Mysterious Runes

Thor could not contain his curiosity. "Since we’re all on the same team, can you tell us what we’re transporting this time?"

Ying’s expression shifted slightly. "That…"

"Thor." Hong cut him off in time. "Some things are better left unknown."

"Hong is right." Luo Wen also advised him, "We only need to complete the mission."

Thor curled his lip but did not press the matter further.

"Very good." Ying nodded in satisfaction. "Your rooms have been arranged. Please make yourselves at home. The ship is fully equipped, and you may call a service robot anytime if you need anything."

With that, he turned and left.

"This man isn’t simple," Hong said as he watched Ying leave.

"Indeed." Luo Wen nodded. "There’s an indescribable aura of danger about him."

The four of them were assigned to the ship’s VIP area, each with a luxurious suite. The rooms not only had comfortable beds but were also equipped with training rooms and entertainment facilities.

"This treatment isn’t bad." Thor sprawled across the soft bed. "It’s even better than where we usually stay."

As he spoke, a service robot pushed in a dining cart.

"Esteemed guests, this is the lunch prepared for you," the robot said in a sweet voice.

The cart was piled with all kinds of delicacies, including rare dishes from different star systems and energy meals specially prepared for cultivators.

"This is way too lavish," Thor said in surprise.

"It seems the Third Prince places great importance on this mission." Hong looked thoughtful.

Over the next few days, the four of them lived quite comfortably aboard the ship. Every day, aside from cultivation, they enjoyed the various services available. Still, they did not lower their guard and kept a close eye on the ship’s movements.

On the third night, Luo Wen was practicing the Law of Fire in the training room when he suddenly sensed a powerful aura coming from the direction of the cargo hold.

"This is…" He opened his eyes, his expression grave.

Almost at the same time, Hong and Luo Feng sensed it as well. The three left their rooms without prior discussion and met in the corridor.

"You felt it too?" Hong asked.

"Yes, a very powerful energy fluctuation." Luo Feng nodded.

"Should we take a look?" Luo Wen asked.

The three exchanged glances and ultimately decided not to interfere. Since Brolin did not want them to know what the cargo was, he must have had his reasons.

However, Thor brought it up over breakfast the next morning.

"Did you guys feel it last night? There was a powerful energy fluctuation near the cargo hold."

"Thor." Hong gave him a warning look.

"I’m just curious," Thor muttered. "They’re being so secretive about it. It definitely isn’t ordinary cargo."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Luo Wen reminded him. "Some secrets are more dangerous once you know them."

At that moment, Ying suddenly appeared at the entrance to the dining hall.

"Everyone, we’re about to enter the Meteor Belt. Prepare yourselves."

The four immediately stopped chatting, their expressions turning serious.

The Meteor Belt was the first natural danger zone of the Chaotic Star Region. Countless meteors of all sizes hurtled through it at high speed. One careless mistake could lead to the ship’s destruction and everyone’s death.

"All personnel, gather in the control room." Ying issued the order through the communicator.

Before long, all combat personnel, including Luo Wen’s group of four, had gathered in the control room. Through the panoramic window, they could see the densely packed meteor swarm ahead.

"The Meteor Belt stretches for roughly three light-years. We need to pass through its most dangerous central region." Ying pointed at the star map. "It should take six hours."

"Why not take a detour?" Thor asked.

"There isn’t enough time," Ying replied curtly. "Besides, the outer region has pirate monitoring stations. It’s even more dangerous."

The ship began to slow down and cautiously entered the Meteor Belt. The pilot was an experienced veteran, skillfully maneuvering the vessel through the meteors.

Suddenly, alarms blared.

"Unidentified flying objects detected!" the radar operator shouted.

The holographic screen showed three small warships emerging from the meteor swarm and closing in on them.

"They’re from the Meteor Gang." Ying’s face darkened. "They specialize in robbing passing ships here."

"Do we fight?" Iron Wall asked.

"No. Keep moving." Ying gave the order decisively. "Our mission is to transport the cargo, not fight."

But the enemy clearly had no intention of letting them go. The three warships began firing missiles, trying to force the transport ship to stop.

"Activate the defense system!" Ying ordered.

The ship’s shields lit up, blocking most of the attacks. But in an environment like the Meteor Belt, intense combat could easily trigger a chain reaction.

"Let me handle it." Luo Wen stepped forward. "I can use the Law of Fire to clear a path."

Ying hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Luo Wen arrived at the combat platform on top of the ship, the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade gleaming in his hand.

