Chapter 251: [Apostle]?

Dark Star's lips were sealed, so he could only glare with his eyes. He slowed down the repair speed of his Corporeal Form.

Because this bizarre metal shell was constantly damaging his self-repairing Corporeal Form, causing him severe pain.

Li Yu simply wouldn't give him the chance to complete the repair, so it was better to reduce the pain.

This Energy Cannon could just replace the Small Electromagnetic Cannon. Li Yu pondered. Although the Electromagnetic Cannon was handy, it could no longer keep up with his progress.

Bro Dark Star was still the most thoughtful, timely updating his equipment for him.

However, before this, there was still one more thing. Li Yu then opened his Smart Terminal, and simultaneously threw a few Energy Bombs into the distance.

Amidst the explosions, Li Yu dialed the Communication Link of the person from the Return Star Fleet responsible for contacting him.

"Quick... quickly come save me, someone is ambushing me," Li Yu spoke rapidly, firing the cannon into the Clearing. Explosions rang out continuously, and the Earth trembled.

Dark Star's eyes widened, unclear on what Li Yu was doing.

He didn't panic at all, asking calmly: "Who is ambushing you? Is it those two A-Tier Lifeforms?"

He was somewhat puzzled. According to normal estimates, those two A-Tier Lifeforms couldn't possibly arrive at the Ordos System so quickly.

"Boom... boom... I don't know who it is either... bang... you guys quickly come support me, I can't hold on much longer... ah..." A miserable cry for help came from the other side.

"How many people are ambushing you? How is their Strength?" The non-commissioned officer asked again.

"Bang-boom! Rat-a-tat-tat-... damn, I'm about to die, how would I have time to pay attention to that!" An angry shout came from the other side.

After a slight pause of thought, the non-commissioned officer's tone became slightly urgent:

"I understand, you must hold on, we will prepare support right away!"

Hanging up the communication, the non-commissioned officer restrained his Anxious expression, his face turning solemn, and walked towards the Command Center.

"So straightforward?"

Li Yu was somewhat surprised and stopped his random firing behavior. Could it be he guessed wrong?

Could it be the Return Star Fleet didn't plan to abandon him?

...

The Meteor Fleet, one of Return Star's high-level fleets. Unlike the internal Patrol Fleet, the Meteor Fleet's scale was even more massive, and simultaneously more adept at Interstellar Wars.

They had a record of killing A-Tier Lifeforms more than once, and had even annihilated civilizations that didn't know their place and waged war against Return Star.

"...That is how it is. Li Yu was ambushed and attacked by unknown figures. The specific number of people is unknown, their Strength is unknown, their origin is unknown..."

The non-commissioned officer reported to the fleet Commander—Elton Ramos. At the same time, on the split Holographic Screen, there were several other deputy commanders.

"How could there be an ambush? The Ordos System is just a low-level Star System, there is absolutely no high-level combat power here," one of the deputy commanders asked in confusion.

"Is this true or false? Could he be testing us?" Another deputy fleet commander speculated.

Elton knocked on the table: "...Just received news, a High-Energy Reaction was indeed monitored on Ordos Prime, reaching A-rank."

The expressions of the several deputy commanders changed slightly, "Where did the High-Energy Reaction come from? Mobilize Ordos's satellites to check the location where the Energy Reaction erupted."

Without needing the deputy commanders' reminder, Elton had already issued the order. He glanced at the Subordinate's report and frowned slightly: "There is another powerful Artificial Intelligence on Ordos's internal network; the entirety of Ordos has already been controlled by it."

"What!?"

The several deputy commanders were all somewhat surprised. One of them even voiced: "The [Comet Server Array] we brought occupies three Transport Ships, and we still can't hack the opponent?"

"We need time. According to the network department's report, the Artificial Intelligence on Ordos's network is very strange, its calling efficiency is extremely high..."

Elton didn't understand Artificial Intelligence too well and didn't know what "strange" meant as reported by his Subordinates. He was the fleet Commander; he only needed to be responsible for overseeing everything.

"Whether the people ambushing Li Yu came for him, or if they have long been lurking in the Ordos System, needs to be clarified."

"Exactly. If it's the former, it's fine, but if it's the latter, then Ordos seems to still have secrets."

"Didn't Ordos ask for help before saying they were attacked by Marauders? Could it be those Marauders? I remember Li Yu identified Dark Star as a Marauder; could those Marauders be seeking revenge for Dark Star?"

"Impossible. Marauders aren't that 'loyal', and if those Marauders possessed A-rank Attack methods, I don't think Ordos would have had a chance to call for help."

