Chapter 1061: For Shuangyuxing

Having finished speaking, this Luna Wolves Sergeant said no more and left with the other three Space Marines.

After a long while, the young miner finally spoke.

"Fa... Father, is... is what he said true? If we just work hard, can we... survive? And even... live better?"

A complex light flickered in the old miner's eyes.

He had experienced the oppression of the Fengqi and the exploitation of the old nobility; he instinctively doubted the promises of any superior. But... these newly arrived "Luna Wolves," they were terrifyingly powerful, and there was no need for them to deceive humble miners like them.

Moreover, they had directly executed those nobles, which, deep in his heart, sparked a trace of... satisfaction and relief.

"I don't know, child."

The old miner answered hoarsely.

"But... they gave us a path, a path that looks... slightly better than before. At least, they clearly said, work, and you can live."

The female miner also whispered to the daughter in her arms.

"Did you hear? Work hard, and there will be food, and you won't be cold..."

She seemed to be comforting her daughter, yet also persuading herself.

For the sake of survival, even if it was just a glimmer of hope that seemed slightly brighter, they were willing to pick up their pickaxes and drill back into the depths of those dark, dangerous mine shafts.

At least, the new masters seemed more "reasonable" than the old ones, even if this reason was built upon the foundation of absolute military deterrence.

Shuangyuxing.

This was the spiritual homeland of the Saikeshan race; the spires of the Icefield Library pierced the permafrost clouds, and the dome of the Psionic Research Institute shimmered with a deep blue luster under the starlight.

When the news of the fall of Yongshuang Star arrived via the secret psionic resonance network, Aiersa, the Chief Instructor of the Research Institute, was presiding over an advanced seminar on "Condensed Essence Crystal Cores and Deep Consciousness Connection."

Twelve of the most gifted apprentices sat in a circle within the Ice Crystal Ring Array, the crystal cores on their foreheads resonating with the main crystal in the center.

Suddenly, the main crystal vibrated violently, and the purple light became chaotic.

"Instructor!"

An apprentice screamed, covering their forehead and retreating.

"The Royal Court's Spirit Vein... is broken!"

The wrinkles on Aiersa's aged face deepened.

The crystal core on her forehead was a rare deep purple; she slowly opened her eyes.

"Children, cease the crystal resonance and activate the Defense Rune Array. Our 'guests' are coming."

"Is it the Xiuluosheng? Will they really come to Shuangyuxing? We... we didn't participate in the Royal Court's conspiracy!"

"Those nobles! They hid in the palaces of Yongshuang Star playing power games, and now they want us to be buried with them!"

"Quiet."

Aiersa stood up and spoke.

"Accusations are meaningless now. Prepare to fight, not for those nobles, but for the knowledge we have passed down for three thousand frost seasons, and for every innocent life on this land."

Aiersa walked to the Star-Gazing Platform in the center of the Research Institute and looked toward the sky through the Frost Crystal Dome.

"They will not understand; to them, Alien is sin. But we... we must make them understand that Shuangyuxing is not just a toy for the nobles."

When the Lunar-class Cruiser of the Luna Wolves Third Company broke through the atmosphere of Shuangyuxing, Company Commander Weierke stood before the Bridge observation window, and a Tech-Marine reported from behind.

"Company Commander, scans show the largest psionic signal comes from the building complex below. Energy readings are abnormal; suggest priority strike."

Weierke let out a cold snort.

"Psionic Heretics. All companies take note, follow the Father's orders: eliminate all nobles and psionic units, preserve the bottom-tier labor force.

Prepare the Drop Pods, first wave target, that largest spire building.

Subsequent Tactical Squads will control the major cities of Shuangyuxing! Paralyze the high-level command of each city."

Thirteen Drop Pods were launched toward the land of Shuangyuxing.

Inside the Research Institute, the Alert Crystal emitted a piercing red light and sound.

Aiersa stood in the center of the main hall, and the twelve apprentices had already taken their positions behind her in an ancient formation, each holding a fully charged Condensed Essence Crystal Core.

