According to common sense, the airport is a restricted area for all birds.

But this rule obviously doesn't apply to Xiao Jiu. Being a Pure Light Sparrow, it grew up at the airport and is extremely familiar with the takeoff and landing activities of aircraft. It often preys on various insects in the grass near the runways and aprons, and the airport radar ignores Xiao Jiu's presence (because it truly can't see it). The 911 Aircrew Base doesn't even have unnecessary bird-detection radar.

As a private enterprise, the military contractor doesn't have so many rules. Even pilots are allowed to have some lapses, so what's wrong with employees having a pet bird? Boss Hanna sees nothing wrong with it either, especially since Xiao Jiu is the team favorite and even the company is named after it.

The advanced trainer carrying trainees Chen Shan and Ding Xiu just took off, and Pure Light Sparrow Xiao Jiu flapped its small wings and launched into the sky right after them, its speed not much slower than the jet-powered advanced trainer.

Not only did the bird-detection radar of the National Defense Star's exclusive airport immediately detect Xiao Jiu's presence, but Xiao Jiu, entering a high-speed state, also had a bright trail of light that was clearly visible from the ground.

Only Shen Fei seemed a little worried; everyone else was nonchalant.

The Pure Light Sparrow is a magical beast, and magical beasts aren't stupid—some have intelligence not inferior to humans. Moreover, the two flying the advanced trainer aren't blind, and their vision is superior to ordinary people. The chance of a collision is almost nonexistent.

Glancing at the light trail flying in another direction, Sky Knight Sun Ruzheng tentatively asked, "'Rookie,' your little bird should have mastered the Human Rank Third Order 'Element Dispel,' right?"

The Human Rank Third Order 'Element Dispel,' a Light-based spell, can disperse elemental energy other than the Light series, causing formed spells to dissipate on the spot.

Under normal circumstances, 'Element Dispel' has no effect on industrial technological products. Although the Crystal Jet is powered by elemental energy, it may be somewhat affected, but a Third Order spell isn't enough to pose a threat.

However, if a high-rank existence casts this Light-based spell, it's a different matter.

A Human Rank Third Order spellcaster casting a Third Order spell and a Human Rank Ninth Order caster casting the same spell have completely different powers.

Rank doesn't mean the spell effect is confined to a certain range; instead, it represents the starting point—the higher the rank, the greater the upper and lower power limits of the spell.

"Of course!"

Chen Fei nodded naturally.

Xiao Jiu is already Human Rank Ninth Order; low-tier spells, no matter how poorly adaptable, can easily be mastered by it.

"Hiss!~"

Sun Ruzheng felt a bit of a toothache.

If his ride receives a close-up bout of 'Element Dispel' from Xiao Jiu during high-intensity maneuvers, the outcome could be disastrous—minor transformations or even mid-air disintegration could occur, depending purely on whether it hits a critical, life-threatening point.

However, under normal circumstances, the Crystal Jet isn't so easy to approach. Surely, the onboard Magic Shield and the Protective Barrier aren't just decorative? Especially since the Protective Barrier isn't composed of elemental energy, the spell 'Element Dispel' is ineffective against it.

"What are you worried about?"

Seeing Sun Ruzheng's reaction, Chen Fei chuckled and pressed further, "If Xiao Jiu had participated in the ranking battles back then, would you still think the rankings held any significance?"

This statement doesn't sound like pressing further at all.

"Don't joke around, how can a Pure Light Sparrow participate in ranking battles!"

Sun Ruzheng shook his head vehemently, much like Confucius caught red-handed stealing books, bristling, claiming that a scholar's actions couldn't possibly be considered stealing.

In his view, mid-to-low-rank Light-element magical beasts lack decent attack spells; if Xiao Jiu participated in ranking battles, it would likely just be to act cute.

Chen Fei smiled slyly, "My Pure Light Sparrow is Ninth Order!"

"Eh?" ×2

Not just Sun Ruzheng, even Shen Fei was shocked.

"You, are you crazy?"

Sun Ruzheng looked at Chen Fei, utterly incredulous.

Using resources to raise a mere Pure Light Sparrow to Human Rank Ninth Order—if used on other magical beasts, it might even reach Earth Order. Isn't possessing an Earth Order magical beast enticing?

Shen Fei, holding her mouth, was too surprised to speak.

Xiao Jiu, after all, is a Pure Light Sparrow; reaching Human Rank Fourth or Fifth Order is already incredibly rare—Ninth Order, is it still a Pure Light Sparrow?

"I want to see if it can be raised to Heavenly Order!"

Chen Fei decided to see it through to the end; Xiao Jiu was already Human Rank Ninth Order. He wanted to see the little one's rank limit.

The Light Elemental Holy Crystal in his hand was the best cultivation resource. ChapterprovidedviaM|V|L@EMPYR.

More importantly, Xiao Jiu and its flock are key forces against the "Sagali" civilization's Biological Space Mother Ship.

Without the Pure Light Sparrow Flock, Chen Fei's airship couldn't withstand the strikes of the Biological Space Mother Ship's fusion with stellar beams. Xiao Jiu's rank advancement meant the rank upper limit for other Pure Light Sparrows would also rise, making it easier to deal with the Biological Space Mother Ship.

