327: Mysterious Galaxy

“If that’s the case…”

Captain Li Yang pondered for a moment, then looked at Pal with firm eyes and decisively ordered,

“Pal, send a Guard starship to scout ahead.”

As Commander of the fleet, Li Yang deeply understood the grave responsibility and dared not hastily order the entire fleet to enter before fully understanding the mysterious vortex. After all, the universe was full of unknowns and dangers; no one could predict what lay behind this vortex.

If this was not a spatial tunnel at all, but rather a fatal spatial turbulence, once the fleet entered rashly, it was highly likely to fall into an abyss of no return.

Or if they encountered some unexpected event after entering, causing the starship to be unable to return, then the entire fleet would face a huge crisis.

Therefore, after careful consideration, the best solution was to first send a starship to investigate.

Only after ensuring safety within would it be the most prudent strategy for the main force to enter.

While this approach might seem somewhat cruel, in the vast interstellar missions of the universe, everything was for the benefit of the Empire.

For Imperial soldiers, making sacrifices for a greater goal was not terrifying; what was terrifying was meaningless, futile sacrifice.

Li Yang understood that at such a critical moment, he had to make calm and rational decisions, even if it meant potentially sacrificing a starship.

“Yes, Commander!”

Not long after, Pal quickly sprang into action.

He was well aware of the unique nature of this mission, and after careful consideration, he meticulously selected a Guard starship from the supporting fleet to undertake this dangerous task.

This was not because Pal was biased towards his own fleet's starship; it was simply because for such an unknown exploration mission, a more powerful star river class starship from the supporting fleet, compared to Li Yang's fleet's highest-level starship (which was only star-class), was undoubtedly more suitable in terms of performance and ability to handle complex situations.

The selected Guard starship, like a brave pioneer, slowly sailed towards the giant spatial vortex.

It shimmered with a soft glow, appearing both tiny and resolute against the dark cosmic backdrop. As the starship gradually approached the vortex, the surrounding space seemed to be stirred by an invisible force, creating ripples of strange energy.

As soon as the starship fully entered the spatial vortex, Li Yang immediately tried to contact the Guard starship via communication equipment, his expression serious.

However, something unexpected happened.

Although the Guard starship had only just entered the vortex, Li Yang's communication channel was filled with only static, clearly indicating that contact with the Guard starship had been completely lost.

“That’s odd, how could we lose contact so quickly?”

Li Yang frowned, his face turning very grim, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

“It should just be a loss of contact due to spatial fluctuations.”

Lin Bi, noticing Li Yang's concern, quickly pointed to the panel on the light screen displaying the Guard starship's real-time status and said,

“Look, from the various data currently being transmitted back from the starship, everything appears normal, with no obvious anomalies.”

On the light screen panel, various data and images flickered, seemingly confirming Lin Bi's judgment.

Despite this, Li Yang's worries did not completely dissipate, as in this mysterious and unpredictable universe, any unexpected event could occur.

“That’s true, in this vast universe, all sorts of strange phenomena emerge endlessly; it’s normal for spatial fluctuations to interfere with communications. Let’s just wait…”

Li Yang nodded slightly, his expression still solemn, but somewhat relieved.

He also understood that the universe was full of unknowns, and rash action would only increase risk; perhaps patiently waiting was the best option at this moment.

Indeed, just as Lin Bi had speculated, after several hours of long waiting, the communication channel in the Command Room, which had been quiet, suddenly broadcast a sound, and then the Guard starship's transmission came through clearly.

“Reporting, Captain Li Yang, we have successfully passed through the spatial vortex and arrived in another space.”

The Guard starship Captain’s voice was steady and strong, but it could not hide the fatigue of a long exploration.

“However, we have not yet found any traces of planets, and after a thorough search, we also haven’t found any sign of the missing starship.”

Upon hearing this news, Li Yang's previously tense nerves finally relaxed slightly, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

Although no crucial clues about the missing starship were obtained, at least it was confirmed that this spatial vortex could be safely entered, which undoubtedly removed a major obstacle for subsequent operations.

As long as they could successfully enter this unknown space, it meant they were one step closer to unraveling the mystery. Even if the path ahead was still full of unknowns, this small progress at the moment greatly encouraged everyone.

“Pal, immediately notify all starships to make full preparations; we will enter the spatial vortex immediately.”

Li Yang’s gaze was firm, and his tone carried an undeniable decisiveness.

Since it was confirmed that the other side of the spatial vortex was not a deadly zone filled with dangerous spatial turbulence, he no longer hesitated and decisively commanded the fleet to proceed with the next step.

“Yes, Commander!”

Pal responded quickly, turning to issue the command efficiently.

In an instant, the entire fleet became busy; the crew members of each starship orderly carried out various operations to prepare for entering the spatial vortex, and a tense atmosphere spread throughout every starship.

As the fleet slowly entered the spatial vortex, Li Yang immediately understood why the previous Guard starship had lost contact with the outside world.

Inside this spatial tunnel, chaotic and unstable energy fluctuations danced wildly, flickering with eerie lights.

Spatial rifts of varying sizes, like grotesque wounds, spread irregularly all around, as if ready to devour everything at any moment.

Strange energy streams occasionally shot out from these rifts, intertwining with the surrounding unstable energy field, creating a chilling sight.

However, as the fleet truly delved deeper, Li Yang discovered that although this spatial tunnel appeared fraught with danger and inspired fear, it was actually quite stable internally.

As the starship traversed it, though they could feel slight tremors from the energy fluctuations, they were not subjected to any substantial threat; its structure was fully capable of withstanding such an environment.

Time quietly passed during the tense voyage, and after several more hours, the fleet finally successfully passed through the spatial vortex and arrived in another mysterious space.

