National Star Sea Era...

Chapter 902 Exploration Resumes

Within the core space of the Tianxu Continent, Song Chi felt at peace, sensing the new changes brought about by the [Eight Profound Transformation Technique] and the stable aura of the [Qiankun Beidou Floating Land Array].

The upgraded Miracle Cloning Pod was reloaded onto the Sky Ruins Sky, while the Soul Devouring Altar was temporarily handed over to Song Yan.

Shortly thereafter, the Supreme Council of the Five Great Empires passed a resolution, officially launching a new round of wars of foreign expansion.

The horns of war do not resound in a particular starry sky, but rather transmit the will to every corner of the four major river systems of the Flame Network, which covers the entire territory of civilization.

Jiang Yi of the Divine Xia Dynasty, Ji Qing of the Crimson Yu Dynasty, Wilson of the Holy Temple Federation, Ying Wei of the Immortal Qin Dynasty, and Song Yan representing the Heavenly Ruins Divine Court—five superdimensional motherships radiating immense power, like five mobile star war fortresses, were the first to assemble on the northern edge of the Second Fire River System Cluster (formerly the Eight-Armed Serpent Demon River System Cluster).

Following that, hundreds of smaller but equally devastating starships lined up, followed by a massive fleet of tens of thousands of star destroyers, with dreadnoughts, battleships, and destroyers densely packed together, filling the entire starry sky in billions.

The psionic flames emitted by the warship's engines illuminated this originally dark and desolate interstellar desert as if it were daytime.

The overall command of this expedition was jointly held by the rotating supreme commanders of the five great empires, but the actual ultimate deterrent came from that colossal creature, far larger than the superdimensional mothership, which quietly lurked in the depths of the void above the fleet—the newly ascended mythical creature of the Heavenly Ruins Divine Court, the Dragon Spine Tyrant Whale.

It doesn't need to do anything; the mythical pressure it naturally exudes is enough to freeze the void where the entire fleet is located, filling all the captains with unparalleled security and pride.

The Torchfire Civilization did not send out its entire force, but only dispatched one mythical warrior to accompany them. This stemmed from their absolute confidence in the overall strength of their civilization. With more than a dozen mythical warriors stationed on their homeland, the strategic deterrent they created was enough to make any potential intruders hesitate.

"Target: North Silent Sea Galaxy Cluster, Black Abyss Star Core Galaxy Cluster! Route planned! Fleet, set sail!"

With the highest command issued, the massive combined fleet activated its hyperspace engines, and like a galactic torrent of steel and energy, it plunged into the distorted space wormhole, heading towards an unknown star field billions of light-years away.

Inside the main control room of the "Blazing Sea", Song Yan was dressed in a crisp Tianxu Divine Court prince's uniform, with the Dragon Spine Divine Mountain emblem representing the Tianxu Divine Court shining brightly on his shoulder insignia.

His sharp gaze fixed on the ever-changing hyperspace light ahead, as he calmly issued various commands.

As the captain of the Song Clan's superdimensional ship and the second most prominent figure in the Heavenly Ruins Divine Court after Song Chi, he was well aware of the importance of this mission, which was not only related to the interests of the Divine Court but also to the strategic layout of the entire civilization.

With only a few thousand years left before the collapse of the Botian Ruins, the Torchfire Civilization must do everything possible to enhance its strength and foundation before that super mythological war begins. This expeditionary war is the key to the fastest way to strengthen the civilization's foundation.

The expedition was long and tedious, but for the Torchlight Fleet, which possessed components derived from the space wormhole, billions of light-years were not far away. The only time-consuming aspect was that the diameter of the space wormhole was not large, so the expedition fleet had to traverse it in batches.

Over the past few decades, the fleet has encountered no accidents during its voyages, and no foolish force has dared to obstruct this terrifying force that represents the will of the Burning Flame civilization.

The occasional hint of mythical aura emanating from the Dragon Spine Tyrant Whale serves as both a pass and a warning.

When the fleet finally arrived at the designated target star region—the desolate star sea in the center of the North Silent Sea Galaxy Cluster and the Black Abyss Star Core Galaxy Cluster—the real "work" had just begun.

These two galactic clusters are not unclaimed lands; they are home to over a hundred advanced civilizations at varying stages of development. Among them, six civilizations have even reached the ranks of top-tier advanced civilizations, possessing numerous ninth-tier individuals or creations. They rule over dozens, or even hundreds, of galactic systems in their respective regions, making them veritable overlords of these two galactic clusters.

Faced with the sudden intrusion of the Torchlight Fleet and its undisguised intent to conquer, these indigenous civilizations, after initial shock and panic, quickly reached a consensus to unite in resistance.

In an instant, tens of millions of alien warships emerged from all corners, forming a massive coalition that attempted to halt the advance of the Torchlight Fleet by relying on the familiar star system and the fortifications it had laid out in advance.

A fierce space battle erupted instantly.

Energy beams pierced the sky, space bombs tore through dimensions, and mechs and alien fighters clashed and exploded in the asteroid belt...