"Law of Fire—Meteor Fire Rain!"

Countless fireballs shot from the blade, striking the meteors threatening the ship with perfect precision. At the same time, several fire dragons coiled around the vessel, forming a moving protective barrier.

"Nicely done!" the pilot praised as he accelerated through the cleared passage.

The Meteor Gang’s warships tried to pursue them but were blocked by the dense meteor field. They could only watch helplessly as the transport ship vanished into the distance.

"That’s the first hurdle cleared." Ying let out a breath.

But Luo Wen knew the real trials still lay ahead. The Magnetic Storm Zone and the Pirate Lair were both more dangerous than the Meteor Belt.

The next two days were relatively peaceful. The ship traveled steadily through space, and everyone prepared for the challenges ahead.

Luo Wen noticed that although those mysterious teammates appeared friendly on the surface, they always kept their distance. Ying in particular barely communicated with them beyond necessary instructions.

"These people definitely have secrets," Thor said privately to Luo Wen.

"Everyone has secrets." Luo Wen smiled. "As long as they don’t interfere with the mission, it doesn’t matter."

On the fifth day, the ship entered the Magnetic Storm Zone. The area was filled with powerful magnetic storms that interfered with all electronic equipment.

"From now on, we’ll need to pilot manually," Ying said. "Everyone, stay alert."

The Magnetic Storm Zone did not merely affect equipment; it also disrupted cultivators’ energy circulation. Luo Wen felt the Law of Fire inside him becoming unstable, requiring more effort to control.

"This place is terrible." Thor complained. His lightning power was affected the most.

Just then, a massive magnetic storm suddenly struck. The entire ship shook violently as alarms sounded one after another.

"Hold steady!" Ying shouted.

At the critical moment, Hong stepped forward. He circulated the Light Source, creating a special energy field that offset part of the magnetic storm’s effects.

"It’s working!" the pilot said in delight. "The interference has weakened!"

With Hong’s help, the ship struggled through the Magnetic Storm Zone.

"Thanks to you." For the first time, Ying gave them a sincere smile.

"It was nothing," Hong said modestly.

After that crisis, Luo Wen felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere aboard the ship. Those mysterious teammates now looked at them with a little more approval.

But the greatest trial still lay ahead—the Pirate Lair. It was home to the most vicious pirates in the Chaotic Star Region and the most dangerous place on their entire route.

"Tomorrow, we’ll enter the Pirate Lair," Ying announced over dinner. "This will be the toughest battle yet. I hope everyone is prepared."

Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere grew solemn.

On the morning of the seventh day, the ship entered the most dangerous region of the Chaotic Star Region—the Pirate Lair. This was the core territory of the three major pirate forces. Countless modified warships prowled through the meteor fields like starving wolves searching for prey.

"All personnel, take up combat positions." Ying gave the order through the communicator. "We need to cross this area as quickly as possible."

Standing before an observation window, Luo Wen saw dozens of suspicious energy signals in the distance through the enhanced scanner.

"They’ve already found us." Hong frowned. "It looks like slipping through quietly is impossible."

Sure enough, ten minutes later, the alarms went off.

"Enemy ships detected! More than twenty!" The radar operator’s voice was tense.

The holographic display showed a large number of pirate warships closing in from all directions. Leading them was a massive modified carrier, its hull painted with a blood-red skull emblem.

"It’s the Blood Skull Pirates." Ying’s expression was grim. "They’re the most vicious force in this region."

"Do we fight?" Iron Wall clenched his fists.

"No. Our top priority is protecting the cargo." Ying spoke decisively. "Full speed ahead. Avoid them if we can."

The ship’s engines roared at full power as it attempted to break through the encirclement. But the pirates had clearly come prepared and had already laid a net from which there was no escape.

"They’ve deployed a magnetic net ahead!" the pilot cried out.

A massive magnetic field enveloped the entire stretch of space, forcibly reducing the ship’s speed.

"Damn it!" Ying cursed. "Prepare for battle!"

The pirate warships began firing missiles and energy beams, their dense firepower sweeping over them. Though the ship’s shields were strong, cracks began appearing under such fierce bombardment.

"Let me go out." Thor suddenly spoke. "I can clear out those troublesome bastards."

"It’s too dangerous." Ying shook his head. "One mistake in a space battle means death."

"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing." Thor gave a confident smile. "Besides, if we keep taking hits like this, we’ll be finished sooner or later."

