《Global Transmigration: Empire of the Stars》 Chapter 1 - The Wandering Hunter Chapter 1: The Wandering HunterLin Zhichen piloted the Haiyan-class frigate, cautiously navigating through the asteroid belt. The hundred-meter-long metal hull weaved through the asteroids like a swimming fish, with the nearest meteorite only a mere hundred meters away. In the vastness of space, this distance was almost negligible. The densely packed meteorites and the sluggish starship resembled a hunter with a gun cautiously advancing through a dark forest, where every step was a matter of life and death. This was the solar system, within the asteroid belt between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. Three years ago, this was a tranquil expanse of starry sky, devoid of human presence except for the occasional noise from meteor collisions. But now, this was a hunting ground, where the roles of hunter and prey weren¡¯t fixed and could switch at any moment. Three years ago, the entire solar system suddenly transmigrated to a new universe. One day, the tens of billions of natives on Earth woke up to find themselves with personal panels¡ªjust like NPCs in a game. Before the panicked people could regain their composure, a starship filled with a sense of science fiction already arrived in Earth¡¯s outer space orbit, bringing greetings from the Human Federation to the natives. Fortunately, the humans of this universe were no different from those of the original universe in terms of genes and appearance. The bewildered Earthlings, overnight, ascended from natives who had not yet left their home planet to civilians of the interstellar era. Then they discovered the peculiarities of this universe¡ªnot only did everyone have personal panels, but NPC wild monsters and pirates with spaceships would also appear in the starry sky. These pirates, though lacking in intelligence, were far more dedicated than normal people. They wander the starry sky all day long, and once they spot a lone starship, they swarm it, often leaving the victims with nothing but ruins. However, when they encounter a powerful fleet, they keep their distance, making them extremely troublesome. This was the normal ecology of the new universe, detailed on the Federation¡¯s star network. In the endless sea of stars, in regions untouched by intelligent beings, the brainless ones that appear were as dense as meteorites, enough to make any intelligent life shudder. This special situation resulted in massive casualties when exploring star regions. Every colonial star system was built upon the lives and wreckage of starships. The solar system was very fortunate because it transmigrated to the edge of the Human Federation, exchanging places with a normal star system. The desolate planets suddenly became habitable, and with tens of billions of natural humans, it immediately drew the high attention of the Federation government. A defense fleet was quickly assembled to maintain the stability of planetary order. After a brief transition, the United Nations was upgraded to the Earth Autonomous Government, joining the Human Federation as a whole and receiving support from the Federation, transitioning from a primitive industrial planet to the interstellar era. Due to the threat of NPC wild monster fleets, the intelligent life nations of the new universe¡¯s galaxy place utmost importance on fleet construction. The Federation even distributed star network helmets to Earth¡¯s populace for free. In a virtual world similar to the metaverse, every citizen could receive professional skills training and obtain corresponding professions. Lin Zhichen chose to be a captain, as commanding a starship to roam the starry sea was his dream. The benefit of this profession was that if one could achieve an ¡°A¡± grade or higher in the graduation exam, they could receive a standard frigate from the Federation for free upon graduation. The long interstellar journey inevitably made him restless, and the unchanging view of asteroids outside the porthole caused his mind to wander. He opened his personal panel: ¡°Name: Lin Zhichen (Light Red) Gender: Male Age: 21 Talent: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Purple): Effect 1: Effort leads to rewards, skill practice will improve; Effect 2: Members within the faction enjoy the influence of this talent Psionic (Awakening Degree 99.93%, Not Activated) Profession: Captain (White, Advanced): Effect 1: Ship Evasion +8%; Effect 2: Sub-light Speed +5% Skills: 1: Cultivation * Refining Qi into Spirit (Red, 99.93%) 2: Ship Command (White, Advanced 78.42%) Evaluation: A weakling with boundless potential!¡± S~?a??h the N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Just a little more!¡± he encouraged himself inwardly, feeling the faint sense of weakness in his body, and suppressed the urge to continue cultivating. The prerequisite for refining Qi into Spirit was refining essence into Qi. Where did essence come from? Essence was the innate primordial essence. People consume grains and metabolize them, with a daily limit. After maintaining the body¡¯s normal needs, only a tiny bit remained. Lin Zhichen recalled his past life, though the memories were already blurred. He vaguely remembered that it was during the late Ming Dynasty. He was cultivating with his master in a Taoist temple in the desolate mountains. Due to his exceptional talent, he became a great Yin God cultivator in just sixty years, and was only a step away from becoming a Yang God. However, when the Qing soldiers entered the pass, they destroyed the mountains and temples. The Taoist temple was burned to the ground, and his master and junior brothers died in battle. He was the only one who managed to escape after a desperate fight. With resentment in his heart, he knew that the great trend of the world favored the Qing over the Ming. So, he made a desperate attempt, intending to pass through the tribulation of the Yang Fire and become a Yang God True Person, an achievement unseen in a hundred years, to battle the true dragon of the human world. However, he was reduced to ashes in the sea of fire, with only a trace of his Yang God consciousness traversing time and space, arriving several hundred years later. The new world was already in the Dharma-ending age, lacking any soil for cultivation. He spent eighteen years, with the help of a trace of the Yang God prototype, barely managing to cultivate into a Yin God, still far from his previous life¡¯s cultivation, let alone the Yang God path. Unexpectedly, at the age of 18, the solar system transmigrated¡­ ¡°It seems that the moment I achieve the Yang God will be when I awaken my psionic abilities!¡± Excited in his heart, he suppressed his emotions. The psionics of the new universe were different from the cultivation of the old era. Even newly awakened psionics could interfere with the physical world, and creating a nuclear bomb by hand wasn¡¯t a dream. In comparison, only those who reached the Yang God realm in ancient cultivation could interfere with matter. No wonder cultivators in the past were chased by the government like dogs, while psionics in this world hold noble status and are respected wherever they go. But now he had a greater reliance. As a gift from arriving in the new universe, every Earthling can obtain a talent panel that displays their personal information. Among them, 15% of Earthlings acquired talents, a rate much higher than the 5% reported by the Federation government. The talent levels start from gray and white, followed by five levels: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue, with the talents improving as the levels progress. Based on the color sequence, it was speculated that there should also be green, cyan, blue, and purple levels, but there had never been any information about this on the star network. His talent, Heaven Rewards Diligence, was purple, which, even according to speculation, was the highest level. Such a high talent made him afraid to reveal it, and he cautiously completed virtual learning three months ago, graduating with an ¡°A-¡± rating and obtaining a frigate. Fortunately, as long as one never wished to, the personal panel could be completely disguised. Now, it was like a dragon freed from its shackles, swimming in the vast sea. Although intelligent beings in the new universe could see their skill proficiency through the panel, the learning and practice of skills were no different from the original universe. Effort didn¡¯t necessarily lead to progress, and skills could regress if not practiced for a long time. The panel merely provided a reference. ¡°Captain, we have a situation!¡± The radar observer¡¯s report interrupted his reverie. He stepped forward and saw several small red spots flickering on the radar. This was the marker of an unknown vessel, with a size no larger than his frigate, meaning the ship¡¯s length didn¡¯t exceed 200 meters. Chapter 2 - First Battle Chapter 2: First Battle¡°Can you tell what it is?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°Captain, it¡¯s pirate raiding boats! Three in total,¡± the radar observer replied confidently. Lin Zhichen quickly began to think. Pirate raiding boats were small pirate ships that appeared, with a ship class equivalent to that of a frigate. Of course, as the weakest wild monsters, pirate raiding boats were measured by civilian ship standards. Although their size was not much different, they were not comparable to professional warships like frigates. He opened the frigate¡¯s panel. ¡°Haiyan-class Frigate I Dimensions: Length 183 meters, Width 56.1 meters, Height 21.5 meters Hull Value: 300 Armor: 0 Shield: 150 Shield Recharge Rate: 1% + 1% + 1% Damage: 7.46 Speed: 160 Evasion: 60.3%¡± The Haiyan-class Frigate I had three standard weapon cores: the Sentry Core, which focused on fleet defense; the Missile Core, which focused on offense; and the Interceptor Core, which he was using, with three S-slot weapon slots. It was said that the Missile Core was the best for solo combat because it could be equipped with torpedo launchers, which were powerful weapons for small ships. However, torpedoes were too large, and a frigate couldn¡¯t carry many of them. After a single battle, it might need to return for resupply, which was not suitable for a solo player like him. One had to consider that a single trip from the asteroid belt to Earth took over 20 days. In comparison, S-slot laser cannons or railguns did not have this drawback. ¡°One against three, it¡¯s a bit risky, but as long as the tactics are used well, it¡¯s worth a try.¡± Thinking this, he looked at his crew. ¡°Name: Gunner DQXJPS** (Human, White) Gender: Male Age: 19 Profession: Gunner (Junior) Talent: Bombardment (Gray): Kinetic Weapon Range +1% Precision (Gray): Kinetic Weapon Accuracy +1% Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Junior 0.21%): Firing Speed +10%, Bombardment Damage +10% 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Apprentice 1.23%): Range +50% Evaluation: A double-talent piece of trash!¡± Just as wild monsters could appear, according to Federation regulations, civilians could also purchase various refreshed NPC assistants from clone stores. As a free gift from the Federation, the frigate¡¯s crew naturally did not include any exceptionally talented individuals, but at least they weren¡¯t completely talentless; they all had some talents. With empty pockets and no family to support him, Lin Zhichen, who grew up in an orphanage, was used to making do with what he had. ¡°Three gunners, all junior level.¡± He felt a bit helpless. If he had family support during his studies, he could have purchased a batch of crew members in advance and then entered the virtual world to learn how to pilot the ship. Although skill learning was slower in the virtual world compared to the real world, he wouldn¡¯t be stuck at the junior level now. Without wallowing in self-pity, he knew that having a purple talent was already an excellent start. He commanded the ship¡¯s pilot to steer the frigate deeper into the asteroid field. According to the radar display, he chose a battlefield and hid behind an asteroid, shutting down the engines and lying in wait. As the most basic wild monsters, the pirate raiding boats had poor configurations, and their radar range was far inferior to that of the frigate. So, when Lin Zhichen commanded the frigate to finish its ambush, the pirates were still completely unaware. It wasn¡¯t until an hour later that three gunboats, with uneven surfaces and faint rust spots, slowly approached. They were completely unaware of the lurking frigate, as their outdated radar couldn¡¯t distinguish between alloy and asteroids. ¡°Charge the ship¡¯s cannons and prepare to fire!¡± Lin Zhichen ordered calmly. The three NPC gunners quickly activated the ship¡¯s cannons, charging them while rotating the turrets to aim at the pirate ships. If they were facing a regular army at this moment, the opponent¡¯s radar would have already detected the electromagnetic changes caused by the frigate¡¯s energy activation. However, the pirate raiding boats had no reaction and swaggered into a relatively open area, which was precisely the burial ground Lin Zhichen had chosen for them. ¡°Aim¡­ Fire!¡± From a distance of one light-second, three small electromagnetic railguns fired simultaneously. ¡°Zzzzzt~¡± The three projectiles, accelerated by the electromagnetic rails, instantly reached sub-light speed and shot towards the three pirate raiding boats. A little over a minute later, the results of the first volley came in¡ªall three electromagnetic projectiles missed their targets! Even the closest shot missed the pirate ship by a hundred meters! Lin Zhichen remained calm, having anticipated this situation, given the distance of one light-second, which was 30 kilometers. Such a long distance far exceeded the optimal range of the electromagnetic railguns. According to the virtual ship training descriptions, the optimal range for this model of railgun should be 0.3 to 0.5 light-seconds, two to three times shorter than his current distance. At this moment, he focused on the skill bars of the three gunners. Under the influence of the Heaven Rewards Diligence talent, the progress of the ultra-long-range bombardment skill was rapidly increasing. ¡°Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Junior 0.42%) 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Apprentice 1.56%)¡± ¡­ ¡°Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Junior 0.56%) 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Apprentice 1.73%)¡± ¡­ ¡°Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Junior 0.71%) 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Apprentice 1.87%)¡± ¡­ ¡°Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Junior 0.85%) 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Apprentice 2.36%)¡± The small electromagnetic railguns completed a charge cycle every 3.45 seconds, and the frigate completed a bombardment cycle every 4 seconds. In just one minute, they fired 15 volleys, totaling 45 alloy projectiles! Under such a dense barrage, even an apprentice had a chance to hit the target. After missing three consecutive volleys, the radar finally showed a hit marker. In the starry sky, the pirate raiding boats, still leisurely drifting, had no idea they were in the midst of a storm. It wasn¡¯t until an alloy projectile, traveling at sub-light speed, pierced through the electromagnetic deflection shield and struck the hull heavily. The fragile hull was directly torn open, with shattered alloy fragments scattering. S?a??h the ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Taking a moment to glance at the radar, Lin Zhichen was delighted to find that with one hit, the progress of the NPC gunners¡¯ ultra-long-range bombardment skill surged by 3%! It was only then that the clueless pirates seemed to wake up from a dream, hurriedly stopping their ships, activating their radars, and scanning the surrounding starfield. But they quickly discovered, to their astonishment, that there was nothing but asteroids within their radar range. Believing that the enemy ship was hiding, the unwilling pirates frantically flew in evasive maneuvers while firing at suspicious asteroids around them. The result, of course, was fruitless. Apart from receiving more hits, they still had no idea where the enemy was hiding. Ultra-long-range bombardment was akin to being a sniper among artillerymen. These gunners, attacking from the edge of radar visibility, were elite within their tier. They had to make rapid judgments based on the radar¡¯s vague feedback to determine the enemy¡¯s evasive direction and plan where the current projectile would land a minute later. Chapter 3 - Spoils of the War Chapter 3: Spoils of the WarThree minutes later, the second and third shots hit their targets. By this time, the pirates finally figured out where the projectiles were coming from and started heading towards the frigate¡¯s hiding spot. But at a distance of one light-second, and within the asteroid belt where they couldn¡¯t travel at full speed, it would take the pirate boats at least a few minutes to reach the frigate. Round after round of electromagnetic projectiles flew through space, and one of the pirate boats, having been hit repeatedly, was severely damaged and had to slow down. It immediately became the focus of the three gunners¡¯ concentrated fire. After just five more volleys, the pirate raiding boat, having been hit by nearly ten electromagnetic projectiles, reached its final moments. A burst of sparks erupted on the battlefield, tearing the entire ship into pieces. At the same time, Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes lit up. At the moment the gunboat was destroyed, one of the gunners finally gained enough experience, and the ultra-long-range bombardment skill advanced from apprentice to junior level, increasing the hit rate. With one gunboat lost, the remaining two were subjected to even more bombardment. Four minutes later, the second gunboat was destroyed. The last remaining pirate ship finally saw the culprit¡ªa frigate hidden beside an asteroid, quietly extending three gun barrels and launching projectiles. By this time, both sides reached the optimal range, significantly increasing the hit rate. The pirate raiding boat was equipped with two red laser turrets and one electromagnetic railgun. The advantage of the laser cannon was its high speed and sustained burning damage, but its drawback was its short range, making it useless at this moment. The only electromagnetic railgun fired, but the electromagnetic projectile struck the asteroid in front of the frigate, creating large craters. Asteroids primarily composed of silica couldn¡¯t block the electromagnetic projectiles for long, but they provided enough cover for the frigate to unleash its firepower. The gunners, whose bombardment skills had reached intermediate level, achieved an 80% hit rate in several consecutive volleys. Just four rounds of concentrated fire sent the last gunboat to join its companions. With a dazzling burst of light, this small-scale ambush finally came to an end. ¡°Name: Gunner DQXJPS** (Human, White) Gender: Male Age: 19 Profession: Gunner (Intermediate) Talent: Bombardment (Gray): Kinetic Weapon Range +3% Precision (Gray): Kinetic Weapon Accuracy +2% Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Intermediate 11.34%): Firing Speed +15%, Bombardment Damage +15% 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Intermediate 5.64%): Range +150% Evaluation: A double-talent piece of trash!¡± ¡°Indeed, it must be actual combat for growth to be fast enough!¡± Lin Zhichen smiled. The skill improvement even enhanced the talents. If he were to ambush in his current state, the last pirate raiding boat wouldn¡¯t have had a chance to get close. Apprentice was the term for beginners, while reaching an intermediate level often required a person to work for 2 to 3 years. With his talent¡¯s bonus, just one real battle was enough. He believed that after a few rounds of combat, he could train a group of elite crew members. With the battle won, it was time to clean up the battlefield. The frigate emerged from behind the damaged asteroid, weaving through space like a fish, and quickly arrived at the pirate ship¡¯s wreckage. A faintly glowing white object stood out, immediately catching the crew¡¯s attention. The frigate moved closer to it. The new universe was similar to a game, where defeating enemies also yielded loot, which floated in the form of faintly glowing objects on the wreckage of the ships. The frigate¡¯s damage control crew, wearing conspicuous white spacesuits and jetpacks, rushed out from the cabin and quickly retrieved the loot, then were pulled back by the ropes attached to them. After two trips, Lin Zhichen was pleasantly surprised to find that the three pirate raiding boats had yielded two pieces of loot. This was a rare jackpot. Generally speaking, the longer a star region was developed by intelligent life, the lower the drop rate. In the prosperous star regions of the Federation, the drop rate even fell to a few percent, making the loot from a major battle insufficient to cover the cost of ammunition. In newly developed star regions, the drop rate was much higher. According to statistics, the drop rate in the solar system was about one in five. This time, it was clearly above the average. ¡°A red laser turret, junk that can only be sold for money,¡± Lin Zhichen remarked, unable to suppress a smile. Despite its outdated performance, this small red laser turret had a standard market price of 9 units of universal alloy. Universal alloy was a term for white-quality metal alloys, used to build frigates, destroyers, and ordinary civilian ships. Of course, the quantity and craftsmanship varied, resulting in different performance levels. In the interstellar era, currency was anchored to energy. Energy points could be considered the Federation¡¯s currency, universally accepted within the Human Federation and all its affiliated human nations. One hundred million energy points equaled one unit of energy currency. The value of one unit of universal alloy typically ranged between four and five units of energy currency. The selling price of this red laser turret was 30 to 40 energy coins. Just this turret alone was worth the return trip. He then looked at the other piece of loot, a floating piece of paper. ¡°A frigate blueprint!¡± Lin Zhichen was stunned for a moment before confirming that he hadn¡¯t seen it wrong. A frigate blueprint was a ship design diagram and also a type of authorization, unique to the new universe. Only with a blueprint could engineers process materials into the corresponding products. Without it, no matter how many materials or how advanced the technology, they couldn¡¯t manufacture the item. This was a form of restriction. S?a??h the N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. The price of a blueprint typically accounted for more than 50% of the construction cost. A standard frigate cost 100 units of universal alloy to build, so this blueprint was worth over 200 energy coins. ¡°Such a dilemma~¡± Should he keep it for personal use or sell it? Shaking his head, he didn¡¯t make a decision immediately. Having spent nearly a month traveling from Earth to the asteroid belt, it wasn¡¯t feasible to retreat after just one battle. It was too early to decide. After spending nearly an hour gathering the loot, the frigate set off once again. Flames erupted from the engines, and the massive ship embarked on its journey once more. ¡°Captain, there¡¯s a holographic communication from Earth. Should we connect?¡± the radar observer asked. Thanks to the construction of spaceports, the entire solar system was within the range of quantum communication. Anywhere within the Federation, as long as one was within the range of a quantum communicator, real-time communication was possible. ¡°Can you see the caller ID?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°It shows that it¡¯s your friend, Wei Peng,¡± the communications officer reported. ¡°Put it through.¡± Sitting in the captain¡¯s chair made of soft metal, specially processed so that the metal layer acted like a sponge cushion, it automatically adjusted to fit the sitter¡¯s shape, providing the best experience. ¡°Big brother!¡± An equally proportioned holographic projection appeared in the captain¡¯s cabin. He turned around, seemingly observing the structure of the command cabin: ¡°How does the maiden voyage feel? Is it the same as the virtual classroom?¡± With a burly build and a fierce appearance, Wei Peng was determined to become the strongest ground forces commander in the galaxy, the Federation¡¯s mightiest cannon fodder. Chapter 4 - Distress Signal Chapter 4: Distress Signal¡°Not the same at all.¡± Lin Zhichen reclined lazily in his chair, complaining, ¡°I thought the Federation¡¯s virtual technology was so advanced that it could realistically replicate human sensory experiences. Turns out it¡¯s all used for close-range interactions, completely useless for learning about ship operations!¡± S?a??h the ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It¡¯s not that exaggerated, right? At least you can get a feel for the atmosphere of space battles.¡± Another person projected into the room. Wu Tianyi, with a calm demeanor and mature personality, was known for his steady and methodical approach to commanding starship battles, excelling at turning small victories into major wins. ¡°You¡¯ll know if you try it. Where¡¯s Ah Ke? Still in the virtual classroom?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°I¡¯m here, big brother.¡± Lin Ke¡¯s tall and slender figure appeared, his expression gloomy, giving off an unapproachable vibe. However, those who knew him well understood that he was warm-hearted beneath his cold exterior. Lin Zhichen: ¡°The exams are coming up, right? How¡¯s the preparation going?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already finished the exams. I got a B+ rating, Ah Ke got a B, but Da Peng¡¯s army assessment got an A, ranking him among the top in Earth¡¯s army cadets,¡± Wu Tianyi replied. ¡°Well done, Da Peng!¡± Lin Zhichen praised. ¡°I remember that those who get an A- or above are usually recruited by the Federation, right?¡± ¡°I turned it down. I want to follow you, big brother!¡± Wei Peng said with a goofy smile. ¡°According to the regulations, I¡¯ll be granted a small military transport ship and a fully organized regiment of clone soldiers!¡± In the interstellar era, the government¡¯s control over society reached unprecedented levels. Given the increasingly deteriorating living conditions and to foster a spirit of initiative among the populace, the Federation opened up one-star army recruitment permissions to its citizens. There was no need to worry about an overflow of weapons like in some free countries on Earth. The level of government control in the interstellar era was beyond ordinary imagination. In the event of a potential war outbreak, all military forces within planetary surface areas would be temporarily reclaimed and placed under the command and control of the planetary ground defense forces. If even the ground defense forces found it challenging, there was always the core of the defense forces¡ªthe interstellar fleet. In this era, the difficulty of rebellion was unimaginable. Those capable of successfully rebelling wouldn¡¯t be hindered by a mere army. ¡°Tianyi, it¡¯s a pity. If you continued studying for a while longer, you might have had a chance to get an A rating,¡± Lin Zhichen said with some regret. ¡°I know my own talents. Without your help, big brother, I would have struggled to even get a B rating,¡± Wu Tianyi shook his head. ¡°Continuing to study would be pointless. It¡¯s better to graduate quickly and join you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I just finished a battle and got a frigate blueprint. Maybe when I return, you¡¯ll all have your own ships,¡± Lin Zhichen encouraged. ¡°What? Big brother, you¡¯ve already finished your first battle?¡± Lin Ke was surprised. ¡°Big brother, send me the battle video. I want to study it.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Lin Zhichen agreed casually. ¡°Find a place on Earth to train the NPC crew members. I¡¯ll contact you when I get back.¡± He quickly ended the communication, packaged the previous battle information, and sent it, continuing to command the ship as it navigated through the asteroid belt. He found that this near-real combat practice significantly accelerated skill growth. He had not reached the advanced level by graduation, but now he was close to advancing to expert. Freely traversing the starry sky, the asteroid belt was like algae floating at the bottom of a river, and the frigate was like a nimble fish, freely swimming through the cosmos. During this monotonous voyage, both Lin Zhichen¡¯s captain profession and the ship professions of the other NPC crew members visibly improved. This aimless search was very tedious. If it weren¡¯t for the visibly increasing skill bars, Lin Zhichen would have almost decided to stop and surf the internet. ¡°Awakening will happen in the next couple of days.¡± After finishing another meditation session, he looked at the nearly complete progress bar on the panel and felt a sense of anticipation. Psionics and ordinary people belonged to completely different tiers, with extraordinary powers creating an insurmountable gap. To say nothing of other aspects, just look at the famous generals and marshals of the Federation¡ªnone of them were ordinary people. They were all evolved beings. Unlike the proclaimed equality on Earth, the Federation government in the interstellar era was starkly hierarchical, with clear distinctions between commoners, citizens, and noble citizens, each with distinct rights and powers. Commoners had the right to vote, but only citizens had the right to be elected and the opportunity to become lower and middle-level government officials. Noble citizens were the highest tier in Federation society. Only at this level could one become a planetary governor or even run for Federation president as a senator. Leaving NPCs aside, natural persons could initially obtain commoner rights. To gain citizenship, one had to either accumulate enough contributions or complete an evolution¡ªbecoming a Psionic, a gene evolver, or a mechanically modified cyborg, all of which were viable paths. Psionics relied on talent, a gift from the heavens, something ordinary people could only envy. In the new universe, there was no place for traditional cultivators, so no one knew that ancient cultivation methods could also awaken Psionic abilities. Gene evolvers were most likely to achieve life transcendence on the battlefield. Unless one was a reckless madman or a fearless warrior, it required countless battles to stimulate oneself and the consumption of large amounts of genetic drugs to succeed. The place with the most such individuals was the Federation Army, widely known as the cannon fodder camp. Cyborgs, on the other hand, abandoned their human identity, leaving only their brains immersed in nutrient fluid, commonly known as ¡°canning.¡± They lost all emotions and could only rely on precise sensors for perception, something not everyone could accept. Therefore, despite having three paths, less than 20% of the entire Federation population could obtain full citizenship. Among them, most gained citizenship through exceptional technical skills, earning wealth through their work. Another crucial point was that only citizens could order starships from the Federation¡¯s shipyards. Even the most basic engineering ships or transport ship captains had to be Federation citizens. People like Lin Zhichen and his companions, having completed professional training, graduated directly into the citizen class, starting at a higher level than others. Of course, the difficulty of studying for a profession like a captain was incomparable to other professions. It could only be said that Lin Zhichen¡¯s talent was sufficiently strong. ¡°Captain, we have a situation!¡± The radar observer¡¯s voice echoed in the command cabin, and the atmosphere inside the ship immediately became tense. ¡°What situation?¡± Lin Zhichen quickly stepped behind the radar operator and looked at the radar screen. ¡°It¡¯s an emergency communication! Our ship has received a distress signal!¡± the radar observer alerted. ¡°Distance and enemy information!¡± he asked succinctly. ¡°The target is 3 light-seconds away from our ship, in the 7 o¡¯clock sector,¡± the radar observer quickly reported. ¡°The distress target is a Seagull-class Frigate I, and the enemies are five pirate raiding boats!¡± ¡°No wonder they need to flee. Send a communication request!¡± Lin Zhichen ordered. Chapter 5 - Rescue, New Skill Chapter 5: Rescue, New SkillUnder normal circumstances, a Seagull-class Frigate I could hold its own against three pirate raiding boats simultaneously. However, against five, even escaping would be difficult. ¡ªFirstly, because pirates had the advantage of the asteroid belt¡¯s unique terrain. Secondly, pirate ships generally reduced their armor to increase speed, making them specialized for raiding. The communication was quickly connected, and a handsome blond man appeared on the communicator. ¡°Hello, I am Kadier Rockefeller from the North American region.¡± The blond man was all smiles, as if he wasn¡¯t the one sending a distress signal but merely preparing to attend an ordinary evening party. ¡°Lin Zhichen, East Asia region.¡± Lin Zhichen frowned slightly. He saw certain traits of an aristocratic scion in this person, and considering the Rockefeller family¡¯s notoriety, his background was obvious. As hidden aristocrats of the old era, these individuals possessed a long-term vision and boldness that ordinary people lacked, thanks to their excellent noble education. As early as the first contact with the Federation, these old aristocrats began planning for the future, sending large quantities of Earth¡¯s antiques to auction houses to exchange for considerable resources. They also trained family members, purchased starships, and actively transitioned to the interstellar era. If it were just that, they would at most be considered pioneers embracing the new era. However, after training enough captains and forming family fleets, they revealed their old-era greed. Taking advantage of the protection period after joining the Federation, they made extensive purchases of advanced industrial equipment, aiming to monopolize key sectors like energy and heavy manufacturing. In the solar system, those prime ¡°refresh points¡± where lone pirates frequently appeared were also being meddled with, leading to rumors of ¡°monster snatching.¡± There were certainly some false accusations among them, but expecting a tiger to eat grass was clearly unrealistic. The new era also brought new opportunities, and no amount of cake was enough to go around. Giants like the Rockefellers, who took an extra share now, would take ten more in the future as they grew, naturally arousing the vigilance of those with foresight. S~?a??h the ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry to bother you, but I need your help!¡± Kadier Rockefeller said earnestly. ¡°Five pirate raiding boats are chasing me, and I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t hold out for another two hours!¡± ¡°Sounds quite serious. How do we calculate the rescue reward?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°All the spoils of war will be yours, and I¡¯ll also give you an additional 100 energy coins!¡± Kadier Rockefeller directly threw out a trump card: ¡°My only request is that you ensure the safety of me and my ship!¡± ¡°That sounds very sincere. But can you tell me how you ended up encountering these pirates? Don¡¯t tell me it was a coincidence. You should know that a frigate¡¯s onboard radar range far exceeds that of pirate boats!¡± Lin Zhichen pressed further. Kadier Rockefeller, who had been quite calm, was momentarily stunned by the question. He then frowned and said, ¡°Sir, isn¡¯t that irrelevant to the rescue mission?¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s a big secret?¡± Lin Zhichen squinted his eyes. ¡°I can wait and see what happens to you. There are only about 300 captains on Earth right now, and I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll be lucky enough to encounter a second one!¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Kadier Rockefeller¡¯s face immediately turned cold. ¡°Buddy, curiosity killed the cat! 200 energy coins, just for you to hold off the five pirate boats!¡± ¡°Is 10 years of your life only worth 200 energy coins? Three months of intelligence logs plus 500 energy coins!¡± Lin Zhichen demanded bluntly. In the new universe, natural persons had an advantage: upon death, they would lose ten years of their lifespan and then respawn at the nearest friendly base to the place of death, until their lifespan was completely exhausted. Kadier Rockefeller¡¯s face darkened, and he stared coldly at Lin Zhichen through the holographic projector. Lin Zhichen remained unfazed, quietly waiting for the other¡¯s response. He was in no hurry. The silence lasted for a few minutes before Kadier Rockefeller finally couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and gritted his teeth, saying, ¡°Deal!¡± Soon, after signing an electronic contract, a video file was sent over, and Lin Zhichen was pleased to see an additional 500 energy coins in his Federation bank account. This was a substantial sum, enough to rebuild a new ship with the frigate blueprint. ¡°We¡¯ve got a job, let¡¯s move!¡± Lin Zhichen commanded his crew with satisfaction, rapidly heading towards the signal source. An hour later, the signals of the frigate and the pirate raiding boats appeared on the edge of the radar. Without any intention of risking his life to save others, the frigate stopped at the edge of the radar¡¯s one-light-second detection range. The three electromagnetic cannons turned and began charging. ¡°Prepare, aim, fire!¡± At Lin Zhichen¡¯s command, three sub-light-speed alloy projectiles were launched, and every four seconds, another round was charged and fired. At this moment, an urgent communication broke in, and Kadier Rockefeller¡¯s furious figure appeared above the holographic device, shouting angrily: ¡°Damn it! I asked you to hold them off, not to hide like a coward from afar! Don¡¯t forget we¡¯ve already signed a contract. If I go down, you won¡¯t have it easy either!¡± ¡°Calm down, buddy. The world is so wonderful, yet you¡¯re so irritable,¡± Lin Zhichen said calmly. ¡°Soon, you¡¯ll see that this world is full of miracles!¡± In fact, there was no need to wait long. A pirate raiding boat was soon hit by an electromagnetic projectile, exploding into a ball of fire. The unfortunate pirate ship had no evasive measures and was directly hit by nearly ten projectiles in five consecutive waves, exploding into a fireball on the spot. It was evident that after the last combat training, Lin Zhichen¡¯s gunners had made significant progress, achieving sniper-level accuracy in this long-range bombardment. ¡°My God!¡± Kadier Rockefeller stood dumbfounded, staring at the radar in shock. After the first pirate raiding boat was destroyed, the second and third raiding boats were damaged and slowed down, soon lighting up the starry sky with the second and third bursts of light. Those were the explosions of nuclear fission reactors, illuminating a vast area of space. At this moment, Lin Zhichen watched the panel with delight as the three gunners made significant progress in a very short time. ¡°Name: Gunner DQXJPS** (Human, Light Red) Gender: Male Age: 19 Profession: Gunner (Advanced) Talent: Bombardment (Light White): Kinetic weapon range +7%; Precision (Light White): Kinetic weapon accuracy +6% Skills: 1: Bombardment (White, Advanced 12.14%): Firing speed +20%, Bombardment damage +20% 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Light Red, Advanced 7.28%): Range +200% 3: Precision (Light Red, Intermediate 84.15%): Bombardment accuracy +30% Evaluation: Trust me, he would never chicken out when making a move!¡± In a short period, not only did two key skills improve, but his talent also underwent a transformation. More importantly, an additional Precision skill emerged, directly increasing bombardment accuracy, which explained the significant leap in hit rate! Within a short time, three raiding boats were consecutively destroyed. The remaining two pirate boats seemed terrified and actually turned around in space, preparing to flee. Chapter 6 - Psionic Awakening Chapter 6: Psionic Awakening¡°Trying to run!¡± Lin Zhichen was now unwilling to let the enemies escape. The frigate set off, chasing after the pirate ships. At this moment, Kadier Rockefeller had already regained his composure and was looking at Lin Zhichen with a peculiar gaze. ¡°Why are you still here? What are you staying for?¡± Feeling uncomfortable under the stare, Lin Zhichen frowned and asked. Kadier Rockefeller¡¯s frigate had suffered extensive damage from the pirate boats¡¯ attacks. If Lin Zhichen had arrived ten minutes later, he would have witnessed a free fireworks show. ¡°Sir Lin Zhichen, I must admit that I underestimated you,¡± Kadier Rockefeller regained his composure, a noble smile appearing on his face: ¡°No matter how exceptional a person is, they are insignificant in the vast universe. We need unity to survive. In fact, humanity has reached the stars precisely because of our organizational abilities.¡± ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Lin Zhichen chuckled. ¡°Lin, join us! My father is the head of our family. If you are willing, I can recommend you to immediately become the captain of a destroyer!¡± Kadier Rockefeller said earnestly: ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about the benefits. The Rockefellers never treat their friends poorly!¡± ¡°No thanks, I¡¯m used to working alone,¡± Lin Zhichen waved his hand. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll get back to work.¡± Seeing that Lin Zhichen¡¯s attitude was firm, Kadier Rockefeller didn¡¯t persist. He maintained his perfect smile: ¡°Then, I look forward to our next meeting!¡± The holographic communicator shut off, and the damaged frigate turned around without hesitation, flying out of the asteroid belt. Meanwhile, the two fleeing pirate boats were also turned into space debris, their shattered hulls colliding with asteroids, making the starry sky even more chaotic. ¡°Noble scion, huh?¡± Lin Zhichen mused. To be honest, he didn¡¯t have any ill feelings towards Kadier Rockefeller. Such individuals were much better at dealing with people than ordinary folks. But the conflict between them was over interests. The solar system was only so big; if someone took more, others would have less or even starve. Don¡¯t think that the vastness of space means there are places to go everywhere. In reality, truly safe areas were overcrowded, and the threshold for pioneering into uninhabited star regions was too high, something Earthlings couldn¡¯t even dream of at this stage. If it weren¡¯t for the Federation¡¯s protection policy, which prohibited non-military combat ships from other star systems from entering for ten years, Earthlings wouldn¡¯t have any room to rise. ¡°Let me see what secret you¡¯re hiding!¡± s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. While cleaning up the battlefield and collecting the spoils, Lin Zhichen watched the video. Soon, after fast-forwarding through the video, Lin Zhichen fell silent. No wonder Kadier was so quick to send over the navigation log; it turned out it involved a micro pirate base! In the wild, NPCs had a small chance of directly spawning pirate bases or even more powerful rebel bases. Alternatively, an increase in wild monster ships could lead to the establishment of a base once they reached a certain number. Generally, these bases were located in uncharted outer star regions, where the long-term spawning and gathering made their numbers appear large. Once a wild monster base was established, it became a fixed spawn point, periodically spawning starships of the corresponding faction. If left unchecked, the number of starships would increase, and the base would gradually expand outward and upgrade, meaning the spawn point would grow larger. Once they reached a certain level, they would wage war against all non-affiliated forces within the star system, wave after wave, fearlessly. There were rumors on the star network that in the dark star regions outside of Federation control, some wild monster bases even ruled entire star systems, attacking any ship that crossed their territory. ¡°Can¡¯t take it down!¡± Lin Zhichen muttered, assessing the pirate base in the video. The towering turrets stung his eyes. The turrets mounted on such bases had power and range far exceeding those of ships, certainly beyond what a frigate could handle. The base¡¯s radar also far surpassed shipborne radar. Even with pirate-level technology, the observation range was much greater, making it impossible for a small frigate to covet such a base. At the end of the video, a swarm of pirate ships was closing in, surrounding the frigate. ¡°We¡¯ll have to target the patrol fleet!¡± A micro pirate base might have a few pirate gunboats comparable to destroyers, but these simplified warships were much slower than a frigate. If they couldn¡¯t win, they could at least escape. By now, the spoils had been collected. Lin Zhichen looked them over; there were no surprises this time, just a small electromagnetic railgun, the same model as the three turrets on his ship. ¡°Not bad, another few dozen energy points in the bag!¡± Lin Zhichen chuckled and commanded the ship to head towards the location of the pirate base. He once again entered seclusion, this time aiming to break through the most critical juncture. In just two days, the process of transforming the Yin Spirit into the Yang Spirit had reached its final stage, with the progress of refining Qi into the Spirit approaching 100%¡­ Suddenly, as if reaching a certain threshold, the Yin Spirit trembled violently, almost collapsing. Yet, in the originally closed and dim room, it was as if a sun had suddenly risen, casting warm golden light that illuminated the entire command cabin. Witnessing this extraordinary scene, even the emotionally detached NPC crew members couldn¡¯t help but frequently turn their heads. ¡°After two lifetimes of cultivation, the Yang Spirit is finally achieved!¡± At this moment, a wondrous scene appeared within the ship: two ¡°Lin Zhichens¡± manifested simultaneously. One was seated cross-legged on the transformed captain¡¯s chair, while the other stood in mid-air. To an ordinary person, it would be impossible to tell which was real and which was not. With the achievement of the Yang Spirit, he had officially stepped onto the path of immortality. In ancient mythology, at this level, a cultivator would perform external deeds of merit, awaiting the completion of their cosmic duties. Once their merits were fulfilled, they would receive a celestial decree from the Heavenly Court, ascending to immortality. In other words, the Yang Spirit was akin to a demigod. Even if the physical body was abandoned, the spirit could still remain in the world for a long time. Before Lin Zhichen could reflect further, at the moment he achieved the Yang Spirit, his personal panel underwent a transformation. ¡°Name: Lin Zhichen (Light Red) Gender: Male Age: 21 Talent: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Purple): Effect 1: Effort brings rewards, skill practice leads to improvement; Effect 2: Members within the faction benefit from this talent. Psionic: (Awakening 100.0%, beginning to awaken¡­) Profession: Captain (White, Expert): Effect 1: Ship evasion +14%; Effect 2: Sub-light speed travel +12%; Skills: 1: Cultivation * Refining Qi into Spirit (Red, 100.0%); 2: Ship Command (White, Expert 12.54%) Evaluation: A fighting rooster among roosters!¡± ¡°Whoosh~¡± Without any wind, it was as if an invisible flame was burning Lin Zhichen. The Yang Spirit, which had been standing in mid-air, fell and merged with his body. At this moment, the vague sense of a grand presence he had felt before now broke through the barrier. He finally touched this great will, truly entering the realm of Psionic abilities. Chapter 7 - Encounter Chapter 7: EncounterThe Yang Spirit¡¯s mana, having completed its transformation, underwent another change. Psionic energy surged from the void, pouring into his body and merging with his mana. It was as if raw iron was being forged into steel, refining the Yang Spirit¡¯s mana further into pure Psionic energy¡ªthe most mysterious and incredible force in this new universe. Vaguely, an inexplicable feeling washed over him, as if he had sensed something. He was about to extend his primordial spirit to touch it, but the sensation vanished in an instant, leaving Lin Zhichen feeling a sense of loss. The conversion process was swift. Within just a few breaths, the slight mana leakage from the transformation had converged and dissipated. The golden glow that had enveloped Lin Zhichen¡¯s body finally subsided, and he returned to his normal state. At this moment, his personal panel had evolved. The originally milky white name had completely turned crimson, signifying personal transcendence and recognition by the universe. In the panel, the talent ¡°Psionic¡± had been replaced. ¡°Name: Lin Zhichen (Red) Gender: Male Age: 21 S?a?ch* Th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Talent: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Purple): Effect 1: Effort brings rewards, skill practice leads to improvement; Effect 2: Members within the faction benefit from this talent. Psionic (Red, Apprentice 90.01%): Effect 1: Awakens Psionic abilities; Effect 2: Skill learning speed +10%; Gate of Time and Space (Blue): Opens once a month, searches for time-space imprints, and opens temporary instances. Profession: Captain (White, Expert): Effect 1: Ship evasion +14%; Effect 2: Sub-light speed travel +12%; Skills: 1: Cultivation * Refining Qi into Spirit (Red, 100.0%); 2: Ship Command (White, Expert 12.54%); Psionic Energy: 106 Evaluation: A fighting rooster among roosters!