191: Crisis early warning and "joint defense team"

The corpses of the three centipede monsters (temporarily named "Scythe Bugs" by Wen Youyi) were dragged back to the "Hope Platform," immediately causing great concern and a hint of panic among everyone.

These things were not only hideous, but also powerful. If it hadn't been for Wen Youyi's quick thinking in utilizing the environment, the outcome of a direct confrontation would have been uncertain.

More importantly, where did they come from? And how many more were there?

"We must figure out the origin and habits of these things!" Wen Youyi said with a serious expression. "Senior Brother Wang, take some people to carefully examine the corpses and see if you can find any clues. Iron Pillar, immediately take people to reinforce all our outer defensive fortifications, especially the area near the No. 3 Interaction Point. Set up more guard posts and traps!"

The entire "Starfire" organization immediately entered a state of combat readiness. Members who had been busy with construction picked up weapons and tools, throwing themselves into the defense of their home.

Wang Wu, along with a few meticulous members, endured their disgust to dissect and analyze the "Scythe Bug" corpses.

The results were chilling—the carapace structure of these monsters was extremely unique, and their internal organs were simple yet efficient, created entirely for slaughter and consumption.

In their digestive Systems, besides the undigested "Flowing Silver" remains, there was also a kind of... extremely faint energy residue that was homologous to the "spirit net" but even more chaotic and violent!

"These monsters are very likely products of the 'Creation Heavenly Court' or, in other words, the 'Reaping System'!" When Wang Wu reached this conclusion, his voice was trembling. "Perhaps they are some kind of out-of-control 'Scavenger,' or 'pests' mutated and bred in the cracks of the rules!"

This news made everyone's heart sink. If even this seemingly isolated Starry Sky Debris could not completely escape the shadow of the "Creation Heavenly Court," where else could they run?

Wen Youyi, however, was relatively calm. "It might not be direct control. It is more likely that they are 'parasites' naturally bred in 'Ranches' and rule cracks throughout the Universe. They survive by devouring anything containing energy, including remains abandoned by harvested civilizations, and even strange life forms like 'Flowing Silver.' In a sense, they are 'colleagues' with the 'Scavengers,' both clearing away 'trash,' just in a more barbaric way."

This explanation made everyone breathe a slight sigh of relief. But the threat still existed, and it could be everywhere.

Just as "Starfire" was busily strengthening its defenses, an unexpected "ally" appeared.

Those "Flowing Silver" groups that had become restless due to the appearance of the "Scythe Bugs" seemed to... understand the actions of the "Starfire" members after observing them killing the monsters and beginning to build defensive fortifications.

Especially the few small "Flowing Silver" groups near the No. 3 Interaction Point; they no longer avoided the "Starfire" construction teams from afar as they had before, but instead began to actively approach them.

At first, they just "watched" from the side as Zhao Iron Pillar and the others set up metal spike obstacles and energy-sensing traps.

Then, they began to imitate! Using their own liquid metal, they constructed another layer of crooked but equally sharp metal thorn bushes on the periphery of the obstacles set up by "Starfire"! Some "Flowing Silver" individuals even tried moving some unstable energy Ore to the vicinity of the trap trigger points, clearly having learned the tactic Wen Youyi and the others used to detonate Ore to deal with the "Scythe Bugs"!

This scene left all the "Starfire" members dumbfounded.

"Are... are they helping us set up defenses?" a young member stammered.

"It seems... so." Wang Wu also felt his brain couldn't quite wrap around it.

Watching those busy silver figures, Wen Youyi's eyes revealed an expression of understanding and gratification.

He understood. Although the "Flowing Silver" had chaotic thoughts, they possessed the most primitive survival instincts and powerful learning abilities. They realized that the "Scythe Bugs" were a threat, and they also saw that "Starfire" had the ability to counter this threat and was actively doing so. Thus, they instinctively chose to... join in!

This was the most primitive form of alliance, based on survival interests!

"Great!" Wen Youyi clapped his hands. "This is an excellent opportunity for us to deepen our cooperation with the 'Flowing Silver'!"

He immediately adjusted his strategy, no longer viewing the "Flowing Silver" merely as labor that could be guided, but attempting to incorporate them into the overall defense System.

He had members consciously leave "interfaces" or "templates" in certain areas while building defensive fortifications, making it easier for the "Flowing Silver" to imitate and reinforce them. He even attempted to send "friend-or-foe identification" information regarding the "Scythe Bugs'" physical characteristics and energy fluctuations to some "Flowing Silver" groups that displayed higher "intelligence" via the interaction points.

To everyone's surprise, some "Flowing Silver" groups actually responded to this! During their patrols (if that aimless wriggling could be called patrolling), they began to actively repel and attack any Ore or remains that emitted the chaotic aura of the "Scythe Bugs"!

A rough yet wide-reaching joint defense network, led by "Starfire" and coordinated with "Flowing Silver," had thus been preliminarily formed by sheer coincidence!

Although the "Flowing Silver's" defensive fortifications looked crooked and their "friend-or-foe identification" was hit-or-miss, this primitive, cross-species collaboration undoubtedly greatly enhanced the safety coefficient around the "Hope Platform."

Zhao Iron Pillar looked at the layered defensive line on the periphery, composed of metal spikes, energy traps, and the thorn bushes spontaneously formed by the "Flowing Silver," and grinned: "Hehe, let's see if those stinky bugs dare to come again now!"

Wen Youyi also smiled, but his gaze remained solemn.

He knew that this was just the beginning. The appearance of the "Scythe Bugs" meant that this Starry Sky Debris was not a paradise. In the future, they might encounter even more and more terrifying threats.

But with the experience of this successful collaboration, he had greater confidence in leading "Starfire" to survive, and even develop and grow, in these ruins.

"Unite all forces that can be united..." he whispered to himself, "It seems this holds true everywhere."

(End of Chapter)