86: Chapter 86

Half a month later.

"All cruisers, form a single-line formation and cruise freely, conducting saturation fire. Reconnaissance ships are responsible for real-time feedback, assault ships maintain defenses, do not let a single Galaxy Beast escape."

Inside the command ship, Gore was issuing orders methodically.

This was the first medium-sized Disaster Zone encountered on the way to the Watcher Galaxy.

Its scale was ten times larger than the one Zhang Huaiyuan encountered during his first mission for Dark Destruction Legion.

B-grade, or even A-grade Galaxy Beasts, could be seen everywhere.

Most of them were gathered on the periphery of planets that had not yet been destroyed, attacking the flickering spatial defense systems.

A small portion roamed in the void, searching for and hunting living beings that were not of their kind.

Upon discovering this fleet, the nearby Galaxy Beasts swarmed over in a frenzy, their massive bodies appearing exceptionally hideous under the dark red starry sky.

However, in front of the Free Star Alliance's regular fleet, these seemingly oppressive guys didn't even have the qualifications to get close.

This type of starship, named "Pathfinder," was one of the elite warships currently in service with the Free Star Alliance. Besides retaining some high-power cluster weapons, they were also equipped with gravity weapons.

When those spherical missiles exploded, a large area of surrounding space seemed to collapse, producing layers of afterimages. All the Galaxy Beasts were sucked toward the center simultaneously, then instantly shattered into pools of blood mist.

The entire fleet didn't even slow down, crushing and clearing the path as they moved forward.

Many planets that were struggling to hold on in this Disaster Zone suddenly saw their pressure greatly reduced, seeing hope.

"Truly powerful weapons..."

Zhang Huaiyuan leaned against the panoramic window, his gaze burning as he examined these warships.

Even without considering the gravity weapons, these "Pathfinder" series definitely reached the performance of a seventh-level warship, and their structure and power systems were almost perfect by current standards.

"Asroth, pause the mass production of the legend series starships. I have some new ideas and need to slightly modify their structure."

After Zhang Huaiyuan silently input a line of text on the integrated device on his left wrist, he continued to look up at these starships.

Under the effect of True Sight, when those weapons fired, all the power supply circuits were visible in minute detail.

"Researcher Zhang, no need to worry. These Galaxy Beasts cannot stir up any Wind and Waves."

Just then, Gore, who had been at the command console, suddenly walked over.

"Brother Gore, I naturally believe that. I was just admiring the splendor of the Star Alliance fleet."

Zhang Huaiyuan turned his head and smiled.

After half a month of contact, upon learning that Zhang Huaiyuan was also from a commoner background, Gore's attitude improved significantly, and his favorability even rose to 17 points, which could already be considered a friendship.

"It's not worth mentioning. Since we just happened to pass by here, we might as well help our compatriots solve these troubles as much as possible."

Gore shook his head, a look of slight regret on his face: "This is all I can do."

"Uh... speaking of which, Brother Gore, I noticed along the way that there are still many life planets in the Disaster Zone under siege by Galaxy Beasts. Are there no Star Alliance fleets coming to rescue them?"

Zhang Huaiyuan asked curiously.

"It's not that simple."

Gore sighed slightly: "The Star Alliance territory is too vast, and this outbreak of the Disaster Zone was too sudden and too powerful. The Catastrophe-level and Death-level Disaster Zones alone have already exhausted the Star Alliance's main forces. Plus, the garrisons in various places dare not leave easily; otherwise, it would be disastrous if a Galaxy Beast plague occurred right at that time."

"So there is simply no manpower to spare to resolve it. Sigh, these damned monsters, who knows how many of our compatriots they have killed!"

Gore said with a hateful expression.

"Is it already this serious?"

Zhang Huaiyuan was slightly stunned, feeling a bit worried in his heart.

You have to know, if the Free Star Alliance, which does not border the lair of the northern Galaxy Beasts, is struggling this much, then the Star Dome Empire, facing pressure from both the Disaster Zone and the massive northern Galaxy Beast tide, must be in an even more critical situation.

"I wonder how Lord Dark, the young lady, and the brothers of Dark Destruction Legion are doing. But with Viscount Kane looking after them, there shouldn't be any danger to their lives."

Thinking of this, Zhang Huaiyuan felt a little more at ease.

"Yeah, but fortunately there is the Statue of Liberty coordinating the overall situation, dispatching available fleets and experts nearby to rescue those planets that cannot hold on, otherwise the death toll would likely be more than ten times higher."

As Gore spoke, a flash of undisguised reverence crossed his eyes: "Praise the Statue of Liberty."

"Praise the Statue of Liberty."

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiyuan glanced at the light screen flickering slightly on his left wrist and echoed the sentiment.

"By the way, Researcher Zhang..."

Seeing this, Gore suddenly asked with some curiosity and hesitation:

"I have never seen a research Scholar personally named by the Statue of Liberty as needing protection. Please forgive my presumption, but what aspect do you research?"

"Captain Gore, the research of Lord Zhang Huaiyuan is the highest secret of the Star Alliance. You have no right to ask."

At this moment, a light screen suddenly lit up, and the serious voice of the Statue of Liberty came from it.

"Apologies, Lady Goddess, it was my subordinate overstepping."

Gore's expression changed, and he said repeatedly.

He didn't expect such a casual question to involve the highest secret of the Star Alliance, and that the Statue of Liberty was actually monitoring this place in real-time!

"No matter."

Zhang Huaiyuan thought for a moment and spoke proactively: "Actually, I know a little bit about everything, but my main research is related to the Galaxy Beasts."

He had thought it through clearly.

Since he was operating in the Free Star Alliance as a specially appointed Researcher, there would eventually be a time when he needed to show his capabilities.

Things related to "Creatology" definitely could not be exposed; this involved algorithms that could change the Statue of Liberty, and whoever touched it would die.

The "dematerialized server" was the same; it would easily arouse suspicion.

As for "Energy Studies," his current progress was likely far behind some of the Star Alliance's experts and was nowhere near enough to qualify for a "national treasure" status.

He might as well give himself the identity of a "Galaxy Beast research expert."

After all, with his supernatural abilities and True Sight, he could easily discern the true nature and weaknesses of all Galaxy Beasts.

"Related to Galaxy Beasts!"

At this moment, hearing these words, Gore's eyes suddenly lit up, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

There were many researches related to Galaxy Beasts; for example, those Master or Grandmaster Level Star Mechanics would study the gene maps of Galaxy Beasts to forge extraordinary weapons.

But such talents were everywhere in the Research Institute and could not attract the attention of the Statue of Liberty at all.

So... associating this with the current severe Galaxy Beast plague within the Star Alliance... the greatest possibility was that the topic Researcher Zhang was researching was related to dealing with Galaxy Beasts! And he had already achieved great results!

That's it, this way it made sense why the Statue of Liberty would go to such lengths to escort a Researcher.

This was very likely the hope for the Star Alliance to quell the chaos!

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, I understand."

Feeling that he had insight into the truth, Gore's expression suddenly became serious, his whole body exuding a piercing aura of a powerhouse and a sense of mission.

"What's wrong, Brother Gore?"

Zhang Huaiyuan looked with surprise at Gore, who seemed to have suddenly become a different person, and his favorability rating soared to 50 points.

"From now on, I will not leave your side by more than 100 meters. Rest assured, even if I have to risk my life, I will definitely escort you safely to the Watcher Galaxy."