163: Chapter 163 Returning to the Ancient Road, Second Trial

Chaos Valley Main Hall, Third Floor.

The dome star map in the Tactical Conference Room was lit.

The map, which covered the entire Big Dipper Star Field and the first seven stages of the Ancient Star Road, was rotating slowly at a frequency of once every 3 seconds.

But at this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on the newly added task panel in the center of the star map.

[Main Quest: Qualification for the Third Stage of the Ancient Star Road]

[Quest Name: Star Core Collection]

[Location: Eternal Star Domain · Area Surrounding the Second Stage Reception Station · Star Core Mineral Belt]

[Objective: Obtain [star core energy] × 10]

[Time Limit: 15 days (Game Time)]

[Background: The Third Stage "Prodigy Arena" requires star core energy as an entry token. Each unit of star core energy can support one Trial Taker to fight in the arena for 30 minutes. Once the energy is depleted, the user will be forcibly teleported out of the arena.]

[star core energy Attribute:]

[Type: Special Consumable / Quest Item]

[Quality: Epic]

[Description: Refined through a special process from star core fragments remaining from the late stages of stellar decay, it contains pure energy sufficient to support high-intensity combat for Cultivators below the Saint Realm. The Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Star Domain possesses the only refining technology.]

[Effects:]

[1. Prodigy Arena Entry Token: Consume 1 unit to enter the arena for 30 minutes of combat]

[2. Mecha Energy Core Recharge: 1 unit can restore 100% energy for a Quad-Polar level mecha]

[3. Formation Energy: Can serve as a temporary energy core for high-level Formations, lasting for 24 hours]

[4. Cultivation Aid: When breaking through the Dragon Transformation Realm Bottleneck, using 1 unit increases the success rate by 10%]

[Current Inventory: 0 / 10]

---

Lin Ye stood before the star map.

Behind him were nine people.

Su Qingyue.

Shi Potian.

Chen Hao.

Zhou Tieshan.

Chu Yunxi.

Zhao Wuji.

Qin Ruoxue.

Yun Qianxue.

Lu Xinghe.

The ten-person Expedition Team was fully assembled.

---

"15 days," Lin Ye said.

"10 units of star core energy."

"Distributed across three areas."

His finger traced across the star map, and three red markers lit up in succession.

[Star Core Mineral Vein · Area 1]

[Location: Eternal Star Domain · 370 km Northeast of the Second Stage Reception Station · Abandoned Mining Area]

[Danger Level: ★★★☆]

[Estimated star core energy Quantity: 3-5 units]

[Main Threats: Mine collapse / Residual radiation / Wandering Star Beast remains]

[Recommended Team: Collection Specialist + Guard]

---

[Star Core Mineral Vein · Area 2]

[Location: Eternal Star Domain · 210 km Northwest of the Second Stage Reception Station · Active Mining Area]

[Danger Level: ★★★★]

[Estimated star core energy Quantity: 4-7 units]

[Main Threats: Eternal Star Domain Official Mining Team (Neutral) / Other Faction Collection Teams (Potential Hostility) / Mining Area Guard Mecha (Level 60)]

[Recommended Team: Negotiation Specialist + Firepower Suppression]

---

[Star Core Mineral Vein · Area 3]

[Location: Eternal Star Domain · 470 km Due West of the Second Stage Reception Station · Star Beast Nest]

[Danger Level: ★★★★★]

[Estimated star core energy Quantity: 8-12 units]

[Main Threats: Crystal Core Giant Beast (Level 63-67 Elite) × 1 / Star Beast Pack (Level 58-62) × approx. 30 / Unknown Entity in the depths of the nest]

[Recommended Team: All Main Members]

---

Lin Ye's finger stopped on Area 3.

He stared at the line "Crystal Core Giant Beast (Level 63-67 Elite) × 1".

3 seconds.

He withdrew his hand.

"Area 1 and Area 2," he said.

"Leave them to the mass-produced mecha squad."

"Chen Hao, you lead the team."

---

Chen Hao did not answer immediately.

