308: The Awakening Aliens and the Secrets of the "Star Eaters"

Inside the core cabin of the Green Scale, Wen Youyi and the others were busy "packing up."

The two still-operational stasis pods were carefully dismantled—they didn't look large, but they were surprisingly heavy; Zhao Iron Pillar used eighty percent of his strength just to move one. Azure light patterns flowed across the surface of the pod, and through the transparent shell, figures immersed in pale blue liquid could be seen inside.

"This liquid is interesting," Senior Brother Zhang said, scanning it with a detector. "The composition is complex. Besides basic life-support substances, there are also large amounts of special ingredients used to stabilize the spirit and slow down metabolism... It's somewhat similar to a liquid version of the Turtle Breath Pill from our Alchemy, but the technical approach is completely different."

Wang Wu, meanwhile, took two Purifiers Fellow Daoists to sort through the sealed boxes and containers. These storage devices from the Star Patrol Civilization were cleverly designed, featuring touch-sensitive labels on the surface that, when touched, displayed a holographic image and description of the contents—though the text was incomprehensible, the images were intuitive enough.

"This box contains energy crystals... the purity is so high! Much stronger than the scraps we scraped out of the Hive!"

"This box seems to hold... weapon components? They have strange shapes, like a combination of a harpoon and a staff."

"Here's an entire box of plant Seeds! Labeled as 'Eco-Ship Adaptable Crops'... Wow, this corn looks like jade!"

Wen Youyi stood before the floating crystal ball—which Captain Galo Xinghen had called the "data core." The Fusion key was currently affixed to the surface of the crystal ball, and fine azure light filaments extended between the two, seemingly transferring data.

[star key permission confirmed. Star Patrol Civilization Level Three Scientific Research Vessel Green Scale database open. Downloading star map data, research logs, enemy intelligence...] The key transmitted a clear thought.

Wen Youyi closed his eyes, and a massive flow of information poured into his mind. Although it had been "translated" and filtered by the key, the sheer volume of data still made his temples throb.

He "saw"—

A dark red Star Domain labeled "Star Devourer Activity Zone," astonishingly vast, covering nearly half of the star map;

Several different types of Star Devourers combat units: some they had encountered, which were highly mechanical like the Hive, others that were more biological, terrifying existences resembling cosmic behemoths, and even one type... that appeared as a purely energetic phantom;

Records regarding the Star Devourers' behavioral patterns: they did not seem to be expanding merely to plunder resources, but were executing a certain "program"—systematically searching specific Star Domains, capturing life forms or relics characterized by Star Power, and "converting" them into part of themselves;

And, a vague piece of information that made Youyi's heart skip a beat:

[Based on reverse analysis of captured low-level Star Devourers units, a clear, targeted "Search Protocol" was found in their underlying directives. Target characteristics: individuals/groups possessing the Star People energy signature, or holding star key fragments, or containing Civilization Tinder. Priority: Highest.]

"As expected..." Wen Youyi opened his eyes, his gaze heavy. "The Star Devourers are also looking for the Star People's legacy, and... they are likely connected to the Reapers, perhaps even different manifestations of the same force."

He recalled the three-tiered harvest System of the Ranch World—the spirit net, the Heart Demon, and the Heavenly Mandate. How similar that precise and ruthless "programmed" harvest model was to the Star Devourers' behavior, with its explicit Search Protocol!

"Boss, we've moved most of the stuff!" Zhao Iron Pillar's voice interrupted his thoughts. "What should we do with these two 'Sleeping Beauties'? Just move them back? Should we wake one up first to ask about the situation?"

Wen Youyi looked at the two stasis pods. The information from the key indicated that the two survivors were Vice-Captain Aila Xinghen (the Captain's sister) and Chief Scientist Solin Stargazer. Their vital signs were stable, but they had been in stasis for at least three months, and waking them abruptly might be risky.

"Move them back to hope first. We'll decide on a wake-up plan after Senior Sister Mu performs a comprehensive examination." Wen Youyi made the decision. "The data core download is complete. This ship... has no further value."

Just as everyone was preparing to evacuate, an unexpected change occurred.

The key, which had been partially damaged and had its fragments merged by Wen Youyi, suddenly began to vibrate violently! The star map on its surface rotated frantically, projecting a complex holographic star map phantom. At a certain edge of the star map, a bright red dot was rapidly flashing!

