181: Zhu Yuan's true form, transcending the sea of ​​stars

The land-traversing vessel hung high in the sky, and the sea below had completely returned to calm. The towering waves from before were gone, and the fluorescent sea, illuminated by the dim sky, appeared both mysterious and unique.

As Zhou Yutang issued one command after another, the Third Battle Group had already begun its operation. The entire sea area was placed under emergency martial law, preventing others from entering. Large instruments were taken out of the land-traversing vessel and escorted to the deep sea for detection and investigation.

At the same time, extraordinary powerhouses also stepped onto the sea surface, manipulating their power to communicate and investigate.

Those were the Spiritual Energy Users of the Third Battle Group.

As extraordinary beings capable of communicating with the fundamental forces of the universe, Spiritual Energy Users played a crucial role within the Expeditionary Legion.

Reports and communications constantly echoed throughout the sea area.

"After causing this change, that strange power source seems to have completely disappeared."

"No traces have been found yet."

"Investigate with full effort, striving to achieve some results before the arrival of support from the Legion Headquarters and other parties."

"From the perspective of power level, the missing personnel were [shifted] by some means. The other party should have some purpose, but it is not pure malice, otherwise there would be no need for such complexity."

"Centered on this sea area, search for any hidden spaces that might be connected to the numbered planet. I am more inclined to believe that they did not conduct long-distance teleportation within such a short period. If the other party possessed such ability, they would not have waited until we were performing a clearing mission to act."

The entire Third Battle Group became busy.

At the same time:

Under the contact of specialized personnel, relevant news was transmitted to various regions of the Federation through different information networks.

Planet clearing missions are issued to specific targets, which means that the mission specialists participating all have organizations or forces, large or small, behind them.

The number of missing personnel was small, but all were Level 5 specialists, which represented their extraordinary nature. Like stones falling into water, they would eventually cause ripples.

Wu Yuan Headquarters, on Star Sea Island.

In another corner of the island was a relatively simple-looking courtyard. At this moment, a figure stood in the courtyard, with hands behind his back, looking upwards.

The current Headmaster of Wu Yuan Academy, Chi Chenzhou.

His gaze seemed to be directed towards the Star Sea, but his eyes reflected a magnificent scene. He appeared not to be looking at the Star Sea, but rather through it, towards a hidden and special place. At this time,

He didn't know what he saw, but this being, whose realm was extremely high and whose mind was extremely stable, showed a look of joy on his face. A hearty laugh echoed in the courtyard.

Beside him,

Silently, a figure condensed and emerged. She was dressed in a standard Wu Yuan Academy uniform, with a beautiful face. It was Candle Kite.

"What happened?"

Noticing her appearance, Chi Chenzhou did not turn his head, and his voice sounded.

"The Expeditionary Legion of the Weiyang Star System sent a special communication to the Academy."

"Our student encountered an accident while participating in a clearing mission and is now missing."

"Missing?"

Chi Chenzhou turned his head, a flash of light passing through his eyes as if checking something. His expression slightly sank: "Qin Jin is missing?"

"Has the Expeditionary Legion clarified the reason?"

"They are investigating. The exact reason is not yet determined, but it is suspected to be related to a strange power source left by an ancient civilization."

"What about Vice Headmaster Fang? Were the relevant student protection measures prepared?"

"Preparations were made when Qin Jin set out. He is currently also in the Weiyang Star System."

"Moreover, Qin Jin's mentor, Gu Huang, is also accompanying him."

"However, that is, after all, the Expeditionary Legion's newly developed planet, and it's not good for us to go too deep. Plus, the incident happened so suddenly that we couldn't remedy it immediately."

"Since protection measures were prepared, implement the emergency plan first. Isn't Gu Huang there? Have her lead the team to contact the Expeditionary Legion."

Chi Chenzhou looked at her: "Candle Kite, I'm counting on you."

"Send out a communication. The Academy needs the Expeditionary Legion to synchronize relevant information in real-time and make preparations."

"In addition, those with sufficient authority can explain Qin Jin's identity to them, so they understand the importance of the matter."

"Headmaster—should we…"

"Implement the emergency plan first."

Chi Chenzhou's voice was solemn as he replied, then thought for a few breaths before continuing: "Contact them."

"Both Qin Jin's talent and his identity are worth our full effort."

"If the plan is effective, then so be it. If the plan fails, and we contact them later, that would be a dereliction of duty for our Wu Yuan Academy. The things that could happen in between are unpredictable."