His right hand—the same hand that had gripped the control ball for 2,820 seconds during the 47-hour stress test, endured 170% recoil when the particle rifle exploded, and had now fully healed—pressed against the tactical desk.

"37 Chaos Mass Production Type I units," he said.

"Average pilot Rank is 52."

"Coordinating with the 470 remaining operational guardian type iii units."

"Area 1, 3-5 units, 3 days."

"Area 2, 4-7 units, 5 days."

He paused.

"But Area 3—"

---

Lin Ye looked at him.

"Area 3, the ten of us will go."

---

Chen Hao did not speak.

But the knuckles of his right hand, pressed against the desk, turned slightly white.

---

Shi Potian stepped forward.

His right arm—the one where the new skin had been forcibly torn during the battle against the Blood Altar guardian, which had now fully healed and still bore 47 faint pink lines on the surface—hung at his side.

He clenched his left fist.

"Crystal Core Giant Beast," he said.

"How many punches to smash it to death?"

---

No one laughed.

Because everyone knew he was serious.

---

Su Qingyue stood beside Lin Ye.

Her left hand—the one that had been pressed against the surface of the Blood Altar core shield during the battle against the guardian, frozen for 3 seconds, and still retained faint icy blue patterns on the palm—hung naturally at her side.

"The Crystal Core Giant Beast's weak point is below the third ring of its abdominal segments," she said.

"Same as the Star Core Giant Beast."

"But its carapace hardness is 30% higher than the Star Core Giant Beast."

"The freezing time will be shorter."

---

Zhou Tieshan took his new shield—the legendary heavy shield that had taken 7 days to craft, using Star Core Giant Beast carapace fragments as the main material and provided with technical support by the Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Star Domain—from his back.

He planted it into the ground.

[Black Tortoise · Rebirth]

[Type: Heavy Shield]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Defense: +12,700]

[Weight: 47 kg]

[Effect 1: When receiving physical attacks, there is a 30% chance to trigger "Countershock," dealing 20% of the damage received to the attacker]

[Effect 2: When receiving energy attacks, reduce damage by 35%, and convert 50% of the reduced amount into shield value]

[Effect 3: "Immovable as a Mountain" can be activated every 60 seconds, granting immunity to all control effects for 3 seconds]

[Effect 4: Bound to the holder "Zhou Tieshan", Defense +10%]

[Inscription on the shield face: Black Tortoise Hall · Third Hall Master · Zhou Tieshan]

---

He did not speak.

But he stood there.

---

Chu Yunxi took her new bow from her back.

[Flame Feather · Rebirth]

[Type: Longbow]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Attack: +5,700-6,800]

[Range: 370 meters in standard atmospheric conditions]

[Effect 1: Enchanted arrows have a 17% chance to trigger a small-area explosion upon impact (Damage 1,700)]

[Effect 2: When firing continuously, the 3rd arrow is a guaranteed critical hit]

[Effect 3: Can condense 1 "Flame Feather · True Fire Arrow" every 60 seconds, dealing 300% damage and adding a burn effect lasting 5 seconds]

[Effect 4: Range +50 meters in moonlight conditions]

[Inscription on the bow body: Vermilion Bird Hall · Hall Master · Chu Yunxi]

---

She drew the bowstring.

She stopped when the bow arms were two-thirds bent.

3 seconds.

She released.

The vibration of the bowstring returning to position echoed in the Tactical Conference Room for 0.7 seconds.

---

Lu Xinghe took out his new compass from his bosom.

[Star River · Rebirth]

[Type: Formation Master Magical Artifact]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Functions:]

[1. Spiritual Power Circuit Integrity: 100%]

[2. Spatial Positioning Accuracy: ±3 meters]

[3. Formation Setup Speed: +30%]

[4. Can store 3 sets of preset Formations for instant activation]

[5. Deeply bound to the holder "Lu Xinghe"s spiritual sea, ignores backlash]

[Inscription on the back of the compass: Formation Dao · Lu Xinghe]

---

He did not speak.

He just held the compass up to his eyes.

The needle swayed gently.

It stopped at 11 degrees west of due north.

The direction of Purple Mountain.

---

Yun Qianxue took her new staff from her waist.

