Chapter 18: A Wolf’s Claw Pinches

Chapter 18: A Wolf's Claw Pinches

The starship remained suspended in the abyss for Lu Yi's treatment.

Due to the poor signal underground, all communication devices were non-functional, and Rong Mi's communication bracelet likewise received no signals.

However, on the desolate planet's surface, the live broadcast signal, after a long interruption, finally began to resume.

The topic "Forty-minute signal disruption in the Ice and Fire Tournament live stream" had already surpassed other related topics about mecha competitions, ranking high on the Star Network discussion board.

What frightened the inhabitants of various planets even more was that before the signal completely cut out, they witnessed massive collapses on the planet's surface and a fleeting glimpse of an advanced Ice Butterfly.

"…This time, it can't possibly be fake. No interactive holographic projection could create such a scene… Even though I really wish it were."

"Is Rong Mi fighting against an advanced Ice Butterfly?! ALONE! In that dilapidated competition mecha!!! I'm so worried!"

"The disparity is too great! It usually takes several military mecha pilots working together to eliminate an advanced Ice Butterfly! Rong Mi is doomed… I saw him pushing away the nearby competing mechas."

"If the advanced Ice Butterfly can't be destroyed, no one can escape… So, were all those previous Ice Butterflies real?"

"Axial Safety Region is really infested with worms?!??!"

"Well... so all those mind-blowing moves Rong Mi pulled off before... they happened during the fight with the actual Ice Butterfly... Oh my God..."

"I must say, the real Ice Butterfly is indeed terrifying when seen up close. That eerie sensation and sense of oppression that comes through the screen! Nowadays, some internet celebrities incorporate subtle insectoid elements for a thrill, and back then, I found it rather enchanting and cool. But looking back now... it sends shivers down my spine."

"Ah, ah, ah, I just want to know how so many Ice Butterflies could appear on a mundane wilderness planet within the safety zone! The spatial city where I am is located not far from one of those planets! Suddenly, I don't feel safe at all! What on earth is the Military doing? Is anyone looking into this?"

"Look, folks! The live stream signal seems to have returned! Rush over and check it out!"

"The commentators must be stunned silent, right? Not a single sound! The stream connections for the players have been restored, but they all seem equally terrified... Except for Rong Mi's stream, which is still unresponsive."

"No way, it can't be! I don't believe it! How come there's no response in Rong Mi's live stream? If the other contestants are unaffected, it must mean the High Rank Ice Butterfly has been taken down!"

"Judging from the preceding events, it could only be assumed that Rong Mi was the one who killed them... Perhaps he sustained injuries during the... engagement."

"I just took a peek at the livestreams of the other contestants. The surface of Waste Star has undergone a drastic transformation; the mountains are gone, and there's a massive crater in the ground, as if it was struck by a meteorite! It feels considerably larger than the crater I saw before the livestream abruptly cut off!"

"Indeed! There's ice and snow on the ground now that wasn't there before! All the contestants' mechas are encrusted with ice, but they seem to have sustained minimal damage. However, it looks like the production team's competition starship has been completely charred! The outer shell is gone, exposing the layers within! Fortunately, the innermost protective layer remains intact, so I suppose there hasn't been much damage inside the starship."

"Are these mecha pilots all fools or what? Why doesn't anyone dare to approach the pit and take a look? What if Rong Mi is down there?!"

"Haven't you noticed? We haven't seen Ice Butterfly's corpse anywhere nearby! What if she's still alive?! Who would dare to approach in this damaged mecha?!"

"Rong Mi would dare."

"Rong Mi would indeed dare."

A series of new replies flooded in.

"I apologize for all my previous taunts towards Rong Mi! He truly is a big shot! A real man!"

"Rong Mi is indeed a genuine powerhouse! Other mecha pilots might be hesitant, but it's understandable... So, what about the Military?! Have their patrol and investigation teams been dispatched? We're so anxious here! Hurry up and save or locate them!"

The Military was even more anxious than the citizens on the Star Network, with heavier hearts.

Unlike the uninformed public, the investigation team had begun contacting the production team as soon as the Ice Butterfly appeared. They received a complete response regarding the holographic projection and comprehensive data on the deserted planet where the competition was held. The records included the program team's exploration of the planet, which showed no signs of insectoid activity.

Moreover, for planets within the safe zones, patrol teams from their respective star domains conducted routine inspections annually. The inspection of this deserted planet had just been completed last month, with no unusual reports filed.

With an icy butterfly suddenly appearing on a desolate planet under these circumstances... The number of people involved must be significant. Perhaps even members of the military are implicated.

The military branch in the sector where the desolate planet is located was the first to dispatch an investigation team. Dedicated investigators assembled from the capital star's headquarters were also preparing to embark. In addition, all patrol squads near the desolate planet and other military fleets temporarily suspended their missions to head towards the barren world.

Among them, the fleet closest to the desolate planet was Squad One of the First Legion, which served as Commander Lu Yi's personal guard unit.

