Chapter 53 – Heading to the Zerg Star 前往虫星

After the communication ended, a thoughtful look flashed across Ye Qingxuan's eyes. She knew that Su Ling never said anything without a purpose. Despite her innocent and lively appearance, she was actually a key figure in the Federation's strategic resources, and there was always a hidden meaning in her words. However, Ye Qingxuan vaguely felt that Su Ling's stance was not entirely the same as hers, and even... there was some subtle conflict.

At the same time, a new piece of intelligence from the Federation Parliament was sent to each core member. Regarding the several attacks from the Zerg Star, the intelligence showed that they were related to a mysterious signal fluctuation. According to the analysis, that fluctuation could be a cosmic signal, either giving orders to the Zerg or luring other Zerg to gather.

The attacks from the Zerg Star were not random but unfolded gradually in a certain pattern, as if paving the way for a larger plan. And what was even more shocking was that researchers found that this fluctuation was related to a rare resource "Star Spirit Dew" that had been stolen within the Federation.

At the Federation headquarters' emergency meeting, Parliament's high-level members decided to send eight teams to the Zerg Star to find the source of the abnormal fluctuations. Each team, made up of elite soldiers and scientists, had different tasks.

Some were responsible for collecting data on the ecology and environment of the Zerg Star, and some needed to locate the position of the signal tower and try to analyze the Zerg's intentions.

After the meeting ended, Su Ling stopped Ye Qingxuan and there was a mischievous smile in her eyes. "What do you think of this decision? Don't you think it's a bit too hasty?"

Ye Qingxuan responded indifferently, "The threat from the Zerg Star is getting closer, and the Parliament needs to take action. Compared to just waiting for disaster, taking the initiative is not a bad choice."

Su Ling shook her head. Her tone was relaxed but carried a hint of deeper meaning. "Hmm... If it were me, I wouldn't send so many people to the Zerg Star. After all, the things hidden on the Zerg Star are much more complicated than they imagine. Oh, by the way, Qingxuan, I heard that your son who works in the logistics department seems to be involved in the matter of the Zerg Star."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingxuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Su Ling, you don't need to worry about my children."

Su Ling smiled, patted Ye Qingxuan's shoulder, then turned and left, humming a lively, unknown tune.

On the other side, Lin Yuan finally completed his cooperation with Li Xingchen and successfully helped her capture some Zerg spies, temporarily clearing the internal threat.

When Lin Yuan found Li Xingchen and asked about the whereabouts of the Star Spirit Dew, Li Xingchen said casually, "The Star Spirit Dew is not on the Zerg Star, but you have to go to the Zerg Star."

Lin Yuan was taken aback and frowned. "Then what do I have to do on the Zerg Star?"

Li Xingchen said in her typical mysterious voice, "Go to the Zerg Star for Star Spirit Dew clues. The final answer is there."

Lin Yuan helplessly put his hand on his forehead. "You're being such a riddle-monger! Can't you just explain it clearly at once?"

Li Xingchen smiled slightly and said softly, "That wouldn't be fun."

Lin Yuan rolled his eyes but still decided to go with the unit heading to the Zerg Star.

A few days later, Ye Qingxuan and Su Ling met in the cafeteria of the Federation headquarters. Su Ling was marveling at a dessert after the meal. "Wow, what's this? New molecular food? So amazing!"

Ye Qingxuan sat opposite her, calmly looking at Su Ling and said lightly, "Su Ling, what exactly do you want?"

Su Ling put down the dessert in her hand and looked at Ye Qingxuan with a smile. "Don't you know what I want? Of course, it's to protect the Federation! Qingxuan, you don't think I have any other motives, do you?"

Ye Qingxuan's eyes were profound as she whispered, "There are various ways to safeguard the Federation, yet yours... is rather radical."

Su Ling blinked her eyes, and her smile was still sweet. "Radical? Maybe. But, Qingxuan, sometimes, we adults can't choose a too gentle way. After all, only those who truly understand the situation know what it means to stop at nothing."

Ye Qingxuan stared at Su Ling and remained silent for a long time. "Su Ling, I just hope you remember that our stances should be the same."

Su Ling chuckled. "Of course. I, like you, am thinking of the Federation."

There was hidden tension in their conversation, like a silent battle.

...

Lin Yuan finally stepped onto the spaceship heading for the Zerg Star. While complaining about Li Xingchen's mysterious style, he communicated with the Nine Heavens Ring in his mind.

"Jiuchong, the Zerg Star seems really dangerous. Can't you give me some reliable instructions?"

The Nine Heavens Ring responded lazily, "Host, I'm only responsible for issuing tasks, not for providing a nanny-like guidance. The relationship between the Star Spirit Dew and the Zerg Star is up to you to figure out."

Lin Yuan sighed and shut his eyes to take a rest.

