Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 456 - 328: Defeat Spreads Like a Landslide (Second Update)

Chapter 456: Chapter 328: Defeat Spreads Like a Landslide (Second Update)

The defeat of the Star Thieves happened very suddenly.

Clearly, they were fiercely attacking just a moment before, making considerable progress, but in the next moment, a Star Thief squad that advanced more slowly suddenly turned and fled.

The Pioneers later learned that this was the Star Thieves’ third detachment, originally looting in outer space, but conscripted to fight the Pioneer Team.

Their intention was clear: I don’t need to run fast, just faster than the other Star Thief squads.

The third detachment was a group that had defected, not a core part of the Star Thieves, and with the situation dire, preserving their strength was essential.

However, they were clever, and others weren’t foolish either. Upon noticing the retreat of allied forces, other Star Thieves quickly imitated.

The most aggressive Star Thieves ended up tragic, trapped within the heavy encirclement of the Pioneer Team.

But the Pioneers did not initiate a wiping-out war; instead, they dispatched a small number of troops to guard, while the main force pursued closely.

In an instant, the roles of offense and defense reversed; as fast as the Star Thieves fled, the Pioneers chased at the same speed.

It was truly "a defeated army crashing down like a mountain," with large amounts of supplies cast aside by the Star Thieves, hoping to run faster.

Some Star Thieves even threw away their guns, directly pretending to be Indigenous People.

However, the spoils left on the roadside didn’t really affect the Pioneer Team.

The Pioneers were not unloving of wealth, as they were those who earned money risking their lives; how could they not love money?

Primarily, at the onset of pioneering, the four Celestial Level Teams had made an agreement about how to handle distribution disputes regarding goods and wealth.

For the Pioneer Team, this kind of agreement was crucial and absolutely necessary, as conflicts could escalate to the point of team annihilation.

Thus, the punishment for violating the agreement was extremely severe, almost zero tolerance — self-greed was one thing, but endangering everyone else was not allowed.

As a result, the Pioneer Team’s main force closely pursued the retreating Star Thieves and, within just two days, restored almost all of the security zone.

Eventually, four A-level individuals emerged from the Star Thieves’ side to provide support, barely reaching a stalemate in the security zone.

In most mid-sized military stations, the Star Thieves also began retreating, with some stations destroying supplies, while others simply fled.

Qu Jianlei and others never expected that in just two days, 99% of Zarif Planet would be reclaimed.

However, if the Pioneer Team wanted to keep pressing on, the difficulty was undoubtedly significant.

The Star Thieves shrunk back, significantly enhancing their defense strength and depth. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

And the Pioneer Team’s ammunition, fuel, and Energy Blocks were still somewhat insufficient.

Even though they had acquired a lot, they weren’t afraid to consume at this point, but lacking heavy firepower, they found it tough to make progress.

Yet even so, the Pioneers continued their assaults, only in a piecemeal manner.

Although the Star Thieves were a ragtag group, facing such adversity, they launched counterattacks from several directions.

But without momentum and spirit, the effectiveness of their counterattacks was truly lacking.

Especially as the Pioneers, aware that victory was near, would decisively retreat if they sensed trouble — daring the other side to push further.

The Star Thieves would use A-levels to spearhead their attacks, but the Pioneer Team wasn’t without its own A-levels.

For instance, the leader of the Quantum Team, Zheng Ziyang, came to the front lines to support the Pioneer Team.

While providing support, he specifically made a trip to Blazing Fire’s field hospital.

Zheng Ziyang first confirmed the news of White Clothes’ death, and when facing Black Heaven, his expression was quite stern.

Fortunately, Spirit Fox testified, although it wasn’t convenient to mention the Fourth Master, his identity and cultivation level were sufficient.

Not to mention the collapse of the Relay Tower was something he also contributed to.

However, Zheng Ziyang’s expression remained grim as he coldly addressed Black Heaven.

"They all say that your battle achievements are remarkable and combat power is formidable. My ears are practically calloused from hearing it... So, which faction do you belong to?"

This was the mindset of Imperial leaders: behind a powerful individual, there must be a powerful faction supporting them.

Otherwise, merely a barrier of information wouldn’t be something an average person could overcome.

Zheng Ziyang’s question wasn’t surprising—many were speculating about Black Heaven’s origins.

However, everyone was cautious and avoided asking directly, as it was considered somewhat impolite.

So, Zheng Ziyang’s demeanor wasn’t malicious, but it certainly wasn’t friendly, and subtly carried a hint of arrogance.

Qu Jianlei was taken aback by these words: Did I provoke you? White Clothes’ death was because his strength was lacking; how could that be blamed on me?

He was genuinely baffled; why did every member of the Quantum Team seem to have an issue with him?

Qu Jianlei even wanted to directly retort—anyhow, he wasn’t associated with Fat Fox!

However, before he could respond, Fangcao spoke up.

"Zheng Ziyang, you should know where to draw the line. If I were you, I’d first consider how to explain Fat Fox’s defection to the Imperial."

It was harsh to the ears, this remark, but she didn’t care: she was merely stating a fact.

Anyway, the relationship between Black Rain and Quantum was what it was, with cooperation involving competition, an incontrovertible fact.