[Green Lotus · Rebirth]

[Type: Healing Staff]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Healing Intensity: +5,700]

[Effect 1: All healing skill costs -20%]

[Effect 2: Can store 1 "Instant Rejuvenation" every 60 seconds, no casting time required]

[Effect 3: Automatically triggers a small group heal when friendly units within range have health below 30% (Cooldown 300 seconds)]

[Effect 4: The crystal at the head of the staff contains a wisp of "Flame of Life," which can be automatically activated when the holder is near death, restoring 30% health (Limited to 1 time per month)]

[Inscription on the staff body: Green Lotus · Yun Qianxue]

---

She held the staff.

The pale green fluorescence at the head of the staff pulsed at a frequency of 1.7 seconds/time.

Synchronized with Lin Ye's heartbeat.

---

Zhao Wuji took a new abacus from his Storage Ring.

[Mysterious Gold · Rebirth]

[Type: Auxiliary Magical Artifact]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Functions:]

[1. Asset Assessment Accuracy +50%]

[2. During transaction negotiations, the other party's psychological price point visibility +30%]

[3. Can activate "Precision Budgeting" every 72 hours, predicting the price fluctuation curve of any single material within the next 7 days]

[4. Bound to the holder "Zhao Wuji", all commercial skill effects +25%]

[Inscription on the back of the abacus: Heavenly Court Chamber of Commerce · Zhao Wuji]

---

He placed it on the table.

"Area 1 and Area 2," he said.

"I'll go negotiate."

"If we can buy it, we won't fight."

---

Qin Ruoxue stepped out from the shadows.

Her new cloak—[Thousand Faces · Rebirth]—was almost completely transparent under the lights of the Tactical Conference Room, with only the edges occasionally reflecting a very faint, silvery-gray glimmer.

"The Star Beast nest in Area 3," she said.

"The Crystal Core Giant Beast's patrol route."

"Once every 47 minutes."

"Shift change gap is 17 seconds."

"Same as the Blood Altar."

---

Lin Ye looked at her.

"They never learn," Qin Ruoxue said.

---

Lin Ye did not smile.

He turned around.

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

He looked at that star map.

He looked at that flashing red marker in Area 3.

He looked at that line: "Crystal Core Giant Beast (Rank 63-67 Elite) ×1."

———

"Fifteen days," he said.

"Ten units of star core energy."

"The ticket to the third trial."

"The Blood Prince is in Purple Mountain snatching the ruthless ones inheritance."

"We are on the Ancient Star Road snatching entry qualifications for the Prodigy Arena."

"Whoever snatches it faster will have—"

He paused.

—one more point of advantage in the next duel."

———

Ten people.

Ten pairs of eyes.

All were looking at him.

———

[System Prompt: You have confirmed the Expedition Team task: "Star Core Collection"]

[Task Objective: Obtain star core energy ×10]

[Task Time Limit: 15 days]

[Task Location: Eternal Star Domain · Vicinity of the Second Trial Reception Station]

[Task Detachments:]

[Team 1 (Area 1/2): Chen Hao (Captain) + Chaos - Mass Production Type I ×37 + guardian type iii ×470]

[Team 2 (Area 3): Lin Ye (Captain) + 9 core members of the Expedition Team]

[Estimated Departure Time: In 30 minutes]

———

Lin Ye closed the prompt.

He looked at Chen Hao.

"Areas 1 and 2," he said.

"Five days."

"Is it enough?"

———

Chen Hao did not speak.

He simply placed his right hand—the one that had once gripped the control sphere for 2,820 seconds, had once withstood 170% recoil, and had once climbed onto the shoulder of the Blood Altar guardian to jam the remains of an energy core into it—

—against the armor of his left shoulder.

There was a sun symbol engraved there with the words "Hao · First Machine of the Heavenly Court."

It was a replica of the left shoulder armor from chaos unit no. 1.

He had tattooed it onto his own left shoulder.

———

"Five days," he said.

"37 mass-produced units."

"470 guardians."

"Four to seven units of star core energy."

"If I'm short by even one—"

He paused.

"—I'll forfeit myself as compensation."

