The Powerful Figure Behind the Black Mountain Society

Skyreach Mining's No. 013 mining zone, somewhere on the side facing away from the White Tower Floating Continent.

Song Chao and Shen Wenjie's group of eight Kindling Starships slowly came to a stop. This was precisely the location marked by the coordinates they had obtained a few days ago.

"Everyone, listen up. Begin surveying at maximum speed. Report immediately upon making any discovery."

At Shen Wenjie's command, the six Void Energy airships behind them swiftly dispersed and began conducting comprehensive surveys of every nearby asteroid.

As for Shen Wenjie's Bronze Halberd and Song Chao's Azure Sky, they remained where they were rather than moving out with the six Void Energy airships. Surveying and mining were not their responsibility; their task was to stand guard.

Although they had taken sufficient measures to conceal their departure, and had specifically used communications-blocking devices on the miners in the mining zone, the commotion caused by snatching people from the Black Mountain Gold Store had not been small. They could not be sure whether anyone had been watching this matter.

Soon, more than half an hour passed. The six Void Energy airships were already over halfway through their surveys, yet there was still no sign of Titanium Crystal.

"Could it really have been a coincidence? Did those two miners mistake some similar-looking ore for Titanium Crystal at the same time?"

A doubtful voice came from aboard the Bronze Halberd.

Song Chao, however, was far more composed.

"Don't rush. Even if it was ore that merely resembled Titanium Crystal, we still haven't found it yet. The outcome is uncertain. We've already spent so much time on this matter; a little longer won't make a difference."

About another ten minutes later, one of the six Void Energy airships suddenly sent a communication request.

Seeing this, Shen Wenjie, who had practically given up hope, immediately brightened and signaled for Song Chao to connect it.

The moment Song Chao connected the call, the projection of a young man appeared on the communications screen.

Before Song Chao could ask anything, the young man's excited voice rang out first.

"Uncle, we found it! It really is Titanium Crystal. The preliminary scan says it's a small mineral vein, estimated to contain around 1,000 to 2,000 Titanium Crystals."

"Good!"

Even Shen Wenjie, who had held the position of Inspection Team Captain for nearly twenty years, could not keep his emotions in check. He cried out in delight.

"Gather the other five and begin mining at full capacity..."

Boom!

Before he could finish speaking, a dull blast suddenly came from behind them. Immediately afterward, the Azure Sky beneath Song Chao's feet shook violently.

The Azure Sky's shield value had dropped by a full one-fifth. Song Chao's heart sank. The energy shield aboard the Azure Sky was a blue-quality component enhanced to lv29.

Fortunately, he had kept the energy shield activated. Otherwise, that strike would likely have pierced the Azure Sky's Hull Armor outright and inflicted considerable damage on the vessel itself.

Song Chao's gaze flickered. He knew that news of the Titanium Crystal had definitely leaked.

To strip away one-sixth of the shield value from a blue energy-shield component enhanced to lv29 in a single blow, the enemy had to be operating a second-tier Kindling Starship as well—and likely an exceptionally powerful one among second-tier vessels.

With that thought, he immediately spoke.

"Old Shen, the enemy has a frigate too. Be careful."

"Xiao Lin, leave two airships there to continue mining. Have the other four come help."

After the rapid orders were issued, the eight Kindling Starships divided their roles with remarkable clarity. Two remained on the target asteroid to continue the mining operation, while the other six quickly gathered together.

The two frigate-class Void Energy airships took the lead, with the four Void Energy airships behind them. All six main cannons began gathering ghostly light, charging for the coming counterattack.

Looking toward the direction the previous attack had come from, an equally sizable Kindling fleet was stationed several hundred kilometers away.

"Two frigates and seven Void Energy airships. A few of those seven airships should belong to the Black Mountain Society. As for the origins of those two frigates, that's hard to say. Old Shen, what do you think?"

Shen Wenjie's laughter soon came from the Bronze Halberd.

"Hahaha, what is there to think? We'll make them surrender first, then we'll see."

Song Chao's eyes blazed as he laughed as well.

"Fine. Then today, let's test the capabilities of those two frigates. If they want to snatch food from a tiger's mouth, they'd better have the strength for it."

At that, his tone shifted as he gave an uneasy reminder to the five Void Energy airships behind him.

"Xiao Lin, Xiao Qing, just keep them tied down. The moment your airships are damaged, withdraw from the battlefield immediately. You aren't the key to deciding this battle."

"Understood, Uncle!"

Within the hostile fleet several hundred kilometers away, the frigate-class Void Energy airship with silver armor plating at its head was clearly the highest-ranking vessel in the entire fleet. In its cockpit, a rather youthful-looking man's eyes flashed with surprise.

He had clearly not expected this unknown force that dared to interfere in the Titanium Crystal matter midway to field two frigates. After all, there were not many forces in all of Jiangyuan City capable of such a display.

But it was only a trace of surprise. His expression soon returned to calm. Though the opposing force was not weak, it was not worth his concern. Throughout Jiangyuan City, he was the greatest local tyrant.

At that moment, a communication request came through. Once it was connected, the projection of a fat, big-eared man appeared before the young man.

If anyone from Jiangyuan City had been present, they would certainly have recognized the man's identity.

The Black Mountain Society's president, Scar.

Strangely, Scar, who was usually incomparably fierce, appeared especially respectful before this young man.

"Young Master Kang, judging by their strength, they seem to have quite a background. Should we..."

Before Scar could finish, the young man impatiently cut him off.

"Background? Who cares what background they have? Hit them with everything you've got. I want to see who dares steal from Zhu Kang."

Since both sides had reached their decisions, battle naturally erupted at once.

The four hundred-meter-long frigates tacitly charged out from their fleets, leaving the mining zone beneath them and choosing a battlefield several thousand kilometers away.

Kindling Starships at the frigate level possessed terrifying power. Void Energy airships and asteroids alike could be reduced to dust by even a stray ripple from the battle.

After the four frigates departed, the battle between the twelve Void Energy airships also began. Compared to the other battlefield, however, this one seemed almost childish. After round after round of attacks, at most, only the energy shields of individual airships dimmed slightly. It would likely be impossible to decide the battle anytime soon.

In another uninhabited mining zone a thousand kilometers away, the battle between the four frigates officially began as well.

Song Chao's opponent was the silver warship, while Shen Wenjie's Bronze Halberd engaged the enemy's other frigate.

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