87: The Ocal family

The 68th day of void travel. Escorted by this large, fully-manned fleet, they had crushed through three medium-sized Disaster Zones and six small-sized Disaster Zones with almost overwhelming force.

In the face of the pinnacle technological weapons of human civilization, even an ordinary S-Class Star River Beast was as insignificant as dust, submerged in saturated firepower coverage.

However, at this moment, the fleet came to a halt.

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, we are about to pass through an uncleared large-scale Disaster Zone ahead. According to feedback, there is an SS-Class Star River Beast present."

Gore said with a serious expression: "Although I am more than ninety percent certain that I can safely escort you through, your safety cannot be compromised. I suggest following the arrangements of the Statue of Liberty and waiting for reinforcements to arrive before proceeding."

"Very well."

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the dark red mist ahead that blotted out the sky, covering almost the entire range of his vision.

Judging by its scale, it was even more massive than the newly emerged large-scale Disaster Zone in the Blackstone Star System back then.

"By the way, Brother Gore, can you defeat an SS-Class Star River Beast?"

Zhang Huaiyuan asked with some curiosity.

He had seen how Leios, an S-Class, could barely resist a single blow from an SS-Class Star River Beast even with all his might.

However, the person before him possessed abilities at the Transcendence Level, and in terms of rank, his strength was far superior to that.

"One-on-one, against an ordinary SS-Class Star River Beast, it's a three-seven split."

"Oh? Who gets the three, and who gets the seven?"

"You misunderstood. I mean, I normally finish it in three slashes, and if I'm having an off day, I finish it within seven slashes."

Gore touched the hilt of the blade at his waist with his right hand, a flash of pride in his eyes.

"That strong?"

Zhang Huaiyuan was slightly stunned.

Doesn't that mean that even among S-Class, someone like Leios wouldn't even last a single slash against him?

It seems the gap in ability rank is far greater than he had imagined.

"I have experienced countless battles, large and small. Back when I was a Double A-Class, I once charged into a large-scale Disaster Zone to fight to the death with an S-Class Star River Beast, and in the end, I broke through in a desperate situation and promoted to S-Class."

Gore said with a hint of disdain: "You may have seen those 'instant products' built up by technology or treasures; such people don't even have the qualifications to make me draw my blade."

"I see..."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly reached out and lightly touched the communication device on his right wrist, joking: "Statue of Liberty, it seems the talent selection channels in your Star Alliance are not fair either. With Brother Gore's strength, he can only be relegated to a mere Captain."

"Uh... this... sir, you..."

Gore's face was filled with shock; he didn't expect the other party to dare speak directly to the Statue of Liberty like that.

"You are right, sir."

The light on the communicator suddenly lit up, and the solemn voice of the Statue of Liberty came through: "The promotion regulations of the Star Alliance are indeed too decadent and should be adjusted."

"Ah?"

Gore watched the conversation between the two in shock.

What was he seeing! Not only did the Statue of Liberty not blame the other party, but she actually took the initiative to agree and explain.

If he didn't know that the other party was an expert in the field of "Galaxy Beast" and about the power of the Statue of Liberty, he would have thought that the other party had hacked the Goddess's server!

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, you have misunderstood. In fact, if it weren't for the existence of the Statue of Liberty, someone with an ordinary background like me would never have been able to get to where I am today."

Gore, having regained his composure, quickly explained.

"It seems it's the same everywhere."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head with some emotion.

The Free Star Alliance has existed for over 3,000 years, with various family forces intertwined. If it weren't for the emergence of extraordinary powers and technological iteration, the solidification would likely be even more severe.

"Commander Gore, there is a Star Alliance signal coming in. Do you accept?"

As the two were chatting, an adjutant sent a report.

"Accept, transfer it to me."

Gore picked up and opened the communicator, smiling: "Sir, it seems the reinforcements have arrived."

"I am the temporary Commander of the Okar Fleet, Saike Okar. My fleet has arrived at the designated position. Now, I order you to transfer the command of your fleet to me. From this moment on, I will take over the command here."

An arrogant voice rang out.

"Saike Okar? Why did this guy come?"

Gore couldn't help but frown. Suppressing his anger, he replied: "Sorry, I cannot comply. This fleet belongs under Colonel Varian of the Port of Friendship. I am the fleet Commander, Gore, and I am under the orders of the Statue of Liberty to escort..."

Beep, beep, beep...

A busy signal sounded; evidently, the other party had hung up directly.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Huaiyuan asked.

"A troublesome guy has arrived."

Gore smiled bitterly: "Saike Okar, the third heir of the Okar Family."

"Okar Family?"

"Yes, they are the rulers of the Okar star sector, controlling five large, fully-manned fleets and over 3,000 life-bearing stars. That guy is the youngest son of the current patriarch, a notorious playboy who once caused trouble at the Port of Friendship..."

"Commander Gore, we have detected a 'Navigator' series command ship accelerating towards us. We have issued three consecutive warnings, but the other party has no intention of slowing down. Do we open fire?"

Just as Gore was explaining, the adjutant sent another message.

"Damn it! This lunatic!"

Gore looked up sharply at the feedback from the detector on the command screen, only to see a warship about 700 meters long charging straight towards the First Fleet's command ship, seemingly convinced that they wouldn't dare to attack.

"Pass on my order: break formation and let him through."

Gore hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he gave the order with an ugly expression.

"Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan, perhaps you should go to the recreation room to rest for a while. This guy is a lunatic; he goes crazy at the slightest dissatisfaction. If he were to accidentally bump into you..."

"Is he stronger than you?"

"How is that possible! Uh... what I mean is, if we were to really fight, I could kill him ten thousand times in a second. But the Okar Family he belongs to has a high status in the Star Alliance, and even Colonel Varian dares not offend them."

"Then it doesn't matter."

Zhang Huaiyuan glanced at the communication device on his right wrist, which was surprisingly quiet, and fell into thought.

Come to think of it, apart from the first five years of wandering, ever since joining Dark Annihilation, the people he had met, even the once high-and-mighty Viscount Kane, had all been surprisingly friendly.

It was rare to encounter such an abnormal person, and he actually found it quite interesting.