Interstellar Survival: Invasion

Following Zhang Xingxing's order, we split into two groups and moved on to our respective targets. We entered two different tunnels, and to prevent having our communication intercepted by the enemy, we utilized shortwave frequencies instead of our regular frequencies for our communication channel. The tunnel I entered led to several different exits. There was no doubt that the Wargods were searching the entire city for us. We could not rashly leave the tunnel.

"Canyue, do you know the way to get to the divine bird? Why do you want to see it?" asked Zhang Bao'er curiously.

"I don't know how. I have no way of contacting it either. I will have to improvise after seeing it. Perhaps I only need to touch its body," I replied.

"There's a tunnel leading further upward here," said Dodo, who was walking ahead of the group.

I ran over and saw a tube leading straight upward. On the sleek walls of the tunnel, a row of handles could be seen, leading straight to the top. With the handles, one would be able to climb up the tunnel. Oddly, the tunnel was incredibly tall, reaching a height of at least 300 meters.

"This isn't right. Our prison isn't so deep underground," said Zhang Bao'er doubtfully.

"This tunnel isn't leading to the surface. It is some sort of tall chimney," said Anxashe.

"A chimney? But why was it so oddly designed?" asked Zhang Bao'er.

"I don't know the function of this thing, but I'm sure that this tunnel does not lead to the surface. It is leading high into the air. I believe this is Gero City's Dual Star Tower," said Anxashe.

"Dual Star Tower? It reaches very high into the sky. This will be perfect for me. It can help us avoid the soldiers on the ground and take us to a high altitude. Let's climb up this tunnel," I said in excitement.

With the decision made, we started our climb. The tunnel was much taller than we had imagined, and the handles were rather small. A single moment of carelessness would be enough to cause a fall. After an unknown amount of time, my intuition was telling me that we were getting closer and closer to the divine bird. Something was telling me that it was in fact right above us.

"This is way too coincidental. Is it really right above us? It feels like fate itself has arranged everything that has happened here, as though an invisible hand had been guiding me toward this tunnel," I muttered to myself.

After about an hour of climbing, we finally reached the exit at the very top. The darkness we saw at the exit wasn't because there was a black cover there. Rather, I was looking at the dark sky above the exit. Occasionally, some stars could be seen through the clouds floating above.

"Wait here. I'll take a look," I said.

I climbed up and slowly looked out. I saw the upper part of a massive construct. The ground was very far away, and ahead of me was another chimney. I was still confused as to the purpose of this building. Suddenly, I noticed over 100 mechanical birds scouting around at a lower altitude. Abruptly, a massive silhouette flew by beside me. I looked up and saw that the massive divine bird was hovering higher in the air.

"The exit is safe. The divine bird is right above me. I need to think of a way to get in contact with it," I said to the others.

"There is more space at the exit. We'll come help you," said Old Du.

"Our safety ropes here can probably hold four people at the exit," I said after looking around.

"We'll go. Dodo can stay behind," said Zhang Bao'er before climbing up. The others joined him. We then used our safety ropes to fasten ourselves onto the walls near the exit.

"That fellow is right above us. How do we contact it?" said Zhang Bao'er as he whistled at the divine bird.

"Stop that! What are you doing? Do you want to expose yourself?" scolded Old Du.

"What are you scared of? We're so far from the ground. They won't hear us," said Zhang Bao'er with disdain.

"Superior, are you going up alone or do you want all of us to go with you?" asked Anxashe.

"I alone will be enough," I replied.

"Canyue, you can use your thrusters to reach the bird. It's not that far away from us. The thrusters have enough energy for you to take back-to-back trips to the bird," said Zhang Bao'er.

"No, we can't use our thrusters rashly. The fire will only attract the other mechanical birds," said Old Du.

"What else can we do, then? The divine bird is up in the sky. It's not like we can fly," said Zhang Bao'er.

"Can I help you communicate with the divine bird instead?" asked Anxashe.

"You?" I asked doubtfully.

"Yes. I plan to tie a rope to an arrow and use the arrow to attach the rope to the divine bird. However, strong arms will be needed to climb the rope and reach the divine bird," said Anxashe.

I did not say anything. Instead, I reached out with my left forefinger and showed him the purple fingerprint.

"Highest authority! You actually have the highest authority? This is proof of King Carter's throne inheritance!" exclaimed Anxashe in shock.

"What? Throne inheritance? What throne?" asked Zhang Bao'er.

"This purple print is the fingerprint of the ancient King Nichnawa. It utilizes a genetic transference method to be passed on from generation to generation. Only the successor of the throne will possess this fingerprint. This print will only leave the holder upon death or voluntary transfer. Because of that, it is also an embodiment of loyalty for the Wargod race," explained Anxashe.

"I don't know about loyalty and all that. Are you telling me that King Carter passed the throne to Canyue?" asked Zhang Bao'er in disbelief.

"Yes. The old man who was carried out of the prison was King Carter. Prior to his death, he passed me the highest authority," I replied.

"Why is it always you, Canyue? Why didn't King Carter pick me? If he picked me, I would definitely find myself a Wargod wife and stay here to manage his people for him. That isn't something you can do, Canyue," said Zhang Bao'er, who was unhappy for some reason.

"Since the king has given you the highest authority, you definitely have the ability to communicate with the divine bird. Let me help get you up there," said Anxashe.

He took out a thick rope and bound it around my body. He had me hold onto the rope with one hand, and then he tied the other end of the rope to an arrow. I understood his plan. He intended to launch an arrow into the sky and bound the rope around the divine bird. Then, I would be able to reach the divine bird with the rope.

"Anxashe, are you sure the divine bird won't cut the rope?" asked Zhang Bao'er.

"This rope is made of unique materials. It can't be cut so easily. However, try to appear as harmless as possible when facing the divine bird. Otherwise, nobody knows what the divine bird will do," said Zhang Bao'er.

"In that case, you can't guarantee success with this plan either," said Zhang Bao'er. He was still worried about me.

At that point, we were less than 100 minutes from Zhang Xingxing's appointed time. I did not have the time to continue hesitating.

"Find a chance and do it. Be accurate," I said to Anxashe.

With the order, Anxashe took aim and drew his bow, creating the shape of a full moon with the strength of his arms. Silently, he waited for the divine bird to approach. A few minutes later, the massive silhouette of the divine bird started approaching us, its body reflecting the starlight coming from the sky. When it finally arrived at the most optimal position for our plan, Anxashe released his arrow.

The arrow shot up like a bolt of lightning and rapidly reached the claw of the divine bird. At that moment, Anxashe's incredible archery was displayed as the arrow shot through the gap between the bird's talons. As the arrow continued upward, the rope struck the gap between the talons, altering the trajectory of the arrow, causing it to spin around the claw. The divine bird seemed to have sensed the disturbance. It flapped its wings twice and soared even higher into the sky.

"This is your chance. Good luck." Anxashe had barely finished his words when a powerful force yanked me out of the chimney into the air.

"Canyue, that fellow is very fast. Be careful," shouted Zhang Bao'er from below me.

The wind hissed loudly beside my ears as I was dragged into the sky. I had to use all my strength to climb up the rope before I could touch the divine bird with the fingerprint. Only then would I be able to form a connection with the divine bird. At that thought, I braced the wind and utilized all four of my limbs to start slowly climbing up.