936 – Deadly Scorching Heat
TL: BluVerse

This rescue mission was unprecedented for the Federation, providing critical research data on the adaptability of human experts to the high temperatures and gravity of stars.

The rescue operation was being simultaneously transmitted back to the Federation headquarters on the home planet. Of course, due to signal transmission issues, there was a slight delay. However, the mothership’s communication facilities were the most advanced, so the delay was minimal. Only the mothership could be equipped with this level of communication transmission technology, utilizing space-jump transmission similar to wormholes to maintain high speed. This was one of the Federation’s most advanced technologies and the most significant scientific breakthrough in the past century.

At the main command center, General Bai Ling was personally overseeing the operation. “Stellar probe ready, one-minute countdown.”

A countdown timer appeared on the large screen. The mothership’s lower section opened up, revealing the passageway. The stellar probe was slowly pushed out, surrounded by the four Dragon King-class frigates, which activated their weapon systems and shields, entering combat readiness.

Deploying a space fleet to rescue one person involved enormous resources. Any action of the mothership had to be escorted by Dragon King-class frigates. This was why the Federation initially hesitated, despite knowing Nana’s significant contributions.

“Five, four, three, two, one. Stellar probe, launch!”

The surface of the stellar probe lit up, and in the next instant, it was propelled out by a strong beam of light. A white light beam shot from the center of the flat, round probe’s top, propelling it towards the star. Strangely, the white light remained connected to the probe, maintaining the link.

Gravity chain! This was a feature only found on the mothership, designed to pull the stellar probe back at any time.

The stellar probe vibrated slightly. The large screen showed that they were moving away from the fleet, rapidly descending towards the star. Below, the star, resembling a giant fireball, was rapidly enlarging in their view.

Everyone was in position. Each god-level expert had a specific spot, each equipped with a soul power injection point. Top-level experts could use their soul power to enhance the probe’s shield.

The only problem was the lack of a spiritual power amplification detection device. This was because standard stellar probes didn’t require it.

There wasn’t time for a temporary installation, so they had to proceed without it.

“Approaching thirty thousand meters from the star’s surface, temperature rising, gravity increasing,” Major General Zhang Zekai said solemnly.

From space, one could see the gravity chain connected to the stellar probe now fully taut, as if the star’s gravity and the mothership’s gravity chain were vying for control of the probe.

The closer they got to the star, the stronger the gravity became.

Everyone’s emotions were inevitably tense. At this moment, the temperature inside the stellar probe remained unchanged, with the powerful isolation measures completely blocking out the external heat.

Lan Xuanyu could faintly sense that their current position was roughly the same distance from the star’s surface as when Nana was pulled away last time.

“Teacher Nana, we’re here to save you. Please hold on!”

“Command, request to increase gravity to slow the descent speed,” Zhang Zekai maintained communication with the command center.

This was necessary. If the descent speed was too fast, the star’s gravity could suddenly increase, momentarily surpassing the gravity chain. If the gravity chain couldn’t adjust in time, the probe might be pulled directly into the star.

With the gravity chain’s pull increasing, the stellar probe’s descent began to slow. Through the large screen, they could now see the general appearance of the star’s surface.

Golden yellow, brownish yellow, and crimson red intertwined and shimmered. Occasionally, bursts of fire erupted, and huge bubbles of flame expanded.

Deadly scorching heat!

Various detection devices on the stellar probe started scanning the star below, and streams of data began appearing on one side of the data screen.

Lan Xuanyu wasn’t familiar with these detection devices, but he could understand the temperature changes. The star’s surface temperature was not constant, changing almost every moment. For humans, this rate of change was incredibly fast.

Even inside the stellar probe, Lan Xuanyu could feel the abundant and extremely active fire elements. A faint red glow occasionally appeared around him.

The god-level experts could naturally sense his situation. They all understood what this meant: fire element affinity!

Yu Muchen had a slightly amused smile on his face. This kid has quite a few secrets! To think he has fire element affinity, no wonder he dared to come in person.

“We’re about to reach ten thousand meters above the star’s surface. Please prepare,” Major General Zhang Zekai advised.

The stellar probe’s normal detection range was ten thousand meters above the star’s surface. Going deeper would require additional power to ensure protection.

Yu Muchen nodded, “We’re ready. Keep the gravity chain stable, then descend.”

“Understood.” Even as a major general, Zhang Zekai was merely in charge of operations. The true commander inside was Admiral Yu Muchen, the First War God.

At ten thousand meters, the temperature inside the stellar probe began to change, and the probe itself started to tremble unstably. This was due to the competing gravitational forces vying for control of the probe.

“Requesting to increase the gravity chain, preparing to go deeper,” Zhang Zekai reported to the mothership.

“Increasing gravity chain. You may proceed in thirty seconds.”

With the gravity chain’s enhancement, the stability of the stellar probe improved.

“Let’s begin,” Yu Muchen signaled to Wang Tianyu and Tang Miao.

The three pressed the armrests of their seats.

A faint blue aura emanated from Tang Miao, instantly filling the interior of the stellar probe with a cool sensation, suppressing the rising temperature.

Next, the vibration of the stellar probe completely ceased, becoming stable once more, just like when it first separated from the mothership. With Yu Muchen, Wang Tianyu, and Tang Miao injecting their soul power, a protective barrier formed around the probe.

This was the standard capability of the stellar probe. In actual stellar exploration, a god-level expert usually accompanied the mission to guard against sudden solar flares or stellar eruptions, giving the probe time to be pulled back by the gravity chain.

With the three god-level experts jointly releasing their protection, the stellar probe was as stable as a mountain.

God-level experts could barely survive on the star’s surface, but true god-level experts could manage brief survival. As long as they could overcome the gravitational pull, they could return safely.

This time, four 110-level experts were personally involved, making the rescue operation of the highest standard. The complexity of reasons for their involvement went beyond just Lan Xuanyu.

“Begin descent. Nine thousand nine hundred meters…”

The stellar probe continued to descend. From an external view, one could see a white light shield forming around the probe, insulating it from the intense heat. This was a combination of its own shield and the soul power of the god-level experts.

The star loomed larger and larger. From ten thousand meters, the surface of the star was already clearly visible, and it became even clearer as they approached.

With the protection of the three god-level experts, the probe remained incredibly stable.

“Approaching five thousand meters altitude. Maintaining stability. Awaiting direction,” Major General Zhang Zekai reported.

Yu Muchen said in a deep voice, “Move counter to the star’s rotation, at a steady speed. Begin full scans.”

“Yes, sir!”