While Bai Qi was explaining the balance between positive and negative energy to Octavian, the face of Kromiz appeared on the screen before them.
The instant Kromiz appeared, Bai Qi and Octavian exchanged a glance. Bai Qi then looked at the screen and asked, "Kromiz, anything to report? Get to the point."
Perhaps aware of Kromiz's temperament, Bai Qi added a sentence after his question, which instantly deflated Kromiz, who had intended to elaborate extensively. He reorganized his thoughts and began, "Your Majesty, there's movement from Xandar, which you instructed me to monitor. About an hour ago, Ronan of the Kree Empire's flagship arrived at the outer perimeter of Xandar. According to calculations by the data department, Ronan will launch an attack on Xandar in less than half an hour."
Hearing Kromiz's report, Bai Qi's spirit immediately perked up. Bai Qi had long ago sent Kromiz with a portion of the fleet to lie in ambush near Xandar, knowing that Ronan, who had obtained the Power Stone, would attack Xandar first.
He just hadn't expected Ronan to be so incompetent, making no move for so long that Bai Qi had begun to doubt if the plot would even unfold.
But now it was good. Kromiz had sent word, and Ronan was heading to Xandar with his flagship, looking as if he intended to launch a full-scale assault.
To be honest, Xandar's technology wasn't particularly advanced, but the Kree Empire was hardly any better in comparison. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sought Thanos's help. However, now that Ronan had the Power Stone, he had become utterly arrogant. With the Power Stone's enhancement, he wouldn't even take Thanos seriously, let alone Xandar.
Thinking about soon having the Power Stone in his grasp, Bai Qi felt a slight thrill.
He immediately issued orders to Kromiz, "All warships to combat readiness. I'll be there immediately."
After speaking, Bai Qi glanced at Octavian beside him and asked, "How about it? Want to come with me and see the scenery of an alien planet?"
Octavian looked at the experiment that was halfway complete, then at Bai Qi, and shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. Compared to observing aliens, I'd rather complete the remaining experiment."
Seeing Octavian refuse, Bai Qi didn't press further. He turned and left the Shadow Kingdom.
Upon returning to Earth, Bai Qi received the coordinates sent by Kromiz. A smile played on his lips, and he instantly vanished from his spot. The next moment, he reappeared on Kromiz's flagship.
Bai Qi's sudden appearance startled everyone in the command center.
Although the command center was staffed by high-intelligence, low-combat individuals compared to the warriors outside, this was only relative to the demon race. For ordinary beings, even these unarmed civilian demons could tear them apart alive.
Just as all the civilian staff stood up, preparing to give the intruder a final, unforgettable lesson, Kromiz spoke.
"Are you all blind, you good-for-nothings? How dare you be so disrespectful to Your Majesty! Are you tired of living?"
Kromiz's adoration for Bai Qi had reached a frenzy; he could recognize Bai Qi in any guise. Bai Qi had no idea how Kromiz managed it, perhaps it was just talent.
Knowing the person before them was Bai Qi, the demons present did not hesitate. Almost simultaneously, they knelt and paid their respects.
"Alright, everyone, stand up."
Bai Qi waved his hand, signaling everyone to return to their posts. He then approached Kromiz and asked, "What is the situation with Ronan and his army?"
At this moment, Kromiz's eyes were solely focused on Bai Qi. After a long moment, he snapped back to reality and quickly operated the console, bringing up an image. "Your Majesty, please look. Ronan's flagship and army are completely under our control. They are currently en route to Xandar at full speed. If Your Majesty gives the order, with our strength, we can resolve this in ten minutes."
"No, that's not necessary."
Bai Qi continued, "What about the situation on Xandar?"
Speaking of Xandar, Kromiz's face was filled with disdain. "Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but the Xandarian high command is clearly a bunch of idiots. Not long ago, we received news that the Ravagers, led by Yondu, had sent a message to the Xandarian high command, informing them in advance of Ronan's imminent arrival. Yet, they have shown no action so far, not even sending out a single reconnaissance aircraft."
"Isn't that good?"
Bai Qi stroked his chin and said, "Let those foolish Xandarians wait. When Ronan's army arrives, they will surely catch them off guard. We just need to sit back and reap the benefits, intervening at an opportune moment."
"Your Majesty is wise."
As time passed, Ronan's flagship drew nearer to Xandar. However, compared to Ronan's flagship, a smaller mothership arrived in Xandar's airspace first.
The insignia emblazoned on the mothership indicated it belonged to the Ravagers.
The Ravager mothership hovered above Xandar, its ventral hatch opening. Small ships, like a swarm of bees, began to fly out.
Meanwhile, in the command center of Xandar's Supreme Council, a group of Xandarian officials were gathered. However, their presence here was not to deal with the approaching Ronan and his army, but due to the sudden appearance of the Ravager mothership and a large number of small Ravager ships.
The Ravagers' notoriety had already spread throughout the cosmos. Their sudden appearance in Xandar's airspace, deploying so many aggressive small ships, made it difficult not to associate them with unpleasant events.
As the group pointed and gestured at the holographic projection, a slightly plump man, who had previously failed to bring Star-Lord in, entered the command center and immediately met with Xandar's highest leader, the Nova Prime.
"A Ravager just delivered a message to me. He said Ronan obtained some sort of Infinity Stone and is heading for Xandar."
Before the Nova Prime could speak, a nearby commander interjected irritably, "It's just a ruse. Don't forget he's a criminal."
The Nova Prime raised a hand to silence the interjecting officer and asked the man, "Did he say why we should believe him?"
"He said they had just escaped from prison. If it weren't to save Xandar, they would have no reason to take such a risk."
After a moment's thought, the man added, "He said he is indeed a... jerk, but not just any jerk. To quote him directly, 'a complete and utter scumbag'."
"Do you believe him?"
"I don't know if there are 'complete and utter scumbags,' madam."
Clearly, the Nova Prime was not satisfied with the man's answer. "I'm asking if you believe he's here to help?"
This time, the man paused for a long moment before replying, "I do."