Chapter 243

Dawn Light Assault Ship sailed along a relatively stable void route secretly maintained by the Watchers. This route wound and twisted, avoiding dense energy turbulence zones and the known Realm Breaker Legion patrol net, yet still filled with unknown dangers.

The atmosphere on the bridge was solemn. Yuexi stood like a sculpture before the main console, silver pupils flashing with data streams, precisely controlling the star‑vessel. Li Qingxuan, Qingmu, Lava Councilor, Flowing Water Councilor, and Shadow Councilor, the five rune‑linked individuals, were dispersed around, eyes closed, focusing, adjusting their own states, maintaining that subtle rune resonance.

Fifty Star Dust Guard members each performed their duties, monitoring all parameters of the ship and vigilant for possible threats.

As they continually approached the Rift Seven area, the view outside the portholes again became eerie. In the void began to drift a faint, ash‑like fluff — the "debris" peeled off from reality's structure eroded by annihilation energy. In the distance, the terrifying rift spanning the field of view, like a wound constantly bleeding, grew clearer; within it flickered mad eyes and writhing shadow tendrils, as if within reach, exuding a suffocating pressure.

Even shielded by the star‑vessel and the power of runes, the omnipresent Ancient God Whisper grew clearer and more seductive, like countless tiny worms crawling and whispering in the mind, attempting to undermine will and sow madness.

"Activate the 'Tranquil Barrier'; everyone hold fast to your spirits, do not let external demons disturb you!" Yuexi's cold voice rang out, a soft moonlight radiance spreading from her center, enveloping the entire bridge, slightly dispelling the irritating whisper.

Li Qingxuan could feel that the Life Imprint on his chest continued to emit a gentle yet steadfast ripple, like the Sea‑Calming Divine Needle guarding his sea of spirit. The other councilors each employed their methods: the Lava Councilor radiated a scorching aura around his body, the Flowing Water Councilor had tranquil ripples undulating beside him, and the Shadow Councilor seemed to become nothingness, making the whisper hard to reach.

"We are about to leave the safe corridor and enter the direct influence zone of the Rift." The pilot's voice carried a hint of tension as he reported, "Energy interference is surging, and the stealth system's effectiveness has dropped by forty percent."

"Reduce speed, stay silent, cut in along the preset edge route." Yuexi gave the order calmly.

The Dawn Light resembled a giant whale diving into the deep sea, its speed suddenly dropping, gliding cautiously along the edge of Rift Seven's massive scar by inertia. From here, the rift looked enormously vast, despair‑inducing, as if the whole universe had been torn apart by it. Dark red and murky purple energy churned and roared at the rift's mouth; occasionally, huge, indescribable shadow silhouettes flashed in the depths, exuding a soul‑freezing aura.

Outside the rift, the Fortress of Despair that Li Qingxuan and the others had detonated had completely collapsed, leaving only a few massive wrecks still burning or frozen, drifting about. Yet the Realm Breaker Legion's force had not waned; instead, more and larger warships and war beasts could be seen gathering and patrolling in the outer regions, like hyenas circling carrion, waiting for the seal to utterly collapse.

"The anchoring target point lies behind that dense debris field ahead." Yuexi called up the star map, pointing to a marker. This was a vast ruin area formed after the explosion of the Fortress of Despair; the environment was complex, easy to conceal, and close enough to the rift to effectively radiate a stabilizing field.

"High‑density spatial folds and energy turbulence have been detected; normal navigation cannot reach there. We need to activate the 'Short‑Range Phase Shift'." The technical officer reported.

"Prepare for the shift. Everyone secure yourselves, maximize the Energy Shield!" Yuexi pressed her hands lightly on the console, and the entire surface of the Dawn Light lit up with complex spatial runes.

The next moment, the hull shuddered slightly, as if merging into some viscous medium; the view outside the portholes instantly became blurred and overlapped, then suddenly cleared!

They had successfully passed through a dangerous energy turbulence zone and reached the outskirts of the target debris field.

