"Reporting, Admiral!" a soldier with a panicked expression shouted, his urgent voice shattering the previously calm atmosphere inside the Flying Ship. "The radar has detected multiple unidentified aircraft approaching us at extreme speed. They’ve already locked onto us!"

Bai Lian’s expression turned grim upon hearing the report. He gently placed the sleeping Su Yaoyao onto a nearby levitating chair, then strode to the control console in a few large steps, his gaze fixed on the holographic screen.

On the screen, the icon representing their Flying Ship was surrounded by a dense swarm of small, flashing red dots, like a pack of vicious wolves lying in wait.

"Engage stealth mode. Go around them," Bai Lian ordered without hesitation, his low voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

The soldier quickly typed on the keyboard, activating the Flying Ship’s stealth system. A faint blue light shimmered around the vessel’s hull.

A moment later, however, the soldier reported again, his voice laced with despair, "Admiral, we can’t get around them! They’re still closing in!" Everyone’s heart sank, and a chill instantly crept over them.

The small aircraft were incredibly fast, catching up to the Flying Ship in the blink of an eye.

They formed a triangular formation, completely surrounding the Flying Ship. Then, black Energy Beams shot out from the front of the aircraft, like sharp blades stabbing straight toward the vessel.

The Flying Ship shook violently. Alarms blared sharply, and the lights inside the cabin flickered.

"All hands to battle stations! Activate the defensive shields!" Bai Lian roared, his voice overpowering the alarms and explosions. "Prepare to counterattack!"

Reg and Pani quickly took their positions. Reg rushed to the weapons control area, his hands flying across the console as he tried to lock onto the enemy aircraft and return fire. Pani, meanwhile, focused on the defense systems, putting all his effort into maintaining the shield’s strength.

"What’s going on?" Su Yaoyao was startled awake by the alarms, a hint of panic in her drowsy eyes.

"Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be okay," Bai Lian reassured Su Yaoyao while keeping a close watch on the battle.

The soldiers stood ready, weapons gripped tightly, prepared to deal with any enemies that might break through the shield.

A heart-pounding interstellar dogfight had just begun.

Under the enemy’s torrential assault, the Flying Ship’s energy shield flickered like a candle in the wind, emitting a dying CRACKLE. Each impact from an Energy Beam made the hull tremble violently, sending objects flying throughout the cabin and leaving a scene of chaos.

Bai Lian’s gaze was locked on the screen, his mind racing for a way to break the enemy’s attack. He gave a decisive order:

"Reg, concentrate fire on the lead enemy aircraft! Break their attack formation! Pani, adjust the shield’s energy distribution! Prioritize protecting the engines and the cockpit!"

The two responded immediately, but their efforts were futile against the enemy’s overwhelming technological superiority.

Reg’s hands danced frantically across the weapons console, veins bulging on his forehead. Sweat blurred his vision as he desperately tried to lock onto a target and slammed the fire button, unleashing torrents of blistering cannon fire from the Flying Ship’s weapons system.

However, the enemy aircraft, with their advanced evasion systems, easily dodged the attacks.

The enemy’s assault intensified. More Energy Beams shot toward the Flying Ship like a dense volley of sharp arrows, and cracks spread across the shield like a spiderweb.

Pani’s fingers danced mechanically over the defense system controls, his face ashen. His voice trembled with despair. "Shield energy is down to 10%! It’s not going to hold!"

The words had barely left his lips when a thick Energy Beam struck the Flying Ship’s engine, causing a massive explosion. Flames erupted into the sky. The Flying Ship, like a kite with its string cut, spiraled out of control, plummeting toward an unknown, barren land below.

The sounds of alarms, explosions, and panicked cries filled the cabin. Su Yaoyao’s eyes widened in terror as Bai Lian pulled her tightly behind him, shielding her from the flying debris with his own body.

"Bai Lian..." Su Yaoyao’s voice quivered, tears welling in her eyes. Fear washed over her like a tidal wave.

"Don’t be afraid. I’m here," Bai Lian comforted her, but his eyes betrayed a hint of hopeless despair.

From the immense force of the fall, great gashes were torn in the Flying Ship’s hull. Instruments and equipment were destroyed, spewing acrid smoke and blinding sparks.

Bai Lian held Su Yaoyao tightly. Reg and Pani were curled up in a corner. None of them knew if they would live or die.

With a deafening CRASH, the Flying Ship slammed into the barren ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that hung in the air for a long time.

The barren land fell silent once more, with only the occasional SIZZLE of cooling metal coming from the wreckage of the Flying Ship.

「After some time had passed」 A small, strangely shaped landing craft slowly descended next to the Flying Ship’s wreckage.

The hatch opened, and a group of Mermaids in tight, black combat suits filed out. They wore special protective masks that covered their faces, revealing only their cold eyes.

Their leader was a tall man. He walked with a steady gait, slowly approaching the wreckage and searching through the ruins.

Moonlight fell upon him, outlining his stern profile. His eyes revealed an indifference and ruthlessness, as if he disdained everything before him.

"Lord, over here!" one of his subordinates shouted excitedly.

Mingye strode over. He saw Bai Lian, Reg, and Pani lying in a wretched state under a pile of debris, covered in wounds.

The blood had long since dried, congealing into dark red scabs on their dust-covered faces and torn clothing.

Mingye looked at the scene of devastation, a mocking sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth. His voice was low but clear, filled with undisguised contempt.

"The Flying Ships developed by the Empire are utter trash." His tone was that of a man standing at the top of the world, looking down on everything with disdain.

Suddenly, Mingye’s gaze froze. He keenly noticed that Bai Lian’s posture was extremely odd. His body was curled protectively, his arms held tightly beneath him as if hiding some priceless treasure.

Mingye’s dark green pupils narrowed slightly, like a venomous snake poised to strike—dangerous and alert.

Without the slightest hesitation, he lifted his foot and, with his full strength, kicked viciously at Bai Lian.

Bai Lian’s body was sent flying by the kick, landing heavily to the side and revealing Su Yaoyao beneath him.

In that instant, Mingye’s pupils constricted violently. A flash of disbelief crossed his eyes. ’A female!’

The surrounding subordinates also let out gasps of astonishment. They had never seen such a beautiful female before.

In the moonlight, Su Yaoyao’s face was like that of a fairy from a dream. Even unconscious, her innate gentleness and fragility could not be concealed.

Even these men, accustomed to bloodshed and cruelty, couldn’t help but stare, captivated.

"Take her!" Mingye ordered without hesitation, his voice filled with unquestionable authority.

His subordinates moved forward quickly, but after taking only a step, they were stopped by Mingye’s sharp command. "No. I’ll do it myself." His tone held a hint of urgency that even he didn’t seem to notice.

Mingye knelt beside Su Yaoyao and lifted her into his arms. He found the little female was so soft she felt boneless, and his movements became much gentler.

He returned to the landing craft, and the subordinates behind him filed in as well.

The hatch slowly closed, as if sealing shut a Chapter of unknown fate.