Chapter 187: Third Stop of Revenge

Chapter 187: The Third Stop of Revenge

After kindly helping the Evergreen Empire streamline its assets, the fleet of Sky Blue Star arrived at a new destination.

Unlike the previous two planets, which belonged to technological civilizations, the Lanye Empire they were about to visit this time, while possessing some knowledge of technology, leaned more toward the fantastical.

Thus, before setting off, Sky Blue Star brought out the high-tech weapons on their fleet that had been lying idle for so long.

When fighting technological civilizations, they used spells; when battling fantastical civilizations, high-tech weapons were more suitable.

The tactic was straightforward: catch the enemy off guard.

As for cultivation-based civilizations, Sky Blue Star had yet to find a second one besides itself.

There wasn’t even any relevant information on the Starnet.

If not for the letters smuggled back by the future Sheng Qingquan, which mentioned the existence of an advanced cultivation realm, they might have assumed no other cultivation civilizations existed in the world.

The universe was vast—perhaps they were just too far apart?

Or maybe they weren’t even in the same universe.

But neither Sheng Qingquan nor the people of Sky Blue Star were in a hurry. If it was far, they would take their time searching.

For now, they would focus on growing stronger. With all the compensation they had received, they could return, absorb the gains, and upgrade their capabilities. Only then would they have the strength to take revenge when they finally found that damned Celestial Order of the advanced cultivation realm.

If the civilizations marked on this star map were all culprits in Sky Blue Star’s suffering, then the Celestial Order of the advanced cultivation realm was the ringleader of them all.

Sky Blue Star’s current strength was still too low—they had to work harder.

To grow stronger, mere hard training wasn’t enough. Beyond necessary combat experience, the more resources, the better.

A lack of resources would severely hold them back!

Thinking of this, Sky Blue’s leadership grew even more eager to strip their enemies bare.

Opportunities like this were rare—they had to seize as many good things as possible.

The Lanye Clan lived underwater, and their planet, Lanye Star, was a planet-wide ocean.

Immortal Cultivators weren’t incapable of breathing underwater, especially those who were originally marine demons or hybrids. For them, the ocean was their natural habitat, not land.

After Sky Blue Star’s fleet surrounded Lanye Star, scores of mechas deployed. Alongside them emerged various sea demons and hybrids—fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other sea creatures.

The marine demons and hybrids emerged in their natural forms, without mechs.

They weren’t land demons—in an environment like Lanye Star, mechs would just weigh them down.

The Lion-Demon, piloting a mech, flew at the forefront. Before he could even roar, as was customary, to announce Sky Blue Star’s intentions, a group of people emerged from Lanye Star.

These individuals varied in appearance, but all were ethereally beautiful. After leaving Lanye Star, they quickly split into two teams and formed ranks.

“Wait, why are there so few of them?” The Lion-Demon’s roar caught in his throat. He instinctively mind-spoke to his companions behind him.

What was going on? Unless every one of these people was at the Nascent Soul realm, why would they send them out—as cannon fodder?

The people of Sky Blue Star were just as baffled.

To be honest, there were actually quite a few people on the other side—a couple hundred.

But this was a confrontation between two armies. While one side had deployed a massive force, the other didn’t even have a battalion’s worth of people. What were they doing—half-hearted resistance?

Or was there some kind of scheme?

Just as the Azure Starians heightened their vigilance, they noticed the Lanyans from the opposing side suddenly prostrating themselves in a deeply reverent posture toward them.

Especially when looking at the fish yao, sea serpent yao, octopus yao, shellfish jing, and other demonic or half-demonic beings in their natural forms, their deference was absolute.

The leader among them asked fearfully, “Might this humble one ask—which lineage of our clan do the great ones belong to?”

As if afraid of angering those before him, he hastily added, “It is not this lowly one’s intention to offend, but we must report back to the clan so preparations can be made for your reception.”

After all, even among the Lanye Clan, the treatment differs for the main lineage, closely related branches, powerful branches, and those weaker or more distant from the main lineage would naturally differ.

At this point, they had already braced themselves for the possibility of being casually executed by the other side as an outlet for displeasure.

Seeing the Lanyans’ behavior, the Azure Starians quietly realized.

Strictly speaking, these people were not true Lanye Clan members. Like the stone beings once sent to terraform Azure Star and modify its humans, they were slaves under the Lanye Clan’s control.

But unlike the ugly yet battle-hardened stone-men tasked with warfare, these fair-faced ones were likely attendants.

Recently, there might have been news of other Lanye Clan members returning from afar, or perhaps some had returned in the past. Upon seeing the fish yao and shellfish jing who resembled the Lanye Clan, they had assumed them to be returning kin.

Slaves facing those of the same status as their masters would naturally behave with such fearful respect.

This made everything click into place.

Sending a couple hundred people into battle against the Azure Starians’ sheer numbers—even as a vanguard—would be absurd. But if these people were merely a welcoming party, it made perfect sense.

Upon closer inspection, their formation did resemble that of a welcoming party.

The Azure Starians quietly realized this, though no one had thought of it before.

Whether this was a genuine misunderstanding or a trap, the Azure Starians decided to hold their position for now.

After all, given the Lanye Clan’s arrogance, ignoring a slave’s question was entirely expected.

Thus, none of the demonic or half-demonic beings spoke. Only a cold glance was cast toward the leading slave.

Sure enough, the slave not only remained unsuspicious but grew even more convinced of their identity.

“This lowly one naturally has no right to inquire about the great ones’ status,” he groveled further. “However, the number of guards with the great ones is beyond this one’s authority to permit entry.”

