Chapter 164: Crisis

Leila Bolante, as the Third Princess of the Mantis civilization, naturally knows the current situation of her own civilization inside out.

Although it appears that they are fighting the Variant civilization on equal footing, exuding a vigor not weaker than the opponent's.

They can even launch a counterattack on occasion.

But this result is built on overextending the Mantis civilization's potential.

At such times the civilization is in a tense state, and any unexpected mishap in a link could cause a collapse.

It is like walking on the edge of a cliff; any slightest wind or movement could be met by an abyss from which there is no return.

The Variant civilization, however, is different; setting aside the merits of its parasitic system and its ability to reproduce asexually.

In terms of overall civilizational strength alone, the two sides are incomparable.

Although both civilizations appear to be low‑level civilizations in the Star Realm, the gap between them can be described as the difference between a bright moon and starlight.

The hallmark of a low‑level plane is that the civilization possesses a fourth‑tier lifeform, regarded by countless base‑level beings as a deity‑level being.

This serves as the criterion for plane ranking and is also one of the fundamental laws of the Star Realm.

Yet a low‑level plane civilization with only one fourth‑tier lifeform cannot be compared with a low‑level civilization that has multiple fourth‑tier deity‑level beings.

Indeed, after centuries of contest and through the Mantis civilization's inquiries via some well‑informed neighboring Star Realm civilizations, it has learned that the Variant civilization is an established low‑level civilization with multiple fourth‑tier elites.

As for exactly how many fourth‑tier elites the opponent has, that remains unknown.

However, the Mantis civilization knows clearly that the invaders of the Mantis Plane belong to the Venom branch of the Variant civilization.

Even a single branch of the Variant civilization possesses war potential comparable to, or even surpassing, that of the Mantis Plane.

Third Princess Leila Bolante cannot even imagine what fate the Mantis Plane will meet in the future.

Whether the entire Mantis race will become the opponent's slaves, a breeding ground for parasites.

Or they might barely escape, abandon their home plane, become a wandering people of the Star Realm, living on meager rations, far from home, and perhaps finally die in some unknown corner of an alien land.

That is probably the ultimate end of the Mantis civilization.

Regardless of which, Leila Bolante does not wish to experience it.

For this, she could even set aside her personal grudge with Fulade and shake hands in peace.

Because what the Great Seer said about the Mantis civilization hints at a future with a faint, uncertain turn of fate! As a little princess who has always grown happily under her father's and brother's protection.

She feels she also bears responsibility and duty to alleviate her world's troubles, which is why, as the Third Princess Leila Bolante, she resolutely, despite mortal danger, continues to pursue this.

She is neither fearless nor a madwoman.

She simply wants to do what she believes she must for the world she loves, for her people, and for her family.

Facing the continual shouts from behind and the relentless Mantis Girl pursuing them, Fulade does not think the other side is truly kind.

Moreover, even if they were kind, Fulade would not rashly entrust his safety to others. Besides, she is a mad woman! As time passes, the Spacetime Passage resembles a shattered mirror, fragments continuously breaking off, turning into a spacetime storm that sweeps everything inside the passage.

Perhaps because Fulade instinctively stayed to rescue Weiluona and the others, he has fallen behind the main force and now cannot see the figures ahead.

The only thing that lets him breathe a sigh of relief is that the entrance to the Dark World is already not far away.

Just past a Space Rift, a floating blue arm wielding a coral‑crafted weapon caught Fulade's eye, and his expression changed.

Because it was an arm of the Eight‑armed Naga King; although just an arm, it gave Fulade some concern for the women ahead.

What Fulade does not know is that ahead, Ma'erjin, Malinfisen and others are rushing madly toward the Dark World, and they are secretly anxious because Fulade's trail has been lost.

"Where's Brother Fulade? He was just behind us…" a slightly panicked voice called out.

Ma'erjin, who was nearer to Malinfisen, also looked toward Ravenna and the others with a hint of worry.

Earlier they were only focused on escaping, concentrating on dodging the densely appearing Space Rifts, and never noticed when Fulade fell behind.

Although they usually harbored complaints toward Fulade without bias, when they truly realized Fulade might be in danger, Ma'erjin finally recognized that Fulade had already left an indelible mark in her heart.

"That bastard…" she thought resentfully, also worrying for Fulade's plight.

As Ravenna and the others exchanged uneasy glances, Malisika, with a hint of sobbing, said, "Master, … it seems she fell behind while trying to rescue Sister Weiluona and the others."

The others' faces paled a bit; having learned some information, they felt slightly reassured, but when they saw the spacetime storm behind them continuously collapsing and rapidly spreading toward them, their hearts tightened, and they could think of nothing else— they must escape first.

Meanwhile, Fulade was facing a massive problem.

The chaotic spacetime power not only caused Space Rifts to proliferate and the spacetime storm to sweep everything around, but other spacetime anomalies also began to appear in succession.

Even with Fulade's energy shield fully activated and all accumulated defensive items deployed, the various anomalies from the spacetime collapse and the storm's aftereffects still exerted great pressure.

"Puff, puff, crack, crack—!!" magical items shattered piece by piece, indicating a reduction of external defensive magic.

As Fulade hurriedly avoided a rainbow‑like, hair‑raising danger zone, the scene ahead completely shattered his remaining hope.

Having just evaded the danger, Fulade, after turning a corner inside the Spacetime Passage, quickly retraced his steps.

Because the road ahead was completely blocked by various spacetime anomalies, especially the spacetime storm sweeping in at a staggering speed.

Facing such an outcome, Fulade felt utterly cold inside.

Just as he was dazed, the Mantis Girl's voice pulled him back to reality.

With no time for despondency or despair, Fulade frowned at the culprit, his gaze full of contempt, which unexpectedly caused a flash of grievance and sadness in the Mantis Girl who had been chasing him.

"I have a transport relic handcrafted by my father; I can take you away!"

The Mantis Girl, anxious, said with a sincere expression.

(End of Chapter)