Chapter 1 The City of Stars·Port 72

Vessels landed one after another, and the port was particularly bustling today.

In the unloading area of the port, merchants selling energy crystal ore gathered together, stacking all their goods and waiting for buyers to pick them up.

While waiting, they chatted with each other.

"Oh, I'm selling at a premium of 4.2 times the standard price! I'm losing money!"

"Alright, stop complaining. I'm in a worse situation. I'm at 3.5 times! And I'm shipping even more goods."

"Seriously, I'm tempted to break the contract."

"Break it my ass. Do you still want to do business in the City of Stars after breaking the contract? Besides, that guy has the ability to push the price so high despite the pressure. He's obviously not an ordinary person. If you break his contract, be careful of being taught a lesson."

"That makes sense. Look, many imperial soldiers and alliance officials are squatting nearby, waiting to catch that guy. Do you think he'll dare to come?"

"Who cares? If he comes, we'll fulfill the contract. If he doesn't, even better. He'll be the one breaking the contract."

"That's right, we'll be making a steady profit!"

......

Not far away, a commotion broke out in the crowd. The onlookers quickly dodged and made way, with looks of fear on their faces.

Prime Minister Sike of the Gomotos Empire, with a gloomy face, walked in with a group of fierce-looking generals.

"Oh my god, how did we provoke this demon?"

"Keep your voice down. This posture clearly indicates they're here to clean up someone."

"Look, General Wu Qi of the Yamak Free State is here too."

"Hey, isn't that a senior officer from the Federation's GT department?"

"This is going to be interesting. All countries have sent personnel. That profiteer is doomed."

"That's right, kill that profiteer. Why raise the price for no reason? Because the price of energy-related items has gone up, the price of my meal has also increased today."

......

More and more people gathered to watch the excitement, and everyone was exceptionally excited.

At this time, Su Mo and Sun Duo Xiang were also mixed in with the crowd of onlookers.

"Boss, everyone's almost here. When will the show start?"

Sun Duo Xiang asked impatiently.

"Soon, wait patiently."

Su Mo replied with a smile.

Time passed by bit by bit.

The patience of those watching the show reached its limit.

"How long has it been? Why hasn't he arrived yet? Could he be chickening out?"

"Probably not, right?"

......

Just as everyone was discussing, Ange, wearing a V-generation mechanical armor, walked over from a distance with a group of prison officers.

The people they encountered along the way made way one after another, with puzzled expressions. Why are people from the City of Stars here?

In full view of everyone, Ange walked up to the merchants with his men.

Sike and the others frowned upon seeing this, with a particularly bad premonition.

What you worry about is what happens.

Ange ignored everyone's strange gazes and said to the delivery merchants, "Are these the goods I ordered?"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the crowd.

"Damn, it was actually ordered by an official from the City of Stars."

"Do you think they can still fight?"

"Fight my ass, who dares to cause trouble for him?"

......

For a time, the senior officials from various countries who had rushed over all had expressions on their faces as if they were constipated, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Ange turned his head to look at the crowd and shouted coldly, "What are you looking at!"

In an instant, the crowd of onlookers dispersed in a flurry, and the powder keg that was about to explode turned into a farce.

"All set, let's go too."

Su Mo said in a good mood, watching the crowd leaving in disgrace.

"Okay."

Sun Duo Xiang echoed with a smile.

The next day, on the Dark Shadow.

Sun Duo Xiang quietly brought boxes of sealed energy crystals back to the ship and placed them all in the secret warehouse.

"Boss, it's done. All the goods are here."

Sun Duo Xiang said, taking credit.

"Alright, go do your work."

Su Mo waved his hand, signaling Sun Duo Xiang to take his men away from the warehouse.

"Okay."

Sun Duo Xiang didn't say a word of nonsense and left immediately with his men.

Before Su Mo could speak, the Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer couldn't wait to emerge from his body, floating above all the energy crystals. Its entire body shook like a heart, and then it grew larger, splitting and extending into tentacles, which penetrated the sealed cargo boxes one by one.

It began to frantically extract the power of all the energy crystals.

Ten minutes later, the Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer floated back.

"How is it? How much did you charge?"

Su Mo asked expectantly. These energy crystals were all he had bought with his last penny.

"I now have fifteen percent energy. Barely enough!"

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer replied indifferently.

"Okay, let's make do with it for now. I'll find a way later."

Su Mo's mouth twitched non-stop after hearing this. Only fourteen percent was charged, and that was during the early stage, which was easier to charge.

"Mm."

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer responded in a low voice.

......

A month later.

Federation·Capital·Military Interstellar Airport.

Inside the Dark Shadow, Su Mo specially changed into a major general's uniform, and he tidied up his clothes in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the room.

At this time, the phone he placed on the table was lit up, displaying an opened text message.

