[1]Crystal Scar Collapse
The moment the Mother Core was pierced by the battle blade, the entire Crystal Scar main core shuddered as if its supporting pillar had been ripped away, releasing a deep, muffled roar.
Huge cracks spread along the dome, large chunks of crystalline material breaking away in silence before shattering into dust in midair.
Bai Ta's voice was urgent.
"Yeheng, the main core zone is going to collapse! We need to get out now!"
Hermes: [External energy flow beginning reverse surge. Estimated full collapse in thirty seconds.]
Lin Yeheng stomped down on the throttle pedal. R-01 blasted forward, rocketing through the collapsing tunnel toward the outer layer.
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[2]Hunter Light Blockade
Just as they burst out of the fissure at the Crystal Scar's perimeter, three blinding streaks of silver-white light flashed across their view—
Three Imperial "Hunter Light"-class interception ships hovered high above, their bow energy cannons already locked onto R-01's signal source.
A cold female voice came over the Imperial military channel:
> "R-01 · Hermes Sequence, immediately shut down all propulsion and weapon systems, and submit to Imperial retrieval."
Bai Ta cursed under her breath.
"They chased us all the way here?!"
Hermes: [She is 'Chang Geng' of the Imperial Intelligence Fleet—specializes in retrieving prohibited cores.]
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[3]First Strike of the Fire Net
All three Hunter Light ships opened fire at once, their energy beams weaving into a semi-enclosed high-temperature net that rushed straight toward R-01's path.
Lin Yeheng's gaze chilled.
"Hermes, give me a gap!"
Hermes: [Calculating… angle adjustment—right upper flank, three point five degrees. Maintain thrust for two seconds.]
R-01 flipped sharply, the white-hot trail of its exhaust slicing along the net's edge. The intense heat grazed the side armor, instantly warping and blackening the metal—but the unit successfully slipped through.
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[4]Chang Geng Makes a Move
Before they could widen the distance, the belly bay doors of one Hunter Light ship slowly opened, releasing a streamlined golden mech from within.
Four propulsion wings unfolded from its back, each vibration producing an ear-splitting sonic boom—
It was the Imperial Royal Execution Mech "Liu Feng," born for close-range kills.
Hermes: [Warning—Liu Feng's close-combat performance ranks top three in the current database. Advise avoiding melee engagement.]
Lin Yeheng spoke evenly.
"Then we'll strike before it gets close."
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[5]Sky Blaze Replayed
Liu Feng accelerated, its frame turning into a streak of golden light diving straight for R-01.
Lin Yeheng gripped the controls tightly, battle blade raised horizontally. Hermes's tactical module quickly mapped dual weak points on the HUD—its propulsion ring and the area beneath the shoulder armor.
The first slash landed on Liu Feng's left shoulder armor, sending up a shower of sparks.
The second slash slid toward the propulsion ring, flooding it with white-hot energy patterns through the blade—
Liu Feng twisted sharply to break away, but the two auxiliary wings on its back exploded into streams of fire, its speed plummeting.
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[6]Imperial Chokehold
Chang Geng's voice remained cold, now tinged with impatience:
> "Lin Yeheng, this is your final chance. Hand over Hermes, and you can still return alive."
Lin Yeheng gave a short, scornful laugh.
"It doesn't belong to the Empire—it responds to my will."
Hermes echoed: [Confirmed.]
In the next instant, R-01's rear wings flared open, the full-force Scorching Soul state igniting in a pillar of light as bright as midday, aimed straight at the main cannon of Chang Geng's flagship—
A direct declaration of war to break through the Imperial blockade head-on.