Star Devouring Cluster Detection

Magnetic nanites clung to the engine section of the Starvault-IV, obstructing its propulsion system; cutting nanites frantically gnawed at the ship's armor; and radiation nanites tried to pierce the shields and interfere with its internal circuitry.

The Starvault-IV's energy reserves had dropped to 65%, and the glow of its Ion Shield was fading. Chu Yunyi had no choice but to activate "Star Core Energy Overload"—releasing all the stored energy in the Star Core Crystals at once to create a golden shockwave. The wave instantly cleared all nanites within five kilometers, but the Star Core Crystals were completely spent. Worse, the shockwave's energy was detected by the distant Star Devouring Cluster. Countless gray torrents converged from every corner of the Star Dust Corridor, forming a "Nano Storm Wall" a hundred kilometers in diameter and blocking every escape route.

"Detected an energy core signal from the Star Devouring Cluster. The 'Mechanical Mother Nest' is behind the storm wall!" The Shipboard AI locked onto a moving target flashing with purple light. Chu Yunyi gritted his teeth and made his decision. "We'll break through the storm wall and go straight for the nest!" He switched the Starvault-IV's propulsion system to "Vector Jet Mode." The ship darted like a nimble silver arrow through the gaps in the Nano Storm Wall. Cutting nanites showered sparks across the hull, while radiation nanites repeatedly shorted out the control console, but Chu Yunyi's precise handling let him tear open a temporary passage through the storm wall.

Beyond the storm wall, the sight made his scalp crawl: a "mobile mother nest," fused together from countless metal fragments and nanites, floated in the center of the Star Dust Corridor. Energy-extraction conduits covered its surface, constantly absorbing radiation from the surrounding celestial bodies. Countless nanites poured out of the nest's "incubation chambers"