The galaxy is vast, the sea of stars dazzling. The boundless cosmos has no fixed routes. If your ability allows it, even drifting freely between planets won't draw anyone's interference.
But the galaxy is simply too immense. Most of the time, people rely on precisely charted star maps to determine direction and navigate the star sea.
That is the route for ordinary people. As for traveling through the cosmos on their own, those with extraordinary abilities all have their own methods.
Just that… the consequences are on them.
Just like at this very moment, Acheron stood upon a stone in space, looking around in confusion.
She wanted to find some landmark by which she could determine her bearings.
Looking out, there were only a few lonely planets scattered across the silent galaxy, emitting faint light.
No civilization. At a glance, Acheron could tell that these worlds held no civilizations.
That made things troublesome. No civilization meant no star charts, though even with a star chart, she wouldn't necessarily be able to find herself anyway.
Facing this situation, Acheron's expression did not change at all.
It was nothing more than moving to the next place or find some mark, something she did often.
She took a step forward. Her hair was lifted by the wind as Acheron slightly tilted her head, a sharp arrow brushing past her shoulder.
"Crack." A sudden, jarring sound of shattering rang out in the silent cosmos.
Turning her head slightly, the void soldier who had just fired the arrow was slowly dissipating.
"…The Antimatter Legion?"
Acheron was puzzled. How could a star system without civilization draw the attention of the Antimatter Legion?
Even as a transit point, this star system was unqualified, remote, and lacking any resources worth reinforcing.
Unsuitable. Yet that void soldier had undeniably appeared before her eyes, and had been cut down by her blade.
"There." Raising her gaze slightly, Acheron looked toward the depths of this star region.
There were massive fluctuations of imaginary energy there, along with some auras she recognized.
....
Within a vast domain strewn with wreckage, the fleet responsible for luring the planet Rahu moved through it.
They had just crushed yet another wave of Wingweavers' attacks.
"Bah! These bastards really have nothing better to do all day! Instead of rebuilding their own planet, they come here to be an eyesore to me!"
The fleet commander cursed loudly.
Muldrasil was the homeland of the Wingweavers. There were defeated in a war and their homeland destroyed.
The surviving Wingweavers wandered the galaxy, and no matter where they went, they insisted on cutting ties with the Xianzhou.
There were indeed reasons related to the planet Rahu, but it was still infuriating. If it weren't for the planet Rahu behind them being the real priority, how could a bunch of birdmen be allowed to run rampant!
Even while fuming, he did not forget his duty, turning to ask the intelligence officer beside him about their current position.
"Reporting, General. We are currently in the Hisei Star Region. Only a few worlds along the borders here possess civilization. According to the latest reconnaissance data, the area we're in shows no signs of civilization."
"The fourth wave of Wingweavers that was just repelled has withdrawn beyond the detection range."
Hearing that there was no civilization, he nodded subconsciously.
Then hearing that there was no immediate threat, he thought for a moment before saying,
"Good. If there's none, tell the people in the rear to loosen up a bit. They don't need to be so cautious for now."
The pressure from the planet Rahu, along with the ever-present interference from the Abundance faction, had placed enormous strain on the Cloud Knights during this period. Though now was hardly a good time, people needed rest.
The starship he was on wasn't even directly involved in luring the planet Rahu and still needed proper recuperation, let alone the others.
This wasn't cowardice on his part. It was simply that, as a fleet commander, he bore responsibilities that required him to value stability above all.
If something happened to him, that command vacuum could easily lead to unforeseen problems.
There were a few below who could stand on their own, but once there were too many people, the voices became chaotic.
"Wuu!!"
Again.
Hearing the sudden shriek, he instinctively covered his ears, the piercing sound drilling straight into his mind.
Anyone who heard it felt dazed. After roughly half a system hour's time, the shriek gradually weakened, and everyone let out a long breath.
They didn't dare to turn around, even though countless thoughts urged them to do so.
At first, no one knew where that mournful scream came from, until someone recognized, within it, the voice of a distant relative who had once lived in Cangcheng.
The entire fleet fell silent.
This shriek was effective only against Xianzhou people. In the beginning, it had given the suddenly attacking Abundance forces significant advantage.
Fortunately, those assigned to this mission were all elites; after barely repelling the first attack, they were able to organize effective counterattacks when the second shriek sounded.
"Just hold on a bit longer. The Alliance will definitely find a solution."