Zheng Ziyang’s face darkened upon hearing this; did such an insignificant vice commander have the audacity to speak to him in this manner?

He glared at Fangcao and coldly responded, "With Black Heaven’s background unclear, is Black Rain determined to shield this individual?"

Fangcao had already offended people, so naturally she wasn’t afraid to be more straightforward. She smiled coldly.

"Fat Fox’s background is rather clear... Black Heaven is part of us Black Rain, what’s it got to do with you Quantum?"

Zheng Ziyang returned a cold laugh, "Alright, I hope you can handle the responsibilities that follow!"

The responsibilities that follow... Who do you think you’re scaring? Fangcao smiled indifferently, too lazy to argue with the other.

Others aside, she definitely doesn’t believe Black Heaven has malicious intent—just look at Black Heaven’s battle record to understand.

Even Hongyun couldn’t stand it any longer, "Commander Ziyang, Fat Fox has brought too much passivity to everyone, causing a lot of resentment."

At a time like this, you’re still finding fault with Black Heaven, can’t you be a bit more clear-headed?

Zheng Ziyang also didn’t expect that even well-known nice guy Hongyun would mention Fat Fox, he could only hum gloomily and say no more.

The three A-levels present supported Black Heaven, even with strong beliefs, he could only let it go gloomily.

That midnight, two B-level warriors escaped from the Star Thief camp—they were both members of the Diamond Team.

They came to make contact with the Pioneers outside, indicating the Diamond members intend to surrender.

Since the counterattack began, the Diamond Team has had bits and pieces of hundreds surrender.

The initial rebel leaders of Diamond were led by two team captains, now both have died in battle, leaving no A-levels in the team.

The remaining hundred B-level warriors split into small teams, none willing to listen to each other, no one able to make decisions.

These two B-level warriors allied two small teams, wanting to return to the Pioneer Team camp.

Ultimately, while the Pioneers are bloodied, nobody wants to carry the name of "siding with Star Thieves" for life.

Of course, another important point is the Star Thieves distinctly targeted the rebelling Pioneers.

Is everyone crazy enough to stay with Star Thieves awaiting the Imperial strike?

They encountered the Crimson camp team, upon hearing they were Diamond members, the team didn’t beat them up on the spot, already showing restraint.

However, the Crimson team’s leader was killed and one captured, such a major thing, they couldn’t make the decision.

While contacting Zheng Ziyang could get a decision, the Crimsons truly didn’t want to seek him.

If not for Quantum harshly exploiting Fat Fox, would they have been forced to defect?

If Fat Fox hadn’t rebelled, could the remaining A-level deputy leader Old Ghost have been captured?

Plus, in the night raid a few days ago, Quantum only sent one A-level to fight.

Zheng Ziyang claimed he was holding the rear, but Black Rain’s two team leaders both joined the battle, one gravely injured and the other captured.

Just as Hongyun said, the heart is a balance, while Quantum didn’t defect, other Pioneer Team members all held grievances.

So after discussion, they directly contacted Blazing Fire’s field hospital—there are three A-levels there!

As for the injured A-levels unable to receive Diamond members... that’s not important, what matters is representing the power of three sides!

Qian Duoduo and the Engineer Battalion are Profound-level teams, but who dares underestimate these two Profound levels?

Anyway, Diamond’s members... if they die, they deserve it, truly caused too much harm to everyone.

After hearing the news, Spirit Fox first expressed: I’m not interested in this.

Qian Duoduo was hired by Diamond, but the Diamond rebellion almost led Qian Duoduo to a point of no return.

However, Hongyun knows the innocence of Pioneer Team members, and although Fangcao is resentful, she was ultimately born from a Celestial-level team.

Once the leader makes a decision, it’s not up to the lower soldiers to resist.

The two unanimously agreed to consider accepting their surrender with conditions.

Not pursuing responsibility is impossible, even more so participating in the counterattack for credit in redeeming themselves, honestly putting down arms and getting detained is the right path!

Regarding those Diamond members who aided in bad deeds, they won’t escape legal punishment either.

Qu Jianlei was indifferent, clearly stating: You A-levels lead, I’m unworthy!

The information was transmitted back via radio, and those two B-levels didn’t consider the Pioneer Team’s demands harsh.

The Pioneers are all adventurers, able to take risks, and can accept failure, at most willing to gamble and accept loss.

However, the two couldn’t promise on behalf of everyone, so indicated they’d return to discuss, providing a response the next night.

The Crimsons accepted this reply and directly let them return.

Negotiations at the front sound simple, but the field hospital still needs to consider subsequent operations.

The biggest issue is if Diamond rebels again, who would handle the response?

All three A-levels are gravely injured, it’s impossible for them to respond, so they again looked to Black Heaven.

Hongyun, being an old good guy, also said openly, "For handling responses, we’ll trouble you to lead, after all, you possess combat power not inferior to A-levels."

"No," Qu Jianlei waved his hand, responding decisively, "I’m also injured, don’t count me for these messy things."

Fangcao sighed softly, "Black Heaven, your fate is already bound with Black Rain, we won’t let you make efforts for nothing."

Hongyun furrowed his brows, "This kind of thing... surely we can’t ask Zheng Ziyang, right?"