Chapter 895: Shadow Star (1)

Longyou Shuangzixing, Mi-You Star, Liuli City, Zhongyang Kongzhita.

At the highest point of Liuli City, a golden eagle banner hangs.

The communication array and Control Console, having been repaired by the tech-sergeants, are now operating efficiently, transmitting the signal of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance toward the sea of stars.

Sanguinius stands alone before the curved observation window.

Watching the Double-Headed Eagle banner being hung on important buildings below, Cadian soldiers patrolling the streets, and civilians tentatively participating in clearing ruins while receiving distributed supplies...

Sanguinius reaches out a hand covered in golden armor and presses it onto a communication matrix platform inlaid with pure crystals.

"In the name of the Emperor, bound by the dream of human unification... Brothers, Angron, Luojia, the Longyou Shuangzixing has been liberated; please dispatch a fleet to take over the Longyou Shuangzixing."

Shadow Star.

"Elder, the tremors in the border regions are becoming increasingly frequent."

The Shadow-born scout Wake reports, his slender fingers tracing complex patterns in the air.

Elder Kalibo stands on the high platform of the Shengsuo, facing the Heian Xiagu.

Ripples appear on his grayish-white skin.

"The Shu are digging for crystal mines underground again. Ever since they joined the Fengqi Star Alliance, they have never known what it means to be satisfied."

Wake adds.

"The Symbiote Buluo are also migrating toward the north; they seem to be fleeing from something."

Elder Kalibo's tentacles tremble slightly.

"The shadow is whispering; change is coming. Notify the leaders of all clans to convene an emergency meeting."

Meanwhile, deep underground in the northern hemisphere of Shadow Star, the Shu main city, "Shuorencheng," is in operation.

This short and sturdy race has an average height of only 1.4 meters, yet possesses granite-like muscles and astonishing endurance.

Their skin can withstand extremely high temperatures for short periods.

The Shu are naturally sensitive to electromagnetic fields and can directly perceive and operate electronic equipment.

"Output has dropped by another three percent! These damn earthquakes are disrupting the geothermal flow!"

The engineer Bulake smashes the Control Console, and sparks spray from the damaged panel.

His assistant Geerge adjusts a few knobs and says.

"We need deeper drilling, supervisor. The shallow veins are nearly exhausted."

Bulake wipes the grease off his face and says.

"Apply to the council for a Level 4 mining Task; we must dig more minerals to trade with the Fengqi for weapons and equipment. If those Shadow-born freaks dare to come and protest again..."

Bulake then pats the Disintegration Axe at his waist.

"Let them have a taste of this."

On the surface, in the only forest region of Shadow Star, the "Youying Linhai," the Symbiote Buluo are holding a migration ceremony.

The Symbiotes were originally ordinary mammals until they formed a symbiotic relationship with a fungus called "Fluorescent Mushroom."

Now, these furry bipedal creatures have glowing fungal colonies growing on their backs; these microorganisms not only provide nutrition but also grant the host regenerative abilities.

The Fluorescent Mushroom on the old Priest's back emits a soft glow, and information is transmitted directly to the consciousness of the surrounding tribe.

"The Maw of Darkness is hungry; it craves to Devour more light. We must migrate north, away from that shadow."

The hunter Kajia feels the fear being transmitted, and the newly grown fungal cluster on his back glows slightly.

"But the north is the territory of the Shu; they will not welcome us."

"Compared to the Maw of Darkness, the axes of the Shu are not so terrifying."

The Priest responds, and all the Symbiotes tremble at once.

Outside Shadow Star.

The Lunar-class Cruiser "Raven" arrives silently near Shadow Star.

Corax stands before the tactical holographic table, wearing dark-black Power Armor with fine feather-like patterns on the surface of the armor.

"Scan results?"

Corax's calm voice rings out.

Tech-sergeant Sairui operates the Control Console and says.

"Preliminary detection shows one planet and three satellites. The atmospheric composition is breathable but filled with light-absorbing particles, and surface visibility is extremely low. Multiple signs of civilization have been detected, with varying energy signatures."

Corax looks at the Shadow Star displayed on the hologram and asks.

"Is this the destination of our current Task?"

"Yes, Father."

Sairui adjusts a few parameters and continues.

"According to the intelligence data we obtained, the trafficking ships of the Fengqi Heretic travel to and from this planet regularly."

Adjutant Wudisi approaches the holographic table and reports to Corax.

"Scans detected large-scale underground structures, energy signatures, and industrial activity. Also... some kind of biological energy signal, unable to be identified. Do we need to dispatch a scout squad?"

Corax is silent for a moment, then says.

"I will lead the team myself. Organize two squads and use silent infiltration pods. Sairui, continue to analyze the planetary data, especially those anomalous energy signals. I want to know what we are dealing with."

Within a short hour, three infiltration pods without any external light sources are launched from the "Anying Zhi Zhua," flying toward the surface of Shadow Star.

Corax leads the First Squad, targeting the area where industrial activity was detected; the Second Squad, led by Wudisi, heads to the location where the anomalous biological energy signal originated.

The infiltration pods generate almost no heat signatures while passing through the atmosphere, and their external coatings can adapt to the environmental color, preventing them from appearing conspicuous during landing.

Corax's infiltration pod lands in a canyon 63 kilometers away from the Shu main city, "Shuorencheng."

The hatch slides open silently, and six Anya Shouwei space marines quickly disperse to establish a defensive line; their dark-black Power Armor blends in with the surrounding environment.

After scanning the surroundings, Anya Shouwei Sergeant Wasi says.

"Scans show large-scale architectural structures underground; the energy signature is similar to known Human technology, but with significant differences."

Corax looked toward the metallic structures looming faintly on the distant mountainside and spoke.

"Maintain concealment; we are moving in to investigate."

"Understood!"

The squad deployed into a tactical formation and moved toward the Shu city; as the distance closed, Corax could already hear the roar of machinery and the clanging of metal.

From a high vantage point, they looked down at the scene below.

A metal gate was embedded in the mountainside, and in front of the gate was a level plaza where various types of heavy machinery were in operation.

Stout Shu workers were operating equipment, transporting cartloads of glowing crystals out of the mine.

Seeing this, Wasi spoke up.

"Alien species, similar to a dwarf variant, but not recorded in the Star Alliance archives."

Corax noticed dozens of creatures imprisoned within a fence at the edge of the plaza.

Through enhanced vision, he saw clearly that they were furry bipedal creatures with clusters of glowing fungi growing on their backs.

Some Shu guards were using electrified long staves to drive these creatures into the mine.

Seeing this, Corax said in a low tone.

"Slave trafficking, consistent with the actions of those Fengqi Heretics."

Just then, a burst of urgent alarm sounds came from deep within the mine.

A moment later, a group of Shu miners ran out from the mine entrance, shouting something loudly.