¡± ¡°Finally, I¡¯ve become a Psionic,¡± Lin Zhichen said, raising his hand casually. An invisible yet tangible force moved with it, lifting everything in the command cabin¡ªfrom a tiny speck of dust to fully armed crew members. With a slight effort, he set everyone back down. ¡°The maximum output is at least a ton of force. I just don¡¯t know how many tons I can lift.¡± Such power, with just a light squeeze, could crush an ordinary person into a pulp, leaving no intact body behind. It was no wonder that even in the interstellar age, governments used welfare and status to appease Psionics. After all, this power was something Psionics earned for themselves. With psionic energy surging, his body rose into the air. Even as an apprentice, he could freely soar through the skies. Feeling the faint connection to an unknown entity within himself, Lin Zhichen realized that it was the Psionic Realm, a place countless Psionics dreamed of. Through this mysterious link, he could continuously draw psionic energy to nourish himself, driving the evolution of his life. The slight consumption from his earlier attempt to lift heavy objects was easily replenished, with more energy circulating within his body, gradually increasing his psionic capacity. As long as a Psionic¡¯s stamina was sufficient, they could fight endlessly without fear of depletion. ¡°Even a Psionic apprentice can gain a lifespan ten times that of a normal person!¡± The baptism of psionic energy was akin to the mythical Immortal Pool from his previous life. An ascended Yang Spirit master only needed to bathe in its waters to shed their mortal form and achieve an immortal body, granting them eternal life. According to authoritative scientific reports on the interstellar network, Psionics undergo a transformation upon awakening. Their cells were infused with psionic energy, their genetic information became more stable, and their lifespan was extended by at least ten times. If they continue to cultivate, their lifespan would increase even further. Therefore, in the galaxy, regardless of the race, Psionics were indisputably part of the elite class. ¡°What is this newly appeared Gate of Time and Space?¡± he wondered, recalling the faint perception he had during his awakening. He felt both surprised and puzzled. ¡°Could it be that awakening psionic abilities grants new talents?¡± This talent had appeared so inexplicably that it left him feeling a sense of unreality. He wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with the concept of time-space instances. This was part of the new universe¡¯s refresh mechanism, equivalent to temporarily opening a subspace where an event serves as the main storyline, leading to an open-ended game. After some thought, he decided not to activate the talent immediately. Having just awakened, he hadn¡¯t even had time to consolidate his power. Mastering his psionic abilities as quickly as possible was the top priority. While the group was celebrating the good news, an ear-piercing alarm sounded in the newly constructed spaceport above Earth: ¡°Warning! Warning! Psionic reaction detected in the Jupiter asteroid belt, suspected psionic awakening.¡± ¡°Warning! Warning! Psionic reaction detected in the Jupiter asteroid belt, suspected psionic awakening.¡± ¡°¡­¡± The continuous alarm echoed repeatedly in the research lab. The researchers, who were discussing an experiment, were startled. Someone immediately stepped forward to open the records and check the feedback from the psionic detector. On the holographic map, they saw a clear psionic wave rapidly spreading out in rings from a central point, expanding to one light-second away in a short time. ¡°What a strong psionic shockwave! This newly awakened Psionic must have already reached the high apprentice level. To have such a level right after awakening, their talent must be exceptional!¡± the researcher in charge of the observation exclaimed. ¡°Hurry, report to the Federation Psionic Association immediately!¡± a scientist stood up and reminded. ¡°The universe truly favors this planet. In just three years, more than twenty Psionics have been born! Gaia above, this is truly incredible!¡± The Psionic Association was a direct unit of the Federal Government, under the jurisdiction of the Upper House. It was an organization specifically established by the Federal Government to coordinate and manage Psionics. At this moment, Lin Zhichen was unaware of this. He was busy mastering his own power, and the pirate base was now within sight. ¡°Seven pirate raiding boats, and one pirate gunboat!¡± Lin Zhichen observed the pirate patrol team in front of him, falling into deep thought. The pirate gunboat was comparable to a destroyer, even if it was a civilian version. Its size alone meant that its main cannon and radar far exceeded those of a frigate. According to conventional tactics, he should be turning around and retreating at this point. ¡°Target the raiding boats first!¡± After patrolling the area for a while and confirming that this star region only had this one fleet, Lin Zhichen began to choose the battlefield and prepare his tactics. Surveying the battlefield was crucial because no one knew if enemy reinforcements might suddenly arrive during the heat of battle, often leading to disastrous outcomes. This was a mistake that a competent captain must avoid. For long-range sniping, the most dangerous targets were not the large pirate gunboats but the high-speed raiding boats. Hiding behind an asteroid belt, he charged and fired the electromagnetic cannon. The sub-light-speed electromagnetic projectile quickly traversed the distance, reaching one light-second away in no time. This time, unlike the ambush on the raiding boats, the patrol team led by the pirate gunboat began to move and execute emergency evasive maneuvers even before the projectile hit. ¡°Did the radar on the pirate gunboat detect the trajectory of the electromagnetic projectile?¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s heart tightened, and he immediately became vigilant. Chapter 8 - Guerrilla Warfare and Gains Chapter 8: Guerrilla Warfare and GainsSure enough, while evading, the pirate fleet began to turn towards the location of the frigate. Since their radar detected the incoming projectile, backtracking its trajectory could naturally lead them to the hidden enemy! NPCs might be simple, but they weren¡¯t brainless. ¡°Trouble!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes flickered as he looked at the radar display of the spatial terrain, starting to consider the subsequent guerrilla warfare. Once the enemy was on alert, the effectiveness of long-range bombardment was significantly reduced. He already noticed the flaw in this tactic: ¡°If I were to team up with Ah Ke and Tianyi, and all three frigates employed long-range bombardment tactics, the dense barrage would be enough to eliminate them halfway.¡± So even elite forces needed sufficient numbers; otherwise, they would be worn down by the sheer volume of enemies. It was important to remember that NPC wild monsters were endless. While pondering this, Lin Zhichen kept his eyes fixed on the battle. As expected, against a prepared enemy, the crucial first round of bombardment didn¡¯t achieve the anticipated results. It wasn¡¯t until the seventh round of bombardment that the first raiding boat was destroyed. In the explosion¡¯s aftermath, the remaining pirate ships immediately scattered, moving towards the surrounding asteroids. With the pirate gunboat¡¯s radar monitoring and shared intelligence, the frigate¡¯s position was now exposed. The pirates could now spread out, using a skirmish line and the cover of asteroids to surround the frigate. This was completely different from the previous raiding boat formation, which didn¡¯t detect the enemy at all. ¡°Then let¡¯s have a guerrilla war!¡± Lin Zhichen chuckled, and the frigate¡¯s engines roared to life, propelling it deeper into the asteroid field. In the distance, a second burst of fire erupted¡ªthat was the raiding boat hit by the previously fired projectile. Now the score was 6:1. The frigate weaved through the asteroid cluster like a nimble fish. If one were to zoom out and view the battlefield, it would be clear that this terrain naturally limited the speed of both sides. Besides the engines, the coordination of the crew determined the speed of the starships. And in this aspect, Lin Zhichen had no fear! Perhaps due to the excitement of battle, the experience gained from routine navigation training had been relatively slow, but now it was like a waterfall cascading down, with skill progress rapidly updating. Half an hour into the chase, the frigate¡¯s pilot NPC¡¯s skill had advanced to expert level! ¡°Name: Warship Pilot DQXJJSY** (Human, White) Gender: Male Age: 18 Profession: Warship Pilot (Expert) Talent: Warship Piloting (White): Warship Evasion Rate +9%, Sub-light Speed +5% Skills: 1: Ship Piloting (White, Expert 1.42%): Sub-light Speed +21% 2: Obstacle Evasion (White, Expert 24.47%): Speed through Complex Environments +23% Evaluation: Akina Mountain Drift King!¡± The rapid passage enabled by the Obstacle Evasion skill allowed the frigate to navigate the asteroid belt with ease. Despite being a larger vessel, the frigate achieved a speed that left the pirate raiding boats far behind. With a speed advantage over the enemy and a longer range, the chase quickly turned into a counterattack. Utilizing the high-speed maneuverability, the frigate under Lin Zhichen¡¯s control acted like mounted archers, periodically firing a volley of shots towards the rear. The awakening of his psionic abilities brought enhanced senses. Although he couldn¡¯t fully control them, he could vaguely perceive fleeting moments of opportunity. During these moments, the crew, following his orders, would fire without the frigate coming to a halt. Ordinarily, the hit rate in such conditions would not be high. However, radar detection revealed that with their close coordination, this near ¡°blind firing¡± achieved a hit rate of 60%! The small tungsten alloy projectiles, traveling at sub-light speed, easily penetrated the electromagnetic deflection shields. The pirate raiding boats, with their civilian-grade hulls, were easily torn open, resulting in immediate explosions. S?a?ch* Th? ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Under Lin Zhichen¡¯s almost cold command, the entire frigate operated like a finely tuned machine. Orders were executed immediately upon being issued, with efficiency elevated to the peak of human capability. The frigate glided through space like a nimble fish, elegantly side-slipping to evade incoming electromagnetic projectiles. The sharp sixth sense brought by his psionic awakening allowed him to react several seconds before danger struck. The benefits of having an excellent crew quickly became apparent. The ship moved as if it were an extension of his will, operating efficiently and smoothly. In this near-perfect state, the skills of the crew members rapidly improved. In just one hour, they completed the leap from advanced to expert level in their professions. According to the Federal Human Resources Department, individuals with advanced professional skills make up about 40% of the total population, while expert-level talents are often less than 6%. Even within the Federal Fleet, the crew members on this frigate were considered elite. Under normal circumstances, they would be reassigned to battleships or even flagships as elite skilled personnel. At this moment, through the combined efforts of the crew and Lin Zhichen, the hit rate of the electromagnetic projectiles had reached 70%, with pirate ships being hit from time to time. One explosion after another lit up the space, and after two hours, only the intact frigate and a solitary pirate gunboat remained in the area. At this point, the battle became simpler. After all, combat wasn¡¯t solely determined by the size of the ships. The frigate was like a hunter with a shotgun, hunting an enraged elephant in the jungle. A shotgun couldn¡¯t kill an elephant with a single shot, but a nimble hunter could use long-range weapons to slowly drain the blood of their prey. Just like now, one electromagnetic projectile after another struck the pirate gunboat, while the enraged enemy¡¯s retaliatory shots were in vain. Lacking the necessary skills and never having trained for long-range bombardment, their projectiles missed the target by a wide margin. The shots passed kilometers away from the frigate, occasionally kicking up clouds of dust on the asteroids. After an hour, the gunboat, which had been hit by more than fifty projectiles, finally let out its last cry in the starry sky, transforming into a blazing fire that illuminated the cosmos. The battle was over. Lin Zhichen, who had been continuously stimulating his brain with psionic energy, felt a wave of dizziness as he relaxed and slumped into the captain¡¯s chair. ¡°Damage control, collect the spoils! Clean up the battlefield and leave immediately!¡± This was within the patrol range of the pirate base. Once the battle started, the enemy would have definitely reported the attack to the base via their communication devices. It was foreseeable that fleets were already being dispatched from various locations. If they didn¡¯t leave in time, they would likely face a siege by hundreds of pirate ships. A day later, having recovered, Lin Zhichen began calculating the gains. ¡°A small red laser turret, a frigate blueprint, and a large electromagnetic railgun turret!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw the large electromagnetic railgun. The technology behind the large electromagnetic railgun was essentially the same as that of small and medium electromagnetic railguns. The main difference was that the large electromagnetic railgun had greater power and a higher cost. Chapter 9 - A Date with No Second Thoughts Chapter 9: A Date with No Second ThoughtsThis large turret could only be installed on destroyers equipped with a giant ship cannon bow. It sacrificed one medium turret and two small turret weapon slots to replace them with a single large main cannon, opting for extreme firepower. Being hit by such a large cannon would make even a cruiser cry out in pain. Of course, for Lin Zhichen, the most important aspect was its high value. The market price of a large turret was typically four times that of a small turret, costing 36 units of universal alloy, which was nearly 180 energy credits¡ªalmost a third of the cost of a frigate. ¡°Feng Shui treasure land!¡± At this moment, Lin Zhichen was no longer considering the increased difficulty and danger brought by the pirate fleet; he was already enticed by the abundant rewards. With a ship full of expert-level crew members, the combat power of this frigate had already surpassed that of a standard military destroyer. If a Federal destroyer were to engage this pirate patrol fleet, poor tactical execution could still lead to a defeat, and even a victory would not come without damage. ¡°How much ammunition do we have left?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°Captain, we have 63% of our ammunition reserves remaining, but our fuel is running low, with only 43% left!¡± the pilot glanced at the gauges and replied. Lin Zhichen frowned slightly, feeling a bit troubled. His standard frigate had a relatively low configuration, still using a first-generation nuclear fission reactor. With this setup, pure electric propulsion wasn¡¯t quite feasible; it required some krypton gas or similar material to be accelerated by an electric field and expelled at high speed to generate thrust, thereby propelling the starship. Once the propellant was exhausted, the ship wouldn¡¯t move regardless of how much energy it had, and they would have to wait for rescue. The nuclear fission reactor had a long service life, but the frigate¡¯s onboard supply of krypton propellant was limited and now clearly insufficient. ¡°Returning to base requires 15% of the fuel, leaving us with a 20% reserve. We still have 23% of our reserves available for use, which should be enough!¡± Gritting his teeth, Lin Zhichen commanded, ¡°10%! As long as we find the next pirate patrol within a 10% propellant consumption, we won¡¯t have to spend over 20 days returning to Earth. Let¡¯s push a bit harder, everyone!¡± ¡°Yes, Captain!¡± The crew immediately sprang into action. The engines roared to life, and the frigate headed deeper into the asteroid belt. Three days later, while still commanding the frigate, Lin Zhichen suddenly received an unfamiliar communication. ¡°Hello, is this Mr. Lin Zhichen?¡± A Federal Government official appeared on the holographic communicator. ¡°It¡¯s me. And you are?¡± Lin Zhichen asked, puzzled. ¡°Hello, Mr. Lin. I am a staff member of the Earth Autonomous Government. May I take a moment of your time to verify something?¡± the other party asked politely. ¡°Of course, go ahead,¡± Lin Zhichen replied, glancing at the identity verification displayed on his holographic wristband and confirming that the person was indeed a government official. ¡°May I ask if you completed your psionic awakening and became a Psionic three days ago?¡± the official inquired. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. ¡°Congratulations, Mr. Lin! Please forgive our efficiency. Due to a shortage of personnel and the high number of individuals active in the asteroid belt, we only just confirmed your identity through the Federal Academy,¡± the official apologized. ¡°As a newly awakened Psionic, you are required to undergo a routine examination by the Federal Psionic Academy. Please be prepared to receive the relevant communications.¡± The status of being a Psionic is highly valuable, and there are always those who try to take shortcuts and falsify their abilities. Such routine examinations are necessary. ¡°Understood, I will comply,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded slightly. ¡°Thank you for your cooperation. Goodbye!¡± The communication ended, and Lin Zhichen took a moment to calm his emotions. Completing the Psionic identity verification would be immensely beneficial for his future. Before he could think further, a second communication suddenly came through, causing Lin Zhichen to frown as he answered it. ¡°We meet again¡­¡± A holographic projection of a strikingly confident woman appeared. Her jet-black hair was tied into a ponytail, and her charming face couldn¡¯t hide the heroic spirit in her eyes. The crimson military uniform did little to conceal her explosive figure. Her phoenix eyes swept over him, seemingly sparking with electricity, making Lin Zhichen¡¯s heart race. ¡°Liu Manjun, is that you? How did you get my communication signal?¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s right eyelid twitched. ¡°I told you long ago, I would find you sooner or later!¡± Liu Manjun¡¯s face held a faint smile, but her eyes were sharp, clearly indicating her strong-willed nature. ¡°What? Not happy to see me?¡± ¡°Of course not. According to the ¡®No Second Date¡¯ principle, the essence of fleeting love is to be heartless once you succeed. How could I be a sentimental person?¡± Lin Zhichen lounged in the captain¡¯s chair, speaking lazily, completely unaware that her expression had turned icy. ¡°Tell me, who sold me out? Da Peng or Tianyi? Ah Ke shouldn¡¯t be the one¡­¡± S?a??h th? ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°No need to guess. I just saw the verification task posted by the Federal Psionic Association and took it when I saw it was you,¡± Liu Manjun regained her composure, looking at Lin Zhichen with a peculiar gaze. ¡°I always wondered how an ordinary person could defeat a Psionic. Even though the opponent was just a newly awakened rookie, you, a country bumpkin, managed to pull it off. It doesn¡¯t add up~¡± Lin Zhichen was exasperated: ¡°Are you done talking nonsense? If so, hurry up and get lost!¡± ¡°Heh~ I hope you¡¯re still this tough when I find you!¡± Liu Manjun sneered coldly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be there soon!¡± The communication ended, and Lin Zhichen fell into complete silence. He never expected that showing off a bit in a virtual bar would lead to a romantic encounter, which in turn would become a major headache. Wasn¡¯t the virtual world supposed to be just an exchange of electrical signals? ¡°Beep beep~¡± A message came through on his holographic wristband: his Psionic identity had been verified and approved. From now on, he was a registered Psionic with the Federation! ¡°This is serious!¡± Lin Zhichen felt a bit uneasy. This kind of verification carried responsibilities, and if any falsification was discovered, the verifier would also be punished. Liu Manjun¡¯s move was a clear message that he couldn¡¯t escape. ¡°I¡¯ll have to see who you really are,¡± he thought with a hint of anticipation. Although the Federation¡¯s virtual world wouldn¡¯t create absurd situations like cross-dressing men, it was still possible to slightly alter one¡¯s appearance. After all, a person¡¯s real looks could still affect their success rate in virtual encounters. ¡°Beep beep~¡± Three hours later, the communication alert sounded again. Lin Zhichen looked down with a grim expression. It was an unknown holographic call, and the caller ID indicated it was from the Earth Autonomous Government. ¡°Hello, esteemed Mr. Lin Zhichen. Congratulations on your awakening as a Psionic, bringing honor to Earth and to the Central State District! On behalf of the Earth Autonomous Government, I extend our sincere gratitude to you!¡± In the holographic image, a middle-aged man greeted him with a smile. Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes flickered. This was Governor Pikan, currently the head of the Earth Autonomous Government. He had come from the Federal Government three months ago to coordinate the formation of the autonomous government with various nations. According to Federal tradition, for the first five terms after a new administrative planet joins the Federation, the position of the planet¡¯s leader must be appointed by the Federal Government. Chapter 10 - Fleet Commander Chapter 10: Fleet CommanderThis policy was implemented to strengthen the connection between the local and central governments, ensuring that newly joined planets would not break away from the Human Federation due to initial political system issues. His arrival symbolized the gradual dissolution of the old era¡¯s nation-state structure, with Earth joining the Federation as a unified entity. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Governor, and thank you for the support of the Federal Government!¡± Lin Zhichen crossed his arms and returned the Psionic¡¯s salute. Pikan returned the salute and smiled, ¡°According to Federal regulations, Psionics born within the first ten years of a newly joined autonomous planet automatically gain the status of a senator and receive a government position. Mr. Lin Zhichen, in which area would you like to develop?¡± Lin Zhichen raised an eyebrow, ¡°I may have to disappoint the Federal Government¡¯s kind offer. I already have plans for my future and may not be able to take up a government position.¡± He had his own plans for the future and naturally did not want to get involved in politics, especially since it was not his area of expertise. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I hope you can serve as the Commander of the Fifth Fleet of the Earth Defense Directorate!¡± Pikan proposed. Seeing that Lin Zhichen was about to speak, he continued: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, at least for the next three years, Earth won¡¯t have a Fifth Fleet¡ªthe Federal production schedule has been pushed back to five years later. Within the next five years, we will only have at most two fleets built!¡± Seeing Lin Zhichen¡¯s astonishment, Pikan shrugged, ¡°There¡¯s no choice. According to the Federal political system, a significant portion of officials must, in principle, be local natives. However, the government will never arbitrarily elevate a civilian¡¯s authority unless they have indeed made significant contributions to the Federation. This means that for a considerable period, the newly established Earth Autonomous Government will struggle to fill its high-level positions. So far, there are fewer than five hundred citizens on the entire planet, and it is foreseeable that this number will be hard to exceed four digits in the next five years!¡± ¡°But you know, applications for Federal subsidies like planetary defense fleets and industrial aid can¡¯t be approved without the signatures and seals of high-level autonomous government officials. Such benefits are always in high demand, prioritized by urgency. Earth has just joined the Federation and currently has a priority boost, so the sooner we submit applications, the better. ¡°So even if you don¡¯t plan to develop your career in government, for the sake of your future home, please serve as the fleet commander. This position has higher requirements and must be held by a Psionic or another type of evolved individual. ¡ªYou don¡¯t need to worry about the specifics; the autonomous government will handle everything for you. Of course, there¡¯s also a decent salary, which I believe will be quite helpful for someone just starting out!¡± Pikan earnestly requested. Lin Zhichen was stunned, but fortunately, his psionic abilities accelerated his thinking. After a brief moment of surprise, he nodded and agreed, ¡°Alright, your honesty has convinced me. I will temporarily serve as the fleet commander.¡± ¡°Thank you for your understanding and support. If you change your mind in the future, the autonomous government will always welcome you!¡± After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the holographic image was closed, and Lin Zhichen fell into a momentary daze. Had he just inexplicably become a fleet commander? Even if it was just a nominal position, he could already imagine the numerous hidden benefits that came with it! This would inevitably impact his plans, and he would need to carefully reconsider his future strategies. It wasn¡¯t until the ¡°ding~¡± of a notification alert woke Lin Zhichen from his thoughts that he frowned and opened the email. It was the appointment from the autonomous government. ¡°They sure act quickly!¡± He smirked slightly, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. Had he really just ascended from a mere civilian to a fleet commander? He casually forwarded the relevant documents to the Federal Government. The holographic email contained the necessary links, and a simple forwarding action from him would make the process official and legitimate. ¡°Beep beep~¡± Another holographic communication. Seeing that it was from Wu Tianyi, Lin Zhichen opened it casually. ¡°Big brother, what major event did you pull off? How did you suddenly become the commander of Earth¡¯s Fifth Fleet?¡± Wu Tianyi, unable to maintain his usual composure, asked in a shocked voice. ¡°The entire internet is exploding right now; everyone is talking about you!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eye twitched as he opened the Earth Autonomous Government¡¯s star network page, and immediately, a barrage of pop-up windows came rushing in. ¡°Mom, come out and see Superman~¡± ¡°Heavens, a Psionic! Earth has another superhuman who can fly and teleport!¡± ¡°Psionic, lightsaber! Does anyone else think Psionics are similar to Jedi Knights?¡± ¡°Similar my foot! Jedi Knights at most have telekinesis and heightened foresight, swinging a lightsaber around. Have you looked closely at Psionics? Their lightsabers are made by compressing matter to the extreme with psionic energy, causing nuclear fusion, and then extracting the plasma beam with a psionic field. That¡¯s the temperature of the sun!¡± ¡°666~ Handcrafted nukes! Let¡¯s nuke the whole world~¡± ¡°To the person above, although the lightsaber is constructed using nuclear fusion, the amount of material involved in the combustion is extremely minimal. At most, it¡¯s just a large-scale thermobaric bomb!¡± ¡°Wow, a thermobaric bomb is still pretty terrifying, okay~¡± ¡°Psionic~ Psionic~¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Look quickly! The Earth Federation¡¯s homepage has updated the list of positions. A new role has appeared: Commander of the Fifth Fleet of the Earth Defense Directorate. The big shot in the photo is from our neighborhood! I always knew he was different and destined for greatness!¡± ¡°This guy is terrifyingly powerful!¡± ¡°Big shot, mighty and awe-inspiring~¡± ¡°Bow down to the big shot!¡± ¡°¡­¡± As soon as this news broke, the number of views on the star network skyrocketed, doubling in a short period, meaning that at least six hundred million Earthlings had read the information. ¡°¡­¡± Watching the rapid stream of comments from numerous netizens, Lin Zhichen didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ve awakened as a Psionic.¡± After a long pause, he finally said: ¡°Earth has too few talents. To appease the newly joined Earth, the Federation is filling some key positions with Earthlings. As a result, the twenty-some Psionics we have are each filling a critical role, and it¡¯s still not enough, so they pulled me in¡­¡± s?a??h th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. On the holographic projector, Lin Ke and the others exchanged glances. Was that even possible? ¡°Big brother, this is a good thing. If we want to make it in the solar system, we¡¯ll have to deal with the autonomous government sooner or later! Look at any major mercenary group or legion within the Federation; none of them are completely disconnected from government departments,¡± Wu Tianyi consoled. Indeed, there isn¡¯t a single one. Mercenary groups, as armed forces, are always strictly regulated by the military. Unless you have connections at the top, you can¡¯t avoid all sorts of troubles. Lin Zhichen nodded slightly, ¡°It¡¯s just a bit unexpected, that¡¯s all. Regardless, even if the real power is held by the deputy fleet commander sent by the Federal Government, the position of fleet commander is genuine and will greatly benefit our development!¡± Chapter 11 - Relics of Civilization, Dr. Will Chapter 11: Relics of Civilization, Dr. WillThe group nodded. Power was often tied to interests, and in Earth¡¯s unique situation, the Federal Government naturally had measures in place. They wouldn¡¯t truly let someone with no understanding of interstellar warfare command a fleet in battle, so the positions held by Earthlings in various departments lacked real authority. However, as compensation, this batch of Earthlings also didn¡¯t have to bear the responsibilities that would normally come with their positions. As further compensation, they weren¡¯t bound by certain clauses and could freely choose their future development paths. If they were interested in their current roles, they could fully utilize the resources of StarNet University, attending virtual classes to gain the necessary skills until they are competent. ¡°You two have your ships secured. We have obtained two frigate blueprints!¡± Lin Zhichen revealed a slight smile. ¡°We¡¯ve already gathered enough funds for one frigate. Once we return from this trip, we¡¯ll start building the ship!¡± ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re amazing!¡± The group immediately became excited. In this era, starships are a symbol of status. No amount of wealth can compare to the sense of security brought by a tangible fleet. After closing the communication, Lin Zhichen sat in the captain¡¯s chair, quietly gazing at the starry sky. As a Psionic, his heightened senses also brought drawbacks. Whenever Lin Zhichen gazed at the stars, he could vaguely feel an unshakable sense of impending danger. This sense of crisis was as faint as dust, yet it was ever-present, like an indelible shadow pressing on his heart. Only at times like this could Lin Zhichen deeply understand the Federal Government¡¯s military policy. Despite the potential risks, they were distributing starships domestically on a large scale, striving to ignite the public¡¯s yearning for the stars. In this dark universe, no one knew if the hidden darkness would suddenly erupt tomorrow. The current prosperity is merely a fleeting firework before the arrival of darkness. ¡°I am not a saint, but I cannot stand by and watch everything get worse!¡± Looking at the glowing talent on the panel¡ªSpace-Time Gate¡ªLin Zhichen gritted his teeth and activated it: ¡°Once a month, let¡¯s hope for a good start.¡± With a thought, the Space-Time Gate opened. Originally seated in the captain¡¯s chair, Lin Zhichen¡¯s form turned from solid to ethereal, quietly disappearing without a trace. In the vast ocean of information, a certain point was touched, combining with space-time energy, and a subspace quickly took shape. Mountains and rivers, flowers and birds, cities and towns, bustling traffic¡ªa scene of prosperity. In the instance world, Lin Zhichen floated in a liquid stasis pod, receiving a stream of information. Due to his talent, this world took shape naturally, and as a pseudo-creator god, he could obtain certain privileges, such as the complete storyline of the instance world. That¡¯s right, these formed instance worlds are essentially cycles of stories. Each time a story ends, the entire instance resets. ¡°Event Horizon¡­¡± He repeatedly studied the ¡°plot.¡± Simply put, it revolves around a starship named ¡°New Frontier,¡± equipped with the latest technology, a ¡°gravity drive,¡± which went missing during its maiden voyage. Years later, the starship reappeared, having returned from a realm vastly different from the scientific universe. It had transformed into a terrifying lifeform with consciousness, driven by a thirst for slaughter. When the protagonist, Dr. Will, and his team unknowingly boarded the ¡°New Frontier,¡± they were destined to fall into an endless nightmare. ¡°So, if the ¡®New Frontier¡¯ is directly destroyed, the instance will end. The key point is that Dr. Will, as the chief engineer and designer of the starship, has an extraordinary obsession with it, so the action must be carried out without his knowledge.¡± When information is transparent, a Psionic¡¯s power can be fully unleashed. Dr. Will, who had not yet turned to darkness, witnessed the destruction of his life¡¯s work, the ¡°New Frontier,¡± in agony. Of course, in the final blaze, Lin Zhichen used his psionic powers to shield himself from the explosion, obtaining an intact ¡°gravity drive¡± and a grief-stricken scientist¡ªDr. Will. The information from this world informed him that these were the most valuable gains from this instance journey. (This book is not an infinite flow; the instance worlds are not the main focus, but the gains are highlighted.) [Relic of Civilization* Gravity Drive (White) Passive Effects: 1: When equipped on a starship, sub-light speed is fixed at 50% of light speed. 2: Cooldown time for the equipped starship¡¯s hyperspace jump engine is reduced by 50%. 3: Hyperspace jump distance for the equipped starship is increased by 1000%. 4: There is a chance that the equipped starship will enter an anomalous subspace during hyperspace jumps. Upon reappearance, the starship may gain the anomalous status ¡°Slaughter Ship Spirit.¡± Active Effects: 1: When equipped on a starship, sub-light speed is fixed at 90% of light speed. 2: Cooldown time for the equipped starship¡¯s hyperspace jump engine is reduced by 90%. 3: Hyperspace jump distance for the equipped starship is increased by 10000%. Cooldown Time: 1 month] S?a??h the N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the massive gravity drive before him, Lin Zhichen¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Relics of Civilization were miraculous objects of the new universe, their origins unknown, each possessed immense value. According to the scant information available on the star netwok, many Relics of Civilization provide bonuses to entire factions. Imagine a faction with tens of thousands of starships; even a mere 1% boost in a specific aspect would significantly enhance overall strength. Of course, such strategic relics could only be activated one at a time, and they had long cooldown periods. In comparison, the one he obtained could only enhance a single starship, making it a tactical relic with the lowest value. Of course, even though its value was relatively low, for someone just starting out like him, it was already a tremendous gain. This meant that in the initial stages, he could accumulate capital more quickly. Then he looked at Dr. Will, who was in a state of confusion. As the designer of the ¡°New Frontier,¡± he had his own unique talent in starship design. ¡°Name: Will (Human, Yellow) Gender: Male Age: 44 Occupation: Scientist (Master) Talent: Starship Design (Red, +25% starship design capability) Skills: 1: Starship Design (Red, Master 13.12%): +28% starship design capability, allows the design of cruiser hulls, and optimization of cruisers and smaller starships (Note: This skill requires collaboration with a draftsman). 2: Engine Design (Yellow, Grandmaster 13.12%): +33% engine design capability, allows research into warp engines (Note 1: This technology is dangerous and may result in accidents during development; Note 2: Engine blueprints require collaboration with a draftsman). Evaluation: The evil god of subspace is watching you!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve struck gold!¡± This was Lin Zhichen¡¯s first thought upon seeing Dr. Will¡¯s data panel. Generally speaking, the upper limit for the talents of normal people without psionic abilities was red, and the enhancement provided by a red talent was typically between 20% and 25%. If Dr. Will possessed psionic abilities, given his expertise in starship design, he could likely push his talent further, breaking through the upper limit. As he was already a grandmaster-level engine design expert, he could directly transform his talent into a psionic skill, becoming a hero-tier scientist! Chapter 12 - Psionic Warship Chapter 12: Psionic WarshipScientists of this caliber were rare even within the Federation; each one was a treasure of civilization and couldn¡¯t be easily found on the star network. Lin Zhichen was only able to find some introductory information in this field because of his fleet commander privileges; beyond that, there was nothing more. Ultimately, evolutionaries must focus on their skills. For instance, the path of a Psionic involves elevating a particular skill to the level of master or even grandmaster, and then using psionic energy to transcend it into a psionic skill. This kind of skill provides a significant enhancement to oneself, creating a clear distinction between ordinary people and Psionics. Dr. Will was not a Psionic, yet he advanced his skills to the level of master and grandmaster. Such elites were rare even within the entire Human Federation, which span thousands of habitable planets and trillions of people. ¡°It seems that the training and awakening plan for my subordinates needs to be prioritized,¡± Lin Zhichen thought with some regret, but his words conveyed a different message: ¡°Dr. Will, you must already understand the reason behind all this. The star system you were in before was actually just a small subspace, and the vast starry sky was merely a background image. This is the real universe. You have to leave the pond to see the ocean. If you want to build a starship capable of true long-distance voyages, this is a perfect opportunity!¡± Unlike NPCs generated from cloning factories, who may vary in intelligence but uniformly lack emotional intelligence, the people brought out from instance worlds were natural humans. They had hobbies, aspirations, and were no different from the normal citizens of the Federation. Therefore, dealing with these normal people couldn¡¯t be as simple and casual as handling NPCs. Lin Zhichen activated the holographic projection, displaying the appointment from the Earth Autonomous Government: ¡°As you can see, I am the Commander of the Fifth Fleet of the Earth Defense Force. I have some authority, and although we are just starting, the future will undoubtedly place us among the upper echelons of the Federation, enough to support your dreams.¡± Dr. Will was silent for a moment. He looked at the information in the holographic projection, recalling everything from the instance world, as two different sets of perceptions clashed in his mind. After a few breaths, everything became clear. He looked at Lin Zhichen and said, ¡°Commander, I need access to the StarNet to gain a sufficient understanding of the Federation¡¯s technological level.¡± Lin Zhichen nodded, ¡°No problem. I will grant you my access privileges to obtain some internal materials from the Federation Academy of Sciences.¡± ¡°Thank you, Commander.¡± Dr. Will nodded. The technology in the instance world differed significantly from that of the Federation universe. In the short term, he needed to relearn and gain a new understanding of the Federation¡¯s starship manufacturing. Having settled Dr. Will¡¯s situation, Lin Zhichen turned his attention to the last piece of loot, the Slaughter Ship Spirit. ¡°Slaughter Ship Spirit (Light Red) Effect: Imbue a frigate with the spirit, transforming it into a psionic warship. Evaluation: Subspace waste repurposed!¡± The simple description made Lin Zhichen¡¯s heart pound and his whole body heat up. ¡°I¡¯m rich!¡± This was his only thought at the moment. In the new universe, starships were produced through industrial processes (even special starships like biological warships could be considered a form of industry). These starships followed the fixed attributes of their blueprint designs and served various functions. Perhaps by coincidence or miracle, some of these starships had ¡°come to life¡± under unknown circumstances. They could possess psionic abilities, release psionic skills, and even enhance allied ships. The number of psionic warships was far fewer than that of Psionics; their creation was a rare occurrence. According to information disclosed on the star network, the number of officially recognized psionic warships in the Federation didn¡¯t exceed one hundred. Among these psionic warships, most were ¡°small fry¡± like destroyers and frigates. The number of psionic cruisers and psionic battleships, which could truly serve as main forces, was less than twenty. Without exception, they were all flagships of the Federation¡¯s major fleets. The most notable among them was the psionic Titan ¡°Apollo.¡± This super flagship, over 15 kilometers in length, had an already near-perfect foundation. After becoming psionic, it had been piloted by the Federation¡¯s legendary hero, Yang Mi¡¯er, who had a dark gold personal template. This powerful Tier 5 Psionic Sage once piloted the ¡°Apollo¡± during the ¡°War Horn¡± campaign, capturing five habitable planets from the Hottians in one fell swoop. During the campaign, he led the First Fleet to crush an enemy force ten times their size, shaking the galaxy with his might. This unique psionic Titan was also the current symbol of the Human Federation, a national deterrent force. There was a long-standing saying among the major civilizations of the galaxy: not every psionic warship could become a national deterrent force, but those that could become such a force were invariably psionic warships. ¡°Everything is in place now.¡± Lin Zhichen smiled with satisfaction. With a perfect start, his path would be much smoother than those pioneers who had to carve out their way bit by bit in the galaxy. Lin Zhichen took out the Slaughter Ship Spirit. It looked like a faintly glowing orb, quietly floating in the command cabin. It was visible to the naked eye but intangible, like a ghost. While it couldn¡¯t be touched by human hands, it could be reached by psionic energy. With a casual slap, the orb fell to the floor like a rubber ball. On the polished alloy floor, a wave of psionic energy rapidly spread out from the point where the orb fell, enveloping the entire starship in an instant. At that moment, in the spaceport above Earth, the radar monitoring station once again blared with piercing alarms, startling the researchers into a flurry of panic. s?a??h th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Soon, the same researcher from last time checked the information returned by the radar terminal and stood there in shock. ¡°Pier, what on earth is going on?¡± The space station supervisor hurriedly arrived at the hall and asked. ¡°It¡¯s a psionic awakening¡­ no, it¡¯s a psionic warship! Just now, a starship suddenly awakened its psionic abilities!¡± Researcher Pier exclaimed. ¡°Ah~¡± As soon as the words fell, the entire hall erupted in exclamations. If the awakening of Psionics was still relatively common, then the appearance of a psionic warship was a miracle that most people would never witness in their lifetime. ¡°What?¡± The supervisor stepped forward in surprise, personally verifying the data analysis, and hurriedly asked, ¡°Where is the location? Can we determine which starship it is? What model?¡± Researcher Pier quickly operated the instruments while answering, ¡°The target is located in the asteroid belt. According to the main control computer¡¯s records, it is¡­¡± At this point, he suddenly got stuck. ¡°What is it?¡± the supervisor pressed. ¡°The data shows that it is a standard frigate, the flagship of the newly appointed Commander of the Earth Autonomous Government¡¯s Defense Directorate Fifth Fleet, Lin Zhichen. It is reported that he just awakened half an hour ago and is currently in the Jupiter asteroid belt¡­¡± Researcher Pier replied. ¡°Half an hour ago? Could it be that the appearance of this psionic warship is related to the Commander¡¯s awakening?¡± a nearby observing scientist pointed out. ¡°That¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Researcher Pier shrugged. Chapter 13 - Psionic Skill Chapter 13: Psionic Skill ¡°Spatial Jump¡±¡°Could this be the truth behind the appearance of this psionic warship? Currently, the Federation¡¯s scientific community has no definitive explanation for the emergence of psionic warships. This information might provide some insights¡­¡± the supervisor pondered. His rank was higher, and he had heard about some characteristics of psionic warships. Simply put, an originally industrial product gained life and acquired a vague intelligence. Under the control of its captain, it could imprint certain skills, transforming them into psionic skills, greatly enhancing one or even multiple aspects of its capabilities. These changes were incredible compared to the same model of industrial products. However, if viewed from the perspective of psionics, it became more acceptable, as psionics itself was not entirely scientific. ¡°Hurry, report the relevant information to the Federation Military Department and the Academy of Sciences!¡± the supervisor urged. Every psionic warship was a miracle and a cornerstone of the Federation. Of course, at this moment, far away in the asteroid belt, Lin Zhichen was unaware of the impact this news would bring. He was more filled with joy. ¡°Master¡­¡± In his psionic perception, layered echoes reverberated in his ears. Lin Zhichen slightly raised his head, and in his vision, the entire frigate emitted a faint life glow. Coupled with this active psionic communication, there was no doubt that this warship had come to life. ¡°What is your name?¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s psionic energy fluctuated slightly around him. He established a direct mental connection with the psionic frigate, allowing them to communicate their thoughts without speaking. ¡°I don¡¯t have a name,¡± the psionic frigate replied. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll give you one,¡± Lin Zhichen pondered. In his perception, the psionic frigate was like a newborn child, with simple thoughts: ¡°Let¡¯s call you ¡®Qinyuan¡¯.¡± Qinyuan is one of the mythical beasts from ancient times. It was shaped like a bee, the size of a mandarin duck, and its sting could kill birds and beasts, and wither trees. This characteristic was quite similar to a frigate, which, despite its small size, carried a powerful weapon (nuclear missile). ¡°Understood, Master,¡± the ¡°Qinyuan¡± responded. Qinyuan (White) (Seagull-class Frigate I) Dimensions: Length 183 meters, Width 56.1 meters, Height 21.5 meters Hull Value: 300 Armor: 0 Psionic Value: 100 Psionic Armor: 5 Shield: 150 Shield Recharge Rate: 1% Damage: 7.46 Speed: 160 Evasion: 60.3% Psionic Skill: Spatial Jump (Red, Apprentice 0.00%): Consumes 20 psionic points to perform a spatial jump (range 10 light-years), cooldown time: 1 hour ¡°Spatial Jump! It actually awakened a spatial psionic skill!!