In the 89th year of the Expeditionary Calendar, the main force of the [Northern Silent Sea Expeditionary Fleet], composed of the Heavenly Ruins Divine Court, the Immortal Qin Divine Dynasty, and the Holy Temple Federation, officially arrived at its first major strategic objective—the Nether Vortex.

This is a vast interstellar turbulent region of matter spanning millions of light-years. Its internal structure is complex, filled with gravitational traps and high-energy radiation belts. It is a natural barrier to dozens of galactic regions at the core of the "Northern Silent Sea Galaxy Cluster" and the absolute home ground of the local native civilization "Shadow Songstress" for hundreds of thousands of years.

The "Shadow Diva" civilization has individuals with graceful, energy-like humanoid forms. They can communicate with the stars through mental waves and psionic singing, and manipulate gravity and dark energy. Their civilization level has reached the top advanced level. Their most powerful "Star Chorus Legion" can even briefly unleash power close to that of a half-step myth.

They joined forces with two other powerful civilizations in the "Northern Silent Sea Galaxy Cluster" ("Molten Core Behemoth" and "Crystal Language Clan"), deploying their main fleet and the strongest "Psionic Resonance Array" at the most dangerous "Swan Song Corridor" in the "Psionic Vortex," attempting to use the natural barrier and their combined strength to keep the Torchfire Fleet away from their homeland.

Faced with the obstruction, the combined fleet of the three empires could not avoid it. The fleet first sent out an advance team to try to force its way through the corridor, but it was soon met with fierce attacks.

The "Shadow Diva's" song transformed into a tangible energy tide, triggering violent energy and gravitational anomalies within the vortex, making it difficult for the vanguard fleet to maintain its formation and significantly reducing the accuracy of its artillery fire.

The "Molten Core Behemoth" suddenly burst out of the nebula, attacking the fleet's flanks with its powerful body and molten core breath.

The Crystal Clan's fortresses continuously emitted crystal prisms that refracted and deflected energy beams, greatly weakening the vanguard fleet's firepower advantage.

Several probing attacks were repelled. Although the ships destroyed a large number of enemy units due to their superior performance, they also suffered some losses and their advance was extremely slow.

In an instant, the morale of the Shadow Songstress's allied forces soared, and the light of the "Phantom Energy Resonance Array" shone even brighter in the depths of the corridor, its accumulated energy causing hearts to tremble.

Seeing this, the joint command quickly changed its strategy.

Song Yan volunteered for the mission, and the "Blazing Sea" and the fleet belonging to the Heavenly Ruins Divine Court took on the main attack mission. The second round of star war soon began.

……

"Activate 'Clear Space Field', maximum power! Target: Energy Turbulence Zone Ahead!"

The ship, 【Blazing Sea】, shone brightly, and its scorching force field rapidly expanded, forcibly smoothing out the energy turbulence and gravitational anomalies in a large area, creating a relatively stable offensive zone for the fleet.

"Starship fleet, concentrate firepower and saturate the 'Crystal Clan' Prism Fortresses No. 7 and No. 11! Star Destroyer fleet, deploy your left and right flanks to intercept the 'Molten Core Beast'! Dreadnought fleet, release the puppet soldiers and unmanned assault aircraft to clear out enemy small units!"

The command was executed efficiently, and under the protection of the [Blazing Sea]'s hyperdimensional field, the Firepower Fleet's firepower was fully unleashed. Dozens of starships fired their main cannons in unison, and a dazzling torrent of beams instantly engulfed the target fortress, blasting it into cosmic dust.

Without the interference of the Prism Fortress, the Firefly Fleet's firepower became deadly.

At the same time, the colorful hyperdimensional orbital cannon of the [Blazing Sea] unleashed its power once again, a crimson beam of light that traversed the starry sky shot directly towards the huge "phantom energy resonance array" deep in the corridor.

However, at that moment, tens of thousands of "Shadow Divas" from the "Chorus of Stars" sang simultaneously, and the immense psionic energy and spiritual power merged into the array, forming a huge, constantly rotating psionic vortex shield that forcefully blocked the devastating blow from the "World-Burning Furnace".

Although the vortex shield fluctuated violently and dimmed considerably, it ultimately blocked the attack.

"It's really troublesome."

Song Yan frowned slightly, but did not rush to summon the Mythical Dragon Spine Tyrant Whale. He knew very well that this expedition was not only to expand the territory and accumulate strength for the Torchfire Civilization, but also a training exercise for the five great empires, in preparation for the greater chaos that might come later.

With the stalemate ongoing, the three-race allied forces attempted a counterattack, with more "Molten Core Beasts" and "Shadow Songstress" motherships pouring out from the depths of the corridor.

Seeing the allied forces' counterattack gain momentum, a sharp glint flashed in Song Yan's eyes. Instead of retreating, he ordered the fleet to stabilize the front line and simultaneously established communication channels with Ying Wei of the Immortal Qin Dynasty and Wilson of the Holy Temple Federation.

“Ying Wei, Wilson…” Song Yan’s voice was steady and swift.

"The enemy's defensive resilience is beyond expectations, thanks to the 'Psionic Resonance Array' and the terrain. While a forced attrition war might lead to victory, it will also increase casualties over time."

