Inside the battleship, soft white light illuminated the metal corridors, and outside the portholes lay the vast starry sky.The warriors of the Crimson Gold Battle Group had just stepped through the hatch, and the tension that had gripped them for months suddenly eased.Someone leaned their heavy armor against the wall with a loud clang, then slumped to the floor, greedily inhaling the air from the circulation system—a freshness unimaginable in the Demon Suppression Abyss."Finally rid of that wretched place!" a young warrior murmured, gazing out the porthole. "Why didn't I ever think the starry sky was so beautiful before?""Indeed~" The veteran beside him patted his shoulder, his voice filled with the emotion of surviving a catastrophe. "You only appreciate happiness when you have a comparison. It feels so good to be alive."A hearty shout suddenly came from the end of the corridor: "Where's the wine! Is there any wine in the warehouse!"Lu Sheng strode forward, carrying his chipped battle saber, his voice so loud that even the metal walls vibrated slightly:"After months of abstinence, I'm going to drink my fill tonight!""Count me in!""Me too!"Responses echoed through the crowd.Poison Widow, carrying a tactical bag stuffed with clothes, moved as swiftly as a gust of wind. She didn't even bother to greet anyone, rushing straight towards the living quarters, almost bumping into a signpost as she passed, muttering, "Shower—I need a shower—"Her eagerness was like a desert traveler encountering a spring."I bet Captain Scarlett will be in the bathroom for a whole day," someone joked with a laugh."I'd be the same," a warrior next to him agreed, deeply empathetic. "Thinking of the sand in the Demon Suppression Abyss, and the demons' pus and blood, ten washes wouldn't be enough."Qin Tian walked at the end of the line, listening to the rising and falling laughter around him, a smile unconsciously curving his lips.The overhead lights fell on his face, softening his features and dispelling the last trace of gloom brought by the Demon Abyss.He watched the warriors linking arms and surging towards the mess hall, watched someone begin to hum an off-key military song, watched the female soldiers' figures quickly disappear around the corridor corner—this noisy liveliness was the feeling of coming home.Inside the mess hall, holographic lights simulated warm yellow natural light, making the entire space bright and cozy.A massive alloy dining table stretched along the wall, dozens of meters long, accommodating thousands of warriors in a space of over a thousand square meters, yet it didn't feel crowded at all.The dishes on the table were dazzlingly abundant—steaming roasted beast ribs piled high, thick-sauced stews emitting an enticing aroma, vibrant green vegetables paired with glistening fruit platters, and various exquisite pastries and rich soups. Amidst the steam and argon, the sight alone was enough to whet one's appetite.The beverage area at the end of the table was particularly lively, with all sorts of wine bottles neatly arranged, from the strongest interstellar spirits to mellow fruit-flavored rice wine, a dazzling array.Warriors moved through the space with their wine glasses, laughing and joking, the crisp clinking of glasses and laughter intertwining.Li Wufeng had long since shed his armor, wearing only a black combat suit. He was directing several warriors to move wine barrels to the main table. Seeing that most people had arrived, he suddenly slammed the table and announced loudly: "Quiet down, everyone!"The clamor instantly subsided, and all eyes turned to him.Li Wufeng grinned, looked at Qin Tian at the head of the table, and then swept his gaze across everyone present: "The only reason we made it out of the Demon Suppression Abyss alive is because of our Commander's excellent leadership. In my opinion, the first three toasts should be proposed by our Commander. What do you all say?""Yes!"Everyone responded in unison, followed by thunderous applause that made the overhead lights subtly sway.For a moment, all eyes were focused on Qin Tian.Seeing this, Qin Tian smiled faintly and stood up. Tonight, he wore a simple white shirt, yet it still couldn't conceal his composed demeanor.He raised a hand to signal for silence, his gaze slowly sweeping over every face in the room, his voice clear and strong:"It's not easy to be standing here today."He picked up a wine glass from the table, filled it himself, and raised it high: "I'll propose three toasts first. The first toast, to our fallen comrades." As his words fell, the boisterous mess hall instantly became so quiet that one could hear breathing.Qin Tian's gaze became distant, as if it pierced through the battleship's hull, looking towards the Demon Abyss where loyal bones were buried:"They once traversed the scorched earth of the Demon Abyss with us, fought fiercely against demons in the dead of night with us, and charged forward with us in desperate situations. It's a great pity that they couldn't return with us, remaining forever in that dark land. But they watered the path to victory with their hot blood, their shouts became our bugle call to advance, and they built a shield to protect the Empire with their lives. This sacrifice, we will never forget."He paused, his voice slightly hoarse: "They are not cold numbers, not records on a casualty list, but brothers who fought alongside us, the never-fading battle souls of the Crimson Gold Battle Group. This glass of wine, to the victory they couldn't witness with their own eyes, to the myriad of flickering lights in homes they protected with their lives.""Cheers!" Qin Tian said in a deep voice, then drained the wine in his glass.Thousands of people raised their glasses simultaneously, the sound of wine entering throats uniform, carrying an indescribable weight and respect. Someone secretly wiped their eyes, and the clinking of glasses became a few shades softer.Setting down his glass, Qin Tian refilled it and raised the second toast: "The second toast, to every one of us present."His gaze once again became firm and fervent: "It is everyone's courage that prevented us from retreating a single step when facing the demons; it is everyone's fearlessness that allowed us to still dare to fight death in desperate situations; it is everyone's tenacity that allowed us to carve out a bloody path in hell—only then could we successfully complete our mission and defend the Empire's territory.""This glass, to ourselves!""To ourselves!" The warriors shouted in unison, their voices filled with pride and excitement, raising their glasses and drinking heartily. Many slammed their glasses heavily on the table, producing crisp sounds.Qin Tian filled the third glass, a gentle smile appearing on his face: "The last glass, to our camaraderie, to our Crimson Gold Battle Group.""From the day we stepped into the Demon Suppression Abyss, we forged a bond of life and death in blood and fire," his voice carried a hint of warmth. "No matter where everyone is in the future, whether continuing to fight on the battlefield or returning gloriously to their hometowns, and whether the name of the Crimson Gold Battle Group will be preserved, this friendship of mutual support in war, this trust of mutual reliance in desperation, will be an imprint carved deep into our souls, never to fade.""If we can meet again in the future, I hope everyone can still call me—Commander.""Crimson Gold Battle Group, hearts towards glory, with our flesh and blood, we forge our edge! Cheers!""Crimson Gold Battle Group, hearts towards glory, with our flesh and blood, we forge our edge!!!"The shouts were deafening. The warriors clinked glasses with each other, some bumped shoulders, some embraced, tears of excitement glistening in their eyes.Qin Tian looked at the lively scene before him, slowly drinking the third glass of wine. The wine was mellow, and warmth spread throughout his body.Outside, the starry sky remained vast, but the lights and laughter in the mess hall were brighter than any star.

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