Chapter 41: The Legion's Beginning! The Gemstone Powder Keg!
At this moment, Lu Jin not only gained Silver Moon's loyalty.
He also gained the trust of the Star Sea Elf Clan!
For Lu Jin, if the entire Star Sea Elves could be used by him, then he would gain an invincible psionic army.
A psionic army, even if its scale was only a hundred people, would be enough to sway the outcome of a war!
At this time, You Lan also realized her mistake.
She never expected that Lu Jin, as a human, could actually perform such a miracle.
It was just a pity that Lu Jin was already exhausted at this time.
Cui Yuxin looked at Lu Jin as if she was looking at an unopened treasure trove.
What other secrets did Lu Jin, the human from Blue Star, possess?
But just as Cui Yuxin was about to engage in further communication with Lu Jin, a message suddenly popped up on her personal terminal.
Upon seeing this message, Cui Yuxin's expression clearly became a little off.
A trace of displeasure flashed across her face.
Then, Cui Yuxin stood up and apologized to Lu Jin.
"I apologize, Mr. Lu Jin."
"There was a small incident on the family's side, and I have already transferred the ownership of this room to you."
"During the Gem Auction, you can use this room freely."
"If you have any questions, you can contact my personal terminal."
After saying these words, Cui Yuxin left in a hurry.
Lu Jin watched as Cui Yuxin took everyone from the Emerald Family away, then he sat down again.
His gaze fell on Silver Moon, and then he told her very solemnly.
With Lu Jin's current physical condition, it was certainly impossible to improve the genetic defects of the entire Star Sea Elves.
But he could guarantee that after he acquired a suitable psionic gene seed and became a Psionicist, he would be able to improve the genetic defects of the entire Star Sea Elves.
After witnessing Lu Jin's true strength, both Silver Moon and You Lan chose to believe Lu Jin without hesitation.
After all, only Lu Jin possessed the technology to repair genetic defects.
They had no choice but to believe Lu Jin!
Lu Jin leaned back on the soft sofa, feeling the fatigue in his body gradually recede.
Cui Yuxin did not return after leaving, until the end of today's auction.
Seeing this, Lu Jin didn't pay too much attention.
After the auction ended, he returned to the ship to rest.
He woke up the next day at noon.
Before Lu Jin could even get out of bed, Silver Moon's voice came from the doorway.
"Captain, it's already noon, are you still attending today's Gem Auction?"
Glancing at the time, Lu Jin didn't expect to have slept for so long.
Getting out of bed, Lu Jin opened the room door.
Silver Moon was already standing at the doorway, holding a steaming hot breakfast in her hand.
Lu Jin glanced at the breakfast; it was actually Blue Star cuisine that suited his taste.
"Let me wash up first."
"Do you need my help?"
"That won't be necessary."
Seeing that Silver Moon intended to enter the room, Lu Jin quickly closed his room door.
After washing up, Lu Jin came to the ship's lounge.
In the lounge, Lu Jin had specially set up a bar and various entertainment facilities.
This allowed the crew to have some entertainment during their rest time.
But just as Lu Jin put his breakfast into his mouth, an urgent message popped up on his personal terminal!
[Breaking News! The head of the Blue Cone Family was murdered late at night!]
[The Blue Cone Family urgently convened a Gem Family meeting, vowing to find the murderer at all costs!]
[With the Brilliant Grand Assembly approaching, such a tragic case has occurred. How will the Gem Family respond?]
Seeing this news, the breakfast Lu Jin had just put into his mouth suddenly became tasteless.
Lu Jin's gaze swept across the many news articles, his brows furrowed.
The Black Opal Family had made their move!
And as soon as they acted, they directly murdered the head of the Blue Cone Family?!
No!
Now that the Black Opal Family was being targeted by other Gem Families, how could they commit a crime right under their noses?
Did they have other accomplices?
Thinking of this, Lu Jin immediately recalled the Interstellar Pirates he had encountered in the tavern earlier.
Psionicists!
Interstellar Pirates!
If that was truly the case, everything made sense!
