Every one had come back. The group of Level 12 martial arts masters led by Anon Turing, Haiji Dao, and Wu Tian, who appeared as an unremarkable little old man, though his eyes were sharp, radiating an aura of authority and power.
The Star Spirit Flower spacecraft faced an unprecedented, colossal crisis. A terrifying alliance of five level 13 Star Pirates had shattered its defenses in a single clash. Though all combatants had swiftly retreated into the ship upon the appearance of the three new level 13 pirates and despite the Star Spirit Flower's full-force cover, over a dozen level 12 warriors had perished.
Perhaps the pirates never intended to crush them in one blow. Compared to the tense atmosphere in the spaceship's combat hall, the pirates appeared far more relaxed and leisurely.
Zi Yanxin observed the scene outside the ship through the internal monitoring screens. The Star Spirit Flower's outer hull was now swarming with countless vessels of varying sizes. These ships, alongside star pirates of levels 11 and 12, relentlessly assaulted the Star Spirit Flower without cease.
The colossal Star Spirit Flower resembled a giant whale, relentlessly gnawed and torn by countless predators hungry for its flesh. The defensive energy shield surrounding the ship grew faint and then replenished itself under such high-density, high-frequency assaults.
This process showed the rapid depletion of the Star Spirit Flower's reserve energy. Meanwhile, five figures stood vigilant around the ship's perimeter. Each figure represented a Star-Region-spanning superpower whose martial prowess had reached the thirteenth level.
They too were striking out, wielding the different powers of laws. Each blow shook the cosmos, posing an even greater threat to the Star Spirit Flower. At this moment, the spacecraft held an absolute disadvantage against the star pirates, whether in top-tier or mid-tier combat strength.
The pirates fielded a full five Level 13 martial arts masters, while the Star Spirit Flower had only three: Pablo, Haiji Dao, and Wu Tian. Pablo, moreover, had been gravely wounded in the earlier ambush; his combat effectiveness reduced to less than thirty percent.
Such meager strength was clearly insufficient to protect the Star Spirit Flower as it attempted to break through the encirclement. Zi Yanxin drew a sharp breath, forcing herself to steady her nerves before issuing swift orders.
"Contact the Hunting Bow's Law Enforcement Division immediately. Simultaneously, request assistance from the highest-ranking Star Lord in the nearest Star Region. Reveal our identity to them and mobilize them at any cost. Request reinforcements."
Sending a distress signal. This was the first solution that came to Zi Yanxin's mind. If they could secure support from the Stellar Enforcement Divisions, or assistance from a level 14 Chief Star Elder overseeing hundreds of Star Regions, their current predicament would be easily resolved. However, Zi Yanxin soon received a response that made her face fall.
"We were unable to transmit the distress signal. They must be employing some form of signal-blocking technology or device."
"How long will it take to break through?"
The reporting subordinate's brow glistened with sweat as he stammered, "We haven't found a way to break through yet."
"It's the power of the Laws." Wu Tian, standing nearby, interjected, "Five level 13 martial arts masters wielding the power of laws is sufficient to completely seal off this part of the starry sky."
He glanced at Zi Yanxin again, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes as he murmured, "Even if we somehow manage to contact an Enforcement Division, it would take considerable time for them to arrive with reinforcements."
Zi Yanxin clenched her teeth, finally abandoning the idea. Yet she couldn't resist asking Wu Tian again, "Could a Space Jump break through the blockade of five level 13 experts?"
Wu Tian considered it, then nodded. "Probably."
Zi Yanxin's eyes lit up as if she'd grasped a glimmer of hope. She hurriedly questioned her attendant.
"How long until the next Space Jump is fully charged?"
Her subordinate replied swiftly, "At least ten cosmic days."
It shouldn't have taken this long originally, but Zi Yanxin had previously diverted part of the Space Jump energy to assist in capturing the Star Pirates. Now, they had no choice but to restart the charging process.
"Ten cosmic days..."
Zi Yanxin turned hopeful eyes toward Wu Tian, Haiji Dao, and Pablo in the center of the chamber. She couldn't help but speak up: "I'll pilot the Star Spirit Flower ship to assist fully. Could the three of you hold off the star pirates for ten..."
But before Zi Yanxin could even finish, a faint vibration rippled through the floor beneath her feet. The sound caused everyone in the hall to instinctively look up and scan their surroundings. The screens displayed chaotic scenes outside the ship, while inside, numerous red warning lights flashed across the virtual display panels. A shrill, piercing alarm sounded.
"... for ten cosmic days."
Wu Tian, witnessing this, shook his head and said, "Even if we intervene again, we likely won't last beyond three cosmic days."
"Then three days it is!"
Zi Yanxin declared, her voice tight with resolve. Wu Tian merely glanced at her, his expression impassive, offering no reply.
