Chapter 464: Gaia

Xuanzhong City was one of the largest cities on Alliance Star. It was a commercial hub dedicated to foreign trade and cultural exchange. It served as the economic and cultural center of Alliance Star, which was one of the four primary planets of the Divine Dragon Empire.

This city also acted as the largest window for Alliance Star's external communications, with hundreds of Astral Gates, both large and small, connecting it to the outside world.

Over half of these gates led into the Dragon Swamp Nebula, while the other half extended beyond it, ensuring seamless communication with other civilizations in the Candle Light Star Ring.

At this moment, on the top floor of a skyscraper in the most prosperous district of Xuanzhong City, Celestial Dragon Prince Xuan Zhengyi stood, gazing indifferently at the bustling city below.

Behind him was Chi Lianyu, the Celestial Dragonian envoy, who arrived noy long ago.

Celestial Dragonians followed a strict hierarchy, where clothing, accessories, height, and even names were regulated based on rank. This hierarchy was often symbolized by colors: black, red, yellow, blue, green, and white, from highest to lowest.

"Xuan" represented black, but it was not the most prestigious surname within the "black" tier, which was reserved for the "Cang" surname.

Though the prince's surname, "Xuan," indicated royal blood within the Celestial Dragonian, it was not the most prestigious among the royalty.

In contrast, the envoy Chi Lianyu bore the most esteemed surname within the "red" tier. While the "red" tier was ranked lower than the "black" tier, the difference was slight.

This was evident in their shared Heavenly Realm cultivation level.

Xuan Zhengyi remarked sincerely, "What a prosperous city. No wonder Xuanzhong City dares to call itself the City of a Thousand Nations on Alliance Star.

"The total value of goods produced annually by Alliance Star, when converted to Alliance-recognized secondary universe currency, reaches an astonishing ten billion. Such wealth is remarkable!"

Chi Lianyu responded, "Prosperity is built on a foundation of power.

"Over the last thirty years, the Divine Dragon Empire first conquered the Flaming Dragon Empire, then destroyed Demonic Dragon Star, annexing it as their fourth primary planet.

"They also crippled the Golden Glory Federation, a once-flourishing and powerful nation, leaving it nearly collapsed while steadily expanding their influence."

He paused. "It's said they've already absorbed two emerging civilizations and will soon convert three others. If these civilizations aren't vastly different from the Divine Dragon Empire, the empire could gain three or four primary planets in one sweep. What an extraordinary feat...."

Xuan Zhengyi's expression grew heavy. "Four primary planets, and possibly three or four more... That's nearly a dozen primary planets. In addition to that, there are also hundreds of resource-rich planets already under their control."

The growth and war potential were staggering.

He added, "Not long ago, a powerful surge of astral energy came from the direction of the Astral Gates. The stability of this wave suggests it was the first time the Astral Gate frequency was linked. It seems their attack has begun. I wonder how long that civilization will hold out."

"That civilization is called Gaia. For some reason, they acquired a communication gadget and reached out to us.

"While the Gaians are relatively strong for an emerging civilization, with fifty to sixty Heavenly Realm cultivators, their strength is lacking. The best of them are only standard Heavenly Realm cultivators. They don't have Top-Tier experts, let alone Invincible ones."

Xuan Zhengyi suddenly questioned, "That's not right. I've received word that Yan Zhong personally took action, didn't he?

"To prevent any interference during their conquest of Gaia, they even transferred Yan Guang, the strongest on the Heavenly Rankings, to Alliance Star. If the Gaians are really that weak, why would Yan Zhong get involved personally?"

Chi Lianyu paused. Realizing that he had missed that detail, he quickly said, "I'll contact the Strategic Department right away."

"Can we go see?"

"No. The Divine Dragon Empire is extremely strict with guarding any non-public Astral Gates," Chi Lianyu answered.

As he initiated communication with intelligence agents within the Divine Dragon Empire, a sudden, intense energy surge erupted from the Astral Gate zone.

The resulting spatial ripples directly interfered with the normal operation of more than half the Astral Gates on the planet, causing a large number of goods and personnel to be stranded outside.

However, that wasn't the main concern. The real issue was the nature of the energy surge.

Both Xuan Zhengyi and Chi Lianyu exclaimed in shock.

"It's from the Foreign War Department! An Astral Gate has been destroyed!"

"Xuanzhong City has destroyed an Astral Gate!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, they grasped the implications.

The Foreign War Department!

Xuanzhong City unilaterally destroyed a Star Gate!

What did that mean? It meant the Alliance Star had encountered a catastrophic setback in their external war effort—so severe that Alliance Star had to destroy the Astral Gate immediately to prevent a counterattack beyond their defensive capability.

Realizing this, the two Heavenly Realm Experts could no longer remain composed. They quickly soared into the sky and headed directly toward the Foreign War Department.

Meanwhile, Heavenly Realm cultivators appeared from different directions, all heading toward the same destination.