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

Three seconds.

"No need for compensation," Lin Ye said.

"Just come back alive."

———

Chen Hao lowered his right hand from his shoulder.

He nodded.

———

Lin Ye turned to the others.

"In 30 minutes."

"See you at the Reception Station."

———

Ten people.

Ten sets of footsteps.

They all walked toward the door of the Tactical Conference Room at the same time.

———

As the first person stepped out the door, Lin Ye spoke.

"Wait a moment."

Everyone stopped.

Lin Ye walked up to the star map.

He pointed his finger at the red marker in Area 3.

"Crystal Core Giant Beast," he said.

"Rank 63-67."

"Three Ranks lower than a Star Core Giant Beast."

"But its carapace hardness is 30% higher."

"The freezing duration is short."

"There is also a pack of 30 Star Beasts in the nest, Ranks 58-62."

He paused.

"This isn't a hunt."

"This is—a tactical assault."

———

Ten people looked at him.

No one spoke.

———

"Therefore," Lin Ye said.

"We won't engage head-on."

"Qin Ruoxue."

"Here."

"A 47-minute patrol interval."

"A 17-second shift change."

"We need to cut into the core of the nest within those 17 seconds."

———

Qin Ruoxue didn't ask "how."

She simply nodded.

———

"Lu Xinghe."

"Here."

"The internal terrain of the nest."

"How much can you scan within 17 seconds?"

———

Lu Xinghe held up a new compass before his eyes.

The needle swayed gently.

"Seventeen seconds," he said.

"A radius of 370 meters."

"Terrain precision ±3 meters."

"Star Beast position precision ±7 meters."

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

"That's enough."

———

"Shi Potian."

"Here."

"The Crystal Core Giant Beast."

"You take it head-on."

"Not to kill it."

"But to 'hold' it."

"Thirty seconds."

"Is it enough?"

———

Shi Potian's left fist—the one that had stood firm against three punches from a Rank 70 Ancestor Phantom during the Ninth Trial of the Ancestor Star, and had smashed the skulls of 47 Crystal-Armored Giant Rhinoceroses during the 72-hour bloody battle in Chaos Valley—

—was raised to his chest.

"Thirty seconds," he said.

"It won't fall."

"But I won't fall either."

———

Lin Ye nodded.

"Zhou Tieshan."

"Here."

"You coordinate with Shi Potian."

"Block the right side with your shield."

"The attack frequency of the Crystal Core Giant Beast's right forelimb is 17% higher than its left."

"You block for 17 seconds."

———

Zhou Tieshan pulled Black Tortoise - New Life from the ground.

He held the shield forward.

"Seventeen seconds," he said.

"It won't get past."

———

"Chu Yunxi."

"Here."

"The Crystal Core Giant Beast's weakness—just below the third ring of its abdominal segments."

"You shoot there."

"Within 30 seconds."

"How many arrows can you fire?"

———

Chu Yunxi drew her new bow.

The bow arms bent to their limit.

"Thirty seconds," she said.

"47 arrows."

———

Lin Ye looked at her.

"Enough."

———

"Su Qingyue."

"Here."

"After Shi Potian holds the Crystal Core Giant Beast."

"You freeze its hind limbs."

"Reduce its movement speed by 50%."

"Thirty seconds."

———

Su Qingyue raised her left hand.

Her palm faced upward.

An extremely thin, ice-blue thread of light rose from her palm.

It spiraled.

It condensed into an ice lotus three centimeters in diameter.

"Thirty seconds," she said.

"It won't be able to move."

———

Lin Ye looked at that ice lotus.

Three seconds.

He turned to Yun Qianxue.

"You don't need to enter the core area."

"You stay at the nest entrance."

"Whoever gets injured, withdraws."

"You'll be there."

———

Yun Qianxue held Green Lotus - Rebirth.

The pale green fluorescence at the head of the staff pulsed.

"Understood," she said.

———

Lin Ye looked at Zhao Wuji.

"You don't need to enter the core area either."

"You stay with Qin Ruoxue."

"Intelligence support."

"In case we need to negotiate—"

He paused.