If Xiao Jiu could reach Heavenly Order, they might no longer fear the threat from the Biological Space Mother Ship's fusion. Chen Fei vividly remembers when all the combat units in the plan for defending the Star System joined forces to focus fire on the super-large Biological Space Mother Ship, only for the attack to be rendered ineffective.

"Ninth Order should be the limit, right?"

Sun Ruzheng didn't feel as optimistic as Chen Fei; even Xiao Jiu's current rank was already unbelievable, with every rank-up practically a miracle. But Chen Fei, this guy, isn't satisfied and just wants more, not fearing wasting all precious resources.

A Pure Light Sparrow, at best, is still just a Pure Light Sparrow; how could it possibly reach Heavenly Order?

"Who knows! Isn't it rumored on Cangqiong Star that the ancestors of every magical beast were incredibly powerful beings?"

Chen Fei wasn't afraid of futile efforts or wasting resources.

Anyway, you have to give it a shot. What harm can it do? If it succeeds, it would be a huge win.

Only the strongest are qualified to pass on their advantageous genes to the next generation, completely in line with some theories in biology.

Even the unremarkable Pure Light Sparrow had powerful ancestors. If the treasure in its bloodline is unlocked, what is a Heavenly Order? It's merely a return to the glory of its ancestors.

"What use is a Pure Light Sparrow of the Heavenly Order!"

Sun Ruzheng shook his head. The Human Order Ninth Rank Pure Light Sparrow in Shen Fei's hands was as obedient as a pet bird. Its little claws and tiny beak made it look completely non-threatening. It would need to be at least three meters long from head to tail, with a wingspan of five meters to appear imposing.

"When you can beat Xiao Jiu, then you can say that!"

Chen Fei suddenly jabbed a knife in.

Ugh!~

"You..."

Old Sun was left speechless, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood. Those words hit too close to home.

A Human Order Ninth Rank Pure Light Sparrow could hit his Crystal Jet with an "Element Dispel". Without Elemental Energy, the Crystal Jet wouldn't be any better than an aircraft with a fuel engine.

Once it loses power, any Sky Knight would have no choice but to kneel on the spot.

"Chen Fei, can Xiao Jiu really beat a Sky Knight?"

Shen Fei always thought Chen Fei was joking, but now, after glancing at Chen Fei and then at the turned-back Sun Ru, she belatedly realized this might not actually be a joke.

"Crush them easily!"

From his own perspective, even Chen Fei himself stood no chance, let alone others.

A born flying species cannot be matched by mere humans.

If a Light-element Magical Beast can grow, the higher the rank, the more formidable its combat power, even a small Pure Light Sparrow is no exception.

-

"...The next tactical maneuver is 'Hunting Sparrow Trajectory', first repeat the operation process."

Most of the control permissions of the Advanced Trainer were opened up for Chen Shan in the front seat, while in the back seat, Ding Xiu continued guiding the actual flight operations.

No matter how perfect the flight simulator's functions are, it can't compare to real flight. Sitting in the cockpit, feeling the state of the body in the airflow with full concentration is something a flight simulator can never replicate.

"Okay!"

Chen Shan was well-acquainted with the operations and precautions of the Sky Knights' common aerial combat skills, quickly reciting them without any stumbles, even adding his own understanding.

If he were to parrot it word for word with no personal input, it would actually fall short and be rigidly dogmatic.

Like father, like son. Although the father was not a Sky Knight, he was a combat pilot with rich practical experience. Growing up influenced by this, and having been in close proximity, Chen Shan's theoretical foundation and flight hours far exceed those of someone who changed majors like Chen Xiao'er.

In Ding Xiu's eyes, Chen Shan was almost a natural talent, with a significant probability of passing the Sky Knight selection trials, and with some help, the native ranks could gain one more strong Sky Knight.

"Very good, from now on, imagine there's a sparrow in front. It's very cunning and very agile. We need to block its evasive space and then catch this sparrow with lightning speed."

"Oh, imagine, huh? Hey? There's really a bird in front!"

Chen Shan began talking to himself to get into the state and was surprised to find a small bird indeed within visible range ahead.

He blinked, damn, it was actually real, not his imagination.

"What? There's really a bird? Damn it, pull out, pull out!"

Ding Xiu also noticed the small bird in front of the Advanced Trainer, flying in the same direction one after the other. He quickly snatched back control permissions to evade the bird ahead.

The Advanced Trainer is indeed afraid of birds! Terribly so.

Aerial combat skill "Hunting Sparrow Trajectory"? It might as well be "Sparrow Hunting Trajectory", barely having time to dodge.

The little bird also changed direction and, with lightning speed, crashed right onto the canopy of the Advanced Trainer, making a loud thud, clearly audible inside the cockpit.

"Tweet?!"

The little bird curiously looked at the two inside the cockpit.

Two big eyes stared at a pair of small eyes.

Chen Shan: "..."

Ding Xiu let out a long sigh of relief. It turned out to be Chen Xiao'er's bird, scared me to death.

The somewhat flustered Chen Shan in the front seat said, "So, should we still hunt the sparrow?"

The little fellow was hopping leisurely on the outside of the canopy. Ding Xiu felt a tingling in his scalp and said angrily, "Are you blind! We've been hunted by the Sparrow Sparrow!"

Aerial combat skill "Hunting Sparrow Trajectory" was a huge failure!