The Black Opal Family hired an Interstellar Pirates gang, and these Interstellar Pirates were the murderers of the Blue Cone Family's head.
And these Interstellar Pirates were able to silently kill the head of a Gem Family.
It also indirectly showed that these Interstellar Pirates were not simple individuals.
It seemed that this time, the Gem Family had lost terribly!
Not only did they fail to cause any harm to the Black Opal Family, but a member of the Gem Family was severely hit instead.
The Blue Cone Family, having lost its head, was probably struggling to protect itself now.
Not to mention, ganging up with other families to target the Black Opal Family.
Just then, another window popped up on Lu Jin's personal terminal.
[Cui Yuxin: I'm already at your ship's entrance. I need your help!]
Cui Yuxin's message?
Upon seeing this message, Lu Jin immediately opened the ship's surveillance.
Indeed, Cui Yuxin and her sister Ming Cuixi were already standing at the ship's entrance.
And when Lu Jin let the two of them into the cabin, he realized.
This time, Cui Yuxin and Ming Cuixi didn't even bring bodyguards!
In such a dangerous situation, for them to come to Lu Jin like this, they must have shown great courage.
"What can I do for you?"
Lu Jin didn't bother with pleasantries and directly asked Cui Yuxin the purpose of her visit.
Compared to yesterday, Cui Yuxin's brows were now filled with worry.
She came before Lu Jin, pushed Ming Cuixi in front of him, and said with a solemn expression.
"You must have seen the news already, the head of the Blue Cone Family was murdered!"
"And according to our preliminary investigation, the perpetrator who killed the Blue Cone Family head is very likely a Psionicist!"
"Most critically, the Second-Level Psionicist hired by our family couldn't even detect the perpetrator's movements."
"So, their psionic level is likely at Third-Level, or even higher!"
Lu Jin raised an eyebrow, not too surprised.
Among Psionicists, based on psionic strength, Psionicists are divided into First to Ninth-Level Psionicists.
A Ninth-Level Psionicist's strength can even single-handedly suppress an entire planet.
While a Third-Level Psionicist is not considered a powerhouse in the Endless Star Sea, in this outer region of the Star Sea, they are definitely considered strong!
If it really was a Third-Level Psionicist who acted, it was normal for the Gem Family not to find the murderer.
"Now, even I feel that the Emerald Family's interior is no longer safe."
"So, I also want to ask you to take in my sister for a period of time."
"At least until I deal with this matter, I don't want her to return to the Emerald Family."
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Chapter 42 Assassination! The Black Stone Pirates!
"Sister!"
Ming Cuixi looked at her sister with a worried expression.
She hadn't expected that Cui Yuxin bringing her here so discreetly today would be for such a reason!
Cui Yuxin looked at Ming Cuixi, her gaze gradually firming.
In this Gem Family, driven solely by profit, her sister was the only one she truly cared for.
As her older sister, Cui Yuxin would not allow her to suffer any harm.
Cui Yuxin stroked Ming Cuixi's hair while looking at Lu Jin.
"When this is over, I will give you a generous reward."
"So, you must protect my sister!"
Facing Cui Yuxin's repeated admonitions, Lu Jin's gaze fell on Cui Yuxin instead.
As a high-ranking leader of the Emerald Family, she was undoubtedly one of the targets of those people in the shadows.
Compared to Ming Cuixi, Cui Yuxin's safety was even more concerning.
"You should worry about yourself first."
Hearing this, Cui Yuxin shook her head.
She could no longer stay out of this; she had to go back and take charge of the situation now!
But just as Cui Yuxin opened the cabin door, preparing to leave.
Lu Jin's gaze seemed to ignore the distance, falling directly on the top of a tall building in the distance.
And on the top floor of that building, a sniper, already prepared, held a high-precision kinetic sniper rifle, aiming in Cui Yuxin's direction.
"Target identity confirmed: Emerald Family high-ranking official, Cui Yuxin!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a voice came through his communication device.
"Target bounty confirmed. Don't miss!"
Hearing this, the sniper sneered disdainfully.
