437: Sacrifice is the norm, being targeted, killing three birds with one stone (6k three-in-one)

"Don't open the hatch!"

By the time Lin Yang and Que Tian discovered the face pressed against the porthole of the Fourth Team's battleship, silently screaming at them, it was already too late.

He and Que Tian had already appeared in the space between the two battleships.

"Don't open the hatch?"

"What does that mean?"

Lin Yang and Que Tian both saw the face pressed against the window at the first instant.

Their expressions immediately changed.

Previously, because there was still some distance between the battleships, and the light in the Unknown Space was too dim, they hadn't noticed the situation inside the Fourth Team's battleship porthole.

Now, after getting closer and seeing the other party's signal, a bad feeling arose in their hearts.

"Cai Fei, there's nothing unusual inside the battleship, right?"

Lin Yang paused slightly and immediately asked Cai Fei through the communication device built into his individual combat suit.

This device allowed for instant communication within a certain range.

It was also the only device that could perform instant communication in the Unknown Space.

However, the range for instant communication in the Unknown Space was too small, and a connection had to be established beforehand, so it was generally not used much.

Now that he and Que Tian were not far from the battleship, they could use this device to communicate instantly with Cai Fei and the others.

"Team Leader, what's unusual?" Cai Fei was still a bit confused.

They had been inside the battleship, focusing on Lin Yang and Que Tian's actions, and hadn't noticed the situation on the Fourth Team's battleship.

"The Fourth Team members are warning us not to open the hatch, but we saw it a bit late."

Lin Yang quickly explained the reason, then sternly instructed:

"From now on, the three of you must stay together at all times, under any circumstances, and never separate. At the same time, have Vermilion Bird conduct a full internal self-scan of the battleship to monitor for anomalies."

"Also, you are to remain in the main cabin. Do not open the main cabin door, no matter what happens!"

Cai Fei and the two others were startled, then repeatedly responded, "Team Leader, we understand!"

"Good, that's all for now. Watch for any unusual phenomena and stay in contact!"

After Lin Yang finished speaking, he looked at Que Tian. They exchanged glances, and with a tacit understanding, accelerated again towards the Fourth Team's battleship to dock.

Soon, the two arrived next to the Fourth Team's battleship and approached the porthole where someone was silently gesturing to them.

The next moment.

Lin Yang and Que Tian looked through the porthole and saw part of the situation inside the Fourth Team's battleship.

After they approached, the face pressed against the glass showed a complex expression, constantly shouting and making gestures at them.

But even at such close proximity, no sound came out.

They could only tell from lip-reading and gestures that the person was telling them to escape quickly!

"Escape?"

Lin Yang and Que Tian exchanged glances. While signaling the person to connect their communication devices, they looked behind the person.

Due to the angle, Lin Yang could only vaguely see that the battleship cabin seemed to have undergone a battle. Several people were lying on the ground, their status, whether dead or alive, was unclear.

Only the person pressed against the window seemed to be in relatively good condition.

"One, two, three..."

"Four, five, six..."

"Six, there are only six people. Only six people in the cabin, four are lying on the ground, their Life or death unknown, and one is clearly severely injured. Only the person at the window seems to have only minor injuries."

After a preliminary observation of the situation inside the Fourth Team's battleship, Lin Yang's heart sank.

The Fourth Team plus the Fifth Team should have at least ten people. Now, only six could be seen in total, meaning at least four people might have died.

What was worse, the person at the window pointed to his individual combat suit, indicating that the suit was damaged and could no longer establish a device link with them.

"This..."

Seeing that instant communication was impossible, and communicating by lip-reading and gestures was troublesome, Lin Yang had a flash of inspiration. He brought up an imaging device and wrote a message on it, asking what had happened, for the person to see.

The hatch of the Fourth Team's battleship was currently sealed, and he and Que Tian could not enter.

Unless it was confirmed that they needed to breach the battleship.

But before that, Lin Yang still asked the person if they could open the hatch so that he and Que Tian could enter to provide aid.