"As for how it will ultimately end, that is not something we should consider."

"I understand."

Candle Kite nodded, her figure quickly fading away.

In the courtyard, only Chi Chenzhou remained.

The joy on his face, born from that unknown matter, had completely disappeared. With a step, his figure vanished from where he stood.

On the land-traversing vessel,

the Third Battle Group was in full action.

At the same time, from within the planet and from the Star Sea, various organized vehicles arrived from time to time to join them.

These were other parts of the Expeditionary Legion, rushing to assist after receiving the news.

Command Hall.

Zhou Yutang was processing all the information. Just then, a report sounded beside him.

"Battle Group Leader, an urgent message from the Legion Headquarters has been sent to your military personal terminal."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yutang quickly checked it.

The message content was not long, but with each line he read, Zhou Yutang's brows furrowed deeper. By the time he finished reading and closed the message, his expression had become extremely solemn.

Just then,

the report sounded again.

"An external starship is approaching this area."

"Identity verification has been completed. They are from the Wu Yuan Academy in the Corridor Star System. The leader is Gu Huang, a Celestial Mentor from Wu Yuan Academy."

"They arrived quite quickly."

Thinking of the information he had just read, Zhou Yutang's expression remained unchanged, but he couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh in his heart. He turned his head, looked through the light screen at the real-time footage from the deep sea, and his eyes settled a bit.

"The aftermath of this mistake is somewhat astonishing."

"But at least..."

"It will most likely be resolved now."

With a thought, he said: "Please ask them—"

Before he could finish, his voice stopped, and he shook his head: "Never mind. There's no breakthrough yet. I'll go see them myself."

Platform above the land-traversing vessel.

Zhou Yutang stood in his military uniform, with other figures following behind him. In front, led by Gu Huang, the visitors from Wu Yuan Academy all looked serious.

Stepping forward,

before Zhou Yutang could speak, Gu Huang's expression was cold and she said in a deep voice: "We need to immediately implement the Academy's emergency plan and require the Third Battle Group's cooperation."

Hearing this, Zhou Yutang nodded and said: "I need to know the relevant information about Wu Yuan Academy's plan."

"Your rank is not high enough."

Gu Huang refused without hesitation: "The Academy has already contacted the Expeditionary Legion Headquarters. You just need to cooperate."

"Battle Group Leader Zhou,"

her voice deepened: "You must understand that if it weren't for your misjudgment and assessment, this scene would not have happened."

"Now you're still wasting our time. Do you think you can bear the responsibility?"

She looked directly at him, her eyes extremely serious, with a faint aura constantly brewing.

Behind Zhou Yutang, someone showed dissatisfaction.

Zhou Yutang raised his hand to interrupt, his expression calming down.

"In that case, proceed with your actions."

"The Third Battle Group will fully cooperate."

The exchange ended.

The sea area was sealed off, with various investigations being conducted within. But at this moment, a specific area within the entire sea was completely isolated. The Third Battle Group personnel inside were asked to leave, and a barrier was erected around it, obscuring the interior so that outsiders could not see what was happening inside.

On the land-traversing vessel,

led by Zhou Yutang, the command center of the Third Battle Group watched this scene.

"Battle Group Leader."

Beside him, a voice sounded: "Even if one of the missing people is their student from Wu Yuan Academy, they are too overbearing. This is the Expeditionary Legion's mission area. How could the military department directly agree to such a plan? Even if they arrive in the Weiyang Star System, they should cooperate with us as the main party."

"No."

Zhou Yutang looked back at him and shook his head: "Wu Yuan Academy's method is already very gentle."

"Some information cannot be disclosed to you."

"Everyone,"

at this point, his voice was exceptionally calm: "Let's hope they succeed, otherwise what happens next will completely exceed our control. By then..."

He did not continue.

But his tone sent shivers down one's spine.

The moment the barrier completely formed, the entire area within the sea was completely isolated from the outside world. No information could be obtained from it, whether from a visual perspective or a spiritual one.

Inside.

Gu Huang stood with her blade, stepping on the sea surface, looking at the scene before her.

The Academy personnel who came with her exchanged glances, and at the same time, took out space storage devices of identical specifications, sizes, and appearances. With mental contact, they simultaneously unfolded!

