72: We are the chosen ones.

Inside the virtual projection space.

A small, full-strength fleet emblazoned with a broadsword icon was rapidly mopping up a remnant force.

This was the "Mad Blade" Pirate Group under the "Flame" banner; their overall strength was comparable to "Mist," possessing one Double A-Class leader and an entire modified small fleet of the "fearless ii" series.

Bang!

Several "fearless ii" assault ships, equipped with sharp spikes at the front, suddenly accelerated and charged directly at the damaged command ship attempting to flee.

The specialized laser drills easily pierced the already teetering Ion Shield, gouging several large holes into the ship's hull.

Subsequently, the assault ship's hatch opened, and dozens of warriors in mechs flew quickly through the breaches.

Only a moment later, as the screams died down, the entire command ship exploded into fragments amidst a burst of intense fire.

"Mission accomplished, boss. We wiped out another one."

A man with a scar on his face flew straight back into the assault ship and spoke boisterously to the command screen.

"Keep scanning the surrounding area for enemies. Lord Loranger said that for every faction we wipe out, we get one year of planet rental fees waived. If we wipe out three, we get ten years of free access to all wormholes within 'Flame' territory. If we kill enough, we can even exchange for transcendent weapons. Tell the brothers to give it their all. After we're done, I'll treat everyone to a good time at the Golden Palace on Sea Tree Island!"

"You got it, boss. Besides, it's not like we're actually dying, so let's just get it done!"

"Heh, boss, if you put it that way, then I'm willing to risk my life for it!"

The morale of the group suddenly soared.

"Hmm... Don't let your guard down; be careful with the reconnaissance."

The leader of the "Mad Blade" Pirate Group nodded slightly: "The weak ones on the periphery should have all been looted by now. The ones remaining are no weaker than us, so try our best to take down one."

"Understood... Wait! Boss, the scanner shows quite a few life signs behind us. There are no friendly beacons; it's the enemy!"

The scarred man suddenly shouted excitedly.

"Behind us? Are you sure? Do you have a specific location?"

The "Mad Blade" leader's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

The rear was the direction they had come from; usually, only the weaker ones would be arranged at the front, so to think there were still fish that slipped through the net!

"Coordinates 728, 634, 512. Boss, their equipment is very backward. Our scanners broke through their signal shielding instantly; there are only some old-fashioned wanderer ii warships and unmodified fearless ii series mechs."

"Change direction, hurry over there! Don't let anyone else beat us to it!"

The "Mad Blade" leader was also excited. They had already wiped out three pirate factions. Counting this freebie, as long as they took down one more after this, they could go to "Flame" to exchange for high-level transcendent weapons.

Soon, the entire fleet arrived near the planet where Zhang Huaiyuan was located.

However, at this moment, another pirate fleet happened to fly by from the side.

"Oh no, boss, we're about to be beaten to the punch! It looks like people from the 'Hounds'!"

"Damn it, so close!"

The "Mad Blade" leader's face sank. If not for the extremely heavy penalties for attacking friendly forces, he would have loved to order an attack on them directly.

However, what they didn't expect was that the fleet flew directly past the edge of "Fenglang Star" as if they couldn't see it.

"Huh, boss, it seems like they didn't see it! Could it be that they didn't turn on their scanners?"

"It's possible!"

The "Mad Blade" leader pondered for a moment, then suddenly slapped the command console and laughed aloud: "I get it. They must have seen that this area was mostly cleared, and to save energy, they turned off their scanners."

"Hahaha, a bunch of idiots! It seems we, 'Mad Blade,' are truly the chosen ones!"

The adjutants echoed in agreement.

"Alright, hurry up, don't let anyone else beat us to it again. Scar, you take the assault fleet directly to break through the spatial defense system and conduct a landing operation. Be careful not to fire orbital cannons and cause too much of a stir, lest other factions discover this soft persimmon."

"Don't worry, boss. Just stay in the command ship; give me half an hour and I'll have them all wiped out."

Amidst the laughter, a portion of the fleet broke off and charged straight toward the pale blue spatial protective layer.

The drills at the tips of the "fearless ii" assault ships lit up with red lasers and began to spin rapidly.

Boom!

Under the attack of such weapons specifically designed to pierce through points, the blue Ion Shield was instantly drilled with fine cracks.

"Heh, it really is a soft persimmon; it's just the most ordinary kind of spatial defense system... Huh!"

However, before he could be happy, the cracks that had just appeared were recovering rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Damn! These pathetic cowards! They actually used all their energy to maintain the Ion Shield, hahaha!"

The scarred man reacted upon seeing this and sneered: "Brothers, give it more effort, all together now. Let's see how much energy they have to use."

The energy consumed by maintaining high-power operation for such a large-scale protective device was simply astronomical. Even they, "Mad Blade," wouldn't dare to play like that, let alone these guys who were clearly cannon fodder at a glance.

Boom, boom, boom!

For a moment, over a dozen assault ships slammed into the Ion Shield simultaneously.

Meanwhile, below on the planet.

"Are these people this confident?"

Zhang Huaiyuan, looking through the detection feed sent by the legend, couldn't help but be stunned.

Normally, when attacking a faction with a spatial defense system, one would either use absolute firepower to suppress them and destroy the space station from a distance.

Or play it steady, first taking out some of the air defense systems, and then launching a full-scale attack.

Doing something like this, sending assault ships to attack head-on, is simply not treating the opponent as a threat.

"Asroth, scan the opponent's information again."

Zhang Huaiyuan said, feeling somewhat unsure.

Could it be that he accidentally made a mistake and attracted a formidable opponent?

"There are 53 'fearless ii' series warships, modified to a certain extent, with performance improved by about 21%. There is one Double A-Class ability user, two A-Class ability users, 288 fearless series mechs, and energy reserves remaining at 83%..."

"That's enough. It seems they are indeed overconfident. Don't they wonder why there is still an intact planet on the front line at this time, and why others are turning a blind eye to it? Too many coincidences are no longer coincidences."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head.

"Not all life forms possess the wisdom and restraint that you have. Greed is the inherent nature of the vast majority of Interstellar Pirates."

The voice in the light screen carried a hint of disdain.

"Perhaps they know it's just a virtual projection world, so they are bolder... But they are just right as test subjects."

Zhang Huaiyuan watched the "Mad Blade" members who were still persistently slamming into the Ion Shield and smiled faintly:

"Since they want to come in so badly, then let's grant their wish."

"Asroth, prepare to deactivate the regional Ion Shield and send thirty legend series warships to greet them. It's time for us to fight side by side."

"As you wish, master."

The voice in the light screen said cheerfully.