The person also reacted instantly, turned away from the porthole, found a device, and likewise entered a message:

"Run! We, along with the Fifth Team and Sixth Team, were attacked by special lifeforms, including Transparent lifeforms. They disguised themselves as team members and hunted us. Currently, only six of us remain, but as you can see, four are on the verge of death, leaving only me and one severely injured Sixth Team member!"

Upon seeing this message, Lin Yang and Que Tian were simultaneously shocked!

"The Sixth Team came too?"

Both of them were very surprised.

Earlier, when Vermilion Bird could only locate the Fourth Team's battleship, they thought the Sixth Team might not have arrived in time to provide support.

But from this message, it could be seen that the three teams—Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth—had actually met much earlier.

Three teams, a total of fifteen people, but now only six remained!

And four of them were dying, and one was severely injured!

This was astounding!

Lin Yang had just thought there were only people from the Fourth and Fifth Teams in the cabin!

He had initially thought four had sacrificed themselves, but the truth was that nine had already sacrificed themselves!

Three teams, fifteen elite Super Gene Warriors, were almost completely wiped out.

This made Lin Yang's scalp tingle.

They had underestimated the danger of this mission!

Immediately after, Lin Yang quickly asked again: "How many Transparent lifeforms are there? Besides them, is there anything else? Also, what was the reason you warned us not to open the hatch? Can the hatch be opened now so we can provide rescue?"

To save time, Lin Yang asked several questions in one breath.

The other party's reply was also very quick:

"The number is unknown. We are completely unable to distinguish between Transparent lifeforms, making it impossible to verify their numbers. Besides Transparent lifeforms, there is also a new type of unknown lifeform. They attach themselves to the battleship, preventing it from entering warp drive and simultaneously isolating all communications, making it impossible for us to contact the outside world in time."

Seeing this, Lin Yang was immediately startled: "Are you saying that the inability to send messages to the outside world is due to the new special lifeforms attaching to the battleship, and not due to the influence of a special magnetic field here?"

"Yes!" The other party gave a definitive answer.

"Oh no, our battleship couldn't send messages just now either. Has it already been attached by the new unknown lifeforms?" Lin Yang felt a chill in his heart.

"Alas, yes, that's why I warned you not to open the hatch."

The person showed a hint of helplessness:

"Those new unknown lifeforms are also colorless and shapeless, and cannot be easily detected. They are even more troublesome than Transparent lifeforms, capable of silently attaching themselves to battleships."

"Furthermore, they can also attach themselves to Transparent lifeforms, reducing the possibility of Transparent lifeforms being detected, and thus silently using any available space to enter the battleship's interior."

As he spoke, he looked at Lin Yang and Que Tian with a mix of sympathy and regret:

"Unfortunately, you failed to detect my warning in time. Now it's too late. The moment you opened the hatch, those damned, bizarre things must have already entered your battleship."

"..."

Lin Yang and Que Tian both felt a chill down their spines.

The new unknown lifeforms were also colorless and shapeless!

And they could partner with Transparent lifeforms to complement each other!

This... "Sir, after fighting them for so many days, have you found a solution?"

Lin Yang asked, while simultaneously relaying this information to Cai Fei and the others, and once again warning the three of them not to open the main cabin door!

He and Que Tian had first exited the main cabin before opening the battleship's outer hatch.

As long as Cai Fei and the others hadn't opened the main cabin door after he and Que Tian left, they should still be temporarily safe.

The person shook his head: "Unfortunately, our abilities are insufficient. We haven't developed a countermeasure. We could only use the most primitive method of sprinkling various colored dyes on the floor and walls to identify if Transparent lifeforms were approaching or to confirm their positions during combat."

"But this method is not foolproof. The new colorless and shapeless lifeforms seem to be small in size and can even hover in mid-air. This method cannot completely eliminate the new lifeforms."

Upon seeing this message, Lin Yang couldn't help but look into the Fourth Team's cabin again. The floor and walls were indeed covered with dye.

There was also a simple device continuously spraying dye into the air.