"Notice, the Federation's Fifth Expeditionary Force·Twelfth Army·Logistics Corps is officially established."

"Dear Major General Su Mo, the Federal Government hereby officially notifies you that you will serve as the commander of the Logistics Corps of the Twelfth Army of the Fifth Expeditionary Force, effective immediately!"

"Hint: The Logistics Corps of the Twelfth Army of the Fifth Expeditionary Force has the right to make independent decisions, and is only responsible for logistical transportation, and may not accept the mobilization of the Fifth Expeditionary Force."

......

"I don't understand why you guys have so many fancy ceremonies?"

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer's low voice sounded in Su Mo's mind.

"You don't understand. We're about to go on an expedition, so we have to have a mobilization meeting before the expedition. This is a sense of ritual, understand? Besides, it's not just the Federation doing this. Almost all countries do it this way."

Su Mo replied in a very good mood.

"Hmph, I'll ask you something. Your relationship with the consciousness in the Mad Eye Lei Hawk seems to be very close, right?"

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer suddenly changed the subject and brought up this matter.

Su Mo was stunned for a moment, and then replied with a smile, "It's okay, why did you suddenly think of saying this?"

"It's nothing. I just saw you having a special conversation with her before sending it for modification."

"You wouldn't be jealous, would you?"

Su Mo suddenly asked jokingly.

"Hmph, do you think that's possible? I'm just reminding you that that consciousness is very dangerous. You should have the old man erase it."

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer said very vigilantly.

"You're overthinking it. Ilith is still very nice."

Su Mo replied with a smile, and then he left the room after seeing that he was almost ready.

......

Not long after, Su Mo walked down from the Dark Shadow.

At a glance, the surroundings were neatly parked with giant battleships.

Most of these battleships were brand new, and all of them were painted with the Fifth Expeditionary Force's number.

In the open space in the distance ahead, a large number of densely packed newly enlisted soldiers were gathered.

They were all chatting and laughing.

Su Mo walked over in a very good mood.

"Hey, isn't that the Landlord!"

"It really is the Landlord."

"Landlord."

Suddenly, familiar and unfamiliar shouts rang out.

Su Mo subconsciously stopped and turned his head to look, only to see a group of young people with slightly immature faces appearing in his eyes.

"Aren't you the son of Aunt Wang next door, Wang...what?"

"Landlord, my name is Wang Rui."

"Right, right, Wang Rui, and you, aren't you Qian Yue, the son of Uncle Qian from the Baozi shop..."

Su Mo was also very surprised to see so many familiar faces.

"Haha, that's right, it's us. We really didn't expect to see you here."

Wang Rui and the others said excitedly.

Su Mo looked at the military uniforms on them and then reacted: "You've all joined the army?"

"That's right, surprising, right? We've all grown up and come to join the army. Actually, it's not just us who have joined the army. Many of our friends from the shanty town have joined the army."

Wang Rui explained with a smile.

Su Mo couldn't help but take a breath. He then realized that the Fifth Expeditionary Force's conscription order had recruited a total of 100 million people. Although many of them were returning veterans and reservists, there were still more new recruits.

With such a large-scale and large-number conscription, it was not surprising that Wang Rui and the others had joined the army.

Su Mo nodded solemnly, and then instructed: "The road to the expedition is very dangerous, you have to be careful, take care of yourselves, and come back alive."

Wang Rui and the others replied one by one, full of vigor and fearlessness.

"Don't worry, we'll be careful. Now that we've joined the army, we won't be afraid of sacrifice, for the Federation! To defend our home!"

"That's right, we won't be afraid."

......

Su Mo looked at their faces full of fighting spirit and replied with a smile: "Good!"

"By the way, Landlord, you seem to have joined the army a long time ago. What's your rank now?"

"Me? Guess."

Su Mo replied in a good mood.

Wang Rui and the others took a closer look at Su Mo's military uniform, scratched their heads, thought carefully, and then reacted, saying in shock.

"Landlord, you've made it to major general!"

"Major general, that's amazing."

......

Su Mo looked at their surprised expressions, raised his hand and patted them on the shoulders, and encouraged them!

"Alright, there's nothing to be shocked about. You guys work hard and one day you'll be just like me."

"Okay, we will definitely do our best to work hard."

Wang Rui and the others responded one after another.

"I believe you will definitely succeed."

"That Landlord, we have to go to the assembly."

"Go."

"Goodbye."

......

Wang Rui and the others then waved their hands and left.

Su Mo looked at their backs, and his expression was also a little emotional, feeling that time had passed so quickly.

Unexpectedly, the new generation has grown up without even realizing it.

Just then, Su Mo's phone rang.

Buzz~

Su Mo looked at the phone number. It was Qian Chengxue calling, so he answered it.

