Chapter 344: Lizardmen

The "red packet" triggered a massive battle across the Guixu Starfield, its intensity far exceeding the maximum detection limit of Pathfinder One. The encrypted channel was completely severed after transmitting the final chaotic battlefield footage, leaving only a continuous, shrill busy tone.

Inside the Command Center, everyone stared at the screen reduced to static, their emotions complex: awe at the unimaginable tactics, concern over the loss of control, but mostly, a sense of eager anticipation and urgency to reap the benefits.

"Analyze the last transmitted data immediately! Estimate the strength losses and probable duration of all combatants!" Lei Dong ordered swiftly, his voice trembling with excitement, "The Hope-ship has entered final launch countdown! All Star-Chasing members, prepare for immediate departure!"

The entire Base operated like a war machine wound tight, functioning with unprecedented efficiency. Final debugging of the Mother Ship, cargo loading, personnel assembly—all proceeded with every second counted.

Xia Wan, as the core, was even more swamped. She needed to confirm her equipment status, familiarize herself with every critical system of the Mother Ship, and conduct final tactical coordination with her upcoming battle companions. Mo Yu and Xiao Bao became the most relaxed figures in the Base; Mo Yu occasionally wandered to the bridge or training ground, offering seemingly nonsensical yet often spot-on "probability-based" advice, while Xiao Bao became everyone's "jester" and "lucky charm," bringing unexpected little surprises—or little shocks—wherever he went.

Amid the tense preparations, analysis of the Guixu Ruins themselves never ceased. The bizarre spatial structure and unstable energy fields posed a deadlier threat than any external enemy.

That day, after finishing a deep neural-link test with the ship's AI, Xia Wan felt her consciousness had preliminarily established a tighter connection with the vast Mother Ship system. She went to the Intelligence Analysis Center to learn about the latest modeling progress on Guixu's internal environment.

On the massive Holographic Sand Table, a dark, twisting, ever-shifting spatial model rotated slowly. Countless red and black zones representing energy turbulence, spatial folds, and dimensional traps coiled through the model like venomous snakes, sending chills down the spine.

"... Based on the final edge-scanning data from Pathfinder One and fragmented information we obtained through other channels," a senior space physicist pointed at the table, his tone grave, "the interior of Guixu is not a single space, but composed of numerous fragmented, overlapping, and mutually repelling subspace shards, with wildly chaotic physical laws—even possible localized collapse of fundamental principles."

He operated the console, magnifying a section of the table. A region resembling shattered mirrors refracted bizarre, surreal imagery, faintly revealing twisted architectural ruins and... inhuman bones.

"More importantly," the physicist lowered his voice, "we detected traces of... non-humanoid life activity within the refracted images of these space fragments."

On the sand table, several extremely blurred, heavily enhanced video clips played.

They were figures hidden within distorted light and shadow, possessing elongated, lizard-like heads, bodies covered in fine scales, and thick, powerful tails. They moved swiftly, darting through the fractured spatial structures, seemingly perfectly adapted to that environment.

"Lizardmen?" a young biologist blurted out, his face filled with surprise, "Aren't these the things mentioned in those Earth conspiracy theories...?"

"Similar in form, but not the same concept," the elder scientist interrupted, his expression stern. "Judging by their behavior patterns and adaptation to high-chaos energy environments, these beings are either native species of the Guixu Ruins—or, over long ages, evolved into 'Guardians,' 'Cleaners,' or even... 'Parasites.' Their very existence is a grave threat."

He pulled up a set of energy readings: "Note the energy fluctuations emitted by their scale surfaces—identical in origin to the chaotic energy within the Ruins. This suggests they can likely harness or even manipulate parts of the Ruins' power. Furthermore, their biological form indicates extreme physical strength, high energy resistance, and... possible spiritual contamination traits."

In the footage, one "Lizardman" suddenly sensed something, whipping its head around. Its cold, reptilian vertical pupils seemed to pierce through time and space, locking onto the Observers for an instant—sending a chill through everyone present.

"These 'Lizardmen' will be the most dangerous threat we face upon entering Guixu, beyond the environment itself and external enemies," the elder scientist concluded.

Xia Wan stared at the blurry, grotesque figures on the sand table, her gaze heavy. She could feel the ancient, savage, order-defying aura radiating from these beings. They were like the Ruins' own immune system, mercilessly purging all "foreigners."

At that moment, Mo Yu strolled in, Xiao Bao still slung over his shoulder. He glanced at the "Lizardmen" imagery on the Holographic Sand Table and sneered.

"Tch. So these are distant cousins of those slimy lizards," he said with disdain. "Always hiding in some godforsaken dump, barely clinging to life."

"Mo Yu, do you know them?" Xia Wan asked.

"Not exactly. Had a few run-ins." Mo Yu scratched his ear. "In the universe, some civilizations wander too far down a dead end—either destroy themselves or become something neither human nor demon. These guys' ancestors were probably remnants of a civilization that took extreme physical evolution to its limit, hiding in places like Guixu where laws are chaotic, and over time turned into this."

He pointed at the Lizardmen's vertical pupils: "Watch their eyes. Stare too long and they'll scramble your mind. Those with weak wills risk being assimilated or controlled. Also, their blood is highly corrosive and energy-polluting—don't let it touch you."

Xiao Bao seemed equally curious about the "Lizardmen," reaching out his chubby finger toward the sand table, babbling excitedly.

Mo Yu patted him: "Son, remember these ugly bastards. Next time you see them, keep your distance. They're filthy."

Xiao Bao nodded half-understanding, hugging his Dice tightly.

With Mo Yu's additions, everyone gained a more visceral understanding of the Lizardmen threat. This inevitably cast another shadow over the impending Guixu mission.

But there was no turning back.

The Hope-ship was ready. The Star-Chasing members were eager.

No matter what lay ahead—chaotic space, greedy enemies, or these strange native beings—they had to press forward.

For the future of civilization, they had no retreat.

Xia Wan clenched her fist, her gaze firm as she stared at the dark Guixu model.

Lizardmen?

Just another stumbling block on the path, to be crushed underfoot.