He hadn't noticed it before, and now he couldn't help but fall silent.

Looking at this, they must have gone to great lengths to temporarily force the Transparent lifeforms out.

"Are there Transparent lifeforms outside your main cabin?" Lin Yang confirmed, asking.

"Yes, they are right outside the door," the person replied.

"Alas..." Lin Yang couldn't help but sigh.

Now he understood why the injured individuals weren't going to the medical bay for treatment.

They were trapped in the main cabin, unable to go out.

"Can the battleship's hatch be opened? We'll try to rescue you," Lin Yang asked again.

Transparent lifeforms were very powerful in combat, but this power mainly manifested in their camouflage and resilience.

Sneak attacks after camouflage were their primary mode of offense.

In terms of pure attack, their strength wasn't too great.

They were just exceptionally durable, making it easy to wear people down and kill them.

But now, with him and Que Tian working together, charging in head-on, if they only focused on rescuing people, they could finish quickly.

Rescue and leave!

However, the person shook his head:

"No need. We led their main force into the battleship and then sealed it. We are now sailing deeper into the Unknown Space, hoping to lure them away as much as possible. If you come in, they might take the opportunity to escape."

"Furthermore, if you enter, and they besiege you, you won't be able to escape either. Now, while the number outside might not be large, you still have a chance to escape, so hurry and leave."

Lin Yang and Que Tian immediately felt profound respect.

"No wonder your battleship kept sailing deeper and didn't choose to meet us actively or use warp drive to escape."

Lin Yang felt an inexpressible sense of gloom in his heart.

"These damned things don't have very high intelligence and won't actively destroy the battleship. With the battleship's energy reserves, it's enough to hold them off for hundreds of years. You two, hurry and leave. Your battleship must have already been infiltrated by them by now, but the numbers shouldn't be too high. Go quickly."

The person urged them to leave immediately:

"After leaving, call the Human Alliance for help. Let the higher-ups come here to clear this place out. Other teams don't need to come for rescue anymore. The more people who come, the more space Transparent lifeforms have to camouflage themselves, and the easier it is for accidents to happen."

"This..." Lin Yang and Que Tian exchanged glances.

They came with the purpose of rescue, but now they couldn't save anyone.

This was very difficult to bear.

"No need to be sad. As members of the Human Alliance, this is our mission. Sacrifice is normal, and dying in battle is an honor. It's just a pity we couldn't find the location of the Mingye Clan, and instead died at the hands of these damned Lifeforms. We can't do more for humanity."

"May I ask your name, and is there anything else you need us to relay?" Lin Yang asked.

Since they were a temporarily formed reconnaissance team, they didn't know the information of members from other teams.

"No, you two hurry up and leave. The closer you get to the depths, the more other dangers there are. They will also summon new kin. If you don't leave now, you won't be able to anymore."

The person didn't state his name, nor did he ask Lin Yang to relay any message. Instead, he typed this line of text and then turned around.

The seriously injured team member, unable to bear the pain, chose to end his own Life.

Lin Yang and Que Tian watched through the window, speechless for a moment.

"Team Leader, let's go. We need to transmit the information about this place."

After a brief silence, Que Tian spoke.

Lin Yang nodded slightly.

Although he felt bad, this time, they encountered new strange Stone Statues and new colorless, formless Lifeforms. This important information needed to be transmitted back so that future entrants could be better prepared and reduce casualties.

The two of them saluted the Fourth Team's battleship as a sign of respect, then turned to leave.

However, just at the moment they turned around.

A chilling sensation suddenly rushed towards Lin Yang and Que Tian's faces.

"Danger! Dodge quickly!"

The two of them spoke almost simultaneously, then instantly moved from their original positions.

Puff!

As soon as they left their original spot, they saw ripples appearing in the space where they had been.

Clearly, a Transparent Lifeform had launched a sneak attack!

"They didn't even detect the slightest sign of approach until the second before the surprise attack. The stealth ability of these Transparent lifeforms is too strong."

Lin Yang felt a chill in his heart.

