From cute to empress

Chapter 351 The Journey to the Universe

The scene before me gradually became clearer, and the distorted space returned to normal. The starship sailed smoothly through an unfamiliar star field, and outside the window was a dazzling galaxy, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Report to Your Majesty, the space jump was successful and we have arrived at the Draco galaxy." The navigator's voice sounded with unconcealable excitement.

I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart finally at ease. But the burning sensation from the communicator on my wrist lingered, reminding me of the potential disaster in the Imperial City. I suppressed my uneasiness, telling myself that the most important thing now was to complete this exploration mission and return home as soon as possible.

"Youcai, where are we?" I turned to ask him, my eyes sweeping over the densely packed marks on the star map. The Sirius system is only the first stop of this interstellar voyage, and the ultimate goal is the mysterious planet that is said to have unlimited energy.

"We're currently one-third of the way to our target planet." Zhen Youcai pointed to an area on the star map that was shimmering with a strange light. "According to ancient records, that's the 'Sea of ​​Stardust,' fraught with unknown dangers and the only way to reach our target planet."

As soon as he finished speaking, the alarm suddenly sounded, and the shrill sound echoed throughout the entire bridge.

"Report! A large-scale meteorite group was discovered ahead!" The observer's voice was a little panicked.

"Activate the energy shield and prepare to evade!" Zhen Youcai gave the order calmly.

The starship shook violently. Outside the window, dense meteorites whizzed past, as if the end of the world had arrived. The energy shield flickered violently, barely withstanding the impact of the meteorites, but if this continued, the shield would be penetrated sooner or later.

"The energy consumption is too fast. We won't be able to hold on for long at this rate!" There was a hint of despair in the operator's voice.

"Activate the backup energy source! Contact the engineering department and have them repair the main energy system as quickly as possible!" Zhen Youcai gave the order decisively, turning to look at me. "Mengmeng, don't be afraid. I'm here."

His eyes were firm and warm, like a powerful force injected into my body. Yes, we have been through so much, how can we be afraid of a mere meteorite swarm?

At this moment, I felt the starship shake violently, and the violent vibration almost made me lose my balance.

"Report! We've been hit by an unknown energy source and the main engine has failed!"

"What?!" Zhen Youcai's face changed. "Start the auxiliary engine and repair the main engine with all our strength!"

"Report! Unable to start the secondary engine, we are bound by an invisible force!"

My heart sank suddenly. Could this be... the secret of the "Sea of ​​Stardust"?

At this moment, the Imperial Master, who had been silent the entire time, slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, I think it's time to ask 'them' for help..."

The Imperial Master's words startled Youcai and me. By "they," were they referring to those mysterious figures who had been hiding in the starship and had never been seen?

I was just beginning to wonder when I saw the Imperial Master clasp his hands together and mutter something. An invisible wave emanated from him, instantly spreading throughout the entire starship. At the same time, the weather officer, who had been standing silently in the corner, also moved. He pulled out an ancient compass from his bosom, and the needle on it spun wildly, as if sensing something.

"Found it!" the meteorologist suddenly shouted, pointing to a direction on the compass. "There's a safe passage there that can avoid the energy turbulence of the 'Sea of ​​Stardust'!"

"Okay!" Youcai made a prompt decision, "Navigator, adjust the course immediately, target——"

He paused and looked at the meteorologist. The meteorologist took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Tianxuan Galaxy, Serpens Nebula."

The starship started up again. This time, we encountered no more meteorite attacks, nor any disturbances from energy turbulence. The starship sailed smoothly through the universe, like a light boat traversing the sea.

I was filled with doubts and couldn't help but ask the Imperial Master, "Master, how did you and the weather officer know about these secret passages?"

The Imperial Master smiled faintly, but didn't directly answer my question. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty, the universe is vast and boundless, filled with mysterious forces beyond our comprehension. For some things, we only need to know the results, not the reasons."

I nodded, not quite understanding, but I became even more curious.

After several days of sailing, we finally approached the target planet. However, when the full view of the planet appeared before us, everyone couldn't help but gasp.

It was a gigantic planet, several times larger than any planet we had ever seen, emitting a faint blue light and breathtakingly beautiful. But beneath this beautiful exterior lay a deadly danger.

Surrounding the planet, a translucent energy shield enveloped the entire planet like a giant bowl. Lightning flickered on the surface of the energy shield, as if it contained devastating power.

"This..." I muttered to myself, "Is this the mysterious planet with unlimited energy recorded in ancient books?"

"Your Majesty, what should we do now?" Youcai asked, "This energy shield looks very strong. I'm afraid we can't go in directly."

I pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the Imperial Master and the Meteorological Officer. They also had frowns on their faces, as if they were thinking of a solution.

"This isn't going to work," I finally decided. "You're talented! Organize a reconnaissance team immediately..."

