173: Chapter 173 The Starship's Maiden Voyage, Heading Towards the Overlord Star

7 days.

This was the estimated voyage of the [Heavenly Court - First Generation] from the Eternal Star Domain's Second Pass Reception Station to the outer orbit of the Hegemon Body Ancestral Star.

It was not a space jump.

It was a "cruise."

A standard cruising speed of 0.5 light-years per day, combined with short-range transitions every 17 minutes, would allow this 47-meter-long silver-white starship to cross a distance of 570 light-years in 7 days, arriving at that ancient star with 127 times the gravity and no sky, only fist prints.

Lin Ye stood in the exact center of the command bridge.

[Command Bridge - Standard Configuration]

[Diameter: 7 meters]

[Height: 3 meters]

[Central Holographic Star Map: 1.7 meters in diameter, real-time display of the spatial environment within a 1-light-year radius]

[Control Console: 7 seats, corresponding to: Captain / Helmsman / Weapons / Navigation / Communications / Engineering / Combat Readiness]

[Currently at Posts:]

[Captain: Lin Ye]

[Helmsman: Chen Hao]

[Weapons: Chu Yunxi]

[Navigation: Lu Xinghe]

[Communications: Qin Ruoxue]

[Engineering: Zhao Wuji]

[Combat Readiness: Shi Potian]

[Reserves: Su Qingyue / Zhou Tieshan / Yun Qianxue (currently familiarizing themselves with ship Systems)]

———

The holographic star map rotated slowly in the center of the command bridge.

That 3D star map, covering a 570-light-year range around the Eternal Star Domain's Second Pass, currently had a flashing green dot in its center—the [Heavenly Court - First Generation]'s current position.

In front of the green dot, there was a route marked with a light blue dashed line.

[Planned Route: Eternal Star Domain Second Pass Reception Station → Meteorite Belt Outskirts → Void Corridor → Hegemon Body Ancestral Star Outer Orbit]

[Total Route Length: 573 light-years]

[Estimated Time: 7 days, 3 hours]

[Risk Zones En Route:]

[1. Meteorite Belt Outskirts (Low Threat) — 17% probability of encountering interstellar pirates]

[2. Void Corridor (Moderate Threat) — spatial turbulence frequency of once every 47 seconds, requires constant calibration by the navigator]

[3. Hegemon Body Ancestral Star Outskirts (Low Threat) — gravitational anomaly zone, must decelerate to pass]

[Current Leg: Reception Station → Meteorite Belt Outskirts]

[Remaining Time: 2 days, 7 hours]

———

Chen Hao sat in the helmsman seat.

His hands were pressed against two hemispherical control spheres—identical to the ones in the cockpit of chaos unit no. 1.

But this time, he wasn't controlling a 9.7-meter-tall mecha.

It was a 47-meter-long starship.

[Helmsman - Neural Connection Sync Rate: 97%]

[Starship Response Latency: 0.3 seconds]

[Current Speed: 0.5 light-years/day (Cruise)]

[Energy Core Load: 31%]

———

His voice rang out over the holographic channel:

"Boss."

"This thing... is easier to drive than a mecha."

———

Lin Ye didn't answer.

He looked at the holographic star map.

He looked at that light blue route.

He looked at the grey area ahead on the route labeled "Meteorite Belt Outskirts."

———

Hour 17.

[System Notification: You have entered the "Meteorite Belt Outskirts"]

[Current Zone Threat Level: Low]

[Interstellar Pirate Encounter Probability: 17%]

[Suggestion: Maintain vigilance, activate shield standby mode]

———

Lin Ye tapped the holographic star map with his finger.

[Shield Standby Mode - Activated]

[Energy Shield Generators ×3]

[Current Power: 17%]

[Can be instantly increased to 100% (requires 3 seconds of preheating)]

———

He turned around.

Looking at Qin Ruoxue.

"Intelligence," he said.

———

The light screen in front of Qin Ruoxue was refreshing data at a rate of 1,700 entries per second.

Her fingers slid across the light screen.

3 seconds later.

"There's an anomaly," she said.

———

Lin Ye looked at her.

"What kind of anomaly?"

———

Qin Ruoxue projected a segment of data onto the central star map.

