The Marauders' energy beams, like the tongues of a venomous snake, ripped apart the tranquility of Pearl Lake. The silver-blue, liquid creatures—Lin Xingyun tentatively referred to them as "Crystalborn"—demonstrated their astonishing properties the moment they were attacked. Their bodies fluidized and coalesced, easily dissipating the initial wave of energy. However, the high-pitched, crystal-shattering sound was filled with anger and pain.
These Marauders were clearly well prepared, their tactics expertly coordinated. Three formed a triangle formation, suppressing the Crystalborn with intensive firepower. The other two, armed with a tool resembling a drilling rig, attempted to charge at the base of the Light Tree at the center of the lake. Their goal was clear: to plunder the energy core!
"We can't let them succeed!" Lin Xingyun shouted, his figure shooting out like an arrow from a bow. His goal wasn't to charge head-on into the barrage, but to utilize the subtle manipulation of light with his "Shadow Snake Witch Mark." His figure blurred beneath the intertwined, slightly hazy light of the twin stars, and he infiltrated the battlefield's flanks like a ghost. A Marauder, focused on shooting, suddenly stumbled. Looking down, he saw his own shadow had wrapped around his ankle like a vine! While he couldn't completely confine them, the momentary delay was enough! Lin Xingyun emerged from the shadows, his Chris dagger, flashing a chilling arc of light, piercing the energy port on the waist of his power armor!
"Swish!" The dagger's energy, derived from Earth's psychic energy yet tempered by the Star Gate, easily ripped through the Marauder's armor, sending sparks flying! The Marauder screamed and collapsed to the ground.
Even on the other side, Buakaw's choice was even more direct and violent. Like a human cannonball, he roared and charged at the two Marauders attempting to destroy the Light Tree. His fists were enveloped in a crimson glow, the product of the initial fusion of ancient Muay Thai will and alien earth energy, brimming with explosive force.
"Get out of the way!" A Marauder spun around, raising the energy cannon on his arm. Buakaw didn't dodge or evade. With a concentrated right hook, he slammed his entire body into the cannon's muzzle!
Boom! The energy cannon, before it could even fire, was deflected by the immense force and blasted into the ground nearby, creating a shallow crater. Buakaw's fist, unwavering, slammed firmly into the opponent's chestplate! The heavy power armor creaked with a teeth-grinding metallic crack, and the predator was sent flying backwards as if struck by a speeding truck, crashing into a glass tree and falling unconscious.
Ayesha and Nguyen Thi Mai focused on supporting and controlling the situation. Aisha tossed several pieces of batik cloth into the air. The patterns on the cloth glowed brightly in the rich energy of the alien world, no longer simply a defensive barrier, but transformed into flexible, purifying bands of light. As if possessed by life, they coiled around the other two firepower operators, disrupting their aim and movement. Nguyen Thi Mai stood by the lake, her dance becoming even more ethereal, as if channeling the power of these unfamiliar waters. The pearly lake responded to her call, raising thick curtains of water that not only blocked the energy beams but also attempted to envelop and imprison the predators.
Dilawang did not directly participate in the attack. He held the Jade Buddha, closed his eyes, and muttered a few words. A calm and resilient spiritual force emanated from him, steadying his teammates like a rock. He also attempted to establish a deeper spiritual connection with the attacked "Crystalborn," conveying goodwill.
The tide of battle suddenly turned. The predators had not expected these seemingly primitive "natives" to possess such strange and powerful powers, let alone their willingness to aid the local creatures. Thanks to the tacit (albeit rudimentary) coordination between the Star Sea Shaman and the Crystalborn, the remaining predators were quickly subdued.
When the last predator was knocked unconscious by Buakaw's punch, silence returned to the lake area, leaving only the faint hum of energy flowing through the Light Tree and the gentle gurgling of water as the Crystalborn's bodies moved. The Crystal Descendants slowly gathered, their silver-blue bodies shimmering with light as they curiously "studied" Lin Xingyun and the other four. The cold mental scan from before reappeared, but this time it was much softer, more like a tentative contact.
Dilawang opened his eyes, stepped forward, and cradled the Jade Buddha in his palm, emitting a gentle mental wave: "We harbor no ill will. We come from the distant starry skies and are the enemies of these predators."
The leading Crystal Descendant (judging from its slightly stronger energy fluctuations) rippled across his body, and a complex stream of information was transmitted directly into the minds of the five. This wasn't language, but a comprehensive package of images, emotions, and energy perceptions:
The endless starry skies... Wandering seeds (referring to the Light Tree) have chosen to take root here... Nourishing all life, maintaining the planet's balance... These "rippers" (referring to the predators) periodically arrive, like locusts, plundering the "seeds'" energy, leaving behind scars... Anger, helplessness, protection... Gratitude, strange allies...
Although the message was vague, it was enough for Lin Xingyun and the others to grasp the general idea. This light tree is key to maintaining the planet's ecological balance, while these predators (rippers) are periodic destroyers. The Crystalline are the Light Tree's natural guardians.
"We can help you fight these Rippers together," Lin Xingyun attempted to respond with his consciousness, simultaneously displaying the peaceful energy inherent in his dagger, a stark contrast to the predators.
The Crystalline were silent (or rather, their communication paused) for a moment. Then, the leading Crystalline extended a slowly flowing "arm" made of liquid metal, pointing in the direction of the Light Tree. A clear invitation emanated.
It turned and slowly drifted toward the Light Tree. Lin Xingyun and the other four glanced at each other and cautiously followed.
Only when you get close to the Light Tree can you truly appreciate its grandeur and wonder. Within its massive glazed trunk, it felt as if a galaxy flowed. Threads of light dangled into the lake, circulating energy with the water. Standing beneath the tree, they were enveloped by a pure and vast energy, feeling a sense of well-being, even rapidly recovering from the previous battle. The Crystal Descendants formed a circle beneath the tree, their bodies radiating in sync with the light of the tree. They seemed to be performing some kind of ritual. A moment later, several strands of light dangling from the tree gently floated up, like gentle fingers, touching Lin Xingyun's dagger, Aisha's wax knife, Nguyen Thi Mai's earrings, Buakaw's fist (representing his will), and Dilawang's jade Buddha.
Instantly, five streams of pure energy, originating from the tree, flowed through the tokens into their bodies! This energy, gentle yet powerful, quickly merged with their own strength, purifying and strengthening it!
Lin Xingyun felt his three witch patterns become more solid, his perception and control of cosmic energy reaching a new level. Aisha felt as if her batik cloth had been infused with new inspiration, the power of the patterns multiplied. Nguyen Thi Mai's affinity for water grew stronger, even faintly sensing the veins of the planet's water system. Buakaw's energy and blood became more vigorous, and his fists took on a starry heaviness. Dilawang's Jade Buddha shone with a more restrained radiance, its spiritual power more integrated.
This was a gift from the Crystalline and the Light Tree, a token of gratitude for their assistance and recognition of their credentials as allies.
The leading Crystalline sent another message, this time containing a simple star map (a schematic diagram of energy composition), marking the location of a temporary base of the "Shredder" in this galaxy and the approximate time of its next possible attack.
In this unfamiliar galaxy, the Star Sea Shamans not only established a firm foothold but also gained their first ally and valuable intelligence. However, they also clearly realized that the conflict with the "Shredder" had only just begun. This beautiful Azure Mist Galaxy concealed endless dangers and opportunities.
(End of Chapter 22)