322: Time Trap and the "Star Eater's" Mistake

The engines of the hope roared.

The blue flames from the thrusters left a long trail in the starry sky as the entire starship sped forward at near-limit speeds. On the bridge, everyone’s nerves were taut—behind them in the Star Domain, a massive fleet of over thirty Star Devourers warships followed closely, like a pack of sharks scenting blood.

"What’s the distance?" Wen Youyi sat in the captain’s seat, his left arm wrapped in thick bandages—Mu Wanqing had exhausted the stock of "Space-time Stabilizers" just to barely stop his wound from experiencing time displacement, but it would still take time to heal completely.

Senior Brother Li stared at the monitor: "The nearest three Vanguard Ships are only eight thousand four hundred li away! At this speed, they’ll catch up in three hours at most!"

"Can the engines go any faster?" Zhao Iron Pillar rubbed his hands anxiously.

"This is already the limit!" Senior Brother Li shook his head. "Any faster and the engine core will melt! Besides, we just went through a Time Turbulence, and there’s hidden damage to the ship's structure. We can't push it like this!"

Aila sat in the co-pilot seat, her indigo eyes fixed on the star map. She quickly pulled up Time Turbulence data collected from the Forgotten Corridor, her fingers flying across the virtual keyboard: "A conventional escape route won't work; the Star Devourers' fleet is faster than us. We must... utilize the environment."

"What environment is there to use around here?" Wang Wu looked at the star map. "It’s all empty Star Domain, not even a decent asteroid belt!"

"No, there is." Aila pulled up a special frequency scan: "Look here—fifteen hours' flight time ahead of us, there’s a 'Dark Matter Turbulence Zone.' There’s no visible matter there, but the density of dark matter is extremely high, creating interference similar to a gravitational field."

Senior Brother Zhang pushed up his glasses: "You want to use Dark Matter Turbulence to interfere with their tracking? But that kind of interference affects all ships equally. We’ll lose our way if we go in too!"

"What if we know the 'grain' of the turbulence?" Aila's lips curled slightly. "In the Forgotten Corridor, we collected a vast amount of space-time anomaly data. The movement patterns of Dark Matter Turbulence have mathematical similarities to certain Time Turbulences. I can build a Prediction Model to calculate a relatively safe passage through the turbulence."

Wen Youyi's eyes lit up: "You mean we can use a cheat in the turbulence?"

"Pretty much." Aila nodded. "But it requires the hope's Neural Network to operate at full power, and the model will need constant adjustment—because once the Star Devourers fleet enters, they’ll disturb the turbulence structure."

"Then let's do it!" Wen Youyi made the decision. "All hands, target—the Dark Matter Turbulence Zone! Aila, start building the model! Senior Brother Zhang, you assist her!"

The subsequent flight became a race against time.

Behind them, the Star Devourers' Vanguard Ships drew closer. Eight thousand four hundred li, seven thousand six hundred li, six thousand nine hundred li... the distance continued to shrink. Those dark-gold ship silhouettes in the starry sky were like reapers coming for their lives, emitting a cold killing intent that could be felt even from a great distance.

On the bridge, over a dozen holographic screens floated before Aila and Senior Brother Zhang, streaming complex formulas and data. Their fingers flew as they constantly adjusted the Prediction Model. The hope's ship spirit also joined the calculations; the light paths of the Neural Network flashed frantically throughout the ship, and the temperature rose so high that Xiao Wu had to activate the extra cooling System.

"Model completion at 30%..." Senior Brother Zhang wiped away sweat. "We need at least two more hours!"

"We only have an hour and a half left!" Senior Brother Li looked at the pursuers. "Their speed is even faster than expected!"

Wen Youyi stared at the star map and suddenly asked: "Old K, how much do you know about Dark Matter Turbulence?"

Old K was crouching in a corner studying a crystal fragment picked up from the edge of the Forgotten Corridor—he said it might be a storage device from some ancient civilization. Hearing Wen Youyi's question, he looked up: "Dark Matter Turbulence? That stuff is like the 'undercurrents' of the Universe. You can't see or touch it, but it can toss a starship around like a leaf. I went in once with a team of smugglers, and we barely made it out."

"What are the characteristics inside?"

"Characteristics?" Old K thought for a moment. "The biggest characteristic is... there are no characteristics. All conventional detection methods fail; you can only rely on experience and intuition. Oh, right, there are occasional 'Dark Matter Vortices' in there. Those things are even more sinister—any ship caught in one will disappear from all detection equipment instantly, as if it never existed."

Wen Youyi and Aila looked at each other.

"Dark Matter Vortex..." Aila quickly pulled up the database. "In the Sky Patrol' records, that’s a phenomenon caused by the overlap of High-dimensional Space and conventional space. Matter caught in it isn't destroyed, but... temporarily 'thrown out' of the current dimension?"

"So you're saying the ships are actually still there, we just can't see them?" Senior Brother Zhang asked.

"You could say that," Aila said. "But if they can't 'drop' back out from the other side in time, they might be trapped in the High-dimensional Gap forever."