With no guards around, wouldn't assassinating Cui Yuxin be an easy task?
But just as he opened his scope, preparing to aim further.
Lu Jin's figure appeared in his field of vision.
Lu Jin was staring directly in his direction, and this feeling of being stared at sent a chill down the sniper's spine.
What's going on?
He was discovered?
Impossible!
His position was very concealed, and the sniper rifle he used was a special camouflage sniper rifle with optical camouflage.
He had made all preparations; it was absolutely impossible for him to be discovered.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence!
Thinking this, the sniper calmed down and aimed the crosshairs at Cui Yuxin.
Aim!
Pull the trigger!
Bang!
Accompanied by an almost imperceptible sound, it burst from the muzzle.
The sniper bullet, with lightning speed, shot straight towards Cui Yuxin!
But just then, Silver Moon's figure suddenly appeared in front of Cui Yuxin.
Before the sniper bullet could hit Cui Yuxin, Silver Moon directly released Psionic energy, creating a Psionic field around her.
The bullet was intercepted!
Seeing the intercepted sniper bullet, Cui Yuxin's eyes widened.
Someone was really ambushing her?
But her operation this time was extremely discreet; even her own sister didn't know, so who could it be!
And Silver Moon was even more astonished; even she hadn't sensed the sniper's killing intent.
But just as Cui Yuxin was leaving the ship, Lu Jin noticed something amiss.
This unease was battlefield experience etched into his memory!
And it was this experience that saved Cui Yuxin's life!
Seeing his assassination attempt fail, the sniper on the rooftop broke out in a cold sweat.
He had actually missed!
"Damn it!"
The sniper cursed under his breath, with no intention of continuing.
Now that Cui Yuxin had a Psionicist protecting her, even if he tried again, the outcome would be the same.
Therefore, his most important task now was to leave here quickly.
But when he had packed everything and was about to leave, he turned around and saw Shelia, who had been waiting for a long time, behind him!
Before the sniper could react, Shelia grabbed him directly, and a pair of dragon wings unfolded on her back as she flew straight towards Lu Jin's direction.
With a thud, the sniper was directly thrown in front of Lu Jin.
Looking at the two Star Sea Elves beside Lu Jin, and Shelia, who was eyeing him menacingly from behind.
The sniper clearly understood that no matter how capable he was today, he would likely not escape.
Thinking this, the sniper seemed to accept his fate and looked directly at Lu Jin.
"I never thought that I, Xijin, who has sniped countless targets, would ultimately fall here."
"If you want to get information from me, I advise you to save your breath!"
"Do it! When I picked up the sniper rifle back then, I already anticipated this day!"
Facing the sniper, who was like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, everyone exchanged glances, unsure how to proceed.
But when Lu Jin heard the sniper's name, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Because this name made Lu Jin feel a hint of familiarity.
In his memories from his previous life, there seemed to be information about the name "Xijin."
"Are you from the Black Stone Pirate Group?"
Hearing this, the sniper's expression suddenly changed.
Seeing this, Lu Jin became even more certain that his guess was correct.
Lu Jin motioned for the others to remove the mask from the sniper's face, and after all his disguises were removed, Lu Jin also recognized his race.
Ghismans!
An Alien Race with extremely powerful vision!
It is rumored that adult Ghismans can observe the every move of an insect hundreds of meters away with just their naked eyes.
Because of this physical advantage, famous snipers in the Endless Star Sea are very likely to be Ghismans!
And Xijin, as a Ghisman, after working as a mercenary for some time, became an Interstellar Pirate for some reason.
Later, due to his exquisite sniping skills, he was incorporated into the Black Stone Pirate Group!
In his previous life, Lu Jin had dealt with the Black Stone Pirate Group many times, and on one occasion, he was almost sniped by this Ghisman named "Xijin."
Now, old acquaintances meet again!
Lu Jin recognized Xijin in front of him, but Xijin on the other side did not recognize him!
"I didn't expect that the Black Opal Family would actually hire people from the Black Stone Pirate Group!"
