Ch 22: Interplanetary Planting Master

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Broken Star, Earth Standard Time 17:00

In the short half-hour since the Beast Tide appeared, an observer from outer space would see Broken Star transformed into a beautiful planet shimmering with blue light. But beneath this beautiful exterior lies deadly peril.

In the ruins of Area A-3, Su He fell into Lu Li’s arms, gasping for breath. The frantic run and daring leap had left Su He’s heart racing from the adrenaline. Though he was initially frightened, Lu Li’s appearance was like a shot of confidence, dispelling all his panic and fear, leaving only an indescribable sense of relief. Unconsciously, Su He snuggled closer to Lu Li, his soft hair brushing against Lu Li’s neck. Instinct took over, guiding his actions; the contact of their skin provided Su He with a comforting warmth. Even though Lu Li didn’t say it, Su He knew that Lu Li had come for him. His mental state was filled with joy, and he felt as if he were floating in syrup, his heart gradually settling into a calm, steady rhythm.

“It’s okay now,” Lu Li said gently. Protecting his guide amidst the Dark Beasts brought Lu Li a deep sense of satisfaction. With both hands occupied controlling the mech, he leaned down to touch his face to Su He’s in a brief, comforting gesture. Su He felt a warm sensation, and as he straightened up, he noticed Lu Li’s black uniform soaked with sweat from the prolonged battle. The strong scent of his pheromones made Su He’s heart race, but the sight on the virtual screen reminded him of the danger outside. Silently cursing his guide instincts for causing trouble at such a critical moment, he suppressed his emotions and quickly activated his planting technique.

Su He looked at Lu Li, asking with faint hope, “Have you sensed Han Rui?”

Lu Li’s silence made Su He’s heart sink. On the virtual screen, the blue Dark Beasts filled the sky and earth, making Su He feel as though they were isolated in a vast ocean. Sporadic gunfire echoed in the distance, likely from the mechs that had previously rushed out. Apart from the mechs, Su He saw no other humans; even those who had been with him in the underground pipes had disappeared. Perhaps they had retreated deeper underground? Su He clung to this hope, wishing Han Rui was among those who had found safety. He looked outside and asked, “Will we have rescue?” Even if he couldn’t find Han Rui, and Lu Li couldn’t sense him, Su He hoped Han Rui could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

The railgun on Lu Li’s arm glowed fiercely, blasting the surrounding Dark Beasts to pieces. The black mech danced nimbly, a graceful, lethal ballet. Looking deeply at Su He, Lu Li said truthfully, “I’m not sure.”

Su He: “…”

Lu Li shifted his gaze, leaping high on the edge of the ruins, his light sword cutting a towering Dark Beast in half. As dark blood sprayed, Lu Li retrieved his sword and said quietly, “Hold on tight.” He maneuvered the mech into a spin, the railgun blazing, bringing down the encircling Dark Beasts.

Su He clung tightly to Lu Li throughout, trying to minimize his presence to avoid disturbing him. The mech’s cockpit was cramped, filled with instruments Su He didn’t understand. Looking around, he realized Lu Li’s arms were the only place to hold on.

As the mech landed heavily, Lu Li explained, “The electromagnetic system is being disrupted, so I can’t contact the Iris, and it can’t contact us.” While his hawk could help relay messages, the sheer number of Dark Beasts made it too risky to let the hawk fly too far away.

Su He took a moment to process this and then suddenly said, “I can.” His eyes lit up with hope as he hugged Lu Li excitedly, “Reno is on the Iris, right? He always said I’m a Galactic Treeman, right? If he can connect to me, can’t I do the same?”

Su He’s enthusiasm made Lu Li shift uncomfortably, but he considered that Su He’s idea might actually work.

“How do I connect to Reno?”

Su He pondered, trying to stay calm. He had never considered himself a Galactic Treeman and knew little about them. With the situation so dire, he couldn’t afford to question whether he was human or an alien species; he just had to make it work. Extending his mental tendrils as far as he could, he thought of Reno, green light points emanating from within him, merging with his mental reach. It was a strange sensation, like his mental tendrils scattering into visible light points, each carrying his essence, seeking Reno’s presence.

“I found him,” Su He said excitedly. More precisely, he found a cluster of green light points with Reno’s essence. The points intertwined, and Reno’s voice echoed in Su He’s mind.

