Chapter 197

"What? How is this possible?" Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo were both shocked.

They never expected things to develop to this point.

"Now you know, right?"

The traitor laughed triumphantly, "You thought you had controlled everything? In fact, you are just pawns in someone else's hands!"

The traitor's revelation exploded on the bridge like a bombshell.

Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo looked at each other; their hearts were filled with complex emotions.

Anger, disappointment, fear... various emotions intertwined, making it hard for them to calm down.

However, they knew now was not the time to indulge in emotions.

They had to convey this news to the leaders of the Disaster Empire as soon as possible and formulate a response strategy. Otherwise, they might face an even greater crisis.

"Let's go."

Zhou Xuan took a deep breath and said to Xiang Xingluo, "We must tell the leaders this news."

Xiang Xingluo nodded: "Yes, we must act as soon as possible."

The two walked out of the bridge side by side and set foot on the road to the leader's room.

Their backs appeared exceptionally firm and resolute under the illumination of the stars.

They knew the road ahead would be full of bumps and unknowns, but they also believed that as long as they worked together, they would surely be able to overcome all difficulties and protect the future of the Disaster Empire.

In the boundless universe of the Astral Express, the journey of Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo encountered unprecedented challenges again.

They shuttled between the stars, each step seeming to tread on the edge of an unknown abyss.

And this time, a hidden conspiracy was quietly approaching, pushing their destiny into an even more dangerous situation.

Night fell, the stars were like dust, and Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo sat on the viewing platform of the spaceship, silently gazing at the vast and boundless universe outside the window.

Suddenly, a rush of footsteps broke the tranquility, and the traitor—who had once been an indispensable member of their team, now stood before them with a complex expression.

"I know you must be looking for something,"

the traitor's voice was low and hoarse, "¨¨ But what you don't know is that behind all of this hides an even larger force. They have been searching for an ancient artifact capable of controlling the entire universe."

Zhou Xuan's brow furrowed; he turned to look at Xiang Xingluo, and the eyes of both flickered with vigilant light.

"Why would you tell us this?" Zhou Xuan asked, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible chill.

The traitor smiled bitterly, "Because I'm tired of being someone else's pawn. I know that if that artifact falls into their hands, the entire universe will fall into endless darkness. And I, too, was once a part of this universe."

After learning this shocking news, Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo did not hesitate for a moment; they immediately adjusted their course, deciding to speed up and find the legendary artifact first, and protect it.

The spaceship drew brilliant trajectories in the starry sky, shuttling between various galaxies like a meteor.

"We must get there before them,"

218. 【Find the location of the artifact!】

Zhou Xuan gripped the steering wheel tightly, his gaze firm, "Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Xiang Xingluo sat to the side, her fingers dancing rapidly on the virtual screen; she was using her hacking skills, attempting to gather clues about the artifact from various channels.

"I've already hacked into several databases that might have information," she said while operating, "but the information is highly encrypted, and I need more time."

However, their actions did not escape the surveillance of the unknown force.

In the process of crossing a nebula, the spaceship was suddenly attacked by an unknown force.

Laser artillery fire poured down like raindrops, dyeing the night sky a glaring red.

Zhou Xuan quickly activated the spaceship's defense system while maneuvering the ship to evade; every maneuver narrowly avoided fatal attacks.

"How did they know our location?"

Xiang Xingluo shouted in the chaos, her eyes filled with confusion and anger.

"We have a traitor inside,"

Zhou Xuan analyzed calmly, "And more than one."

To find the hidden traitor, Xiang Xingluo decided to use her hacking skills to conduct a thorough internal investigation.

She shut down all non-essential systems on the spaceship and invested all resources into this virtual battle.

Time passed second by second, data surged like a tide, and Xiang Xingluo's eyes were fixed on every subtle change.

Finally, in an inconspicuous corner, she discovered an abnormal data stream.

Following this clue, she was surprised to find that the lurking traitor was actually a seemingly loyal comrade in their team.

"This is impossible!"

Zhou Xuan could hardly believe his ears upon hearing this news, "How could they be a traitor?"

"The facts are before us,"

Xiang Xingluo sighed, "We must face reality."

Just as they were preparing to catch the traitor in one fell swoop, the unknown force suddenly launched a larger-scale attack.

This time, they not only used more advanced weapon systems but also dispatched elite troops to encircle and suppress them.

The spaceship was tottering in the fierce crossfire, and Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo had to fight with all their might to resist.

"We cannot sit and wait for death!"

Zhou Xuan roared, pulling the joystick hard, and the spaceship accelerated instantly, attempting to break through the enemy's encirclement.

But the number of enemies was simply too great, and they seemed to be swallowed by endless darkness.

"Xiang Xingluo! Find the location of the artifact quickly!"

Zhou Xuan shouted anxiously, "Only by finding the artifact can we have a turning point!"

Xiang Xingluo gritted her teeth, her fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard.

Finally, amidst the chaos, she found the key clue—the artifact was hidden in an ancient ruin nearby.

There was no time to hesitate; Zhou Xuan piloted the spaceship directly toward the ruins.

Deep in the ruins, they finally saw the legendary artifact—an ancient device emitting a soft light.

But just as they were preparing to take it away, the unknown force's troops caught up.

A fierce battle broke out in the ruins.

Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the enemy, every attack filled with resolve and courage.

And the traitor also revealed their true colors in the melee, grinning as they lunged at Zhou Xuan, attempting to seize the artifact.

But Zhou Xuan was well-prepared; he kicked the traitor away with one foot and simultaneously raised the weapon in his hand to launch a final charge against the enemy.

219. 【Is it the artifact?】

In the fierce battle, they gradually gained the upper hand.

Finally, with Xiang Xingluo's assistance, they successfully took the artifact away from the ruins and shook off the enemy's pursuit.

When the spaceship shuttled between the stars again, Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo both breathed a sigh of relief.

They knew that although this crisis was temporarily resolved, the road ahead was still very long.

And that ancient artifact would also become an important weapon for them to protect the peace of the universe.

"We did it,"

Xiang Xingluo looked at Zhou Xuan with a smile, "No matter how many difficulties await us in the future, as long as we are together, nothing is impossible."

Zhou Xuan nodded, his eyes flickering with firm light.

"Yes,"

he said, "No matter how many obstacles are ahead, we will face them together. Because we are the guardians on the Astral Express."

In the deep universe of the Astral Express, the stars were scattered like dust, and an unprecedented crisis was quietly approaching.

The edge defense line of the Disaster Empire was suddenly attacked fiercely by an unknown force; that fleet, brilliant yet carrying a destructive aura, was like the brightest comet in the night sky, piercing the tranquility.

Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo, these two warriors destined by fate, faced unprecedented challenges, their eyes holding no retreat, only firm determination.

"Attention everyone! Unknown force approaching, enter combat readiness immediately!"

Zhou Xuan's voice rang through the entire bridge via the communicator, his gaze sharp, as if he could pierce through the screen and look directly into the heart of every team member.

Xiang Xingluo stood beside him, clenching her fists tightly, her eyes holding both worry and expectation.

"Zhou Xuan, we must hold this place, for the future of the Disaster Empire, and for those innocent lives."

"That's right, Xiang Xingluo. This time, we must let them know that the Disaster Empire is not to be trifled with."

Zhou Xuan nodded, then turned to give instructions to the elite team members in front of the console,

"Activate all defense systems, prepare to meet the enemy!"

The elite team members acted quickly, their movements skilled and tacit, as if they had rehearsed this battle countless times.