"We're merely hitching a ride—we haven't sold our lives to you." Zoe, the blue-haired girl beside them, couldn't help but speak up. A faint stir rippled through the hall as nearly every face shifted in expression.
"Everyone, if you can help the Star Spirit Flower ship weather this crisis, I swear on the honor of the Star Spirit Flower family that you won't be shortchanged..."
Zi Yanxin attempted to salvage the situation with promises of generous rewards and compensation. Yet in the face of life and death, such pledges felt hollow and feeble. No one paid her words any mind. Some had already begun quietly retreating toward the exit of the battle preparation hall.
Resentment simmered within Zi Yanxin as she helplessly turned her pleading gaze toward Wu Tian once more. As a revered powerhouse of the Star Spirit Flower Guild, if Wu Tian could take the lead and make a statement, the situation would undoubtedly improve. But Wu Tian merely stared at Zi Yanxin expressionlessly and said, "Clinging to the starship at this moment is utterly foolish. I can only promise I'll do my best to get you out."
Zi Yanxin opened her mouth, wanting to speak but finding no words. She knew perfectly well how foolish it was to defend the spaceship to the death. But... what difference would there be for her between dying and losing the ship?
Because of a single misjudgment, just one flawed decision, her clan would lose an Immortal-grade spaceship. Even if she returned to the family alive, what awaited her would likely be only permanent imprisonment or exile.
Zi Yanxin's eyes fixed on the starry sky outside the ship, where Star Pirates swarmed like packs of jackals, attacking the Star Spirit Flower with frenzied ferocity. Her hands clenched into tight fists. She murmured, "What other options are there? What other options could there possibly be?"
Until the very last moment, she truly did not want to abandon the ship and flee alone. Cutting off an arm to survive. Pain. Excruciating pain.
Just as the crowd in the battle command hall began moving toward the exits, the blue-haired girl Zoe carefully helped the injured Pablo to his feet. As Zi Yanxin's heart was slowly consumed by despair, suddenly, a voice rang out in the hall.
"Actually, there might still be a way."
The voice cut through the air like a bolt of lightning, instantly silencing the entire combat readiness hall. All movements froze. Instinctively, every pair of eyes turned toward the source of the voice. Snow-white hair, black combat suit, an expression of detached indifference that radiated an aura of untouchable aloofness. It was Haiji Dao, one of the three level 13 martial arts masters aboard the Star Spirit Flower spaceship!
Had these words come from anyone else, the crowd would likely have scoffed. But coming from Haiji Dao... A blazing flame of hope instantly ignited in Zi Yanxin's eyes.
"Lord Haiji Dao, what can be done?!"
Zi Yanxin abruptly stepped forward two paces, her urgency palpable as she pressed for answers. Even Pablo and Zoe, father and daughter, who had nearly exited the combat readiness hall, halted in their tracks. Wu Tian narrowed his eyes slightly, adopting a posture of attentive listening. All eyes converged on the Skeleton Blade owner.
Yet he fell silent. Glancing outside the ship, he hesitated before speaking. "I know someone. If he's willing to act, he should be able to help us break through the blockade of those five level 13 Star Pirates."
"Really?!"
Zi Yanxin's heart surged with joy. She pressed urgently, "Where is this person now? Does Lord Haiji Dao possess a unique means to contact them?"
The others' eyes also lit up at the mention. Five Level 13 star pirates had joined forces to seal off this part of the starry sky, preventing the ship from sending distress signals to the outside world. But if Haiji Dao could reach a powerful ally beyond these barriers, it truly offered a way to break through.
After all, speaking from the heart, no one aboard wished to abandon the Star Spirit Flower. Even if it didn't directly affect their personal interests, few would willingly drift alone through the cosmos. Moreover, once off the ship, aside from the few level 13s, how many others were confident they could escape the Star Pirates' pursuit? These ruthless pirates wouldn't stand idly by and let them abandon ship and flee.
"That person..."
"That person is right here on the ship!"
Someone beat Haiji Dao to the call, shouting with a peculiar look. It was a green-haired youth. Many recognized him—Haiji Dao's disciple, Anon Turing, who alongside the blue-haired girl Zoe stood among the elite of Level 12.
"On the ship?"
The moment Anon Turing spoke, everyone froze in shock.
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Translation notes by dhoo
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A Star Region (like Yamu) - 星區
The nearest star region(s) : 最近星區 - As I stated a while ago, there is usually no difference between singular and plural in Chinese, unless specific characters are added (plural markers, which are rare). The character 區 can mean "regions" or "a region".
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Law Enforcement Division/Department
執法部: 執法 enforce a law 部 department, division, ministry
狩獵之弓的執法部: 狩獵之弓 Hunting Bow 的 's 執法部 law enforcement division
星空執法部: 星空 starry sky (星 star 空 void) 執法部 law enforcement division
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Chief Star Elders - 總星長
People of Chief Star Elder rank - 總星長級人物: 總星長 Chief Star Elder 級 rank 人物 people