"You're talented! Immediately organize a reconnaissance team, pilot a small airship, and search for a way to break through this energy shield." I ordered decisively, scanning the crowd in the starship's command room. "Remember, safety first. If you detect any anomaly, return immediately!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Youcai took the order and left. Soon, a reconnaissance team composed of experienced soldiers was assembled. They drove five small airships and carefully approached the planet emitting a faint blue light.

I stood in front of the huge viewing window, watching their movements intently. As the airship drew closer and closer to the energy shield, I could feel my heartbeat quickening.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much." The Imperial Master's voice sounded behind me, with a hint of comfort, "I believe that good fortune will come to those who are lucky."

I nodded slightly, but said nothing. I knew the Imperial Master was trying to comfort me, but as the Empress, responsible for the lives of tens of thousands of people on the entire starship, how could I not be worried?

Time ticked by, and the reconnaissance team still hadn't received any news. Just as I was about to lose control of my anxiety, a talented voice finally came through the communicator: "Your Majesty, we've discovered a strange place!"

"Where?" I asked quickly.

"We found an area not covered by the energy shield. There seems to be an ancient relic there." Youcai's voice was filled with excitement. "We suspect that this relic may be related to the energy shield!"

An idea struck me. Could it be that the key to breaking through this energy shield is hidden in this ancient relic?

"Okay, you stay where you are. Youcai and I will be there soon!" I made a quick decision and turned to the guard beside me and said, "Prepare the starship, target--"

I paused, my gaze falling on the mysterious planet again, and I said word by word: "Tianxuan Galaxy, Serpens Nebula, unknown ruins!"

……

The entrance to the ruins is hidden behind a huge stone gate, on which are carved strange patterns that look like some ancient writing or some mysterious symbols.

Youcai and I led an elite force and carefully entered the ruins. The interior was very empty, and the walls were also carved with those strange patterns, emitting a faint blue light, illuminating the path forward.

We continued deeper and finally arrived at a spacious hall. In the center of the hall, a huge spherical object was suspended in mid-air, emitting a dazzling light that illuminated the entire hall.

"What is this?" I muttered to myself, my heart filled with shock.

"Your Majesty, look!" Youcai pointed to a stone tablet beneath the spherical object and exclaimed, "It seems to have something written on it!"

I walked quickly to the stone tablet and carefully read the words on it.

"Energy core... infinite energy... guardian..." I muttered a few words intermittently, a storm of fear rising in my heart. "Could this be the energy core recorded in ancient books that can provide infinite energy?!"

At this moment, something strange happened! The energy core, which had been quietly suspended in mid-air, suddenly vibrated violently. A dazzling light filled the entire hall, and a buzzing sound reached my ears...

"Oh no!" I exclaimed, and subconsciously wanted to reach out to pull Youcai who was close to me, but I felt a flash in front of my eyes. When my vision became clear again, I found that... I found myself in a white space.

"Youcai? Where are you?" I called out tentatively, but there was no response. Only my voice echoed in the empty space, sounding particularly lonely.

I looked around and found that there was nothing here except white. There was no end, no direction, as if it were a void. An unprecedented sense of fear surged in my heart, making me feel dizzy.

"Your Majesty!" A familiar voice suddenly came from behind me. I turned around in surprise, but found that only Youcai was standing not far away, and the other soldiers were nowhere to be seen.

"Where are the others?" I grabbed Youcai's arm and asked anxiously.

"I... I don't know." Youcai's face was also full of confusion. "I came here after the white light flashed just now. Everyone else is gone."

My heart sank. Could it be that everyone else was trapped in this strange space?

"We have to find a way to leave here!" I forced myself to calm down, my eyes fixed on a stone door not far away. "Maybe there's an exit there!"

Youcai and I walked quickly to the stone gate and pushed it open together. Behind the stone gate was a long and narrow passage. The walls on both sides of the passage were carved with strange patterns, emitting a faint blue light, illuminating the way forward.

We walked along the passage for an unknown amount of time before finally reaching the end of the passage.

"Your Majesty, look!" Youcai pointed ahead, his tone tinged with excitement, "Energy core!"

I looked in the direction Youcai pointed, and saw at the end of the passage, a huge spherical object suspended in the air, emitting dazzling light. It was the energy core we saw in the ruins hall!

"Could it be..." My heart moved, and a bold guess came to my mind, "This space is actually the interior of the energy core?!"

"It's very likely!" Youcai also reacted. "Ancient books record that the energy core possesses incredible power. It can even distort time and space and create an independent space!"

"If that's the case, then aren't we..." I hadn't finished my words when the energy core, which had been quietly suspended in mid-air, suddenly vibrated violently. A dazzling light filled the entire space, and a buzzing sound came to my ears...

"Not good!" I cried out in shock, subconsciously trying to reach out and pull Youcai, who was so close, but I felt a powerful force pulling me back...

"Your Majesty!" I heard Youcai's terrified cry, followed by a suffocating darkness...