"That Astral Gate connects to... Gaia!"

Sensing the residual energy from the collapsed Astral Gate, Xuan Zhengyi turned to Chi Lianyu in disbelief. "Weren't the Gaians supposed to be weak? How could they force Alliance Star to destroy the Astral Gate like this? It's as though they'd encountered an existential threat!"

Chi Lianyu was a bit confused. "I..."

The information they gathered had indeed confirmed that the Gaians were very weak.

Forget the Divine Dragon Empire, even the Celestial Dragonians themselves could destroy the civilization with one or two Invincible Heavenly realm experts. There was no need to send a Legend.

At this moment, several figures sensed their presence and quickly flew over. "Envoy Lianyu."

The leader was Chi Rong, the Burning Sun United Nations envoy—one of the three wavering nations.

With two Legends guarding it, it was the strongest of the three. One of those Legends achieved the first tier through genuine means, not relying on external support.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The Burning Sun Nation had six primary planets. Five of them had harsh living conditions, so much so that even the Divine Dragon Empire would hesitate to invest resources in developing them. However, this did not affect the Burning Sun Nation's strategic depth.

The capital of the Burning Sun Nation was far away from the Divine Dragon Empire. To attack it, the Divine Dragon Empire would have to cross five relatively useless primary planets, a long and difficult journey. The Burning Sun Nation could easily evacuate before the attack reached them.

If the Divine Dragon Empire failed to wipe out the Burning Sun Nation's elite forces in one decisive strike, then in the future, its constant counterattacks on the empire's other primary planets could cause significant harm.

As a result, the Divine Dragon Empire largely ignored them, occasionally exploiting the Burning Sun Nation economically or imposing blockades to keep them in check.

This became the foundation for the Burning Sun Nation's ability to maneuver between sides.

"Lord Chi Rong, do you know what happened?" Chi Lianyu asked.

"I was about to ask you the same thing, Envoy Lianyu." Chi Rong turned and gave a slight nod to Xuan Zhengyi. "Your Highness Zhengyi."

Xuan Zhengyi returned the gesture. "Shall we go and take a look?"

"That's exactly what I had in mind."

As they spoke, the group quickly made their way toward the Foreign War Department.

Along the way, more individuals joined them. Soon, over a dozen Heavenly Realm Experts from five different factions had gathered.

At that moment, a vast surge of astral energy spread out from the City Lord's Mansion in Xuanzhong City, radiating in all directions. Faint starlight flowed across the sky, as if it sought to envelop the entire city.

Chi Rong, Lianyu, and the others spoke simultaneously.

"They've activated the City Defense Astral Formation!"

"And it's at the highest level! A defense formation of this caliber, supported by a legion, could hold off even two or three Legends for quite some time."

"It seems something truly dire has happened."

Just then, a beam of starlight shot into the sky, forming a projection of Yan Guang, the top-ranked individual on the Celestial Ranking.

"Due to a malfunction and subsequent collapse of a Star Gate, Xuanzhong City has entered Level-One Temporary Lockdown to prevent unnecessary panic. All residents and guests must immediately return to their accommodations. Violators will be treated as spies...."

The voice and image quickly spread to every corner of Xuanzhong City through the city's communication system.

Xuan Zhengyi's heart sank. "Level-One Temporary Lockdown? That's the highest level of control outside wartime. What could have happened?"

Chi Rong added, "Doesn't this seem strange? An Astral Gate collapse isn't a small matter, but on a sensitive planet like the Alliance Star, shouldn't Yan Zhong himself be addressing this?

"Why is it Yan Guang speaking instead? As famous as he is, his deterrence can't compare to Yan Zhong's as the Legendary Prince."

Chi Lianyu quickly realized something. Without hesitation, he retrieved a unique piece of astral equipment and began casting astral techniques.

Moments later, his face went pale. "I can't detect Yan Zhong's energy signature anywhere in Xuanzhong City."

One of the envoys suddenly interjected, "According to our intelligence, Prince Yan Zhong appeared fully armed at the Foreign War Department about ten minutes ago...."

Fully armed, ten minutes ago. Shortly after, the Star Gate was activated....

Not long after activation, the Star Gate collapsed.... It was destroyed... by the guards of Xuanzhong City.

And now, Yan Zhong has vanished again....

As the group pieced the clues together, a shocking yet baffling thought surfaced in their minds.

"Could it be... the Divine Dragon Empire ran into something unexpected?"

That's impossible. The Divine Dragon Empire rules over the Dragon Swamp Nebula. Even if the enemy has a Tier One Legend, they wouldn’t destroy the Astral Gate—unless they were afraid of something coming through.

The envoys exchanged glances.

"Unless...."

The truth... was becoming clear.

"What's the name of the civilization they were trying to subjugate?" one envoy couldn't help but ask.

"Gaia," Chi Lianyu said solemnly. "The Gaia civilization."