The Guard starship, which had entered earlier, had long been waiting.

During this waiting period, the Guard starship Captain did not slack off; he directed his crew to conduct a detailed investigation of the surroundings.

They meticulously scanned this unfamiliar space, not missing any suspicious signs.

However, regrettably, after a thorough search, they still found no useful clues related to the missing starship. This space was like a dead sea, with no trace of any life or civilization having existed.

Li Yang quietly observed the surrounding environment; this unfamiliar space was permeated with a mysterious yet subtly dangerous aura.

He understood that since this space had caused an Imperial starship to meet with misfortune, it must possess a certain level of danger, so the fleet absolutely could not be haphazardly dispersed.

After a moment of thought, Li Yang solemnly ordered,

“Since no clues have been found in this area, this space must be quite vast. Notify the fleet to split into two groups for exploration, maintain vigilance, and report back at all times.”

The order was quickly relayed, and the instructed fleet immediately sprang into action.

In the blink of an eye, starships orderly divided into two groups, like two well-trained torrents of steel, slowly sailing in different directions, cutting through the silent universe, and embarking on a journey to explore the unknown.

Shortly after the fleet departed, the starship responsible for scouting ahead urgently transmitted a message via the encrypted communication channel.

“Reporting, Captain Li Yang, an unknown light source has been detected ahead! Preliminary spectral analysis suggests the presence of a Galaxy.”

The voice carried a hint of excitement and tension, as if in this vast unknown, a crucial clue had finally been captured.

Upon receiving this news, Li Yang’s previously grave face immediately brightened with joy.

A glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, as if he saw hope for unraveling the mystery, and he couldn’t help but think to himself,

“I finally found it…”

This discovery was like a beacon lit in the darkness.

Seeing this, Li Yang immediately made a decision and quickly recalled the fleet that had split up for exploration via the communication channel.

“All starships, attention! Immediately regroup and proceed at full speed towards the target direction!”

His voice was firm and powerful, echoing through the fleet’s communication channels.

Upon receiving the order, each starship immediately adjusted its course, like birds returning to their nest, quickly converging at the designated location, and then together sped towards the target direction.

Indeed, after skillfully completing several short-distance spatial jumps, the fleet's view suddenly opened up, bringing them directly into a vast Galaxy.

However, when everyone clearly saw the appearance of this Galaxy, they couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Rather than calling it an ordinary giant Galaxy, it was more accurate to say that the planets within this Galaxy were extraordinarily huge; the smallest one was still the size of the Solar System's sun.

These planets, like cosmic behemoths, exuded a mysterious and awe-inspiring aura.

“Pal…”

Li Yang turned to Pal beside him and said with a serious expression,

“Arrange personnel to conduct a comprehensive investigation of this Galaxy, ensuring it is meticulous and no detail is overlooked.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Pal responded without hesitation, quickly turning to arrange the relevant matters.

With his rich experience and efficient execution, he quickly allocated personnel and organized a professional investigation team, each performing their duties in scanning this unfamiliar Galaxy.

After a short while, Pal hurried back to report to Li Yang with the detailed investigation results.

After comprehensive detection by precise scanning instruments, the results showed that the entire Galaxy contained a total of 10 planets. The largest of these planets was the one continuously emitting heat and light, much like the “Sun” in the Solar System, providing energy and light to the entire Galaxy.

“Captain Li Yang, the arrangement of planets in this Galaxy is very peculiar.”

Pal said, respectfully handing Li Yang the data pad recording the scan results for his inspection.

The data pad meticulously recorded each planet’s parameters, positional information, and their complex interrelationships. The planetary arrangement patterns revealed by this information seemed to conceal some unknown secret.

The detailed scan results on the data pad presented a rather astonishing sight.

Nine of the 10 colossal planets formed an immense, almost perfect circle, and at the very center of this circle, completely surrounded by them, was a relatively smaller planet.

These nine planets, like loyal Guards, protected the unique central planet in a mysterious and orderly manner.

“And after preliminary reconnaissance…”

Pal continued to report methodically, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

“Only the planet surrounded in the center shows signs of civilization. The environments of the other nine planets are extremely harsh, whether it’s scorching heat, extreme cold, or deadly radiation and violent energy storms; no trace of any life has been found.”

Pal’s words made Lin Bi, who was standing nearby, sink into a grave expression.

In his extensive experience with interstellar exploration, such a peculiar planetary arrangement, coupled with such a unique distribution of civilization, strongly suggested that the civilization nurtured on the surrounded planet was very likely a xuanhuan civilization.

Such civilizations often possessed mysterious powers and strange rules beyond imagination, vastly different from the technological civilizations known to the Empire, and also implying more unknown dangers and challenges.

“Have the remains of the missing starship been found?”

Amidst this series of perplexing information, Li Yang’s primary concern, more than all these speculations about the Galaxy and civilization, remained the missing starship.

After all, there were still surviving crew members on the starship awaiting rescue, and the truth behind the starship’s attack was a crucial matter the Empire urgently needed to ascertain.

“They have been found… but…”

Pal’s expression became exceptionally serious, seemingly carrying a heavy burden.

He paused slightly, then skillfully tapped a few times on the control panel, and a light screen instantly unfolded, displaying a video.

On the mysterious, inhabited planet, scattered pieces of starship wreckage of various sizes floated in the sky.

These debris drifted slowly under the planet's gravity, reflecting the strange light emanating from the planet's surface, silently recounting the horrific ordeal they had once endured.

However, when the galaxy-class starship responsible for collecting the wreckage carefully approached, it was, for some unknown reason, abruptly blocked by an invisible barrier.

This barrier had no distinct form, yet it was like an unbreakable bulwark; no matter how the starship tried to approach, it could not penetrate even an inch.