Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 461 - 333: Powerful Reinforcements

Some questioned Qu Jianlei’s analysis, but the Mu siblings directly opted for a stealthy infiltration.

Accompanying them were numerous warriors from teams like the Engineer Battalion, Black Rain, Qian Duoduo, and Yan Yang.

The infiltrating warriors encountered sporadic attacks, truly just sporadic.

Seeing this, everyone instantly understood that the Star Thieves were indeed beginning a full retreat.

Not only did they launch the attack, but other Pioneer Teams quickly reacted, causing chaos throughout the Star Thieves’ controlled area.

Occasionally, fierce battles would occur when some Star Thieves who hadn’t yet retreated engaged the Pioneers.

Qu Jianlei had been here more than once, and led everyone forward with ease.

On the way, some people gradually dispersed, leaving only seven or eight people from the Mu siblings behind him.

After several empty pursuits, he finally found a hidden chamber storing Energy Blocks in an abandoned dwelling.

There weren’t many Energy Blocks, only thirty or forty, but it was still a gain. He gestured, "You can take them."

Of course, those present didn’t hold back; the Star Thieves were retreating completely, but reinforcements could arrive at any time.

After expressing their gratitude to Black Heaven, they divided the Energy Blocks among themselves.

Mu Huahua couldn’t resist asking, "Were there supplies in the places we found empty before?"

Qu Jianlei turned and continued to walk quickly, responding, "I’m not very sure, there were some guesses at the time."

The Star Thieves weren’t in a rush during their retreat, most of the important supplies had been transported away.

Energy Blocks left here might be private property not easy to expose, or perhaps the owner was already dead.

However, quite a bit was left behind, like food, which the Star Thieves didn’t deliberately destroy.

When the Pioneers saw food, their eyes lit up—although conditions were better now, supplies were still scarce.

Especially tobacco and alcohol, which the Star Thieves were unlikely to take, but the Pioneers had been without for some time, even leading to looting.

Qu Jianlei led this small team swiftly, gaining some rewards along the way, and soon reached near the Prisoner of War Camp.

There, fierce fighting had already erupted, which was later understood to be due to some guards not retreating in time.

Ultimately, the Pioneers reacted a bit quicker. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

If they had been slightly slower, the guards would have left with the prisoners, and intercepting the vehicles would have been fortunate.

Many had come to rescue their comrades, creating a chaotic situation lacking command.

But the guards were even more embarrassed, as they were left abandoned here by the main forces.

The battle didn’t last long, and gunfire suddenly sounded behind the guards, indicating someone had released the prisoners.

Among the prisoners’ group, Youyou stood out, seeming to be one of the leaders.

Seeing her situation, Qu Jianlei relaxed completely, not rushing forward to recognize but merely touching her with Spiritual Power.

However, Youyou was so caught up in the fight that she reacted only after the second touch, then looked around frantically.

Soon, she found Qu Jianlei and saw the people with him, and slightly shook her head.

She understood well that Qu Jianlei already had a considerable position in the Pioneer Team, and she had also endured to the day she could stand out.

Their private interactions were known only somewhat by Spirit Fox, but not necessarily confirmed.

Youyou felt that Black Heaven remembering to come immediately was good enough; no need to meet right away.

Her smuggler identity was fully exposed, and there was no need to involve the other party.

Qu Jianlei understood her meaning, so he coughed lightly, "There’s nothing much more here, everyone go collect spoils."

Some left, the Mu siblings exchanged a glance, not in a rush to leave.

Mu Captain spoke up, "Black Heaven, aren’t you going to the dock? Maybe you can get some good stuff."

Rob a Starship? Qu Jianlei shook his head, "Heavy weapons at the dock haven’t been completely destroyed; I suggest you don’t go."

Mu Huahua was stunned, "Explosions were loud there, why are there still heavy weapons?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head helplessly, "The demolition only involved weapons capable of attacking Starships, clearing aftereffects for escape."

"Oh, got it," Mu Huahua suddenly understood, "Heavy weapons defending the dock need not be destroyed."

Mu Guoguo raised his hand and slapped his forehead, "We are born from the same mother; how come you can be so dumb?"

"It’s not like you’re that smart," Mu Huahua rolled her eyes at him, "Don’t you hurry to the city to grab some loot?"

Mu Guoguo hesitated, glancing at Black Heaven, "Aren’t you coming with us?"

Qu Jianlei smiled and shook his head, "No, I’ll see if there’s anyone I know in the Prisoner of War Camp."

Mu Guoguo nodded, "No wonder, then we are leaving, you wait here."

The Prisoner of War Camp held more than twenty thousand people, many with poor physical condition, this commotion wouldn’t settle quickly.

Qu Jianlei lit a cigarette, folded his arms, and leisurely watched from the side.

Half an hour later, Youyou walked near, looking elsewhere, and softly said, "Don’t worry, I’m safe now."

