Chapter 212

However, just as they were preparing to fight to the death, a stray bullet suddenly flew over; Xiang Xingluo could not dodge in time and was hit in the shoulder.

She cried out in pain, her body swaying.

"Xiang Xingluo!"

Zhou Xuan was shocked and quickly supported her, his eyes full of anxiety and anger,

"Hold on, I will definitely take you out!"

But the enemy's offensive became more and more fierce, and Zhou Xuan could only resist the attack while trying to find a chance to escape.

Behind him was endless darkness and despair;

And in front of him was Xiang Xingluo's weak figure, as well as that escape door that seemed unreachable.

Just then, a familiar figure suddenly rushed out from the crowd, holding a long saber, cutting through the enemies like bamboo.

The person's movements were swift and powerful, each strike hitting the vital point accurately, instantly opening a path to survival for Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo.

"Teacher Himeko!"

Xiang Xingluo shouted in surprise.

She never expected that at this critical moment, it would be Teacher Himeko who came to the rescue.

"Go!"

Himeko did not stop, just gave a brief instruction.

Her eyes were filled with firmness and determination, as if she had long been prepared for sacrifice.

Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo looked at each other; there was no need for more words; they understood that every second at this moment was crucial.

Thus, the two quickly rushed toward the escape door, while Himeko stayed behind to buy them time.

"Teacher Himeko, be careful!"

Xiang Xingluo's voice carried a crying tone; she knew deeply the danger of Himeko's action.

"Don't worry, children."

Himeko's voice came from behind, carrying a trace of warm smile,

"I will protect you."

Finally, under Himeko's cover, Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo successfully escaped the base.

They looked back, only to see Himeko alone, fighting hard in the enemy's encirclement.

At that moment, their hearts were filled with gratitude and respect.

"We must go back and save her!"

Xiang Xingluo said anxiously.

"No, we cannot go back."

Zhou Xuan shook his head, a trace of determination flashing in his eyes,

"Teacher Himeko stayed behind to let us live. If we go back, it will only make her sacrifice in vain."

"Then what should we do?"

Xiang Xingluo's voice carried a trace of choking.

"We must take these documents and reveal the true face of the Disaster Empire."

Zhou Xuan said firmly, "Only in this way can we comfort Teacher Himeko's spirit in heaven."

Thus, the two took those precious secret documents and embarked on a new journey.

They knew that the road ahead would be filled with the unknown and danger, but they also believed that as long as there was belief in their hearts, nothing could stop their progress.

And Teacher Himeko's figure would forever remain in their hearts, becoming their strongest backing and warmest memory.

In the days to come, whenever they encountered difficulties and challenges, they would think of that figure who lit up the light of hope for them in the darkness.

The night was falling, and the stars were like fine diamonds embedded in the ink-colored sky, but this tranquility could not penetrate into the secret base located on the edge of the star sector.

Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo stood side by side at the end of the dim corridor,

Their figures were elongated by a sudden beam of light; that light came from a figure who had suddenly appeared,

He was wearing a black cloak, his face hidden in the shadows, revealing only a pair of deep and sharp eyes.

"You finally came after all."

The mysterious person's voice was low and magnetic, as if it could pierce through the human heart.

Zhou Xuan gripped the sword hilt in his hand alertly, while Xiang Xingluo subconsciously moved closer to him; their gazes contained both vigilance and curiosity.

"Who are you? Why did you know we would come?" Zhou Xuan asked in a deep voice.

The mysterious person slowly took off the hood of his cloak, revealing a face full of vicissitudes yet still firm; these were the traces left by time, and also the witness of countless secrets.

"I am a former member of the Disaster Empire, a traitor, a traveler searching for the truth."

His words carried a trace of bitterness and determination that was hard to detect.

"Disaster Empire? Are you saying that the enemy we have been fighting against all along actually has a deeper conspiracy?"

Xiang Xingluo's voice trembled slightly, and she stared with wide eyes in disbelief.

"Far deeper and darker than you imagine."

The mysterious person sighed, took out a sealed document from his bosom, and handed it to Zhou Xuan,

"This is top-secret information I obtained from the inside; it reveals the true purpose of the Disaster Empire."

Zhou Xuan took the document, his fingers gently rubbing over every word on the cover, as if he could feel the heavy weight behind it.

He took a deep breath, and after exchanging a firm look with Xiang Xingluo, they opened the document together.

The inner pages of the document detailed a magnificent blueprint of the Disaster Empire called the "Cosmic Web Project"—using highly developed technological means,

To weave a network covering the entire universe, in order to achieve absolute control over all planets, races, and even life.

And Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo, as well as many other rebels, were nothing more than chess pieces in this huge plan, cleverly arranged on the chessboard to consume or divert the attention of the true target.

"This... this is crazy!"

Xiang Xingluo, in addition to shock, felt more anger and unwillingness,

"We have been fighting for freedom all along, only to be someone else's chess pieces?"

"Yes, but now, we have a chance to fight back."

The mysterious person's tone revealed a kind of determined power,

"I am willing to be your guide, to expose this conspiracy together, and stop the Disaster Empire's plan."

Zhou Xuan pursed his lips tightly, his gaze like a torch.

"We accept your help, but this road is destined to be full of thorns and danger."

"I have long been prepared."

The mysterious person smiled slightly; that smile contained both relief for the past and fearlessness for the challenges of the future.

Under the guidance of the mysterious person, Zhou Xuan, Xiang Xingluo, and a small team of elite members began a thrilling journey of escape and counterattack.

They used their familiarity with the base structure to cleverly avoid the Disaster Empire's patrols, traversed corridors filled with traps and surveillance, and finally found an escape exit amidst the chaos.

"Remember, our goal is not just to escape, but to expose the truth and awaken more people."

Just before jumping into the star gate, the mysterious person turned back and said to Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo.

The light of the star gate wrapped around them, instantly crossing the distance of the stars; when they stepped on solid ground again, they had returned to their own base.

Here was their last fortress, and also the starting point of their counterattack.

"Convene an emergency meeting immediately!"

As soon as Zhou Xuan returned to the base, he issued the order.

In the conference room, the lights were bright, and the base members and local residents sat in a circle, waiting for the truth that was about to be revealed.

Zhou Xuan stood in front of the conference table, holding the secret document tightly in his hand; his voice spread throughout the room through the loudspeaker.

"Today, I want to reveal a startling fact to everyone..."

As he told the story, every word was like a heavy hammer, striking everyone's heart.

The meeting hall was first dead silent, and then erupted in bursts of exclamation and anger.

People shook their heads in disbelief, their eyes flashing with sparks of anger and unwillingness.

"We cannot sit and wait for death!" Xiang Xingluo stood up and shouted passionately,

"We must unite to fight against the Disaster Empire and protect our home and people!"

"Yes! We cannot let their conspiracy succeed!"

The base members responded one after another, their vows and determination echoing in the air.

However, just as Zhou Xuan and Xiang Xingluo had expected, revealing the truth was only the beginning of the battle.

The Disaster Empire's power was vast and cunning; they would not sit idly by and watch their plan be destroyed. ===== CHAPTER 213 =====