After learning the sniper's identity, Cui Yuxin's face was pale, she could hardly believe this fact.
Because the Black Stone Pirate Group was not an ordinary pirate group!
In the Endless Star Sea, there are seven undisputed Pirate Kings, and these seven pirate groups are called the "Seven Pirate Kings."
And the Black Stone Pirate Group is one of them!
"Don't worry too much; the Black Stone Pirate Group also has many fleet branches under its command."
"With the financial resources of your Gem Family, it's not enough to bring the entire Black Stone Pirate Group here."
Lu Jin quickly assessed the current situation!
The funds that the Black Opal Family obtained on the Extreme Cold Planet had most likely already entered the Black Stone Pirate Group's pockets.
It was precisely because of this that they encountered subordinates of the Black Stone Pirate Group here.
But the most crucial thing now was how much money the Black Opal Family had given the Black Stone Pirate Group!
How many fleets had the Black Stone Pirate Group dispatched to the Brilliant Galaxy!
+++
Chapter 43 Emergency Lockdown! Blood Mist Spreads!
"I can't stay here any longer!"
Cui Yuxin looked at the sniper on the ground, her heart filling with worry.
Since she had already been attacked by the Black Stone Pirate Group, what about the rest of her family?
She had to go back now!
Seeing Cui Yuxin prepare to leave, Lu Jin directly put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll go back with you!"
Lu Jin knew very well that, given the current situation, Cui Yuxin would most likely encounter misfortune on her way back.
Only with Lu Jin escorting her could she safely return to the family's stronghold!
"Yinyue, Shelia, you two come with me."
"You Lan, Yu Tiancang, you two guard the ship and await my command!"
After assigning personnel and tasks, Lu Jin and his group immediately left the Starport.
They boarded the planetary train bound for Gem Planet No. 1.
The train started, and Gem Planet No. 1 gradually drew closer into their view.
But just then, Yinyue noticed something was wrong.
"Captain, look!"
Following Yinyue's pointed direction, they looked towards Gem Planet No. 1.
They saw a thin film appear on the surface of Gem Planet No. 1, rapidly enveloping the entire planet!
Seeing this, Cui Yuxin's eyes widened, barely able to believe what she was seeing.
"City defense system?"
As the base of the Gem Family, Gem Planet No. 1 had an extremely powerful planetary defense system installed when it was first established!
Once the Brilliant Galaxy encountered an invasion by an Alien Race, and the Gem Family was unable to resist, this planetary defense system could be activated.
The planetary defense system would first lower an all-encompassing barrier, protecting the entire planet within it.
The defense of this barrier could even withstand the bombardment of a star-annihilation level main cannon!
But once the barrier was opened, the entire planet would also enter a state of lockdown.
Therefore, to open this planetary defense barrier, an application and permission from three or more Gem Family patriarchs were required.
Now that the planetary defense system had suddenly opened, not only the people who came to Gem Planet No. 1 to attend the Brilliant Grand Assembly, but even Cui Yuxin was a little slow to react.
"It seems the Black Opal Family and the Black Stone Pirate Group are ready to make their move."
Lu Jin stood up and walked directly into the planetary train's cockpit.
Inside the cockpit, the planetary train's driver had clearly also seen the changes on Gem Planet No. 1.
But just as he was about to stop the train, Lu Jin decisively pulled out an energy pistol and pressed it against his head.
"Don't stop, go at maximum speed!"
Just as Cui Yuxin said, once Gem Planet No. 1 was locked down, even star-annihilation level weapons couldn't break through.
So, now was their only chance to enter the planet's interior!
With Lu Jin's gun pressed against his head, the driver's face instantly turned pale. He dared not show the slightest delay and quickly accelerated the planetary train to maximum speed!
The planetary train rushed into the planet's interior at the last moment before the track was cut off.
And just then, the barrier closed, and the track was cut!
The entire track on which the planetary train was traveling began to collapse. Watching the track continuously falling from the rear of the train, Shelia grabbed Cui Yuxin.