With a soft sigh, he turned his back. A heavy silence spread through the room.
At the same time, the attention drawn by the planet Rahu was not limited to the Abundance.
In a star region far beyond the fleet's detection range, a representative of the Antimatter Legion, long prepared, lay in wait.
"An activated planet, Rahu. Abundance really does come up with all sorts of strange things. Still, the effect is pretty good."
Bathed in the dark hues symbolizing destruction, a Wingweaver slowly disintegrated under his gaze.
Celenova let out a light laugh. Everyone knew that Abundance was the most troublesome thing in the galaxy.
Even more annoying than the Antimatter Legion, it could be said to be perfectly matched with the Swarm Disaster.
What made the insects detestable was their sky-darkening numbers and terrifying individuals. Abundance, on the other hand, lay in its exuberant vitality and the countless side effects that could arise in unpredictable forms.
Once tainted by Abundance, that star region was destined to know no peace.
The Antimatter Legion could still be forcibly crushed with power, but this thing, even a single remnant left behind could spark new crises. Even carpet-style searches were insufficient to fully eradicate it.
The reason Celenova appeared here was simple.
To transform the planet Rahu into a war weapon of the Antimatter Legion.
In the past, no action was taken partly because the Antimatter Legion's power swept across all realms, and maintaining a stable output of destruction beasts was already excellent.
But now, the Xianzhou Alliance had openly challenged the Antimatter Legion. Although clashes between the two were not uncommon, it was always the Antimatter Legion that initiated the assaults.
Because their Paths differed, the intensity of their battles had always been kept within a certain range.
But the Xianzhou's initiative deeply displeased Celenova.
It had always been the Antimatter Legion's edge that tore through others, never the other way around.
And at just this time, the incident of the planet Rahu awakening emerged.
Celenova did not expect a single activated planet to deal catastrophic losses to the Xianzhou Alliance.
Although during the Abundance War, the planet had indeed inflicted heavy losses on the Xianzhou, that was due to other factors, delayed reinforcements from other Xianzhou ships, as well as the compounded effects of the activated planet's power combined with an Emanator of Abundance attacking together.
This time, the planet Rahu awakened right under the eyes of the Xianzhou Alliance. Though Celenova was arrogant and believed crushing the Xianzhou Alliance was within grasp, she would not truly underestimate them.
Simply throwing it out directly was impossible. Although no single Xianzhou ship could confront an activated planet head-on.
She intended to turn this activated planet, one that had swallowed an entire Xianzhou ship, into a war weapon for the Antimatter Legion.
Her gaze pierced the space, and saw the Cloud Knight starships swarming from afar.
Cloud Knight forces that could be mobilized from slightly closer distances arrived one after another, forming a containment zone centered around the star system.
However, before an Emanator of Destruction, these forces were nothing more than ants!
....
At the same time, aboard the Astral Express.
"March 7th, passenger! Why is the Express Hotpot I put on top of the fridge in your room now?!" Pom-Pom puffed out their cheeks, ears twisting into spirals as they fumed.
"Ehehe… I just couldn't sleep last night, so I got up to find something to fill my stomach..." March 7th's eyes darted around as she spoke, clearly guilty.
"That was my very last Express Hotpot, and you just ate it… wuu wuu wuu, "
Pom-Pom was heartbroken beyond measure, stumbling backward as visions of their treasured hotpot filled their sight.
Just that one portion. Gone. Completely gone. Not a single serving left.
Watching the bizarre scene unfold, Stelle scratched her head and spoke up.
"I remember there are still two portions of Express Hotpot in the fridge in my room. They were put in there when we stopped at that time."
As soon as the words fell, Pom-Pom, who had been shrouded under a dark cloud just moments ago, instantly revived, eyes sparkling.
"Really?! Really, Pom?! Pom-Pom knew Stelle was the best passenger! Unlike March 7th, who didn't even leave the last hotpot for the conductor!"
"Uh… I can't really argue with that."
On the sofa, the gentle and refined red-haired lady chuckled softly, slender fingers turning the porcelain pestle as she ground coffee beans.
Such small interludes on the Express happened often, trivial, yet comforting.
"Tap, tap. Tap, tap."
The sound of tapping filled the air. Himeko tilted her head slightly, looking toward Dan Heng, whose gaze was fixed firmly on the screen.
"Still worried about the Xianzhou?"
