69: Three forces joined together to fight a bloody battle at the Bronze Gate.

Just as they arrived at the entrance of the Vein Nurturing Chamber, Lin Yang's starship senses suddenly sent a strong warning—six familiar auras were rapidly approaching the starship entrance. Elder Yun Song's Gang Qi Realm fluctuation was the most obvious, along with Zhou Chen's Azure Luan Sword Qi, Protector Zhang's rift seal blade energy, and even the auras of two Immortal Palace Gang Qi Realm Disciples!

"They're back! And they brought stronger reinforcements!" Lin Yang’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly pushed Bai Wanqing and Su Qingyue into the Vein Nurturing Chamber. "You two enter the Vein Nurturing Formation to heal. I'll go to the Bridge to stop them! The starship senses show they are heading straight for the Core Cabin, trying to steal the Chaos Crystal Pillar!"

"No! You can't stop six people alone, especially when three are in the Gang Qi Realm!" Bai Wanqing grabbed Lin Yang's wrist, the ice soul pearl glowing with an anxious blue light. "We'll go together. I’ll use the ice soul pearl to locate their weaknesses, Senior Sister Qingyue will use the ice silk to restrain the enemies, and you will be responsible for activating the Star Radiance Cannon. If we cooperate well, we might not lose!"

Su Qingyue also unfurled her ice silk. The silk, wrapped in the Silver-White True Essence emanating from Lin Yang, became several times tougher than before. "Wanqing is right. We are companions; we can't let you take risks alone. The Vein Nurturing Chamber is close to the Bridge, and we can use the narrow terrain of the Ship Corridor to limit their numerical advantage."

Lin Yang looked at their determined eyes and no longer hesitated. "Alright! We'll set an ambush on the Bridge and use the Star Radiance Cannon and the starship's Formation to catch them off guard!"

The three quickly rushed to the Bridge. Lin Yang first activated the Bridge's Bronze Defense Formation—this was the "starship Basic Defense." The star patterns on the Bronze Wall lit up, forming a faint gold barrier capable of blocking a full-force strike from an Early Stage Gang Qi Realm expert. Bai Wanqing then embedded the ice soul pearl into the Formation Core; the blue light intertwined with the star patterns, expanding the defense range. Su Qingyue wrapped her ice silk around the Bronze Pillars at the Bridge entrance, ready for a surprise attack.

"Boom!" The Bridge's Bronze Door was violently smashed open. Elder Yun Song rushed in with five others. The Immortal Palace Token in his hand glowed black and red, clearly infused with the energy of the "Flowing Cloud Spirit Devouring Art." "Lin Yang, hand over the Chaos Crystal Pillar and the starship Key, or today we will flatten this starship!"

Elder Zhou Chen followed closely. His Azure Luan Sword Domain instantly unfolded, and the azure Sword Qi, tinged with blood, enveloped Lin Yang's Dantian. "Last time you managed a sneak attack with the Star Radiance Cannon. This time, let's see how much True Essence you have left to power your weapon!" Protector Zhang swung the rift seal blade, its body emitting a dark purple poisonous light, slashing toward Bai Wanqing, who had the weakest defense—he saw Bai Wanqing as the trio's soft spot and intended to defeat her first.

"Be careful!" Su Qingyue's ice silk instantly unfurled, wrapping around the rift seal blade's body. Ice True Essence flowed along the blade, freezing Protector Zhang's wrist, but he was shaken back half a step by the opponent's Protective Aura. The old injury on her waist split open, and blood seeped through her Sect Robe. "Wanqing, quickly lock onto his Soul Core!"

Bai Wanqing endured the pain in her shoulder. The ice soul pearl shot out a blue light, accurately landing on Protector Zhang's left chest—the location of his Soul Core and a weak point in his Protective Aura circulation. Lin Yang seized the opportunity to activate the Bronze Defense Formation. The faint gold barrier surged, blocking the attacks from Yun Song and Zhou Chen. At the same time, he condensed Silver-White True Essence on his fingertips and injected it into the Star Radiance Cannon's Control Panel: "Star Radiance Cannon, charging!"