[Warning: Residual signal from a high-level Star Devourers tracking beacon detected. Signal source: Inside the Green Scale hull, coordinates... Third Energy Pipeline Hub. The signal was activated ten breaths ago and is now transmitting location information externally. Estimated arrival time of Star Devourers tracking units: six to ten hours.]

"What?!" Wen Youyi's expression changed drastically. "There's a tracker on this ship?!"

"Damn it! They're like ghosts!" Zhao Iron Pillar cursed, grabbing his heavy sword and preparing to search for that "Energy Pipeline Hub."

"It's too late!" Senior Brother Zhang said, looking at the soaring energy readings on the detector. "The signal has already been sent! And... this thing might have been driven into the hull during the Captain's previous battle. We must have triggered it when we dismantled the stasis pods or moved the equipment!"

Wen Youyi made an immediate decision: "Everyone, retreat to the shuttle immediately! Take as much as you can, leave what you can't! Hurry!"

The six of them grabbed the most important boxes, shouldered the two stasis pods, and rushed out of the core cabin at maximum speed. In the corridor, the emergency indicator lights were flashing noticeably faster, and an ominous vibration began to emanate from the hull—the Tracking Beacon seemed to also include self-destruct or jamming protocols.

By the time they stumbled back into the shuttle, the hull of the Green Scale was already erupting with strange purple electrical light in multiple places.

"Lift off! Return to hope at full speed!" Wen Youyi dove into the pilot's seat, ordering the command almost as a roar.

The small shuttle's engines roared to life, shooting out from beside the wreckage like a startled rabbit. Just as they flew less than ten miles away, the Green Scale wreckage behind them violently shuddered, and then a blinding purple light sphere exploded from within! The sphere rapidly expanded, consumed the entire ship, then contracted and annihilated, leaving only a cloud of slowly spreading metallic debris and energetic embers in the star field.

"Self-destruct protocol..." Wang Wu looked back at the ruins, feeling lingering fear. "The Star Patrol Civilization people are ruthless enough; they had a contingency plan buried long ago."

"It wasn't buried by them," Wen Youyi said, his face grim. "It was the residue of a Star Devourers attack. That Tracking Beacon... was likely a biomechanical parasite that remained dormant after being driven into the hull until we activated it."

The shuttle quickly returned to hope. Senior Brother Li, who had already received the alert, had the entire ship enter Level Three combat readiness, with all posts standing by.

"How bad is the situation?" Senior Brother Li met Wen Youyi on the bridge.

"Very bad," Wen Youyi connected the key to the main console and brought up the star map data he had just received. "The Star Devourers' tracking signal has been sent, and pursuit units are expected to arrive within six to ten hours. Furthermore... we may have stirred up a hornet's nest."

He pointed to the dark red "Star Devourer Activity Zone" on the star map. "According to the Star Patrol Civilization's intelligence, this Star Domain has at least seven large Star Devourers nests or outposts. The closest one... is less than three days' travel from us."

The bridge fell silent.

They had just escaped the Anvil, only to provoke the Star Devourers. Their luck was so bad they might as well buy a cosmic lottery ticket—if such a thing existed.

"So... are we still going to Guixu?" Zhao Iron Pillar asked the critical question.

"Yes, of course we are going." Wen Youyi's gaze was firm. "But the route must be adjusted now. Following the original course directly is too dangerous; we would likely run straight into a Star Devourers patrol net."

He brought up the newly downloaded star map data from the key and traced a winding route with his finger. "The Star Patrol Civilization marked several relatively safe 'Smuggling Routes,' areas they discovered during long-term scientific surveys where Star Devourers monitoring is weak. Taking this path will be longer, but safer."

Senior Brother Li looked at the convoluted route and estimated, "Taking this path... the time to reach Guixu will increase by at least fifteen days."

"It's better than being intercepted halfway," Wen Youyi said, looking at everyone. "Plus, we now have new leverage."

He pointed to the two stasis pods that had been sent to the medical bay, as well as the boxes they brought back.

"Two Star Patrol Civilization survivors, the data core of an entire Scientific Research Vessel, plus their supplies and technological samples. The value of these items... is immeasurable."