No amount of reading data could compare to the direct experience.

These things were far more terrifying than described in the data.

If he and Que Tian had been even half a second slower in dodging, they would probably be dead or seriously injured by now.

"It's over, you've been targeted. It's probably too late to escape now!"

Inside the Fourth Team's battleship, the person saw the situation and wrote a message using the imaging device.

This, without a doubt, left Lin Yang and Que Tian speechless again.

"Que Tian, use the energy impact cannon to sweep the space around us to prevent Transparent Lifeform attacks. Let's return to the Vermilion Bird ship first."

Soon, Lin Yang made a decision.

Transparent lifeforms were troublesome, but not entirely impossible to deal with.

Although energy impact cannons couldn't harm them, they could prevent them from approaching for a sneak attack.

Now, only by returning to the battleship could they consider the issue of leaving.

"Understood." Que Tian immediately pulled out his weapon and started sweeping.

Lin Yang was not idle either, constantly vibrating the space around him and Que Tian with the power of spatial attributes, further increasing their vigilance.

However, as they swept and vibrated, Lin Yang's expression grew increasingly grim.

Because he could clearly feel that the number of Transparent lifeforms around them was increasing.

They were closing in on him and Que Tian step by step, fearless of death.

The Transparent lifeforms in front were enduring the energy cannon's attacks to get closer.

"Team Leader, I feel like we're going to be finished here!"

Que Tian also noticed the problem and couldn't help but joke bitterly.

"You still have the mood to joke..." Lin Yang was speechless, then said, "Whether we're finished or not, at least Cai Fei and the others must leave and transmit the intelligence."

"That's what I was thinking too. While we attract the attention of these Lifeforms, we can buy them a chance to escape." Que Tian smiled slightly.

"Then... how about we sweep the outside of the spaceship?"

Lin Yang spoke.

"Good!"

The next instant after Que Tian replied, the two of them, with great tacit agreement, simultaneously accelerated towards the Vermilion Bird.

"Cai Fei, Que Tian and I will clear the Lifeforms attached to the Vermilion Bird's hull for you. You activate warp mode. As soon as you can warp, retreat immediately!"

Lin Yang commanded.

"Team Leader... if we leave, how will you two leave?" Cai Fei and the other two were anxious.

According to the current situation, escaping these Lifeforms without the battleship's warp drive was too difficult.

If the Vermilion Bird warped away, Lin Yang and Que Tian would essentially have only one outcome...

"Don't worry about that so much! You saw the situation that the Fourth Team battleship member mentioned. If we enter the battleship now, none of us will escape!"

Lin Yang shouted loudly:

"There might be Lifeforms invading the battleship, but the hatch was only open for an instant just now, so surely not many could have gotten in. If you don't leave the main cabin, there shouldn't be too much danger."

"Que Tian and I will clear the Lifeforms attached to the outside of the battleship, allowing the Vermilion Bird to enter warp and restore its message-sending function. You keep warping towards the edge of the Unknown Space. Do not open the battleship's hatch. Wait until the Human Alliance's high-level powerhouses take over before opening the hatch, to prevent any Lifeforms inside from escaping."

"Team Leader..." Cai Fei called out anxiously, wanting to say more.

"Don't say anything more, this is an order!"

Lin Yang shouted again.

At the same time, he unleashed the power of spatial attributes to its maximum, combined with the energy impact cannon, to vibrate the exterior of the Vermilion Bird battleship's hull.

Especially the power engine's location. As long as the Vermilion Bird could re-enter warp status, it could escape this area.

And as he cleared, Lin Yang's expression grew heavier and heavier.

The number of these new Lifeforms was far greater than imagined!

In just a few short minutes, a large number of new Lifeforms had attached themselves to the outside of the Vermilion Bird battleship.

This was still under the premise that the Fourth Team's battleship had already attracted and locked down a large portion of them!

If not, they would probably be attached in three layers inside and three layers outside.

"Damn it, how did these Lifeforms even come into existence? There are so many!" Que Tian couldn't help but curse.