If the train lost power and fell from a high altitude, she could still use her dragon wings to help Cui Yuxin escape danger.
Meanwhile, Yinyue, worried about Lu Jin, rushed into the cockpit immediately.
"Captain, it's not safe here anymore!"
Looking at the ground rapidly approaching, Lu Jin instead put away his energy pistol.
His gaze fell on the driver, and looking at the focused driver, he said very calmly.
"Yinyue, follow my command, prepare to land!"
Boom!
The planetary train, at its highest speed, crashed directly into the station.
The violent impact made the planetary train like a bullet, smashing directly into the station's track.
After the dust settled, Yinyue and Shelia, both Psionicists, used their psionic abilities to clear away the debris and rubble from the train.
Despite such a violent impact, the train surprisingly remained intact.
All of this was thanks to Yinyue, who used her psionic ability to cushion the impact during the landing!
Opening the train doors, Lu Jin and his group walked out from the station ruins.
They looked up at the sky, only to see the planetary train tracks collapsing and shattering like ice and snow.
More and more planetary trains lost power and plummeted like meteors.
At such a height, coupled with such an impact, the people inside the planetary trains were certain to die.
But Lu Jin no longer had the energy to save others!
Because the entire Gem Planet No. 1 had already become a chaotic purgatory!
On the street, an Alien Race crawled up from the ground, but at this moment, he had grown sharp claws and fangs.
Like a wild beast, he directly attacked another Alien Race nearby!
At this moment, a guard bearing the Emerald Family's insignia appeared on the street.
This guard wore equipment similar to a gas mask and held a taser gun.
Seeing an Alien Race go mad and charge at him, the guard didn't hesitate to use his taser gun.
The electric current directly coursed through the Alien Race's entire body!
With a series of convulsions, the Alien Race directly fell to the ground, unconscious.
These Alien Races had all come to attend the Brilliant Grand Assembly, and perhaps some of them were from prominent families.
If they died here, the Gem Family would undoubtedly face immense pressure.
Therefore, all the equipment of these guards were taser guns designed to incapacitate without being fatal.
At this moment, the guard saw Lu Jin and his group!
Especially after seeing Cui Yuxin, the guard clearly became much more excited!
He quickly approached Lu Jin and his group, and upon getting close, without a word, he directly pulled out several gas masks from his backpack.
"Lady Cui Yuxin, we finally found you!"
"Quickly put on these gas masks!"
"Otherwise, if you inhale these strange gases, you will also turn into those rampaging monsters!"
Taking the gas masks, Lu Jin and the others quickly put them on!
Seeing Lu Jin and the others put on the gas masks, this Emerald Family guard also began to explain to Lu Jin's group.
"After the Blue Cone Family patriarch was murdered this morning, the Black Opal Family patriarch also disappeared."
"Originally, our Emerald Family intended to continue investigating the Black Opal Family."
"But not long after, this strange blood mist appeared, and any creature that inhaled this gas would grow fangs and claws, attacking others indiscriminately like wild beasts!"
"Originally, we also thought of mobilizing troops from other planets to suppress it."
"But as you can see, the planetary defense system, for some unknown reason, activated itself!"
Gem Planet No. 1 had now truly become an isolated island in the Brilliant Galaxy!
And Cui Yuxin knew without even thinking that this must be the Black Opal Family's doing!
+++
Chapter 44 Blood Pendant! Siege of the Emerald Family's Stronghold!
"Damn it! I should have militarily suppressed the Black Opal Family back then!"
After learning that the situation on Gem No. 1 was inextricably linked to the Black Opal Family, Cui Yuxin was filled with regret.
If only she had decisively suppressed the Black Opal Family militarily when she first learned of their abnormalities.
Perhaps there wouldn't have been so many subsequent accidents!
But Lu Jin, who was beside her, found her words ridiculous.
"If only I had known back then?"
Even if the Gem Family had known about the Black Opal Family's ambition and abnormalities back then, the outcome wouldn't have been much better.
It was not an easy task to quickly deal with a Gem Family that had been corrupted by the Blood Race.
