hovering in the nearby air, and in the distance, a few tanks and artillery vehicles were arriving, while a police car slowly stopped in a corner not far away.

The broken road was no longer silent; the deafening roar of helicopter rotors and bright searchlights filled the entire battlefield.

"Xiaolun, are you alright?"