However, what troubled him the most was that if he decided to leave, the Pique Star, which he had managed all his life, would have to be declared abandoned.
His entire life’s savings and efforts were here, and just abandoning it was truly disheartening.
But Pique was a smart man; he wasn’t foolish and knew that once the interstellar conflict arrived, the first to suffer would be owners of private planets like them.
Usually, with the Integration Departnt and Order Court present, interstellar pirates dared not act too recklessly.
But once war arrived, any laws would beco a stack of waste paper, and the pirates’ primary target would be their weakly defended private planets.
This was inevitable, with no chance of luck.
Thus, Pique ultimately made up his mind; compared to possessions, one’s life was most important.
Zhang Xiaoman was a bit surprised upon hearing his words.
In fact, Pique was initially soone he wanted to win over, and he didn’t expect Pique to express the desire to follow him first, saving him quite so effort.
After all, Pique was a Star Pattern Master, and what the Star Alliance lacked the most right now was this kind of professional talent.
Imdiately, the two hit it off; Pique found a strong backer, and Zhang Xiaoman brought back strong support that could significantly enhance the overall strength of the Star Alliance.
"I plan to establish the passage on Erin Star; its location is very good, situated at the edge of Anning New Residence, bordering the Beller Drone Star Domain. The flas of war won’t easily spread here."
If there was an optimal choice for planting the World Tree, it would naturally be Erin Planet, where they already had a foundation. The presence of the World Tree could just accelerate the transformation of the planet, achieving multiple goals.
"Before we leave, we must visit Skull Star to procure a batch of materials as soon as possible; the price of Dark Spirital Materials is likely to continue rising, and they will beco scarcer. We need to seize the ti."
Zhang Xiaoman shared his plan, and after so preparation, they intended to teleport to Skull Star to buy supplies.
What they didn’t expect was that after the teleportation array flashed, the surroundings hadn’t changed at all. Pique quickly realized what was happening.
"They’ve shut down the teleportation anchor points; we can’t get through!"
Ziwei also erged from the teleportation array, saying gravely:
"It should’ve been expected. We should have foreseen this. With the outbreak of war, many pirates are plundering, and to prevent being breached from within, the teleportation anchor points must be shut down. Furthermore, the Star Constant Barrier might activate, and wormhole generation devices might also be restricted."
Zhang Xiaoman was speechless.
"So, just like at the start, we have to rely on the spacecraft’s power to fly there?"
Ziwei nodded, then looked at Pique and asked:
"Pique, where is your planet located? Give a Star Map, so we can estimate the ti."
Pique did not hesitate to transmit a Star Map coordinate to Ziwei through his personal terminal and said:
"Pique Star is not far from Skull Star; it takes about 5 jumps through New Gate to reach it. I have an Escort Ship here, and we can get there within two days using it."
Two days was acceptable, but the space on the Escort Ship was too small; Zhang Xiaoman’s group plus over 30 giant dragons amounted to 300 people in total, which couldn’t fit.
So, this ti Zhang Xiaoman planned to travel light, buy several larger warships on Skull Star, and bring them back to lead everyone to Erin Continent.
"Acatus, wait here for us; we should return quickly after purchasing supplies. The Dark Web can still be used at this distance. If there’s any situation, contact directly via personal terminal, and I’ll return imdiately."
Zhang Xiaoman delegated tasks and then Ziwei and Pique boarded the Escort Ship to head for Skull Star, 5 star systems away.
All he needed now was to use up his lottery attempts, and he could obtain enough Star to purchase World Tree shoots for teleporting back ho.
At this ti, he couldn’t help but feel an urgent sense inside.
Having left Water Blue Star for more than 4 years, Zhang Xiaoman was eager to go back and see.
Three of them boarded Pique’s Escort Ship and soon jumped to the star system where Skull Star was located, using Star Pattern jumps.
Approaching that familiar Wild Beast Skull, Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help feeling the Ever-Changing Seas and Fields, and the sense of things changing.
Unexpectedly, after just a year in seclusion, the current situation had evolved into such a state.
The initial rapid developnt plan using the Dark Star Alliance had fluctuated, forcing him to reconsider new strategies.
"Careful! Sothing’s happening!"
Just as the ship submitted its landing request and was approaching Skull Star, Ziwei’s eyes sharpened in a certain direction.
At the sa ti, Zhang Xiaoman sensed a strong wave of Dark Spirit energy and couldn’t help changing his expression as he looked over.
Through the ship’s window, a beam of intense light suddenly pierced through space, flying straight towards the front of Skull Star.
"It’s a large Dark Spirit Energy Cannon! Pirates are here!"
Pique exclaid.
Outside, as that light beam was about to hit Skull Star, it unexpectedly swerved abruptly, directly aiming at a giant red flower outside Skull Star.
"Earth Orbital Flower!"
Zhang Xiaoman imdiately recognized the gigantic plant over 100,000 ters in diater; it was the Earth Orbital Flower he’d seen on his previous visits.
The sudden white beam plunged into the Earth Orbital Flower’s center, disappearing instantly.
As if activated by the attack, the Earth Orbital Flower emitted bursts of light, its petals slightly moved and fully extended.
At the sa ti, other Earth Orbital Flowers surrounding Skull Star also reacted.
One by one, they opened their buds, adjusting their centers toward the direction the beam ca from.
Pique swiftly projected a holographic display of the direction’s image to everyone’s view.
In deep space, a large fleet was advancing, with nearly a hundred ships at least.
The fleet’s core contained a massive Dreadnought, a star-level flagship unit typically only found within the Navy of the Integration Departnt.
Unexpectedly, the pirates attacking had this kind of setup, truly catching them off guard.
"It’s the Black Water Pirate Group! Damn it, how could it be them! This is trouble!"
Pique’s face changed upon seeing the fang designs on the enemy vessels.
Zhang Xiaoman and Ziwei didn’t know what the Black Water Pirate Group was, but from his reaction, they could guess it was a particularly powerful organization.
"The Black Water Pirate Group is the largest pirate group active in the Aus Star System, with a total bounty of 3 billion. Usually, with the Integration Departnt, they dare not enter administrative star systems. But now with war, the Integration Departnt is struggling, so they’re unchecked, infiltrating!"
Pique quickly explained the pirates’ background.
"We can’t let them land on Skull Star; these people of the Black Water Pirate Group have no limits, bringing death to this planet. Among them are three Controllers of considerable strength. If all else fails, we should flee!"
His face was anxious and, as he spoke, he kept operating the ship, trying to turn away and temporarily leave the area.
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