Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 989 - 687: Invasion of the Bug Race... and the Dark Elf (2)

These words cast a shadow over the joy that had just arisen.

The Bug Race forever remains the Damocles' sword hanging overhead.

"We understand," Bai E calmly responded, "We will be prepared to face any threat."

Elorin seemed to want to say more, but finally just nodded: "Then, our investigation mission ends here. We will organize and submit the relevant data and reports as soon as possible. Wish you... good luck."

The Star Alliance's expedition ship slowly ascended, preparing to leave Mine Star's orbit.

Inside the command center, the atmosphere was complex.

There was the exhilaration of gaining temporary tournament qualifications, the helplessness over the lengthy process of sovereignty recognition, and the deep anxiety over the Bug Race threat.

"At least we got the ticket," Catherine sighed with relief, "The next focus is preparing for the Star Alliance grand finals, while accelerating development, striving for early formal recognition."

"About the Bug Race..." Gong Yan furrowed her brow, "We need to enhance vigilance and intelligence gathering, maintain close communication with the Karian Federation and Xing Zhuo."

Bai E stood by the porthole, gazing at the starry sky.

Elorin's warning was not baseless.

His "Insect Race Killer" perception had recently faintly sensed an extremely vague yet indeed malicious Spiritual Energy disturbance, like being watched in the dark.

Only this disturbance was too weak and scattered to accurately pinpoint.

"Proceed according to plan," Bai E ordered, "Seventh Legion and Planet Defense Army enter second-level combat readiness, enhance orbital patrols and early warning networks. Accelerate the final phase of 'New Jing City' fortifications. Meanwhile, notify Kuang Xin, and have 'Dusk's fleet maintain a certain level of alert, but don't overreact to avoid unnecessary tensions."

"Yes!"

The group departed with their orders, yet at that instant, Mine Star's long-range warning array issued a piercing alarm!

"Detected massive spatial disturbance! Location: third asteroid belt direction outside the mining area! Disturbance characteristics... highly consistent with Bug Race biological giant ship jump signals!" The monitor's voice was filled with panic.

On the tactical display in the command center, several red dots representing high-intensity spatial disturbances were rapidly becoming clear and stable.

"Count... five... no, six ships! Six Bug Race biological giant ships! Coming out of jump state!" The monitor's pitch suddenly rose, "And numerous accompanying signals! It's the Bug Race's escort units and swarms! Their... their target is us!"

The alarm instantly resonated throughout "New Jing City" and orbital facilities.

People who had just been immersed in the joy of development and wartime atmosphere were pulled back to the cruel reality.

The Bug Race fleet really came!

And this time, it's six biological giant ships!

Not only exceeding the number from Karian, but no one knew whether they had evolved new abilities.

"All units, enter first-level combat state!" Bai E's voice broadcasted over all channels, calm and resolute, "Repeat, all units, enter first-level combat state! Orbital Defense Platform, Seventh Legion, Planet Defense Army Space Forces, deploy formations as planned, prepare to engage the enemy! Ground forces, guide civilians into shelters, activate 'Sky Dome' shield prototype, prioritize the protection of 'New Jing City' and key facilities!"

Inside "New Jing City," amid the piercing air raid alarms, trained militia and security teams swiftly mobilized, guiding citizens to evacuate in an orderly manner.

The Star Alliance expedition ship that had just ascended was also forced back to the ground, their ship's radar capturing the Bug Race biological fleet's information... no one expected them to come so quickly.

"What should we do? King of Purple Orchid..." Elorin returned once more, though hurried, he still maintained a calm demeanor.

"Only war." Bai E strode toward the frontline combat command center.

"We can only rely on you..." Elorin followed closely, surprisingly not too pessimistic about possibly perishing with this planet in the Bug's belly, "Being able to witness you fight the Bug Race up close is truly our honor."

...

The newly built "Sky Dome" shield generator began charging, a faint blue energy membrane faintly visible over the city skyline.

In orbit, the three main ships of the Seventh Legion and several newly added small escort ships quickly formed a defensive formation with the two newly built orbital defense platforms.

The Planet Defense Army's space fighters flocked out from their hangars.

Everyone knew this would be a tougher battle than the Karian campaign.

Because this time, they didn't have a complete planetary defense system like Karian, nor the possibility of having fifty billion souls' will blessing.

They could rely only on half a year's accumulated resources, and... the leader who once created miracles.

Bai E was already heading into the mecha repository.

The "Star Emperor" mecha, after repairs and partial upgrades following the Karian campaign, was in better condition than before.

But he was aware, this time, the Bug Race would surely come prepared.

They won't forget the lessons from Karian.

The Brain Worm will hide deeper, tactics will be more cunning, and might even design traps specifically targeting him. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Catherine, Black Beast, prepare mechas, follow me in the first wave assaults for probing attacks, evaluate enemy strength and new changes. Gong Yan, you remain in the command center, coordinate defense and logistics. Kuang Xin, 'Dusk' fleet remains on standby, without my order, do not reveal, serving as the last surprise force."

"Understood!" The group responded in unison.

Bai E sat in the "Star Emperor's" cockpit, system startup, Spiritual Energy link interconnected.

He felt the surging power fed back from the mecha and sensed the cold and hungry Spiritual Energy wave emanating from afar by those four giant ships.

...

Seeing the Bug Race fleet arriving as expected, the few members of the Peak Alliance observing in secrecy had a look of fulfilling conspiracy in their eyes.

"They really came."

"Using alien forces to deal with our own, we have become the type of people we once despised..."

"For the stable future of humanity, some level of adaptation is necessary. The sons of the Empire indicated years ago how a powerful individual could easily cause uncontrollable losses. Compared to external threats, these internal hazards deserve more of our attention."

"But are these bugs truly a problem we can solve?"

Looking at the Bug Race biological fleet floating in cold cosmic space outside the porthole, they were far more hideous and massive than any Bug Race fleet seen prior.

Navigating in the universe like a swarm of cold and heartless locusts, rushing toward the life planet that had just blossomed with a touch of vitality.

Watching shadows of these Bug Race fleets, several humans only felt a shudder from deep within their souls.

"Rest assured, aren't we the ones who invited those..."

The speaker's gaze shifted towards one side of the porthole—

There, a few slender and cold ships silently floated within the cosmos.

Their shapes were strange, completely different from human vessels.

At first glance, like intricately designed branches, or a gigantic key... possessing aesthetics entirely dissimilar to humans.

Among them were the rumors of the Master of the Universe from the prior era—

Elves.

"But are they reliable?" The Peak Alliance person's eyes held concern.

If they were orthodox elves, claiming to help, then naturally reliable...

But it was evident, given their reputation and strength, they couldn't possibly invite orthodox elves.

What came were Dark Elves...