[Signal Source - Unknown]

[Source Direction: 37 degrees straight ahead, distance 0.3 light-minutes]

[Signal Type: Ship-borne radar active scan]

[Scan Frequency: Once every 1.7 seconds]

[Match rate with common Meteorite Belt pirate scanning patterns: 97%]

———

Lin Ye looked at the line "0.3 light-minutes."

0.3 light-minutes ≈ 5.4 million kilometers.

At this distance, the other party could scan them, and they could scan the other party.

But the other party chose active scanning.

It wasn't concealment.

It was a "warning."

———

"Chen Hao," Lin Ye said.

"Decelerate to 0.3 light-years/day."

"Maintain current heading."

———

Chen Hao's hands turned slightly on the control spheres.

[Speed: 0.5 → 0.3 light-years/day]

[Deceleration Completed: 7 seconds]

———

Hour 18.

[System Notification: Detected approaching enemy vessels]

[Enemy Unit: Interstellar Pirate Group "Black Skull"]

[Number of Vessels: 3]

[Vessel Models:]

[1. Capital Ship "Black Skull" — Length 97 meters, Rank 65, Main Cannon Power 31,000]

[2. Frigate "Predator" — Length 47 meters, Rank 62, Main Cannon Power 17,000]

[3. Frigate "Reaper" — Length 47 meters, Rank 62, Main Cannon Power 17,000]

[Enemy Distance: 0.2 light-minutes]

[Relative Speed: 0.1 light-years/day]

[Estimated Contact Time: 17 minutes later]

———

Lin Ye looked at the line "3 vessels."

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Chu Yunxi."

"Here."

"Weapon Systems preheat."

"Charge Photon Cannons to 70%."

———

Chu Yunxi's finger pressed the light screen of the weapons control console.

[Photon Cannons ×4]

[Current Charge: 0% → 17% → 31% → 47% → 70%]

[Charging Completed: 3 seconds]

[Standby]

———

"Shi Potian."

"Here."

"Combat readiness team on standby."

"If they board the ship—you're in charge of boarding combat."

———

Shi Potian's left fist clenched.

"Understood."

———

"Zhao Wuji."

"Here."

"Engineering team on standby."

"If the shields are breached, repair them immediately."

———

Zhao Wuji's fingers swept quickly across the engineering panel.

[Shield Generators ×3]

[Current Status: Standby 17%]

[Emergency Protocol: Can be increased to 100% within 3 seconds]

[Backup Energy Cores: ×2]

———

"Lu Xinghe."

"Here."

"Navigation team, maintain heading."

"If an emergency jump is needed—you're responsible for calculating the coordinates."

———

Lu Xinghe looked at his [Star River · Rebirth].

The compass needle swayed gently.

"Three sets of coordinates have been preset," he said.

"Accuracy ±1.7 kilometers."

———

"Qin Ruoxue."

"Here."

"Communications team, keep monitoring."

"If they send a message—forward it to me immediately."

———

Qin Ruoxue nodded.

On her light screen, the opponent's scanning signal was still pulsing at a frequency of 1.7 seconds per time.

———

Minute 17.

[Enemy Distance: 0.01 light-minutes (approx. 180,000 kilometers)]

[Both parties entered visual range]

———

On the holographic star map, three red dots were slowly approaching.

Chu Yunxi projected the optical sensor footage to the center.

Three pitch-black vessels appeared in the starry sky.

The 97-meter-long capital ship in the center had a giant white skull mark painted on its bow. Within the skull's eye sockets were two dark red crystals, pulsating at a frequency of once every 1.7 seconds.

———

[Black Skull - Capital Ship]

[Type: Interstellar Pirate Flagship]

[Rank: 65]

[Length: 97 meters]

[Main Cannon: Triple Dark Energy Cannon ×1 — Single shot damage 31,000, charging time 7 seconds]

[Shields: Energy Shields ×2 — Total absorption limit 370,000]

[Crew: Approx. 170 people (Mixed Pirate Players/NPCs)]

[Note: The Black Skull Pirate Group has been active around the Eternal Star Domain for over 3 years, plundering 47 merchant ships, with accumulated bounties totaling 17 million Tech Resource Coupons.]

———

Lin Ye looked at the line "Bounty 17 million."

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Qin Ruoxue."

