Under the command of Bai E, eight Mechas contracted their formation like a steel porcupine, while fending off the Bug Race's nearly frenzied attacks, they struggled to continue diving into the depths of the "CT-7" trench.

Along the way, they repelled several waves of assaults composed of new deep-sea Bug Race units, but the energy and ammunition of the Mechas were rapidly depleting.

Fortunately, they finally broke through heavy obstacles and approached the core area of the trench.

The terrain here was even more treacherous, with massive submarine rifts resembling the planet's ferocious scars, steep rocky walls on both sides, and the bottomless valley floor covered with endless Bug Race biological tissue glowing dark red or ghostly green, winding downwards like blood vessels and nerves.

From the depths of the valley, a deep rumbling resonated like the beating of a gigantic heart, along with a soul-shuddering, massive Spiritual Energy pressure.

"This is it... the 'Prototype Hive'..." The voice of Xi Liu was filled with shock, "But this scale... is at least three times larger than estimated in the data!"

Bai E didn't stop and ordered others to remain at the relatively safe edge of the rift to establish defensive points, while he piloted the "Star Emperor" Mecha, boosting the thruster power to maximum, charging alone like a blue lightning towards the core source of the Spiritual Energy fluctuations!

The further he went down, the higher the density and activity of the Bug Race biological tissue around increased.

Countless grotesque Bug Race units, like soldier ants guarding the nest, surged out from the folds and holes of the biological tissue, trying to intercept Bai E.

But Bai E's speed was too fast, the blade light too sharp, all blocking Bug Race units were shattered into pieces under the edge of the Devouring Star Blade.

Finally, he broke through the last layer of a "curtain" composed of thick biological material and chitin, reaching the deepest part of the trench.

The sight before him made even the battle-hardened Bai E, accustomed to Bug Race nests, feel a chill from his heart.

What is this "Prototype"?

This is evidently a nearly complete, unbelievably large-scale Bug Race deep-sea main hive!

The entire bottom of the trench, an area spanning dozens of kilometers, was almost entirely occupied by a massive biomass structure, semi-transparent, constantly writhing, with streams of ghostly blue and dark purple energy coursing inside.

It was like a living, terrifying life furnace, its surface covered with honeycomb-like incubation chambers where various Bug Race units were rapidly taking shape.

Countless thick energy conduits, like tree roots, extended from the main body of the hive, deeply embedded into the seabed rock layers, possibly even connecting to the planet's geothermal energy. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The core of the hive was a giant protruding structure, rising like a mountain, protected by thick chitin armor.

Bai E's "Insect Race Killer" clearly perceived that this was where the Spiritual Core of the entire hive was located, its strength and scale far surpassing the Bug Race mothership he encountered on Karian Planet, even comparable to the "Mother" he solved on the planet last time!

What weighed heavily on Bai E's heart was that he could "feel" that this hive's structure had already produced a deep-level fusion with the geological structure of Jade Stone Star.

Those energy conduits embedded in the rock layers were not just absorbing energy; they seemed to be undergoing some kind of "assimilation" and "reinforcement".

Forcibly destroying this hive's core could trigger an energy backlash and structural collapse that might spread along these conduits, already deeply linked with the planetary geological network, causing widespread seabed geological instability, or even... triggering a super geological disaster affecting the entire planet.

"Without Helen's 'Purification Core' that can precisely lock onto and annihilate the Bug Race core without affecting the surroundings..." Bai E swiftly assessed in his mind, "Even if available, given the hive's scale and its fusion with the planet's geology, conventional 'purification' may not fully work and might instead precipitate a geological disaster due to energy counteractions. Forcibly destroying it with external force… could lead to the ecological collapse of Jade Stone Star."

While Bai E was troubled by this realization, the hive seemed to have perceived this "intruder" into its core.

The mountain-like core structure suddenly cracked open with several fissures, revealing an internal cavity like a giant abyssal maw, where powerful Spiritual Energy fluctuations began to intensify!

At the same time, throughout the hive, more and stronger Bug Race defender units began to awaken, converge, and head towards Bai E's position!

"Retreat!" Bai E gave the uncompromising order in the channel, simultaneously maneuvering the "Star Emperor" Mecha to rapidly ascend, "Mission change! Abandon destruction! Everyone, immediately evacuate the trench, return to the 'Thorny Bird'! Move!"

He provided no explanations, but the urgency in the command was unquestionable.

Although filled with questions, Rose and others, based on absolute trust in Bai E, promptly executed the order and began a fighting retreat.

Bai E was the last to leave the depths of the trench, the Devouring Star Blade cutting a sharp path behind him, temporarily forcing back the pursuing elite Bug Race. His mind raced with thoughts.

The scale and maturity of this deep-sea main hive far exceeded Star Alliance intelligence estimates.

It was no longer a target to be "destroyed" but a terrifying "time bomb" sufficient to threaten the stability of the entire Jade Stone Star and even the Aisera Star System.

Conventional methods were hard to resolve, and might even cause unbearable collateral damage.

They needed a new plan.

Perhaps... the ancient relic on the "Traveler" briefly glimpsed in the data, classified as top secret by Star Alliance, and the possibly existing technology beyond current understanding, might be the key to breaking this impasse?

But this was only a conjecture, a distant problem that couldn't be addressed immediately.

For now, they first needed to evacuate from this dangerous sea area, reassess the situation, and rendezvous with Catherine and others on the "Thorny Bird" to discuss strategies.

The eight Mechas, under increasing Bug Race pursuit, strove to surge towards the surface.

Behind them, the massive hive in the dark abyss, like a primordial behemoth disturbed from its slumber, was beginning to reveal its true fangs.

Countless Bug Race shadows poured in from all directions, chasing the shadows belonging to human civilization.

They advanced in great numbers, nearly covering the entire deep water.

When the eight Mechas finally burst through the surface of Jade Stone Star, their bodies were already covered in scars.

With the support of the "Thorny Bird," the eight Mechas quickly returned to the transport ship.

When the Mecha bay doors opened and Bai E and the others emerged, carrying the salty taste of seawater and the fatigue of battle, Catherine and others waiting in the hangar met them immediately.

"Sir! What happened to you..." Catherine looked at the Mechas, evidently having undergone fierce battles, with corroded and damaged armor, and then at Bai E's solemn expression, stopping mid-sentence.

"The situation below is more complex than anticipated." Bai E succinctly explained, "That 'Prototype Hive' is nearly complete, vast in scale and deeply integrated with the planet's geology. Forcing a destruction... could trigger a planet-wide geological disaster."

These few words made everyone's heart sink on the spot.

The Star Alliance recorder following Catherine also frowned at this moment.

He held a data pad, recording while inquiring, "Commander Bai E, can you provide more specific observational data? Such as the scale of the hive, energy levels, assessments of geological integration?"

"The detailed data from the Mecha recorder have already been uploaded." Bai E looked at the recorder, "The problem we face now is: if we proceed with the original plan for destruction, it might destroy this planet. Do you have any suggestions?"