In Area B-5, the Iris’s once smooth, mirror-like hull bristled with high-energy particle cannons, unleashing searing ion beams that effortlessly cut through the Dark Beasts. Any beast hit by the beams evaporated into foul-smelling gas. Around the Iris, a dozen black mechs fought fiercely, defending the ship and rescuing nearby humans.

In the command center, Shen Shen directed the battle, his usual casual demeanor replaced with grim determination.

Yu Sen’s red fox spirit ran in, relaying a request for asylum from the Broken Star residents. Shen Shen agreed without hesitation, ordering the lower deck to be opened for refugees. Regardless of their past crimes or affiliations, in the face of the Dark Beasts, they were all human. Of course, able-bodied men were sent out to help rescue others, leaving only a few women and children in relative safety.

Jiang Bo, drenched in sweat and revealing his muscular build through his soaked vest, rushed into the command center from Area B-9, immediately asking, “Any news from the boss?”

Shen Shen shook his head, “The boss’s last known position was Area A-8, but considering he has a guide with him, he would have gone to save the guide first. Without a link, we can’t determine his exact location.”

“Can’t you sense him?”

Shen Shen grimaced, “My senses don’t extend that far.”

Jiang Bo asked, “Where’s Guide Su He?”

“A-3 area.”

Jiang Bo decided, “I’ll take some men to Area A-3.”

Shen Shen checked the time, “It’s 17:10 Standard Time now. Whether you find Guide Su He or not, you must return within two hours. The Iris will wait here for everyone to regroup. By 19:10 Earth Standard Time, we must leave Broken Star, or we might never get out.”

Shen Shen had calculated the Iris’s energy reserves, and two hours was their maximum limit on Broken Star. Given the Beast Tide, they had no choice but to jump through a wormhole, a process that consumed enormous energy. They needed to save enough reserves for the jump. Normally, the Iris would go to Lu Li, but with 15 members of the first team still missing, including Lu Li, the ship had to stay put as their only coordinate.

Jiang Bo frowned, dissatisfied with Shen Shen’s decision. “What if the boss doesn’t make it back?”

Shen Shen, expressionless, said, “Even if General Li Zhengdao were here, the Iris would leave when time’s up. As vice commander, I must prioritize the lives aboard.”

The two stared each other down until Wei Na, with Reno in tow, walked in and scanned the room, “I’ve contacted the boss. What’s going on with you two?”

“You contacted the boss?”

“Where is he?”

Shen Shen and Jiang Bo spoke simultaneously. Wei Na said, “The boss and Su He are together, currently trapped in Area A-3. They’ll return as soon as possible. Any questions?”

Jiang Bo immediately said, “I’ll go pick up the boss.”

Reno’s leaves glowed green, encasing him in light. In Area A-3, green light points surrounded Su He, forming a miniature tree. Since the Beast Tide began, Reno had been searching for Su He’s essence, but the chaotic environment made it difficult until Su He released the Galactic particles.

Reno’s voice reassured Su He, “Don’t worry, Little Sprout. The starship will send someone to rescue you.”

Su He looked at Lu Li, “The Iris is sending help.”

Lu Li nodded, too focused to speak as he maneuvered the mech. Ahead, several Dark Beasts closed in, and Lu Li leapt, expertly dodging while his light sword slashed. Dark blood sprayed, and Lu Li landed, using a small Dark Beast as a shield. His movements were smooth, showcasing a powerful elegance. Finally, he had a moment to say, “Ask about the Iris’ status.”

Su He relayed the question to Reno, and this time Shen Shen responded, “The Iris is holding up well. Currently, including Lu Li, 15 people are still missing. There’s no word from General Zhuang either. We have enough energy for two more hours.”

“Two hours?”

Lu Li glanced at the sky, where the Dark Portal continued to spew Dark Beasts. He had a bad feeling that this was just the beginning, with worse to come.

His premonition was quickly confirmed. Su He’s mental world began to tremble as an enormous tentacle, as thick as a hill, emerged from the darkness, force

fully widening the wormhole as if some monstrous creature was eager to appear.

“King Beast!”

Lu Li’s mind flashed to Zhuang Wei, and the suppressed thoughts resurfaced with a vengeance.

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