Wen Youyi stroked his chin, his programmer's instincts starting to kick in.

Invisible enemies, environmental interference, exploitable bugs... this sounded exactly like a high-difficulty network offensive and defensive battle.

"Aila," he spoke slowly, "what if we proactively create a 'Dark Matter Vortex' and then lure the Star Devourers fleet into it..."

"That’s too risky!" Aila immediately objected. "We could get sucked in ourselves! Besides, creating a vortex requires immense energy. In its current state, the hope simply can't do it!"

"We don't need to create it." Wen Youyi pointed to a specific spot on the star map. "According to your data, this turbulence zone already has naturally occurring vortices; it's just that their locations and timing are inconsistent. If we can predict the location and time of the next vortex..."

Senior Brother Zhang understood immediately: "And then guide the Star Devourers fleet to pass through that exact spot at that exact moment!"

"Exactly." Wen Youyi nodded. "It's like being in a minefield; we draw a safe path for ourselves but lead the enemy onto the mines."

The plan was bold, but it was indeed feasible.

Aila quickly adjusted the model, adding a prediction module for "Dark Matter Vortices." This calculation was even more complex; the load on the ship's Neural Network once reached 97%, nearly overloading it.

An hour later, the results were out.

"Three potential vortex formation points predicted." Aila pulled up a 3D star map marked with three flashing red dots. "The nearest one will form in two hours in C7 Area. Duration... about thirty breaths."

"Is thirty breaths enough?" Zhao Iron Pillar asked.

"If their entire fleet is within the vortex's range, thirty breaths is enough to make them all disappear," Aila said. "But the problem is how to ensure they are at that exact location at that exact time?"

Wen Youyi smiled: "It's like fishing. You have to make the bait smell delicious, but not make it too easy to eat."

He looked at Wang Wu: "Do we still have 'Signal Simulators' on the ship? The ones that can fake energy signals."

"We do, but the power isn't high. They won't fool the Star Devourers' Advanced sensors."

"We don't need to fool them completely, just make them 'hesitate' for a bit," Wen Youyi explained. "If we release a faint 'Star Key Energy Signal' in C7 Area before the vortex forms, what will they think?"

Aila's eyes lit up: [They’ll think we’ve hidden another fragment there, or that we're activating a fragment! The Star Devourers are extremely sensitive to star key energy; no matter how faint the signal, they will definitely go to investigate!]

"Exactly," Wen Youyi said. "When their main fleet gathers in C7 Area to investigate, the vortex will form right on time. And then..."

"And then they’re gone!" Zhao Iron Pillar slapped his thigh excitedly. "Boss, this move is devious!"

"This isn't underhanded, it's called tactics," Wen Youyi corrected. "Alright, start preparations. Wang Wu, go set up the Signal Simulator. Aila, Senior Brother Zhang, continue pinpointing the vortex's formation point and timing. Senior Brother Li, prepare for the hope's emergency steering and acceleration—we have to leave the C7 Area before the vortex forms, but not too early, or they'll get suspicious."

For the next hour and a half, the entire ship entered a state of unprecedented efficiency.

Wang Wu took a team and quietly piloted a transport shuttle to the C7 Area, installing a Signal Simulator on the back of an inconspicuous meteorite. To add realism, they also left some "traces"—a few scrap parts with starlight energy removed from the hope, disguised to look like they were left behind during a hurried evacuation.

Aila and Senior Brother Zhang repeatedly calibrated the Prediction Model. The formation of a Dark Matter Vortex was influenced by too many factors; any slight deviation could lead to the plan's failure. The two of them were almost sleepless, their eyes bloodshot.

Wen Youyi sat on the bridge, monitoring the pursuing enemies while coordinating various departments.

When they were half a shichen's journey from the C7 Area, the Star Devourers' Vanguard Ships had already closed the distance to less than four thousand li. Their muzzles began to flicker, clearly preparing to fire once they were within range.

"Activate the Signal Simulator!" Wen Youyi ordered.

In the C7 Area, the device hidden behind the meteorite quietly activated. A faint but pure "star key energy fluctuation" emanated, like a candle flame in the dark.

Almost at the same time, the speed of the Star Devourers fleet behind them noticeably faltered!

On the bridge, everyone held their breath.

"They... detected it!" Wang Wu reported excitedly. "Three Vanguard Ships have turned! They're heading for the C7 Area!"

On the star map, those three dark-gold warships changed course, no longer chasing the hope in a straight line but racing toward the C7 Area ahead and to the side. Immediately after, the main fleet behind also began to adjust their formation, splitting half their forces to turn toward the C7 Area.

"They took the bait!" Zhao Iron Pillar pumped his fist excitedly.

But Wen Youyi did not relax. "It's not enough. Only half went; the other half is still chasing us. We have to get them all to go over."

He thought for a moment and gave another command: "hope, fire three 'Energy Burst Bombs' toward the C7 Area. The explosions will create energy ripples similar to when star key fragment are activated."

"Understood!"

Three silver-white burst bombs were launched from the hope's stern, tracing three arcs as they flew toward the C7 Area. As they neared the Signal Simulator, they exploded simultaneously—not in a destructive blast, but by releasing a specific energy frequency that highly resembled the characteristics of activated star key fragment.