Ying hesitated briefly before finally nodding. "Be careful."

Thor put on a specially designed space Battle Armor and entered the airlock. As the hatch opened, he flew directly out of the ship.

"What a Madman." Wind Blade watched Thor’s figure and shook his head with a sigh.

In space, Thor floated above the ship, his body wrapped in crackling lightning. In the vacuum, his lightning power was even easier to unleash.

"Come on, let me show you what true Thunderous Onslaught is!"

He raised both hands, and the Law of Lightning within him erupted in full force. Countless arcs of electricity gathered around him, forming a massive Thunder Domain.

"Law of Lightning—Heavenly Punishment!"

Thick pillars of lightning shot from the domain, striking pirate warship after pirate warship with unerring precision. The vessels hit instantly lost power, and some exploded on the spot.

The pirates clearly had not expected to encounter such a powerful opponent, and their formation began to descend into chaos.

Just then, Thor spotted several groups of pirates using jetpacks to quietly approach the transport ship’s hull. They carried cutting equipment and clearly intended to force their way aboard.

"Trying to sneak attack us? Not a chance!"

Thor’s figure flashed, and he instantly appeared before the pirates. In the space environment, he was even faster, like lightning itself.

"Lightning—Chain Strike!"

He became a streak of electricity, weaving through the pirates. Every pirate he passed received a lightning mark. When he stopped, all the marked pirates erupted with dazzling flashes of electricity at once.

Screams came through the communicators, though no sound could be heard in the vacuum. Dozens of pirate corpses drifted through space, making for an extremely shocking sight.

"This guy…" Ying watched the surveillance footage and involuntarily swallowed. "He’s even stronger than the intelligence reports said."

Luo Wen and Hong exchanged smiles. Thor’s performance did not surprise them in the least.

After Thor’s cleanup, the pirates’ offensive noticeably weakened. The remaining warships began retreating, clearly frightened.

"Beautiful work!" Ying said through the communicator. "Get back here quickly. We’ll use this chance to break out."

Thor returned to the ship with a smug smile. "Well? Didn’t I say there wouldn’t be a problem?"

"You really are impressive." Iron Wall praised him sincerely. "You crushed an entire pirate fleet by yourself."

Taking advantage of the pirates’ chaos, the ship sped forward at full power and finally broke through the encirclement.

"The neutral port is ten light-years ahead." Ying checked the star map. "We can rest and replenish supplies there."

Two hours later, a massive space city appeared in their field of vision. This was the famed Freeport, one of the few neutral regions in the Chaotic Star Region.

"Welcome to Freeport." The port administrator’s voice came through the communicator. "Please state your identity and purpose."

"Transport ship XH-779, requesting docking and resupply," Ying replied.

After a series of inspections, the ship was granted permission to enter the port.

Freeport had been built inside a modified asteroid. Its interior was enormous, capable of accommodating thousands of ships of all kinds. Merchants, adventurers, and even some pirates who had gone legitimate gathered here from every star system.

"We’ll remain here for six hours." Ying made the arrangements. "You may move around freely, but don’t cause trouble."

Luo Wen and the other three left the ship together, immediately drawn to the bustling sight of the port.

"This place is livelier than I imagined." Luo Wen looked around.

Various shops lined both sides of the streets, selling goods from different star systems. There were rare ores, high-tech equipment, precious medicinal herbs, and even some contraband.

"Look, there’s a weapon shop over there." Thor’s eyes lit up. "Want to take a look?"

The four entered the weapon shop and were immediately drawn to the dazzling array of equipment.

"Welcome." The owner was a middle-aged man with a full beard. "What can I get for you?"

"We’re just looking around," Hong said.

Luo Wen’s gaze was drawn to an unusually designed short sword. Its blade was fiery red and covered in mysterious runes.

"Good eye." The shop owner smiled. "That’s the Fire Spirit Sword, forged from meteoric iron from Volcano Star. It’s especially suitable for those who cultivate fire-based laws."

"How much?" Luo Wen asked.

"Five million Cosmic Credits."

Luo Wen shook his head. Though the sword was indeed good, he already had the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade.

After walking around for a while, the four arrived at the port’s dining district. The food here came from every star system, and enticing aromas filled the air.

"Try this." Thor pointed at a barbecue restaurant. "I heard it’s made from star beast meat."

The four found a table and ordered a feast.

"This mission is more exciting than I expected." Thor spoke as he ate. "But it’s pretty interesting too."