This place resembled a graveyard of interstellar war. Massive warship keels, shattered asteroids, twisted metal structures, and even the frozen carcasses of huge creatures collided and piled up, forming a vast, silent labyrinth of death. The air reeked of metal corrosion, energy leakage, and a sort of burnt stench.

"Find a suitable spot and land!" Yuexi ordered.

The Dawn Light, like an agile fish, threaded through the gaps in the massive wreckage, finally finding a relatively flat spot formed by a half‑intact warship engine platform; it landed silently, shutting down all engines and most external lights.

"Operation begins!" Yuexi's gaze swept over everyone, "Qingmu, Lava Councilor, Flowing Water Councilor, Shadow Councilor, follow me to set up the bases of the Multi‑Rune Stabilization Anchor. Li Qingxuan, you are responsible for centrally harmonizing the rune power, ensuring stable energy output. Stardust Guard, disperse on watch, establish defensive positions, and strive to gain enough time!"

"Yes!"

Everyone received the order and acted swiftly.

Yuexi and the four councilors leapt out, landing at different positions on the platform. Each took out a pre‑prepared anchor‑base component made of special material; these components were engraved with ancient patterns corresponding to the five rune attributes.

Yuexi stood at the center directing, while Qingmu, the Lava Councilor, the Flowing Water Councilor, and the Shadow Councilor took the four sides, beginning to pour their power into the bases and, following a complex sequence, joining and activating them.

Li Qingxuan stood at the center of the circle they formed, took a deep breath, and fully activated the Life Imprint on his chest. Emerald‑green life radiance burst forth, not as a forceful intrusion but like a lubricant and binder, softly permeating the other four rune powers, guiding them to draw near and eliminating the faint crackles and energy ripples caused by attribute clashes.

The nourishment of life and flowing water tempered the blaze of molten fire; the concealment of life and shadow masked energy fluctuations; the inherent balance embodied in life itself became the pivotal fulcrum where the five powers converged.

The whole process seemed calm, but it was fraught with extreme danger. The power of the five primordial runes, even if only fragments, contained terrifying might. A slight mishap could cause energy to run wild, not only wasting all prior effort but also potentially triggering a violent explosion that would blast everyone and this debris field into cosmic dust.

Beads of fine sweat appeared on Li Qingxuan's forehead; his spirit was highly focused as he carefully maintained that fragile balance. He could clearly sense the power transmitted from the other four councilors—whether scorching, moist, deep, or mysterious—and, under the harmonizing of the Life Imprint, gently guided them toward the same frequency.

Time passed second by second.

The five bases gradually lit up with their corresponding colors, and under Yuexi's guidance began to produce a wondrous resonance. Strands of energy extended from the bases, interweaving and linking like a net in the air, gradually sketching out a complex, chaos‑colored pentagram diagram prototype!

"The Multi‑Rune Stabilization Anchor is taking shape!"

However, at this critical moment—

"Alarm! High‑speed objects approaching! Energy signature…… is 'Scavenger'! Number…… ten! No, twenty! And still rising!" The officer in charge of guard from the Star Dust Guard issued a hurried alarm.

Almost simultaneously with the alarm, dozens of eerie Coffin Vessels emitting dark‑red light appeared in the wreckage shadows afar, like sharks that have smelled blood, surfacing silently and, at astonishing speed, moving to encircle the platform where they stood.

The False Emperor's hunter squads, indeed, had still been roused!

Moreover, this time their numbers far exceeded the previous encounter!

The anchoring ceremony was at its most critical moment and must not be interrupted!

A flash of cold light crossed Yuexi's eyes: "Stardust Guard! Stop them at any cost!"

Li Qingxuan's heart also tightened, but he could not divert his attention; maintaining the rune balance required all his energy. He could only trust his comrades, entrusting his rear safety to those blood‑bathed guards!

A brutal interception battle erupted suddenly in this silent interstellar graveyard!

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