"Here."

"Send a message over."

"Ask them what they want."

———

Qin Ruoxue's fingers tapped quickly on the communications panel.

3 seconds later.

A message was sent out.

———

7 seconds later.

The other party replied.

Not with text.

But with voice.

———

A raspy male voice, carrying a clear tone of mockery, rang out over the holographic channel:

"Yo, a new ship."

"From the Heavenly Court?"

"Never heard of it."

"The rules are simple—leave a 1-million-coupon toll, or leave this ship."

"Pick one."

———

Lin Ye didn't speak.

He looked at those three vessels.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Chu Yunxi."

"Here."

"Charge Photon Cannons to 100%."

———

[Photon Cannons ×4]

[Current Charge: 70% → 100%]

[Charging Completed: 2 seconds]

———

"Chen Hao."

"Here."

"Heading unchanged, speed unchanged."

"Charge straight through."

———

Chen Hao's hands tightened on the control spheres.

"...Charge?"

———

Lin Ye nodded.

"Charge."

———

The [Heavenly Court - First Generation] sailed head-on toward the three pirate vessels at a speed of 0.3 light-years/day.

———

Second 0.

A burst of laughter came from the other party's channel.

"Hahahaha—is this new ship's captain a lunatic?"

"Charge? Charge with what? You think you can take on our three ships with just four Photon Cannons?"

———

Second 1.

Lin Ye spoke.

"Chu Yunxi."

"Target—the frigate on the left, the 'Predator'."

"Fire all four cannons."

———

Chu Yunxi's finger pressed the fire button.

[Photon Cannons ×4 - Salvo]

[Charge: 100%]

[Damage: 17,000-23,000 ×4 = 68,000-92,000]

[Hit Rate Calibrating...]

[Relative Speed Difference: 0.3 light-years/day]

[Ballistic Correction: Real-time input from Lu Xinghe's navigation team]

———

Four blue-white beams of light shot out from the bow of the [Heavenly Court - First Generation].

0.01 light-minutes.

Approx. 180,000 kilometers.

Beam flight time: 0.6 seconds.

———

Second 0.6.

Four beams simultaneously hit the left shield of the "Predator".

[Hits ×4]

[Shield Absorption: 68,000-92,000]

["Predator" Shield Limit: 170,000]

[Shields Remaining: 78,000-102,000]

[Shield Integrity: 45%-60%]

———

The laughter in the other party's channel came to an abrupt halt.

"...Holy crap, they're actually firing?!"

———

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

1.3 seconds.

The main cannon of the "Raider" began charging.

[Raider Main Cannon: Twin Dark Energy Cannons]

[Charging Time: 5 seconds]

[Current Progress: 0.3 seconds]

---

2 seconds.

Lin Ye spoke.

"Chu Yunxi."

"Second shot."

"Same target."

---

[Photon Cannon x 4 - Second Volley]

[Charge: 100% -> 17% (Overload)]

[Damage: 68,000-92,000]

[Flight Time: 0.6 seconds]

---

2.6 seconds.

Four beams struck the left shield of the "Raider" again.

[Hits x 4]

[Shield Absorption: 68,000-92,000]

[Shield Remaining: 78,000-102,000 - 68,000-92,000 = -14,000-34,000]

[Shield Penetrated]

[Hull Damage: 17,000-31,000]

[Raider - Hull Integrity: 97% -> 81%]

---

3 seconds.

"Raider" main cannon charging progress: 2.1 seconds.

---

3.3 seconds.

Lin Ye spoke.

"Chu Yunxi."

"Third shot."

---

[Photon Cannon x 4 - Third Volley]

[Current Charge: 17% -> 100% (Overload Cooldown)]

[Charging Time: 3 seconds - Too late]

---

Chu Yunxi's voice sounded over the channel:

"Boss, charging takes 3 seconds."

"It's too late."

---

Lin Ye did not answer.

He watched the holographic star map.

He watched that "Raider" currently charging.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Chen Hao."

"Hard to port."

"Pass between the 'Raider' and the 'Black Skull'."

---

Chen Hao's hands spun hard to the left.

The [Heavenly Court - First Generation] traced a sharp, arcing turn through the starry sky at a speed of 0.3 light-years/day.