The faint gold beam at the Ship Bow began to condense, but much slower than before—resolving the Spatial Turbulence earlier had consumed too much True Essence, and now he could only barely mobilize it. Seeing this, Yun Song sneered, "Still trying to rely on the Star Radiance Cannon? Immortal Palace Secret Technique—Spirit Locking Sword Formation!" The two Immortal Palace Disciples behind him simultaneously summoned their Long Swords. Faint gold Sword Qi wove into an airtight Sword Net, covering the Star Radiance Cannon's Energy Source, attempting to interrupt the charging.

"I'll block the Sword Net!" Bai Wanqing suddenly leaped in front of Lin Yang. The ice soul pearl erupted with a bright light, and the blue light transformed into an Ice Shield, blocking the Star Radiance Cannon. "Clang! Clang! Clang!" The Sword Qi struck the Ice Shield, which instantly became covered in cracks. Bai Wanqing was shaken by the residual force, spitting out a mouthful of blood, yet she held on tightly. "Lin Yang, hurry! The Star Radiance Cannon will be too late if it slows down any further!"

Su Qingyue also increased the strength of her ice silk, temporarily restraining Protector Zhang and Zhou Chen. "Wanqing can't hold on much longer, Lin Yang!"

Watching Bai Wanqing vomit blood to protect the Star Radiance Cannon, a hint of crimson flashed in Lin Yang's eyes. His Chaos True Essence completely boiled, and the silver-white Liquid True Essence, carrying the Power of Devourment, forcefully accelerated the Star Radiance Cannon's charging. "Star Radiance Cannon, fire!"

The faint gold beam shot toward the Bridge entrance like a meteor. Elder Yun Song and Zhou Chen turned pale and hurriedly joined forces to set up defenses—Yun Song summoned his Immortal Palace Token to condense a Shield, and Zhou Chen unfolded his Azure Luan Sword Domain, but both were instantly shattered by the beam. Protector Zhang couldn't dodge in time and was grazed on his right arm. The rift seal blade flew out of his hand, and his arm was scorched black. The two Immortal Palace Disciples were hit directly by the beam, turning into Flying Ash.

Yun Song and Zhou Chen were sent flying backward by the residual force, crashing into the Bronze Wall and spitting out blood. "Retreat! This kid has gone mad!" Yun Song dared not continue the fight, fleeing miserably toward the outside of the starship with Zhou Chen and Protector Zhang, not even daring to retrieve the rift seal blade that had fallen to the ground.

Lin Yang did not pursue them. Instead, he quickly rushed to support the staggering Bai Wanqing. Her face was as pale as paper, and the light of the ice soul pearl had become extremely dim. "Wanqing, how are you? Don't scare me!" He took out the last bottle of Ice Heart Fluid from his embrace, pried open her mouth, and fed it to her. The Silver-White True Essence on his fingertips carried warmth, gently soothing her damaged Meridians.

Bai Wanqing leaned against Lin Yang's chest, her voice faint. "I'm fine... just a little exhausted... The Star Radiance Cannon drove them back, we're safe..." Su Qingyue also walked over, supporting Lin Yang's arm. "We should go to the Vein Nurturing Chamber first. Wanqing's injuries can't be delayed, and your True Essence needs to recover too."

The three helped each other into the Vein Nurturing Chamber. The Bronze Door slowly closed, temporarily isolating the outside danger. Lin Yang looked at the weak Bai Wanqing in his arms and then at the blood seeping from Su Qingyue's waist, feeling immense self-reproach—if his strength hadn't been lacking, he wouldn't have caused them so much suffering. He clenched his fist, resolving internally: after entering the Core Cabin and obtaining the chaos inheritance, he must break through to the Gang Qi Realm as quickly as possible, never again allowing his companions to be injured for his sake.