Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 980 - 683: Encirclement

Giving up promptly might save the squad more energy, but continuing deep to take out this command node will surely relieve the combat pressure on the frontline troops significantly.

Rescue is never about lamenting in front of ruins that you've done your best; it's either letting yourself be destroyed before the city turns into ruins, or blocking all storms and bearing the heavy burden.

Bai E's choice has always been the latter.

"Keep moving forward!" Bai E's voice was resolute, "Take out this command node! Relieve as much pressure as possible!"

Without hesitation, the "Star Emperor" mecha once again transformed into a blue-white lightning bolt, the Armor-breaking Spirit Light of the Devouring Star Blade carving a deadly path through the dark fleshy cavity.

The instant kill power for hundreds was used to the fullest, the blade light like a waterfall, tearing apart any bugs blocking the way in swathes.

Bai E no longer pursued precise weak-point strikes, but pushed forward with the most ferocious efficiency, like a mud truck, towards the area where Spiritual Energy reactions were most concentrated!

Catherine, Black Beast, and Victor, spirits lifted, followed closely behind.

They trusted Bai E's judgment and were motivated by this indomitable momentum.

Silver Feather's sniper rifle picked off locusts attempting ambushes from cavity wall holes, Night Owl's heavy machine gun swept at the incoming bug tide, and Dawn's cannons roared to open a path for the leader.

The battle was fierce yet efficient.

The squad was like a red-hot branding iron, searing into the nervous system of the Bug Race's giant ship.

The fleshy nodes and energy conduits destroyed along the way increased, causing violent spasms and energy disorder throughout the cavity.

On the external battlefield, the attacks from the Bug Race giant ship noticeably slowed and became chaotic, its previously precise volleys now scattered, easing the pressure on Karian's defense line and the "Traitor Fleet".

"It's working!" In the command center, General Aleksey observed the tactical screen, noting the significant drop in attack efficiency of the giant ship, his voice tinged with post-survival excitement, "Mr. Bai E and the others succeeded! The coordination amongst the Bug Race has been disrupted!"

President Edwin's tightly clenched fist slightly relaxed, yet his gaze remained fixed on the other five giant ships still manically attacking and the backstabbing "Alliance Fleet".

The pressure was only slightly eased, far from a breather.

Inside the giant ship, Bai E finally advanced to the core region of Spiritual Energy reactions.

It was a large, heart-like pulsating fleshy sphere, entwined by thick biological nerve bundles, its surface flowing with eerie blue Spiritual Energy veins, and surrounded by dozens of Elite Insect Race units with specialized forms.

"That's it! Destroy it!" Bai E shouted sharply, full power to the mecha as it charged forward into a barrage of acid stings, bone blades, and Spiritual Energy blasts! 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Catherine and the other three covered desperately, opening full fire to try to divert some of the attack away from Bai E.

But the defense intensity here far exceeded what was before, the Bug Race's counterattacks like a tide, instantly engulfing the three.

Black Beast's "Night Owl" mecha was hit at the joint by a "assassin bug" bone sting, its movements slowed immediately, then a plasma stream grazed its back, melting a large area of armor.

Victor's "Dawn" missiles were depleted, its gun overheated, assailed by several "Blade Dancers", covering the mecha's surface with numerous deep scratches.

Catherine's "Silver Feather" exposed her position to defend Bai E, firing continuously, but was enveloped by interference ripples from several "Spiritual Jellyfish", causing severe fluctuations in electronic equipment and Spiritual Energy links, nearly losing control.

"Don't mind us! Take it down!" The three screamed into the communications channel almost simultaneously.

Bai E's gaze was steely cold, not looking back.

The Devouring Star Blade shone with unprecedented brilliance, combined with the stacking of the instant kill power for hundreds and the Alpha Limit Overclock Attack, one cut into the pulsating fleshy sphere's core!

"Pff— Boom!"

A violent Spiritual Energy explosion erupted from the sphere's interior, eerie blue arcs sizzled everywhere, shaking the entire cavity as if the giant ship released a silent wail.

Externally, all turrets on that Bug Race giant ship went out simultaneously, the Spiritual Energy light over the hull dimming, drifting silently like a dead fish in space, although not completely destroyed, it was clearly temporarily incapacitated.

"We did it!" Victor shouted in excitement but was immediately engulfed by a sensation of imbalance — his mecha's leg was severed by a "Blade Dancer" taking advantage!

"Retreat! Same way back!" Bai E made a decisive call, turning to kill back, blade light sweeping, temporarily pushing back the bugs besieging the three.

This was just the beginning, far from time for celebration.

The Bug Race still had five giant ships, and the Brain Worm was still nowhere to be found.

The four, bearing their injuries, struggled back into space through the breach.

The sight before them sank their hearts. Karian's defense line had shrunk further, the "Shield of Defense" station damaged and smoking in many places, fleet losses exceeding one-third.

And the "Traitor Fleet" was still frantically attacking on the flank.

The remaining five Bug Race giant ships were thoroughly enraged, their assault increasingly fierce.

Moreover... they started adjusting formation, implicitly concentrating fire towards the area where Bai E's squad had appeared.

"Next ship!" Bai E wasted no time, locking onto another giant ship with strong Spiritual Energy reactions, charging once more.

Time was tight, every second concerning the survival of fifty billion souls in Dawn City.

The second boarding battle was even more challenging.

Clearly, the Bug Race intensified defenses internally and made tactical adjustments against the squad.

More new units appeared, the environment becoming harsher.

Black Beast's "Night Owl" mecha faced severe damage from previous injuries and new attacks shortly after the incursion, one mechanical arm was totally disabled, the engine was also damaged, greatly reducing mobility.