This time, the Star Devourers fleet could no longer sit still.

All the remaining warships also turned, swarming toward the C7 Area! Even the largest Mother Ship—the Flagship where the Star Crusher was located—began to slowly turn!

"The whole fleet!" Senior Brother Li said excitedly. "They've all gone!"

Wen Youyi wasn't happy; instead, he became even more tense. "Now is the most critical moment. Aila, how much longer until the vortex forms?"

[Seventeen breaths!] Aila stared at the countdown. [The hope must leave the C7 Area's range of influence within ten breaths!]

"Engines at full power! Emergency turn! Target—deep into the turbulent zone!" Wen Youyi ordered sharply.

The hope's thrusters erupted with unprecedented light, and the entire starship forced a turn at a nearly tearing angle, charging toward the depths of the Dark Matter Turbulence Zone.

Meanwhile, the Star Devourers fleet had completely gathered in the C7 Area. Dozens of dark-gold warships spread out in the Void Realm, scanning every inch of space for the "missing star key fragment."

On the Star Crusher's Flagship, that figure composed of pure energy suddenly emitted a violent fluctuation!

[A trap! This is—]

Before its warning could be transmitted, the Dark Matter Turbulence in the C7 Area suddenly began to rotate wildly!

An invisible, massive vortex quietly formed in the Void Realm. There was no light, no sound, only space itself twisting and folding. A Star Devourers Escort Ship near the edge of the vortex didn't even have time to react before it was grabbed by an invisible hand and instantly "vanished"—no explosion, no disintegration, but simply erased from all sensors as if it had never existed.

[Evacuate! Evacuate immediately!] The Star Crusher's will spread frantically through the fleet network.

But it was too late.

The vortex's expansion speed was astonishingly fast. Of the thirty-plus Star Devourers warships, more than half were sucked in. They fired their thrusters and energy beams in vain, but all attacks were like mud sinking into the sea against the Dark Matter Vortex, completely useless.

One warship after another "vanished."

The Star Crusher's Flagship, relying on its powerful energy shield, barely resisted the vortex's suction. It frantically issued commands to the ships that hadn't been sucked in, attempting to regroup the formation.

But just then, another accident occurred.

The Flagship that was sucked into the vortex—the same Mother Ship that had commanded the pursuit in the Forgotten Corridor—suddenly opened fire on the Star Crusher's Flagship at the last moment before vanishing!

It wasn't a mistake, but a premeditated salvo!

Desezens of dark-gold energy beams crossed the Void Realm, slamming hard into the Star Crusher Flagship's shields! The shields flickered violently, and the energy readings plummeted by 40% in an instant!

[Traitors! How dare you—] The Star Crusher's will was filled with shock and rage.

But the Mother Ship that attacked it had already vanished into the vortex and could no longer hear it.

In the distance, on the hope, Wen Youyi and the others saw this scene through long-range sensors and were all stunned.

"They're... fighting among themselves?" Zhao Iron Pillar's mouth hung open.

Aila quickly analyzed the data: [It's not infighting. According to the energy signature analysis, the Mother Ship that attacked the Star Crusher's Flagship had faint traces of Star People purification energy in its energy signature—faint, but definitely there.]

Wen Youyi's heart jolted. "Are you saying... there were purified Star Devourer units in that Mother Ship? Or... captured Star People creations?"

[It's highly likely,] Aila said. [Although the Star Devourers have consumed countless civilizations, the wills of those civilizations might not have completely perished. In extreme circumstances, a 'backlash' might occur.]

After taking heavy damage, the Star Crusher's Flagship finally broke free from the vortex's suction, fleeing in panic with the remaining eight warships. As for the other twenty-plus Star Devourers warships, they were all swallowed by the Dark Matter Vortex, vanishing without a trace.

The vortex in the C7 Area slowly subsided after lasting for thirty-seven breaths. Everything returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.

Only the missing warships and the 40% shield damage on the Star Crusher's Flagship proved that everything just now wasn't an illusion.

A silence fell over the hope's bridge.

After a long while, Old K murmured, "I've been in this sea of stars for sixty years, and this is the first time I've seen the Star Devourers take such a big loss..."

Wen Youyi let out a long breath and slumped into the captain's chair.

The plan was a success. Not only did they manage to shake off their pursuers, but they also unexpectedly discovered "unstable factors" within the Star Devourers.

Aila walked over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We've collected precious data—on the formation mechanism of dark matter vortexes, on the Star Devourers' response patterns, and... on the signs of potential internal division among them."

Senior Brother Zhang also excitedly pushed up his glasses. "This data is enough to write ten papers!"

Wen Youyi, however, was not so optimistic. He looked at the direction the Star Crusher's Flagship had fled on the star map and spoke slowly:

"We only won this round temporarily. The Star Crusher is still alive, and now... it must hate us to death."

"The road ahead will be even harder to walk."

But at least they had breathing room.

They had new data.

And they had... a new possibility.

(End of Chapter)