Chapter 403: Undercurrents Surge

The success of the technology exchange meeting made the Yanhuang Civilization's prestige in Laniakea reach an unprecedented height.

Dimensional Engine, these four words,

Like a spell with infinite magic power, it spread wildly among the major civilizations.

What it represents is the key to a higher-level civilization.

For a while, the threshold of the Yanhuang Heavenly Court was almost stepped on.

Countless envoys from various civilizations, bearing generous gifts and humble attitudes, came to visit.

All just to obtain a pre-order quota for a Dimensional Engine.

Even the Laniakea Council dispatched a high-level diplomatic team to discuss "deep strategic cooperation" with the Yanhuang Civilization.

The entire Laniakea seemed immersed in an atmosphere of harmony and friendliness.

However,

Beneath the light, an undercurrent surged silently.

The rise of the Yanhuang Civilization was too rapid, too dazzling.

This would inevitably touch the interests of some old powers, provoking their unease and jealousy.

The territory of the Laniakea Council.

In a secret conference room shrouded in darkness.

Several shadows of varying forms were conducting a conspiracy.

"We can no longer allow that Yanhuang Civilization to continue developing!"

A sharp mental ripple sounded in the darkness.

"Their Dimensional Engine is a subversion of the existing energy system! Once they mass-produce it, the entire power structure of Laniakea will be completely rewritten!"

"By then, we civilizations that rely on traditional energy will all become their vassals!"

Another cold voice echoed in agreement:

"That's right. That old fellow Heavenly Patrol has been scared witless by the threat of 'Calamity' and actually wants to cooperate with the Yanhuang Civilization—it's practically inviting the tiger to share its skin!"

"We must find a way to restrain them!"

In the darkness, the largest and most silent shadow slowly spoke.

His voice seemed able to absorb all surrounding light and heat.

"Restrain? How to restrain?"

"If we go to war head-on, who among you has the confidence to block their kind of space-cutting net?"

Upon saying that, the conference room fell into a brief silence.

The destruction of the seven-hundred-billion-strong fleet is a shadow in everyone's heart.

"Head-on won't work; we can try something covert."

That initial sharp voice sounded again.

"I've received intel that the Yanhuang Civilization's first convoy will depart from the Sea of Tranquility in three months, heading to Ge Si Civilization to deliver some technology and supplies."

"This is our best opportunity!"

The cold voice immediately understood the other's intent: "You mean... to ambush their convoy?"

"Exactly!"

In the sharp voice, there was a hint of excitement and cruelty,

"Their main fleet must guard the Sea of Tranquility and cannot all be deployed; a small convoy's escort will inevitably be limited."

"If we can successfully ambush them, seize their cargo, and even... capture their scientists, we might obtain the Dimensional Engine technology!"

"This plan is too risky."

A relatively cautious voice raised an objection,

"If we fail, we will have to face the Yanhuang Civilization's frenzied retaliation."

"Fortune favors the bold!"

The sharp voice retorted, "As long as we do it cleanly and leave no evidence, who could know it was us?"

"We can ally with several notorious raider civilizations to do the deed. After success, we split the technology, they split the loot."

"By then, even if the Yanhuang Civilization investigates, they'll only find those scapegoats."

This plan is vicious yet meticulous.

The conference room fell silent again.

All the shadows weighed the pros and cons.

Finally, the largest shadow—the Dark Shadow Venerable—made a decision.

"Let's do it this way."

His voice settled the matter.

"I will personally plan this."

"I guarantee no clues will be left."

……

Yanhuang Heavenly Court, Command Center.

Qin Hao was quietly looking at the star map before him.

On the star map, countless subtle energy streams traversed the vast universe.

This is an energy flow monitoring network established by the Yanhuang Civilization after mastering the Sea of Tranquility, using the Dimensional Stabilization Tower to cover the entire Laniakea supercluster.

Any large-scale fleet movement cannot escape the surveillance of this network.

Just moments ago, the network detected a slight anomaly.

On the necessary passage of the Yanhuang convoy's preset route, in a barren star region, several unusual energy concentrations appeared.

These energies were cleverly disguised as cosmic background radiation, but their internal structure showed the traits of a warship engine on standby.

"There's a fish, getting ready to bite the hook."

Qin Hao's mouth curled into a cold smile.

He had long anticipated that someone would not stay still.

The dimension engine is such tempting meat.

There will always be some clever‑asses trying to take shortcuts.

"Zhou Shaoqing."

"Here!"

"The original convoy escort plan is cancelled."

Qin Hao issued the order.

Zhou Shaoqing froze: "Cancelled? Then the convoy's safety…"

"Replace all escort ships with Ghost‑class special warships."

A glint of cold light flashed in Qin Hao's eyes: "Simulate the merchant ship's disguise surface."

"Also, notify Nangong Lin to have her lead a psychic strike fleet and stand by on the flank."

Zhou Shaoqing instantly understood Qin Hao's intention.

This isn't escorting—this is clearly preparing for a counter‑ambush battle!

"I'll personally pilot the Pioneer and press them from behind."

Qin Hao stood up and moved his wrist a bit.

"I want to see which clueless bastards dare to aim at my Yanhuang Civilization."

"This time I'll kill the chicken to scare the monkeys."

"Let the whole Laniakea know that some civilizations cannot be provoked."

A few months later.

A convoy composed of millions of transport ships slowly departed from the Tranquil Sea.

Around them, only a few hundred thousand escort ships were present, making the defenses look rather weak.

This "fat sheep"-like fleet, following the preset course, sailed steadily toward the Ge Si Civilization.

And on the necessary passage ahead of them, in that dead star region.

Tens of millions of warships, ferocious in appearance and painted with skull and flame insignia, observed the convoy's every move.

"Boss, the target has entered the ambush zone!"

"Hahaha! Great!"

The raider leader, a three‑eyed cyclops, let out a greedy laugh.

"Shadow Venerable certainly didn't lie to us—this Yanhuang convoy is practically free meat delivered to our door!"

"Brothers, get ready to strike!"

"Remember the venerable's orders: the transport ships can be destroyed, but the technical data and scientists inside must be seized intact!"

"Lads, follow me! For wealth and technology!"

At the leader's command, tens of millions of raider warships,

surged out from hidden space, instantly encircling the Yanhuang convoy in an airtight blockade.