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. The new universe had a special phenomenon known as hyperspace lanes, which connected every star system in the cosmos, much like natural high-speed highways between star systems. In the new universe, even civilizations that had just emerged from their home planets could use basic gravitational knowledge to build initial hyperspace engines, allowing them to travel faster than light along specific directions using hyperspace lanes. In theory, this would make ¡°Spatial Jump¡± less significant. However, to use hyperspace lanes for interstellar travel, one must reach the Kuiper Belt at the edge of a star system and activate the hyperspace engine within a specific lane range. After traversing to the target star system, the starship would appear directly at the hyperspace lane on the other side. This meant that if you entered enemy territory, you were likely to encounter an ambush by enemy fleets. In other words, hyperspace lanes were both convenient transportation routes and natural fortress defense points. By firmly guarding these points, 99% of enemies could be kept out. At this time, an unrestricted spatial jump became highly valuable. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± could conduct deep-penetration operations behind enemy lines. If this psionic skill could be further elevated to the hero level, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± could serve as the flagship of a small fleet, leading hundreds or even thousands of warships to perform light-year-scale spatial jumps, bypassing hyperspace lanes to launch surprise attacks. The strategic value would be extraordinary! ¡°Wonderful! With this skill, there¡¯s no need to worry about distance limitations!¡± Lin Zhichen became excited, his psionic energy spreading out and merging with the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± At this moment, information about spatial jumps was transmitted to him. It turned out that there were two ways to complete a jump. One was completely random, consuming psionic energy to jump within a 10-light-year radius. This random jump was risky because no one could predict whether they might end up inside a star or even a black hole. The second method was to set a coordinate point and jump according to the coordinates. ¡°Let¡¯s return to Earth!¡± Lin Zhichen input the coordinates just tens of thousands of kilometers from Earth and initiated the spatial jump. The space around the ¡°Qinyuan¡± frigate immediately began to surge, gradually forming a bubble with a diameter of 300 meters. The originally solid hull of the ship gradually became illusory, transforming from solid to semi-transparent. After a minute, the space bubble enveloping the ¡°Qinyuan¡± suddenly disappeared. At this moment, the spaceport radar above Earth sounded once again. When the staff checked in a panic, they were shocked to find that in the space just tens of thousands of kilometers from Earth, a space bubble had appeared out of nowhere. A minute later, the bubble burst, and a frigate appeared in space. ¡°Spatial Jump!¡± the radar station supervisor groaned. ¡°Quick! Inform the Federation military that the newly awakened psionic warship possesses the psionic skill ¡®Spatial Jump.¡¯ Compile the relevant information into a file and send it over!¡± S?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Amid the chaos in the radar room, Lin Zhichen looked at the azure planet close at hand, feeling elated. ¡°This just saved us twenty days of travel! Not bad, not bad.¡± The ¡°Qinyuan¡± docked at the spaceport, and Lin Zhichen summoned a driverless anti-gravity vehicle using his holographic wristband. This was a transportation tool provided by the Earth Autonomous Government, capable of freely traveling between space and the ground. As a high-ranking government official, he could use this public service facility completely free of charge. The silver-gray futuristic vehicle carried Lin Zhichen and his party back to Earth, quickly landing in a courtyard in the East Asia region, far from the city. This was the agreed meeting point for Wei Peng and the others. The descending vehicle had already alerted them, and they were waiting outside. ¡°Big brother, how did you get back so early?¡± Wu Tianyi asked in surprise. Based on the time, even if he had left immediately after the call, he should still be on the way back. ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside,¡± Lin Zhichen said, noticing more and more people looking their way. He headed towards the courtyard. At this time, anti-gravity vehicles were still rare on Earth, and the cost of a single ride was quite high, so few people used them. After briefly explaining the news about the ¡°Qinyuan¡± to them, he brought up the matter of the starships: ¡°Since I got back early, let¡¯s first build Tianyi¡¯s starship. When I return to the asteroid belt, I¡¯ll prepare Ah Ke¡¯s starship!¡± ¡°Big brother, there¡¯s no rush for mine. You should rest for a couple of days first,¡± Lin Ke quickly said. Chapter 14 - Chief of Staff Kataliya Chapter 14: Chief of Staff Kataliya¡°Beep beep~¡± The holographic wristband rang once again. Lin Zhichen looked down; it was another call from the Earth Federation Government. ¡°Connect,¡± Lin Zhichen said, his eyes flickering. His sharp psionic intuition gave him a sense of anticipation, like the moment before a prize is announced. The holographic communicator activated, and a life-sized man in military uniform appeared in the cabin. After scanning the room, his gaze settled on Lin Zhichen. He saluted solemnly and said: ¡°Commander, Chief of Staff of the Fifth Fleet, Kataliya, reporting to you!¡± Kataliya¡¯s appearance was similar to that of a Caucasian on Earth, with a high nose bridge, blue eyes, and a head full of brown hair. ¡°Welcome!¡± Lin Zhichen said in surprise. ¡°The Fifth Fleet has just been established, and we don¡¯t even have a single starship yet. I didn¡¯t expect the Chief of Staff to arrive so quickly.¡± ¡°Wherever Earth is, that¡¯s where my duty lies!¡± Kataliya said solemnly. ¡°Commander, please allow me to report on the preliminary preparations¡­¡± Lin Zhichen waved his hand, interrupting him. ¡°When it comes to the formation and command of the fleet, you are the expert. I¡¯m just a figurehead. The related work will be led by you.¡± At this critical moment when the new administrative star was integrating into the Federation family, the entire Federation government was watching closely. Since he did not intend to enter the system, he naturally would not interfere, to avoid displeasing both sides. He believed that no one would covet the benefits he deserved at this time. Sure enough, upon hearing this, a look of appreciation flashed in Kataliya¡¯s eyes. A smart person is smart because they know what they want and therefore do not do unnecessary things. Although it was their first meeting, he felt a bit of goodwill towards his future partner. ¡°Commander, the Federation military recently sent over a routine survey. I am now representing the Federation Military Department to make some necessary inquiries. Please rest assured, the Federation will not infringe upon anyone¡¯s private property. This is a sacred right granted by the Federation Constitution!¡± Kataliya said solemnly. Lin Zhichen raised an eyebrow, already knowing what the other party wanted to ask. ¡°Go ahead and ask.¡± Kataliya: ¡°Commander, may I ask if the Seagull-class Frigate I you are currently piloting completed its psionic transformation approximately two hours ago?¡± ¡°Yes, I was fortunate enough to receive a treasure bestowed by the universe. The ¡®Qinyuan¡¯ is the best partner,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. ¡°Commander, does the ¡®Qinyuan¡¯ psionic warship possess the psionic skill Spatial Jump? Could you specify its attributes?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lin Zhichen answered. ¡°It consumes 20 psionic points per jump, allowing for a spatial jump within a 10-light-year range, with a cooldown time of one hour.¡± ¡°Understood, the inquiry is concluded,¡± Kataliya relaxed. ¡°Congratulations, Commander, you have gained an excellent combat partner! Relax, Commander, this is just a routine inquiry, although such opportunities are rare.¡± ¡°So quickly?¡± Lin Zhichen was taken aback. ¡°Of course, the ¡®Qinyuan¡¯ is just a frigate. It may be very important for the solar system, but it doesn¡¯t affect the current situation of the Federation,¡± Kataliya shrugged. ¡°Of course, there will be some impact. You will soon receive some conveniences from the military. Don¡¯t hesitate to use them; this is standard practice to ensure that the potential of every psionic warship is not wasted.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. ¡°Commander, as a member of the Federation military, you should enjoy the privileges you are entitled to. These special privileges include two aspects.¡± While speaking, Kataliya operated on his holographic wristband, sending a wave of information directly to Lin Zhichen¡¯s inbox: ¡°One aspect is the Earth military¡¯s mission release system. Some tasks aimed at the general public will be published there. Before these tasks are released, as one of the only five fleet commanders of the Defense Directorate, you have the right to review them in advance! The other aspect is the military¡¯s internal exchange system, where you can exchange for various blueprints and construction materials, including those for Titans, but it requires military merit.¡± S?a?ch* Th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Lin Zhichen felt a stir in his heart. Indeed, only smart people had more opportunities. While it was said that these were the rights of a fleet commander, if Kataliya had delayed for a while or used other excuses, it could have hindered his development. Being assigned to a brand-new administrative star to form a new fleet and getting such a lucrative opportunity, it was clear that the Chief of Staff in front of him held a significant position within the Federation. ¡°Very well, my Chief of Staff, I believe we will have a mutually satisfactory working relationship ahead!¡± After a brief conversation, Kataliya tactfully ended the communication. At this moment, the people in the room exchanged glances, smiles spreading across their faces. ¡°I just noticed that according to my privileges, I can place orders at the Federation military¡¯s shipyard with priority, allowing us to skip the queue,¡± Lin Zhichen said with a smile. ¡°And, the ship prices come with a 20% discount!¡± ¡°Hooray!¡± Wei Peng cheered. ¡°Big brother, we¡¯re going to be rich!¡± Not to mention, at this price, buying ships and selling them at a 10% markup could make a fortune! Of course, such actions would be unethical and could attract the scrutiny of the inspection department. There were many ways to make money, and it wasn¡¯t worth doing something like that. Opening the Federation military¡¯s directly managed shipyard, Lin Zhichen took out the blueprints and directly ordered two frigates. The small laser cannons originally intended to be installed on the ships were not used, making the factory price even cheaper than the market price. ¡°Excluding the blueprints, the military¡¯s frigates cost 360 energy credits each after the discount. Two of them would be 720. If we sell this large electromagnetic railgun, we can pay for them in full right now!¡± Lin Zhichen said with a smile as he proceeded to sell the spoils of war. Including one large electromagnetic railgun, two small red laser cannons, and one small electromagnetic railgun, Lin Zhichen casually sold them to the market. These basic weapons had the greatest advantage of being cheap, and the number dropped by wild monsters every day was not insignificant. Soon, a cargo vehicle sent a communication, docked at the port, and took away the cannons. Meanwhile, a sum of 283.5 energy credits was credited to the account. Adding the friendly sponsorship from Kadier Rockefeller, after deducting the shipbuilding costs, there were still 63.5 energy credits left, enough for a comprehensive resupply. ¡°According to the information from the shipyard, our warships will arrive at the port in about two days. The position of Earth Defense Fleet Commander greatly enhances the priority for shipbuilding!¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°So fast?¡± The others were stunned. What kind of priority was this that could compress a one-month shipbuilding period into two days? The Federation Government¡¯s shipyards had strict regulations on the construction sequence, with certain tasks having priority. Even orders placed later could be moved to the front of the line. His frigates fell into this category. Chapter 15 - High Subsidy Chapter 15: High SubsidyIt turned out that becoming a government official came with such benefits. Even better, the specific affairs didn¡¯t require personal attention; you just needed to collect your subsidy every month. ¡ªApproximately 10 psionic credits, and for at least the next ten years, this subsidy will be paid by the Federation Government. ¡°It must be the Federation¡¯s way of supporting Earth, increasing the priority,¡± Lin Zhichen thought, feeling very pleased. The so-called fairness was just having priority, right? The joy of having privileges was something ordinary people wouldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Big brother, does the military¡¯s exchange list have high-end versions of starships? Even shipborne components would be good!¡± Wu Tianyi reminded. Lin Zhichen patted his head and reopened the holographic system to check. Currently, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was configured with the basic version, and its energy reactor was still a fission reactor, no different from the pirate ships that appeared. ¡°We can exchange for a fusion reactor,¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes lit up after looking for a while. ¡°We can also upgrade to second-generation electromagnetic coil cannons! Improved electromagnetic deflection shields, small gold-ceramic armor, second-generation radar gravity sensors, a full set of second-generation equipment!¡± The output energy of a fusion reactor was 50% higher than that of a fission reactor. With ample power, the ship could support more powerful weaponry and equipment. The second-generation electromagnetic coil cannon had about 30% more power than the first-generation electromagnetic railgun. Replacing all three cannons would nearly double the frigate¡¯s firepower. The improved electromagnetic deflection shield and small gold-ceramic armor enhance defense, with one boosting the energy shield and the other strengthening the ship¡¯s armor. The detection range of the second-generation radar gravity sensor was twice that of traditional radar. This meant that the ¡°Qinyuan¡± and its crew could perform long-range bombardments more effectively, significantly enhancing their tactical capabilities! ¡°Big brother, can we choose a higher generation?¡± Lin Ke asked urgently. ¡°No, the maximum is the second generation,¡± Lin Zhichen shook his head. ¡°Ordinary citizens get standard ships, and those associated with the government can upgrade to the second generation. This is likely a restriction on private armed forces.¡± At any time, the most advanced weapons and equipment were firmly controlled by the government. Without strong support, a regime was just a facade. Lin Zhichen pondered, ¡°The upgrade costs are not cheap. Let¡¯s first replace the most important radar. The Qinyuan is our main force, so it should be prioritized for the upgrade!¡± The others nodded in agreement. This was the most reasonable configuration for now. Calculating the costs, adding second-generation radar gravity sensors to the two frigates would cost 12.96 energy credits. Upgrading the ¡°Qinyuan¡± with a fusion reactor, ion engines, gravity sensors, and three coil cannons would total 72.08 energy credits, leaving them short on funds! ¡°Uh, big brother, maybe we shouldn¡¯t upgrade ours for now¡­¡± Wu Tianyi suggested, but Lin Zhichen interrupted him with a wave of his hand. ¡°No, the radar upgrade is essential for my tactics! I still have the 10 energy credits monthly subsidy from the Federation Government. Wait, it¡¯s become 50 credits?¡± ¡°What?¡± The group was shocked. A subsidy of 50 energy credits means that without doing anything, they could build a frigate in a year! How valuable was 1 energy credit? 1 energy credit equals 100 million energy points (Federation credits). In the interstellar era, resources were extremely abundant, and a meal at a restaurant for an ordinary person costs only 2-3 energy points. 1 energy credit was enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for a lifetime. If that wasn¡¯t clear enough, let¡¯s compare it to Earth. When the solar system first transitioned, the entire Earth¡¯s productivity combined only produced 4-5 units of energy credits and 3-5 units of minerals per month. Building a frigate would take years of accumulation. s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Lin Zhichen¡¯s monthly subsidy now is equivalent to nearly half a year¡¯s output of a newly industrialized planet! ¡°It¡¯s a subsidy for psionic warship owners, including my psionicist allowance,¡± he said, his tone rather complex. He had to admit, he was impressed by the Federation Government¡¯s generosity in throwing money around so freely! No wonder it was the Human Federation Government¡ªtruly extravagant! With money, everything becomes easier. He placed the order directly at the shipyard. The two purchased frigates would be upgraded directly at the factory, while the ¡°Qinyuan¡± would be refitted at Earth¡¯s spaceport. ¡°You guys go ahead and purchase the NPC crew members, just the regular ones. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll take them to the asteroid belt for rotation training. In less than half a month, they¡¯ll become elite!¡± Lin Zhichen reminded: ¡°Use my privileges to buy from the military¡¯s cloning factory. There¡¯s a discount, and they haven¡¯t been filtered, so it¡¯s easier to find some exceptional ones.¡± The group nodded and quickly opened the cloning factory to check the NPC crew members for sale. The cloning factory was where the Federation sold NPCs, and purchases could be made online. Due to the limited growth of the natural human population, even fewer were willing to give up a comfortable life and risk their lives exploring the starry skies and fighting endless NPC wild monsters. To maximize the effectiveness of natural humans, the supplementation of NPCs was indispensable. For example, most natural humans served in important positions like ship captains, while the remaining roles were filled by NPC crew members. This greatly enhanced the combat effectiveness of the Federation fleet¡ªthe main issue being that NPC captains had overly rigid tactics, which could easily lead to friendly fire incidents. Moreover, training high-grade NPC captains was extremely difficult. Virtual world training had its limits, only reaching the basic level. Anything beyond that required real combat experience. Considering the tendency of NPC captains to hinder their own teams, only one in ten NPC captains survived to become high-grade¡ªthis usually meant that at least nine warships and their crews became sunk costs. With that money, it would be better to train more natural human captains! ¡°Big brother, the martial arts technique you taught us¡ªI can now feel a bit of warmth rising in my lower abdomen when I practice,¡± Wei Peng, who was sitting idly nearby, said. ¡°The status panel also shows some changes. Is this what you referred to as refining essence into qi?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lin Zhichen was surprised and quickly grabbed Wei Peng¡¯s hand. ¡°Let me take a look!¡± Psionic energy surged, and sure enough, he detected a trace of qi in Wei Peng¡¯s dantian. Qi, the essence of spirit and energy, governed the body. It was refined from the body¡¯s vital essence. According to the cultivation concepts from his previous life, this was the stage of innate foundation building, the true beginning of cultivation. At this stage, qi circulated throughout the body, refining the blood and marrow, gradually perfecting the physical form. ¡°You¡¯ve entered the path of cultivation,¡± Lin Zhichen said with a smile and a nod. ¡°Although ancient cultivation techniques may not seem powerful, they are, to my knowledge, the only way for ordinary people to become psionicists!¡± The people in the room listened with bated breath, their hearts pounding with excitement. If they had been skeptical before, Lin Zhichen¡¯s own achievement of becoming a psionicist through cultivation had made them all true believers. ¡°Cultivation is a tough journey. If it were solely based on talent, one might practice bitterly for a lifetime without achieving success. Learning it would be in vain,¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°But if combined with my innate talent, it becomes an unparalleled path to greatness!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s talent was their greatest secret, never spoken of openly, and it was the source of their confidence. As brothers who grew up together in an orphanage, they were closer than blood siblings. Chapter 16 - Meteor Mercenary Group Chapter 16: Meteor Mercenary GroupAt this moment, the group was flushed with excitement. Without reaching the upper echelons, one wouldn¡¯t understand the status of psionicists. It could be said that over 70% of the Federation¡¯s renowned heroes were psionicists, while mechanical cyborgs and genetic evolvers make up the remaining 30%, leaving no place for ordinary people. Anyone willing to put in the immense effort to become a captain harbors dreams of becoming a hero of the starry seas. However, the mere requirement of talent alone excludes 99% of people. The harsh reality would show them what it means to be grounded. But now, a shortcut to greatness had appeared! ¡°Big brother, we¡¯ll train! We¡¯ll train to the death!¡± Lin Ke gritted his teeth and made up his mind. ¡°Don¡¯t overdo it! This needs to be done gradually. If you damage your body, all hope will be lost!¡± Lin Zhichen glared at him, concerned. ¡°Don¡¯t rush. Start training slowly. Once we have enough money, I plan to set up a hydroponic farm to cultivate psionic plants. These are as valuable as heavenly treasures, and just one bite will be enough to sustain your training for half a day!¡± ¡°Is there really such a good thing?¡± The group was pleasantly surprised. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ve already taught this body refining technique to my NPC crew members and instructed them to practice it once in the morning, afternoon, and evening each day. Judging by their progress, they might only get started in about a month. By then, they can train alongside you,¡± Lin Zhichen said nonchalantly, leaving the group stunned. ¡°Is that even possible?!¡± Wei Peng¡¯s eyes nearly popped out. ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re planning to cultivate a psionicist army!¡± A psionicist army, the legendary elite special forces of the Federation, was known only by name and never seen. Their infiltration operations were almost always successful, and there was very little information about them online, with much of it being deliberate misinformation. ¡°We¡¯re aiming for great things, and we need capable helpers to achieve them. When your crew members arrive tomorrow, hand them over to me. After a month of training, they¡¯ll be completely transformed!¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°I¡¯ll head to the asteroid belt first. Tianyi, when your and Ak¡¯s ships return, take Dapeng along and join me!¡± S?a??h the ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Big brother, do we have a use for the army?¡± Wei Peng was taken aback by the suggestion. ¡°This time, I found a pirate base. Let¡¯s see if we can take it down in one go!¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°Alright!¡± After some lively discussion, the group dispersed late at night to rest. Early the next morning, Lin Zhichen piloted the ¡°Qinyuan¡± towards the asteroid belt. At first, he didn¡¯t use the spatial jump. He wanted to test the speed after upgrading to ion engines. Combined with the pilot¡¯s navigation skills, the speed was incredibly fast. ¡°The ion engine increased the ship¡¯s speed by 25%, and the pilot added another 26%. The ship¡¯s speed has increased by half!¡± Feeling joyful, Lin Zhichen noted that this was purely the frigate¡¯s own speed. If they used the gravity propulsion system, it would be 50% of the speed of light, which is remarkable for regular travel speed! After a brief test, he didn¡¯t delay further. He pinpointed the coordinates of the asteroid belt and jumped directly to a space area tens of thousands of kilometers away from it. This time, he didn¡¯t let his own crew pilot the ship. Instead, he used the crew members recruited by Lin Ke and the others. They trained while navigating, bumping along towards the pirate base within the asteroid belt. ¡°It seems that my talent works better the closer someone is to me?¡± Lin Zhichen discovered that the skills of his direct subordinates grew rapidly. Even now, their training speed was faster than that of Lin Ke¡¯s recruits¡ªnominally, both Lin Ke and his subordinates were under Lin Zhichen¡¯s command, but the skill growth rate was noticeably different when they were under Lin Ke¡¯s supervision. A week later, the ship encountered three pirate vessels. ¡°Pirate raiding ships, not bad. Perfect for some practice!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes lit up. He was about to order the new crew members to ambush them but then paused. ¡°I remember I¡¯m a fleet commander now, right? It would be a waste to just attack like this!¡± With that thought, he paused and opened the star network to search. Generally speaking, personal forces had two development paths: one was a mercenary group, and the other was a business association. Mercenary groups follow the path of warfare. They took on tasks from employers during peacetime, and some combat missions were also handed out by the military, guiding mercenary groups to complete them. During wartime, they were conscripted by the United Government, serving as reserve forces. Business associations, on the other hand, followed the path of commerce. Initially, they focused on trading across various star systems, transporting and selling products. Later, they moved towards industrial production, such as pharmaceuticals and the cultivation of psionic plants. While these paths seem distinct, there was no clear boundary between them. The difference mainly lied in their focus. ¡°We will follow the path of warfare!¡± This was the established plan. Lin Zhichen directly opened the Mercenary Guild¡¯s homepage to register. As a subordinate unit of the military, the Mercenary Guild naturally had his relevant information. Such an operation would not be allowed on a normal administrative planet, as it would turn into private armies for various military leaders, becoming uncontrollable. However, for newly joined administrative planets, there was exceptional leniency. Soon, a mercenary group named ¡°Meteor¡± was born. There was no need to worry about duplicate names because the leader and other key personnel of each mercenary group serve as its unique identifiers. ¡°Name: Meteor Type: Mercenary Group Level: 1 Military Merit: 0 Task Completion Rate: Members: 1/100 Warships: Psionic Frigate*1 Base: Earth Evaluation: A fledgling novice!¡± A simple mercenary group panel, at the lowest level. Casually pulling Lin Ke and the others in, the mercenary group finally had some members. Not in the mood to look closely at the details, he recorded the pirate information he had just scanned and uploaded it to the military database of the Earth Defense Directorate. Soon, the AI completed the review, and a task list was returned. ¡°Clear Pirates 562 Mission Intelligence: Fleet Size: Micro, initially judged to be three frigates Mission Level: Gray Mission Requirements: 1. Mission Duration: 1 week; 2. Mission Objective: Destroy the pirate fleet Mission Reward: 1 Military Merit, 1 Energy Credit Mission Description: As the solar system integrates into the new universe, the signs of gamification are becoming increasingly apparent over time. Some dangerous pirate fleets have been refreshed, threatening the safety of Earth¡¯s billions of inhabitants and the interstellar trade routes.¡± ¡°Self-sufficient!¡± Lin Zhichen completed the review with satisfaction and casually accepted the mission. This was truly seamless! According to the normal mission release process, the space radar station first scanned the pirate fleet, then sent the information to the military database. The military AI automatically evaluated and reviewed it, followed by a secondary review by a commander or chief of staff-level officer, before finally sending it to the Mercenary Guild¡¯s database to issue the mission to various mercenary groups. Lin Zhichen¡¯s operation designated the mission recipient, bypassing the Mercenary Guild and directly assigning the mission to his registered mercenary group¡ªas a high-ranking officer in Earth¡¯s military, he could directly issue missions. By doing this, not only would he eliminate the three pirate ships, but he would also earn an additional 1 energy credit. Most importantly, he would gain 1 military merit, which could be used to upgrade the mercenary group. Chapter 17 - Luxurious Team Chapter 17:Luxurious TeamUpgrading the mercenary group has many benefits,such as increasing the limit on natural human members.The most crucial point is that only by advancing 10 levels to become a corps can one gain the authority to purchase flagship-class warships from the military! Whether it¡¯s a dreadnought battlecruiser or a heavy aircraft carrier,these are the soul of a fleet and a force multiplier! ¡°Now,take them down!¡±Lin Zhichen ordered with satisfaction. ¡°Zzzt~¡± The electromagnetic cannon charged and fired electromagnetic projectiles across a distance of two light-seconds. Two light-seconds was a distance of 60 kilometers.In space,this distance was quite close,but for the combatants,it felt very far. At least with the pirate ships¡¯radar,they couldn¡¯t even detect the edge of the attack. Even with the new crew¡¯s poor shooting,missing all five consecutive rounds,the pirates continued to patrol leisurely,completely unaware that they were already under the scythe of death. The sixth round finally hit,forcing the damaged pirate raiding ship to slow down,immediately making it an obvious target. After the ninth round of shooting,the pirate ship finally turned into a ball of fire,while its companions were still circling in confusion,unable to even determine the location of the¡±Qinyuan.¡± The power of beyond-visual-range strikes in space combat was evident.Under technological suppression,the enemy couldn¡¯t even find the direction to counterattack. After fifteen rounds of shooting,the newly promoted junior gunners among the NPC crew finally sent the pirates back into the darkness. ¡°Not bad!The training effect of real combat is indeed extraordinary!If we relied on the virtual academy for training,they probably wouldn¡¯t have even mastered the skills by now!¡± Lin Zhichen nodded,but his face showed a contemplative expression.Despite the speed,it was still not fast enough.Time was of the essence. The¡±Qinyuan¡±quickly advanced and retrieved a basic combat computer. As a general-purpose shipborne combat computer,it could enhance the efficiency of basic tactical operations.Its effect was significant in large-scale battles,making it essential equipment for any vessel. This item wasn¡¯t expensive,with a market value of 1 energy credit¡ªbetter than nothing. After tidying up the battlefield,the¡±Qinyuan¡±continued its journey. Two weeks later,after continuously destroying five roaming pirate fleets,the¡±Qinyuan¡±finally encountered a formidable opponent. Through the consecutive battles,Lin Ke and Wu Tianyi¡¯s two groups of NPC crew members had been promoted to senior ranks and were handed over to the trio heading towards the asteroid belt. At this moment,the¡±Qinyuan¡±was manned entirely by elite crew members¡ªa luxurious team composed entirely of expert-level personnel! ¡°Unfortunately,I haven¡¯t learned long-range psionic attacks.With apprentice-level psionics,it¡¯s impossible to project power over tens of thousands of miles,making it difficult to participate in interstellar warfare.¡± In the interstellar battlefield,a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers is considered close combat.Normally,both sides engage at distances measured in light-seconds. Lin Zhichen felt a bit regretful.He had considerable strength,but the time was too short,and he could only utilize a fraction of his potential. But it was enough.After some time training,he found that he could fully use his psionics to deploy a psionic shield,deflecting some asteroids that came close to the frigate. If he could extend this ability,he could potentially deflect incoming missiles targeting the frigate,thereby reducing damage to his side. ¡°Psionics greatly enhance perception,especially the sixth sense-like precognitive abilities.I can now react a full second before danger arrives.¡± One second could be enough time for many things to happen. ¡°Beep beep~¡±The ship¡¯s radar sounded an alarm,immediately drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Reporting,Captain!Target detected in Sector Three,2 light-seconds away from our ship!¡±The radar observer quickly reported,¡±Target fleet consists of five pirate raiding ships and one pirate gunboat,over!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve finally reached the pirate base!¡±Lin Zhichen became serious.¡±Charge along the flank!¡± The¡±Qinyuan¡±quickly turned and headed towards the pirate fleet. Soon,despite the cover of asteroids and interstellar dust,the opposing side detected the approaching¡±Qinyuan.¡±The pirate NPCs quickly realized they were facing the enemy from the rear flank. S?a?ch* Th? ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. This position is extremely dangerous in space combat because the most vulnerable engines are exposed at the rear of the ship.Consequently,the six pirate ships quickly shut down their engines to decelerate,while trying to turn their bows to escape the awkward position. But at this moment,the¡±Qinyuan,¡±accelerating with the help of its gravity propulsion system,had already reached the firing range.It opened fire from a distance of 2 light-seconds,approximately 600,000 kilometers. The weapon fired was a small electromagnetic coil gun.Due to power limitations,the projectiles from this electromagnetic gun traveled at only 30%of the speed of light,meaning it took about seven seconds from firing to impact.This is a drawback of kinetic weapons. Of course,calling it a drawback was relative;it was still better than nuclear missiles.Even in the industrial age,the engines of manufactured missiles fall far short of light speed,requiring at least several minutes of flight time after launch. In this situation,closing the combat distance was the best strategy.While launching the attack,the¡±Qinyuan¡±did not slow its advance at all. ¡°Zzzt~¡± The charged electromagnetic coil gun fired alloy projectiles.After 3.45 seconds of charging,the railgun completed its second charge and launched another wave of three projectiles. After seven seconds of flight,the first three metal projectiles finally reached the target area.Guided by the basic combat computer and corrected by the gunners¡¯skills,the projectiles accurately hit the pirate ships. Although the pirate ships were also frigate-class,their overall performance was inferior to the Federation¡¯s standard vessels.According to star network data,most pirate ships lagged about 20%behind the Federation¡¯s standard fleet in terms of performance. However,this wasn¡¯t absolute.Some pirate fleets from well-established administrative planets had technology far superior to standard warships. ¡°Boom~¡± The electromagnetic deflection shield only slowed the projectiles¡¯advance.The high-speed projectiles then struck the hull. At the moment of impact,the alloy-forged hull armor suffered a severe blow,immediately erupting into three bursts of fire at the points of impact.Countless metal fragments scattered,and the armor was torn apart. Such damage wasn¡¯t enough to cause irreparable harm to the pirate ship.Soon,just over three seconds later,the second wave of three projectiles hit the target again. One after another,the coil gun¡¯s attacks left damage after damage on the pirate ship.The originally relatively smooth side armor of the hull cracked open with one fissure after another. But after all,it was a warship.The sturdy hull structure still kept the pirate ship intact.The three main cannons on the hull turned to aim at the approaching¡±Qinyuan.¡± The six pirate ships had a total of sixteen small main cannons and one large main cannon. The refreshed pirate raiding ships were mostly equipped with interceptor cores,each carrying one matter acceleration cannon and two red laser cannons.The pirate gunboat was equipped with one large matter acceleration cannon and one small red laser cannon. Chapter 18 Chapter 18 S?a?ch* Th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 19 19 S~?a??h the ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 20 20 S?a?ch* Th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 21 21 S?a??h the N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 22 22 s?a??h th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 23 23 S?a??h th? N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 24 24 S~?a??h the ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 25 25 S?a?ch* Th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 26 26 S?a??h the N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 27 27 s?a??h th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 28 - Corps Headquarters Chapter 28:Corps Headquarters¡°This name sounds very familiar~͹(ܳÃóܳ)This big shot is the newly appointed commander of the Fifth Fleet~¡± ¡°According to insider information,this big shot¡¯s battle has been highly praised by the government high-ups.A certain military bigwig believes that this newly appointed commander is growing at an astonishing rate and could very well become the Federation¡¯s new hero!¡± ¡°666~Greetings to the future big shot!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Casually browsing the internet,Lin Zhichen¡¯s upturned lips revealed his pleasant mood,until he received another communication. ¡°Beep beep~¡± The holographic communication activated once again,and Kadir Rockefeller appeared with a beaming smile:¡±Congratulations,my friend.Your flawless performance has completely won me over!¡± ¡°A trivial victory,¡±Lin Zhichen smiled. Kadier Rockefeller clearly did not think so:¡±No,it¡¯s not that simple.According to my military advisors¡¯analysis,the combat power of the¡¯Qinyuan¡¯is not inferior to that of a battleship,and its value on the battlefield far exceeds that of a battleship!¡± S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Lin Zhichen maintained a reserved smile:¡±When will your forces arrive?Approximately when will we start?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,my friend.You¡¯ve already taken down the toughest opponent;leave the rest to me.I won¡¯t let you down!¡±Kadier Rockefeller said confidently.¡±You will get everything you deserve,not a penny less!¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it,¡±Lin Zhichen nodded. After the communication ended,he turned to his companions:¡±Let¡¯s go,we¡¯re heading back to Earth.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t we going to wait?¡±Wei Peng asked,somewhat surprised. ¡°No need.Once they start,it won¡¯t be too late for me to come back.Right now,the most important thing is to train this batch of pirates.I have something good that will come in handy,¡±Lin Zhichen said casually.¡±Next,it¡¯s time for some rest and reorganization.We need some time to digest our gains.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± The journey back was longer than the trip there.Fortunately,each pirate ship was already under the control of the clone army,allowing Lin Zhichen to pilot the¡±Qinyuan¡±ahead of the fleet to prepare for handling the affairs of the twenty-plus pirate ships. There weren¡¯t many personnel¡ªjust over a hundred people across the twenty-three ships,even fewer than the number of clone soldiers under Wei Peng¡¯s command. In the interstellar era,ordinary food items like grains,meat,eggs,and dairy products were abundant and inexpensive,easily sustaining hundreds or even thousands of people. There was no need to worry about accommodations either.Even before Wei Peng and the others set out,the mercenary group¡¯s base had already been selected,and the headquarters building was under construction. The construction efficiency in the interstellar era was enough to astonish even the most fanatical infrastructure enthusiasts.In just over twenty days,a headquarters spanning several hundred acres had been completed,including office buildings,dormitories,a cafeteria,and a virtual military training ground,all ready for occupancy. The base was located in a rural area,hundreds of kilometers from the nearest city.In the interstellar era,unmanned anti-gravity vehicles were widespread,so transportation was not an issue. Earth has only recently joined the Federation,so anti-gravity vehicles had not yet become widespread,and urbanization remains prominent,with populations still concentrated in cities. However,on a significant number of residential planets within the Federation,residents were more dispersed,and the phenomenon of population concentration wasn¡¯t as evident. For Lin Zhichen,purchasing anti-gravity vehicles now cost only a fraction of his resources,so he naturally preferred to choose a location far from the bustling city. ¡°Commander!¡±Led by several base administrators,dozens of management personnel saluted Lin Zhichen in the base parking lot upon his first arrival. This was a military salute,as the Meteor Mercenary Group was,after all,a military force,and its internal management closely resembled that of the military. Lin Zhichen returned the salute:¡±Those in charge,stay behind.The rest of you,carry on with your duties.¡± ¡°Yes,Commander!¡±The management personnel saluted and left in an orderly manner. ¡°Commander,my name is Wei Chenglin.I am the chief administrator of the base,responsible for its normal operations.¡±A middle-aged man stepped forward and saluted.He had a robust build and wore a green military uniform,exuding a strong military presence. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about you from Da Peng.He mentioned that you have a military background?A retired officer?¡±Lin Zhichen asked with a smile. ¡°Yes,Commander!¡±Wei Chenglin replied,but did not specify his position in the military. Lin Zhichen understood and nodded.With Earth joining the Federation and over two hundred countries suddenly merging into one entity,some changes were inevitable.Judging by their demeanor,it seemed that the others were in similar situations to Wei Chenglin. ¡°Commander,I am the head of the base¡¯s industrial department.My name is Xu Wen.¡±A man in his thirties stepped forward.His appearance was slightly different,with gold-rimmed glasses giving him a scholarly look. ¡°Currently,we don¡¯t have many industries,do we?¡±Lin Zhichen nodded in acknowledgment.¡±Manager Xu,do you have any plans?¡± ¡°That depends on your intentions,Commander.Are we preparing some side businesses,or is everything to serve the military?¡±Xu Wen asked in return. ¡°In the early stages,we will focus primarily on the military.If opportunities arise,we can develop some trade and commerce.In the mid to later stages,we will establish industries,¡±Lin Zhichen replied. This was actually based on the development experience of various private corps within the Federation.Maintaining military strength alone was difficult over the long term.Without economic support,a single defeat could cause the entire corps to collapse and eventually disband. There had been many such experiences within the Federation in the past.Therefore,the corps that managed to endure were those that balanced military and commercial interests.If they had the resources,they also invested in industrial sectors,becoming almost like states within a state.In fact,corps that followed this path often end up establishing their own nations,seceding from the Federation to become new human states. The Federation welcomed this situation because it ultimately strengthened the power of civilized society and increased the overall strength against darkness. ¡°May I boldly speculate that the Commander has ambitions to establish a nation!?¡±Upon hearing this,Xu Wen¡¯s eyes lit up,and he asked. In the old era,such thoughts would have been considered treasonous and laughable.However,in this era,it only made people consider whether you had the potential,followed by either praise or ridicule. Lin Zhichen smiled without answering,but the others had their answer.Immediately,the spirits of the responsible individuals visibly lifted¡ªLin Zhichen¡¯s performance in the asteroid belt had already proven that he possessed such potential. In this dark era where the future was unseen,those with vision were all chasing hope,and the only hope in the universe were heroes! ¡°Sir,if that¡¯s the case,our industries couldn¡¯t solely pursue profit.We need to consider some investments in the early stages,¡±Xu Wen¡¯s tone had clearly changed,becoming more respectful: ¡°For example,we need a shipyard that can at least maintain our warships in the short term.To achieve this goal,we need a complete production base, including food production,small-scale general alloy steel,a batch of ship engineers,and so on¡­The prerequisite for all this is that we need more energy credits to support it! Sir,if possible,we need to occupy a few infinite mines¡­¡± Chapter 29 - Arrival of the Fire Phoenix Chapter 29:Arrival of the Fire Phoenix¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about money.Soon,we will have an inexhaustible supply of energy credits,¡±Lin Zhichen waved his hand and looked at a scholarly young man who was nearly bald:¡±You must be Dr.Li Ping,whom Da Peng mentioned?¡± ¡°Yes,Commander,¡±Li Ping shrugged.¡±I am the head of the mercenary group¡¯s research department,responsible for scientific research.Of course,there isn¡¯t much to do at the moment.¡± ¡°There will be soon,¡±Lin Zhichen said.¡±There is a new drug you should look into.Get the product ready as soon as possible.¡± Li Ping glanced at the data Lin Zhichen sent over:¡±This is¡­!¡± ¡°A new drug that aids in learning,¡±Lin Zhichen said casually.¡±This will be our future source of funding.Get it ready as soon as possible.¡± He then looked at Wei Chenglin and instructed,¡±Contact the Earth Defense Directorate.We will soon have 23 pirate ships arriving at the port.These are the spoils of this battle and the foundation of our mercenary group¡¯s future.¡± ¡°Yes,Commander!¡±Wei Chenglin pondered for a moment.¡±Commander,in the short term,our fleet can use Earth¡¯s starport,but in the long term,we must have a base of our own. Commander,the pirate base you attacked in the asteroid belt would be very suitable¡­¡± ¡°Our base won¡¯t be in the solar system.I¡¯ll figure something out when the time comes,¡±Lin Zhichen shook his head.He had too many secrets,and it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate to keep them under the Federation¡¯s watchful eyes. After assigning the tasks and bidding farewell to the senior staff,he went to his room in a high-rise villa. Sunlight poured in,and the high-altitude wind was gently filtered by a faint energy shield,making it feel particularly soft.Sitting on a lounge chair by the swimming pool,it almost felt like a sunny beach. At this moment,he had the time to review his gains from this trip.He had destroyed over two hundred pirate ships and acquired fifty to sixty pieces of loot. The most valuable items were three destroyer blueprints and fourteen frigate blueprints,followed by five large turrets,as well as some small turrets and shipborne accessories. He kept the three destroyer blueprints,sold the fourteen frigate blueprints,various turrets,and shipborne accessories,and with the 20%discount from the military shipyard,he finally gathered enough funds to cover the cost of three standard destroyers. After placing the order,what initially seemed like a huge sum of money was reduced to just a few dozen credits for pocket money. ¡°No matter how much money you make,it¡¯s never enough.