Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Big Shot Behind the Heishan Gang
Tianyu Mining sector 013, somewhere at the back side of White Tower Floating Land.
Song Chao and Shen Wenjie, along with a fleet of eight Torch Warships, gradually came to a halt. This was the exact location of the coordinates they’d received a few days ago.
“Everyone, pay attention. Begin the reconnaissance with utmost speed and report back immediately upon discovery.”
At Shen Wenjie’s command, the six Spectral Airships behind swiftly dispersed, initiating comprehensive exploration of all nearby asteroids.
Shen Wenjie’s “Copper Halberd” and Song Chao’s “Qingkong,” on the other hand, remained stationary and did not join the six Spectral Airships. Exploration and mining operations were not their responsibility—their duty was to be vigilant of their surroundings.
Even though sufficient efforts were made to disguise their departure, and communication jammers were specifically used by the miners in the sector, the ruckus caused from their earlier encounter with the bandits at the Black Mountain Gold Store was not small, so they couldn’t be certain that there wasn’t anyone taking an interest in their affairs.
Soon, half an hour passed, and the exploration by the six Spectral Airships was more than halfway done, yet there was no sign of Titanium Crystals.
“Could it really be a coincidence? Did those two miners mistake a similar-looking rock for Titanium Crystals?”
On board the Copper Halberd, Shen Wenjie voiced his doubts.
Song Chao seemed even more indifferent.
“Don’t rush it. Even if it’s a rock that resembles Titanium Crystals, we haven’t found it yet, so the outcome is still uncertain. We’ve spent a lot of time on this, a little while longer won’t make a difference.”
About ten more minutes went by when suddenly, a communication request came through from one of the six Spectral Airships.
Seeing this, Shen Wenjie, who had almost lost hope, brightened up and signaled to Song Chao to connect quickly.
No sooner had Song Chao connected when the holographic screen displayed a projection of a young man.
Without waiting for Song Chao to inquire, the young man’s excited voice preempted.
“Uncle, we’ve found them, real Titanium Crystals. The initial survey suggests a micro-vein, with an estimated amount of about 1,000 to 2,000 pieces.”
“Excellent!”
Even Shen Wenjie, who had nearly two decades under his belt as the Inspector Team Captain, couldn’t contain his excitement, exclaiming joyfully.
“You group up with the other five and go full force into mining…”
Boom!
His voice hadn’t completely fallen when a muffled impact suddenly came from behind, followed by a violent tremor under Song Chao’s feet on board the Qingkong.
Looking at the Shield Value of the Qingkong, it had shockingly dropped by one-fifth. Song Chao’s heart sank immediately, knowing that the Energy Shield on the Qingkong was a blue Component and its Enhancement Level had already reached lv29.
It was only because he always kept the Energy Shield activated—otherwise, that hit could have pierced through the Warship Armor of the Qingkong, causing significant damage to the ship itself.
Song Chao’s eyes flickered, knowing that the Titanium Crystals’ discovery had surely been leaked.
For an enemy to shave off one-sixth of the Shield Value from a blue Energy Shield Component enhanced to lv29 with a single strike, they not only had to be another Second Rank Torch Warship, they were likely a very formidable one within that rank.
With this in mind, he immediately spoke up.
“Old Shen, the enemy also has an Escort Ship, be careful.”
“Little Lin, keep two airships there to continue the mining; the other four come over and help us out.”
…
After a swift series of commands, the eight Torch Warships divided their tasks with extreme precision, two remained at the target asteroid to continue the subsequent mining work, while the other six quickly gathered.
In the front were two Guardian Class Spectral Warships, followed by four Spectral Airships, all six main cannons began to gather Ghost Light, preparing for the last bit of energy storage for the upcoming counterattack.
Looking back at the direction from which the attack had come, a similarly sizable Torch fleet was arrayed a few hundred kilometers away.
“Two escort ships, seven Spectral Airships, among those airships there should be a few belonging to that Black Mountain Society. As for the origins of the two escort ships, it’s hard to say. Old Shen, what do you think?”
Soon, laughter came from Shen Wenjie aboard the Copper Halberd.
“Hahaha, how else to look at it? Fight until the opponent surrenders, then see.”
Song Chao’s eyes lit up, and he laughed along.
“Good, then today let’s test the mettle of these two escort ships. They want to snatch prey from the jaws of death, they’d better have the strength for it.”
With that, he turned his tone and instructed the five Spectral Airships behind him with concern:
“Xiao Lin, Xiao Qing, just drag the enemy; if the airships are damaged, withdraw from the battlefield immediately. The key to deciding the outcome of this battle does not lie with you.”
“Understood, Uncle!”
…
Within the hostile fleet hundreds of kilometers away, the lead warship clad in silver armor, a Guardian Class Spectral Warship, was clearly the most prominent of the fleet. At this moment, in the cockpit of this silver Guardian Ship, a young-faced man flashed a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He had clearly not expected this unknown force, which dared to meddle halfway with the matter of Titanium Crystal, to be able to bring out two escort ships, because after all, there were not many powers in Jiangyuan City with such energy.
But it was only a trace of surprise, as his expression quickly returned to calm. Although the opponent’s forces were not small, he did not take them seriously. In all of Jiangyuan City, he was the biggest emperor.
At this moment, a communication came through, and as he connected, the holographic image of a fat man appeared before the young man.
If there were people from Jiangyuan City here, they would certainly recognize the identity of this fat man.
“Scar,” the President of the Black Mountain Society.
What’s odd is that the usually fierce “Scar” appeared exceedingly respectful in front of this young man.
“Young Master Kang, looking at the strength of the opponent, it seems they’re not small-time. Should we… ”
Before “Scar” could finish, the young man impatiently cut him off.
“What ‘origins’? Never mind who they are—just fight. I want to see who dares to cross Zhu Kang.”
Since both sides had reached a decision, the battle was naturally imminent.
Four hundred-meter-long warships moved in concert out of the fleet, left the mining district underfoot, and chose as their battleground an area thousands of kilometers away.
The might of a Torch Warship of the Guardian Class was truly astonishing. Things like Spectral Airships and asteroids could be turned to dust by merely a bit of residual combat energy.
Once the four Guardian Ships had moved off, the battle between the twelve Spectral Airships also ensued. However, by comparison, this battlefield seemed a bit child’s play, where a barrage of attacks merely resulted in the Energy Shields of a few airships dimming slightly, and it was clear they could not be concluded quickly.
In another uninhabited mining area thousands of miles away, the battle between the four Guardian Ships also officially began.
Song Chao’s adversary was the silver warship, while Shen Wenjie’s Copper Halberd had engaged with another escort ship of the opposition.
ps: Seeking followers, seeking recommendation votes.