He secretly made up his mind: No matter how dangerous the Zerg Star was, he would find the whereabouts of the Star Spirit Dew and complete his task.

As the spaceship entered the orbit of the Zerg Star, everything seemed to have just begun. After that, he would encounter unknown challenges, and the disputes within and outside the Federation would grow more intense.

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通讯挂断,叶青璇的眼神中掠过一抹深思.她知道,苏灵的话从来不会无的放矢.尽管她表现得天真烂漫,实际上却是整个联邦战略资源的关键人物,言辞中总藏着深意.然而,叶青璇隐隐感觉到,苏灵的立场和自己的并不完全一致,甚至...有些微妙的冲突.

与此同时,联邦议会一份新的情报送到了每个核心成员手中,关于虫星的几次袭击,情报显示它们与一个神秘的信号波动有关.根据分析,那种波动可能是某种宇宙讯号,向虫族发出指令或吸引其他虫族聚集.

虫星的袭击并非毫无章法,而是以某种规律渐进展开,仿佛在为某个更大的计划做铺垫.而更让人震惊的是,研究人员发现,这种波动与联邦内部失窃的一种稀有资源 "星灵露" 有关.

在联邦总部召开的紧急会议上,议会高层最终决定派出8支部队前往虫星探查异常波动的来源.每支部队都由精锐的战士和科学家组成,肩负不同任务,有些负责收集虫星生态和环境的数据,有些则需要定位讯号塔的位置并试图解析虫族的目的.

会议结束后,苏灵拉住了叶青璇,眼中带着一抹促狭的笑意:"你怎么看这个决定?是不是觉得有点太着急了?"

叶青璇淡然回应:"虫星的威胁越来越近,议会需要有所行动.相比坐以待毙,主动出击未尝不是一种选择."

苏灵却摇了摇头,语气轻松却夹杂着几分深意: "唔...如果是我,我才不会派那么多人去虫星呢.毕竟啊,虫星上隐藏的东西,可比他们想象得复杂得多.哦,对了,青璇,我听说你家那个后勤部的儿子,好像和虫星的事情扯上关系了呢."

叶青璇闻言,眸色微敛:"苏灵,我的孩子不需要你操心."

苏灵笑了笑,拍了拍叶青璇的肩膀,转身离去,轻快地哼着一首不知名的小曲.

另一边,林远终于完成了与黎星辰的合作,成功协助她抓住了一些虫族内奸,暂时扫清了内部的威胁.

当林远找到黎星辰,询问星灵露的下落时,黎星辰却轻描淡写地说道:"星灵露不在虫星,但你得去虫星走一趟."

林远一愣,皱眉问道:"那我还得去虫星做什么?"

黎星辰用一贯的神秘语气说道:"你去虫星,是为了找到星灵露的线索.只有在那里,你才能得到最终的答案."

林远无奈地扶额:"你这也太像谜语人了吧!能不能一次说清楚点?"

黎星辰微微一笑,轻声道:"那可就不好玩了."

林远翻了个白眼,但还是决定随同前往虫星的部队.

几天后,叶青璇与苏灵在联邦总部的餐厅碰面.苏灵正在对着一份餐后甜点发出惊叹:"哇,这是什么?是新研发的分子料理吗?好神奇啊!"

叶青璇坐在对面,冷静地注视着苏灵,淡淡开口:"苏灵,你究竟想要什么?"

苏灵放下手中的甜点,笑嘻嘻地看着叶青璇:"我想要的,难道你还看不出来吗?当然是保护联邦啦!青璇,你该不会以为我有什么别的企图吧?"

叶青璇目光深沉,低声说道:"保护联邦的方法有很多种,但你的方式...未免太激进了."

苏灵眨了眨眼睛,笑容依旧甜美:"激进吗?也许吧.不过啊,青璇,有时候,我们这些大人,是不能选择太温和的方式的.毕竟,只有真正了解局势的人,才知道什么叫不择手段."

叶青璇凝视着苏灵,沉默良久:"苏灵,我只希望你记得,我们的立场应该是相同的."

苏灵轻笑:"当然,我和你一样,都是为联邦着想."

两人之间的对话充满了隐秘的张力,仿佛一场无声的较量.

...

林远终于踏上了前往虫星的飞船,他一边吐槽黎星辰的神秘作风,一边在脑海中与九重戒交流.

"九重,这虫星看起来危险得很啊.你就不能给点靠谱的指示吗?"

九重戒懒洋洋地回应:"宿主,我只负责发布任务,可不负责保姆式引导.星灵露和虫星的关系,就靠你自己去挖掘了."

林远叹了口气,闭上眼睛养神.

他心中暗暗下定决心:无论虫星有多危险,他都会找到星灵露的下落,完成自己的任务.

随着飞船进入虫星轨道,一切似乎才刚刚开始.随后,他将面临未知的挑战,联邦内外的纷争也将愈演愈烈.