¡± He sighed inwardly but was not worried.Once NZT-50 began production and hit the market,the entire mercenary group would gain a continuous stream of wealth,enough to make others envious. At this moment,however,Lin Zhichen felt a sense of calm.He had understood in his previous life that great rewards came with great risks.If he wanted to develop steadily,relying on talent alone would make him a corps commander,a hero who shook the stars,and a pillar of humanity. But he wanted more.He wanted to personally establish a nation,one that could rival or even surpass the Federation,to join the upper echelons of the galactic family,and even to venture beyond the galaxy to witness the vastness of the universe. In comparison,the mere solar system was too small,far from accommodating his ambitions. ¡°The Federation won¡¯t covet everything I have because it needs to maintain order!Those who will covet my assets are the major conglomerates,big families,and even vassal states that make up the Federation. But the production rights for NZT-50 cannot bypass the Meteor Mercenary Group because these rights are already bound.I cannot die,at least not due to a conspiracy,because I can dissolve the mercenary group at the last moment before my death,rendering their efforts futile. The most likely scenario is coercion and enticement,using various means to force me to comply.As long as I withstand it and get through the brief period of weakness,the Meteor Mercenary Group will experience rapid development.¡± He closed his eyes,enjoying the sunlight and breeze.Thanks to the Federation¡¯s modifications,the planetary weather control device that had been built could artificially regulate Earth¡¯s climate and temperature changes,keeping them at the most optimal levels. Due to the unique nature of the new universe,no matter how advanced the technology,without the proper permissions,it was impossible to terraform a barren planet into a habitable paradise. This restriction made life-bearing planets in the galaxy extremely precious.Excluding those unmodifiable Class V planets,such as toxic planets,and subtracting some unsuitable Class IV planets,like pure ocean planets,as well as those Class III planets that were difficult and costly to terraform,the number of planets that could be colonized by humans was very few,each one an incredibly valuable treasure. Planets like Earth,which required no or minimal modification to be directly habitable,were Class II planets and were even rarer treasures among treasures,each one needing to be carefully protected. ¡°Next comes a busy period.¡± S~?a??h the n0v?l(?)ire.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. It was foreseeable that once NZT-50 was exposed,the entire Federation¡¯s attention would turn towards it. Once some under-the-table maneuvers failed to work,the most likely outcome would be mutual compromise.The production rights were with the Meteor Mercenary Group,as determined by the permissions. However,the scale of the Meteor Mercenary Group meant that the production capacity it could offer would inevitably fall far short of meeting the entire Federation¡¯s needs¡ªthis was also due to permission restrictions.Unless the Federation military made an exception and directly upgraded the Meteor Mercenary Group to a full-fledged corps. That was still impossible,for the same reason:the Federation was the greatest beneficiary of order and must also be its greatest maintainer. ¡°The Federation will take the lion¡¯s share,but the remaining small portion will still be enough to make the Meteor Mercenary Group thrive,¡±Lin Zhichen closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Three days later,in a dedicated training room,Lin Zhichen,who was training his crew,was disturbed by a holographic communication.A casual glance made his temples throb. Reluctantly,he left the training room and sat down in his villa:¡±Why are you contacting me again?Didn¡¯t we make things clear last time?¡± ¡°Coordinates!¡±The tall beauty asked directly. Lin Zhichen casually sent over the location of the headquarters.If she could enter the solar system,Earth wouldn¡¯t be able to stop her. Soon,a gem-red flying car descended.As it sped through the sky,a trail of flames burned behind it,resembling a phoenix flying at high speed. ¡°Fire Phoenix,truly wealthy!¡±Lin Zhichen clicked his tongue in slight amazement. The Fire Phoenix brand flying car,produced by the Federation¡¯s Bacchus Heavy Industries Group,was a high-end vehicle equipped with a luxurious cabin that can accommodate up to five passengers. The most striking feature was its built-in miniature quark fusion reactor,supporting both hyperspace and sub-light speed engines,and equipped with a shipborne electromagnetic deflection shield comparable to that of a destroyer. With such luxurious configurations,its price was naturally exorbitant¡ª7998 energy credits,enough to build a standard cruiser. In short,this thing was a luxury toy for the nobility.Even if the current Meteor Mercenary Group were stripped to the bone,it would barely be able to afford this single flying car! The Fire Phoenix¡¯s speed was incredibly fast.As it descended through the atmosphere,the friction made it look like a crimson bird diving swiftly,and in an instant,it was hovering above the high-rise villa. Chapter 30 - Liu Manjun Chapter 30: Liu Manjun¡°Boom~¡± It sounded like a thunderclap, with a clear sonic boom breaking out and the shockwave rapidly spreading. Fortunately, the flying car had undergone generations of design improvements, eliminating obvious safety hazards. By the time the fierce wind reached, it turned into a gentle breeze. Effortlessly, the crimson Fire Phoenix flying car descended smoothly. Due to its larger size, it landed parallel to the villa. Lin Zhichen waved away the armed drones that had gathered upon detecting the anomaly. He then saw the car door open, and a woman in a crimson military uniform adorned with badges stepped out. ¡°Right on time~¡± His eyes lit up slightly as he appraised her. Beautiful things always had a way of making people happy. With almond-shaped eyes, willow-like eyebrows, a delicate nose, and a charming mouth, her curvaceous figure and slender build were accentuated by her flame-like military uniform. A surge of youthful excitement rose within him, and even though Lin Zhichen was no novice, he found himself momentarily stunned. Lin Zhichen¡¯s gaze clearly displeased the beauty, who rolled her eyes but did not react further. She opened the car door, and another beauty stepped out. Unlike the first, who appeared somewhat delicate, this woman was of the mature type. Her jet-black hair was tied into a ponytail, and her charming face couldn¡¯t hide the heroic spirit between her brows. The crimson military uniform couldn¡¯t conceal her voluptuous figure. Her phoenix eyes swept over him, seemingly flashing with electricity, making his heart skip a beat. If appearance were scored out of 100, the first woman would be around 95, while the second would be 97 or 98¡ªdon¡¯t be surprised, psionic energy could nourish cells, improve genes, and promote life ascension, making psionics typically very attractive. That¡¯s right, the two beauties who arrived were both psionics! Lin Zhichen extended his psionic energy, carefully sensing the strength of the two women. If they hadn¡¯t practiced specialized techniques, psionics could naturally sense each other¡¯s strength through the psionic energy waves they emitted. The first woman¡¯s psionic energy was evidently weaker. According to his estimation, she should be slightly weaker than himself, with psionic energy around 120-130, just stepping into the level of a psionic warrior. The second woman was slightly stronger than him. The faint pressure emanating from her suggested that she had likely stepped into the level of a high-tier psionic warrior. Newly awakened psionics typically had a psionic reserve of no more than 10 points. It required a long period of refinement and gradual enhancement. Generally, reaching 90 points marks the peak of an apprentice, at which point one must consider breaking through to become a psionic warrior. However, individual experiences and constitutions varied. Some people could bear more power. For instance, Lin Zhichen had over 100 psionic points right from the start, which was a sign of extraordinary talent. Her captivating eyes fell on Lin Zhichen, and she smiled charmingly, ¡°We meet again. I told you before, you can¡¯t escape!¡± Lin Zhichen adopted a roguish demeanor, his eyes roving over her crimson military uniform: ¡°Come on, a date between a man and a woman is only natural. Last time was too rushed; this time, we can properly explore each other~¡± ¡°Chuckle~¡± The beauty beside her couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and laugh. Liu Manjun¡¯s face had already turned cold, and she spoke in a serious tone: ¡°On behalf of the Federation Psionic Association, Liu Manjun, Commander of the Thorny Rose Mercenary Group, greets you!¡± As she spoke, she crossed her hands and performed a chest salute. This was a customary greeting among psionics. The other beauty followed suit and saluted: ¡°Li Murong, Chief Scientist of the Thorny Rose Mercenary Group, greets you!¡± In the era of the starry galaxy, talent remained paramount. Any faction with even a hint of ambition would cultivate its own team of scientists, especially psionic scientists, whose research capabilities were more efficient than those of ordinary people. ¡°Lin Zhichen, Commander of the Meteor Mercenary Group!¡± Lin Zhichen had no choice but to return the salute. Guests should be treated with respect, especially in formal settings. Moreover, the fact that they could enter the solar system at this time meant they had gone through proper channels and formal procedures. ¡°According to protocol, every newly awakened psionic must be registered with the Federation Psionic Association, and a specialist is dispatched to verify their identity,¡± Liu Manjun said with a smile. ¡°It just so happened that my unit was passing through the solar system, and I took on this task when I saw it. It seems that you have already passed the identity verification. Congratulations, Mr. Lin Zhichen. You have become an esteemed psionic. May your name be renowned throughout the galaxy!¡± ¡°Thank you for your blessing, madam!¡± Lin Zhichen saluted solemnly. At the same time, his holographic wristband emitted a ¡°ding~¡± sound, indicating a message notification, signifying the receipt of an email. Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes flickered as he activated his wristband. Sure enough, his personal inbox had received an email, signed by the Federation Psionic Association: ¡°Dear Mr. Lin Zhichen, on behalf of the entire staff of the Federation Psionic Association and the Federation government, we salute you and are honored to announce: Your identity has been successfully updated. You will join the Human Federation as a psionic, making a positive contribution to the prosperity of civilization! May the galaxy endure and civilization be immortal!¡± This was an official letter, different from the previous guarantee. It followed complete procedures, eliminating any procedural risks, and came with corresponding benefits: A standard frigate, to be delivered in one week; a monthly subsidy of 1 energy credit; citizenship rights; and the right to hire military-class NPCs¡­ These benefits didn¡¯t hold much significance for him anymore, but they were still free. ¡°You¡¯ve already advanced to a psionic warrior? That makes sense. Judging by the changes before and after your attack on the pirate base, you must have broken through that critical juncture.¡± Liu Manjun was not surprised by his advancement, as she had already gained a comprehensive understanding of his recent actions along the way: ¡°Which skill did you advance in?¡± ¡°Ship Command,¡± Lin Zhichen replied, as there was nothing to hide. ¡°Ship Command?¡± Liu Manjun looked at him in surprise. ¡°If you elevate your entire psionic combat skill to the domain level, you will become a mainstay hero of the commander type!¡± ¡°Commander type?¡± Lin Zhichen was slightly taken aback. ¡°These concepts aren¡¯t taught at the Federation Military Academy because they pertain to the realm of psionics, which ordinary people can¡¯t utilize,¡± Liu Manjun explained: ¡°Depending on the nature of their domain, heroes can be roughly categorized into vanguard warriors who charge into battle, strategists who plan and support, commanders who lead in direct confrontations, and logistical support roles like medical and emergency repairs, among others. s?a??h th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. I initially thought you chose sub-light speed assault, which is a vanguard warrior type hero. I didn¡¯t expect you to be in the commander domain.¡± ¡°Is there anything wrong with that?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it. Compared to taking risks, commander-type heroes are rarer. Generally speaking, the commanders of large fleets are usually this type of hero,¡± Liu Manjun said with a smile. ¡°You also excel in subspace assault. If you can merge the two domains, you can use it as a trump card at critical moments. Heroes of the same level would find it extremely troublesome to deal with you.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t realize there were so many intricacies,¡± Lin Zhichen said in amazement. He realized that his past experiences had limited his thinking. These insights were likely part of the early training for any family with even a bit of foundation in the Federation, to prevent them from taking the wrong path. This highlighted the difference in their backgrounds. Chapter 31 - Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion Chapter 31: Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion¡°Although you¡¯ve completed the basic verification, your future prospects will be influenced by your upcoming performance, so please take it seriously!¡± Liu Manjun¡¯s tone shifted, and her smile faded, replaced by a serious expression: ¡°Now, please pay close attention!¡± She extended a hand, and powerful psionic energy surged forth. The previously calm air seemed to ignite, twisting and pulsating. Affected by the dissipating spiritual energy, everyone in the entire building felt an overwhelming pressure, experiencing a sense of suffocation. Lin Zhichen¡¯s mind stirred, and his powerful psionic energy instantly spread out, isolating the pressure emanating from the other side. The natural humans in the building felt an immense relief, breathing deeply and exchanging glances filled with undisguised fear. ¡°This is psionic energy; a psionic has arrived¡­¡± Those who had been secretly observing out of curiosity felt a chill in their hearts. There were many legends about psionics on the internet, but it was only now that they truly felt the reality of it. After awakening his psionic abilities, Lin Zhichen¡¯s former spiritual thoughts and magical powers had all vanished, replaced by psionic energy. With a mere thought, his psionic power naturally transformed into a gentle wave, completely covering the distorted air. A glimmer of surprise flashed in Liu Manjun¡¯s eyes. Even though she already knew through her senses that the man before her had extraordinary talent, having advanced to a warrior shortly after awakening, his adept control over his psionic abilities still astonished her. Adults could precisely control their strength because they practiced countless times since infancy. Newly awakened psionics often struggle to control their power, which could lead to damage to their surroundings or even themselves. This was one of the main reasons the Federation Psionic Association dispatched veteran psionics to assess newcomers¡ªto ensure they wouldn¡¯t act recklessly and cause irreparable damage. S?a??h the N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Boom~¡± A ball of flame danced in Liu Manjun¡¯s hand, changing shape according to her will. The high temperature radiated outward but did not harm her delicate, jade-like hand. ¡°Psionic energy drives air oscillation, generating high temperatures!¡± Almost the moment the flame ignited, Lin Zhichen understood her intention. She was teaching him how to control his power and testing his level of psionic control. Almost without thinking, the air in front of him quickly twisted, and in an instant, a ball of flame exploded, forming a fireball under the constraint of his psionic energy. ¡°Good!¡± Liu Manjun gave him a deep look. This level of control, if not for the certainty that he had just awakened, would almost make one think he was a seasoned apprentice. Don¡¯t think this action was simple. To achieve this, orthodox psionic apprentices must control multiple metal spheres to move in planetary orbits. When they could simultaneously control over a hundred metal spheres to move precisely along different orbits and at different speeds, they could attempt to ignite a flame. This usually required more than six months of training. Being able to do this indicated that Lin Zhichen didn¡¯t need to attend the Federation Psionic Association¡¯s specialized training academy for basic learning. The flame quickly dissipated, transforming into a whistling wind that condensed into a miniature tornado, spinning in Liu Manjun¡¯s palm. This was simpler, merely the movement of air. Soon, an identical tornado was whistling in Lin Zhichen¡¯s hand. ¡°Crack~¡± As if knowing this wouldn¡¯t challenge him, Liu Manjun immediately dispelled the tornado. With a casual pull, a dazzling bolt of lightning formed. With a flick of her wrist, it lashed out like a chain, striking the ground with a ¡°boom,¡± raising a small cloud of dust. Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes narrowed, sensing a real challenge. Condensing lightning seemed simple, but it actually involved using psionic energy to alter the distribution of charges in the air, then gathering the dispersed charges for a concentrated release. This meant that releasing lightning required his controlled psionic energy to sense and influence the finer elements in the air. But this still didn¡¯t stump him. With a bit more focus, a lightning serpent quickly formed, continuously leaping through the void. This time, even the intellectual beauty who had been quite aloof couldn¡¯t help but give him a serious look. For a freshly awakened psionic to achieve this level already surpassed more than ninety percent of the apprentices graduating from the psionic training academy. ¡°Congratulations, you have graduated from the psionic training academy!¡± Liu Manjun lowered her hand, a smile reappearing on her face. Lin Zhichen¡¯s recent performance had been directly uploaded via holographic recording to the central computer for review. Almost instantly, a graduation certificate was sent to his psionic wristband. The galaxy values efficiency, and all unnecessary procedures were simplified or omitted. As long as one proved their strength, the learning processes required for beginners could naturally be waived. This was beneficial for both society and the individual. ¡°Your performance has been reported to the Federation Psionic Association, which will greatly benefit your future development. Remember, the Federation never rejects talent!¡± Liu Manjun¡¯s tone was gentle, creating a stark contrast with her resolute appearance, which greatly enhanced her charm: ¡°You are the most outstanding awakener I have ever encountered. This has saved me a lot of time. As a reward, I can teach you one of the most commonly used psionic techniques. I will demonstrate it only once, and whether you can learn it depends on you.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Exhaling to calm his emotions, Lin Zhichen once again extended his psionic senses, focusing on her movements. ¡°Watch closely!¡± Liu Manjun¡¯s outstretched hand formed a loose grip, causing the air to churn and leap within the enclosed space. The psionic energy wave that erupted in that instant made Lin Zhichen take notice. The intensely erupting psionic energy was confined to a small space, causing the air to twist and vibrate. Under high temperature and pressure, the movement speed of the tiny particles in the air suddenly increased, yet they were constrained by the psionic energy, moving in a predetermined direction. ¡°Zzzt~¡± It seemed like a long time, yet also like an instant. The air appeared to ignite, and a dazzling light rapidly materialized from the void. With a forceful pull from a delicate hand, a radiant lightsaber took shape. Psionic Lightsaber! Formed by psionic energy constraining high-temperature plasma, the extreme heat and rapid vibrations made the lightsaber nearly indestructible. Simply put, it was like hand-crafted nuclear fusion, using the energy from the fusion as a weapon for attack! Pure psionic energy wasn¡¯t much different from telekinesis, but when combined with science and the industrial civilization of intelligent life, it could create miracles. ¡°No wonder psionics are called ¡®the greatest miracle in the universe¡¯. If a psionic warrior can achieve this, it¡¯s hard to imagine how powerful higher-tier psionics must be.¡± Exhaling to calm his trembling emotions, Lin Zhichen realized that being able to hand-craft nuclear fusion explained why even powerful interstellar governments dared not oppress psionics. Just the lightsaber in Liu Manjun¡¯s hand, if it lost its constraints and exploded, could destroy an entire building, causing hundreds or thousands of casualties. In ancient societies, a psionic of this level could easily annihilate a nation single-handedly. Chapter 32 - Battle Chapter 32: BattleReaching out his hand, powerful psionic energy gathered at a single point, drawing in the free-floating dust in the surrounding air, which was then compressed to the extreme under the pressure of the psionic force. The air around him surged, showing obvious distortions. It was clear that Lin Zhichen was manipulating psionic energy to apply infinite pressure to a specific point. Standing nearby, Li Murong instinctively took a step back, cold sweat silently trickling down her forehead, though she was completely unaware of it. As a scientist, Li Murong could tell just by looking at that distorted air how dangerous it was: if that mass of air lost control, it would be like a miniature nuclear explosion, easily destroying everything within a mile radius. Fortunately, her worries were unnecessary. Psionic energy originates from the psionic realm, and as long as a psionic¡¯s mental energy isn¡¯t exhausted, their power was limitless. Under Lin Zhichen¡¯s control, the distorted air rapidly shrank, with its internal temperature and pressure soaring exponentially. ¡°Boom~¡± Suddenly, a tiny flame ignited within the air mass. This stellar-like brilliance quickly spread, turning the entire air mass into a fireball. Without any hesitation, Lin Zhichen reached out and grasped the fireball, rapidly forming a high-temperature ion sword that radiated the light of fusion. Raising his hand, he looked at the lightsaber before him, the most commonly used weapon in close combat for psionics. The dazzling light was almost suffocating for everyone present. Earth¡¯s humanity spent over two hundred years establishing an industrial system, barely touching the edges of nuclear fusion. No one knew how long it would take to fully master this technology on their own. Yet, the flaming sword before them embodied the pinnacle of advanced technology. S~?a??h the N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. The sword, about a meter long, hummed and vibrated the air around it. The area surrounding the lightsaber was distorted, and even the tiniest speck of dust that fell into it would be incinerated as fuel. The temperature of this lightsaber reached billions of degrees Celsius, making it nearly impossible for any material or metal to withstand its thrust. To the two Federation beauties watching, this scene conveyed a different message. Especially for the slightly delicate-looking scientist, Li Murong, who covered her mouth in astonishment as she looked at Lin Zhichen. Although the principle of nuclear fusion was very simple, if it were truly easy to achieve, Earth¡¯s industry wouldn¡¯t have taken over two hundred years without mastering it. While psionics didn¡¯t require complex industrial equipment to achieve their goals, manipulating psionic energy to infinitely increase pressure and temperature was exponentially more difficult. Generally speaking, even powerful psionic warriors need several months or even years of specialized training to condense a lightsaber. For an apprentice-level psionic to achieve this, it was exceedingly rare in the entire history of the Federation. ¡°Good! I knew I wasn¡¯t wrong about you!¡± A flush of excitement appeared on Liu Manjun¡¯s face. ¡°Follow me!¡± Leaping into the void outside the villa, Liu Manjun transformed into a meteor, instantly flying to an open area within the mercenary group¡¯s headquarters. This space, originally used for parking flying cars, was now a large cemented area with only a few vehicles, which she had lifted with psionic energy and placed far away. Lin Zhichen frowned as he descended from the sky. Before he could speak, he felt a chilling killing intent, as if he were surrounded by a forest of blades and spears, making his whole body cold. Before Lin Zhichen could say anything, Liu Manjun¡¯s figure flashed, and her lightsaber thrust forward. Despite being several meters away, the attack reached him instantly! Unlike industrialized laser swords, the power of a psionic warrior is entirely their own. With her thrust, the originally meter-long light blade suddenly extended, stabbing towards Lin Zhichen at the speed of light. This speed completely surpassed the definition of martial arts for ordinary people, leaving no time for instinctive reactions. Just before Liu Manjun launched her attack, Lin Zhichen¡¯s keen psionic intuition jolted him out of his thoughts about the lightsaber. Instinctively, he drew a circle with his lightsaber, causing a surge of psionic energy to form a psionic vortex. The incoming lightsaber blade was immediately shredded by the force field, exploding on the spot. The fusion fire ignited in an instant but was enveloped and constrained by the psionic vortex, creating a vortex-like firewall between them. With a casual push, the vortex firewall twisted towards Liu Manjun. ¡°Swish, swish~¡± In a flash, Liu Manjun thrust her sword thirteen times, each strike hitting a critical point. The psionic vortex, which could shred even alloy steel balls into fragments, trembled slightly before exploding into a sea of fire. Silhouettes flickered on the surrounding buildings as startled workers peeked at this rare psionic battle. Liu Manjun¡¯s figure lowered, and her fiery red uniform turned into a streak of flame, charging through the fire directly towards Lin Zhichen. ¡°Zzzt~¡± The two lightsabers clashed for the first time, and the psionic energy containing the high-energy particles collided violently. This immediately affected the stability of the lightsabers¡¯ structures. The constrained high-energy particles burst out, resembling a shower of sparks. Although it was midday, the surroundings seemed to darken. Several larger fusion particles turned into miniature suns in the sky, flashing and then disappearing. Lin Zhichen frowned slightly. The recent clash seemed evenly matched, but in reality, he had lost a bit. His psionic field structure for controlling nuclear fusion was inferior to Liu Manjun¡¯s, making his lightsaber less stable. This wasn¡¯t visible on the surface, but upon collision, it almost fell apart. Recognizing his mistake, he immediately set about correcting it. After achieving the Yang God and undergoing the psionic awakening, it seemed some kind of sublimation had occurred. His ability to control psionic energy and learn psionic techniques had far surpassed the apprentice level. At this moment, with a mere thought, the nearly collapsing psionic field was restored. The field¡¯s operation quickly transformed, and the lightsaber¡¯s strength soared. It seemed like a long process, but it all happened in an instant. Liu Manjun¡¯s second sword strike was already slashing diagonally. ¡°Zzzt~¡± At the second collision, a fleeting look of shock flashed in Liu Manjun¡¯s eyes. Compared to the first clash, where his lightsaber almost collapsed, this time the lightsaber¡¯s performance made her take notice. Clearly, in the brief moment between the two exchanges, Lin Zhichen had already optimized the arrangement of his psionic field, with impressive results. With a spring of her foot, her figure soared like a flying phoenix, leaping several meters into the air. As she twisted in mid-air, her lightsaber transformed into hundreds of streams of light, all simultaneously stabbing towards Lin Zhichen. His keen psionic intuition allowed him to sense hundreds of scorching points all over his body. This was the ultimate reaction under the enhancement of psionic energy, almost instantly detecting the direction of her attack. With precise movements, his lightsaber intercepted each strike in perfect sequence, blocking every attack without retreating an inch! With psionic energy enhancing their abilities, the two exchanged a hundred strikes in the span of a breath, their lightsabers clashing hundreds of times in a short period. The air was filled with a continuous ¡°zzzt¡± sound, merging into a rumble like distant thunder. ¡°Excellent swordsmanship!¡± At this moment, Liu Manjun withdrew her sword and stepped back. With a flick of her empty left hand, a massive amount of psionic energy was constrained into a whip, which she lashed towards Lin Zhichen. Chapter 33 - Escalating into a Full-blown Fight Chapter 33: Escalating into a Full-blown Fight¡°Boom~¡± The air vibrated violently, and psionic energy danced, causing fierce energy to scatter. If struck, even a body forged of steel would be torn apart. Lin Zhichen, who was in pursuit, had to stop. With a casual wave, a psionic energy shield formed in front of him like a barrier. Amidst the intense vibrations, the clash of their psionic energies generated fierce energy that shot out, tearing grooves into the solid alloy-cement ground. s?a??h th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Flying in the sky, Li Murong noticed that the battle had ended and quietly approached. She was astonished to find that between Lin Zhichen and Liu Manjun, a hundred-meter-long trench had appeared. The ground was shattered and almost completely plowed, with the high-strength cement mixed with metal powder looking as soft as sand under their psionic bombardment. ¡°Brutes!¡± she couldn¡¯t help but stick out her tongue. At this moment, Liu Manjun had fully retracted her psionic energy, her beautiful eyes showing clear astonishment. ¡°What is your psionic recovery rate?¡± Although psionics were said to have unlimited energy and psionic power, each psionic had a limit to their recovery speed. Once all of one¡¯s power was unleashed in a short period, a temporary lull followed due to the imbalance. At this time, whoever had the faster psionic recovery rate would gain the advantage, and it could be an overwhelming one. This answer couldn¡¯t be found on the internet. Lin Zhichen hesitated for a moment before countering, ¡°What¡¯s yours?¡± ¡°30%,¡± Liu Manjun replied, giving him a deep look. If her psionic limit was 100 points, she could recover 30 points per second. ¡°Mine is 29%,¡± Lin Zhichen replied without changing his expression. ¡°Hehe,¡± Liu Manjun chuckled twice. ¡°Wow~ Your talent is that good?¡± The scientist, who had been watching the battle, exclaimed, ¡°According to the Galactic Psionic Association¡¯s research, the limit for psionic recovery rate is 30%. Over 80% of psionics had a recovery rate that didn¡¯t exceed 10%. Only 0.1% of genius psionics can achieve over 20%. A recovery rate above 25% was found in less than one in ten thousand psionics. With your talent, you would be considered a genius even in the entire galaxy!¡± The Galactic Psionic Association was a pan-civilization organization that spanned the entire galaxy. Its aim was to promote the expansion of the psionic community, enhance their capabilities, and ensure their well-being. Lin Zhichen faced Liu Manjun¡¯s half-smiling gaze with a blank expression, but inwardly he was relieved. It was only now that he realized psionics had a recovery rate for their psionic energy, rather than an instantaneous regeneration! Indeed, his recovery rate was 100%! What did this mean? It meant he could completely ignore psionic energy consumption. As long as his psionic energy reserve limit was reached, he could almost endlessly unleash his power. This made him nearly invincible among psionics of the same level! ¡°Again!¡± Without any intention of stopping, Liu Manjun¡¯s lightsaber clashed dozens of times in an instant, causing the air to tremble. By now, Lin Zhichen had realized that Liu Manjun was teaching him some psionic techniques and lightsaber skills. Regardless of her intentions, she was genuinely helping him. Suppressing his complex emotions, he swung his lightsaber, making the air hum. Their figures moved like lightning, battling from the ground to the sky and back again within a single breath. In an instant, their lightsabers clashed hundreds of times, with the sky rumbling and the air churning. In this intense confrontation, Lin Zhichen quickly adapted to the combat between psionics. The speed of his lightsaber counterattacks increased, while the range of his swings decreased. Simply by using psionic energy to release and constrain the plasma beam, the efficiency of his lightsaber thrusts underwent a qualitative change. It was only then that he understood why psionic troops, despite being flesh and blood, could stand alongside mechanical war fortresses and bio-enhanced soldiers as part of the elite five-star army. In some respects, compared to mechanical ascendants who abandoned their bodies to preserve their brains in jars, and gene ascendants who forsaken their humanity to become bizarre and varied, psionics, while maintaining their human form, were the most dangerous of the three types of evolvers. At the beginning, Lin Zhichen was at an absolute disadvantage. But as he began to adapt, his ¡°Heaven Rewards Diligence¡± talent came into play. Almost visibly, the speed and lethality of his lightsaber thrusts increased. His previously sluggish movements, accelerated by psionic energy, became ghostly swift. A gust of wind, and he was already gone. The onlookers hidden in the buildings were astonished to find that they could now only see a red blur and a green blur flashing back and forth. In the blink of an eye, the two figures had circled several buildings, with continuous thunderous sounds and bursts of energy tearing through the air, leaving noticeable marks. This scene was being recorded by Wei Chenglin, who planned to edit it after getting approval, intending to use it as a video to showcase the strength of the Meteor Mercenary Group. Psionic combat was quite enduring, especially in a lightsaber duel, which consumed relatively little energy. The two fought for over three hours, until at one moment, Liu Manjun¡¯s lightsaber deflected Lin Zhichen¡¯s sword, and she lunged forward, colliding with his chest. It was then that he snapped out of the intricate swordplay. To his surprise, he realized that over the past three hours, he had actually bested Liu Manjun in lightsaber techniques. In the end, his relentless sword pressure forced her into a desperate, mutually destructive move¡ªif he hadn¡¯t pulled back in time. ¡°Ugh! How shameless!¡± Li Murong, who had been watching, gritted her teeth. She saw that the scoundrel had taken the opportunity to give a sly caress, and the two of them ended up entangled, disappearing in a flash of light. ¡ªOnly she, with her keen psionic vision, saw the final truth: the two had fought their way into a high-rise villa, and the bright curtains were promptly drawn shut~ The next day, as daylight broke, Lin Zhichen lay in bed, holding a languid beauty in his arms, his emotions inexplicably contemplative. ¡°That was reckless. How did a fight turn into this?¡± he couldn¡¯t help but lament inwardly. Needless to say, with this new layer of relationship, it would be even harder to disentangle himself in the future. ¡°I really am too young, unable to resist temptation!¡± The advantages of being a psionic were evident; he felt no fatigue at all, but rather more at ease. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Liu Manjun traced circles on his chest. ¡°Thinking about the development of the mercenary group. What level is your Thorny Rose Mercenary Group?¡± Lin Zhichen asked casually. ¡°How strong is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a level 5 group, just one step away from completing the military¡¯s advancement task to be promoted to a legion,¡± Liu Manjun replied lazily. ¡°Because we weren¡¯t fully prepared, we¡¯ve been putting it off for now.¡± Chapter 34 - Analysis, Strategic Talent Chapter 34: Analysis, Strategic Talent¡°Level 5? That strong? How many fleets do you have? It must have been established for quite some time,¡± Lin Zhichen asked with interest. ¡°It was started by my mother, and it¡¯s been around for over a hundred years now,¡± Liu Manjun replied. ¡°Our strength is decent. The mercenary group currently has over 100 capital ships (battleships/battlecruisers), over a thousand cruisers, and more than 10,000 other vessels.¡± ¡°Are all level 5 mercenary groups this strong?¡± Lin Zhichen was genuinely surprised. ¡°If mercenary groups are like this, what about legions?¡± ¡°No, Thorny Rose is a newcomer among level 5 mercenary groups, and its strength is at the bottom. Compared to those established for two or three hundred years, our foundation is far weaker,¡± Liu Manjun replied, shifting to a more comfortable position. ¡°If it¡¯s a legion, even the weakest would have at least a dozen large fleets. Each fleet¡¯s strength wouldn¡¯t be inferior to those old level 5 mercenary groups. Don¡¯t focus on the number of fleets; focus on their heroes. Each large fleet is supported by four or five heroes, and the fleet serves as a platform for them to showcase their power!¡± ¡°So strong¡­¡± Lin Zhichen finally grasped the depth of the Federation¡¯s foundation. If even the private legions under its jurisdiction had such strength, what about the regular army? They couldn¡¯t be weaker than the private legions, right? How much stronger could they be? He didn¡¯t ask further because it was meaningless. At this stage, these matters were still far beyond the reach of the Meteor Mercenary Group. ¡°What? Is it different from what you imagined?¡± Liu Manjun asked. ¡°Did you think that with a bit of talent, you could eventually dominate the galaxy? The Federation has never been short of geniuses. The Federation¡¯s First Academy and Federation University recruit talents from thousands of colonial planets across the entire Federation, accepting only 1,000 students each year. On average, that¡¯s less than one person per planet! Graduates from these academies, after three years, start as elite-level evolvers. Every year, over a hundred newly graduated heroes emerge!¡± Lin Zhichen licked his lips. ¡°Tsk, it¡¯s such a loss that the Federation Academy didn¡¯t accept me. In the future, when people say the strongest human hero graduated from the Virtual Academy, I wonder what their reaction will be.¡± ¡°Ha~¡± Liu Manjun laughed. ¡°You really are confident!¡± ¡°Speaking of which, where do those old mercenary groups and legions get their fleets from? Are they all built one by one?¡± Lin Zhichen asked, puzzled. ¡°Just having the blueprints to build warships wouldn¡¯t be enough, right?¡± ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not just about acquiring equipment. Most of the blueprints are created by draftsmen,¡± Liu Manjun leisurely revealed some secrets. S?a??h the ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Most skills can be mastered through self-study, and these skills can be sublimated into talents through psionics, like warship piloting. However, there are a few special talents that can only be innate and cannot be produced through skill sublimation. Draftsmanship is one of them. To become a draftsman, you must have a drawing talent first, and then you can acquire the drawing skill to create different blueprints according to the skill level. They are strategic talents for the Federation and all civilized nations. Without the support of high-level draftsmen, the number of civilized fleets would shrink to a thousandth or even ten-thousandth of their current size!¡± ¡°Hiss~¡± Lin Zhichen took a sharp breath. The implication was clear: high-level draftsmen were the backbone of civilized nations. If they were to disappear, these nations could collapse overnight. ¡°So, you will never find NPCs with drafting talent in cloning factories. Every faction goes to great lengths to reserve these strategic talents,¡± Liu Manjun concluded. ¡°I see,¡± Lin Zhichen said, recalling that Dr. Will¡¯s ship design skills involved draftsmen. Due to the lack of key personnel, this skill had been largely neglected. ¡°What do you think, if I had a heavyweight treasure, would the Federation strongly support me?¡± Liu Manjun rolled her eyes and chuckled, ¡°Do you think the Federation would care about ordinary treasures? It¡¯s the interstellar era. Psionic plants are common dishes on the tables of the upper nobility. What could be considered a treasure?¡± Psionic plants were plants that grew in certain psionic environments, extremely rare in the universe. One of the ways to produce them on a larger scale was to have psionics draw psionic energy from their connection to the psionic realm and slowly release it into the environment, maintaining a suitable growth environment for the psionic plants. In simple terms, it meant having psionics spend a lot of time as farmers, taking care of psionic plants. This had even developed into a whole new profession: psionic botanist. ¡°Heritage-class medicines!¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°Hmm? Heritage-class medicine? You actually have such a valuable treasure?!¡± Liu Manjun sat up in surprise, revealing her stunning upper body. ¡°Lie down and let¡¯s talk,¡± Lin Zhichen said, admiring her as he pulled her back into his arms and displayed the data for NZT-50. ¡°It¡¯s this.¡± As Liu Manjun looked at it, her expression grew serious. Lin Zhichen revealed the existence of NZT-50 not because she was his bedmate. In the interstellar era, marriage and family had largely dissolved, and having children was merely a legal obligation. ¡ªThat¡¯s right, Federation law stipulated that one could remain unmarried, but must have at least two children within the appropriate age range. More children were rewarded, fewer were illegal, but once born, the Federation would take full responsibility for raising them until adulthood¡ª He mentioned it as a reference, at least within the solar system, without needing to worry too much. ¡°Do you know how big an impact this thing would have if released? People could die!¡± Liu Manjun looked at him with a complex expression. She thought she had understood him, but he turned out to be even more mysterious. How important were heritage-class treasures? They were the foundation of national-level powers! Especially NZT-50, even with the limitation of one pill per month, it was a strategic-level item capable of changing countless lives! ¡°Of course, I know. I just don¡¯t know if the Federation would come after me for it,¡± he said. ¡°They won¡¯t!¡± Liu Manjun¡¯s response was quite certain. ¡°As long as you aren¡¯t foolish enough to keep all the benefits for yourself.¡± ¡°Of course not. I¡¯m prepared to give up 60% of the share, at most 80%,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. ¡°60% is enough. The Federation won¡¯t resort to outright plunder; they¡¯ll always give you some compensation. Although it will be much less than its actual value, it will be more than enough for you now, and it will also deter a lot of greedy eyes.¡± Liu Manjun breathed a sigh of relief. What she feared was his recklessness. Laws and order were just a facade that could be torn down when necessary. ¡°When you become stronger, what you lose now might not be impossible to reclaim.¡± ¡°Even 20% would be more than enough for me,¡± Lin Zhichen chuckled. ¡°If I were to ask for a draftsman, would it be¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. Once NZT-50 appears, obtaining these strategic talents will be much harder than it is now,¡± Liu Manjun shook her head. Chapter 35 - Farewell, Experiment Chapter 35: Farewell, ExperimentLiu Manjun: ¡°Because by then, even a fool would know that your goal is to establish a nation. No one likes competition¡ªeven if the Federation doesn¡¯t intervene, there are families within the Federation with similar ambitions. They won¡¯t let you succeed easily. You have to understand that those relatively easy-to-conquer star systems have long been targeted by multiple major players. They certainly don¡¯t want another competitor!¡± ¡°I see,¡± Lin Zhichen realized. It seemed that the internal situation within the Federation was far more complex than he had imagined. S?a??h the N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the draftsman issue. To be blunt, you¡¯re still too far from that level. Your priority should be figuring out how to survive the covetous eyes of the greedy,¡± Liu Manjun said. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry too much about the safety of the solar system. This is a critical period with Earth just having joined the Federation. No one would dare make any major moves right now. With your strength, you can handle any overt dangers. The real danger comes when you leave the Federation. You won¡¯t be able to avoid underhanded tactics. You need to think carefully. You have plenty of time to grow slowly. There¡¯s no need to walk a tightrope. In just a few decades, you can definitely lead Meteor to become a legion!¡± ¡°Do you know the name of my mercenary group?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. From the beginning, he never intended to back down. Life was short, and time waited for no one. Even with the awakening of psionic abilities, extending life to several hundred or even a thousand years hadn¡¯t changed his mindset. ¡°I want a batch,¡± Liu Manjun said, calming down. ¡°At the price of 1 energy credit per pill.¡± That price wasn¡¯t low, considering it only lasted for 24 hours, roughly enough to advance a step in progress, most noticeable during breakthroughs. ¡°Agreed, but it must be for personal use only, and it cannot be exposed in the short term,¡± Lin Zhichen agreed. ¡°I want to use it to give my mercenary group a boost.¡± ¡°Will it be effective? Just one pill a month?¡± Liu Manjun looked at him doubtfully. According to her understanding, NZT-50 was most effective with long-term use. How much progress could be made in just one day? Lin Zhichen smiled without answering. The item was the same, but how to use it was his own business. He gently kneaded her, causing the beauty to gasp softly. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about these mood-killers. Let¡¯s start our morning exercise first!¡± ¡­¡­ Three hours later, Lin Zhichen and Liu Manjun stood in the laboratory, looking at the glass bottle in Dr. Li Ping¡¯s hand. It was filled with small, transparent pills, each about one centimeter in diameter. ¡°It¡¯s truly remarkable, sir. Just some ordinary herbs, yet through a special process, they can produce such miraculous medicine. It¡¯s unbelievable!¡± Dr. Li Ping said excitedly. ¡°I¡¯ve already tested it, and the effects are exactly as described!¡± ¡°Since it was successful, expedite the production line,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. ¡°Produce a batch first; I have a use for it.¡± ¡°I understand, sir,¡± Dr. Li Ping immediately nodded. He went to find Manager Xu Wen from the Industrial Department to discuss. Implementing a new product required the cooperation of both departments. As Lin Zhichen walked out with a box of pills, Liu Manjun suddenly said, ¡°I have to go.¡± ¡°So soon? Not staying for a couple more days?¡± Lin Zhichen was a bit surprised. ¡°What? Can¡¯t bear to see me go?¡± Liu Manjun smiled seductively, making Lin Zhichen¡¯s heart itch. He reached out to grab her but missed, leaving behind a trail of her playful laughter. ¡°I originally planned to recruit you into my group, but since you already have your own mercenary group, I won¡¯t say more.¡± ¡°NZT-50 is very valuable. You need to be extra careful. If things become untenable, with your strength and talent, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to take a step back. What you lose now can always be regained in the future.¡± ¡°Safe travels,¡± he said with a calm smile, feeling a faint sense of melancholy. The tactile and sensory experiences were vastly different from the virtual world. No wonder people say not to get lost on the internet; it was easy to miss out on some of life¡¯s beauties. In the sky, a gem-red flying car soared upward, like a fiery phoenix ascending to the heavens. In the world of martial heroes, partings and reunions were commonplace. ¡­ At the headquarters of the Meteor Mercenary Group, in a closed training ground, over a hundred selected NPCs were engaged in martial arts training. Their movements were fluid and powerful, resembling the stretching of bears and birds. As the foundation for refining essence into qi, a healthy body was essential. Here, health was not just about being strong or resistant to illness, but about mastering one¡¯s breath. From the Warring States period, Song, Zhuang Zhou¡¯s ¡°Zhuangzi ¡¤ Ke Yi¡±: ¡°Blowing and breathing, exhaling the old and inhaling the new, stretching like bears and birds, all for the sake of longevity.