Upon discovering a city of survivors amid the "Ether Catastrophe," Himeko brightened and immediately continued surveying the region. As expected, she found a human city and detected life-sign energy fluctuations—very likely surviving humans.
Hearing this, March 7th lit up as well.
"What are we waiting for? Hurry, full speed ahead—let's check out that human city."
Welt Yang spoke calmly.
"Don't rush. First, we need to confirm the disaster conditions on that planet."
According to the intel Herta had provided earlier, the catastrophe on that planet was severe and extremely dangerous. Landing blindly could easily lead to unpredictable accidents.
Just then, Himeko suddenly frowned.
"Something's wrong…"
March 7th quickly asked, "What is it? Did you find traces of human activity again?"
Himeko's expression grew serious. "No. It's a very strong energy fluctuation. Something just erupted… Hold on—I've found it. It looks like… a battle."
The distance was simply too great, so she could only detect the energy surges and infer that a massive battle had broken out on the planet. The actual combat couldn't be captured.
March 7th asked anxiously, "Is it humans fighting back against the catastrophe?"
Himeko considered it. "Not sure yet. But judging from the energy level, it doesn't look like something humans could produce…"
If humans possessed power of that scale, they wouldn't have allowed the catastrophe to consume the entire planet, forcing all survivors into a single city.
With that thought, Himeko turned to Pom-Pom.
"Conductor, increase speed. We need to reach that planet as soon as possible."
Pom-Pom nodded immediately.
"Leave it to me—"
Then Pom-Pom activated every propulsion system on the Astral Express, pushing the train to maximum speed.
Half an hour later, everyone could clearly see the planet from the window. Due to the Hollow Catastrophe, the entire planet was almost pitch-black.
Trailblazer said, "A bit closer…"
Pom-Pom nodded. "Got it."
As they approached, the enormous Hollows became clearer, especially the colossal Hollow Zero, strikingly visible on the planet's surface. March 7th commented that it looked like a giant tumor.
Right then, March 7th noticed something and pointed out the window.
"Trailblazer, Dan Heng—look over there! That huge figure—is that a Titan from legend?"
Everyone rushed over. Following March 7th's gesture, they indeed saw an enormous giant emerging through the clouds. It was unbelievably large, like a towering mountain. Even from space, its massive silhouette was unmistakable.
But that wasn't all. To their shock, a dragon thousands of meters long coiled around the giant, locked in fierce combat.
March 7th exclaimed, "And another one—look there! Another huge monster…"
Dan Heng observed seriously, "That also seems to be a creature with Vidyadhara lineage…"
It seemed Himeko's earlier observations were spot-on. A massive battle was raging on this planet.
Soon after, Himeko updated her findings.
"That giant is giving off intense Ether energy. It's likely the source of the catastrophe. From the strength of the energy, the Stellaron is probably inside its body… As for those two creatures, I still can't determine their identities—Wait. I'm detecting four more powerful energy signatures…"
The situation on this planet was far more complicated than expected. Before arriving, they had assumed the planet's inhabitants were already extinct. They never imagined stumbling upon an active war.
March 7th asked quickly, "Should we go down and help?"
Himeko frowned slightly. "We still can't confirm the planet's internal situation, nor identify the sides. Let me gather more data before we decide."
Trailblazer agreed.
"Himeko, can you project the battle footage?"
"Of course."
A moment later, a clear projection of Sam Li battling the giant appeared before them. When Dan Heng saw Sam Li in divine dragon form, something seemed to click in his mind, and his expression grew solemn. March 7th and Trailblazer were equally stunned.
Then Trailblazer noticed something new.
"Himeko, zoom in on the giant's chest. The Stellaron looks like it's there."
Himeko focused her scans.
"You're right. There are indeed two Stellarons inside its chest. They're likely the source of this entire catastrophe."
As the group murmured among themselves, Trailblazer suddenly noticed the golden divine dragon had vanished—
and in its place on the battlefield stood a young man gripping a long spear.
Before anyone could react, the young man raised his spear, and above the clouds, a golden Geo spear stretching a full kilometer took shape.
March 7th jumped.
"A spear that big?! What kind of spear technique is that?"
Trailblazer couldn't help but exclaim,
"Incredible—"
The energy surging from both the giant and the young man was terrifying.
Then, as the massive spear fell, it pierced straight through the giant's body.
March 7th asked quickly, "Did he kill it? Is the battle over?"
Dan Heng's expression tightened.
"No. That giant is likely a failed product of the [God-Making Project]. With two Stellarons sustaining it, its strength and vitality are overwhelming…"
Even Dan Heng found such an enemy troubling, uncertain how to defeat it.
After watching the battle footage for some time and combining it with Himeko's data, the group concluded that the divine dragon and the young man were trying to save the planet.
Although they held the advantage, slaying the giant and ending the "Ether Catastrophe" would be anything but easy. Even dealing with the two Stellaron was a massive ordeal.
The group soon decided to descend and assist the young man in defeating the giant and ending the Ether Catastrophe.
"March 7th, get ready—"
"Conductor, we'll rely on you—"
"Hold on, I'm selecting a safe landing point…"
...
But before they could land, the battlefield shifted once more.
After a grueling two days and one night of combat, Sam Li had finally exhausted most of the giant's power. Next, he would summon Planet Befall to completely shatter the colossus's body and suppress the two Starlight gems within it.