"I propose that the [Blazing Sea] launch a frontal assault to draw enemy fire, while you two command the fleets to conduct tactical infiltrations from the 'Nebula Dark Tide Zone' and 'Gravity Lens Zone' of the 'Swan Song Corridor' respectively, to outflank and encircle its flanks and rear mothership cluster!"

Ying Wei's illusory figure's gaze swept across the star map like lightning, and he immediately nodded:
"Alright, the Nebula Dark Surge Zone is under the command of my Immortal Qin Fleet!"

Wilson nodded in response.

The three super-dimensional captains instantly reached a consensus.

"【Blazing Sea】, maximum power output! Maintain 'Clear Air Field'! Starships and Star Destroyers, prepare for a second salvo! All escort fleets, open fire at full power and suppress the enemy forces in front!" Song Yan's command resounded throughout the public channel of the Heavenly Ruins Divine Court fleet.

In an instant, the [Blazing Sea] seemed to transform into a burning star, and the surging energy fluctuations distorted the surrounding starry sky.

An even more intense force field spread out, fiercely resisting the counterattack of the opponent's energy tide. The huge hyperdimensional railgun on the bow of the ship once again lit up with a heart-palpitating crimson light, this time with an energy concentration far exceeding that of before.

The combined forces of the Shadow Songstress and the three races facing them immediately felt immense pressure, with almost all their firepower drawn towards the [Blazing Sea].

The "Origin Star Shield" was activated once again, ready to withstand this seemingly desperate attack.

However, just before the two energies were about to collide again, a sudden change occurred.

On the left flank of the allied forces' formation, in the "Nebula Dark Surge Zone" filled with raging ionized nebulae, countless warships with slender hulls and covered in black-patterned armor suddenly emerged.

The leading ship was none other than the flagship of Prince Ying Wei of the Immortal Qin Dynasty.

With astonishing speed and orderly formation, the Xianqin fleet brazenly penetrated the left flank of the three-race allied forces. Their attack carried an invincible sharpness, specifically targeting the joints and energy core of the "Molten Core Beast," instantly causing massive casualties and throwing the left flank formation into chaos.

Almost simultaneously, in the "gravitational lens zone" on the right flank of the Allied Forces, where light was distorted by a massive gravitational source, beams of holy light suddenly tore through the distorted space, and Wilson Aclemon of the Holy Federation led his fleet in a leap.

The beam weapons of the Sanctuary Alliance fleet appeared to be specially modified, providing additional damage bonuses to the energy bodies of the "Shadow Diva" while precisely striking the pipes and nodes that supplied energy to the "Psionic Resonance Array." The right flank of the "Shadow Diva" mothership group was immediately thrown into chaos, and the mournful songs turned into terrified screams.

The three-race allied forces were attacked simultaneously from the front, left flank, and right flank. Their originally tight formation was instantly torn open by three huge gaps, and the command system was briefly paralyzed and thrown into chaos.

"Now!" Song Yan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "All Starships and Star Destroyers, listen up! Target: Shadow Diva Resonance Array Base, fire!"

The countless beams of light that had been gathering momentum roared out once more.

boom! ! !
A deafening explosion resounded through the starry sea, and countless beams of light slammed into the key support structure of the "Shadow Diva Resonance Array".

Crack... Boom!

The continuous explosions started from the array base and quickly spread to the entire massive array structure. This greatest reliance of the three-race allied forces, with the exquisite coordination of the three imperial fleets, finally collapsed and disintegrated completely, turning into a continuously expanding, destructive energy fireball.

With its core destroyed, its left and right flanks were decimated by the Immortal Qin and Holy Temple fleets, while the "Molten Core Beast" and "Crystal Language Clan" fortresses on the front also suffered heavy losses under the full-scale attack of the [Blazing Sea] and its escort fleet.

The morale of the allied forces collapsed instantly.

The army was defeated like a mountain.

The remaining allied ships began to retreat in panic, but the three imperial fleets, which had already completed their tactical encirclement, would not let them go.
"All troops, charge! Annihilate the remaining enemy!" Song Yan, Ying Wei, and Wilson issued the general offensive order almost simultaneously.

What followed turned into a full-blown pursuit and annihilation battle.

Having lost unified command and core strength, the three-race allied forces were no longer able to organize effective resistance and were relentlessly pursued by the high-spirited Torchfire Fleet, suffering heavy casualties.

After this battle, the indigenous civilizations in the North Silent Sea River System almost completely lost their ability to resist. No alien race in the entire North Silent Sea River System could stop the advance of the three great empires' fleets, and the entire river system was rapidly collapsing.

Similarly, the joint fleet of the Divine Xia Dynasty and the Crimson Yu Dynasty, which are mainly targeting the Black Abyss Star Core Galaxy Cluster, are advancing at an equally rapid pace. These two medium-sized galaxy clusters, which together comprise more than 1,600 galaxies, will soon become the fifth and sixth galaxy clusters under the command of the Shining Flame Human Civilization.

(End of this chapter)