Qu Jianlei lightly coughed, "Do you know when the Imperial reinforcements might arrive?"

Youyou answered softly, "It should be within the next day or two; otherwise, they wouldn’t be in such a rush to leave."

Qu Jianlei furrowed his brows, "The Star Thieves’ information channels are even more informed than the Pioneers’, it’s really..."

"Pioneers can’t even fly out of Zarif," Youyou seemed a bit indifferent, "The Star Thieves have unobstructed routes."

"That shouldn’t be an excuse, right?" Qu Jianlei felt a bit speechless, "Imperial rescue operations should be confidential, shouldn’t they?"

In his impression, the Imperial information barriers were made very solid.

Youyou sighed softly, expressionless, "You said it yourself, that’s only ’should be’."

"The military isn’t trustworthy, let alone anyone else... Fourth Master secretly told me that Star Thieves can obtain real-time rescue information."

Real-time grasp... Qu Jianlei was honestly a bit stunned on hearing this, thought for a moment, then asked again, "Is it Diamond?"

"Very likely," Youyou’s face remained expressionless, "I hope it’s not the military, or else I really might retire."

Qu Jianlei remained silent for a long time before sighing softly, "Forget it, just do your best."

"Take care, see you at Hope No.3 Star," Youyou turned to leave, her voice suddenly becoming loud, "Hey, who was that, stop!"

Qu Jianlei also shook his head and turned to leave.

Facts proved that the information Youyou provided was very accurate.

That afternoon, a member of the Engineer Battalion discovered through a high-power telescope a fleet appearing 20 million kilometers away.

The fleet wasn’t particularly large, only about twenty ships, but two of them were notably huge.

Immediately recognizing them, the member shouted uncontrollably, "Division Level main battleship and Mother Ship... It’s the Imperial Army!"

A Division Level main battleship is something the Star Thieves could never possess, even if acquired, they’d be relentlessly pursued by the Imperial Army.

Even a Brigade Level main battleship, if found, would be something the Star Thieves wouldn’t dare to openly use, or they’d be doomed.

million kilometers away, the fleet would take more than a day to arrive at Zarif, but the rescue was already in sight.

It was then very clear that the Imperial military fleet had spotted the ships of the retreating Star Thieves.

The fleet immediately split into two, with the main battleship, two frigates, and one supply ship, while the other starships went for interception.

Then the pursuit and escape performance began, during which technique fluctuations even appeared in space!

One day later, the Division Level main battleship fleet arrived at Zarif, calling the central console.

The console had already been retaken by the Pioneers, with Zheng Ziyang personally responding, his identity confirmed.

In fact, the Division Level main battleship’s probing devices were extremely powerful, the situation at the dock had long been analyzed.

Yet the necessary procedures must be followed; soon after, three assault ships were released from the frigate, landing first at the dock.

Warriors and Mechas emerged from the assault ships, beginning to check and control the dock.

Once the dock was secured, two people flew out from the supply ship—surely Supreme, if they could fly in space.

One Supreme from the military, and one from the Imperial official.

The two Supreme landed and roughly inquired about what had happened, sensed no anomalies around, and then notified the main battleship to land.

As for the fleet that pursued the Star Thieves, they managed to take down three starships and captured some individuals.

The main issue was that not many retreating Star Thief ships remained, two even risked jumping away, resulting in only these few captures.

Next came the investigation into the events on Zarif Star.

At this point, the military was merely observing, as the Imperial sent a specialized investigation team.

Normally, the destruction of a relay tower wouldn’t cause such a significant reaction, but this was Pioneer Planet.

Pioneer Planet could potentially face various unexpected situations, so it’s practical to be cautious.

Critically, no one had returned for nearly ten years, though regular contact was maintained.

Even a fool would realize that something major must have happened here, prompting the Empire to send a highly ranked investigation team.

However, those arriving weren’t only from the Imperial official and military; the headquarters of the four Celestial Level Teams and the Energy Block Alliance also dispatch personnel.

The Empire sent three Supreme, the headquarters of the Celestial Level Team and the Energy Block Alliance also had Supreme arrive, totaling eight Supreme!

If the Star Thieves didn’t escape in time, they’d be left in tears.

A surprise for the Pioneers was that Diamond’s headquarters also sent a Supreme.

After a general examination of the situation, the investigation team directly targeted Diamond’s Supreme: Tell us, what are your thoughts?

This time, the Supreme from Diamond was a woman named Rosanna, with an awakening in the Ice Attribute.

She stated, I knew nothing about this; the previous Diamond Supreme who had been to Zarif was Morani.

Those well-informed knew that five years ago, Morani disappeared during an interstellar trip, with his starship still unfound.

Thus, Rosanna, this newcomer, was sent this time.

(Updated to, summon monthly tickets during the double period.)