The only thing that surprised Lu Jin was how decisive the Black Opal Family was.
He originally thought the Black Opal Family would struggle for a while longer before revealing their true ambition.
But what Lu Jin never expected was that the Black Opal Family would act decisively before the Gem Family even had a chance to react.
It must be said that in this regard, the Black Opal Family was much more decisive than other Gem Families!
"Lady Cui Yuxin, please follow me to the shelter first!"
"The streets are full of these mad people right now, and we are already trying our best to search for survivors."
At this point, they had no other choice.
But just then, several figures appeared in the blood mist in the distance.
These figures walked among the frenzied crowd.
The surrounding frenzied Alien Race seemed not to see them, and even when they approached, they would not attack.
It wasn't until these figures entered their line of sight that Lu Jin saw the Black Stone Pirate Group's insignia on them!
Upon seeing the Black Stone Pirate Group's insignia, the Emerald Family guard quickly reacted.
"Lady Cui Yuxin, be careful, these pirates are not ordinary pirates!"
The Black Stone Pirates, upon seeing Lu Jin and his group, also opened their personal terminals.
Soon, they found Cui Yuxin's portrait on their personal terminals.
After confirming Cui Yuxin's identity, these Interstellar Pirates let out excited laughter.
"We're really lucky; we just walked around and found a high-ranking member of the Emerald Family!"
"If we capture this Emerald high-ranking member and turn her in, that'll be a considerable bounty."
At this point, these Black Stone Pirates decisively ignored Lu Jin and his group beside Cui Yuxin.
And the price for that was, of course, being instantly cut down by Silver Moon!
As a cold light bloomed among these Black Stone Pirates, Silver Moon appeared behind them like a phantom.
She slowly sheathed her blade!
In an instant, the Black Stone Pirates' heads fell to the ground.
The single Black Stone Pirate left behind, seeing his companions silently decapitated, quickly understood.
These people in front of him were not to be provoked!
But now, even realizing this, it was already too late.
Lu Jin walked directly towards the lone Black Stone Pirate, picking up the pirate's personal terminal from the ground.
Within these pirate personal terminals, Lu Jin could easily crack them and see their contents.
And the most conspicuous among them was a bounty system.
Clicking into the bounty system, various high-ranking members of the Gem Family, as well as personnel related to Gem Family factions, were all marked with prices!
"What is this?"
"It's the bounty software given to us by the Black Opal Family. As long as you kill the people on the bounty list, you can get the reward."
Facing the current situation, the Black Stone Pirate dared not hide anything.
After all, he was just the lowest-ranking pirate in the Black Stone Pirate Group.
He didn't have the same pride as Xijin, so Lu Jin easily got the information he wanted from him.
"Why don't these frenzied people attack you?"
"Because we have blood pendants distributed by the Black Opal Family. As long as you wear this blood pendant, you won't be attacked."
At this point, Cui Yuxin also found the blood pendants he spoke of on the bodies of those Black Stone Pirates.
After picking up a blood pendant, Cui Yuxin experimented with it.
Sure enough, when she held the pendant and approached the frenzied Alien Race, these Alien Race seemed to encounter something they feared and quickly moved away from the blood pendant!
Seeing this, Lu Jin also believed what the Black Stone Pirate had said.
After asking for the information he wanted, Lu Jin glanced at the Black Stone Pirate.
"Big brother, I was forced to become a pirate!"
"If you let me go, I will definitely turn over a new leaf!"
"Turn over a new leaf?"
Lu Jin chuckled, directly removing the Black Stone Pirate's helmet.
After the helmet was removed, the Black Stone Pirate immediately covered his mouth and nose.
Clearly, he understood that once he inhaled the blood mist in the air, he would become a monster that only went mad, just like the Alien Race on the streets.
But Lu Jin threw the helmet far away, and the Black Stone Pirate wanted to retrieve it.
However, he forgot that the blood pendant on him had already been taken by Lu Jin.
In an instant, the frenzied Alien Race directly devoured him.
Seeing this, Lu Jin distributed the blood pendants from the Black Stone Pirates to the others!