"....Mm." Dan Heng nodded slightly.
"The danger of an activated planet is secondary. What truly matters is the implication behind it. The Xianzhou Alliance will definitely respond."
Dan Heng's words made sense. Rahu once devoured all life on the Cangcheng Xianzhou. Whether from a standpoint of position or ideal, the Xianzhou Alliance could not allow such a mistake of theirs to be free.
Adjusting his glasses, Welt, who had been standing at the observation deck with his hands behind his back, gazing into space, joined the discussion.
Definitely not to avoid Himeko's coffee.
Sigh. Stelle clearly said last time that the coffee Himeko brewed wasn't bad. How did it turn into this again in the blink of an eye?
Welt sighed inwardly.
The image of himself believing Stelle's words and downing Himeko's coffee in one gulp lingered vividly in his mind.
At least Stelle wouldn't prank him like that. Which meant the problem lay with Himeko.
"Activated planets…" Dan Heng hesitated.
In recorded history, only two activated planets existed: [Muldrasil] and [Rahu].
The former was destroyed during the Third Abundance War by a long-range arrow fired by the Aeon Lan. The latter entered dormancy after devouring the Xianzhou Cangcheng .
Judging by its raw combat power, a single Xianzhou General would stand almost no chance against it.
According to speculation, the Flame Emperor might be able to shatter it, but there is no concrete data to support that.
Although the Xianzhou Generals appear confident about this operation, they are symbols of the Xianzhou. If they falter, so does the spirit of the Xianzhou itself.
Facing it directly risks the activated planet continuing to devour their ships, repeating past calamities.
Though he was now a Nameless, Dan Heng did not wish to see the Xianzhou fall into disaster.
....
Just as the three continued their discussion.
"Eh?!" A clear exclamation broke the atmosphere.
Following the sound, they saw Stelle staring at her phone in surprise, calling out:
"Acheron just sent a message in the group chat."
"Let me see, let me see!" March 7th bounced over, squeezing Stelle's cheeks, girls sticking close together.
Acheron… They exchanged glances.
That unforgettable Emanator of Nihility had left a deep impression on them all.
Even now, they could vividly recall the shock of learning Acheron's true identity.
An Emanator of IX. One of a kind in the universe.
"Miss Acheron… asking for directions?"
Opening the group chat, they looked at the person with Acheron's avatar asking a question, and instantly believed it was truly her.
No one else could ask for directions so calmly and clearly while staring at a star chart!
No one!
"It seems Miss Acheron is in the Hisei Star System. That area is famously devoid of civilization. No wonder she's asking for directions."
Welt nodded slightly.
"But how do we reply? We don't even know her exact location."
March 7th scratched her cheek, puzzled.
"Let's do a video call. Have Miss Acheron walk forward a bit, and I'll check the Express database. We should be able to find data on the Hisei sector."
Dan Heng, who practically lived in the data room, was confident in this regard.
As for why such a remote system still had signal… that was thanks to the Interastral Peace Corporation's formidable infrastructure.
Although no civilization had arisen in Hisei, it was still part of certain merchant routes.
No people meant no profit, no civilization meant even the Legion couldn't find amusement there. Even space pirates avoided passing through.
When it comes to making money, you can always trust the IPC's judgment.
....
After connecting the call and exchanging greetings, Acheron began to ask questions.
"The paths within the Hisei system are relatively remote, but fortunately they're not completely unmarked." Dan Heng replied calmly.
After all, even so-called forbidden zones had to give way before an Emanator of Nihility.
"Miss Acheron, you just need to proceed forward for now..." Though she didn't fully understand, Acheron still nodded.
"Thank you." Those who had helped her deserved a response.
Suddenly, Acheron tilted her body slightly and pointed into the distance.
"I sense an aura similar to that of the Galaxy Rangers. If it would help you, I can take you there to have a look."
Courtesy begets courtesy.
Acheron merely lost certain important things as her self-annihilation progressed, but her thoughts remained clear where it mattered.
It was just that most matters didn't require her to think deeply.
Thinking of Stelle and the others' beings friends with the Galaxy Ranger, they would want to see the scene… probably.
"An aura similar to the Galaxy Rangers… so, The Hunt?" March 7th and Stelle exchanged looks, tilting their heads and blinking.
"I don't know. I only know that there are many of them, very intense." Acheron shook her head slightly....