In that instant, one by one, technological mechanical components were taken out. Upon entering the real world, they began to assemble themselves! The technological components fit together seamlessly, strange flowing light flashed above them, and a data torrent emerged. In a flash, what appeared on the sea surface was a top-tier technological instrument that looked like a supercomputer from the outside.

The moment it formed,

it actually started operating automatically. If there were a Spiritual Energy User present, they would be astonished to discover that as it started operating, a power similar to spiritual energy was constantly surging within it.

The surrounding light grew increasingly dazzling. Above this giant instrument, light intertwined, and a figure appeared!

That was—

Candle Kite!

She wore a white dress, her eyes closed, exuding a gentle aura.

Compared to her usual avatars, the figure of Candle Kite before them, after appearing, rapidly solidified, looking completely indistinguishable from a real person.

After closing her eyes for a few breaths,

she opened them.

As she opened her eyes, a torrent of light and shadow flowed through them. She lowered her head slightly, her gaze sweeping downwards, finally focusing on Gu Huang, her voice pleasant and gentle.

"Little Gu."

"It's been a long time since we last met."

Gu Huang's cold expression wavered. Looking at Candle Kite's figure, she said seriously: "Candle Kite, I'm counting on you."

"Find Qin Jin."

"Leave it to me."

Candle Kite smiled slightly, raising her hands and spreading them out, as if embracing the world. Around her, an extremely terrifying power surged. In her eyes, this life planet, whose final name had not yet been established, was reflected, and then—it began to disintegrate in her pupils, undergoing a comprehensive analysis and search in some way.

Gu Huang watched this scene.

As a top prodigy from Wu Yuan Academy, she clearly understood Wu Yuan Academy's emphasis on talented students. After all, she had personally experienced all of this.

For legacy seeds like Qin Jin, who are highly regarded, Wu Yuan Academy would prepare different contingency plans when they undertake missions alone.

And the most urgent contingency plan involved only one being.

Candle Kite!

Wu Yuan Academy's top artificial intelligence, whose origin is extremely secretive, has existed since the founding of Wu Yuan Academy and has continuously iterated and grown to this day.

What appeared here now...

was Candle Kite's true [body], using the giant instrument below as a temporary vessel.

When a student traveled alone, Candle Kite accompanied them. Her role was not just that of a little helper, but also the ultimate protector!

The accompanying Candle Kite possessed true protective power, and was also a coordinate!

This was also the ultimate crystallization of technology and the transcendent, with immeasurable intrinsic value.

Time passed.

Everything in Candle Kite's eyes became clearer.

Just then—

On her gentle face, her delicate brows subtly arched, appearing full of agility. A soft whisper sounded at this moment.

"I found you."

Within the ruined great hall,

the voice echoed.

"Advanced life form?"

Thoughts churned in Qin Jin's mind. The azure lightning dark halberd appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, spiritual power surged within his Spirit Ruins, and his Cave Heaven vibrated. He was ready to strike at any moment, and his voice sounded: "Who are you?"

"Me?"

The voice spoke in an unknown language again, its tone unhurried: "If you were to describe me using your Starfire Federation's terminology, you could call me a [Seeker of the Way]."

Only his voice was heard, but no one was seen.

Qin Jin, wielding the azure lightning dark halberd, simply walked through the vast, ruined hall, looking around, and continued: "Since you already know of the Starfire Federation's existence, and yet you do such a thing, are you trying to provoke hostility with the Federation?"

"Since you have some understanding of the Federation, you should know that we never tolerate such things. Now that you have truly exposed yourself, are you prepared for destruction?"

"No need to scare me."

The [Seeker of the Way]'s voice sounded: "From the perspective of the material world, I have long since turned to dust and perished. What is communicating with you now is merely a lingering wish."

"I have nothing to fear."

"However, I never expected to meet an advanced life form. If it weren't for the desire to meet you, I would not have been awakened."

"Advanced life form?"

"This sudden anomaly, is it because of my appearance?"

Seeing that the other party was willing to answer his questions, Qin Jin's tone softened, and he said: "What do you mean by 'advanced life form'?"

"It seems that your Starfire Federation does not yet have such a concept."

The [Seeker of the Way]'s tone took on a hint of fanaticism: "An advanced life form is a special life form that has broken through the limits of life. That boundary has stopped countless great beings. Although you have only touched upon it in its shallow stages, you already truly possess the opportunity."

"When you transcend all life and break through the limits of life, you will truly obtain the keystone to the supreme, and in the future, you will have the hope of standing above the Star Sea!"