239: I can't laugh anymore.

Mid-air above the Mechanical City.

Opposite the realm-breaking gate.

Before the Stargate of the Lapu Galaxy Empire.

A massive Lapu Galaxy Empire fleet stood in battle formation, with countless warships stationed in space.

These warships were massive in size, with menacing steel beasts at their bows.

Behind the warships were imposing and domineering mechanical Puppets—Advanced combat robots.

These combat robots possessed an energy rank equivalent to a Level 3 existence, and they were equipped with a series of weapons and adaptive gear, allowing them to operate in space without any pressure.

The warships and Advanced combat robots formed a perfect defensive System.

Any enemy approaching the fleet would be met with powerful firepower, swarmed by the horde of Advanced combat robots, and crushed to pieces under absolute firepower suppression.

Watching the Void Realm rift slowly opening before them, the vast fleet waited only for it to fully form before charging in to slaughter their way into an unknown planar world.

【Space jump permission granted!】

With a hum, the most unique giant warship arrived. It was entirely black, surrounded by special patterns, and its bow resembled a soaring eagle with wings spread, covered in countless mechanical devices so intricate they made one's scalp tingle.

【Empire Secret-class warship】

【energy rank: Six】 (comparable to a Deity Transformation Venerable)

【Model: Mass-produced】

Inside this warship, a beautiful figure sat upright on the throne of the bridge, her gaze fixed on the Void Realm space gradually opening within the stone gate ahead.

The expression beneath her wide-brimmed feather hat was inscrutable.

In the bridge, a group of elite Lapu guards dressed in pure red Imperial military uniforms stood, each of them possessing an average energy rank of at least Level 5!

This was because the woman on the throne was a great noble of the Lapu Galaxy and a general star of the Empire!

energy rank: Level 7 (comparable to a Void Returning Dao Monarch)

With a fizz, electromagnetic energy fluctuated, and two figures gradually coalesced within the warship.

One was an elderly man covered in muscles, his military uniform stretched tight over his body, with a brigadier general badge hanging on his chest.

He was a brigadier general of the First Navigation Regiment, Tenth Army Group, 71st Fleet of the Lapu Galaxy Empire.

The other was the Military Port Defense Officer.

The moment their figures stabilized, they both stood at attention and saluted her on the throne.

However, the general star merely waved her hand in response.

"How much longer until the Traction Gate is ready!?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, preparations are complete, and we will be able to..."

The Military Port Defense Officer did not dare to delay and hurriedly reported on the status of the Stargate, but gradually he felt his breathing becoming increasingly difficult, until he finally could not breathe at all.

"Cough, cough... Your Excellency!?"

When the gaze of the general star and everyone else focused on the Defense Officer, they realized that the Defense Officer's body had already been lifted into the air, clutching his throat, his eyes filled with disbelief, as if he were struggling desperately.

After a long while, the Military Port Defense Officer's consciousness gradually faded, and only then was he let down.

"I hope what you say this time is the truth!"

"Forgive me, Your Excellency. This subordinate will surely strengthen the management of the Stargate in the future and will absolutely not commit this mistake again!"

"That is enough, you may all return."

After the Military Port Defense Officer made repeated assurances, he finally received permission to leave from the woman on the throne and retreated respectfully.

Soon, the Stargate before them was about to finish activation.

"Order the fleet of the Army Group to prepare to pass through the gate!"

"Yes!"

After the order was issued, the commanders of the numerous warships received it immediately.

At this moment, the woman on the throne suddenly stood up and walked to the warship's observation deck.

She stood quietly, with little fluctuation in her eyes, only calmness.

"I said that I would definitely return!"

"Jufang Great World!"

All Lapu warships were prepared, waiting only for the order to advance.

However, at the very next moment, a sudden change occurred...

Bang!

The Stargate suddenly emitted a loud booming sound and stopped coalescing.

At the same time, alarms rang out one after another in the Stargate control room of the spaceport.

"Beep, beep, beep, signal lost! Signal lost!"

"Anchor point signal lost, unable to perform real-time locking!"

"What is going on! What has happened?"

Almost at the same instant, the Military Port Defense Officer appeared in the control room in a panic.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Defense Officer..."

"The anchor point signal named 【Jufang Great World】 is being lost!"

"The Stargate channel can no longer be opened!"

"What!!!"

...

Jufang Great World.

Canglan Realm.

Donglin Prefecture.

Inside the Mechanical City, Xia Mulin laughed wildly.

"Hahahaha, creatures of the Jufang Great World."

"The time has come! You are doomed!"

"A top-tier powerhouse with an energy rank of Seven will arrive soon to blast you all to pieces!"

Xia Mulin was smugly proud. Looking at the Traction Gate in the sky that was taking shape, he felt as if victory was already in his grasp.

One must know that in order to protect the teleportation anchor point, he had invested heavily.

He spared no expense, made layer upon layer of arrangements, and even had the "guidance" of the System.

It could be said that he had ensured foolproof success!

Even if a Cultivator comparable to an energy rank of Six (Deity Transformation Venerable) arrived, it would be difficult to break through those defenses in a short time.

With no other options, Xia Mulin was poised to win from every angle.

As long as the Stargate was successfully activated, once the powerful Lapu landed, conquering this Jufang Great World would be a matter of minutes.

The story after that went without saying: by virtue of his solid contributions, Xia Mulin would obtain massive military merit!

Following that, his military rank would soar, his status would rise with the tide, and he would be promoted to a general star of the Empire! Eventually, he would become the Chancellor of the Empire!

To worry before all the world worries, to enjoy only after all the world enjoys!

A veteran minister who served two dynasties, often causing heroes to shed tears!

And the young Emperor would chase after him, calling him "Foster Father, Foster Father," his eyes filled with worship!

"Hahahaha, come out! Lapu Galaxy Empire fleet!"

Xia Mulin seemed to be able to see a whole bunch of mature older sisters, and glory beckoning to him...

...

However, on the other side.

"Whew..."

"Finally chiseled it open!"

Qin Dong waved his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, strode forward, and grabbed the feather emitting an eerie light on the mechanical platform.

"Refine it instantly."

【Ding! Four hundred thousand top-up points received!】

On this side, Qin Dong was happy.

But on Xia Mulin's side, he could no longer laugh.

【Beep, beep, beep! Alarm, alarm!】

【Teleportation anchor point signal lost!】

【Teleportation anchor point signal lost!】

The urgent mechanical message spread through the minds of every Lapu Person, including Duan Qihe, who was in the vast sky.

"What!!!"