268: The Shadow Devourer's First Battle with "Hidden Dragon"

The shadowed side of that dark red metal fragment looked as if it had been splashed with a layer of constantly wriggling, ominous-smelling dark purple "asphalt."

This thing didn't look like anything good no matter how you looked at it; it was slowly and firmly "gnawing" on the metal fragment, and wherever it passed, the hard alloy melted and vanished like candle wax, assimilated and absorbed by that viscous dark purple energy.

What made one's scalp tingle even more was that the few faint, shadowy tentacles inside the energy mass seemed to sense the gaze of "Qianlong."

They paused slightly, then raised their "heads" like vipers and "looked" toward "Qianlong"—even though they had no eyes, the feeling of being locked onto by a cold, greedy, and malicious intent was clearly transmitted to everyone on the bridge.

"It has discovered us!" Wang Wu whispered, his fingers moving rapidly across the sensor nodes to strengthen the stealth coating while activating the passive defensive Star Pattern.

[Target energy property analysis: highly chaotic, strongly corrosive, possesses weak consciousness fluctuations, tends to devour matter and energy to maintain and strengthen itself.]

The ship spirit consciousness of "Qianlong" calmly reported the preliminary analysis results.

Although its intent carried a hint of vigilance from encountering an enemy for the first time, there was no panic.

[Its energy characteristics... have some similarities to the 'black silk threads' that previously eroded me, but it is more active and aggressive.]

Senior Brother Li stared at the data screen, his face turning pale: "This thing is absorbing the energy and matter of the metal fragment!"

"The conversion efficiency isn't low! And its energy field is expanding! It's growing!"

"Is it some kind of 'cleaning tool' left behind by the Reapers? Or a mutation of a 'Scavenger' in the starry sky?"

Senior Brother Zhang quickly reviewed the fragmented records in the key regarding the war between the Star People and the invaders.

"The records mentioned that the invaders used servant units similar to 'devourers,' responsible for cleaning up battlefield debris and absorbing matter and energy... but the description says 'gray-white, amorphous,' and the color doesn't match..."

Wen Youyi's gaze was fixed on that mass of dark purple energy, his brain racing.

This thing was entrenched at an observation point on the outskirts of the base, only a few thousand miles from the "Starfire" base, making it a huge hidden danger.

Moreover, its behavioral pattern—devouring matter and energy, being aggressive, and having energy characteristics similar to the "Mark"—made it hard not to associate it with the Creation Heavenly Court or its minions.

"Qianlong, evaluate the strength comparison between the enemy and us, and formulate a response plan."

Wen Youyi ordered in a deep voice.

This was the first real-combat test of "Qianlong's" ship spirit consciousness's judgment and tactical literacy.

[Enemy: Energy intensity is medium, but characteristics are unknown, strongly corrosive, may possess both physical and energy attack methods, and is on its 'home turf' (attached to the metal fragment, with continuous material replenishment).]

[Self: Ship structure is intact, energy is sufficient, stealth status is good, possesses Star Pattern defense and 'Flowing Silver' self-repair capabilities, capable of medium-to-long-range energy attacks (starlight pulse) and physical impacts.]

[Recommendation: Maintain stealth and distance advantages, first use 'starlight pulse' for a tentative long-range attack to evaluate its defense and counterattack patterns.]

"If the attack is effective, continue to wear it down; if ineffective or if it provokes a powerful counterattack, prioritize retreat and make other plans after gathering intelligence."

"Qianlong's" response was clear and logical, and the analysis was reasonable, even considering the option of retreating.

"Approved the tentative attack plan."

Wen Youyi nodded.

The little one's thinking was very clear; it was not rash.

On one side of "Qianlong's" hull, several Star Patterns lit up slightly, and energy gathered rapidly.

The next second, several beams of silver-white light, condensed into substance, silently sliced through the Void Realm and shot precisely toward that mass of dark purple energy!

starlight pulse hit!

The spot where the dark purple energy mass was hit suddenly caved inward and churned violently, like a scalded beast, emitting a silent, rage-filled mental shriek!

The color of the hit part faded rapidly, and there were even specks of silver-white starlight flickering and eroding within it.

It's effective!

But before everyone could rejoice, a new change occurred!

The wounded part of the dark purple energy mass quickly drew energy from the surrounding "body," and its color recovered rapidly.

At the same time, those few shadowy tentacles surged suddenly, whipping toward the general direction from which "Qianlong's" attack came, with astonishing speed!

Where the tentacles passed, they left faint, unsettling purple trails in space.

"Qianlong" was prepared, and the hull lightly slid to the side, narrowly avoiding the tentacle's strike.

The tentacles grazed the edge of the hull, and the resulting energy turbulence caused ripples in "Qianlong's" stealth coating, but it did not cause any substantial damage.

[The target has rapid recovery capabilities, its counterattack method is a physical strike with energy tentacles, the speed is extremely fast, and it carries spatial disturbance and energy erosion effects.]

"Qianlong" quickly updated the intelligence.

[Recommendation: Change strategy: concentrate firepower, attack its suspected core (where energy fluctuations are most concentrated), and attempt to interrupt its recovery process.]

[At the same time, maintain high-speed maneuverability to avoid being entangled by the tentacles.]

"Approved! Execute!"

"Qianlong" no longer tested it; the attack Star Patterns all over the hull lit up at full power!

Dozens of thicker, more solid starlight pulses, like a violent storm, shot from different angles toward the core area of the dark purple energy mass!

