Chapter 2 The Journey and the Ruined Planet
The next day, Lin Muci set off with Ling Kuang for the space battlefield.
On the way, Lin Muci couldn't help but ask Ling Kuang if he knew anything about the Shadowfoot Worm.
Ling Kuang raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing a hint of surprise. He spoke,
"Information about the Shadowfoot Worm—you actually know about the Shadowfoot Worm? I thought this was a closely guarded human secret. After all, if this information were revealed to the public, people would realize how foolish and laughable their actions are!"
A faint, cold smile touched Ling Kuang's lips as he continued,
"The Shadowfoot Worm is a cunning insectoid, possessing intelligence comparable to humans. Within the insectoid races, they often serve as strategists."
"Furthermore, they are ruthless and can devour human brains, meaning their intelligence is constantly evolving."
"Compared to other insectoids that rely purely on brute force, only knowing how to devour and slaughter, the Shadowfoot Worm is undoubtedly more difficult to deal with."
Hearing Ling Kuang's words, Lin Muci couldn't help but take a deep breath, her voice tinged with emotion.
"So..."
"Such a powerful insectoid race, it must have been incredibly difficult to defeat them in the past."
Ling Kuang shook his head.
"A hundred-footed worm does not die easily. If even one escapes, they will meticulously plan, gradually expanding their insectoid influence."
"The reason I say this space battlefield is extremely dangerous is that, based on my analysis, the military has likely gravely underestimated the threat of the Shadowfoot Worm."
"The fact that the Shadowfoot Worm could remain hidden for so long in the spatial turbulence not covered by the Sky Net is sufficient proof that it has already begun to develop its own forces!"
"To think that a mere nine-star general from the military, leading a few hundred students from the mecha academy, could execute a decapitation strike—this is undoubtedly a complete and utter delusion."
Ling Kuang's tone was extremely calm. Although his words carried a touch of cruelty, it was the stark reality before them, and he offered his assessment.
"Without any other intervention—it's estimated that most of the mecha academy students will perish."
"Even if that nine-star general survives, with so many students dying because of him, I believe he will spend the rest of his life consumed by guilt."
"After all, it was due to the military's misjudgment that these students were sent to their deaths."
Hearing Ling Kuang's words, Lin Muci felt her heart pounding. She took a deep breath, reached out, and took Ling Kuang's hand. She looked at him earnestly and asked,
"So, we are going, and we can change all of this, right?"
"We have to kill that Shadowfoot Worm!"
"This way, we can prevent such a tragedy from happening."
She expected Ling Kuang to scoff at her audacity, but instead, he fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Yes."
"We can change all of this."
"We can do it."
...
The special insectoid passage Ling Kuang mentioned was indeed perilous, as it was not originally designed for humans to traverse.
It took Lin Muci and Ling Kuang considerable time to pass through this insectoid passage. Fortunately, she could now skillfully operate her Destiny mecha, making the journey smooth and without major crises.
Originally, Ling Kuang had wanted her to stay with him inside the Burning Heart mecha.
However, Lin Muci quickly rejected this proposal. It was a joke; she knew that fellow would never behave himself properly!
Ling Kuang did not insist further. He simply smiled, a faint light flickering deep within his eyes.
Three days later, as she arrived at the space battlefield, Lin Muci gasped upon seeing the desolate planet with its red rocks.
"Has this place... always been like this?"
Ling Kuang nodded, looking at the bewildered girl beside him.
"This place is indeed desolate and lies outside human surveillance. But many years ago, it was as prosperous as the Central Planet. It was later destroyed by war. The red sand you see is the remnants of cities buried by wind and sand."
"It is said that there are still a small number of humans surviving beneath this space battlefield."
Lin Muci's eyes widened at this statement.
"There are surviving humans?"
"If there are surviving humans... why doesn't the Central Planet care for them, or bring them out? This place is so desolate; living here must be incredibly harsh..."
Lin Muci was perplexed.
The man beside her looked up at the scorching sun overhead and scoffed.
"Because they deserve it. They are traitors to humanity, and the high-ranking officials of the Central Planet will no longer bother with them. They are the abandoned ones."
"In humanity's most critical moment of survival, the insectoids infiltrated the human main base right here."
"This planet is called the Sun-Chasing Planet. It was once a beacon of hope in human eyes, but a group of humans believed that the tide was irreversible, that humanity's fate was sealed. Therefore—they decided to defect to the insectoids."
"Later, during the continuous warfare, the insectoid army destroyed this place, and they were also abandoned by the insectoids. When humans fled, they could not reach the last escape planet and were forced to hide underground."
"They multiplied and propagated through generations, but the Sun-Chasing Planet, due to the cataclysmic battles of the past, developed spatial turbulence in its outer atmosphere. With their meager technological level, they could no longer escape this planet. Even when the insectoids were eventually annihilated and lost their vitality, they could only remain on this dying world."
"They are known as the Sinful."
"The military's detection of insectoid activity is likely related to these Sinful."
Lin Muci sighed.
"So that's how it is."
"Then the Shadowfoot Worm's revival here doesn't seem to be a coincidence. Perhaps it was the result of meticulous planning."
"If it has already infiltrated the population, how will we find it? We can't possibly kill all the surviving humans here, can we?"
Ling Kuang appeared more confident than Lin Muci had anticipated. Hearing him speak, Lin Muci said,
"I can find the Shadowfoot Worm."
"And—it won't be that troublesome to search for the Shadowfoot Worm's whereabouts. I believe the Shadowfoot Worm will come to us."
Lin Muci's eyes widened; she could hardly believe Ling Kuang's words.
"Really?"
"Are you sure the Shadowfoot Worm will come to us?"
Ling Kuang nodded, his confidence unwavering.
"Yes. The Shadowfoot Worm will come to us, because I possess something it desires."