There was one for each person, and with the presence of gas masks, they wouldn't have so much trouble on their way to the family's stronghold.
Under Cui Yuxin's guidance, Lu Jin and his group quickly approached the Emerald Family's stronghold.
As they got closer to the Emerald Family's stronghold, the intensity of the surrounding blood mist grew thicker and thicker!
Not only that, but they could also frequently see Black Stone Pirates approaching the direction of the Emerald Family stronghold.
Boom... Dozens of tanks armored with black steel roared towards the Emerald Family stronghold.
The Black Stone Pirates around the tanks took the opportunity to start chatting.
"This Emerald Family stronghold is really tough to take down!"
"That's for sure; you don't believe it, but this is a Gem Family stronghold, so it's bound to be tough."
"Don't complain, we just caught them off guard this time."
"I heard the captain plans to drive those madmen from the city center over. With those madmen as cannon fodder, maybe we really have a chance!"
Watching the tank convoy gradually move away, Lu Jin and his group, hidden in the shadows, gradually revealed themselves.
Lu Jin looked at Cui Yuxin beside him. According to the descriptions of these Black Stone Pirates,
the Emerald Family's stronghold was now completely surrounded, and it would likely be impossible for them to enter from the front.
"We can't get in through the front, we'll use a secret passage!"
As a high-ranking member of the Emerald Family, Cui Yuxin was well aware of the secret passages within the Emerald Family's stronghold.
These secret passages were unknown even to family members!
Only high-ranking family members knew of the secret passages' existence, and this gave Lu Jin an opportunity to enter the Emerald Family's stronghold!
+++
Chapter 45 A Dilemma! I Have the Antidote!
As Cui Yuxin said, this secret passage could indeed be considered a secret passage.
They first entered the city's underground purification pipeline system, moving back and forth through the complex, maze-like network of pipes.
Finally, they arrived at the exit of the secret passage.
This exit was sealed by a genetic lock. Cui Yuxin placed her palm on it.
Upon detecting the Emerald Family's genes, the lock core quickly opened.
Everyone exited the secret passage and immediately found themselves in a discreet yet luxurious room.
Judging by its layout, this room appeared to be a conference room.
Currently, the conference room was empty. Lu Jin and the others walked out of the conference room and immediately encountered members of the Emerald Family.
"Lady Cui Yuxin?!"
Seeing Cui Yuxin, that family member was also somewhat surprised.
Evidently, he was filled with astonishment at the sudden appearance of Cui Yuxin, Lu Jin, and the others.
But at this moment, Cui Yuxin had no time for pleasantries with him.
"Who is commanding you now?"
"It's... it's Lord Hartley!"
Hartley?
Upon hearing this name, Cui Yuxin's brow furrowed slightly, but quickly relaxed.
Although her relationship with Hartley was usually not good,
she had to admit that if this fellow was commanding this battle, then the family's stronghold would certainly be very safe!
"Take us to him!"
Now, Cui Yuxin wanted to quickly understand what had happened on Gem Planet No. 1.
And Hartley, who was commanding the family members in defending the stronghold, would surely know more details!
Led by the family member, Lu Jin and the others quickly met Hartley, the Emerald Family's wartime commander.
Hartley was wearing a set of power armor as verdant as emeralds.
His helmet was placed to one side, and his sharp, eagle-like eyes scanned the holographic map of the family stronghold.
Around him were numerous squad commanders, some with worried expressions, others full of anger!
"Damn it! I've never fought such a frustrating battle in my life!"
"Those maddened citizens are too difficult to deal with. As long as they surround the stronghold, we can't easily make a move."
"If it weren't for the fact that these people are prestigious families attending the Brilliant Grand Assembly, I'd wish I could blast them all to ashes with one shot!"
"The most urgent matter is to resolve the effects of the blood mist, otherwise we will only be passively beaten!"
"How frustrating, I never thought I'd be ridden over by pirates one day!"
"Look on the bright side, at least these pirates aren't ordinary Interstellar Pirates; they are, after all, pirate legions under the Seven Pirate Kings."