¡± Through specific movements, one¡¯s vital energy flowed through the meridians. In this process, the latent essence within the body was absorbed and strengthened. The process of strengthening the body¡¯s vital energy was known as refining essence into qi. It looked easy, but the key lay in the coordination of the body¡¯s movements with breathing. Any slight misalignment could affect the training¡¯s effectiveness, and in severe cases, it could lead to internal injuries, commonly known as going astray in cultivation. To master this set of movements in conjunction with the breathing technique, even those with good talent would need one or two years. However, the NPCs in front of him, who had only been training for a few hours, were already able to perform it smoothly. ¡°Not bad, not bad!¡± The effects of NZT-50 exceeded expectations. Lin Zhichen had only demonstrated the technique once and corrected a few mistakes, and this group of NPCs was already able to perform it accurately, initiating the process of refining essence into qi. Of course, he knew this was the power of the brain operating at super speed. By tomorrow, when they lose this ability, their training effectiveness might significantly decrease, and the movements they practiced could become sloppy. But what he needed was this initial start. At this moment, on his personal panel, this batch of NPCs used for the experiment had already reached the initial stage of refining essence into qi. As they continued to practice, their progress was rapidly increasing. Under normal circumstances, such an intense extraction of one¡¯s vital energy would be a path to self-destruction. The human body produced a limited amount of vital energy daily, and over-extraction led to a shortened lifespan or even sudden death. Throughout history, many cultivators met untimely ends due to their greed for quick results, serving as cautionary tales. But this wasn¡¯t a normal situation. In the corner of the training room, there were stacks of boxes. Some were already opened, revealing rows of azure blue vials inside. These were psionic potions, specifically designed to accelerate the cultivation of psionics, made from the essence extracted from psionic plants. After each period of cultivation, the NPCs would stop, come to the boxes, drink a vial, and sit down to meditate and recover. Lin Zhichen had already discovered that the psionic plants of this world, if they existed in his previous life, would be considered on par with celestial herbs. Even a cultivator at the level of a Yang God would benefit greatly from consuming them, making them akin to celestial elixirs. This was because the energy level of psionics was quite high. According to his research, the psionics of this world were comparable to the power of immortals, akin to the legendary celestial realm in his previous life¡¯s cultivation world. What was particularly valuable was that the psionic potions were highly effective yet did not cause adverse effects from over-supplementation. If the body couldn¡¯t absorb the energy, it naturally dissipated. This characteristic was extremely important for the potions because, as Lin Zhichen observed, even the lowest quality apprentice-level potions on the market, only about one-tenth of the potion¡¯s efficacy could be absorbed by the NPCs. The remaining effects were mostly wasted, dissipating into the air, causing the psionic concentration in the area to gradually increase. Chapter 36 - The Concept of Mass-Producing Psionics Chapter 36: The Concept of Mass-Producing PsionicsPsionic potions had a significant effect on cultivators¡¯ training. Originally, relying on the body¡¯s natural recovery, one could only practice three cycles of refining essence into qi. Now, with the potions, they could practice up to twenty-seven cycles, increasing the effectiveness by nine times! Even better, after several rounds of training, refining essence into qi became a skill, imprinted on the NPCs¡¯ personal panels. Even if the effects of NZT-50 disappear tomorrow, with his talent support and the supplementation of psionic potions, the process of refining essence into qi would still progress rapidly. According to estimates, within three months, this batch of NPCs would be able to enter the realm of refining qi into spirit, condensing their Yin Spirit. In as little as one year, and at most three years, the Meteor Mercenary Group would have over a hundred psionics! ¡°If I had such conditions in my previous life, what would an empire be worth? Hundreds of Yang Gods emerging could turn even a unified empire upside down and reshape the world!¡± Lin Zhichen sighed deeply, yet he was filled with hope for the future. With the success of this experiment, as long as the Meteor Mercenary Group continued to develop, it would have an unlimited future! Twenty days later, the twenty-three pirate ships escorted by Wei Peng and his team finally arrived at port. The previously calm Earth was once again in an uproar. Countless people used high-definition electronic telescopes to capture the scene in space and uploaded it to the internet. Since crossing into the new universe three years ago, this was the first and only time pirate NPCs had been captured, causing all netizens to become ecstatic. ¡°I saw it online before and thought it was just a promotional video. Now it¡¯s confirmed.¡± ¡°666, the Big boss is awesome.¡± ¡°Sub-light speed assault, looks like Earth is going to have a major figure.¡± ¡°No matter how big, it has nothing to do with you.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the live stream? What happened to the live stream of the pirate base? Why is there no follow-up?¡± ¡°Check online. The Rockefeller Consortium made a big move to attack a half-crippled base, and they ended up taking a huge loss.¡± ¡°They died miserably. An entire regiment of army NPCs was wiped out, including the commanding officer. Total annihilation.¡± ¡°Not just that, even the family fleet that was supposed to contain the base lost several frigates. Now they have to retreat beyond radar range to regroup.¡± ¡°Useless consortium, give us back the peace of the solar system!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Inside the flying car, Wei Peng looked at the messages on the star network and mocked, ¡°What a bunch of failures. We¡¯ve already cleared out the pirate ships on the periphery, and they couldn¡¯t even take an empty city we left for them!¡± ¡°To be fair, using a fleet to suppress the base¡¯s firepower was too much of a stretch. Even if Ah Ke and I were there, we wouldn¡¯t have performed much better than those captains. Not every captain can accurately attack at sub-light speeds,¡± Wu Tianyi shook his head, his tone quite serious. He had watched the video of the Rockefeller family¡¯s attack. The pirate base was located on an asteroid with almost no gravity. The attacking ground troops, with even a slight exertion, would break through the asteroid¡¯s escape velocity and ¡°ascend¡± directly into space. In such a unique environment, the attacking forces were severely hampered, unable to exert even half of their combat strength. They were then struck by the base¡¯s automated drone units, naturally leading to their swift and total loss. ¡°If they can¡¯t take it, what about our spoils?¡± Lin Ke asked. Wu Tianyi shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ll have to see how the Rockefellers organize their second attempt.¡± At this moment, the flying car was passing through the atmosphere. From below, it looked like a meteor shower, with a dozen flying cars streaking across the sky, leaving trails of fire. This was the convoy sent by the Meteor Mercenary Group, specifically to welcome the returning crew members. ¡°We¡¯re back.¡± As soon as Wu Tianyi and the others stepped out of the car in the parking lot, they saw Lin Zhichen coming to greet them. ¡°Big brother!¡± They greeted him and headed towards the training room, where they quickly saw groups of NPCs engaged in body training. ¡°Big brother, did your experiment succeed?¡± Wei Peng asked excitedly. ¡°Yes,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. ¡°The NPCs generally have average talent. Without the psionic potions, reaching the Yang God realm to awaken psionic abilities would take 30 to 40 years, even with the help of NZT-50. With the psionic potions, this can be shortened to 2 to 3 years, and in some cases, as quickly as 1 year. However, the cost is significant. On average, it takes 420 energy credits per person.¡± ¡°That high!¡± The group was shocked. At that price, training three people could build two frigates! ¡°Actually, when you think about it, it¡¯s not unreasonable, considering they are psionics,¡± Wu Tianyi was the first to regain his composure. ¡°If the Federation knew there was a way to mass-produce psionics, they¡¯d probably go crazy with joy.¡± Psionics were the elite of society, and their numbers directly impacted national power. If there was a chance to mass-produce them, they¡¯d be willing to pay not just 420 energy credits per person, but even 4200! ¡°What if we don¡¯t use the psionic potions? We can wait decades to train them slowly. What would the cost be then?¡± Lin Ke asked. ¡°12 to 13 energy credits, maybe even less. After all, they would still need to take psionic potions periodically to adjust their bodies, so it¡¯s not entirely cost-free,¡± Lin Zhichen estimated. ¡°What about natural humans?¡± Wei Peng asked. ¡°How much would it cost for them to take psionic potions? And what if they don¡¯t?¡± ¡°Natural humans do have some advantages. Their cultivation aptitude is generally better. According to my estimates, with the help of NZT-50, they could awaken in about 20 to 30 years,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. Lin Ke said, ¡°20 to 30 years isn¡¯t that long.¡± Indeed, it wasn¡¯t long. Once awakened, they would have at least a few hundred years of life, with plenty of time to enjoy it. ¡°But for the current Meteor Mercenary Group, it¡¯s too long,¡± Wu Tianyi shook his head. Everyone fell silent. By now, they all understood Lin Zhichen¡¯s plan. With NZT-50 about to hit the market, its appearance would cause a massive uproar, enough to swallow the current Meteor Mercenary Group dozens of times over. ¡°I plan to visit the Dakan star system soon,¡± Lin Zhichen said, causing the group to be shocked. The Dakan star system was a wilderness outside the Federation¡¯s territory, filled with dangers. ¡°Big brother¡­¡± Wu Tianyi began, but Lin Zhichen raised his hand to stop him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The Dark Star Region may be dangerous, but it¡¯s all relative. Besides, the Dakan star system is right next to the Federation¡¯s border star region, the Redor Fortress. The Federation¡¯s legions frequently patrol there, and the star region is swept clean periodically. The danger is actually limited.¡± He looked at the worried faces of his companions. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This trip is to find a hidden base. Within the Federation, all our actions must be cautious, making it difficult to grow and develop. In the coming years, more eyes will be watching us. We must prepare in advance to prevent any unforeseen events.¡± S?a??h th? N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Big brother, I¡¯ll go with you!¡± Wu Tianyi said. ¡°You¡¯ll need a helper¡­¡± ¡°Ah Ke will go with me this time. You¡¯ll be next,¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°Da Peng, be ready. Once I find a suitable planet, I¡¯ll jump back and hand over the gravity thruster to you. It¡¯ll be up to you to secure the base then.¡± ¡°Got it, big brother,¡± Wei Peng replied. Lin Zhichen looked at them and smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The mercenary group¡¯s trump cards are more than you think.¡± Chapter 37 - Request, Wrapping Up Chapter 37: Request, Wrapping Up¡°Beep beep~¡± The urgent communication signal sounded. Lin Zhichen glanced down and saw that it was from Kadier Rockefeller. ¡°Big brother, it looks like the Rockefellers can¡¯t hold on any longer,¡± Wu Tianyi said, looking at the communication display. s?a??h th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate these big families. This level of loss isn¡¯t enough to hurt them significantly,¡± Lin Zhichen shook his head slightly. ¡°It¡¯s probably Kadier who can¡¯t hold on any longer.¡± Kadier Rockefeller was an heir to the family, but not the only one. To rise to the top, he needed to have enough achievements. If the losses this time were too great, his merits wouldn¡¯t outweigh his faults, making it a losing proposition. ¡°Dear friend, we meet again.¡± Kadier appeared in the holographic image with a beaming smile, showing no signs of frustration from his setbacks. ¡°I hope I¡¯m not interrupting your celebratory banquet.¡± Clearly, he had already obtained intelligence through his channels about the mercenary group¡¯s fleet arriving on Earth. ¡°I heard that pirate base is giving you some trouble?¡± Lin Zhichen didn¡¯t beat around the bush and asked directly. ¡°It is a bit troublesome. I heard you formed a mercenary group. Consider this a mission request; I need your help,¡± Kadier said, still smiling, having anticipated Lin Zhichen¡¯s straightforwardness. ¡°No need to deploy ground troops, just help us take out the pirate base¡¯s turrets.¡± ¡°1000 energy credits. Agree, and I¡¯ll take action immediately. I have another trip to make soon,¡± Lin Zhichen stated. ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave it to you,¡± Kadier agreed without hesitation. After closing the holographic communication, Lin Zhichen said, ¡°Let¡¯s go check out the NZT-50 production line.¡± The group took a convenient flying car to a newly operational, enclosed pharmaceutical production factory. Through the transparent tempered glass, they watched as automated assembly lines and intelligent robots placed the extracted herbs into containers, undergoing a special process. At the exit, semi-transparent pills were being bottled and packaged. ¡°Commander, Vice Commander!¡± The busy Dr. Li Ping came over and saluted. ¡°How¡¯s the production line?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°Just about to report to you. Everything is running smoothly, and the pills have passed quality inspection,¡± Dr. Li Ping said with a slight smile, but then hesitated. ¡°However, it¡¯s strange. We can produce a maximum of 10,000 NZT-50 pills per day. Beyond that, nothing more comes out¡ªjust a mixed liquid with no effect.¡± ¡°10,000 pills?¡± Lin Zhichen mused. It seemed this was the production limit. To be honest, this quantity was far too low, significantly below expectations. He wondered what the key to increasing the production volume was. Otherwise, this amount wouldn¡¯t be enough to achieve his goals. ¡°Let¡¯s start with this and see if there¡¯s any way to increase the output,¡± Lin Zhichen said firmly. Even if it doesn¡¯t meet expectations, the revenue from NZT-50 would still be enough to sustain the Meteor Mercenary Group. Before it hits the market, he must strengthen the group as much as possible to avoid being powerless in the face of danger. Piloting the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± Lin Zhichen and Lin Ke quickly headed towards the asteroid belt. The psionic combat technique for spatial jump was activated, and the ship appeared at the edge of the asteroid belt. The engines roared to life, and the ship maneuvered like a swimming fish, easily dodging asteroids as it headed deeper into the belt. A day later, the pirate base came into view from a distance. ¡°Mr. Lin, I am Colonel Buros. Young Master Kadier Rockefeller has assigned me to assist you in breaking through the pirate base,¡± the middle-aged man in military uniform said seriously. ¡°I¡¯ll help you take out the pirate base¡¯s turrets. The rest is up to you,¡± Lin Zhichen said simply. ¡°Of course. Here is the information we¡¯ve gathered on the pirate base¡¯s turret positions,¡± Colonel Buros said, sending the relevant data to Lin Zhichen. ¡°It includes 16 small turrets, 8 medium turrets, 8 point-defense turrets, and 4 large turrets.¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes swept over the positions of the turrets on the holographic projection, instantly memorizing their locations. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± immediately powered up. ¡°I understand. Ten minutes, follow up!¡± With that, the holographic projector was already off. On the cruiser ¡°Edward,¡± Colonel Buros furrowed his brows. Behind him, several staff officers exchanged puzzled glances. ¡°Sir, is he joking? Ten minutes might not even be enough for a ship to turn around!¡± one of the staff officers asked hesitantly. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate him. He has the potential to become as great as the Federation hero Buros Decar,¡± Colonel Buros said thoughtfully. ¡°Have the fleet ready in five minutes, prepared to launch at any moment!¡± Piloting the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s gaze followed the gravitational sensor¡¯s detection waves, making the entire star region faintly visible. Using the detection waves to spread psionic perception greatly expanded the range, but the clarity of the detection rapidly decreased. Fortunately, after a period of adaptation, he had become quite adept at accurately identifying obstacles of various sizes within his perception. At this moment, using this special vision, he traced the energy flow lines within the pirate base and, combined with the previous turret layout, accurately pinpointed the targets. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± rapidly accelerated during flight, quickly reaching sub-light speed and slanting towards the asteroid. ¡°Beep beep~¡± The urgent radar echoes resonated within the base. Already on high alert due to the Rockefeller family¡¯s fleet attack, the pirate NPCs immediately sprang into action, rushing to their posts. The entire base¡¯s defenses reached their peak in a short time. But it was futile. When the radar speed data came in, the high-ranking pirates in the central control room were so terrified that they trembled and could barely stand. ¡°It¡¯s that demon! That demon has returned!¡± Twenty days ago, the one-sided massacre in the space battle before the base made all the pirates who witnessed it tremble. The destruction of three hundred warships proved the terror of that sub-light speed demon. Now, he was back! ¡°Boom boom~¡± Suddenly, bursts of fire erupted within the base. Those were the turrets hit by electromagnetic projectiles! The ¡°Qinyuan¡± was incredibly fast, and the NPC crew members, who had just begun their cultivation journey, had significantly enhanced reaction speeds. With his experience, Lin Zhichen also filtered out more irrelevant information, increasing the difficulty of targeting¡­ With the combined effects, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± delivered a staggering blow. Observing from a distance, the Rockefeller family¡¯s fleet was shocked to see a series of explosions suddenly erupt. Almost in an instant, all the marked pirate turret positions were precisely hit. The entire base lost its ability to resist almost immediately, and at this point, the ¡°Qinyuan¡¯s¡± sub-light speed charge hadn¡¯t even reached the closest area to the asteroid base. Having completed its mission, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± traced an arc through space and vanished into the depths of the asteroid field in an instant, leaving behind a group of stunned onlookers. ¡°¡­¡± Colonel Buros stared wordlessly at the last message left in the holographic communication: ¡°Mission complete. Please send the spoils back to the mercenary group¡¯s headquarters.¡± He realized that, despite his best efforts to overestimate the opponent, what had just transpired made it clear that he could never use ordinary thinking to comprehend an extraordinary existence. Chapter 38 - Redor Fortress, Sigrid Chapter 38: Redor Fortress, Sigrid¡°Big brother, you were absolutely amazing¡­¡± Lin Ke said, looking at him with admiration. He had witnessed everything from inside the cabin. The operations were completely incomprehensible to him. The crew members used incredibly skilled techniques to operate the cannons, almost firing blindly without aiming, yet hitting their targets with precision. The result left him in awe. Lin Zhichen had already exited the state of being one with the ship. Hearing this, he smiled, ¡°It was alright. Once you get a psionic warship and awaken as a psionic, you¡¯ll be able to learn this technique too.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t~ Becoming a psionic is still possible, but I won¡¯t dream of having a psionic warship,¡± Lin Ke waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to define your limits,¡± Lin Zhichen replied with a mysterious smile, not revealing the full answer. Why establish a secret base outside the Federation? Preventing potential enemy attacks was one reason, but the most important was that a newly emerged psionic warship had nowhere to hide. If this secret were exposed, it would be truly catastrophic, far more serious than NZT-50. At this moment, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± exited the asteroid belt and headed towards the hyperspace corridor entrance at the edge of the solar system. The hyperspace corridor was located in the Kuiper Belt at the solar system¡¯s frontier. The corridor couldn¡¯t be seen with the naked eye and must be detected using a hyperspace engine. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± arrived near the corridor at 50% of light speed. The hyperspace engine began to operate, and the entire ship hovered in front of the corridor. The surrounding space-time started to visibly warp, and the distant starry sky turned into a blur of light, resembling a crude painting. This moment was the most dangerous because the ship had not yet entered superluminal speed but was in a state of relative zero motion, suspended in space until it entered hyperspace. If there were enemy ships nearby, this would be a sitting duck. Therefore, in bustling star regions, hyperspace corridors are often guarded by local system garrisons to ensure safety and prevent attacks during this vulnerable phase. After three hours, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± finally entered the hyperspace corridor, traveling at superluminal speed towards the neighboring Redor star system, completing this journey of over 5 light-years. ¡°If you¡¯re bored, it¡¯s best to enter the sleep pod and take a nap. This journey will take about a week,¡± Lin Zhichen reminded. S?a?ch* Th? N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. The prerequisite for performing the psionic combat technique of spatial jump was accurate spatial coordinates. It was best to survey these coordinates personally to avoid any errors. A distance of 5 light-years¡ªnext time, it would only require an internal solar system jump. This was the convenience of mastering the spatial jump skill. ¡°Let¡¯s do it together,¡± Lin Ke nodded. At this time, the ship could operate fully automatically. The crew members returned one by one to their liquid oxygen tanks to sleep, and Lin Ke and Lin Zhichen also entered sleep. A week later, they arrived at Redor Fortress. When the spatial jump was completed, Lin Zhichen and Lin Ke¡¯s eyes lit up. What appeared before them was a vast, seemingly endless steel fortress. The number of starships floating near the hyperspace corridor was so immense that it stretched beyond the horizon. The mysterious energy waves and the dark-toned hulls all indicated the formidable strength of this fleet. ¡°Cruisers, battleships, my goodness, they¡¯re so big and magnificent,¡± Lin Ke said, his eyes filled with fascination as he gazed at the colossal war machines, practically glued to the porthole. At this moment, however, Lin Zhichen was preoccupied with handling the routine inquiries from Redor Fortress. ¡°Beep beep~ Welcome to Redor Fortress. Please follow the instructions to open the ship¡¯s central control computer program for fortress inspection!¡± A formal female voice echoed in the command cabin. ¡°Captain, Redor Fortress has sent a message requesting temporary control of the ¡®Qinyuan¡¯. Do you agree?¡± the NPC pilot asked. ¡°I agree,¡± Lin Zhichen responded. This was a necessary procedure for entering an important star region. At the same time, he could feel at least a hundred ship cannons of various sizes aimed at the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± At that moment, various types of detection waves scanned back and forth, examining the ¡°Qinyuan¡± from multiple levels. In the past, there had been severe incidents of defection within intelligent civilizations, where hidden weapons on ships led to the destruction of a border fortress, resulting in a series of serious consequences. Since then, all nations unanimously strengthened their border defenses to prevent attacks from hostile countries or domestic traitors. Seemingly sensing the uniqueness of the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± a powerful psionic force soon emanated from the distant interstellar space, enveloping the entire ship. Lin Zhichen¡¯s eyes flickered as he suppressed the shock in his heart. In the presence of this immense psionic power, he felt like a small dinghy next to an aircraft carrier. His own psionic energy was compressed to the extreme, almost retreating back into his body. Fortunately, this discomfort came and went quickly. In the span of a breath, the powerful psionic force withdrew. ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve received a holographic communication from Redor Fortress. Shall we connect?¡± the pilot asked. ¡°Connect,¡± Lin Zhichen said, his expression turning serious. He had a vague feeling that the powerful psionic was reaching out to him. The communication was quickly established, and a stern-looking beauty in a silver-gray military uniform appeared on the screen, catching Lin Zhichen¡¯s eye with her striking appearance. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a curvaceous figure, the severe military uniform couldn¡¯t hide her alluring physique; instead, it accentuated her charm. Yet, beneath her delicate exterior, there was a strong confidence that made a lasting impression. He had seen countless beauties, and few could move him anymore. At least, based on appearance alone, even a perfect beauty would only attract his appreciative gaze, not his serious admiration. The reason was simple: the former was merely an appreciation of beauty, while the latter possessed the strength to crush him with a single blow. Strength combined with beauty naturally commanded his respect. ¡°Captain Lin Zhichen of the ¡®Qinyuan¡¯ salutes Fortress Commander, Admiral Sigrid!¡± Lin Zhichen stood and saluted, following the etiquette of psionics, a gesture of respect towards a pioneer. ¡°Oh? You know me?¡± Sigrid looked at him with interest. ¡°Of course, your achievements are well-known throughout the Federation,¡± Lin Zhichen said respectfully. ¡°I know you. You awakened just two months ago and have already advanced to elite status. Interesting,¡± Sigrid said, showing little interest in his flattery but much in him personally. ¡°I originally thought you would come here in a year or two, but you arrived much sooner than I expected.¡± ¡°I am very interested in the situation in the Dark Star Region. I kindly ask for your understanding, Admiral,¡± Lin Zhichen maintained his respectful demeanor. ¡°Anyone with aspirations for the stars would be interested in the Dark Star Region,¡± Sigrid said calmly, her mere gaze exerting an invisible pressure. This wasn¡¯t psionic power but a special aura of confidence and authority. It was highly oppressive. ¡°Mr. Lin Zhichen, although you have no intention of developing within the Federation system, I hope that if you ever change your mind, you will consider Redor Fortress.¡± ¡°To be noticed by you, Admiral, is an honor,¡± Lin Zhichen saluted once more. Chapter 39 - Titan Super Battleship Chapter 39: Titan Super BattleshipThe communication ended, and the invisible pressure dissipated. The network signals and various energy wave scanners that were searching for information within the ¡°Qinyuan¡± all vanished, and everything quickly returned to normal. It was clear that the ¡°Qinyuan¡± passed the inspection. In fact, in the presence of such a powerful hero, nothing could be hidden. He was just relieved that he hadn¡¯t rashly taken out that secret treasure¡­ ¡°Big brother, was that just now the fortress¡¯¡­¡± Lin Ke took a breath and was about to ask, but was stopped by a stern look from Lin Zhichen. In the presence of such a powerful being, even merely discussing matters related to them might attract their attention. This wasn¡¯t superstition but a tangible reality of power. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± did not linger and quickly followed the military¡¯s designated route, heading to the other side of the star system. To avoid suspicion, he refrained from using the ¡°Qinyuan¡¯s¡± radar waves to scan the star region. Needless to say, in this tightly guarded system, every step concealed secrets, and knowing too much was not a good thing. ¡°Admiral, why did you let him go so easily?¡± A female officer in a general¡¯s uniform behind Sigrid asked with some confusion. ¡°A highly potential psionic, and he even has a psionic warship capable of spatial jumps. Even if he doesn¡¯t grow into a legendary hero, just reaching the hero rank would make him a formidable warrior, which is exactly what we need.¡± Sigrid was silent for a moment, then said hesitantly, ¡°I don¡¯t know, but my psionics tell me not to constrain him¡­¡± The generals behind her exchanged glances, showing expressions of disbelief. Does psionic foresight have such a function? Or is my psionic cultivation too shallow? ¡°It¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it? But this is the guidance of psionics; it has never deceived me,¡± Sigrid said slowly. ¡°Keep an eye on this person. I want to know his information, but do not interfere with him.¡± ¡°Yes, Admiral!¡± The female adjutant saluted. Standing by the porthole, Lin Ke looked at the massive starships in the darkness, his expression one of shock, almost speechless: ¡°Mammoth-class Titan¡­¡± The Titan super battleship, the pinnacle of conventional fleets, a gem in the crown of interstellar civilization¡¯s industrial achievements! The Mammoth-class Titan was one of the highest technological achievements of the Human Federation. The ship was 13 kilometers long, 5.2 kilometers at its widest point, with a conical bow and a smaller cross-shaped stern, connected by a slender bridge. Apart from the numerous gun ports scattered across its hull, the most powerful weapon of the Mammoth-class Titan was the Inferno Ray, capable of focusing and firing massive amounts of energy, destroying large warships like battleships in a single shot. In front of the Titan¡¯s massive hull, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± appeared minuscule, almost imperceptible, like a dwarf standing before a giant. The sheer size difference alone was enough to sap the enemy¡¯s will to fight. Even in the interstellar age, a massive size still represented a significant advantage, allowing for more powerful onboard energy reactors and larger energy focusing arrays that powered formidable main cannons. The Titan flagship grew more distant, soon disappearing from view. Lin Zhichen and Lin Ke stood by the window, silently watching, losing interest in speaking. S?a??h th? n0v?l(?)ire.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°There¡¯s a rumor on the star network that building a Titan costs 1%-2% of the Federation¡¯s annual military budget, and such a project often takes over ten years to complete,¡± Lin Ke murmured. ¡°Big brother, do you think we will ever have the chance to pilot our own Titan in this lifetime?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Lin Zhichen answered resolutely. The Dakan star system was 3.2 light-years from Redor Fortress and about 6 light-years from Earth. After four days of hyperspace travel, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± arrived at the Dakan star system, a wilderness yet to be illuminated by civilization. Just after crossing over, the ship was at its most vulnerable. For the next ten minutes or so, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± remained in a state of almost exiting hyperspace but not yet fully out, making it a stationary target. But fortunately, this was not a completely uninhabited dark star region but the forward position of Redor Fortress. At the end of the hyperspace corridor was a large-scale guard fleet. After a period of stagnation, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± finally fully escaped the influence of the hyperspace corridor and began to explore the inner star region. At this moment, Lin Zhichen finally became alert, activating the gravity sensor radar at full power. His psionic energy expanded along with the radar waves into the vast starry sky. Now, they were in truly dangerous territory. Without the protection of the Federation fleet, enemies lurked everywhere. As the radar activated, Lin Zhichen quickly detected a roaming NPC rebel fleet. Note that these were rebels, not pirates! In the starry sky, the two major types of wild NPC fleets were a constant worry for countless intelligent civilizations. One was the pirate NPC fleet, equipped with outdated gear and more akin to militia or modified merchant ships, known for their numbers, speed, and weak combat power. Rebels were different. As the name suggested, they were regular military forces that rebelled¡ªthough, in reality, they were NPC fleets spawned in the starry sky. Unlike pirates, rebel fleets operate military-grade warships. These range from basic warships to second- and even third-generation advanced fleets, including everything from frigates to battleships. In some remote, unpatrolled star regions, rebel bases that developed to a certain extent could even acquire flagships or Titan super battleships! Do not underestimate such fleets; NPCs could also awaken psionic abilities! Especially in large wild NPC bases, it was possible for elite or even hero-level NPCs to emerge! These awakened NPCs were no less intelligent than natural humans and possessed a wide array of skills. A single mistake could lead even powerful heroes to fall. Those who arrogantly believed their lone ship¡¯s strength allowed them to charge in and out unscathed often ended up as frozen corpses in the starry sky. Currently, what lay before the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was a small rebel fleet numbering over a hundred ships. Led by a cruiser, the small-scale fleet of over eighty frigates and a dozen destroyers was turning its direction, targeting the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± A cruiser was a class above a destroyer. The Federation¡¯s standard cruiser was over 600 meters long and could be equipped with various weapons, including carrier-based aircraft. This rebel warship clearly lacked a hangar, as no carrier-based aircraft were being deployed. Due to its longer hull, a cruiser had an additional warship section compared to a destroyer. If fully equipped with large turrets, it could mount two large main cannons and simultaneously accommodate two medium turrets. ¡°It¡¯s a heavy artillery configuration,¡± Lin Zhichen made a quick judgment. The rebel fleet¡¯s radar was superior to that of the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± By the time he detected the enemy, they had almost completed their turn. This was thanks to the ¡°Qinyuan¡± being equipped with a gravity sensor. If it had been using a basic radar or lacked the boost from a gravity propulsion system, it would have been slower, and by now, the rebel fleet would have surrounded them. This was the danger of pioneering in the outer regions: you never know what you will face. By the time you realize it, you might already be encircled by enemy fleets. Chapter 40 - First Arrival in the Dark Star System Chapter 40: First Arrival in the Dark Star System¡°So dense?!¡± Lin Ke¡¯s face changed as he looked at the radar display. This area was only a few light-seconds away from the Redor Fortress garrison, a distance that was almost negligible in space. Yet, even in such a close region, there was a wild NPC fleet. It was clear that deeper into the star system, danger would be even more pervasive. ¡°Sit tight, I¡¯m going to give it a try,¡± Lin Zhichen exhaled. He had no intention of retreating but planned to launch an attack to gauge the strength of the wild NPC fleet in the Dark Star System. The engines roared to life, and within a few seconds, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± accelerated to 1¡ë* of light speed, charging towards the rebel fleet. Sub-light speed assault! Having preemptively tracked the movement of the ¡°Qinyuan¡± via radar, the rebel fleet, which was preparing to disperse and encircle, immediately changed formation. Led by the cruiser, they formed a neat line and charged forward. This was a head-on collision. Judging by the strength of both fleets, they were not on the same level at all. It was like a lone warrior tragically charging into a horde of enemies. ¡°Zzz~¡± Electromagnetic projectiles were fired, forming a sparse net in the starry sky. The rebel fleet launched the first attack. Utilizing their superior shipborne radar, the trajectories of their projectiles were generally close to the path of the ¡°Qinyuan¡±, posing a far greater threat than the pirate fleets within the solar system. The ¡°Qinyuan,¡± flying at sub-light speed, continuously shook and made small adjustments, dodging the incoming projectiles. Not a single shot came close to hitting the psionic warship. Although the fire seemed dense, it posed limited threat to the ¡°Qinyuan¡± at sub-light speed. After briefly testing the enemy fleet¡¯s fire density, Lin Zhichen immediately maneuvered the ship to turn sideways. In space, as the two fleets moved towards each other, a starship suddenly veered off before a head-on collision, drawing an arc and bypassing the front of the rebel fleet, heading towards the side of the starry sky. Within a second, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± accelerated from 1¡ë of light speed to 1% of light speed, and within a few more seconds, it reached 10%. It then made a wide turn in space, positioning itself to the side and rear of the rebel fleet. At this moment, Lin Zhichen¡¯s intent became clear. While the rebel fleet was still planning to resolve the conflict through a frontal battle, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± had already targeted the enemy¡¯s most vulnerable spot, preparing to deliver the most lethal attack. In terms of military discipline, the rebel fleet was far superior to pirate fleets. As the ¡°Qinyuan¡± veered towards the fleet¡¯s flank, the enemy, having detected this maneuver via radar, quickly realized the danger. They immediately decelerated and turned to the side, attempting to keep the fleet¡¯s front facing the enemy. But it was futile. The ¡°Qinyuan,¡± equipped with a gravity propulsion system, had maneuverability several levels above the enemy fleet. With a slight flick of its tail, it drew an arc in space, directly positioning itself behind the rebel fleet. ¡°Zzzt~¡± Three coil guns fired, launching electromagnetic projectiles. Red streaks flashed through the sky, and three frigates exploded in a fiery burst. Two seconds later, from the closest position to the rebel fleet, another round of electromagnetic cannon fire was launched. Three dazzling beams of light appeared almost simultaneously in space. Including a destroyer, three rebel warships exploded in a fiery burst. At this moment, the rebel fleet had not yet managed to turn around. They could only futilely rotate their turrets, firing at the trajectory of the ¡°Qinyuan¡±. But it was in vain, as the ¡°Qinyuan¡± once again maneuvered in space, continuing its charge towards the rebel fleet. The battle at this moment resembled an enraged giant bear frantically swatting, trying to kill the venomous bees buzzing around it. Despite having strength a hundred times greater than the enemy, it was powerless against the extraordinary speed. Lin Zhichen maximized the speed advantage of the ¡°Qinyuan¡±, tirelessly drawing circle after circle in space, driving one deadly ¡°stinger¡± after another into the prey. Explosions blossomed in space, with fragments of shattered ships tumbling chaotically. The once orderly rebel fleet gradually fell into disarray under the continuous harassing attacks of the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± Some ships, unable to adjust in time, repositioned themselves based on their own judgment, even pointing their bows at friendly ships. Due to the fleet¡¯s disarray, the coordinated cannon fire became increasingly erratic. The ¡°Qinyuan,¡± which was launching the attack, suddenly faced significantly reduced incoming fire, making the threat negligible. Previously, to evade danger, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± had accelerated to 10% of light speed during its attacks. This extreme speed made aiming difficult, allowing for at most two volleys per charge. With the threat now diminished, Lin Zhichen reduced the speed of the ¡°Qinyuan¡±, decelerating to 5% of light speed within seconds. At this speed, he could add an extra volley during each dive attack, further accelerating the rebel fleet¡¯s losses. In space, bursts of fire flared up and quickly faded back into darkness. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± darted continuously, and starships exploded one after another on the battlefield. Like peeling an onion, the once-massive rebel fleet was destroyed layer by layer, gradually exposing its core¡ªthe cruiser at the heart of the fleet. ¡°Well protected,¡± Lin Zhichen praised. At this point, he no longer underestimated the rebel NPC commander. Despite being at an absolute disadvantage, the fleet maintained a certain formation. After realizing the unstoppable momentum of the ¡°Qinyuan¡±, the cruiser, serving as the fleet¡¯s flagship, had retreated to the center of the formation. This thwarted Lin Zhichen¡¯s attempts to execute a direct decapitation strike and disrupt the enemy fleet¡¯s deployment, leaving him with no clear target. ¡°My sub-light speed assault capability was still lacking. Federation hero Bilus Decar can launch assaults at speeds exceeding 30% of light speed, weaving through dense enemy fleets to directly strike at their core. That level of skill is far beyond my current ability!¡± What level was 30% of light speed? Without relying on radar, you wouldn¡¯t even be able to locate the enemy¡¯s position or see their shadow. Imagine an enemy ship moving at 30% of light speed, weaving through a fleet, sometimes passing just a few meters away. How terrifying was that? The psionic warnings never ceased, not from the enemy ships that had already been mostly destroyed, but from the deeper, darker regions of space. His keen sixth sense told him that something dangerous was happening, and it was becoming increasingly perilous with each passing moment. It was clear that while he considered this fleet his prey, a stronger predator was closing in, and the danger was almost imminent. Fortunately, the long-awaited prey finally revealed itself. As the rebel warships were destroyed one by one, the cruiser, which had been protected at the core, finally became exposed. It seemed to have realized the crisis and was busy maneuvering its exposed stern back into the center of the fleet. S?a?ch* Th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 41 - Ubiquitous Reinforcements Chapter 41: Ubiquitous ReinforcementsBut it was too late. With the speed of the ¡°Qinyuan¡± and the crew¡¯s sharp reflexes, they were able to launch a lethal attack in an instant. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± drew an arc, and at a precise moment, an electromagnetic cannon was aimed accurately at the cruiser¡¯s stern thrusters. An electromagnetic projectile shot out, directly piercing the engine and detonating the fusion reactor. A small sun blossomed in the darkness, and the cruiser¡¯s massive hull shattered, releasing fragments of armor in all directions. With the loss of command, the rebel fleet lost its efficient coordination. The remaining ships acted independently, and the formation quickly fell into chaos. With the formation in disarray, more weaknesses were exposed. The threat to the ¡°Qinyuan¡± significantly diminished, and its sub-light speed quickly dropped to 1.2 km per second, greatly enhancing its attack efficiency. More warships were struck simultaneously, and explosions of fire erupted one after another. In just a few minutes, the remaining rebel warships were completely destroyed. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± further reduced its speed, and its extended psionic tendrils collected all the floating spoils in space. The psionic warship drew an arc in space, heading towards the increasingly imminent danger sensed ahead. Since entering the Dark Star Region, it was crucial to understand the situation here. Why did an unknown threat approach within just half an hour of engaging the rebel fleet? This question was vital because it could indicate whether future battles with wild NPCs would also be limited to very short durations. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± flew at sub-light speed, reaching up to 50% of light speed with the aid of the gravity propulsion system. The gravity sensor¡¯s detection range was 2 light-seconds, meaning the ship could reach the radar¡¯s edge in just 4 seconds. If there were asteroids or other obstacles ahead, they would need to find a way to navigate the ship safely within those mere 4 seconds. At this speed, if it were left to normal crew members, the only outcome would be the ship¡¯s destruction and loss of life. Only someone like Lin Zhichen, who could filter out most of the irrelevant information and relay critical data to the crew, could ensure that the ship¡¯s master-level skilled crew could coordinate with the ¡°Qinyuan¡± to maintain this speed without disaster. At 50% of light speed, everything in normal space zipped by like light itself. Soon, the source of the danger appeared. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± sharply drew an arc in space, rapidly decelerating to normal speed. At this moment, under the sensor¡¯s scan, the source of the danger finally emerged¡ªa massive rebel fleet numbering in the thousands, advancing menacingly! ¡°So many?!¡± Lin Ke was almost stunned as he looked at the radar displaying the enemy ship signals. There were already over a thousand enemy ships within sensor range. How many more were there behind and around them? As everyone marveled, more warships continued to arrive on the radar display, their numbers increasing. The dense red ship markers advanced like a wall! The ¡°Qinyuan¡± was still flying along a tangent, but more and more warships appeared, ranging from the smallest frigates to destroyers, cruisers, and even battleships. The radars equipped on these ships were far superior to the gravity sensors of frigate-class ships. At this point, the trajectory of the ¡°Qinyuan¡± had long been locked onto by the rebel fleet. Almost simultaneously, all enemy ships that could lock onto the ¡°Qinyuan¡± opened fire. From laser cannons to electromagnetic cannons, and a swarm of missiles and torpedoes, various known and unknown weapons blanketed the entire space! Just before the rebel fleet fired, Lin Zhichen, commanding the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± suddenly changed his expression. The psionic warship executed emergency evasive maneuvers, darting back and forth several times in a short span. In the next instant, a scorching beam of light tore through space, ripping through the darkness and flashing past countless small bursts of fire, narrowly missing the ¡°Qinyuan¡± and shooting into the depths of space. A particle lance, a main cannon equipped in X-type weapon slots only on battleships and higher-class warships, capable of sinking a cruiser with a single hit! Without lingering, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± turned and drew a wide arc in space, instantly fleeing into the deep space away from the rebel fleet. Behind it, beams of particle lances chased the trajectory of the ¡°Qinyuan¡± like searchlights, sweeping back and forth. However, at 50% light speed, the rapid escape rendered them ineffective, and one by one, they extinguished. Lin Ke, sitting in the space chair, was already pale. At the most dangerous moment, dozens of particle lances had woven a net in space, with the closest beam passing just a few meters away, almost brushing his face! As the danger receded, Lin Zhichen finally exhaled in relief, ¡°It¡¯s over.