"Remember what I taught you; we do not seek victory, only dignity. Let these giants of Steel know that the psionics of the Saikeshan are not playthings they can trample at will."

"For Shuangyuxing!"

The apprentices responded in unison.

The first Drop Pod smashed through the roof of the corridor on the east side of the Research Institute, followed by the second, the third...

"Now!"

Aiersa raised her hands high, and the deep purple crystal core erupted with dazzling light.

The twelve apprentices simultaneously activated the crystal cores in their hands, and a Psionic Shield flowing with countless ancient Runes unfolded with them as the center, covering the entire main hall area.

The falling Drop Pods slammed into the shield, failing to produce the expected penetration, and were instead deflected by a resilient force, tumbling as they crashed into the distant icefield, kicking up a sky full of ice dust.

Company Commander Weierke steadied himself in the Drop Pod and spoke.

"Interesting. Second and Third Squads, frontal assault. Fourth Squad, find the shield nodes. Tech-Marine, analyze the shield's energy structure."

Three Drop Pods landed forcibly on the periphery of the shield, the doors exploded open, and nine Luna Wolves warriors charged out.

As soon as they landed, they encountered the first wave of Psionic Attack.

"Cold Touch!"

Aiersa whispered, forming complex hand seals.

On the plaza in front of the main hall, countless Ice Spikes shot up from the ground, stabbing toward the leg joints of the Space Marines.

The joints of two Luna Wolves Space Marines' Power Armor were jammed by the Ice Spikes; although they failed to penetrate the Ceramite Armor, it severely affected their mobility.

"Alien Witchcraft!"

A Luna Wolves Space Marine roared, raising his Bolter to fire at the shield.

The bolts struck the flowing Rune shield, and the light of the explosions was absorbed and dissipated by the ripples spreading layer by layer.

"Their psionic powers are connected to the Ley Line!"

The Techmarine quickly analyzed the results.

"Direct attacks on the shield have limited effect; we must cut off the energy source!"

Company Commander Weierke crushed an ice vine attempting to wrap around his ankle with his Power Fist.

"Fourth Squad, find their Ley Line node. Everyone else, maintain suppression; don't let these Alien sorcerers have a chance to prepare larger-scale spells."

"Understood!"

Apprentice Kaolun was responsible for maintaining the node at the southeast corner of the shield.

She could feel the temperature of the Crystal Core in her hand rising sharply, and the consumption of psionic power far exceeded her usual training.

Through the fluctuating shield, she could see those Steel giants forming tactical formations outside the shield, their Bolters firing continuously; although they could not break the shield for the moment, the impact of every bolter round made her arms go numb.

"Mentor... we cannot hold for much longer..."

She gasped through the psionic link.

"Hold on a little longer, child."

Aiersa's voice remained steady, but Kaolun could feel that her mentor's psionic power was also depleting rapidly.

"Tuoweike, take three people to the Leyline Temple and reinforce the node's defenses. Those Steel giants will surely find that place."

Tuoweike gritted his teeth.

"Understood!"

Tuoweike pointed to two companions, and the three of them broke away from the formation, running toward the passage behind the main hall.

Less than two minutes after Tuoweike and the others left, Company Commander Weierke received a report from the Techmarine.

"Company Commander, a strong energy flow has been detected surging from underground behind the building; it should be the shield core."

"Fifth and Sixth Squads, flank to the rear and break into the underground, use the Anti-Psionic Protocol."

Company Commander Weierke ordered calmly.

"If you encounter resistance, kill them all."

As soon as Tuoweike and the others entered the Leyline Temple, they saw two elderly temple Priests by the Altar, struggling to maintain energy stability.

"Tuoweike? Why have you come?"

One Priest asked in surprise.

"Those Steel giants will attack this place!"

Tuoweike said urgently.

"Mentor sent us to reinforce the defenses..."

Before Tuoweike could finish his sentence, the ice door at the entrance of the Temple exploded with a boom.