Just then, Hartley's gaze fell on Cui Yuxin.
The other commanders also noticed the returning Cui Yuxin.
Hartley glanced at Cui Yuxin, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
After all, with the situation on Gem Planet No. 1 so chaotic, Cui Yuxin was not in the family stronghold and had not taken any guards or bodyguards with her when she went out.
It was already a blessing that she, by herself, had not been transformed into one of the maddened.
Cui Yuxin stepped forward, came to Hartley's side, and asked him what exactly had happened on Gem Planet No. 1.
Hartley did not hide anything; he told her everything he knew.
Not long after Cui Yuxin left the family stronghold, a large amount of unknown blood mist erupted across the entire Gem Planet No. 1.
Upon discovering that this blood mist would cause people to go mad, the Gem Family decisively sealed off the family stronghold and entered a state of combat readiness.
Furthermore, through their communication devices, the various Gem Families mobilized the city's defensive forces.
But as the blood mist spread and the planetary defense equipment was activated, family communications were successively cut off.
"The current situation is that the Black Stone Pirates outside want to breach our family stronghold."
"And we, out of consideration for the identities of those maddened individuals, dare not easily use large-scale destructive weapons."
Before Hartley could finish speaking, one of the commanders next to him directly jumped out.
"So, right now, we can only be turtles taking a beating!"
At present, these generals and commanders of the family were extremely frustrated.
They possessed a large number of powerful weapons but could not use them.
They could only huddle behind the stronghold's walls and shields, barely surviving!
How could this make them feel content!
Hartley gave Cui Yuxin a deep look, then continued.
"According to our preliminary investigation, this series of events is inseparable from the Black Opal Family."
"The Blue Cone Family sent a distress signal to the other Gem Families before the blood mist even erupted."
"Unfortunately, after this distress signal, the Blue Cone Family lost contact, and the blood mist erupted shortly after!"
Upon learning the full story, Cui Yuxin's brows also furrowed involuntarily.
She turned around, her gaze falling on Lu Jin.
"Mr. Lu Jin, do you have a way to resolve this blood mist?"
Having witnessed Lu Jin's almost miraculous gene repair technology, Cui Yuxin had developed a dependent trust in him.
Faced with such a tricky and unknown blood mist, she couldn't help but place her hopes on Lu Jin.
Upon hearing Cui Yuxin question Lu Jin, Hartley glanced at Lu Jin.
Upon discovering that Lu Jin was merely a Blue Star Human with no psionic abilities, the disdain in his eyes was unconcealed.
Compared to Hartley, the other Emerald Family commanders were even more dismissive.
One must know that they hadn't even figured out the composition of this blood mist yet.
Did he think a mere Blue Star Human could solve the blood mist problem?
What a joke!
"Cui Yuxin, I'm afraid your mind is muddled. What can a Blue Star Human do?"
"This strange blood mist, even our Emerald Family researchers can't determine its composition; what can he do?"
"If you ask me, it's better to just suppress these maddened individuals directly and then shift the blame to the Black Opal Family afterwards."
But just then, Lu Jin's voice rang in their ears.
"Yes."
A single, simple word drew everyone's attention to Lu Jin.
Lu Jin then took out a tube of unknown liquid from his backpack.
Under everyone's gaze, Lu Jin began to explain the main components of the unknown liquid in his hand.
"The primary component of the blood mist is a blood stimulant."
"Its ingredients can cause the blood to reach an excited state, thereby inducing the maddened phenomenon."
"And the antidote in my hand, strictly speaking, is a sedative specifically targeting the blood mist's components."
"It only needs to be inhaled by the maddened individuals to restore them to their original state."
"However, if they inhale the blood mist again after being cured, they will still go mad again, so only by eliminating the source of the blood mist can this problem be completely solved."
After hearing what Lu Jin said, Hartley and the others frowned slightly, their eyes filled with suspicion.
But unlike Hartley and the others, Cui Yuxin took the antidote, her gaze towards Lu Jin filled with even more admiration.
"This is enough!"