The atmosphere on the flagship was frigid, with everyone maintaining a somber silence.

Before receiving the mission to head to the desolate planet, they had been conducting a wide-scale search for signals from the starship where Lu Yi was stationed.

Three months ago, the warzone was subjected to a surprise attack, leaving Lu Yi severely wounded in his mental domain. Due to his high rank, effective treatment had been elusive, and he could only rely on medication for temporary relief.

Despite this, Lu Yi did not abandon the warzone.

He led the First Legion in a counterattack, successfully repelling the insectoids. After stabilizing the situation, he adhered to the original plan and temporarily left the warzone to attend a border defense conference in the neighboring Red River Star Region concerning the insectoid threat.

However, during these three months, Lu Yi's mental domain became increasingly chaotic, with several sudden episodes rendering him unconscious.

After completing the internal handover within the First Legion, Lu Yi departed the warzone ten days ago, heading for the capital planet to receive proper treatment.

Despite the fact that both the First Legion and the military command were well aware that there were no therapists on Capital Star capable of treating Lu Yi, their efforts were merely a means to buy time.

The First Legion remained stationed in the war zone, under the supervision of the vice legion commander. Lu Yi's return was a classified operation, with only the First Squad accompanying him.

They stopped at a remote space city in a secure zone for energy replenishment during their journey.

This space city was small and situated in an isolated location. Due to dissatisfaction with the Federation's policies, it had secretly formed a rebel army and an autonomous government. When they spotted the military warship requesting entry, they assumed they had been discovered and launched a preemptive attack.

At that moment, Lu Yi was experiencing a bout of mental domain disorder.

During his episodes, his mental power became severely chaotic, causing substantial destruction to his surroundings due to its uncontrolled nature. There had been historical cases of S-class mental power users who had inadvertently destroyed entire space stations during such disturbances. Hence, during Lu Yi's episodes, he was kept isolated on a modified escort vessel, rather than the main battleship.

Upon realizing they were no match for the First Squad, the rebels activated the self-destruct mechanism of the space city, resulting in turbulence in the surrounding energy fields. The starship carrying Lu Yi vanished without a trace.

Each member of the First Squad was on high alert, unable to find a moment's rest in the past few days.

Captain Ellen, with a dry expression and voice, asked the pilot beside him, "Have we detected any energy ripples from Silver Wolf?"

"No," replied the main battleship's pilot, Sun Tong, in a low tone. "We haven't picked up any energy signals from General Silver. Perhaps we're still too far away..."

The Silver Wolf was General Lu Yi's star beast companion.

However, as part of Lu Yi's personal guard, the first squad knew that the silver wolf was also the general's spirit entity. Its spiritual energy waveform closely resembled the general's, with only an infinitesimal distinction.

During a battle with a high-ranking Ice Butterfly, Lu Yi's mental domain had suffered irreparable damage. To stabilize it, he extracted a portion of his mental energy and transformed it into a spirit entity, birthing the Arctic Silver Wolf.

"Wait!" Sun Tong suddenly raised his voice. "Captain!! The starship has detected the general's spiritual energy signature!"

"…The general's?!" Ellen's heart tightened.

Lu Yi had taken a large dose of medication during his episode, causing severe disarray in his mental energy. Excessive use would be tantamount to suicide. Ellen had hoped that Lu Yi could utilize the Silver Wolf to send a signal...

"Yes, not General Silver, but the residual spiritual energy signature of the legion commander…" Sun Tong exclaimed. "It's on that desolate planet!"

Ellen's body froze, unable to utter a sound.

Beside him, Sun Tong clasped his hands together and murmured, "I hope a miracle happens… so the general can survive…"

"No matter which deity… if a miracle occurs, I'll believe in anything!"

On the desolate planet, Lu Yi opened his eyes, his thoughts unusually sluggish.

He had not succumbed to mental chaos and died. Instead, he had experienced a deep sleep that he hadn't enjoyed in a long time.

The pain in his mental domain was still vivid, but it was the mildest it had been in nearly half a year, leaving Lu Yi feeling unusually relieved.

The admiral sat up on the bed.

Lowering his head, he noticed that the wounds on his body had been treated.

Those scars were remnants from when his bodily functions had severely declined due to the severe disorder in his mental domain, necessitating the insertion of numerous life support tubes.

Outside the cabin, it was pitch black. The starship remained embedded in the cavern, indicating that Rong Mi had not piloted it upwards.

It seemed Rong Mi wasn't very skilled at flying a starship.

As this thought crossed Lu Yi's mind, he stood up. Supporting himself against the wall, he braced against the dizziness before pulling open the hatch.

"Come on, left hand first," Lu Yi heard Rong Mi's voice outside.

The young man's voice was languid, hinting at weariness yet brimming with enthusiasm.

"Stretch out your hand, let me give it a pat. Just once, come on... Just this once... It's for your master's medical fees! Come on, high five!"

"Woah...! I touched it! Great! Good wolf! Let's do it again!"