Global Era of Star trekking Chapter 1828 - 889: The 5th Torch Empire (Part 2)

"That just happens to match my thoughts exactly!"

With those words, the Galaxy Captain called Tan Jiwen didn't hesitate. He guided his Star River Ship, taking half the fleet along as they burst forward, quickly scattering their formation and racing toward the distant reaches of the starry expanse.

Seeing this move, the face of another Galaxy Captain grew icy.

"Fleet, follow my command—push to maximum velocity!"

In the instant that followed, this portion of the fleet surged to their peak speeds too, the two groups hurtling one behind the other toward the specified Star Domain.

"Hah, it's pure fortune that your group supplied a part; without that, why would your Heavenly Eagle Tan Family even eye this Lanikea River System Cluster? And now you think you can rival my Yanhuang Consortium for honors?"

"Before long, His Majesty Emperor Song will officially launch the Fifth Empire. My Yanhuang Consortium needs to offer the most distinctive present!"

...

Unlike this Extreme Star River Captain from the Yanhuang Consortium, Tan Jiwen's gaze from the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family held a hint of doubt.

As a member of the Immortal Giant Forces in the Chi Yu Divine Dynasty, the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family's power sits only in the mid-to-lower ranks among those giants.

For this mission, by providing a piece for the All Heaven Six Harmonies Reincarnation Array, the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family gained substantial rewards in the six Chaos Cities of the Chaos Divine Land, and now they can claim a share in the Lanikea River System Cluster, once ruled solely by the Dragon Spine Song Family and backed by the Four Great Empires.

Yet, enduring across eras means the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family boasts plenty of shrewd minds. They understand well that one lucky contribution won't propel the family onward; true enduring success demands Mythical Power.

Still, the Tan Family's leader just advanced to Senior Hyperdimensional Captain recently, miles away from commanding a Mythical Immortal Ship, so their only route lies with Mythical Enslaved Creatures.

Their initial bid for a Mixed Elemental Infinite Pill ended in failure, yet if another opportunity arises, he trusts the family won't let it slip.

"Offering this tribute now will pave the way for obtaining a second Mixed Elemental Infinite Pill, and we absolutely can't afford to lose it."

"Plus, rumors say His Majesty Emperor Song's rightful successor wants to explore a marriage alliance right after the empire's founding event, but who knows if that's accurate..."

...

Like stellar panthers prowling the dark void, the two fleets dashed eagerly, both lunging for the shared quarry—that distant Star Domain hiding the final bastion of the rebel Alien Race troops.

Stardust streamed past the ships' exteriors in a blur, engine thunder shattering the timeless quiet of space.

In the Yanhuang Consortium fleet's lead vessel, the Extreme Star River Captain kept a grim look, barking out orders nonstop:

"Power up the ’Teleportation Interference Force Field’ setup unit; we can't let them set up a space barrier ahead of us. Charge every warship's auxiliary guns. The moment we're in firing distance, unleash full barrage attacks—no need for extra clearance!"

At the same time, Tan Jiwen of the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family's stare burned with resolve:

"Switch to ’Void Stealth’ protocol to dodge routine scans; crank the ’Eagle Eye’ scanner to max to pinpoint the Alien Race's secret outpost location. Top strike team, get ready for the ’Decapitation’ maneuver—head straight for the foes' headquarters the instant we clash!"

Everyone understood that wiping out these insurgents wasn't the main aim; rather, the method, speed, and exclusive war prizes would shine brightest in proving their worth to the rising Fifth Empire and His Majesty Emperor Song.

In the end, this remnant spark of an ancient civilization, thriving over hundreds of thousands of years, must hold treasures at Civilization Background Level that could catch the eye of the fresh Emperor Song.

Nearly at the same time, the front lines of both fleets reached the edge of the intended Star Domain.

[Intense energy surge detected!]

[Alien Race armada gathering confirmed!]

[Odd space ripples, likely a jump attempt!]

Shrill warnings blared inside the command ships of each side.

"Roll out the jamming field!"

"Strike force, charge in!"

With zero delay and no exchange of strategies, the armadas from rival groups showed remarkable teamwork (or rivalry-fueled sharpness), one sealing off escape routes in the stars while the other sliced like a dagger into the heart of the enemy.

Blazing energy lances lit up the quiet Star Domain in a flash, blasts erupting like deadly celebrations amid the chaos.

The Alien Race holdouts obviously hadn't foreseen their secret lair being uncovered, their rushed barriers crumbling easily against the crack troops of the two powerhouse factions.

The fight turned utterly lopsided from the start.

The Yanhuang Consortium armada's massive barrages overwhelmed the Alien Race vessel clusters, revealing the mighty consortium's raw might and command.

On the flip side, the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family's ships moved with sly speed, raiders weaving through the fray like phantoms, zeroing in to obliterate Alien Race leadership craft one by one, proving sharp strategy and solid combat skill.

Even without official alliance, a subtle battle harmony caused the enemy lines to crumble fast.

Tan Jiwen positioned himself at the starship's central console, his keen eyes sweeping the combat map until spotting an odd vessel at the Alien Race rear, slipping away toward an open space rift.

"Planning to escape?" he scoffed, "Target that odd ship—it's bound to hold a key figure or... some rare ’gift’!"

Right then, the Yanhuang Consortium's command ship caught the irregularity too.

"Halt it!" The Yanhuang captain's eyes flashed with fierce intent.

Suddenly, the earlier "cooperative" rivalry, boosted by smooth kills, turned fiercely heated.

A barrage of potent energy shots and space-locking fields trapped the fleeing strange vessel.

Bang!

The bizarre ship's defenses flared wildly but finally buckled under the combined assault from both top-tier fleets, exploding in a thunderous crack.

Still, its frame proved tough beyond measure, not breaking apart right away but just decelerating, as faint old runes glowed on its skin in a desperate fightback.

"Take it alive!" Tan Jiwen commanded.

"Gain possession!" The Yanhuang Consortium pressed just as hard.

Ships from both parties closed in fast around the prize, nearly crashing amid the surging rivalry.

In the end, a Star Destroyer from the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family, aided by better agility and a dash of fortune, fired the first heavy-duty alloy snare net, wrapping the helpless odd ship in multiple layers.

"Objective secured!" reported the team under Tan Jiwen's lead.

The Yanhuang Consortium captain's expression soured briefly but soon steadied, remarking offhand:

"Finish off the stragglers, then log battle damages and gains."

He realized chasing the dispute further served no purpose. Though the fleet held only Tan Family and Yanhuang Consortium members, it was common knowledge that the Five Great Superforces watched every clash across the River System Communities closely.

Starting infighting amid outward conquest or fights would draw swift judgment from the top court of the Five Heavenly Pillar Forces, leaving no side untouched.

Following a quick sweep of the field, the rewards from this trap were promptly inventoried.

In the Heavenly Eagle Tan Family fleet's strategy channel, Tan Jiwen's eyes gleamed with hard-to-hide excitement as he scanned the new haul report from his kin.

His focus locked on the top-ranked prize in the inventory, already set as the clan's prime bargaining chip for swapping the next Mixed Elemental Infinite Pill.

By comparison, the Yanhuang Consortium drew much poorer fortune. While their captures included solid finds, none reached the level to wow a Mythical Immortal Captain.

PS: Welcoming ideas for the Fifth Empire's title. Stuck between a couple choices right now.

Dragon Spine Divine Dynasty, New Song Dynasty.

Thoughts from you all, fellow readers?