The hull shuddered violently during the turn.

[Overload: 3.7G]

[Crew Status: All personnel enduring 3.7 times gravity]

---

3.7 seconds.

The "Raider" main cannon - fired.

Two dark red beams shot out from its bow.

But the [Heavenly Court - First Generation] was no longer on its original course.

The beams grazed past 0.3 kilometers behind the stern.

---

4 seconds.

The [Heavenly Court - First Generation] passed through the gap between the "Raider" and the "Black Skull".

Distance to the "Raider" on the left: 0.7 kilometers.

Distance to the "Black Skull" on the right: 1.1 kilometers.

---

4.3 seconds.

Lin Ye spoke.

"Chu Yunxi."

"Fourth shot."

"Target - 'Black Skull' main cannon muzzle."

---

Chu Yunxi was stunned for a moment.

"...The muzzle?"

---

Lin Ye did not explain.

He simply watched that 97-meter-long capital ship on the holographic star map.

He watched the triple-barreled Dark Energy Cannon on its bow.

At this moment, the muzzle of that cannon - was slowly turning.

Aiming at the [Heavenly Court - First Generation].

---

"It's charging," Lin Ye said.

"The moment when the energy at the muzzle is most concentrated is also when its defense is weakest."

"Shoot into it."

---

Chu Yunxi did not ask why.

Her finger pressed the fire button.

[Photon Cannon x 4 - Fourth Volley]

[Charge: 100%]

[Damage: 68,000-92,000]

[Target: Black Skull main cannon muzzle]

---

Four beams carved four straight blue-white trajectories through the starry sky.

0.6 seconds later.

They simultaneously plunged into the muzzle of the triple-barreled Dark Energy Cannon charging on the bow of the Black Skull.

---

[Hit Muzzle - Energy Backflow]

[Dark Energy Cannon Charging Progress: 71%]

[External Energy Injection: 68,000-92,000]

[Core Overload Check: Successful]

---

The bow of the Black Skull.

Exploded.

Not an explosion.

It was a "sympathetic detonation."

That triple-barreled Dark Energy Cannon was blown apart from the inside by excessive energy within 0.1 seconds.

The cannon barrels shattered into 47 fragments.

The fragments shot toward various parts of the Black Skull's hull at sub-light speed.

[Hull Damage: 37%]

[Shield Penetrated]

[Main Control System Damaged]

[Warp Engine Offline]

[Power Core Stability: 47%]

---

Panic-stricken shouts came from the enemy channel:

"Boss!!!"

"The main cannon exploded!!"

"Hull damage 37%!!!"

"The warp engine is gone!!!"

---

5 seconds.

Lin Ye spoke.

"Chen Hao."

"Decelerate."

"Turn."

"Aim at the 'Black Skull'."

---

The [Heavenly Court - First Generation] carved a sharp turn with a 3-kilometer radius through the starry sky.

Its bow aimed at that already half-crippled capital ship.

Four Photon Cannons - simultaneously pointed at it.

---

5.3 seconds.

Lin Ye's voice sounded in the holographic channel:

"Black Skull."

"Still collecting the toll?"

---

The enemy channel was silent for 3 seconds.

Then that raspy voice sounded again.

This time, there was no mockery.

Only exhaustion.

"...No."

"You go."

---

Lin Ye did not speak.

He glanced at the holographic star map.

[Black Skull - Status]

[Hull Integrity: 63%]

[Main Cannon: Destroyed]

[Warp Engine: Offline]

[Power Core: Unstable]

[Remaining Two Frigates: Intact]

[But Enemy Morale: Collapsed]

---

"Chu Yunxi," Lin Ye said.

"Fifth shot."

"Target - 100 meters directly in front of the Black Skull's bow."

---

Chu Yunxi pressed the fire button.

Four beams shot into the empty starry sky.

They grazed past 100 meters in front of the Black Skull's bow.

---

That was a warning.

The next shot would not miss.

---

"Go," Lin Ye said.

---

The [Heavenly Court - First Generation] accelerated again.

0.3 light-years/day -> 0.5 light-years/day.

It continued to sail deeper into the Meteorite Belt.

---

Behind them, the three pirate ships grew increasingly distant.

The Black Skull remained stopped in place.