"—you handle the talking."

———

Zhao Wuji held Dark Gold - New Life in his hand.

"Understood."

———

Finally, Lin Ye looked at Chen Hao.

"Areas 1 and 2."

"Five days."

"Four to seven units."

"Once your side is finished, go directly to Area 3 to provide backup."

"If we haven't come out within 15 days—"

He paused.

"—you know what to do."

———

Chen Hao did not speak.

He simply pressed his right hand against the sun symbol on his left shoulder.

Three seconds.

———

[System Prompt: Expedition Team split-force plan confirmed]

[Team 1: Chen Hao (Captain) + Mass-Produced Mecha Group]

[Task Area: Mining Areas 1 and 2]

[Task Objective: 4-7 units of star core energy]

[Task Time Limit: 5 days]

[Team 2: Lin Ye (Captain) + 9 core members of the Expedition Team]

[Task Area: Mining Area 3 · Star Beast Nest]

[Task Objective: 8-12 units of star core energy + Crystal Core Giant Beast kill (Optional)]

[Task Time Limit: 10 days]

[Rendezvous Point: Eternal Star Domain · Second Trial Reception Station · Heavenly Court Outpost]

[Rendezvous Time Limit: 15 days]

———

Lin Ye closed the prompt.

He turned around.

He walked toward the door of the Tactical Conference Room.

Behind him, nine sets of footsteps.

They rang out simultaneously.

———

30 minutes later.

The Chaos Valley teleportation array.

A pale blue pillar of light soared into the sky.

Ten figures vanished into the depths of the Star Gate at the same time.

———

[You have teleported to: Ancient Star Road · Second Trial · Eternal Star Domain Reception Station]

[Current Coordinates: Reception Station East District · Heavenly Court Outpost]

[Current Time: era calendar Year 1972 · Day 331 · 06:47 (Game Time)]

[Remaining Task Time: 14 days, 23 hours, 13 minutes]

———

Lin Ye stepped out of the teleportation array.

Before him was the 300-square-meter outpost that had already begun to take shape.

The three-story steel structure's main body was finished, its exterior covered in silver-gray Starlight Alloy Type II composite armor. The top floor was the intelligence analysis center, where Qin Ruoxue's intelligence nodes were currently refreshing data at a rate of 1,700 entries per second. The second floor was the supply warehouse; the inventory list left by Zhao Wuji showed 47 sets of spare energy cores. The first floor was for guests and tactical discussions, currently empty.

To the east of the outpost, the long-range teleportation array that had been scrapped 47 years ago—and forced back to life 47 minutes ago with 470,000 Spirit Stones and 7 star core fragments—had now completely cooled down.

Its core processor had completely burned out after its final overload.

But its mission was complete.

———

Lin Ye stood at the entrance of the outpost.

He looked north.

In the direction of Area 3.

470 kilometers away.

———

Behind him, nine people.

Su Qingyue.

Shi Potian.

Zhou Tieshan.

Chu Yunxi.

Chen Hao.

Zhao Wuji.

Qin Ruoxue.

Yun Qianxue.

Lu Xinghe.

———

"Team 1," Lin Ye said.

Chen Hao took a step forward.

———

"Team 2."

The other eight people.

They stepped forward together.

———

[System Prompt: Expedition Team split-force execution in progress]

[Team 1: Heading to Mining Area 1]

[Team 2: Heading to Mining Area 3]

[Estimated Arrival Time: Mining Area 1 — in 3 hours; Mining Area 3 — in 4 hours]

[Wishing everyone great fortune in battle.]

———

Lin Ye took one last look at Chen Hao's back.

He was already walking toward the hangar.

37 units of Chaos - Mass Production Type I were on standby.

470 units of guardian type iii were charging.

He walked to the feet of the first mass-produced machine.

He pressed his right hand against the hydraulic guard of its knee joint.

Three seconds.

Then he climbed into the cockpit.

———

Lin Ye withdrew his gaze.

He turned around.

Toward the north.

Area 3.

He took the first step.

———

Behind him.

Eight sets of footsteps.

They rang out simultaneously.

———

[End of Chapter 163]