“If the great ones insist on proceeding directly, please have your main force remain outside. Of course, your safety must be ensured, and your daily care provided.”

“While the clan would gladly provide for the great ones in full, none could attend to you as closely as your own attendants.”

“So the great ones can bring a small escort inside.”

Nothing beyond that—certainly not the warships.

Just what kind of figures were these great ones? What great enterprises had they established abroad to warrant such an escort?

Did they establish a kingdom?!

If it weren't for the absence of the modifier scent on them, he would have almost mistaken the opposing side for a vengeful mob of victims.

He had heard that one of their high-ranking clansmen once failed while searching for a new planet.

Fortunately, that noble acted decisively and immediately ordered the Stone Clan member responsible for planetary modification to self-destruct.

Truly worthy of being a noble—had he not cut his losses when he did, Lanyan Star wouldn’t be so peaceful now.

The Slave Leader mused admiringly, completely unaware that if that noble hadn’t meddled in the first place, Lanyan Star wouldn’t have faced these issues at all.

Well, you said it yourself!

Since you're being so hospitable, we'd be rude to refuse.

Realizing that the other side had truly mistaken the identities of those fish and shellfish demons, the Azure Starians immediately decided to adjust their plan.

A Great Demon graced them with speech: "I won't give you trouble. The fleets behind us won't enter, nor will those who haven't come out yet. But all those already outside, we will take in with us."

Seeing that the noble opposite had finally spoken, the Slave Leader weighed the situation. Though the number was a bit large, there were also many nobles arriving this time, who would naturally require more guards and attendants.

Especially since these nobles were clearly of extraordinary status and unlikely to scale back their retinue.

Though the Slave Leader was leaning toward agreeing—he didn’t want to anger these nobles—he still hesitated, not wanting to displease his master either.

His master was the one truly responsible for external receptions, but since the visitors' intentions were unclear earlier, the master had sent them out instead.

Fortunately, just as he was struggling, the Slave Leader received orders from his master.

Letting out a relieved sigh, he quickly forced a smile and bowed again to the Azure Starians: "Esteemed nobles, please."

"The clan has prepared for your reception."

The Great Demon nodded slightly and led the other demons, half-demons, and those in mech suits inside with natural ease.

As they passed, one demon needlessly provoked: "Not a single true clansman sent to greet us, just these underlings. My lord, they clearly hold us in no regard."

The Great Demon neither confirmed nor denied this.

Hastily, the Slave Leader humbly explained: "Rest assured, noble one, my master awaits inside, and other nobles are already coming upon hearing the news. Once you enter Lanyan Star, proper receptionists will see to our distinguished guests, and a grand welcome banquet will follow."

So many have come. That does put me at ease.

The Azure Starians mused privately.

Of course, just in case, Sheng Qingquan concealed his presence and followed secretly.

Upon entering Lanyan Star, a boundless sea greeted their eyes.

On the azure waters, numerous figures waited afloat.

Their appearance matched exactly what had been found on the star network—very similar to the oceanic yokai and half-demons of Azure Star. To be honest, even knowing this, the Azure Starians hadn't planned to impersonate their clansmen. But the heavens willed otherwise.

Well, they could hardly refuse heaven's will, could they?

"Another branch of our clan has returned. It's been six hundred years since such joyous news!"

"I am Lanyan He. This is the young master of the main lineage, Lanyan Lan; this is the elder of the main lineage, Lanyan Xin; and these are Lanyan Chen, Lanyan Xi, Lanyan… from the third branch."

Spotting the Azure Starians, the leading Lanyan advanced with his entourage. After introducing himself, he began introducing the others behind him one by one.

After individually introducing a few members from the branch lineages, he stopped naming them one by one and simply grouped the remaining people as: "These are all members from other branches who came to welcome you."

Clearly, the main lineage needed no explanation, and branch lineages like the Third Branch, which were specifically mentioned, must hold significant status within the clan.

Those who were vaguely categorized and not even deemed worthy of a name belonged to weaker branches—likely summoned just to pad the numbers after hearing about the large group, to avoid losing face.

With Lan Yehe's introduction, the Azure Starians immediately got the picture.

Once Lan Yehe finished introducing their side, it was time to ask about the Azure Starians' background.

Earlier, they could afford to play it cool and withhold answers when dealing with slaves, but now, refusing to respond would only arouse suspicion. Not to mention, there might still be some kind of identity verification later.

As if they'd pass!

Aside from their similar appearances, the two sides had nothing in common.

So before Lan Yehe could even ask, the leading Great Demon from the Azure Starians gave a slight smile, appearing pleased as punch that the young-master and elder of the main lineage had come to greet them. He took the initiative to speak: "Oh, I am Lan Ye—"

Lan Yehe and the others listened attentively, curious about which branch he belonged to.

After all, these people had serious presence, accompanied by a fleet and an army—clearly of noble status. Moreover, they seemed to come from the same lineage.

With so many returning at once, even the weakest branch in the clan could shoot up in status with their addition.

It wasn’t impossible for them to flip the script on the main lineage.

Otherwise, why would the young-master and elder of the main lineage personally come? It was all to win them over.

Of course, the young-master and elder low-key hoped that these people might actually belong to the main lineage.

It wasn’t like it never happened before—members of the main lineage striking out on their own in the past and returning later wasn't unusual.

"Attack!" the Great Demon signaled to the others.

The Azure Starians showed their true colors, their mechas opening fire as they unleashed full firepower on the Lanyans.