This time, the dark purple energy mass felt a real threat.

It no longer resisted head-on; its entire "body" suddenly "bounced" off the surface of the metal fragment, attempting to dodge.

But "Qianlong's" attacks were too dense, and several beams still hit its core area.

"Hiss—!!!"

An even sharper, painful mental impact came.

The core area of the dark purple energy mass was beaten until its light dimmed, its form shrank by a circle, and its recovery speed was noticeably slower.

It was thoroughly enraged and no longer held back; all the shadowy tentacles waved wildly, while the entire energy mass began to shrink and expand violently, seemingly brewing an even more powerful counterattack.

"It's charging up! Preparing for a large-scale attack!" Senior Brother Li shouted nervously.

[High-energy reaction detected! Suggest evasion!]

"Qianlong" also issued a warning.

"Pull back! Prepare..." Before Wen Youyi could finish, that dark purple energy mass suddenly burst open!

It wasn't an explosion, but rather, like ink dripping into clear water, it instantly spread into a viscous, dark purple energy net covering several miles, enveloping toward "Qianlong"!

Countless tiny, insect-like shadows crawled on the net, exuding a nauseating intent of devouring and binding.

The range of this attack was too large; even with "Qianlong's" speed, it was difficult to avoid it completely!

"Activate 'Star Pattern Shield'! Maximum power! 'Flowing Silver' armor, prepare to withstand the contact impact!" Wen Youyi ordered urgently.

A thick silver light shield, composed of countless complex Star Patterns, instantly lit up on the surface of "Qianlong's" hull.

At the same time, the surface "Flowing Silver" armor began to micro-vibrate at a high frequency, preparing to dissipate the impact.

The dark purple energy net slammed down, wrapping "Qianlong" and its shield inside!

Sizzling—!

A teeth-gritting sound of erosion rang out.

The dark purple energy was like a living thing, desperately drilling into the silver shield, and the light of the shield dimmed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Even more troublesome was that those tiny shadow insects attached themselves to the shield, frantically gnawing on the Star Pattern energy!

"Shield energy consumption is rising sharply! It won't last long at this rate!" Senior Brother Zhang had sweat on his forehead.

[Energy devouring and assimilation phenomenon detected.]

"Qianlong's" consciousness remained calm.

[Recommendation: Abandon maintaining the large-scale shield, concentrate energy at the bow, convert to 'starlight thrust' mode, forcefully tear open the network, and attack its core at close range!]

[After its diffused form, its core defense will inevitably be weakened!]

This was a quite bold and risky plan!

It meant actively disengaging most of its defenses, rushing in while enduring the erosion of the energy net, to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy!

Wen Youyi made the decision almost instantly: "Approved! Execute!"

The Star Patterns on "Qianlong's" bow suddenly erupted with blinding silver light, and all energy gathered frantically toward the tip, forming an incredibly condensed silver light spear that seemed capable of piercing stars!

At the same time, the shields on other parts of the hull quickly shrank and disappeared.

The dark purple energy net immediately, like a shark that had smelled blood, swarmed to erode the unprotected hull!

The "Flowing Silver" armor vibrated at high frequency, resisting the erosion, but its surface still became "mottled" at a speed visible to the naked eye, and in some places, tiny "pits" even began to appear.

"Qianlong's" hull emitted a slight "tremor," and its consciousness also sent a hint of "discomfort," but more than that, it was resolute.

[Locking onto core... Advance!]

With the silver light spear leading the way, "Qianlong," like an arrow leaving the string, rammed fiercely into the densest area of the dark purple energy net!

Where the light spear passed, the dark purple energy melted like ice and snow, and a path was forcefully torn open!

"Qianlong" followed closely behind, and its bow slammed fiercely into the dark purple core, which had become thin due to the diffusion but still existed!

Pfft!

It sounded like a balloon being punctured.

The dark purple core twisted and contracted violently, emitting an incomparably shrill mental shriek, and then suddenly exploded into a sky full of drifting, rapidly fading purple light spots.

Having lost its core, that huge dark purple energy net also instantly collapsed and dissipated.

In the Void Realm, only "Qianlong" was left floating quietly; its silver hull had many tiny "scars," and its light was somewhat dimmed.

But its deep blue "dragon eye" remained bright, conveying a tired yet resolute intent: [Target... has been cleared.]

Inside the bridge, there was silence, followed by an outburst of cheers for surviving the ordeal.

"Well done! 'Qianlong'!" Xiao Wu was so excited it almost jumped up.

Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Zhang also breathed a sigh of relief and began to quickly check the hull damage and energy consumption.

Wen Youyi looked at the Void Realm outside the observation window that was gradually returning to calm, and then looked at "Qianlong," which was battered but spirited, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

In its first real-combat encounter with an unknown, powerful enemy, "Qianlong" had displayed maturity and potential beyond expectations from analysis to decision-making to execution.

It was not just a tool, but a trustworthy comrade-in-arms.

But this encounter also sounded a more urgent alarm.

The minions of the "Reapers" were indeed lurking around them.

The base was far from as safe as they had imagined.

"Collect all combat data, especially the energy residue of that thing."

On the way back, Wen Youyi instructed "Qianlong," "We need to know whether this is an isolated 'Scavenger' or... a precursor to a large-scale invasion."

The journey home through the sea of stars had not yet truly begun, but the shadows had already arrived.

(End of chapter)