From this point of view, Chu Zhaonan is an absolute pragmatist. With the disintegration of the Federation and the disastrous failure of countless Underground City plans, he understands better than anyone that darkness cannot be conquered. He sees saving millions of lives on Blue Star as impossible, but preserving a seed of hope is slightly possible!
Therefore, he focuses on the Far Star Plan, allowing Zhou Mingyuan and Linglong Groupâs Wen Hui to secretly collaborate with the Deep Red World, unmoved by the oppressive governance and extreme pressure on Dawn City, determined for success at any cost.
Inside the administrative hall, the atmosphere is silent and cold.
Chu Zhaonan closes his eyes slightly, takes a deep breath, then changes his tone and says
"Never mind them for now, howâs the situation with the Breakthrough Team?"
"Progress is good, they may conduct a third test flight tomorrow," the Blazing Angel Minister Luo Ming responds
"We must speed up. Tell Chu Jing that they must break through the Heavenly Veil within 30 days, or theyâll be replaced."
Cough~
Xu Yan coughs lightly, speaking in a persuasive tone: "I heard Colonel Chu Jing has been living in the research facility. If it wasnât for Luo Feng pulling him away, he would have personally become a test pilot."
"Is that so? That brat, getting more and more reckless."
Hearing this, Chu Zhaonanâs eyes flash slightly, his sharp tone softens a bit as he looks at Xu Yan: "Old Xu, find a way to supply them with an extra batch of vegetable juice. Iâve said before, all resources must be tilted towards the Far Star Plan."
"Alright."
Xu Yan nods.
Chu Zhaonan turns back to the two, his expression restrained, shadows of the lamp slowly gliding over his face, as he says deeply
"I have a premonition that Zhou Mingyuan and their actions may have gone too far. This visit from Ye Lan might be the first warning, we wonât have much time left."
"Is it possible Phoenix Society might declare war on us?" Luo Ming frowns.
"Definitely not before this. With global chaos, Phoenix Societyâs focus is on mobilization and disaster relief, no time for internal conflicts and reckoning. Now... I can only say donât underestimate Ye Lan and Li Heping, I know their tactics best," Chu Zhaonan says coolly, his leather shoes clang loudly as he steps through the administrative hall, changing his tone:
"However, all their scheming is in vain. Our Underground City plan is unfeasible, their one-year-and-96-days prediction is a joke. Based on the current expansion speed of Star Abyss No.5, even six months seems unlikely. To sustain the flame of human civilization, the only path is..."
Bang, he reaches the table, slaps it sharply, the sound piercing
"Live in death!"
...
Silent City, No.3 Flying Device docking area.
"NC-17 zone, Flying Dutchman, docking complete."
The mechanical broadcast echoes under the dome as Lin Xian and KIKI exit the airlock, gazing at a scarred civilian airship docking, rows of ion propeller nozzles glimmering dark red, armor plates littered with grim scars.
Not caused by ordinary ground-level Abnormal Body claws, but by some airborne giant creature, one fissure nearly tore the airship in half, with the Cold Bladeâs ripped metal crack carrying potent dark poison, a chilling sight.
"That it could fly back, such luck," KIKI remarked, unable to resist: "Seems the air is far more frightening than the ground."
"The ground still has terrain, buildings to hide in, but thereâs nothing in the air." Lin Xian recalls seeing the massive Atmospheric Mica in Yu Bei, a tentacle swaying and smashing skyscrapers to dust. Had luck not favored them, Infinity would have been pulverized on Daluo Mountain that night.
"Thatâs why I suspect satellites and space stations are non-existent now. And who knows whatâs happening with South Heavenly Gate and Wangyue Planet Ring," KIKI said.
Lin Xian hears this, saying as he walks: "Wangyue Planet Ring is the largest platform of our Dragon Countryâs lunar exploration project, involving over a hundred countries. Its diameter exceeds 300 kilometers, such a huge structure suspended above yet invisible. Could something be blocking it?"
KIKI canât help but frown, hearing this: "Thatâs a bit frightening, hearing you say so."
"Iâm serious," Lin Xian says with a serious demeanor: "Apart from inside Star Abyss, skies are visible everywhere else, but the Heavenly Veil obscuring flying devices is peculiar. What exactly is blocking the entire Blue Star?"
"Could it be some cosmic monster?" KIKI smirks: "Seems like only by traversing the veil can we find out."
Lin Xian nods, walking with no further comment, heading straight for the berth area Hu Lushou mentioned.
Before even getting close, Lin Xian sees the giant Dragon Transport Ship parked in the berth, entirely intact aside from some armor and side radiator fin damage, with a bit of rough repair work, but otherwise fine. Hu Lushou is at the side with Sun Chang and a group of underlings, happily waving a small fan, grinning at the ten-thousand-ton transport ship. Seeing Lin Xian approach, Hu Lushouâs eyes instantly light up
"Lin~ Captain!!"
Hu Lushou beams with his Big Gold Tooth, dancing excitedly to Lin Xian, saying straight away: "Oh wow, youâve finally arrived, I thought you wouldnât be interested in such a big fella!"
"Iâm very interested." Lin Xianâs eyes sweep over the transport ship: "Tonight Iâll dismantle it, Boss Hu, many thanks."
"Dis... dismantle???"
Hu Lushou thought he heard wrong, pointing at the transport ship behind: "Why demolish such a big treasure, itâs a flying marvel!"