"..."

The deputy commanders made various speculations, while the non-commissioned officer beside them hesitated a bit. Finally, he asked: "Sir, how should I reply to Li Yu?"

The discussion among the deputy commanders instantly stopped. Elton glanced at him and said indifferently, "What did you tell him before?"

The non-commissioned officer hesitated and said, "I said... tell him to wait, we are preparing support."

"Then reply according to this answer..." Elton seemed unconcerned about Li Yu's life or death, nor was he preparing support.

The non-commissioned officer received the order and left without any objections; he only needed an order.

After the non-commissioned officer left, a deputy commander frowned and said, "Are we really not going to intervene? If he dies, will those two A-Tier Lifeforms still come?"

"As long as we blockade the news, no one will know Li Yu is dead."

"And Lord Horus already said when he came... we don't need to care..." His words were interrupted halfway by Elton: "We aren't not intervening, we just need time to prepare."

The several deputy commanders Understood Tacitly and didn't continue discussing this issue, but instead changed the topic: "Does Ordos itself seem to be hiding some secret?"

"Should we send a reconnaissance squad down to take a look?"

Elton pondered for a moment and nodded, "Send the [Queen Bee Squad] down to synchronize information in a timely manner."

The Holographic Screen gradually darkened, the several deputy commanders disappeared, and Elton's expression flickered, staring at the Ordos System projection appearing on the tactical table, not knowing what he was pondering.

...

On the other side, David was also listening to his subordinates' reports. They paid more attention to Ordos and scanned the High-Energy Reaction even faster.

"An unknown faction?" David stroked his chin, also ordering his Subordinates to mobilize satellites to observe the location where the Energy Fluctuation originated.

"Satellite control has already been seized by an unknown AI; we haven't regained it yet." The Subordinate reported with his head down, his tone sounding somewhat weak.

"What about the Scanners we additionally deployed?" David frowned deeply and asked immediately.

"The signals have also been intercepted; they are temporarily unavailable."

David's expression turned unwell. There were still hidden factions on the Ordos planet, and he actually didn't know.

...

"Two powerful Artificial Intelligences are rampaging on Ordos's internal network?" Li Yu heard Claptrap's report and roughly guessed who both sides were.

"Can you hold on?" he asked.

Claptrap's projection lowered its head, seemingly somewhat ashamed: "Ordos's network is too low-level. Relying on my innate advantages, I can resist for another ten minutes or so."

"Ten minutes, that's about enough..." Li Yu nodded, then as if thinking of something, he said: "Can you make those two Artificial Intelligences clash with each other while you quietly withdraw?"

"Yes..." Claptrap replied: "They haven't discovered each other yet, they are only initiating an encirclement against me."

Li Yu nodded. Up until now, the Meteor Fleet still hadn't replied, and he more or less understood.

His thought was correct; the Meteor Fleet indeed didn't plan to pay attention to him, purely wanting to drag it out.

Without thinking, he knew it was Vimala and Horus playing tricks behind the scenes.

Looking at Bro Dark Star, Li Yu had just unsealed the metal plate when Dark Star spoke: "Return Star has abandoned you. As bait, you won't have a good end."

His expression had calmed down. Although he was captured, Li Yu was Powerless Against him and could at most torture him.

When the pursuers arrived, Li Yu would die all the same, and he could escape sooner or later, so he actually calmed down now, anticipating Li Yu's miserable death.

"Indeed..." Li Yu perfunctorily agreed a few times, asking curiously: "Who is behind you? Which noble of the Star Glory Empire? To know the specific location of the Titan Ruins, they must hold a high position and power, right?"

Dark Star snorted coldly, showing no intention of answering.

"You are an A-Tier Lifeform after all, and I am also a Respectable Person. Stuffing you in a toilet... I really can't do that." Li Yu pondered for a moment and proposed:

"How about this, I'll tell you something, and you answer one question for me, how about that?"

Dark Star's eyebrows twitched.Respectable Person? You're blatantly threatening me. If I don't cooperate, I'm afraid Li Yu will immediately become unrespectable on the spot.

Thinking that such an end was indeed a Life Worse Than Death, Dark Star decided to take the way out Li Yu offered.

This guy is doomed sooner or later. Even if he knows some things, it's fine...Dark Star consoled himself this way.

"Are you curious why your Strength is weakened every time you face me?" Li Yu proactively asked.

Dark Star nodded silently. To tell the truth, he was indeed quite curious about this question.