"Su Mo, are you ready? We've gathered."

"I'll be there soon, I'm walking over now."

Su Mo replied quickly.

"Okay!"

Qian Chengxue then hung up the phone.

Su Mo put the phone in his pocket and walked towards the distance.

A moment later, Su Mo arrived at an area where people were gathered, only to see a group of figures in military uniforms standing upright.

There were as many as 150,000 people.

Su Mo glanced over and saw familiar faces.

Tang Yao, Zi Qing, Sun Li, Chen Meng, Zhao Han, Han Na, Qin Wang and others were all present.

Qian Chengxue was standing in front of them, and when she saw Su Mo walking over, she took the lead in saluting.

"The Fifth Expeditionary Force·Twelfth Army, No. 512, Vice Corps Commander Qian Chengxue and all members report to Corps Commander Su Mo!"

"Corps Commander Su Mo!"

Sun Li and the others said in unison, their voices loud and clear.

Su Mo's entire body was instantly energized, and he showed a bright smile, saluted everyone, and said casually.

"I am honored to fight alongside you. The Twelfth Army welcomes you!"

Qian Chengxue asked with a smile: "Is our legion alright?"

"Yes, very good, but why did you all participate? This expedition is very dangerous."

Although Su Mo was very happy, he did not forget to remind Sun Li and the others.

Sun Li and the others replied with a smile: "We are all members of the Federation. The Federation needs us, so of course we will not hesitate. Although we are just a small wave in the era of great trends, we are also willing to contribute all of ourselves and never regret or fear!"

"Alright."

Su Mo didn't say anything more.

At this time, huge holographic projections appeared in front of every group of newly recruited soldiers.

Speaker Arles, Commander Tia of the Fifth Legion, and other figures appeared. The mobilization meeting before the expedition was about to begin.

For a time, everyone quieted down.

Arles walked to the front and bowed to everyone, starting a passionate speech.

"Hello everyone, I am Arles, the Speaker of the Federation. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the newly enlisted personnel. When the Federation is in turmoil, it is you who have left your warm homes without hesitation, and enlisted with the determination to die..."

Throughout the Earth, whether it was the soldiers about to go on an expedition or the ordinary people, everyone was listening intently to the speech.

The viewership of this public speech reached the highest peak in history, reaching a full 95.3%.

It was also the most inspiring moment.

At the same time, this inspiring scene was also being staged on the homeworlds of the Twelve Civilizations.

For the continuation of civilization, everyone was also going all out.

Just as the whole people were listening attentively to the speech.

Suddenly, an extremely sharp alarm sounded in various cities of the Federal Government.

Woo~~~

In an instant, this sharp alarm directly interrupted Arles's speech.

Arles looked at the generals and officials beside him with some confusion.

As a result, everyone's faces were full of confusion, completely unable to understand what was going on.

They did not arrange for the siren to sound.

Vice Speaker Iselin was furious and turned her head to look at her subordinates next to her and said, "Go and check, who did it."

"Yes."

......

Su Mo was also dumbfounded, and he turned his head to look at Qian Chengxue.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know, but this piercing alarm has never stopped. This seems to be the highest level of emergency alert alarm in the Federation, and it has never been sounded in history!"

Qian Chengxue replied in confusion.

......

At this time, in the starry sky, a red beam full of destructive power streaked across the dark starry sky. Wherever it passed, space collapsed, and the dazzling light illuminated the starry sky it swept through in red.

The entire destructive red beam penetrated the Ring of Stars and attacked the planets of the Twelve Civilizations orbiting the City of Stars.

Outer space of the Goga Republic's homeworld·Command room of the Jacklin Fortress-type space station.

The piercing alarm sounded non-stop.

The operator shouted in terror: "Radar scans detected a super-energy reaction attack coming."

"Who is it coming for?"

An old man with white hair, wearing a high-level military uniform, roared hysterically.

"It seems to be coming for us, no, it's coming for our homeworld. It's estimated to be twenty seconds away, what should we do, Commander Guento!"

The operator shouted in terror.

"Activate all the power of the Jacklin Fortress space station, adjust the angle and meet it! We have to resist, even if we die, for the Goga Republic!"

Commander Guento's face was full of protruding veins, and he roared madly.

"Yes!"

......

In the starry sky, the giant Jacklin Fortress-type space station suddenly adjusted its trajectory, acting like a shield in front of its homeworld.

The next second, in the distant dark starry sky.

A destructive red beam arrived as scheduled, instantly covering and melting the entire giant Jacklin Fortress-type space station.

Immediately afterwards, the entire beam bombarded the homeworld of the Goga Republic.

Looking from space, the dazzling red beam scattered like fireworks at the moment of impact!

The entire beam covered more than half of the homeworld, with only the back of the planet unaffected.