¡± The ¡°Qinyuan¡± quickly advanced into deep space, putting a significant distance between itself and the rebel fleet. ¡°I¡¯ve gained a new understanding of the dangers in the Wild Star Region. If we had delayed for an hour or two with the first fleet, we would have been surrounded by the following rebel fleet!¡± Lin Ke exhaled, calming his excited nerves. He looked at Lin Zhichen with admiration: ¡°Big brother, it¡¯s a good thing you launched that rapid assault earlier and destroyed that fleet without getting bogged down.¡± Lin Zhichen smiled, ¡°That wasn¡¯t luck; it was psionic foresight. This world is in a constant state of dynamic flux, generating countless pieces of information at every moment. ¡°Psionic foresight involves capturing this part of the information to gain an advantage.¡± When the first rebel fleet encountered the enemy and realized that the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was invincible, they changed their tactics to a defensive stance, intending to hold their ground and wait for reinforcements. If it hadn¡¯t been the ¡°Qinyuan¡± today but another mercenary group, they might have been preoccupied with besieging this fleet and ignored the broader battlefield, leading to their encirclement by the arriving enemy ships. s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. This was the great danger of the Dark Star Region. The refreshed wild NPCs weren¡¯t mindless monsters but real people. They also possessed intelligence, understood tactics, could ambush, launch surprise attacks, and coordinate. Moreover, due to their lack of emotions, they follow predetermined programs and persistently search for and hunt down intelligent life. In combat, they fought to the death without retreating, and their ability to endure damage far exceeded that of normal intelligent beings, causing headaches for all civilized nations! ¡°Trying to develop the Dark Star System is far more difficult than we imagined,¡± Lin Zhichen said, feeling quite troubled as the challenges they faced were far beyond expectations. If the enemies were scattered, they could be slowly picked off, occupying one base at a time and gradually clearing the area. But in the current situation, after defeating a small group, the entire family swarmed in, leaving no room for maneuvering. The absolute disparity in strength between the two sides was so great that there was hardly any space to employ strategies. Chapter 42 - Psionic Crystal Chapter 42: Psionic Crystal¡°Big brother, what do we do now?¡± Lin Ke asked worriedly, looking at Lin Zhichen. ¡°Setting up a base is tough.¡± Attacking a base could attract a large swarm of NPC fleets, leaving no room for development. ¡°Then we¡¯ll change the plan. One ¡®Qinyuan¡¯ isn¡¯t enough, so we¡¯ll have two, three!¡± Lin Zhichen said through gritted teeth. S?a??h th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°What?¡± Lin Ke was almost dumbfounded, not expecting such an answer. Could there really be more psionic warships? Even the Federation wanted these things! ¡°I brought you out here for this purpose,¡± Lin Zhichen said, closing his eyes. Seeing this, Lin Ke calmed down and waited for what was to come. The air in the command cabin began to ripple slightly, and a massive crystal, over a person tall, slowly materialized, taking up almost half of the command cabin. The spacious area immediately became crowded. ¡°This is¡­¡± Lin Ke¡¯s eyes nearly popped out at the sight of this fantastical scene. How did such a large crystal suddenly appear? A few days ago, after the new month¡¯s instance refresh, a brand new world, ¡°Superpower Unleashed,¡± emerged. At the moment the instance took shape, Lin Zhichen, as a semi-¡°Creator God,¡± learned the world¡¯s ¡°plot.¡± It involved three lucky individuals who found a strange crystal in a pit. Upon touching it, they awakened telekinetic abilities. What should have been a heartwarming urban hero legend turned into a tragedy because the protagonist, Andrew, had suffered from domestic abuse since childhood and was introverted. The story evolved into a disaster, with only one of the three surviving, and that survivor was pursued by the government after revealing their superpowers. After emerging from the subspace of ¡°Superpower Unleashed,¡± a mysterious crystal sphere with a diameter of over two meters appeared in the cabin of the ¡°Qinyuan¡±. ¡°Civilization Relic* Psionic Crystal (Red) Passive Effects: 1: Within a one-kilometer radius centered on the Psionic Crystal, psionic cultivation speed is increased by 300%. 2: Within a one-kilometer radius, psionic energy consumption is reduced by 90%. Activation Effect: Transforms a toucher into a psionic user. Cooldown Time: 3 months.¡± ¡°What a treasure!¡± Lin Zhichen couldn¡¯t help but smile as he looked at the Psionic Crystal. The active effect could be triggered once every three months, allowing one person to be transformed into a psionic user. Even if used to awaken army soldiers, it would result in four psionic users in a year. The best part was that it could be actively triggered, allowing for the selection of specific individuals for awakening. Imagine those who were already exceptionally talented¡ªif they were to awaken psionic abilities, how extraordinary would their potential become? This was a tool to elevate the upper limits of civilization! Before the Yang God cultivation method produced significant results, this was the only way for the Meteor Mercenary Group to acquire psionic users. ¡°Big¡­ big brother, what is this?¡± Lin Ke stammered. ¡°This is a Civilization Relic, a Psionic Crystal. It can awaken one person as a psionic user every three months!¡± Lin Zhichen replied with a smile. ¡°Civilization Relic?¡± Lin Ke gradually calmed down, his brain resuming its ability to think, and then he exclaimed, ¡°It¡¯s actually a relic?!¡± Most people¡¯s understanding of Civilization Relics came from fragmented rumors on the star network. Naturally, there were many speculations about such treasures that could impact an entire civilization, but in fact, most of these were mere conjectures. Lin Zhichen revealed the attribute list of the Psionic Crystal to Lin Ke. The abilities of this seemingly unremarkable crystal sphere left him stunned. ¡°Big brother, I¡­ I¡­¡± Realizing the significance, Lin Ke¡¯s voice became stammered. ¡°Go ahead, place your hand on the crystal,¡± Lin Zhichen encouraged with a smile. Steadying himself, Lin Ke placed his trembling hands on the crystal. ¡°Buzz~¡± Upon being touched by a living being, the crystal, which appeared to be of poor quality and filled with impurities, immediately emitted almost tangible psionic energy, rippling like water waves. The powerful psionic energy enveloped Lin Ke, turning the entire space into a blur, like murky water. Lin Zhichen felt the immense psionic energy gathering but not yet releasing, constantly permeating Lin Ke¡¯s body. At this moment, Lin Ke didn¡¯t look well. His face was pale, as if he had lost a lot of blood. But Lin Zhichen wasn¡¯t worried. To gain abilities comparable to or even surpassing the Yang God in a short time, how could there not be a price to pay? A little pain is all it takes. Endure it, and it will pass. Sure enough, just ten minutes after the initiation ceremony, the vast tide of psionic energy receded as quickly as it had come, revealing Lin Ke¡¯s weakened figure. His legs gave way, and he almost fell to the ground, but Lin Zhichen caught him. ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°I feel amazing¡­¡± Lin Ke¡¯s pale face showed a hint of a smile. Awakening his psionic abilities, he saw the world in a completely different light. He could perceive the tiniest corners of the ship¡¯s cabin, the faint force field of the gravity generator on the metal floor, and the subtle flow of energy within the ship¡¯s structure. This was a completely different experience from before. For the first time, he felt the life pulse of the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± a form entirely distinct from normal life. ¡°I feel like the Qinyuan is greeting me,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s amazing¡­ So, this is the form of a psionic warship.¡± ¡°Spend more time sensing and understanding it. Psionic energy is not just power; it is also an extension of our senses,¡± Lin Zhichen explained. ¡°It is our hands, our feet, our eyes and ears, even our nose and brain¡ªa comprehensive extension of all our senses, and even beyond that.¡± Lin Ke continued to sense carefully and then asked, ¡°Big brother, do you have a way to obtain a second psionic warship?¡± ¡°Yes, but it will have to wait until next month,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. ¡°Before we return to Earth, stay with me to understand the operation of the Qinyuan. Learn how to pilot and fight with a psionic warship to maximize its combat effectiveness.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Lin Ke nodded. ¡°Extend your psionic perception and merge it with my power,¡± Lin Zhichen instructed. Lin Ke tried, and under Lin Zhichen¡¯s guidance, a new consciousness soon emerged within the psionic waves of the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± At that moment, he ¡°saw¡± the interconnected thoughts of Lin Zhichen and the NPC crew members. He ¡°saw¡± how seemingly independent individuals were unified into a single entity through psionic connections. Each person functioned as a part of a living organism, with critical information being filtered and sent to the appropriate positions every moment. In almost a second, there were dozens of information exchanges. The crew members communicated, discussed, and made the most suitable decisions within a tenth of a second, then executed them in unison. It was this incomprehensible method that allowed the ¡°Qinyuan¡± to fly at 50% light speed while maintaining safety and reliability. ¡°So, the psionic warship is the body, and the crew members serve as its limbs and organs, while the psionic users are the brain and eyes of the warship!¡± Understanding this, Lin Ke finally grasped the operational principle of the psionic warship. He carefully observed the changes within and tried to comprehend everything from Lin Zhichen¡¯s perspective. Chapter 43 - Warship Graveyard Chapter 43: Warship GraveyardThe ¡°Qinyuan¡± roamed through space, with its sensors occasionally detecting fleets of varying sizes, from small fleets of dozens to hundreds of ships, to large fleets numbering in the thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, forming an endless sea of warships. The most dangerous threat occurred when the ¡°Qinyuan¡± collided head-on with an endless ocean of steel. The warship markers on the sensors stretched to the horizon. Just as the ¡°Qinyuan¡± emerged, thousands of large turrets fired, and the dense barrage of projectiles almost covered the entire sky. The dangerous premonition made Lin Zhichen tense up. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± immediately operated at full power, drawing a zigzagging trajectory across the sky to avoid the increasingly dense attacks. Fortunately, this fleet seemed to have a specific purpose. After driving away the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± they did not pursue further and continued flying in a certain direction. ¡°Big brother, was that a pirate fleet just now? How could there be so many of them?¡± Lin Ke asked, breathing a sigh of relief as he watched the pirate ships quickly disappear from the radar. Due to the psionic perception link, he had sensed that at least a thousand warships had targeted the ¡°Qinyuan¡± at that moment. Even a slight reduction in speed could have resulted in being overwhelmed and destroyed by the over-saturated firepower. ¡°It is a pirate fleet,¡± Lin Zhichen said, furrowing his brows. This NPC fleet was very peculiar, with a clear objective. Even when encountering natural humans, they didn¡¯t bother to engage but continued towards their destination. He looked at the radar markers. The direction the pirate fleet was heading was not towards the hyperspace route to the Redor Fortress but deeper into the star system. Judging by the space gravity, it should be a planet. ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look,¡± he said after a moment of contemplation. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± turned in space and headed towards the deep space. To establish a foothold in this star system, it was essential to understand its basic situation: how many bases there were, whether they belonged to rebels or pirates, the approximate number of fleets, their general activity areas, the weak points of NPC forces, and which bases could be captured¡­ Knowing this information was crucial for effectively searching for targets and preparing the location for a secret base. Indeed, despite the continuous crises, Lin Zhichen¡¯s determination remained unshaken. After all, developing in the Dark Star Region inevitably involved these dangers. Facing threats from NPC wild monsters was preferable to dealing with the complex dangers within the Federation. ¡°Hmm?¡± Suddenly, Lin Zhichen¡¯s expression changed. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± rapidly decelerated from 50% light speed, drawing an arc in space to avoid something ahead. S?a??h th? N?v?lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Lin Ke, who was also trying to synchronize with the sensors using psionic energy and observe through radar waves, was stunned. What lay before the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was not a dense fleet of wild monster ships, but a sea of floating debris in space! ¡°My heavens, is this the legendary warship graveyard? How many starships have sunk here?¡± The shattered hulls densely populated the entire space, with metal plates occasionally colliding and breaking into smaller metal fragments. Against the dark void background, tiny light spots flickered like fireflies in the summer, with some lights occasionally going out. ¡°Hurry! Big brother! These are the spoils dropped by the wild monster starships. We need to find a way to collect them quickly. If we wait too long, the protective glow will disappear, and the spoils will become ordinary starship parts, which will soon become brittle and useless in the starry sky!¡± Lin Ke was jolted awake by the disappearing light spots and hurriedly urged, ¡°Big brother, hurry!¡± According to information on the star network, within certain Dark Star Regions, different factions of wild monsters also vie for power and territory, engaging in spectacular large fleet battles in the vast starry sky. Due to the refresh mechanism, NPC bases that grew to a considerable extent could produce quantities that astonished civilized nations with each refresh. The massive fleets gathered could cover the sky, and once they went to war, the intensity of the battles was beyond ordinary imagination. It was possible that in a single day, the number of fleets lost in battles between the two sides could reach millions, filling the entire starry sky. The shattered hulls did not naturally refresh but remained like meteors and ruins, becoming a unique spectacle of the Dark Star Region. The warship graveyard before them was just like that, and it hadn¡¯t been long since its creation. The spoils dropped would turn into ordinary items if not collected within three days, losing their protective glow and quickly becoming useless in the freezing temperatures. ¡°Maintain psionic harmony,¡± Lin Zhichen instructed. At this moment, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± had slowed to below 1 km per hour. This low-speed flight was something the ¡°Qinyuan¡± and its crew were well accustomed to. In fact, due to the numerous threats posed by the abundance of shattered hulls, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± had to navigate through this complex environment, which further improved the crew¡¯s piloting skills. ¡°The Qinyuan¡¯s storage bay isn¡¯t very large. We can only load a limited amount of spoils,¡± Lin Zhichen said, sensing a nearby spoil. He extended his psionic energy, forming an invisible hand to grasp and easily pull it into the ship¡¯s hold. Collecting spoils was exhilarating, but due to the previous battle with the rebel fleet, the Qinyuan¡¯s storage bay was already filled with a large amount of spoils. Just picking up a few more filled the warehouse to capacity. Seeing so many spoils in space but being unable to collect them was a constant torment for the two. ¡°Time is running out,¡± Lin Ke said regretfully, watching the light spots in his field of vision extinguish faster and faster, knowing the final protection period was nearing its end. ¡°Big brother, let¡¯s make a trip back to Earth. If we send this batch of spoils back, we should be able to come back and collect more!¡± Lin Zhichen nodded silently. This was a great opportunity to make a fortune, and even he was somewhat tempted. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± quickly exited the metal debris field and entered normal space. The spatial jump initiated, and time and space rapidly shifted. A distance of several light-years became as close as two points on a blank sheet of paper. When the space around the ¡°Qinyuan¡± returned to normal, they were already in Earth¡¯s outer space. ¡°Big brother, why are you back so soon?¡± Wu Tianyi, who received the holographic communication, was somewhat surprised. ¡°We¡¯ve made some gains. Send a transport ship over to unload our spoils,¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°Alright,¡± Wu Tianyi quickly made the arrangements and then turned his attention back. ¡°Our transport ship will arrive in five minutes. In the meantime, tell me, what did you encounter this time?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a long story. I¡¯ll send you the video of our encounter. You can watch it later,¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°In an hour, once the spatial jump cooldown is over, we¡¯ll head out again.¡± ¡°I understand. Is there anything you need me to prepare?¡± Wu Tianyi asked, becoming serious upon hearing the urgency. Chapter 44 - Aircraft Carrier Blueprint Chapter 44: Aircraft Carrier Blueprint¡°No, you all continue training on Earth and wait for my return,¡± Lin Zhichen shook his head. ¡°How are things with the Rockefeller family?¡± ¡°The asteroid base has been secured, and the energy credits have been transferred. Our regiment has leveled up twice,¡± Wu Tianyi said with a smile. ¡°Big brother, do you know? We¡¯ve found a way to increase the production of NZT-50!¡± ¡°What method?¡± Lin Zhichen asked, immediately excited. Increasing the production of NZT-50 meant greater profits for the Meteor Mercenary Group, providing significant support for his plans. ¡°It¡¯s the mercenary group¡¯s level! Upon upgrading to level 3, the production of NZT-50 increased to 30,000 pills per day,¡± Wu Tianyi explained. ¡°According to our estimates, each level of the mercenary group represents a production capacity of 10,000 units!¡± With a daily production of 30,000 pills, even if each pill was sold for just 1 energy credit, that was 30,000 energy credits per day, enough to build a battleship. ¡°The economic value may not be significant, but the strategic value is immense!¡± Lin Zhichen sighed slightly. NZT-50 has a tremendous impact on society as a whole. Many young people who had lost their dreams due to mediocre talent might regain hope for the future because of it, greatly driving societal progress. ¡°Recently, we¡¯ve been specifically searching for information on relic-permitted specialties on the star network. We found that those factions possessing such specialties eventually established their own nations, and the originally scarce specialties began to increase in quantity,¡± Wu Tianyi said seriously. ¡°Perhaps there¡¯s a key to this. Only by establishing our own nation can the limitations on NZT-50 be completely lifted.¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. This was the most likely answer. ¡°Name: Meteor Nature: Mercenary Leader: Lin Zhichen Level: 3 Military Merit: 44 Mission Completion Rate: 100% Members: 4/100 Warships: Psionic Frigate*1, Frigate*2, Pirate Raider*20, Pirate Gunboat*3 Base: Earth Specialty: NZT-50 (30,000 pills/day) Evaluation: Greenhorns just starting out!¡± ¡°How is the recruitment for the mercenary group going?¡± he asked. ¡°We¡¯ve just started, and already over a hundred locals who have completed the virtual academy¡¯s captain profession assessment have submitted job applications. I took a quick look; there are no A-level elites, but there are quite a few B-level and C-level ordinary captains,¡± Wu Tianyi replied. ¡°In addition, there are a dozen or so army generals. The rest are engineers and such, but their abilities are average.¡± ¡°Average ability is normal. In this era, anyone with a bit of talent starts their own business. Who would work for someone else?¡± Lin Zhichen laughed. ¡°Lack of ability isn¡¯t a problem; we have plenty of ways to improve that. Loyalty is what matters most. Make sure to screen carefully and try to identify spies from other factions.¡± ¡°When NZT-50 hits the market, the entire Federation¡¯s attention will be drawn to it. We¡¯ll have to be extremely cautious with our recruitment then.¡± ¡°Understood, big brother,¡± Wu Tianyi nodded. An hour quickly passed, and the ¡°Qinyuan¡± once again entered a spatial jump, disappearing from the solar system. Dakan star system, in the outer space of a certain planet¡¯s orbit, lay a vast warship graveyard. ¡°We¡¯re too late,¡± Lin Ke said, disappointed by the information returned from the gravity sensors. The starry sky was dark, with no light spots remaining. The three-day protection period had already passed, and they didn¡¯t have the time to slowly sift through the useful components, as there were too many other tasks to attend to. Lin Zhichen didn¡¯t respond, instead piloting the ¡°Qinyuan¡± slowly into the graveyard, delving deeper and deeper. This maneuver was extremely risky. If any starship detected the ¡°Qinyuan¡± on the outskirts of the graveyard, they could launch long-range artillery strikes. In such a scenario, the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± trapped in the interstellar debris, would have very little room to accelerate and escape. However, what seemed like a dangerous environment was well within Lin Zhichen¡¯s control. His psionic energy constantly sensed the information in space, and the amplification from the Psionic Crystal elevated his perception to a whole new level, allowing him to detect even the subtlest threats more quickly. This heightened intuition led him to sense something particularly intriguing. Soon, an object emitting a faint glow appeared. No, it wasn¡¯t just one; this seemed to be the center of the graveyard, with four or five objects scattered in a small area. Massive wreckage floated in space, occasionally colliding with surrounding metal fragments, sending out showers of metallic debris. In the virtual academy, Lin Zhichen had seen various types of starships, and he could tell at a glance that these were the remains of battleships. Lin Ke perked up and quickly extended his psionic perception: ¡°Big brother, there are blueprints!¡± S?a?ch* Th? ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Lin Zhichen didn¡¯t respond. He carefully maneuvered the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± docking beside a piece of debris. To Lin Ke¡¯s surprise, he didn¡¯t immediately salvage the valuable spoils but instead extended his psionic energy to retrieve a life pod floating in space. ¡°Big brother¡­¡± Lin Ke was puzzled. Life pods were where survivors stay after a starship explosion. Due to limited oxygen and energy, they could only sustain life for three days. If no one rescued them within that time, the occupants would die from lack of oxygen. The issue was that this starry space was filled with NPC life pods. Why save this one in particular? ¡°Use your psionic energy to sense deeply. It will guide you to the most valuable spoils,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. After retrieving the life pod, a slight smile appeared on his face. He then used his psionic energy to gather all the nearby glowing spoils. At this moment, the faint psionic perception had completely vanished. There might still be some overlooked spoils in this graveyard, but it was undoubtedly not worth his time to continue searching. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± slowly navigated out of the graveyard. To expedite their departure, Lin Zhichen even used his psionic energy to form an arm, pushing aside the nearby metal fragments to clear a safe path. ¡°Big brother, a blueprint for a light aircraft carrier?!¡± Lin Ke exclaimed as he sifted through the spoils, finding the most valuable item among them. Lin Zhichen glanced at it and was immediately captivated by the three-dimensional image of the aircraft carrier on the blueprint. Similar to the combat methods of the planetary era, aircraft carriers primarily rely on carrier-based aircraft for combat. In a fleet, they usually serve as the flagship or auxiliary ship, using their aircraft to extend the fleet¡¯s vision and bring enemy fleets into combat range first. However, unlike their dominant role in planetary-era naval battles, the importance of aircraft carriers in the space era was significantly diminished. This was due to starships having thicker armor, more powerful energy shields, and higher-performance combat computers, which greatly enhanced the defensive capabilities of point-defense cannons. As a result, the combat effectiveness of space fighters was severely limited, and the importance of aircraft carriers was greatly reduced. In most cases, they could only serve as the flagship of a support fleet or the eyes of a main fleet. Chapter 45 - The Drafter Chapter 45: The DrafterBut this didn¡¯t mean that aircraft carriers were without significance. At least when facing medium and small warships below the level of cruisers, they could still demonstrate considerable combat capability. ¡°I remember that aircraft carrier blueprints are quite rare, right?¡± Lin Zhichen asked excitedly. The appearance of the aircraft carrier blueprint sparked more ideas in his mind. ¡°That¡¯s right. According to statistics on the star network, for every hundred battleship blueprints, there are usually only one or two aircraft carrier blueprints,¡± Lin Ke replied, equally excited but with a hint of regret. ¡°It¡¯s a pity it¡¯s not a battleship.¡± Battleships were the absolute mainstay of large fleets, akin to heavy cavalry on the space battlefield, difficult to counter. Although a light aircraft carrier was of the same class as a battleship, it was definitely not a match for a battleship in direct combat. ¡°No, for us, at this stage, the enhancement brought by an aircraft carrier far exceeds that of a battleship,¡± Lin Zhichen shook his head. What was the greatest feature of an aircraft carrier? It was the carrier-based aircraft! And space fighters needed pilots to operate them. His talent lay in being able to train the best pilots in the shortest time. The combat power of this aircraft carrier might even surpass that of a battleship. ¡°There¡¯s another blueprint here¡ªit¡¯s for a Quark Light Spear!¡± Lin Ke handed the blueprint to him. ¡°That¡¯s why I said it¡¯s a pity.¡± The Quark Light Spear was an upgraded version of the Particle Light Spear, a primary weapon that only large warships of battleship class could equip. Its searing beam could easily penetrate the shields and armor of cruisers. ¡°It¡¯s not a pity; we now have the funds to build the aircraft carrier!¡± Lin Zhichen said with a relaxed smile. In the military¡¯s special permissions, there wasn¡¯t even a channel to purchase such equipment. On the market, a Quark Light Spear was priced at 2,800 energy credits, but it was often in such high demand that its true price exceeded the market value. Certain high-power weapons, much like ballistic missiles in the planetary era, were rarely sold to outsiders. The Quark Light Spear had already reached this level. ¡°Big brother, we only have this one blueprint. Are we sure about the price?¡± Lin Ke hesitated, knowing that manufacturing the light spear required the precious material, Tork Crystal. Tork Crystal was a commonly rare crystal in interstellar space. It sounded contradictory, but compared to metals like gold, silver, copper, and iron, the production of Tork Crystal was much lower. Yet, many important engineering devices required it, making this mineral extremely scarce and expensive on the market. Typically, one unit of Tork Crystal cost around a hundred energy credits, and a Quark Light Spear required about three units of Tork Crystal. It wasn¡¯t much, but given the current size of the Meteor Mercenary Group, trying to gather enough rare crystals from the market in a short time was nearly impossible. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With my military permissions, I can exchange for a batch of Tork Crystals every month,¡± Lin Zhichen reassured. ¡°As long as it¡¯s a finished product, this equipment will bring us sufficient returns.¡± Battleships, as primary combat equipment, were entirely different from cruisers and lower-tier ships. Small warships like frigates and destroyers were essentially cannon fodder on the battlefield. They had quick construction cycles and relatively simple training, and they always played the role of drawing enemy fire in fleet battles. Battleships were the true mainstay warships. Their heavy armor and powerful energy shields provided exceptional defense, making them difficult to sink. With the cover of numerous cannon fodder warships, they could unleash their firepower to the fullest. At this point, their main guns became crucial. ¡°And now, the most important spoil¡­¡± Lin Zhichen looked at the life pod. ¡°Let me see what affected my psionic perception.¡± He pressed the switch, and the remaining oxygen hissed out like white smoke, bringing a refreshing sensation. The two peered inside, where an NPC crew member was slowly waking from slumber. With a sense of anticipation, Lin Zhichen opened his personal panel. Natural humans did not need the consent of NPCs to view their templates in wild camps. ¡°Name: Drafter DKXXHTS** (Human, Red) Gender: Male Age: 17 Profession: Drafter (Junior) Talent: Drafting (Red): Drafting speed +16% Skills: 1: Drafting (Red, Junior 4.03%): Drafting speed +17%, (Drafting permissions +0, opens civilian industrial products, military frigate drafting) 2: Starship Piloting (White, Junior 14.57%): Sub-light speed +20% Evaluation: Don¡¯t bother me, I¡¯m just a drafter.¡± ¡°Drafting talent? What kind of talent is that? How did he become a starship pilot?¡± Lin Ke muttered to himself. ¡°This is our greatest gain this time,¡± Lin Zhichen exhaled, a genuine smile appearing on his face. Perhaps this drafter¡¯s talent wasn¡¯t outstanding, only increasing drafting speed. But it undoubtedly solved the immediate needs of the Meteor Mercenary Group. At the very least, this NPC drafter, working with Dr. Will, could make certain modifications to frigate-level ships. At this stage, that was more than sufficient. ¡°I never expected that an NPC refreshed in the wild would have such a talent,¡± Lin Zhichen remarked. ¡°These talents are wasted in NPC factions. Just like this drafter, who is highly sought after by many major factions, yet he was trained as a starship pilot.¡± If he hadn¡¯t been rescued by chance, the starry sky would have lost an extremely rare professional talent. Thinking about the countless NPC fleets repeatedly battling in the Dark Star Regions, how many elite talents were being lost? Thinking about how these talents could have played a more significant role in his hands, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of regret. ¡°Big brother, how did you find him?¡± After an explanation, Lin Ke had come to understand the importance of the drafter. He was now amazed by Lin Zhichen¡¯s sharp psionic perception. ¡°It has to do with my own abilities, but also the amplification from the Psionic Crystal,¡± Lin Zhichen said, looking at the crystal that occupied a large part of the command cabin. S?a?ch* Th? N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It enhances my perception abilities.¡± ¡°Big brother, with this ability, our chances of acquiring rare-talent NPCs will far exceed those of ordinary factions!¡± Lin Ke exclaimed in admiration. This was like having a prospector who could continuously discover gold mines. The gains were substantial, but the ¡°Qinyuan¡± did not return directly to the solar system, as they were already nearing their destination¡ªa nameless planet. ¡°Swish~¡± In the darkness, a sudden light flashed and then disappeared. This was a beam of light from a great distance, carrying powerful energy fluctuations. It was an energy spear, the main cannon of a battleship. Lin Zhichen was slightly startled and immediately became vigilant. For light to travel such a vast distance, it was evident that this area was already a battlefield. He just didn¡¯t know who the combatants were. Involuntarily, he recalled the massive fleet they had encountered midway. Chapter 46 - The Full Map of the Star System Chapter 46: The Full Map of the Star SystemThe ¡°Qinyuan¡± cautiously approached, and as the distance closed, the number of visible light beams increased. In space, being able to observe beams of light with the naked eye meant that the local energy intensity was comparable to the brilliance of the sun. At this moment, there were hundreds of thousands of intersecting beams of light! ¡°My heavens, this is magnificent!¡± Lin Ke¡¯s mouth hung open in awe. No matter how spectacular fleet battles appeared in the virtual world, it was entirely different from experiencing it firsthand. The beams of light, each containing terrifying energy, made him feel a genuine sense of dread through his psionic perception. As they drew closer, they saw even more. They didn¡¯t even need the gravity sensors; they could see with the naked eye stars suddenly lighting up and then quickly extinguishing. Those were the final glows of exploding starships. Lin Zhichen¡¯s psionic perception was working at full capacity, absorbing information from the battlefield, remaining silent for a long time. The surging energy fluctuations constantly disturbed this region of space. Although this amount of energy was insignificant compared to the universe, it was vast as a galaxy when compared to an individual. The ¡°Qinyuan,¡± merely a frigate, even as a psionic warship, was like a small boat in a storm on a battlefield of this scale, with the slightest negligence posing a risk of capsizing. ¡°Both sides have at least a hundred thousand warships, with over ten thousand of them being battleship-class main warships. If we include those without energy weapons like light spears as their main guns, the number is even higher,¡± Lin Zhichen shook his head. In a fleet battle of this magnitude, even he wasn¡¯t confident they could escape. ¡°Big brother, we¡¯ve been spotted!¡± Lin Ke warned. At the edge of the radar, hundreds of tiny light points were rapidly approaching. According to the radar¡¯s speed measurement, they were moving at over 1 km per second, a speed far exceeding that of a frigate. ¡°They¡¯re space fighters,¡± Lin Zhichen realized. ¡°There must be an aircraft carrier nearby.¡± ¡°Big brother, what should we do?¡± Lin Ke asked. S?a??h the Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°There must be a complete fleet near the carrier. Let¡¯s check elsewhere first.¡± The ¡°Qinyuan¡± was not equipped to take on an aircraft carrier. It was armed with three small turrets, all electromagnetic cannons, which were suitable for engaging warships but too weak against fighters. Even with the crew¡¯s master-level gunnery skills, they could hit the targets, but the slow firing rate would put them at a significant disadvantage. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± traced an arc through space and quickly vanished, its 50% light speed making it easy to shake off the enemy. Soon, after multiple probes, Lin Zhichen had figured out the main players in this battlefield. ¡°It¡¯s a major battle between the pirate faction and the rebel faction, likely fighting for control of this star system,¡± Lin Ke remarked, curling his lip. ¡°To be honest, this is the most common scenario in the starry sky.¡± NPC fleets refreshed in a star system would initially engage in decisive battles for system ownership according to their respective factions, turning the entire star system into the exclusive territory of either the pirates or the rebels. Once the main faction was decided, the wild NPC fleets that spawn would belong to the corresponding faction. But that wasn¡¯t the end. After the pirates or rebels took control, there were different bases, each led by different NPC leaders. They would also fight among themselves. After jointly eliminating the opposing faction, they would battle for supreme power again until a Pirate King or Rebel Marshal emerged. It seemed they were still in the first stage. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we might still have a chance¡ªif they can¡¯t determine a winner in the short term, they won¡¯t have the resources to hunt us down,¡± Lin Ke suggested. ¡°Why don¡¯t we check out the asteroid belt in this star system? The environment there is quite complex, and it should be relatively safe for a while.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, but we need to first understand the orbital dynamics of the planets in this star system,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. This was crucial. Understanding the larger environment was necessary before deciding where to start. Carefully avoiding the battlefield and the reinforcement fleets spread throughout the star system, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± moved like a fish swimming through space. Exploring a star system wasn¡¯t difficult; it only required determining the positions and types of planets from a distance using space telescopes. But this wasn¡¯t an uninhabited star region. The star regions of the New Universe were filled with NPC wild fleets and nests. At a distance of about 2 light-seconds* from the planet, there were numerous starships patrolling the starry sky. When a battle occurred, nearby starships would quickly converge, making the entire space like an impenetrable curtain, blocking everything in the distant starry sky. Fortunately, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was not an ordinary starship and could always force its way near a planet to complete simple reconnaissance before the reinforcement fleets arrived. It took twenty days for this unpleasant reconnaissance mission to conclude. During this time, they spent at least half of it being chased by wild NPC fleets. They were forced to sink hundreds of starships but had no time to collect the spoils, as they were constantly pursued by the wild NPC reinforcements. ¡°Now confirmed, the entire Dakan star system has six terrestrial planets and three asteroids serving as moons, orbiting Dakan I, III, and V respectively,¡± Lin Ke said, looking at the completed star system map and reviewing the NPC wild bases they had detected along the way. According to the common naming conventions of the various civilizations in the New Universe¡¯s Milky Way, once a star system¡¯s name is determined, the planets are named starting from the star outward. The planet closest to the star is Dakan I, the second is Dakan II, and so on. If there are asteroids, they are named based on their proximity to the planet they orbit, such as Dakan Ia for the closest moon, followed by Dakan Ib, and so forth. Based on their reconnaissance, the closest planets to the star, Dakan I and Ia, were directly exposed to the star¡¯s radiation, covered in high-temperature lava, and completely uninhabitable. Naturally, the wild NPC bases in these locations were minimal¡ªonly a small pirate spaceport was found on the side of Dakan Ia facing away from the star. This was similar to the spaceports above Earth, but because Earth was a habitable planet, its spaceports were primarily commercial, with developed logistics and transportation. In contrast, this pirate spaceport was primarily military. Not only was its defense stronger than that of a commercial port, but it also had a small dock capable of berthing starships for regular maintenance and repairs. Dakan II was a toxic planet, with its surface covered in poisonous gases. Any life entering it would quickly succumb to the toxins. This planet did not have any pirate bases, and there were no space stations in its orbit either. Perhaps there had been, but they were destroyed in previous battles. In fact, spaceports directly exposed in outer space orbits were more likely to become targets for enemies. Chapter 47 - Target Selected Chapter 47: Target SelectedDakan III was a barren planet, with pirate bases scattered across its skies. This was the main stronghold of the pirate faction. Even the orbit of its moon, Dakan IIIa, was filled with numerous bases, occupying almost all orbital resources. Dakan V was a gas giant, with the frozen asteroid Dakan Va as its moon, serving as the main base of the rebel faction. The dense array of rebel bases nearly covered the entire sky above the planet. Using these two planets as the sources of their conflict, approximately every year, the pirate faction and the rebel faction would engage in a large-scale decisive battle in the asteroid belt between Dakan III and Dakan V! ¡°This star system is quite interesting. The orbits of Dakan III and Dakan V bring them closest to each other about once a year. This time point often marks the beginning of their major battles!¡± Lin Ke remarked in amazement. ¡°Using the asteroid belt as the central battlefield, the fighting can occur anywhere in this star system. Over the years, both sides have grown to their limits, yet they maintain a balance, with neither side achieving a decisive victory.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve overlooked a crucial point: the Redor Fortress is constantly monitoring the entire star system,¡± Lin Zhichen said with a slight smile. After this reconnaissance, the situation of the entire star system had become clear. If one were to think that the situation within the Dakan star system was completely unnoticed by the Redor Fortress, it would be underestimating Admiral Sigrid. In fact, the long-standing opposition between the two factions within the star system was orchestrated by her. As an excellent fortress commander, without such tactics, the Redor Fortress would not have remained so peaceful for so long. ¡°Big brother, where should we set up a base?¡± Lin Ke asked, looking at the full map of the star system and pondering. ¡°The asteroid belt between Dakan II and Dakan III?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hidden enough and also lies in the area where pirate and rebel forces intersect. The constant battles between the two factions make it chaotic enough.¡± ¡°What do you think about Dakan I?¡± Lin Zhichen pondered without directly stating his opinion. ¡°Dakan I?¡± Lin Ke was momentarily stunned, then quickly looked at Dakan Ia orbiting Dakan I and suddenly understood. ¡°You mean to directly attack the pirate base there? It¡¯s hidden enough, but won¡¯t it alert the pirate faction?¡± Wild NPCs have characteristics different from normal intelligent life. For instance, no matter how fiercely they fight each other, when facing intelligent life, their attitude is surprisingly consistent¡ªthey join forces to drive out natural humans. According to information on the star network, there have been factions that tried to develop quietly like Lin Zhichen was suggesting, then eliminate both factions in one fell swoop. However, the results were often less than satisfactory. ¡°It¡¯s different. If you look closely at the development of those factions, you¡¯ll see that initially, they weren¡¯t fully besieged by the two factions. They only faced small-scale harassment. It was only when they grew and started encroaching on the territories of both factions that they faced total annihilation,¡± Lin Zhichen explained, stroking his chin with a smile: ¡°We want to set up a base here for secrecy and peace. Are we really going to expand our territory right under the nose of the Redor Fortress?¡± Lin Ke nodded. If that was the case, it might be feasible. At the very least, setting foot on Dakan I would mean not having to worry about large-scale attacks from major factions within the Federation. Otherwise, the first hurdle would be the pirates and rebels. ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll check out Dakan I first.¡± Acting on his decision, Lin Zhichen quickly maneuvered the psionic warship ¡°Qinyuan¡± to head towards the inner star system. They evaded four or five pursuing wild NPC fleets along the way, drawing ever closer to the star. Through the porthole, a blazing sun loomed larger, its intense light illuminating the entire ¡°Qinyuan.¡± ¡°Big, big brother, slow down a bit. Don¡¯t crash into it,¡± Lin Ke said, feeling increasingly anxious as the gravity and brightness intensified. This was a mental pressure, a growing sense of crisis, as if a blazing sun had appeared in his inner world, making his heart tremble. ¡°You see, your sudden rise in power has left your state of mind unstable,¡± Lin Zhichen chuckled. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± traced an arc in space, orbiting the star. Soon, a lava planet appeared in the distance. Due to its proximity to the star, the planet¡¯s surface appeared crimson from afar, a result of boiling magma. Orbiting Dakan I was a much smaller micro-planet. Against the backdrop of the sun, these two crimson planets were almost negligible. As they drew closer, Dakan I became clearer, revealing some dark-toned backgrounds that were vaguely indistinct. Lin Zhichen knew those were space bases orbiting the planet. ¡°Not good!¡± The sense of threat suddenly intensified, as if being stared at by a man-eating beast, a shiver running through his body like an electric shock. Fortunately, he had never let his guard down. The moment he sensed danger, he immediately maneuvered the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± accelerating the ship to sub-light speed within a second, tracing an arc through space. A second later, dozens of beams of varying thickness pierced through space, completely enveloping the position where the ¡°Qinyuan¡± had been. ¡°Whoo~¡± Lin Ke exhaled deeply, finally relaxing. Just a moment ago, he had felt the breath of death. ¡°Quick reaction,¡± Lin Zhichen remarked, already seeing a large number of pirate warships launching from the two lava planets, heading towards the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± ¡°Big brother, there are space fighters!¡± Lin Ke warned. In the sunlight, hundreds of tiny light points appeared in space, reflecting off the metal hulls of the fighters. ¡°And battleships,¡± Lin Zhichen noted, maneuvering the warship to drift and trace another arc. Several beams of light spears pierced through space, disappearing into the darkness in an instant. ¡°The fleet has roughly a thousand ships, including battleships and carriers. Their warship configuration is complete, and their combat power is strong.¡± In an instant, Lin Zhichen had assessed the pirate fleet. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± traced an arc, accelerating to 50% light speed in a moment, then abruptly decelerating to 1¡ë light speed within three seconds. In those three seconds, they traversed hundreds of thousands of kilometers, advancing to the flank and rear of the pirate fleet. Using radar to measure the distance accurately, they then performed a sub-light speed assault to reach a critical position in a very short time and launched an attack. Any mistake in this process would result in crashing into enemy ships or even planets, leading to the destruction of the ship and the death of the crew. Only with strong psionic perception could the probability of such accidents be minimized. S?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, the pirate fleet had not yet moved out of the base¡¯s cannon range, while the space fighters had already flown into the depths of space, heading towards the void. Chapter 48 Chapter 48: Warship ModificationRealizing the speed of the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± both the pirate base and the fleet hurriedly rotated their turrets, preparing for battle. But by then, the psionic warship was already ready. It deftly turned in space, and its three turrets had completed aiming and firing in a short time. S?a??h the N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Boom, boom~¡± Three starships exploded violently. At the same time, beams of light pierced through the middle of the pirate fleet¡ªthis was the counterattack from the pirate base¡¯s turrets. With the aid of electronic control systems, friendly fire in the space age had been minimized, but the presence of the fleet still affected the trajectory of the turret fire. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± didn¡¯t even move from its spot; instead, it cunningly aligned itself with a space carrier, positioning them both on the same line. The energy shields of large warships far exceed those of medium and small warships. The turrets of the ¡°Qinyuan¡± could penetrate frigates and destroyers, and even most types of cruisers could be barely destroyed, but battleships were out of the question. Not wasting the opportunity to attack the carrier, the three turrets aimed at the best-angled targets: one cruiser and two destroyers. After another round of fire, three fireballs appeared in space. But that was the limit. The next moment, the pirate fleet¡¯s turrets had turned, beams of light cutting through the darkness and disappearing in an instant. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± had already accelerated away, making several sharp turns to evade the pirate fleet and base¡¯s fire, and vanished in an instant. ¡°Big brother, with a fleet of this scale, it will be very difficult for us to take them down,¡± Lin Ke said worriedly. ¡°And the pirate base¡ªdid you notice, big brother? There are hidden pirate bases within the lava planet!¡± Lin Zhichen nodded slightly. He silently activated the holographic projection, displaying the image of the lava planet. The projection showed interstellar bases with menacing gun barrels and visible docks. Before the battle began, he had used the brief time to capture images of the lava planet¡¯s surface. In the brief footage, the specially magnified sections showed starships rising from the magma surface. It was clear that within the seemingly uninhabitable lava, there was at least one deeply buried base. ¡°We need a base like this!¡± Lin Zhichen sighed, recognizing the greatest advantage of the base¡ªits concealment, which was exactly what they needed. ¡°Big brother, it¡¯s very difficult,¡± Lin Ke said, feeling a bit dry-mouthed. ¡°This base can¡¯t be taken down with conventional ground forces!¡± ¡°There will be a way,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± traced an arc in the darkness, space trembling, and in a breath, it vanished into the void. With a spatial jump, the ship disappeared from the star system. When it reappeared, it had arrived in the solar system, with Earth close at hand. At the headquarters of the Meteor Mercenary Group, in a lounge, Lin Ke was vividly recounting the harrowing journey through the dark star system to Wei Peng. Wu Tianyi pondered slightly, ¡°Big brother, are you planning to sell the Quark Light Spears to quickly build a carrier?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. We need a batch of space fighters and pilots,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded slightly. ¡°For now, the asteroid belt around Jupiter is the best training ground.¡± The dark star region was too dangerous, with battles involving hundreds or even thousands of starships. A single misstep could result in being surrounded by NPC fleets. ¡°Then, should we check it out now?¡± Wu Tianyi asked. ¡°Such a rare and powerful main cannon for warships¡ªwe don¡¯t even know its market price.¡± Lin Zhichen thought for a moment and shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯ll handle it. Tianyi, once the space carrier arrives at the port, the main force of the legion will move to the asteroid belt. How is the training of those pirate crew members going?¡± ¡°Their loyalty is basically not an issue anymore, but their professional skills are mostly at a beginner level and not very useful,¡± Wu Tianyi shook his head. The skills of wild NPCs were generally low, and the individual strength of the pirate faction was often inferior to that of the rebel faction. However, they did have greater numbers. Lin Zhichen nodded slightly. He didn¡¯t have high expectations for these pirate NPCs. As long as their loyalty was up to standard, their skills could rapidly improve through combat. ¡°What has Dr. Will been up to lately?¡± he asked. ¡°He¡¯s been studying the Federation Academy¡¯s ship data,¡± Wu Tianyi thought for a moment and replied, ¡°Should I call him over to ask?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go see him ourselves. Now that we have a cartographer, the modification of the frigate class should be put on the agenda,¡± Lin Zhichen said, standing up. The group headed to the research institute, and with Dr. Li Ping¡¯s reception, they quickly found the ship design department. ¡°Welcome, Commander. I hope you bring some good news,¡± Dr. Will said as he modified the ship¡¯s parameters on a holographic computer with the help of several research assistants. Seeing the arrival of the base¡¯s senior staff, he did not show any warmth. Due to the lack of a cartographer, the ship design work had stalled. He had applied to the base¡¯s leadership several times but had not received an effective response. Lin Zhichen was not offended and smiled, ¡°Of course, Doctor. I have found an excellent assistant for you, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll like him.¡± With that, he introduced the cartographer. ¡°A cartographer? That is indeed good news.¡± Finally, a hint of joy appeared on Dr. Will¡¯s otherwise cold face. The rules of the New Universe had been difficult for him to adapt to, especially the requirement for blueprints¡ªeven modifications to existing ships required a cartographer to draw the corresponding modification blueprints. ¡°Doctor, if I want to modify a frigate-class warship, what difficulties would we face?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°Money, and a lot of it,¡± Dr. Will replied. ¡°To be honest, the rules of the New Universe are quite unreasonable. Do you know that to upgrade a frigate to a true second-generation model, you would normally need to spend three times the cost of building a new frigate?¡± Wu Tianyi, standing nearby, looked puzzled. ¡°Doctor, what do you mean? Upgrading a frigate just involves upgrading the onboard equipment to the second generation, right? It shouldn¡¯t cost that much.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re talking about equipment upgrades, while I¡¯m talking about warship modifications!¡± Dr. Will shook his head. He activated the holographic display, showing two completely different frigates. The reason it was recognizable as a frigate was because one of the holographic images was clearly a standard Seagull-class frigate. Everyone¡¯s attention was drawn to the second frigate. Compared to the standard frigate, its size and parameters were significantly larger and higher. ¡°Seagull-class Frigate II Dimensions: Length 207 meters, Width 95.8 meters, Height 39.4 meters Hull Value: 600 Armor: 8 Shield: 300 Shield Recharge Rate: 4% Damage: 15.02 Speed: 150 Evasion: 55.1%¡± Chapter 49 Chapter 49: ContactThe standards of the second-generation frigate have almost doubled in all aspects, but its speed and evasion are slightly reduced. The most notable improvement was the number of turrets it could mount. If equipped with small electromagnetic cannons, it could install six at once, doubling the firepower density compared to the first-generation warship! ¡°How much will the modification cost?¡± Lin Zhichen asked, his heart racing. With double the firepower, the second-generation frigate¡¯s combat capability could easily defeat twice the number of same-tier enemy ships, equivalent to the combat power of three first-generation warships. ¡°1,200 energy credits!¡± Dr. Will stated a price that made his heart race. ¡°If you want to upgrade to the third generation, add another 2,400 energy credits!¡± ¡°That price is comparable to a cruiser!¡± Lin Ke gasped, shuddering at the cost of upgrading the ship. Although the third-generation frigate¡¯s number of turrets would double again, allowing it to equip 12 small turrets simultaneously, the high cost meant it had no advantage when facing cruisers¡ªcruisers were equipped with large turrets! The attack capability of large turrets against warships far exceeded that of small and medium turrets. This gap couldn¡¯t be bridged by quantity alone. ¡°Doctor, can the upgrades only go up to the third generation?¡± Lin Zhichen asked, pondering as he looked at the third holographic image. ¡°Yes, currently the maximum is the third generation,¡± Dr. Will shrugged. ¡°There might be a fourth or fifth generation, but what¡¯s the point? It¡¯s still just a frigate.¡± Above frigates were destroyers, above destroyers were cruisers, and above cruisers were battleships. With so many grades of warships, why focus on the most basic ones? ¡°In your estimation, how far can a frigate be upgraded?¡± Lin Zhichen pressed on. ¡°I estimate that the maximum potential is level 5, with up to 48 small turrets. Sir, such an upgrade is not worth the cost,¡± Dr. Will thought for a moment before concluding. ¡°For that, we would need to spend 18,000 energy credits, which is enough to build a battleship.¡± Hearing this price, everyone¡¯s hearts skipped a beat. Using the cost of building a battleship to create a ¡°monster¡± with a large number of small turrets? ¡°Doctor, if we push the frigate template to this level, how long would it take?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. ¡°If you insist, about a month,¡± Dr. Will pondered. ¡°We should thank NZT-50; our researchers have made significant progress during this period. Otherwise, it would take at least three months.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Zhichen opened the personal panels of the dozen or so NPC assistants in the lab and found that their main skills had already reached the expert level. Clearly, Dr. Will had overestimated the effects of NZT-50. A monthly dose was not enough to cause a qualitative change in such a short time. The rapid improvement of these NPC assistants was due to his own talent, but there was no need to mention that. ¡°Very well, Doctor. If upgrading the warship requires progressing level by level, then I need to take the blueprints for the first two upgrades now,¡± Lin Zhichen said. ¡°No problem,¡± Dr. Will instructed the cartographer, ¡°It¡¯s up to you now.¡± The newly hired warship pilot finally returned to his old profession. He took the holographic computer and quickly input some information. The group was very patient. The value of these strategic NPCs was immeasurable, and having the opportunity to observe them was naturally not something to be impatient about. Dr. Will had already completed the most labor-intensive design work. The cartographer only needed to output it and use his skills to turn it into a blueprint, which didn¡¯t take long. Just an hour and a half later, a blueprint emitting a rich white glow appeared in Lin Zhichen¡¯s hand. ¡°Seagull-class Frigate II (Upgrade) Blueprint (White) S~?a??h the ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Activation Effect: Allows the selected Seagull-class Frigate I to be upgraded and modified upon activation. Cost: 200 Universal Alloy¡± 200 Universal Alloy is approximately 900 energy credits, and with other components, the total cost is about 1,200 energy credits. Lin Zhichen glanced at the blueprint and put it away. He looked at the still-busy cartographer and asked, ¡°Doctor, is there a modification plan for the pirate raiding craft?¡± Dr. Will activated another holographic projection, displaying a new ship¡ªthe pirate raiding craft: ¡°The design philosophy of the pirate raiding craft is completely different from that of the frigate. It focuses more on speed while relatively neglecting hull strength. Even if it continues to be upgraded, its hull strength will still be weaker than that of a same-tier frigate. Conversely, its speed and evasion capabilities surpass those of same-tier frigates.¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. ¡°We will likely capture more pirate ships in the future. When you have time, you can optimize and upgrade it to the second generation. Anything beyond that is unnecessary.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Dr. Will nodded. After an hour and a half, the group finally left the lab. ¡°Big brother, the speed of drawing blueprints is really slow. With this efficiency, how can we manage if the upgrade and modification involve tens of thousands of ships?¡± Lin Ke asked, puzzled. ¡°Perhaps there are other skills to accelerate the generation of blueprints, or maybe the number of cartographers is inherently a limiting factor, which is why all major forces have an insatiable demand for them,¡± Lin Zhichen said with a faint smile, clearly in a good mood. ¡°Once the carrier is ready, we¡¯ll sweep through the asteroid belt. I estimate the number of our mercenary group will increase several times over!¡± ¡°Big brother, aren¡¯t we going to upgrade the ¡®Qinyuan¡¯ first?¡± Lin Ke asked. Lin Zhichen shook his head. ¡°No, at this stage, the carrier is the most critical.¡± After bidding farewell to the others, he returned to the penthouse and lay down on the lounge chair. He activated his holographic wristband and began to make a call. It didn¡¯t take long; within just a few breaths, the communicator connected. ¡°It¡¯s rare for you to contact me,¡± Liu Manjun¡¯s graceful figure appeared in the holographic image, a hint of blush on her charming face, clearly in a good mood. ¡°Busy?¡± Lin Zhichen asked. The holographic image showed her sitting in the captain¡¯s chair of the command cabin, evidently on a long voyage. ¡°Yes, I took on a military mission to clear out NPC fleets in the dark star region,¡± Liu Manjun said simply. ¡°These are tasks that large mercenary groups will encounter. If you want to advance the legion, you often have to help the Federation expand its territory.¡± ¡°So mercenary groups aspiring to advance to legions will take on these types of missions to gather intelligence on the dark star region as early as possible.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Lin Zhichen mused. He then asked, ¡°Interested in a Quark Light Spear?¡± ¡°You actually have a Quark Light Spear?¡± Liu Manjun was quite surprised, her slightly parted lips exuding a unique charm. ¡°Where did you get it?¡± Chapter 50 Chapter 50: Raising Funds to Build a Carrier¡°A few days ago, I took a trip to the dark star region to explore its situation and stumbled upon a newly formed warship graveyard,¡± Lin Zhichen said casually, as if he had just returned from a vacation. ¡°I salvaged a few items, including a blueprint for a Quark Light Spear. I plan to manufacture the spear and sell it to raise funds for building a light aircraft carrier.¡± ¡°It seems you¡¯ve had quite a fruitful trip,¡± Liu Manjun said, giving him a deep look. She understood that he was already preparing for the launch of NZT-50 and was also amazed at Lin Zhichen¡¯s capabilities. Even with a psionic warship, being able to safely navigate the dark star region on a first attempt was a testament to his skills. ¡°Not bad. The dark star region is extremely dangerous, but it has plenty of valuable items,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. ¡°So, what do you think? Do you want the Quark Light Spear?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a rare and valuable item, but I want the finished product. You have military permissions, so you probably get construction discounts. The price of a Quark Light Spear may not match that of a carrier, but with the discount, it¡¯s close enough,¡± Liu Manjun said straightforwardly. ¡°Send me the payment link.¡± ¡°I like your decisiveness,¡± Lin Zhichen laughed heartily. With this deal, he only had to spend 960 energy credits, and a blueprint for a Quark Light Spear would get him a light aircraft carrier. ¡°Don¡¯t hang up just yet. Has NZT-50 gone into mass production?¡± Liu Manjun asked. ¡°Have you decided when to launch it?¡± ¡°This trip to the dark star region was more challenging than I anticipated, so the launch date will be pushed back a bit,¡± Lin Zhichen sighed slightly. ¡°The Meteor Mercenary Group¡¯s resources are still a bit too thin.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you know. As a psionic, you have a lifespan ten times longer than ordinary people. There¡¯s no need to rush. You can plan slowly,¡± Liu Manjun said with a hint of a smile. ¡°For example, you could take some time to accompany your twin lovers.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Lin Zhichen was slightly taken aback. ¡°Heh, how heartless,¡± Liu Manjun looked at him with a teasing yet reproachful gaze. ¡°You¡¯ve forgotten them so quickly.¡± ¡°Are you talking about the sisters from the academy? Well, I¡¯ve already forgotten their names. It was just one night anyway,¡± Lin Zhichen said nonchalantly. ¡°There are too many things to do in life. Why drown in longing?¡± S~?a??h the N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You are quite carefree, or should I say, a bit of a player,¡± Liu Manjun chuckled coldly. ¡°I advise you to be cautious. Those sisters are not easy to deal with. If they find you, you¡¯ll likely face some trouble.¡± ¡°Yes, it was indeed quite troublesome,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded seriously, ¡°I look forward to your next visit, and maybe you can bring me some more trouble!¡± Then the holographic image was cut off. He shook his head. ¡°Women are really inexplicable. Everything that needed to be done is done, so why be shy?¡± He sent the construction order to the military¡¯s warship factory and quickly received feedback. With a high construction priority, he would get the ship in a month. Under normal construction cycles, it would take about six months. Getting it so early was because they took over a ship that was already under construction. Thinking of this, he felt quite pleased. ¡°The joy of having privileges is something ordinary people wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± Three days later, after a brief rest, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± set sail once again, traveling through space directly to the Dakan star system. In the asteroid belt between Dakan III and Dakan V, a massive fleet battle was still ongoing. Every day, both sides dispatched millions of warships, engaging in continuous battles across the vast expanse of space. In space, pirate and rebel fleets were converging on the asteroid belt from all directions. If they didn¡¯t encounter opposition en route, they would eventually join the brutal battlefield as reinforcements. However, if they met enemy forces halfway, they would engage in direct combat in space. Originally, Lin Zhichen hoped to take advantage of the two factions¡¯ large-scale battle to acquire more spoils of war. However, he underestimated the war potential of this star region¡ªthe fierce battles resulted in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of starships every day, yet the number of fleets clashing on the battlefield showed almost no noticeable decrease. After multiple fruitless explorations that only drew hostility from both opposing factions, Lin Zhichen had to change his approach, targeting the NPC fleets engaged in skirmishes. ¡°Zzzt~¡± A scorching electromagnetic projectile streaked through space, passing just ten meters from the hull of the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± After narrowly avoiding a warning shot from a rebel warship, Lin Zhichen piloted the starship to probe the nearby star region. At this moment, nearly a thousand starships from both sides were engaged in fierce combat, with warships being heavily damaged or even exploding every moment. ¡°Pirate fleet: approximately 600 ships. Rebel fleet: approximately 400 ships.¡± After multiple probes, the radar quickly gathered basic intelligence on both sides. Despite the pirate fleet having more ships, the two sides were almost evenly matched on the battlefield. Lin Zhichen understood that although these were two major factions of wild NPCs, the fact was that the rebel NPCs had higher individual quality and stricter discipline, resulting in stronger combat performance. Another important reason was that pirate faction ships generally had lower armor and hull values, with only their speed exceeding standard levels. Originally, this was an advantage, but due to the generally poor skills of the pirate NPC crew members, the well-conceived tactics often became mere paper plans. Instead, the disorganized formations led to greater losses. As a result, these tactics were gradually abandoned in favor of direct engagements, where the losses were often greater than those of the rebel fleet. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± maneuvered around the battlefield, occasionally launching sudden attacks to destroy a few NPC warships. Lin Zhichen did not limit himself to any faction and chose targets at will. This behavior quickly drew the ire of both sides, and each faction gathered dozens of warships, splitting into two groups to pursue the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± ¡°Do they hate natural persons more than they hate each other?¡± He carefully piloted the warship, weaving through the web of fire. Suddenly, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± transformed into a beam of light, crossing hundreds of thousands of miles to reach the rear flank of the rebel fleet. Its speed abruptly dropped to 1.2 kilometers per second, and three turrets fired simultaneously, destroying three enemy ships in one volley. Without any grand evasive maneuvers, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± glided like a nimble swallow, with scorching projectiles accurately hitting enemy ships. To avoid being caught in a pincer attack by the two fleets, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± used the pirate fleet as cover, hiding in space and aligning itself in a straight line with the rebel fleet. If these two fleets were from the same faction, the rebel fleet would deliberately avoid friendly fire. However, since they were targeting the pirate fleet, it was entirely acceptable for them to weaken the enemy while eliminating the disruptor. Chapter 51 Chapter 51: The Second Psionic Combat SkillAs the ¡°Qinyuan¡± launched its attacks at sub-light speed, the rebel fleet also opened fire, unleashing their firepower on the pirate fleet without any hesitation. The ¡°thin-skinned, big-hearted¡± pirate warships exploded one after another. By the time the pirates realized what was happening, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was already circling around their fleet. S?a?ch* Th? N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Caught in a pincer attack, the desperate pirates didn¡¯t hold out for long. With the last cruiser destroyed by the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± the real battle between the two sides began. With its sub-light speed flight capability, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± was invincible in small-scale fleet battles. When the battle ended, it was already an hour later. After a hasty cleanup of the battlefield, Lin Zhichen piloted the warship towards the site of the main fleet battle. Originally, nearly a thousand starships were engaged, but by this time, only over seven hundred remained. He didn¡¯t continue to harass them. Instead, Lin Zhichen sat back and patrolled the starry expanse, preventing any sudden reinforcements, while waiting for both sides to exhaust themselves. This wish was finally realized after a full five hours¡ªby then, the total number of warships left on the battlefield was no more than a hundred, and neither side showed any intention of stopping. For these die-hard fighters who fought to the end, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± showed no mercy, taking them down one by one until the last damaged rebel battleship desperately unleashed its firepower. But it was futile. The battleship¡¯s bulky hull granted it armor far thicker than other warships, but now, with its energy shields destroyed, it appeared quite pathetic, like a clumsy bear being tormented by the nimble ¡°Qinyuan.¡± Nimbly dodging the battleship¡¯s bombardment, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± maneuvered into a perfect firing position. The three electromagnetic cannons immediately launched a volley. The electromagnetic projectiles shot out swiftly, striking the battleship¡¯s rear engines. Although the hull was sturdy enough to withstand the impact, the destruction of the engines meant the projectiles were stopped by the ship¡¯s compartments, unable to reach the energy chamber. The battleship, now devoid of power, was like a sitting duck, posing no threat to the ¡°Qinyuan.¡± The coil guns fired without hesitation, and after a dozen volleys of ¡°point-blank shots,¡± the energy chamber was finally destroyed. In a brilliant energy explosion, the massive steel behemoth was torn apart. ¡°This is the first, but it won¡¯t be the last!¡± Lin Zhichen finally smiled as he watched the burning giant. Casually collecting the spoils of war, he followed the usual practice: the first time sinking a ship of a certain class always yielded some extra rewards, like the blueprint before him. ¡°Battleship Blueprint!¡± A hint of joy appeared on his face. The Onoban-class battleship, with a total length of 1.3 kilometers, was equipped with a particle light spear main cannon. Its high-energy concentration array could destroy several cruisers in a single strike! This heavily armored giant ship, much like the battleships of World War I, boasted heavy armor and heavy firepower, possessing undeniable battlefield deterrence in space combat. Each dazzling beam it fired was enough to melt a small asteroid. Compared to the rare flagship-class battleships and space carriers that relied on relatively fragile fighters, it was the mainstay of fleet battles! Of course, it was impossible to construct it in a short time. The more powerful the warship, the more of a gold-devouring beast it became. The current Meteor Mercenary Group was not yet qualified to obtain it, but the time for its emergence wasn¡¯t far off. By this time, a full five to six hours had passed since the beginning. Without any intention of lingering, Lin Zhichen quickly gathered the spoils of war, and the ¡°Qinyuan¡± swiftly jumped through space towards the solar system¡ªthe cargo hold was once again filled with loot. The drop rate from NPC skirmishes was much lower than the normal monster drop rate, but the sheer number of warships on both sides made the acquired loot quite substantial. This time, aside from selling the spoils, which could bring in about 800 to 900 energy credits, there were also blueprints for a dozen or so frigates and destroyers. However, no amount of loot could compare to what he had truly gained. After multiple intense battles, especially after destroying a battleship, his sub-light speed assault finally broke through to the master level, beginning its transformation into a psionic combat skill. ¡°Name: Lin Zhichen ¡¤ Elite (Red) Gender: Male Age: 21 Talents: 1: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Purple): Effect 1: Effort brings rewards; skill practice leads to improvement. Effect 2: Members within the faction benefit from this talent. 2: Gate of Time and Space (Blue): Opens once a month, searches for time-space imprints, and opens temporary instances. 3: Psionic (Red): Effect 1: Awakens psionic abilities. Effect 2: Skill learning speed +10%. Occupation: Captain ¡¤ Elite (Red, Apprentice) Skills: 1: Psionic Cultivation (Red, Warrior 37.14%) 2: Lethal Strike (Red, Beginner 33.54%): Critical hit +2% Psionic Combat Skills: 1: Ship Command ¡¤ Elite (Red): Effect 1: Ship evasion +25%*10 Effect 2: Sub-light speed travel speed +25%*10; Psionic Consumption: 50; Duration: 30 min 2: Sub-light Speed Assault ¡¤ Elite (Red): Effect 1: Sub-light speed bombardment accuracy +25%*10 Effect 2: Sub-light speed bombardment damage +25%*10; Psionic Consumption: 60; Duration: 30 min Psionic Energy: 312 Evaluation: Witness my celestial might!¡± ¡°The second psionic skill!¡± Lin Zhichen exhaled, a smile appearing on his face. After transforming it into a psionic skill, he could feel a more refined mastery over the sub-light speed assault. With a mere thought, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± turned into a beam of light, and he began testing the speed he could now perfectly control. 1.2km/s 1.8km/s 2.5km/s ¡­ 3.1km/s 4.6km/s ¡­ 12.5km/s£¡ It wasn¡¯t until 12.5 km/s that Lin Zhichen felt the pressure. At this point, his psionic perception and mental computation speed were nearly at their limits. Simply by transforming it into a psionic skill, the sub-light speed assault¡¯s speed increased from 1.2 km/s to 12.5 km/s! What benefits did the increased assault speed bring? It meant that the ¡°Qinyuan¡± could now maintain a running and gunning speed of 12.5 km/s, up from 1.2 km/s, while keeping the same firing frequency. When encountering enemy fleet lock-ons, the faster the speed, the lower the probability of being locked on by shipborne electronic control systems, making it safer. The psionic transformation of the sub-light speed assault brought a qualitative leap to this skill. Satisfied, Lin Zhichen made a few circles in space, shaking off the pursuit of two NPC fleets. He then piloted the ¡°Qinyuan¡± back to the solar system once again. ¡°Big brother, how did it go? Did the pirate faction and the rebel faction determine a winner?¡± Lin Ke asked. He hadn¡¯t accompanied Lin Zhichen on this trip to the Dakan star system. ¡°No, they¡¯re still fighting. It looks like they won¡¯t determine a winner anytime soon,¡± Lin Zhichen shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s a good thing. You can fish in troubled waters.¡± However, he felt some pressure in his heart. Despite the prolonged fleet battle, the number of main fleet ships in both factions hadn¡¯t decreased, indicating how many warships each faction gained per refresh cycle. This was unequivocally bad news, meaning that the number and scale of NPC bases in this star region far exceeded his expectations. When he had to face them in the future, the pressure would be even greater. Chapter 52 Chapter 52: Carrier Arrives at PortAfter transforming the sub-light speed assault into a psionic combat skill, Lin Zhichen finally had some free time and planned a trip to the asteroid belt. S~?a??h the N?v?lFir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. For the next month, aside from checking the progress of the large-scale battle in the Dakan star system every few days, he stayed at the headquarters base. He waited for the arrival of the carrier and trained the NPC crew members. When the new month arrived and the Gate of Time and Space refreshed again, the previously captured pirate NPC crew members and the newly recruited NPC crew members and pilots, who were to operate the carrier and its carrier-based aircraft, had all mastered the basic skills of refining essence into qi with the help of NZT-50. Their physical condition had greatly improved thanks to the conditioning of psionic potions. The NPCs refreshed by the system were generally at the lower end among their peers in the same profession, much like clone soldiers. Compared to naturally trained soldiers, they often fell short in terms of physical fitness. Of course, this was their initial state. They would all undergo professional training later on. In fact, this was a common practice for all military forces. Whoever could train the most outstanding NPCs at the lowest cost would have a greater advantage in battle. ¡°This month, no new instance worlds appeared¡­¡± Lin Zhichen felt a bit disappointed but was mentally prepared for it. After organizing his thoughts, he looked at ¡°Event Horizon.¡± ¡°We now need a second psionic warship.¡± Looking at the psionic light orb floating in his hand, this was the spirit of a slaughter ship, a rare treasure and unique entity. Within this instance world, the most precious thing one could obtain was this light orb, capable of transforming a frigate into a psionic warship. ¡°This psionic warship will be given to Ah Ke,¡± he pondered. ¡°But it can¡¯t be in the solar system, or even within the Federation¡¯s territory. Unfortunately, I am still quite a distance away from reaching the Hero rank.¡± If he were to advance to Hero, transforming psionic skills into a domain, the ¡°Qinyuan¡± could easily carry a fleet and jump directly from the solar system to the Dakan star system, avoiding the current dilemma. ¡°Big brother, our carrier has arrived. The Earth star network is buzzing with the news!¡± Wei Peng burst into the training room, speaking excitedly. ¡°It has arrived already?¡± Lin Zhichen was slightly surprised. He had been focused on the Gate of Time and Space and had overlooked the messages on his holographic wristband. As he walked towards the parking area, he opened his holographic wristband and immediately saw a pinned new message¡ª¡±Shocking! The Solar System¡¯s first carrier appears, Earth enters the era of main battleships!¡± Opening the video, the view was of the space starport, where a colossal vessel was docked in the shipyard. The nearby ships looked like small boats compared to a cruise liner in comparison. As an aircraft carrier that relies on carrier-based aircraft for combat, its size was always an order of magnitude larger than warships of the same class. Lin Zhichen had ordered a light aircraft carrier, considered a small member of the carrier family, but it still boasted a hull length of 2,853 meters, surpassing the largest battleships and comparable to flagship-class warships! ¡°Finally! Earthlings finally have a large warship!¡± ¡°That massive carrier makes the nearby frigates look like giants and dwarfs.¡± ¡°A hull length of 2,800 meters¡ªwow, I couldn¡¯t run from one end to the other without stopping for breath!¡± ¡°A carrier! It¡¯s invincible in the solar system now.¡± ¡°My mom asked me why I was watching the video on my knees.¡± ¡°Whose is it? Does anyone know which tycoon ordered it?¡± ¡°Use your brain, the person above. Could any individual own this big guy? It must have been purchased by some big family, right?¡± ¡°Everyone, wash up and go to sleep. It¡¯s the royals and conglomerates again. This is a game for the wealthy families, it has nothing to do with us commoners.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Public opinion on Earth isn¡¯t very good. It seems quite a few people are resentful,¡± Lin Zhichen remarked casually. ¡°Big brother, don¡¯t be misled. Most of the people who have time to go online are those who lack ambition. They rely on federal welfare and still live quite comfortably,¡± Wu Tianyi, standing nearby, shook his head and said: ¡°You have to understand, even the most ordinary civilians can receive some benefits, like free basic cell optimization fluid, which can extend their lifespan by several years to a decade. Think about it, if you can live comfortably without effort, who would be willing to venture into the stars? According to some surveys published by private organizations on the star network, the number of people willing to enter virtual academies to become professionals in the interstellar era¡ªsuch as captains, warship pilots, and other important professions¡ªis not high, only about 15% of the total population.¡± ¡°So few? What about the other administrative planets of the Federation? What¡¯s the ratio there?¡± Lin Zhichen was slightly surprised. He usually didn¡¯t pay attention to these matters and didn¡¯t realize so many people preferred to take it easy. But if one thought about it, it made sense. After all, dying once would deduct 10 years of lifespan. If one could comfortably lie flat*, who would want to risk their life? ¡°Less than 10%. In fact, our Earthlings rank in the top ten in terms of enthusiasm within the entire Federation. Surprised?¡± Wei Peng said with a smile. Lin Zhichen: ¡°¡­¡± Soon, over a hundred flying cars soared into the sky, heading towards the outer space starport. ¡°Truly spectacular,¡± Lin Ke remarked as they approached the starport dock. A colossal beast of a ship loomed ever closer. The massive metallic hull, like a dormant giant beast, lay quietly docked. The nearby frigates, with hulls less than 200 meters long, looked like insignificant little boats in comparison. The energy radiance flowed over the entire body, and the massive carrier¡¯s exterior gleamed with a cold metallic light. The angular hull, combined with the enormous size, exuded a unique sense of dominance. Unlike the carriers of the planetary era, which had exposed decks where planes took off directly, the carriers of the interstellar era featured fully armored hulls. The runways for space planes were hidden within thick layers of armor. It wasn¡¯t just a single runway. Several hangar doors along the long hull were now closed. From the outside, the hull¡¯s armor was seamless, with no visible indication of where the exits were. Lin Zhichen opened the attribute panel of the carrier: ¡°Tiger Whale-class Carrier I Dimensions: Length 2853 meters, Width 1132.7 meters, Height 489.5 meters Hull Value: 8900 Armor: 23 Shield: 4500 Shield Recharge Rate: 12% Damage: 3.08 Speed: 30 Evasion: 15.5% Carrier-based Aircraft: 144*5¡± As a large warship on the same tier as battleships, the carrier¡¯s armor and firepower were not particularly outstanding, but it always relied on its carrier-based aircraft for combat. In the interstellar era, space fighters, equipped with energy batteries and cannons, generally had lengths exceeding 30 meters, comparable to shuttles and flying cars. ¡°The space fighters we procured are the Liuguang II multi-role fighters. They can serve as attack aircraft to defend against enemy fighter swarms and can also take the initiative to strike, supporting fleet operations,¡± Wu Tianyi explained. The model of the space fighters was chosen by him, and Lin Zhichen was responsible for the purchase: ¡°The Liuguang II fighters are versatile. When equipped with missiles, they become a swarm; with torpedoes, they become torpedo bombers; and if they carry space mines, they can even serve as minelayers.¡± Chapter 53 Chapter 53: Fleet CommandLin Zhichen nodded repeatedly as he listened. Although these multi-role fighters might not match specialized fighters in single performance aspects, they were the most suitable for the still-small Meteor Mercenary Group. Their various combat equipment configurations could handle complex battlefield situations. In the interstellar era, air forces were typically organized into squads of 12 fighters, with 12 squads forming a wing, and 12 wings forming a group. The Tiger Whale-class Carrier I carried 5 wings, totaling 720 fighters. While this might not be significant in large-scale battles, it could serve as a crucial factor in achieving victory in smaller engagements. Due to its enormous size and the large number of pilots, the carrier, even with highly automated and intelligent systems, still had over 1,500 NPC crew members. At least until the turmoil caused by the introduction of NZT-50 subsides, Lin Zhichen did not plan to recruit too many natural humans for important positions. After all, NPCs had certain limitations and were unlikely to become double agents. The fleet of flying cars responsible for transporting NPCs made several trips to complete the crew assembly. After spending some time on resupply, the fleet, which had been docked at the space starport for several days, finally departed and headed into space. Including the carrier, the fleet consisted of 3 destroyers, 5 frigates, 1 army transport ship, along with 3 pirate gunboats and 20 pirate raiding boats. This small-scale fleet grandly departed from the starport, heading towards the asteroid belt. Sitting in the captain¡¯s chair of the transport ship, Wei Peng, feeling bored, quietly opened the Earth star network and immediately saw extensive coverage. The most eye-catching was the live broadcast of the carrier fleet¡¯s departure. ¡°Wow, a carrier fleet! This fleet could easily sweep through the entire solar system, right?¡± ¡°You¡¯re underestimating the Earth Defense Fleet. They have 3 battleships alone. In comparison, the carrier is just a big pie.¡± ¡°Meteor Mercenary Group is mighty~ Has everyone found out? Commander Lin is a grassroots hero from the East Continent, a first-generation entrepreneur!¡± ¡°666~ Heroes are made by the times.¡± ¡°Heh~ As if anyone can take off. There are plenty of pigs that fall off the wind.¡± ¡°Meteor Mercenary Group is recruiting. Who¡¯s going?¡± ¡°If they don¡¯t provide ships, whoever wants to go can go.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go, even if it¡¯s just to sweep the floors.¡± ¡°A newly risen mercenary group that rivals the fleets of old thousand-year families, psionic warships are terrifying.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Big brother, the internet has gone crazy,¡± Wei Peng said. At this moment, they had already set up a local area network using holographic communication, forming a small conference room: ¡°Your fame has increased again. Online polls now rank us as the number one civilian fleet in the solar system!¡± ¡°You also know it¡¯s just the solar system?¡± Lin Ke chuckled. ¡°When we become the number one fleet in the Federation, then we¡¯ll have truly made it.¡± ¡°Keep dreaming, anything is possible in your dreams,¡± Wei Peng retorted bluntly. ¡°Alright, the carrier is slow. It will take our fleet a month and a half to get there, which is too wasteful,¡± Wu Tianyi interjected: ¡°Big brother, should we practice fleet combat formations and train the pilots in the meantime?¡± ¡°Good idea, we should indeed rehearse in advance,¡± Lin Zhichen agreed. Fleet command and combat were different from single-ship battles, emphasizing formation and coordination. Taking advantage of this time to train, they wouldn¡¯t be caught off guard when they reached the asteroid belt for combat. For ease of command, the destroyers and pirate gunboats were organized into a team, with each group of three flanking the carrier on either side. The frigates formed a wedge formation in front of the carrier, advancing in a V-shape like migrating geese. Although the carrier was the largest in the fleet, Lin Zhichen still commanded the entire fleet from within the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± directing their progress. The ¡°Qinyuan¡± had completed its second-generation upgrade, with a hull length exceeding 200 meters and equipped with six small turrets. The construction of the new destroyers and frigates had exhausted the Meteor Mercenary Group¡¯s liquid funds. ¡°Fleet combat feels completely different from single-ship combat,¡± Lin Zhichen remarked as he watched the fleet displayed on the holographic projection, continuously directing the formation changes. Since they were just getting started, the warships¡¯ maneuvering was slow, and the fleet formations looked crooked and rather comical. He suspected that without the intervention of the fleet¡¯s electronic control computer, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to complete the simplest maneuvers. ¡°Big brother, the beginning is always the hardest. After all, we are all latecomers, unlike those Federal military elites who start training from a young age,¡± Wu Tianyi consoled: ¡°With the Qinyuan, we have the time to adjust our strategies no matter what.¡± Lin Zhichen nodded and opened his personal panel: ¡°Name: Lin Zhichen ¡¤ Elite (Red) Gender: Male Age: 21 S?a?ch* Th? ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Talents: 1: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Purple): Effect 1: Effort brings rewards; skill practice leads to improvement. Effect 2: Members within the faction benefit from this talent. 2: Gate of Time and Space (Blue): Opens once a month, searches for time-space imprints, and opens temporary instances. 3: Psionic (Red): Effect 1: Awakens psionic abilities. Effect 2: Skill learning speed +10%. Occupation: Captain ¡¤ Elite (Red, Apprentice) Skills: 1: Psionic Cultivation (Red, Warrior 37.14%) 2: Lethal Strike (Red, Beginner 37.13%): Critical hit +2% 3: Fleet Command (Red, Apprentice 12.71%): Fleet formation change speed +7% Psionic Combat Techniques: 1: Ship Command ¡¤ Elite (Red): Effect 1: Ship evasion +25%*10 Effect 2: Sub-light speed travel speed +25%*10; Psionic Consumption: 50; Duration: 30 min 2: Sub-light Speed Assault ¡¤ Elite (Red): Effect 1: Sub-light speed cannon accuracy +25%*10 Effect 2: Sub-light speed cannon damage +25%*10; Psionic Consumption: 60; Duration: 30 min Psionic Energy: 315 Evaluation: Watch my celestial flight!¡± Fleet Command had already appeared, differing from Ship Command by just one character, but the two were entirely different fields. ¡°Some command-type skills, once fully psionized, will form a pseudo-domain, providing bonuses to the entire fleet.¡± Recalling what Liu Manjun had said earlier, his heart burned with excitement. Forming a pseudo-domain wouldn¡¯t allow him to advance to Hero, but it already involved some of the Hero¡¯s abilities. Mastering this skill would provide significant bonuses to the entire fleet. In the starry sky, the carrier in motion suddenly opened its hangar doors, and space fighters swarmed out, quickly forming formations in space and guarding the fleet. Due to their small size and high speed, these fighters could easily serve as reconnaissance aircraft, conducting early searches for the enemy. The fighter groups and fleet formations continuously changed, with the initially scattered forces gradually coalescing into a cohesive whole. Suddenly, a holographic communication came through. Lin Zhichen looked down and saw that it was from the Rockefeller family. Upon opening it, it was indeed Kadier Rockefeller. Chapter 54 Chapter 54: Journey Around the Solar System¡°Very pleased to see you, my friend.¡± Kadier Rockefeller¡¯s face was beaming with a warm smile. ¡°Welcome,¡± Lin Zhichen replied politely with a smile. ¡°How may I be of service to you?¡± Kadier: ¡°I heard that you have acquired a carrier? And you are heading towards the asteroid belt?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lin Zhichen answered. ¡°My dear friend, a carrier is a rare war beast, and you don¡¯t seem surprised at all?¡± Kadier said with a hint of exaggeration: ¡°May I ask, does the Meteor Mercenary Group have any more in stock?¡± s?a??h th? N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Lin Zhichen chuckled, ¡°You must be joking, sir. To obtain even one of these warships is a stroke of luck, let alone a second one. To be honest, even this one was acquired by chance, and in the solar system, it might be a rarity for some time.¡± ¡°I see, that¡¯s quite unfortunate,¡± Kadier shrugged. ¡°If you ever come across a second one and don¡¯t plan to use it yourself, please consider the Rockefeller family. We will ensure the price is fair.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Lin Zhichen readily agreed. ¡°Old friend, the situation in the asteroid belt is quite chaotic. If you need anything, feel free to contact me at any time,¡± Kadier said. ¡°Certainly,¡± Lin Zhichen nodded. As the holographic image closed, Wu Tianyi and the others exchanged glances. ¡°Big brother, was it just a greeting?¡± Lin Ke couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°Of course not. It was a probe, as well as a subtle reminder. The Meteor Mercenary Group has risen too quickly, and we¡¯ve already attracted the wariness of the established powers,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. ¡°There are no old families in the solar system, just some remnants of the old era,¡± Wu Tianyi shook his head. ¡°I think we don¡¯t need to worry too much, but we should be cautious of them banding together.¡± ¡°The asteroid belt has already become a battleground for Earth¡¯s emerging powers. The territory is already insufficient, and our sudden entry as a major player has undoubtedly added to the chaos,¡± Lin Zhichen mused. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with soldiers as they come and water as it flows,¡± Wei Peng said nonchalantly. ¡°At worst, we¡¯ll fight a battle and see who laughs last.¡± After 35 days of long travel, the small-scale fleet finally arrived at the asteroid belt. Lin Zhichen put away the two accumulated Slaughter Ship Spirits and looked at the nearby asteroid belt. Large ships like carriers were actually not suited for combat in the complex environment of an asteroid belt. Due to their slow speed, escaping becomes difficult if something goes wrong. But retreating was not an option at this moment. Led by the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± they began to carve out a path for the fleet. Psionic energy fluctuated, like a giant hand pushing away the floating asteroids. In the chaotic asteroid belt, a passage was quickly cleared. One by one, the warships entered. In such a chaotic terrain, the test for fleet command became even more apparent, as the commander had to consider more complex and difficult issues. ¡°This frigate needs to be positioned here to prevent any fuel leaks.¡± ¡°The carrier-based aircraft must be deployed quickly to scout the surrounding star regions in advance.¡± ¡°The standard fleet formation takes up too much space. There isn¡¯t enough room in the asteroid belt to spread out the formation, so the fleet must be rearranged.