Chapter 818: Observer

Feng Qi Xing Alliance Arena 40, Secondary Viewing Platform Bar Area.

"Shiluoke, Gelumu,"

Galu's appendages tapped out a rapid sequence of code on the tabletop.

"Canaan's 'Stardust Logistics' has made a move. Fully loaded with 'specialties' from the Lie Kong Chamber of Commerce, they are heading toward the edge of the FQ-95 Star Region."

The stone debris on Shiluoke's body surface shook off silently.

"Hmph, 'humanitarian aid'? Who are they trying to fool! The Canaanites are just pouring oil on the fire because they think it's not big enough! Once Fengqi gets this shipment, the bones on the front line will be even harder to chew, and the Ashes will have to break a few teeth, fighting even harder and longer!"

"Hiss, hiss, hiss!"

Gelumu waved its tentacles excitedly, the light screen on the trading terminal flashing wildly.

"Opportunity! A massive opportunity! Front-line consumption is surging! The blockade is intensifying! Gelumu's inventory of 'non-standard' parts is skyrocketing! Look at this, fragments of anti-scanning resonators with 'Shadow Flame' coating, the Fengqi Intelligence Department just posted an anonymous buy order, with a 300% premium! And this, a prototype schematic for a temporary jammer for Canaan's 'Bone-Eroding' mines, wow... the asking price is even higher!"

Galu's compound eyes shimmered with shrewd light.

"Gelumu, don't just focus on what's right in front of you. Contact your old connections at the 'Free Port' on the edge of the Canaan-controlled zone, especially those who can access the Lie Kong Chamber of Commerce's 'secondary market.' The Ashes will soon need 'special supplies' too, and they pay... much more readily. Shiluoke, that smuggling route of yours leading to the 'Waste Star Belt' should be put to use; it's an excellent 'informal' trading point."

"Understood."

Shiluoke replied in a dull tone, its fingers made of weathered rock quickly marking a tortuous path on the personal star map that avoided the main patrol routes.

Just as the three wandering merchants were immersed in the excitement of a new "business opportunity," their gazes were all drawn, without exception, to the highest level of the arena, the VIP guest viewing floor that was almost completely isolated from the clamor.

Several figures caught the attention of many spectators.

One of the figures was exceptionally tall, with skin like flowing liquid metal that refracted a cold luster under the arena's bright lights; this was a typical characteristic of an observer from the Star Spirit Commonwealth.

Another figure was shrouded in a cloak containing powerful energy fluctuations, the face obscured by shadows beneath the hood, and the insignia cleverly hidden, but Galu had only felt that kind of invisible pressure from core members of certain mega-conglomerates spanning multiple star regions.

These VIP guests seemed to have lost interest for a moment in the bloody combat below.

Their gazes, whether through personal terminals or directly through the curtain wall, seemed to pierce through the arena's dome and cast toward the turbulent FQ-95 Star Region.

The Star Spirit observer among them raised a hand made of pure energy, pointing its fingertips into the void, seemingly recording or analyzing something.

As for the cloaked figure, they tilted their head slightly and whispered a few words to an attendant-like person beside them, who nodded respectfully and quickly disappeared into the shadows of the VIP room.

Galu's appendages stopped tapping, and its compound eyes narrowed slightly.

"Look... even the high-level VIPs at the top of the arena are attracted by the 'fireworks' in the distance."

Shiluoke gave a low grunt.

"The eye of the storm is in FQ-95, but the ripples... have already reached here. Be careful, Galu; the muddier the water, the bigger the fish, but the whirlpools are also more dangerous."

Gelumu's tentacles curled up uneasily, but then immediately began to dance excitedly again, continuing to operate frantically on the terminal.

"Hiss... dangerous? Gelumu only smells... the scent of Bode Coins! More Bode Coins!"

Feng Qi Xing Alliance Arena 40, High-level VIP Guest Viewing Floor.

Star Spirit Commonwealth observer Talos Starscar; his body, composed of flowing liquid metal, presented an inhuman sense of perfection under the refraction of the arena's bright lights.

He did not sit, but stood quietly before the curtain wall, three fingers made of pure energy suspended in the air, his fingertips trailing fine, barely visible filaments of light.

These light filaments probed into a miniature holographic star map unfolding before him—it was a dynamic model of the FQ-95 Star Region and its surrounding factions.

On the star map, the density of light points representing the Fengqi and Ashes fleets, energy readings, and mobilization trajectories were being analyzed at high speed, forming a waterfall of data streams that swept past his deep compound eyes.

"Feng Qi Xing Alliance defense focus shift confirmed, K-78 region weight increased by 37.5%."

Talos's voice was devoid of fluctuation, transmitted directly to the assistant processor standing by his side, which also possessed a metallic texture but a form closer to a humanoid.

"FQ-95 Star Region defense node 'Dark Eye-7' array computing power allocation is abnormal; there are areas of logical weakness.

Ashes Star Alliance 7th and 9th Assault Fleet signal annihilation rate 99.87%, consistent with 'Shadow Flame' silence protocol characteristics.

Probability of conflict outbreak... calculating... increased to 94.31%."

The light filaments at his fingertips trembled slightly, and several key points on the star map were highlighted in red.