The center of the homeworld's impact was like being branded with iron, the land cracked and collapsed.

The other covered areas were like a prairie fire, turning into a red world.

On the homeworld of the Goga Republic, countless people raised their heads to look at the sky when they heard the alarm.

They only saw the world turn red, the entire sky was red, like a fire.

Their faces were filled with extreme fear, and then they were covered by the attack.

In an instant, whether it was buildings or people, they were all vaporized, and they didn't even have the chance to wail.

This apocalyptic scene was uploaded to the Star Ring Forum at the first time, causing a large-scale panic.

"What's going on, is the end of the world coming?"

"Is the Goga Republic destroyed?"

"Too scary."

......

Federal Government Executive Building.

Arles immediately interrupted the mobilization meeting and headed to the emergency conference room with a group of officials.

"Have you contacted Speaker Lufat of the Goga Republic?"

Arles's expression was extremely ugly.

"Not yet, the Goga Republic's communication signal is currently interrupted, and we cannot confirm the life or death of Speaker Lufat."

A subordinate replied quickly.

"What is the current situation on the Goga Republic's homeworld?"

"It's not clear, but according to experts' judgment from the images circulating on the Star Ring Forum, it is estimated that at least half of the cities will be vaporized, and the death toll is conservatively estimated to be at least several billion."

"Have you figured out the source of the attack?"

"No, there is no clue at all, and the Federation has now entered the highest level of alert."

"Has anyone taken responsibility for the attack?"

"Not yet."

"What is the reaction from the Imperial Army?"

Arles stopped and turned his head to ask.

"It's not clear yet, but from the reaction of the people on the forum, they are also extremely shocked. Speaker, you wouldn't suspect that the Imperial Army did it, would you?"

The subordinate's eyes widened, but after thinking about it carefully, it was not impossible, after all, only the Imperial Army had Star Destroyers.

Arles's expression changed for a while, and finally said: "Let's go to the conference room first."

......

Not long ago, in the vast starry sky on the outskirts of the Rhine Star Sea.

A star emitted a brilliant light, and the surface was covered with an energy collection mirror.

In front of this star, there was a special cube-shaped planetary fortress made of red crystals.

The entire cube-shaped fortress was constantly absorbing the energy emitted by the star, and special energy-gathering launch ports on its surface burst out with brilliant light.

Inside the command room of the fortress.

A group of burly officers, wearing high-level black heavy mechanical armor and Gomotos Empire military uniforms, raised their hands and shouted fervently.

"For Emperor Mokaga Fa! Destroy all enemies."

"For Emperor Mokaga Fa!"

"Launch!"

......

In an instant, the entire fortress turned all the gathered energy into brilliant beams of light and shot them out, converging into a giant energy restraint device shaped like a radar dish in front of it.

On the inner wall of the speaker of this giant device, there were embedded blocks of blue mirror bodies.

They refracted and linked together the red beams of light that were shot in, converging them to the center of the device.

In front of this giant device, a row of special energy restraint rings floated in a straight line. These energy restraint rings were larger the closer they were to the ring opening of the device, and smaller the further they were.

Then, the radar-shaped giant device burst out with brilliant light, turning the gathered light beam into a beam of light and penetrating the restraint ring. It could be seen that the compressed energy beam was concentrated to the maximum extent, so that its ultra-long-distance attack would not be dispersed.

Finally, a red beam full of destructive aura bombarded the distant starry sky.

......

At the Interstellar Airport, Su Mo and others also saw this shocking bad news on the Star Ring Forum.

They were not just shocked and speechless, but also felt a chill, with a creepy feeling.

"Too, too scary."

......

In addition to the shock, Su Mo showed an unusually angry look.

It was too much. Although it was not the Federation that was hit, so many people were killed all at once.

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer reminded Su Mo in a low voice: "Don't be dominated by anger. This world is so cruel. If you are not strong enough, then extinction is only a moment away. You can live so well, not because you are strong enough, but because those powerful enemies are not in the mood to fight you, and because the City of Stars is sheltering you, that's why you can live in peace."

"I understand, but I can't figure it out. Who is so brave as to ignore the rules of the City of Stars and brazenly launch such a destructive attack? Or did this attack bypass the warning of the City of Stars and even it didn't detect it."

Su Mo gradually calmed down, and he asked the Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer.

"Then have you ever thought that there may be a third possibility, that the attack is in line with the rules of the City of Stars."

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer said in a deep voice.

"How is that possible? The City of Stars strictly prohibits infighting in its Ring of Stars. Wait, you mean that the attack came from a super long distance across a star field."

Su Mo's first reaction was that it was impossible, but he immediately thought of the problem.

"That's right, otherwise how could the power be so poor, not vaporizing the homeworld of the Goga Republic in one go."

The Artifact of Fabrication·Devourer replied indifferently.