Just then, Mu Wanqing's voice came through the medical bay communication channel, carrying a hint of surprise: "Youyi, one of the 'Sleeping Beauties' you brought back... her vital signs are fluctuating violently! It seems like... she's waking up on her own!"

Wen Youyi and the others immediately rushed to the medical bay.

Inside the specialized medical bay, the two stasis pods were placed side-by-side. The one on the left remained calm, but the one on the right—marked as Vice-Captain Aila Xinghen's stasis pod—had light patterns on its surface flashing rapidly. The pale blue liquid inside began to churn, and the female alien, who had light azure skin and small horns on her forehead, had her eyelids trembling slightly.

"Autonomous nerve activation signals detected," Mu Wanqing said, staring at the monitoring screen. "Her consciousness is forcibly breaking through the suppression of the stasis drugs... What powerful willpower!"

"Is there any danger?" Senior Brother Zhang asked.

"There is certainly danger, but stopping her is more dangerous." Mu Wanqing rapidly operated the medical equipment. "The stasis pod's maintenance System is unstable. Forcing her to remain dormant could cause permanent brain damage. The best option now is... to assist her in completing the awakening process."

Wen Youyi nodded: "Then help her."

Mu Wanqing immediately injected specialized waking agents and nerve stabilizers into the medical pod. At the same time, hope's ship spirit also connected to the medical System, beginning to finely adjust the stasis pod's energy output to help Aila Xinghen transition smoothly.

This process lasted for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

Suddenly, the stasis pod's lid hissed and slid open to the sides, and the pale blue liquid quickly drained. The female alien inside shot up, coughing violently, spitting out some residual liquid from her mouth and nose.

She opened her eyes.

They were extremely beautiful eyes—the pupils were a deep indigo, fringed with faint starlight, as if they contained the entire cosmos. But currently, these eyes were filled with wariness, confusion, and... profound, bottomless sorrow.

Her gaze quickly swept over the unfamiliar environment and the strangers, finally settling on the key in Wen Youyi's hand.

She spoke a sentence in a husky yet exceptionally melodious voice—it was still an incomprehensible language, but the shock and disbelief in her tone were evident.

The key automatically responded, translating her language into thought and transmitting it into Wen Youyi's mind:

[The star key... a complete star key?! Who... are you? Where is my brother? Where is the Green Scale?]

Wen Youyi took a deep breath and replied in the calmest tone possible—the key would translate his words simultaneously:

"We are the Starfire Civilization, survivors who escaped from the distant Ranch World. We discovered the wreckage of the Green Scale in space and rescued you and your companion. As for your brother, Captain Galo Xinghen..."

He paused, then brought up the recorded footage and played it on the medical pod's screen.

Aila Xinghen watched her brother's final message in silence. A layer of mist gradually veiled her indigo eyes, but she fiercely held back her tears. The Star Patrol Civilization seemed to possess extremely resilient emotional control.

When the footage finished playing, silence descended upon the medical bay.

After a long while, Aila Xinghen raised her head. The sorrow in her eyes had transformed into cold determination.

[The Star Devourers... them again.] Her thought came through the key, laced with deep-seated hatred. [Galo... my last remaining relative...]

She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and fixed her gaze on Wen Youyi again:

[You hold the star key, yet you seem completely unaware of its significance and danger?]

Wen Youyi gave a wry smile. "Our knowledge is indeed limited. We only know it is the legacy of the Star People, pointing to a place called Guixu. As for why the Star Devourers are also searching for it... we genuinely don't know."

Aila Xinghen slowly stood up from the medical pod—she was about 1.8 meters tall, taller than an average human female, with a slender and agile figure, wearing an azure form-fitting uniform bearing the Green Scale's emblem. Although newly awakened, her movements already appeared quite steady.

[In that case, I believe we need to have a serious talk.] She looked at Wen Youyi, her indigo eyes flickering with complex light. [About the star key, about the Star Devourers, about... the Guixu you are heading toward, and the terrible war unfolding in that Star Domain.]

She paused, then added:

[By the way... thank you for saving me. Though you probably don't realize what a huge trouble you've picked up.]

Wen Youyi and his companions exchanged glances, seeing the same thought reflected in each other's eyes—

Well, now the story just got a lot more complicated.

(End of Chapter)