¡± For a while, the previously leisurely Lin Zhichen became busy once again, hastily commanding the fleet to continuously change formations. In this situation, the ¡°Fleet Command¡± skill on his character panel improved rapidly. It had taken him a month to not even reach the beginner level, but after entering the asteroid belt, it took only a few days to approach the intermediate level. At this moment, the Meteor Mercenary Group finally faced its first fleet battle¡ªa micro-fleet consisting of 7 pirate raiding boats and 2 pirate gunboats was discovered by the space fighters responsible for reconnaissance. A fleet of this size could have been easily destroyed by the space fighter group alone, as pirate ships generally lacked anti-air defenses. However, Lin Zhichen did not solely deploy the fighter group. Instead, he divided the space fighter group into two squadrons, pincering the enemy fleet like a pair of tongs. Meanwhile, the main fleet, leaving behind one destroyer and 10 pirate raiding boats, pressed forward with the remaining warships. For the first fleet battle, taking advantage of the enemy¡¯s weakness, he wanted to experience the combat atmosphere. Calculating the advance speed, the pirate fleet quickly realized they were being semi-encircled by enemies from the front and both sides. They did not choose to flee immediately. The opposition between NPCs and natural human factions made them quickly recognize the true nature of the Meteor Mercenary Group. This pirate fleet almost instantly launched a charge towards the main fleet. Seated in the captain¡¯s chair, Lin Zhichen did not pilot the ¡°Qinyuan¡± to charge directly but instead engaged in fleet combat as a conventional warship. Of course, not using an advantage would be foolish. His psionic perception spread along with the radar waves of the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± quickly scanning the approaching pirate fleet. ¡°Attention all ships, aim according to my command. Coordinates 123.452.625, aim, and fire a volley!¡± The command from the ¡°Qinyuan¡± echoed through the communication channel. Naturally, this position was determined based on his flagship. The radar operators would quickly mark the firing coordinates for the entire fleet based on his verbal instructions, allowing the fleet to concentrate its firepower for a synchronized volley. If it were a novice radar operator, this process would take about ten seconds. However, for master-level crew members, by the time the captain issued the firing command, the designated coordinates had already been marked and sent to the entire fleet. Even with the provided coordinates, the NPC crew still needed to calculate the firing positions based on their own ship¡¯s actual coordinates, so the first volley didn¡¯t commence until 13 seconds later. ¡°Zzzt~¡± Electromagnetic shells were fired. To maximize the advantage of long-range bombardment, the fleet¡¯s shipborne weapons were primarily equipped with electromagnetic cannons. In one volley, hundreds of electromagnetic alloy projectiles flew at sub-light speed. ¡°Second volley, coordinates 125.442.621!¡± ¡°Third volley, coordinates 127.451.652!¡± ¡°Fourth volley, coordinates 134.423.642!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Unlike the extreme efficiency of the ¡°Qinyuan¡± as a single ship, each volley from the entire fleet required at least 13 seconds, significantly less efficient. But this was from Lin Zhichen¡¯s perspective. If it were any other fleet in the solar system, few could complete a volley within 30 seconds. This demonstrated the immense value of master-level NPCs in actual combat. With each successive volley, the bombardment skills of the entire Meteor Mercenary Group and all NPC gunners rapidly improved. Simultaneously, a new skill appeared on Lin Zhichen¡¯s personal panel¡ªLong-Range Bombardment! After a dozen or so volleys, the first wave of shells finally reached the target fleet. The pirate fleet was still oblivious, continuing their routine navigation, unaware that the reaper in the darkness had arrived! Chapter 55 Chapter 55: Hangar CruiserOld radars are not very effective at detecting kinetic weapons like electromagnetic projectiles. The projectiles, like a meteor shower, formed a net that enveloped a pirate raiding boat. Psionic perception merged with radar waves, and the scene from light-seconds away was reflected in his senses. The targeted raiding boat was locked on and focused upon, with over a hundred projectiles raining down like falling stars. Due to the skill level, most of the shells missed, disappearing into the darkness. However, the advantage of a volley was that with such a super-saturated strike, some lucky projectiles were bound to hit. ¡°Boom~¡± Hit consecutively by seven projectiles, one of which was a hundred-megajoule cannon shell fired by a destroyer, the raiding boat, struck by the powerful large-caliber shell, had no chance and exploded into a ball of fire. The pirate fleet, suddenly under attack, was stunned. Poor command meant that the fleet did not immediately scatter or execute other orders upon being ambushed. They continued to sail in their original positions, with the communication channels filled with noise. Soon, a few seconds later, the second volley arrived. Unsurprisingly, another unfortunate raiding boat hit by eight projectiles turned into a ball of fire. Then came the third volley, the fourth¡­ Under continuous fire, there were always some lucky survivors. For instance, a pirate gunboat managed to continue fighting even after being hit by six electromagnetic projectiles. But not all were so fortunate. After a dozen rounds of continuous bombardment, more than one pirate gunboat and six raiding boats were destroyed, dealing a heavy blow to the pirate fleet¡¯s main force. The surviving fleet did not see the dawn, as the space fighter group finally reached their attack positions. In one volley, over a hundred nuclear torpedoes were launched, exploding into bursts of fire in space. By the time everything settled, the battle was over. The Meteor Mercenary Group didn¡¯t have the chance to deploy new tactics; the encountered pirate fleet had already been completely annihilated. ¡°Not bad, the Long-Range Bombardment skill has generally reached the beginner level, with a few even advancing to intermediate,¡± Lin Zhichen smiled. Compared to mere spoils of war, these were what he valued more. ¡°Big brother, we¡¯ve gathered the spoils. We found another destroyer blueprint! The rest are just some odds and ends, but they can still sell for a hundred or so energy coins,¡± Wei Peng appeared in the holographic projection, beaming. ¡°Alright, tidy up, and let¡¯s move out,¡± Lin Zhichen said. He had already noticed that his Fleet Command skill on his panel was nearing the intermediate level. According to internal Federation information, a qualified fleet commander should have the Fleet Command skill at least at the advanced level. Only at the advanced level could one proficiently command a small-scale fleet in normal combat. ¡°One more time, no, at least two more battles, and I can complete the upgrade.¡± The entire fleet set off once again, slowly advancing along the trajectory of the asteroid belt. Not planning to establish a base in the solar system, according to Lin Zhichen¡¯s plan, the Meteor Fleet would circle along the asteroid belt¡¯s trajectory until completing a full solar system patrol. Any wild NPC fleets encountered along the way, regardless of their strength, would be eradicated. This would allow them to level up and gain military merits, thereby raising the mercenary group¡¯s rank. The second battle came sooner than expected. Just five days later, a second pirate fleet appeared before them. ¡°Seven pirate gunboats and thirty-four pirate raiding boats. In the solar system, this fleet size is already considered medium!¡± Wu Tianyi¡¯s expression was somewhat serious as he looked at the radar feedback. Most private fleets of medium and small family corporations on Earth couldn¡¯t match the scale of this NPC fleet! ¡°Prepare fleet formation, space fighters launch, main fleet engage!¡± The formation remained the same as before, with the carrier staying behind while the main fleet engaged. Lacking cruiser support, the pirate fleet was larger but had no improvement in battle control. By the time they realized they were under attack, the Meteor Mercenary Group had already completed a saturation bombardment. Lin Zhichen sat on the ¡°Qinyuan,¡± feeling the vibrations of the hull. After an upgrade, the number of turrets on this frigate had doubled from three to six, effectively doubling its firepower density. Due to the skill enhancements and the master-level Long-Range Bombardment skills of the NPC gunners, the ¡°Qinyuan¡¯s¡± bombardment was almost always on target, far exceeding the efficiency of the entire fleet. S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. As he pondered, he suddenly noticed that the fleet¡¯s overall efficiency had improved again. What originally took about 13 seconds to complete a volley now took just under 10 seconds, approximately 9 seconds. He checked the NPC crew members in his fleet and was pleased to find that their skills had generally advanced to the intermediate level. Clearly, intense combat was the best way to improve the skill proficiency of NPC crew members. In just two battles, these crew members had upgraded from green rookies to competent sailors. With the skill upgrades, the combat effectiveness of the entire fleet suddenly increased. The density of the projectile rain significantly increased, resulting in more pirate ships catching fire and exploding under continuous bombardment. In just half an hour, this pirate fleet was nearly decimated, with only a few pirate raiding boats left, struggling under the encirclement of the fighter group. But this was not the end. At this moment, an urgent transmission came from the carrier in the rear. Because the carrier was equipped with higher-powered gravity sensors, its radar scanning range was broader. Four light-seconds away, a new pirate fleet was rushing towards them at full speed, targeting the struggling pirate fleet. ¡°Is this from the same pirate faction?¡± Wei Peng, who had been leisurely observing the battle, still had the mood to comment, ¡°They come with ill intentions. Radar scans show that this fleet includes a pirate pursuit ship!¡± A pirate pursuit ship, a cruiser-class pirate vessel, was renowned for its speed advantage. ¡°It¡¯s a carrier-type pursuer. The enemy has launched space fighters!¡± Wu Tianyi noted, looking at the radar. Cruisers could be equipped with hangars, sacrificing firepower to become mini-carriers. Such modified cruisers lose their large main cannons and could only be fitted with medium-sized turrets, making their firepower not much stronger than destroyers equipped with large turrets. But they had an advantage: the modified hangar could carry three squadrons, which meant 36 space fighters! To be honest, this number of fighters would hardly impact the battlefield. However, if they were facing smaller warships like destroyers and frigates, the space fighters¡¯ broader operational range would provide significant intelligence advantages, allowing them to detect targets earlier and make preemptive arrangements. Just like now, with 36 space fighters launched, if their side had no fighters, they would have to endure the enemy¡¯s harassment. But reality has no ¡°ifs.¡± Seeing the enemy fighter group approaching, one squadron of their space fighters immediately redirected their target, rushing towards the pirate fighter group. Chapter 56 Chapter 56: Fleet Cannon VolleyEven the worst space fighters had a flight speed of nearly one kilometer per second. Unless they were specifically designed for anti-aircraft defense, the only enemies of space fighters were other space fighters. After a few minutes, both sides¡¯ fighters finally engaged in the asteroid belt. Due to superior fighter performance, the Meteor Mercenary Group¡¯s fighters detected the enemy first and fired a volley of laser beams from a longer range. The power of fighter-mounted laser weapons was much less than that of ship-mounted weapons, but their advantage was speed. Each fighter was equipped with four laser cannons, and a squadron of 144 fighters could unleash a rain of laser beams in a single volley, completely enveloping the pirate fighter group. It was like a web of beams, continuously washing over the pirate fighters. A faint energy glow appeared, weakening the laser beams¡¯ energy. This was the energy shield, which was highly effective at reducing energy damage. But the attacks from the Meteor Mercenary Group¡¯s fighters were not just a single volley. Under the continuous rain of beams, the originally sturdy fighter hulls gradually melted, their temperatures rising to extreme levels, and then they exploded into balls of fire. In line with the pirate warships, the pirate fighters also prioritized speed over defense. After just three waves of beam rain, the pirate fighter group in space experienced large-scale explosions. Fireballs lit up one after another, and in almost an instant, more than half of the pirate fighters were destroyed. Far in the rear, Lin Zhichen took a moment to check the space fighter battlefield. He saw the small light spots representing pirate fighters rapidly disappearing. In just a few minutes of engagement, all the pirate fighters were destroyed. While recalling his own fighters, he checked the pilots¡¯ skills. As expected, after a brief aerial battle, most of the NPC pilots in this squadron had reached advanced skill levels, with a few even advancing to expert level. Such highly skilled professionals, if trained within the Federation, would typically require several years and the expenditure of hundreds of energy coins to produce batches of high-level professionals. However, with his talent support, just a few small-scale battles achieved the same effect, and the cost was negligible. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that the pilots¡¯ skills are generally too low. If they were higher, the fighter group alone could easily handle the pirate fleet.¡± Slightly regretful, Lin Zhichen commanded the fleet to launch a new round of concentrated fire on the last three struggling pirate ships, annihilating them in one volley. Relieved from the danger of being flanked by enemy ships, Lin Zhichen took a breath and quickly directed the fleet to change formation, preparing to face the new wave of the pirate fleet. The power of an aircraft carrier lies in its carrier-based aircraft. Without them, it became a toothless tiger. At this moment, the carrier cruiser, serving as the flagship of this pirate fleet, had less firepower than a pirate gunboat. Its only advantage was its more powerful radar, which prevented it from being completely unresponsive to electromagnetic bombardment. After more than a month of practice, the Meteor Mercenary Group had transformed from battlefield rookies into a skilled regular army. Under Lin Zhichen¡¯s skill enhancements, the entire fleet¡¯s formation transitions were quite smooth. S?a??h th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. When the enemy ships approached within three light-seconds, the Meteor Mercenary Group had already completed their first round of shooting preparations. Electromagnetic projectiles were fired, concentrating on the leading pirate gunboat. The radar of the pirate pursuit ship quickly detected the incoming barrage. The leading pirate gunboat immediately attempted to turn and evade, avoiding total destruction. However, it was still hit by several subsequent electromagnetic projectiles, severely damaging it. The damaged pirate gunboat¡¯s speed sharply decreased, forcing it to withdraw from the battle sequence. To avoid the damaged ally, nearby pirate ships had to maneuver, causing their previously well-ordered formation to scatter. At this moment, far in the rear, Lin Zhichen frowned. The radar of the pirate pursuit ship had negated the advantage of long-range bombardment, and the movement of the fleet¡¯s target positions rendered the subsequent volleys ineffective. ¡°Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.¡± Suddenly recalling this phrase, he finally understood his mistake. This precise bombardment was effective only because it exploited the outdated radar of pirate warships. As soon as the enemy made any improvements, this bombardment method would fail. Understanding the key issue, he immediately changed the volley strategy. Instead of targeting a specific warship, he considered the entire enemy fleet. Under psionic perception, certain future possibilities were discerned. Based on the scale of his fleet, he selected a few of the highest probability scenarios and then sent the targets to each ship, resuming the bombardment. At this moment, Lin Zhichen felt new pressure. To calculate the numerous changes in the enemy fleet after being attacked, he had to increase his psionic output to support accelerated thinking. His psionic perception was also fully extended. At a certain moment, a flash of insight allowed him to lock onto the enemy fleet¡¯s changes in the next ten to several dozen seconds in the most efficient way. As the combat mode shifted, Lin Zhichen¡¯s fleet command skill, which had been growing slowly, rapidly advanced on his personal panel. In a short time, it reached the advanced level and quickly progressed towards the expert level. With the support of his talent, he could improve his skills with less time and effort than ordinary people, but that did not mean that finding the right direction for progress was useless. Feeling the entire fleet operating more smoothly, Lin Zhichen was filled with joy. This was the significance of real combat; it always revealed one¡¯s shortcomings in the heat of battle. The volley speed had been compressed to under 10 seconds. With continuous rounds of bombardment, the pirate fleet was being hit faster and suffering greater losses. After the first pirate raiding boat exploded, the second volley caused two more heavily damaged pirate ships to explode simultaneously. Although this scattershot approach couldn¡¯t guarantee the destruction rate of focused fire, the damage across the enemy ships was more uniformly distributed under the firepower coverage. After thirty rounds of volleys, the remaining pirate ships finally reached a range of one light-second, barely able to scan the location of the Meteor Mercenary Group. Unable to endure the passive beating any longer, the pirates launched a counterattack against the enemy fleet. Of course, this method of firing at the edge of radar detection range, unless possessing long-range bombardment capabilities, meant that projectiles fired from 30 kilometers away would be wildly off-target by the time they reached their destination. Without any intention of dodging, the Meteor Mercenary Group continued their volleys. After six more rounds, the closer range significantly increased the hit rate, nearly annihilating the pirate fleet¡ªonly the heavily damaged pirate pursuit ship remained, crippled in space. Two squadrons of space fighters then moved in, and after three rounds of beam rain, they finally destroyed it completely. This relatively prolonged battle finally came to an end, with the Meteor Mercenary Group achieving total victory after two consecutive battles. At this moment, Lin Zhichen felt a stirring in his heart and looked at his personal panel. Chapter 57 Chapter 57: Pirate Treasure¡°Name: Lin Zhichen ¡¤ Elite (Red) Gender: Male Age: 21 Talents: 1: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Purple): Effect 1: Effort brings rewards, skill practice leads to improvement. Effect 2: Members within the faction benefit from this talent. 2: Gate of Time and Space (Blue): Opens once a month, searches for time-space imprints, and opens temporary instances. 3: Psionic (Red): Effect 1: Awakens psionic abilities. Effect 2: Skill learning speed +10%. Profession: Captain ¡¤ Elite (Red, Expert) Skills: 1: Psionic Cultivation (Red, Warrior 38.12%) 2: Lethal Strike (Red, Beginner 41.23%): Critical hit +2% 3: Fleet Command (Red, Expert 1.03%): Fleet formation change speed +18% Psionic Combat Techniques: 1: Ship Command ¡¤ Elite (Red): Effect 1: Ship evasion +25%*10 Effect 2: Sub-light speed travel speed +25%*10; Psionic Consumption: 50; Duration: 30 min 2: Sub-light Speed Assault ¡¤ Elite (Red): Effect 1: Sub-light speed bombardment accuracy +25%*10 Effect 2: Sub-light speed bombardment damage +25%*10; Psionic Consumption: 60; Duration: 30 min Psionic Energy: 317 Evaluation: Witness my celestial might!¡± ¡°It¡¯s already advanced to the expert level.¡± Lin Zhichen smiled. At this skill level, he could begin the process of psionification, but he was unwilling to start the transformation before reaching the peak, to ensure the maximum possible benefits. ¡°Big brother, take a look at this.¡± At this moment, Wu Tianyi sent a communication, transmitting a set of data. After decryption, it turned out to be a map of an asteroid belt: ¡°This is data we just acquired on the battlefield. After conversion, it became a holographic map.¡± Data disks are relatively common spoils of war, often containing valuable information. It could be rare technology or the location of a pirate treasure. Unlocking it could yield a treasure or some other valuable item. ¡°Where is this?¡± he asked. ¡°I¡¯ve already compared it. The target star region is in this asteroid belt,¡± Wu Tianyi replied. ¡°It looks like a pirate treasure, but its value is probably average, considering it¡¯s just a white-light loot.¡± Loot was generally categorized by light color, roughly divided into gray, white, red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. However, this wasn¡¯t absolute. Sometimes, large, low-light loot could be as valuable as colorful loot. ¡°If it¡¯s on the way, let¡¯s check it out,¡± Lin Zhichen said casually. After some comparison, they quickly pinpointed the location of the pirate treasure. It was on an asteroid about 11 light-seconds ahead in the fleet¡¯s direction. After collecting the spoils and making some minor repairs, the entire fleet set off once again. With the radar support of the aircraft carrier, the airspace within 5 light-seconds was within radar scanning range. A squadron of space fighters flew around the advancing fleet. The advantage of their small size was particularly evident at this time; the dense asteroid belt posed no obstacle as they weaved through it, guarding against potential enemies. With the carrier¡¯s support, Lin Zhichen could finally relax a bit, occasionally diverting his attention to adjust the fleet to maintain optimal combat posture. The distance of 11 light-seconds was negligible in space. In just one day, they reached the target asteroid. However, the fleet came to a halt because, according to radar and space fighter reconnaissance, there was a hidden space base on the target asteroid. Automated turrets were constantly operational, vigilantly monitoring the surrounding star region. Lin Zhichen ordered the space fighter group to probe the area. Dense beams and electromagnetic projectiles immediately covered the surrounding star region. If the NPC pilots hadn¡¯t reached expert level, there would have been casualties. ¡°Da Peng, can we take it down?¡± Lin Ke asked deliberately. Wei Peng rolled his eyes. ¡°Without gravity, we can¡¯t even stand properly. How can the ground forces fight?¡± ¡°Big brother, I think we should use the space fighters. Even beam cannons can melt these turrets,¡± Wu Tianyi pondered. ¡°Only those below expert level should stay out. No more than 20 fighters at a time. It shouldn¡¯t be a big problem, considering these are clearly automated turrets.¡± The reaction speed of automated turrets certainly surpassed that of NPCs, but their drawback was their rigidity and single attack pattern. Once their weaknesses were figured out, they became nothing more than scrap metal. ¡°Send an elite squad to test it out,¡± Lin Zhichen commanded. After all, space fighters were essentially cannon fodder, and pilot mortality rates were always high. In the military, human pilots were often more responsible for commanding NPC pilots rather than leading the charge, similar to the situation with ground forces. A squad of 12 fighters was immediately deployed, tasked with attacking the fixed turrets. These were carefully selected elite pilots, with individual skills generally reaching the expert level, making them the most skilled personnel in the current fleet. ¡°Zzzzzt~¡± As soon as they approached the asteroid, the pirate turrets, guided by radar, immediately swiveled and aimed at the incoming fighter group, launching an attack. Hundreds of metal projectiles, each weighing over a hundred grams, rained down like a storm, suddenly covering a large area of space. The attacked fighters quickly accelerated, drawing winding arcs in space to evade the electromagnetic projectiles as much as possible. Occasionally, yellow-glowing energy shields would ripple, deflecting the incoming electromagnetic projectiles. The sturdy surfaces of the fighters were pitted with dents from the impacts. If this were the planetary era, planes could be brought down by birds. At this moment, the first batch of ten space fighters would have been completely wiped out. Fortunately, in the space era, the energy shields attached to the fighters absorbed most of the attacks, and the remaining damage was resisted by the outer armor of the fighters. As long as they didn¡¯t suffer continuous hits, they could endure a few rounds. Sensing the lethal danger, the NPC pilots used all their skills to dodge the storm-like projectiles, while their comrades, who had a moment to breathe, immediately fired energy beams at the pirate turrets. Although energy shields had strong resistance to laser beams, the continuous strafing from multiple fighters gradually melted the metal turrets. A few seconds into the battle, an automated turret that had been subjected to continuous fire was finally destroyed by the high temperature, exploding into a ball of flames. At this moment, some space fighters, having sustained damage from multiple projectiles, had to quickly retreat. Their replacements swiftly moved forward to join the battle. In just a few seconds, the fighters already rotated once, and by now, all three pirate turrets had been destroyed. With the threat eliminated, the remaining fighters strafed back and forth, melting the alloy doors. After a brief cooling period, engineering robots were dispatched to the asteroid to open the pirate treasure. ¡°Big brother, it¡¯s a batch of precious artifacts. According to estimates from the star network, their value is around 300 energy credits,¡± Wu Tianyi reported after quickly comparing the data gathered by the robots. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 58 Chapter 58: New Relics, Source of FireThere were no surprises, but that was typical for most pirate treasures. It might just be the spoils from a previous raid. ¡°A modest gain,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. He looked at the participating NPC pilots and noticed that three lucky ones advanced to master level during the brief but intense battle. Pilots at this level were absolute aces, even in the Federal military! ¡°According to some analyses on the military network, an ace pilot can easily take down a hundred rookies!¡± Lin Ke, who also witnessed this, allowed a rare smile to appear on his perpetually stoic face. ¡°Big brother, your talent is truly extraordinary.¡± Gathering the unexpected spoils, the fleet set off again, embarking on a journey around the solar system. After consecutively destroying four pirate fleets, the Meteor Mercenary Group, which had been traveling for nearly a month, finally encountered their first tough target¡ªa newly refreshed small pirate base! According to the classification of bases into micro, small, medium, and so on, this small pirate base was not insignificant, occupying most of a five-kilometer-diameter asteroid. Even the fleet patrolling around the base included more than a dozen pirate pursuit ships¡ªthese are space warships comparable to cruisers! Moreover, the number of pirate bombardment ships and raiding boats exceeded three hundred, reaching the peak of a micro pirate base. ¡°This pirate base has been refreshed for no more than half a month. Otherwise, the number of warships we¡¯d be facing would be much higher,¡± Wu Tianyi judged based on the base¡¯s scale. ¡°According to information on the star network, some peak-status small pirate bases have fleet sizes exceeding a thousand, with more than fifty pirate pursuit ships alone!¡± ¡°Big brother, this base is quite strong. Shouldn¡¯t we consider our options first?¡± Wei Peng advised, knowing that if they engaged the fleet head-on, the disparity in numbers would inevitably lead to heavy losses. Lin Zhichen did not answer. Instead, he activated the Gate of Time and Space. After a month, this talent had refreshed once again. ¡°A new instance?¡± He was delighted and then surprised as he looked closely: ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Transformers¡¯?!¡± Without much hesitation, he immediately activated the ¡®Transformers¡¯ instance and quickly understood the plot. This instance was similar to the movie, featuring two factions of Transformers arriving on Earth to search for the artifact that created the Transformers¡ªthe AllSpark. The story involved the Decepticons attempting to conquer Earth, while the humans and Autobots teamed up to fight against the Decepticons. ¡°Civilization Relic * AllSpark (Gold) Passive Effects: 1: Within a range of 1 light-second centered on the AllSpark, allied mechanical units¡¯ attributes +30%. 2: Within the AllSpark¡¯s influence range, allied mechanical units gain the ¡®Mechanical Life¡¯ trait, with hull recovery +1%. Active Effect: 1: Consumes 10-300 energy units to transform a designated mechanical creation into a controlled Transformer (Transformed Transformers have a small chance to become elite units and a very small chance to become hero units). Energy Units: 300/300 Cooldown Time: 1 month¡± A metal cube with a side length of one meter floated on the command cabin deck, making the already cramped space, due to the placement of the psionic crystal, even more crowded. Lin Zhichen looked at the mysterious cube in front of him, a genuine smile appearing on his face. This was his first time obtaining a gold-tier item. Even the psionic crystal was only a red-tier item. According to the color energy level classification, there was still a yellow tier in between. This level of civilization relic was undoubtedly a precious treasure, even within the Federation. Setting aside what Transformers were, the passive bonus effects of this relic alone could significantly boost the fleet¡¯s strength, with immediate results. ¡°Big brother, what did you do?¡± Wei Peng¡¯s voice came through the holographic image, shouting in surprise. He had just been checking the attributes of their warships when they suddenly increased significantly. After a careful examination, he discovered that various aspects of the fleet, including shooting range, shooting accuracy, turret charging speed, and even radar detection range, had received a 30% boost. ¡°That¡¯s the bonus from the new relic, the AllSpark,¡± Lin Zhichen said with a smile. ¡°We¡¯ll be able to put it to good use very soon.¡± At this moment, he was looking at the second relic. Similar to the NZT-50, this was a permission-type relic. ¡°Civilization Relic * Radiant Star (Yellow) Special Permission: Allows the Meteor Mercenary Group to produce Radiant Star (Note: This permission is non-transferable. If the Meteor Mercenary Group disbands, the permission disappears; production scale is positively correlated with the size of the Meteor Mercenary Group). Active Effect: Radiant Star can absorb stellar energy, which can be used to produce energy coins and to rapidly charge weapons.¡± The Radiant Star was an X-slot weapon attachment that can merge with any X-slot energy-based main cannon, such as the Quark Light Spear that Lin Zhichen previously acquired. In daily operations, it can produce energy coins by absorbing stellar energy. During wartime, it can rapidly charge and fire weapons, significantly increasing the firing speed compared to normal X-slot weapons. But it also had a drawback: to realize this feature, it must stay near a star. If it moved too far away, it would become an ordinary X-slot main cannon, expensive to produce but with no advantages in range or energy damage. Clearly, the Radiant Star originated from ¡°Transformers,¡± hidden beneath the Egyptian pyramids and used as a superweapon to destroy the sun. ¡°Unfortunately, Cybertron didn¡¯t fully appear; otherwise, it would have been a mechanical planet!¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s heart ached at the thought of the final scene in the instance world, where the massive Cybertron was cut in half during a space jump due to a wormhole interruption. This was part of the plot. If Cybertron had completed the jump, Earth would have had no weapons capable of countering the mechanical planet, resulting in a GAME OVER and the instance collapsing, making it impossible to obtain it. Despite it being a fact, Lin Zhichen still felt heartache. Compared to what he had obtained, if he had truly acquired Cybertron, it would undoubtedly be a giant mechanical planet in the real universe, and the Meteor Mercenary Group would instantly become a top-tier force! What was a mechanical planet? It was a planet entirely composed of machinery. Such planets exist in the real universe and were constructed by intelligent life forms. These types of planets had extraordinary production capabilities; as long as materials were sufficient, building starships would be as simple as making toys. S~ea??h the Novel?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Regaining his composure, Lin Zhichen refocused his attention on reality. ¡°The effect of the AllSpark is equivalent to the domain of a powerful hero!¡± After briefly experiencing the boost from the AllSpark, Lin Zhichen felt immensely confident and redirected his focus to the pirate base: ¡°With the AllSpark¡¯s enhancement, the carrier¡¯s onboard radar range has nearly reached 6.5 light-seconds. We¡¯ll launch our attack from this position!¡± Chapter 59 Chapter 59: NPC GrandmasterOf course, due to the long distance, the fleet¡¯s shooting accuracy suffered a significant penalty, resulting in a hit rate of less than 10% despite various bonuses. However, the advantage of ultra-long-range compensated for the accuracy deficit¡ªbefore the enemy ships could locate their fleet, they could completely cover the enemy fleet with more firepower. Three hours later, the Meteor Mercenary Group was fully in position, the ship cannons charged and began firing. Hundreds of projectiles rapidly streaked through space. Due to the ultra-long range provided by kinetic weapons, most of the Meteor Mercenary Group¡¯s cannons were electromagnetic railguns. At this moment, the dense electromagnetic projectiles cut through the darkness, truly resembling meteors streaking across the sky. Fortunately, the space in the star region where the pirate base was located was relatively open. The adjusted starships had a good firing arc, without worrying about asteroids blocking the projectiles. Dense projectiles shot out rapidly, wave after wave, under the support of the AllSpark. Even the charging speed of the ship cannons was boosted, compressing the entire fleet¡¯s volley interval to just 6 seconds! ¡ªOf course, this only applied to the most numerous small electromagnetic railguns. Medium and large electromagnetic railguns had longer charging times, and the X-slot main cannons took several minutes or even over ten minutes to charge. But even the continuous attacks from the small electromagnetic railguns had a significant impact on the pirate fleet. The fleet, which had been leisurely patrolling, began evasive maneuvers upon receiving the pirate base¡¯s emergency communication. However, the optimized fleet bombardment had already brought the entire fleet of three hundred warships within firing range. Some pirate ships, which would have otherwise avoided the attack, ended up colliding with the projectiles during their emergency evasions. Even a millimeter¡¯s deviation over a distance of 6.5 light-seconds would result in kilometer-level discrepancies in the vastness of space. Most projectiles missed their targets, and even the ¡°Qinyuan¡± ship¡¯s six electromagnetic cannons had two shots miss. Only the fortunate ones occasionally hit their marks. At this moment, Lin Zhichen entered a new state. With his psionic perception enhanced by the psionic crystal, the entire fleet was within his field of vision. The effect of the ultra-long-range volley was unsatisfactory, so for the first time, Lin Zhichen attempted to unify the minds of all the fleet¡¯s crew members into a single mental local area network. ¡°Boom~¡± At the moment of mental contact, countless chaotic pieces of information surged like a torrent, almost overwhelming Lin Zhichen¡¯s consciousness and forcing him out of the mental connection state. Being ¡°knocked¡± out of this state could damage Lin Zhichen¡¯s consciousness due to the intense information flow. Fortunately, the enhancement from the psionic crystal showed its effect at this critical moment. After enduring the first wave of impact, he gritted his teeth through the headache caused by the information surge, stripping away and blocking most of the useless information. ¡°Phew~¡± Taking a deep breath, Lin Zhichen filtered out a large amount of ineffective information, causing the soul-deep pain to quickly subside. It felt like a hundred people were noisily calling out in his ears, making him genuinely irritated. Suppressing his negative emotions, he began to sense the psionic thoughts, categorizing and organizing more information, and sending it to the fleet¡¯s NPC crew members according to their professional needs. Initially, this special method of mental connection was difficult for most people to adapt to. Not only did it fail to improve efficiency, but it also resulted in minimal success in the first two rounds of shooting. However, with the enhancement of his ¡°Heaven Rewards Diligence¡± talent and the rapid growth of his skills, the NPC crew members gradually adapted to the new mode, and their shooting efficiency quickly improved. In Lin Zhichen¡¯s psionic perception, the chaotic thoughts from everyone gradually receded, and the transmission of mental information with distinct professional characteristics accelerated. The impact of the information flow on his soul quickly diminished, and the swelling sensation in his mind rapidly disappeared. A few minutes later, the new mental network was fully formed, encompassing all NPCs, including the pilots. Each person received varying amounts of information relevant to their profession. With clear objectives, efficiency soared to a new level in a very short time. ¡ªIn terms of attack, this meant that the fleet¡¯s volley interval compressed from 8-9 seconds to 3-4 seconds, which was almost an extreme limit! Silently, a new rare skill appeared on Lin Zhichen¡¯s personal panel¡ªMental Resonance. ¡°Mental Resonance (Yellow, Apprentice 12.42%): Effect 1: Thought Filtering +20%, Effect 2: Thought Speed +1% * Total Number of People, Effect 3: Learning Effect +5%¡± ¡°Hero-level skill?¡± Lin Zhichen noticed the anomaly on his personal panel and was overjoyed, almost losing his connection to Mental Resonance. Normally, for an elite-level psionic to advance to hero level, they must elevate one of their psionic combat skills to the domain level, which is above yellow. However, a psionic with a yellow skill only needed to methodically improve the skill and spiritualize it into a talent to naturally advance to hero level. This significantly reduced the difficulty of advancement by one tier! Sea??h the Novel?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even better, he could now experience some of the benefits of the hero domain in advance. For instance, with this skill, he could completely construct a mental local area network. Influenced by the skill, with the support of the entire fleet¡¯s NPC crew, Lin Zhichen¡¯s thought speed had increased by more than tenfold. While this state wasn¡¯t suitable for researching technology, activating it during combat would significantly accelerate the skill growth rate for both him and his NPC crew members! In the state of Mental Resonance, it seemed that everyone in the fleet was exchanging thoughts and wisdom in an inexplicable manner. As the one secretly orchestrating everything, Lin Zhichen was amazed to discover this. Especially among NPCs of the same profession, due to their purer thoughts and certain resonances between their professions, this subtle communication might not even be noticed by themselves, but the benefits were tangible¡ªthe skill growth rate at this moment was far more than a mere 5%! ¡°Every person has their strengths and weaknesses!¡± He suddenly realized that everyone has their own personality, which manifests in their thinking with different emphases. Despite having the same profession and level, their abilities varied to some extent, a difference he had noticed in the past. But now, this subtle yet profound professional exchange was gradually breaking down these personal barriers. Suddenly, the skills of a dozen NPC crew members, who had been stuck at the peak of the master level, finally broke through their limitations and reached the highest level attainable by mortals¡ªGrandmaster! ¡°Name: Gunner DQXJPS** (Human, Red) Gender: Male Age: 19 Profession: Gunner (Grandmaster) Talent: 1: Bombardment (Light Red): Kinetic weapon range +25% * 10 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Red): Range +25% * 10 3: Precision (Red): Kinetic weapon accuracy +25% * 10 Skills: 1: Bombardment (Red, Grandmaster): Shooting speed +75%, Bombardment damage +100% 2: Ultra-Long-Range Bombardment (Red, Grandmaster): Range +1000% 3: Precision (Red, Grandmaster): Bombardment accuracy +100% 3: Cultivation * Refining Qi into Spirit (Red) 7.3% Evaluation: The pinnacle of mortals, an elite among elites!¡± Chapter 60 Chapter 60: Defeat¡°Is this the limit of the NPC template?¡± Lin Zhichen¡¯s expression was indescribable as he reviewed the personal panel of the NPC crew member. Such luxurious attributes would be rare even in the Federation. It could be said that as long as psionic awakening was completed, this individual could directly transform three skills into psionic techniques, becoming a peak-level elite, just one step away from becoming a hero! At this moment, the NPC crew members in the fleet were undergoing continuous transformations, and even the last batch of pirate crew members was rapidly improving. In the state of Mental Resonance, Lin Zhichen felt like an invisible giant, with the NPC crew members as extensions of his brain and the warships as his limbs. Psionic perception seemed to have entered a new level, enhancing both calculations and predictions beyond normal capabilities. With a single thought, concise and clear instructions were transmitted to an NPC crew member, causing subtle changes in the fleet¡¯s volley. Using the base radar¡¯s scan, the pirate fleet had now locked onto the incoming projectiles. The continuously battered pirate fleet began to turn and charge towards the Meteor Mercenary Group. In normal space, a distance of merely 6.5 light-seconds wouldn¡¯t be considered far; at sub-light speeds, it could be covered in a matter of minutes. However, in the asteroid belt, the fleet¡¯s sustained bombardment inflicted damage on the pirate fleet with each wave of attacks. At the beginning, even with numerous skill enhancements, the Meteor Mercenary Group¡¯s hit rate did not exceed 10%. But now, the hit rate had directly increased to 20% and was still rising¡­ It seemed like just a moment of distraction, and the fleet¡¯s hit rate had significantly improved. Even in the midst of battle, Lin Zhichen couldn¡¯t help but feel curious. He diverted some attention to check the personal panels of his NPC crew members and immediately gaped in astonishment. It took him a few seconds to recover, and he murmured, ¡°Expert level¡­¡± Before departing from Earth Starport, they were a group of novice rookies. Before launching the attack on this pirate base, they were a group of skilled high-level professionals. But now, they became a team of expert-level talents proficient in warship operations! The battle did not pause due to Lin Zhichen¡¯s brief distraction. At this moment, Lin Zhichen could even bypass the captain to issue precise commands directly. Each successive volley not only had an increasingly higher hit rate but also saw enhanced projectile power due to the gunners¡¯ elevated professional levels. The pirate fleet, striving to charge from light-seconds away, faced growing threats. Previously, it took eighty to ninety hits to destroy a pirate ship, but now, being hit by just five or six projectiles would cause it to explode into a ball of fire. With the improved hit rate, each step forward by the pirate fleet resulted in several to a dozen explosions. In just a few minutes, the entire pirate fleet was severely damaged, losing over fifty raiding ships. In this special state, aided by the carrier¡¯s radar, Lin Zhichen could clearly ¡°see¡± the pirate warships¡¯ formation gradually wavering, and their forward speed subtly slowing down. These details, which might have taken half an hour of battle to discern in the past, were now immediately apparent to him in the state of Mental Resonance. He seemed to have transformed into the most precise computer, perceiving the minutest changes on the battlefield. ¡°The enemy¡¯s morale is broken; they will soon waver and retreat!¡± Reaching this conclusion, despite the pirate fleet still rapidly approaching, he did not hesitate to abandon the stationary bombardment strategy. Instead, he commanded the fleet to advance swiftly and press the attack. This meant giving up their advantage of ultra-long-range shooting to engage the pirate fleet in close combat. Any competent commander would avoid making such a mistake, but Lin Zhichen did so without hesitation! The fleet¡¯s hit rate slightly decreased during the mobile shooting, but after a dozen volleys, the NPC gunners adapted to the mobile shooting. Not only did they regain their hit rate, but their skill improvement speed also increased. In a short time, they went from newly entering the expert level to nearly 50% of the experience bar. At this point, the distance between the two sides was still 6 light-seconds, and it was rapidly closing. As the NPC crew members¡¯ skills improved, their coordination became more swift and effective. The hit rate gradually approached 30%, while the pirate fleet continued to suffer relentless attacks. Meanwhile, their radar still couldn¡¯t detect the enemy¡¯s presence. This situation, where they could only take hits without being able to retaliate, gradually instilled fear in the once fearless pirate NPCs. Their steady morale began to decline bit by bit. Although it wasn¡¯t obvious at first, after half an hour of continuous battle, it finally reached a tipping point¡ªthe surviving pirate fleet had dwindled to fewer than two hundred ships, and the distance between the two sides was still 5 light-seconds. The prolonged period of being passively attacked finally caused the fleet to show clear signs of wavering. Their previously orderly formation became scattered and disorganized. At this point, even Wu Tianyi and the others noticed the signs, and they began to admire Lin Zhichen¡¯s foresight. ¡°Big Brother, is the pirate fleet about to retreat?¡± Lin Ke asked over the communication channel. The victory was already certain; it was just a matter of how much they would gain: ¡°But Big Brother, according to the information I found on the Star Network, NPC fleets in the wild are supposed to be fearless, fighting to the last ship without retreating. Why are they starting to falter after losing just a little over a third?¡± ¡°What you saw were face-to-face battles, where the NPC fleet even had a certain advantage in fleet size,¡± Lin Zhichen replied. These were insights he had recently gained from his battles: ¡°But now, we are facing the enemy with an absolutely inferior fleet, yet we are defeating them with absolute superiority, without sustaining any damage ourselves. The pirate fleet hasn¡¯t even been able to find us to counterattack from the beginning. This naturally has a significant impact on the enemy¡¯s morale.¡± In fact, morale was a very subtle concept, and was constantly changing. Sea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In ancient cold weapon battlefields, armies on the front lines could generally not withstand more than 10% casualties. Those that could endure 30% casualties were considered elite. However, in modern times, there had been many instances of armies fighting to the death until total annihilation. This was a result of training, national identity, and changes in combat weapons. Various factors combined meant that modern armies could endure far greater casualties than ancient ones. In the interstellar era, this was even more pronounced. Due to changes in combat forms, unless there was overwhelming force, battles typically continued until total annihilation. Not only could the regular fleets of civilized societies achieve this, but NPC fleets, due to their emotional detachment and programmed consciousness, had a concept of morale that surpassed that of regular armies in civilized societies, comparable to elite units of intelligent life forms. The difficulty of breaking the morale of an elite force could be imagined.