Though the Dawn had been completed, an expedition to the Abyssal Starfield of Annihilation was far beyond what a single ship could accomplish. They would have to cross the vast dead starfields under the shadow of The Finality Council and break through layer upon layer of interception nets. They needed an elite escort fleet, warriors willing to face death, to draw the enemy's attention and sow chaos so the Dawn could seize that fleeting chance to break through.
A special mixed expedition fleet was swiftly assembled. Its flagship was the urgently reinforced Tianshu Sword Cultivator Carrier, personally commanded by the Ling Xiao Sword Master, who had yet to recover from his injuries but insisted on joining the expedition. Sword qi soared into the heavens around it. On the flanks was the Taixu Ark, led by the Master of Qingwei Temple and skilled in formation-based defense and large-scale spatial interference, its Dao Rhyme circulation flowing unceasingly. Then there was Queen Elara's Ancient Tree of Life support ship, sculpted entirely from emerald and brimming with vast life energy, responsible for healing and purification. In addition, there were more than a hundred of the most elite and fastest assault ships drawn from every race, their crews all battle-hardened survivors who had long since cast life and death aside.
On the day of departure, the largest spaceport of the Sky Patrol Immortal Boat was heavy with an atmosphere like lead. There were no thunderous war drums, no cheers of farewell. Only cold starlight reflected the dim gleam of the metal hulls. The soldiers about to depart silently met the eyes of the comrades remaining behind, a thousand words contained within that wordless exchange. This journey led close to the gates of death, with survival all but impossible.
Li Wuyang boarded the Dawn alone. The