Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Lost Star.

The giant, centipede-like appearance of the lost insect had a significant impact on all the explorers present.

Xia Zhou's expression changed slightly as he watched the giant insects moving at high speed and rushing in from all directions.

"Attention everyone, prioritize using the Type III laser cannons and plasma cannons for attack!"

"These giant insects should also be able to absorb radiation!"

With that, Xia Zhou clicked his tongue softly: "Damn it!"

"We didn't prepare standard Gauss rifle ammunition, otherwise..."

"The simplest kinetic energy weapon should be the best solution!"

Xia Zhou's mutterings reached Zhu Ziwen's ears through the communication link.

Zhu Ziwen's expression changed drastically.

Without a doubt, this is his problem!

In pursuit of more powerful weapons, he reduced the basic ammunition capacity of the Gauss rifle to zero and replaced it with high-powered bullets containing antimatter.

But then problems arose.

Antimatter bullets are indeed very useful in interstellar warfare.

Just like an antimatter electromagnetic railgun, a single hit could destroy a starship of an inferior civilization.

But within the dense atmosphere of a planet, its power is simply too great!

Especially when attacking these close-range targets, while an antimatter bullet could easily wipe out the entire swarm of insects, the exploration team would likely be almost entirely wiped out as well—the incredibly powerful shockwave would be enough to kill everything around it!

His actions were tantamount to crippling himself!

Having figured this out, Zhu Ziwen's lips trembled slightly, and his eyes revealed endless regret.

Without the slightest hesitation, he recorded this fatal flaw.

Fortunately, the difference in strength between the two sides was too great, and the battle did not turn out unexpectedly due to his negligence.

High-energy lasers and plasma cannons are undoubtedly lethal to these carbon-based organisms.

Extremely high temperatures often take their lives in the instant of contact.

However, as the number of giant insect corpses gradually increased, the space available for the exploration team to move around became smaller and smaller.

"Damn it..."

Xia Zhou gritted his teeth and shouted at the explorers who were carrying research equipment nearby, "Hurry up!"

"Enter the starship immediately!"

"Equipment? What era are we in, still talking about equipment?"

"I've lost them all!"

"Everyone, evacuate in order!"

"Idiot! Wenhao! Bolun! Come and hold the rear guard with me!"

Xia Zhou, who had just issued a series of orders, caught a glimpse of Zhu Ziwen, who was still standing to the side recording various data, out of the corner of his eye.

"Academician Zhu!"

"Academician Zhu!!"

Xia Zhou's shouts made Zhu Ziwen stop recording data.

"It's time to evacuate!!"

Xia Zhou shouted loudly, while pointing to the increasing number of giant insect corpses in front of him.

Although the combat data is still insufficient, Zhu Ziwen will not make a mistake at such a crucial moment.

He nodded and strode towards the starship not far away.

The piercing alarm sounded again.

Zhu Ziwen turned his head to look behind him with some surprise.

The giant insect continued its offensive without any change.

Driven by the tree roots in the forest, these giant insects frantically fled into this "safe zone".

While being attacked by humans, they fought back fiercely, trying to monopolize the area.

"Lie down!!"

Just as Su Pengfei’s voice rang out, a loud bang came from his side.

"boom!!!"

A dazzling display of high-temperature plasma danced in the air, drifting past Zhu Ziwen's eyes.

At the same time, a shockwave struck from his side, shoving him violently aside.

With the help of the exoskeleton armor, he quickly regained his footing.

Looking at the burning tree roots and the deep pit in the soil, he swallowed hard.

At that moment, he also noticed the difference between the two alarm sounds!

This time, the attack came from underground!

Perhaps sensing their intention to retreat, the giant tree, which had been observing from afar, finally couldn't resist taking matters into its own hands!

With a slight tremor from the soil, thick tree roots emerged diagonally from the ground!

The incident happened so suddenly that the expedition team's formation was disrupted!

As the defense line built with laser beams and plasma cannons began to crumble step by step, a strong killing intent flashed in Xia Zhou's eyes!

"Damn it, this giant tree is really asking for it!"

As he spoke, he gave an instruction.

"Click!" *3

Three miniature drones mounted on the back of the exoskeleton armor loosened their latches and soared into the sky, powered by the fusion battery!

"Captain Xia!" Zhu Ziwen's expression changed slightly. "Are you preparing to use a miniature hydrogen bomb?!"

"certainly!"

Xia Zhou countered, "Academician Zhu, I remember you saying that these giant trees possess a high level of intelligence?"

Zhu Ziwen hesitated for a moment and then nodded: "There is currently no conclusive test data to prove this."

"But judging from its behavior patterns, its level of intelligence is definitely not low!"

"That's good!" Xia Zhou looked at the charred debris flying everywhere and said viciously, "We need to give this giant tree a good beating!"

"We need to let it know we're not to be trifled with!"

"Otherwise, we'll be stuck here and die!"

"Unfortunately, the [Golden Crow] battleship has not yet arrived, otherwise..."

Xia Zhou's eyes flashed with an even sharper, cold light: "I have to uproot this tree!"

As he spoke, he marked three bombing zones on the satellite map.

To convey sufficient deterrence, the distance between the three bombing zones and the giant tree decreased sequentially.

The last bombing point was placed directly on top of the giant tree!

Moreover, to prevent the hydrogen bomb from being insufficient in power and lacking in deterrence, under Xia Zhou's operation, almost all the micro-drones equipped with miniature nuclear bombs detached from their exoskeleton armor and flew towards the target area at extremely high speeds!

"Let's go! Dude! Get on the starship, it's safe in there!"

Su Pengfei's roar interrupted Xia Zhou and Zhu Ziwen's conversation.

Zhu Ziwen gave the explorer, who was doing his best to block the combined attack of the giant insect and tree roots, a deep look, and whispered, "Be careful."

After saying that, he climbed into the side hatch of the starship without hesitation.

Perhaps because they had discovered Zhu Ziwen’s special status among the people, these tree roots paid special attention to him!

Almost at the same moment he crawled into the cabin, three or four tree roots sprang up from the ground and crashed into the closing cabin door!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Just as the hatch was closed, Zhu Ziwen heard a series of loud noises coming from it.

Under the watchful eyes of Su Pengfei and Xia Zhou, three or four thick tree roots were frantically hammering at the starship's solid outer armor.

The armor, made of star gold-carbon ytylene composite material, actually developed a shallow dent after being hit repeatedly!

"Boom! Boom!! Boom!!!"

A barrage of plasma projectiles erupted from the exoskeleton armor's cannons, burning the tree roots to ashes.

Seeing most of the tree roots "sever their tails and escape," Xia Zhou's expression grew even more ruthless!

[Drone No. 1 has arrived at the target area!]

"Drop the bomb immediately!"

Xia Zhou did not hesitate at all and immediately issued the order.

A few seconds later.

An incredibly bright sphere of light appeared!

The blinding light brutally tore through the dim starry sky of the Lost Star!

"Lie down!!!"

Xia Zhou shouted loudly!

The next moment, a powerful shockwave roared in, mercilessly knocking down these hundred-meter-tall trees!

Because of their high trunk strength, these trees retained their relatively intact shape even under the shockwave!

The light gradually faded, and the night sky slowly returned to its usual dim state.

The battlefield, illuminated by high-powered searchlights, fell silent.