"This is my Curse on you. If we don't use external forces, Melee Combat between us is actually an Even Match, the kind where neither can do anything to the other." Li Yu didn't mind stating the effect.

Because Dark Star had pretty much guessed it anyway. This time he refused to fight him head-on and even used a modified Main Cannon for the sneak attack.

"Only by relying on external forces can the Strength be tilted."

Hearing this, Dark Star verified his guess, and then heard Li Yu laugh: "What's interesting is, if my Strength surpasses yours, there's a high probability your Strength will be forcefully Embellished when facing me."

Because the effect of [Even Match] only acted on the target's Strength, Li Yu himself would not be affected.

Dark Star's face darkened. This coincided with some of his guesses. He said stiffly, "That day will not come."

Bro Dark Star had a stubborn mouth, and Li Yu didn't mind, turning the topic: "Time to answer my question."

Dark Star was silent for a moment, then said: "I don't know exactly who it is either, but he should belong to one of the Seven Top Nobles of the Star Splendor Empire."

"He started commanding me a long time ago..."

Dark Star's eyes were deep, as if recalling something. Li Yu felt like he saw an exclamation mark pop up above his head; clicking dialogue now should trigger a large backstory.

Unfortunately, he didn't want to care about Dark Star's mental journey; who didn't have a bit of a story?

"Did he only send you? How many A-Tier Lifeforms are hidden in Ordos? Do you know the Strength of the Stellar Brilliance Empire Exploration Team?"

Li Yu fired off a series of questions, making Dark Star somewhat Speechless. Didn't they agree on one question for one answer?

But looking at Li Yu, who seemed to have forgotten this, Dark Star didn't remind him, lest this guy suddenly become unrespectable.

"I also have a Support Team, but they haven't arrived yet. I don't know how many A-ranks are hiding in Ordos either. The Empire's Exploration Team theoretically should only have one A-Tier Lifeform." Dark Star pondered for a moment and said:

"Those two A-Tier Lifeforms who have a grudge against you should have also received this mission."

Li Yu was slightly surprised, not expecting so many complicated threads to actually converge on Ordos all at once, just because of this Titan Ruins.

"Do you know what exactly is in this Titan Ruins?"

Dark Star hesitated for a moment upon hearing this question, letting Li Yu, who was staring intently at him, notice something amiss. He said pointedly: "Suddenly needing to pee, and there's no toilet nearby..."

Dark Star's expression instantly turned incredibly ugly. He gritted his teeth and said: "It's an [Apostle]"

"Apostle?" Li Yu repeated this name, not understanding it, and continued pressing: "Speak more clearly."

"I don't know exactly what it is either, I only know it's an [Apostle]," Dark Star said coldly.

"Can't hold it much longer," Li Yu frowned.

"I really don't know! My Support Team hasn't arrived yet!" Dark Star roared angrily.

This guy seemed to really not know. Li Yu didn't continue pressing; Glazed Star should know what it was, he'd ask when he had time.

Dark Star gave Li Yu a rough understanding of the various factions lurking in Ordos, so he wouldn't be Completely in the Dark, knowing nothing.

During the questioning, another five or six minutes had passed. Li Yu estimated it was about time. He started firing empty shots again and dialed the Communication Link of the interfacing non-commissioned officer.

"...Bang-boom, rat-a-tat-tat... has your support arrived yet, I'm dying..." Li Yu's weak voice came through, accompanied by faint groans, seemingly severely injured.

The non-commissioned officer was somewhat surprised and subconsciously said: "You're still alive?"

After speaking, he regretted it; he shouldn't have spoken like that.

Sure enough, Li Yu immediately said dissatisfiedly: "What do you mean I'm still alive, are you hoping for me to die?"

"Not at all... our support is on the way, you just need to hold on a little longer." The non-commissioned officer began to stall for time according to orders.

He wouldn't say they weren't preparing support; if asked, it was on the way.

"...Still on the way!? I'm about to... boom... die!" Li Yu "roared angrily".

"Support takes time." The non-commissioned officer appeared very helpless.

"Alright..."

The non-commissioned officer was slightly taken aback. Li Yu's tone suddenly became calm, and the sound of artillery fire also disappeared.

"Oh... why did the ambushers retreat, I'm fine now, you don't need to send support anymore." Li Yu stated the "joy of narrowly escaping death" with an utterly unfluctuating tone.

The non-commissioned officer was slightly taken aback. Looking at the screen that had already lost its signal, an unbelievable guess surfaced in his mind... Were they being played?

(End of this chapter)