"Cai Fei, activate warp mode, attempt to warp! Quickly!"

After a round of vibrations, Lin Yang roared.

"Team Leader, it's already in warp status, but it's been terminated several times. We're still trying to warp!"

Cai Fei and the other two were completely unable to help now. They could only watch the warp countdown start and then be forcibly terminated, repeating several times without successful warp.

"These new Lifeforms are truly disgusting, like maggots on bones. One batch is shaken off, and another batch immediately attaches itself, not caring about their Lives."

Lin Yang took a deep breath, only able to accelerate the vibration frequency.

And this was a huge drain on him!

"Team Leader, the warp countdown has started again."

Cai Fei's voice came through.

"Good, it must succeed this time!"

Lin Yang's eyes were stern. He simply stood directly in front of the power engine, frantically vibrating the surrounding space.

Finally, the Vermilion Bird entered full warp status.

"Team Leader, we will return to rescue you and Que Tian as soon as we transmit the message!"

As the warp countdown was about to end, Cai Fei said again.

Lin Yang shook his head with a bitter smile, just about to say no need.

But his expression couldn't help but change again.

He saw a huge Stone Statue toe suddenly appear.

"I forgot, today is another full seven days."

Lin Yang was startled, but seeing the Stone Statue appear, he calmed down.

This thing could already be considered an "old friend."

"I wonder if the Stone Statue will follow the battleship in warp this time."

Watching the Vermilion Bird enter full warp, Lin Yang stared at the Stone Statue.

This rescue also had another purpose: to verify the Stone Statue's follow mechanism.

Whoosh!

The Vermilion Bird fully warped away.

But.

The Stone Statue did not!

"Hmm? It's still in its original spot."

Lin Yang was a little surprised.

The Stone Statue actually didn't follow the Vermilion Bird in warp.

"Could it be that after seven days, it will directly warp from here to the Vermilion Bird's location?"

Seeing the Stone Statue motionless, Lin Yang had some new thoughts.

After all, this was their first time observing the Stone Statue up close from outside.

Previously, they hadn't had the chance to see the Stone Statue's state after the battleship left.

"If it stays for seven days and then suddenly warps to the Vermilion Bird, that would be unimaginably terrifying."

Lin Yang pondered.

If the Stone Statue also warped each time, although still hard to imagine, it could explain why it wasn't left far behind.

But if after each encounter, the Stone Statue remained motionless, and then suddenly appeared in front of the Vermilion Bird battleship, which had continuously warped for seven days, seven days later, that would truly be unimaginably terrifying.

"Team Leader, have you noticed something..."

Que Tian suddenly spoke.

"What?" Lin Yang looked over.

"Do you feel that after this Stone Statue appeared, those Lifeforms have all moved far away and are no longer attacking us?" Que Tian's eyes flickered.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yang was startled, then subconsciously sensed his surroundings.

He indeed sensed that those Lifeforms were all present far away, with no intention of continuing to approach him and Que Tian.

But they also had no intention of leaving.

"This... it really is..." Lin Yang was a little surprised.

Then he couldn't help but look at the Stone Statue again, and an idea popped into his head:

"Could it be that these Lifeforms dare not approach the Stone Statue?"

"Very possible!" Que Tian nodded.

"Then... why don't we just wait here for seven days to see if the Stone Statue moves during this period, and also verify if the Lifeforms continuously dare not approach." Lin Yang's eyes gleamed.

"Alright, there's no better option right now anyway." Que Tian said indifferently.

Currently, the Lifeforms were still gathering, becoming more and more numerous.

Even if they fought to the end, they would only end up exhausting their strength and being devoured by the Lifeforms.

Now that there was the Stone Statue to deter those Lifeforms, they could save a few days of energy, which was naturally a good choice.

"It can test the Stone Statue's mechanism, verify if the Lifeforms fear the Stone Statue, and also save our own energy to live a few more days. It's truly killing three birds with one stone, no loss at all!"

Lin Yang smiled.

"Now, let's see how the Stone Statue moves."