Two frigates guarded its sides.

No one pursued.

---

[System Prompt: Battle Ended]

[Battle Duration: 5.3 seconds]

[Enemy: Black Skull Pirate Group - 3 ships]

[Our Side: Heavenly Court - First Generation - 1 ship]

[Battle Results:]

[1. Damaged "Raider" (Shield Penetrated / Hull Damage 19%)]

[2. Severely damaged "Black Skull" (Main Cannon Destroyed / Warp Engine Offline / Hull Damage 37%)]

[3. Deterrence successful, enemy abandoned pursuit]

[Obtained Loot: Interstellar Pirate Badge x 50]

---

[Interstellar Pirate Badge]

[Type: Loot / Bounty Voucher]

[Quality: Rare]

[Description: Identity badges found on defeated pirate group members, can be exchanged for bounties at various official ports in the Eternal Star Domain.]

[Exchange Rate: 1 badge = 1,700 Tech Resource Vouchers]

[Current Quantity: 50 pieces]

[Total Value: 85,000 Tech Resource Vouchers]

[Note: Collecting 100 pieces unlocks the hidden mission "Clear Out Pirate Group."]

---

Lin Ye tucked those 50 badges into his pocket.

He looked up.

He watched the holographic star map.

[Heavenly Court - First Generation - Current Status]

[Energy Core: 73%]

[Shield: 17% (Standby) / 100% (Not Activated)]

[Weapon System: Photon Cannon x 4 - 5 volleys fired, cooldown remaining 2 seconds]

[Hull Durability: 100% -> 95% (Shield not fully activated during 1st volley, slight overload)]

[Crew Status: All normal]

---

95% durability.

5.3 seconds.

3 pirate ships.

---

Chen Hao's voice came from the helm position.

"...Boss."

"Those 5 seconds just now."

"Were more exhausting than piloting a mech for 47 minutes."

---

Lin Ye did not answer.

He watched the holographic star map.

He watched that area marked "Void Realm Corridor" ahead.

5 days and 17 hours to go.

---

"Rest," Lin Ye said.

"Shift change."

"Qin Ruoxue, you take the first shift."

"Replace me in 4 hours."

---

Qin Ruoxue nodded.

Lin Ye left the command cabin.

He walked toward the rest cabin at the stern.

---

The rest cabin was very small.

Only 3 square meters.

A bed, a table, a chair.

On the bed lay a set of brand new uniforms - [Starship Standard Uniform] gifted by the Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield, dark gray, with the words [Heavenly Court - First Generation] embroidered on the chest.

Lin Ye did not change.

He sat on the bed.

He took that [civilization spark chip] out from his pocket.

It was still pulsing.

1.7 seconds/pulse.

Synchronized with his heartbeat.

---

He watched it for 3 seconds.

Then he tucked it back into his pocket.

He laid down.

He closed his eyes.

---

[System Prompt: You have entered rest mode]

[Neural Connection Synchronization Rate: 97% -> 17% (Hibernation)]

[Estimated Time to Wake: 4 hours later]

---

4 hours later.

Lin Ye opened his eyes.

He walked out of the rest cabin.

He returned to the command cabin.

---

Qin Ruoxue was still sitting at the communications station.

In front of her, data on the light screen was still refreshing at a speed of 1,700 lines per second.

But she turned her head.

She looked at Lin Ye.

"Boss," she said.

"Received a message."

---

Lin Ye looked at her.

"Who sent it?"

---

Qin Ruoxue projected that message onto the central star map.

It wasn't text.

It was a coordinate.

[Coordinates: Hegemon Body Ancestral Star Outer Orbit - Anchor Point No. 47]

[Sender: Unknown]

[Sent Time: 17 seconds ago]

[Additional Information: None]

---

Lin Ye watched that coordinate.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Chen Hao."

"Here."

"Adjust course."

"Target - this coordinate."

---

Chen Hao watched that coordinate.

"Boss."

"Who sent this?"

---

Lin Ye did not answer.

He simply watched the holographic star map.

He watched the route being recalculated.

He watched the Void Realm Corridor ahead that they were about to enter.

He watched behind that unknown coordinate - could be an ally, could be an enemy, could be a trap, or could be - the answer.

---

[Chapter 173 - End]