Chapter 675: Moon Landing and Attack

“Professor Su, you need to realize what you’re saying.”

Yu Saint did not reply to Su Zhou immediately. A red beam of light shot out from his electronic left eye, connecting directly to a port on the central control console of the ground command center. An electromagnetic signal then transmitted a vast amount of information directly into the modified left hemisphere of his brain.

In that single instant, Yu Saint received all the data generated when the “unidentified signal” was emitted. He formed a 3D model of the Earth-Moon System in his mind, replaying the sudden event.

Currently, Earth and the Moon were at their perigee, a distance of 370,000 kilometers—just over one light-second. Within two seconds of the unidentified signal’s appearance on the Moon’s Far Side, the resulting electromagnetic pulse swept across the entire globe. Now, from Zhengguo’s official stations tracking the event to foreign media outlets broadcasting it, all were suffering from severe electromagnetic interference. Some even experienced temporary equipment failure and channel interruptions.

An electromagnetic signal with an Energy Level capable of causing anomalies across the entire Earth was, without a doubt, being treated with the utmost seriousness. This anomaly was very likely related to three dangerous elements: the ‘alien spacecraft ruins,’ the ‘lunar Immortal God Ruins,’ and the ‘Deep Space Caller.’

No one knew if the Deep Space Caller had triggered this anomaly. If it had, how was it done? What was its purpose? How much combat power would be needed to stop it? In any case, aside from Su Zhou, the other three astronauts aboard the Shaking Light were not powerful enough. If they were to get involved rashly, the outcome would likely not be pretty.

But the most worrying part was the “unidentified signal” itself. A signal that surpassed Earth’s technological capabilities, it was clearly being broadcast out of the Solar System. Was it a distress call from the ancient alien spacecraft, or was it broadcasting location coordinates? Could it, like Spiritual Power transmissions, be capable of point-to-point, faster-than-light information transfer under certain special conditions?

Although over a hundred thousand years had passed, and the alien civilization had likely turned to dust, if they still existed and used this signal to reach Earth, the people of Earth today would most likely be unable to resist them.

Therefore, as he constructed the model, Yu Saint spoke gravely to Su Zhou and the others, who were still in Earth’s orbit. “You are to return to Earth now. In two days, we can launch another rocket—most of the Commander Tiers from across the globe will go. This matter is of grave importance and is inextricably linked to the fate of Earth. We cannot risk failure.”

But he could not refute Su Zhou’s reply. “Two days, plus the time it takes for a rocket to reach the Moon, adds up to nearly a week. Whether this was an accident or deliberately caused by someone, that’s more than enough time for the situation to become completely unsalvageable.”

“My proposal is this: have Bai Jingtiao, Gu Yaoluo, and Meng Jin head back first. I’ll go to the Moon alone to check out the situation. Two days from now, you can launch a support rocket. Once this is all over, you can just pick me up.”

The other astronauts in the rocket heard his words. Bai Jingtiao didn’t reply, but his expression was one of slight displeasure. Meng Jin, on the other hand, had a look that said, ‘I’ll follow the organization’s arrangements.’ As for Gu Yaoluo, he seemed a bit relieved, yet also conflicted.

It was all perfectly human.

Su Zhou turned his head, gesturing for them to voice their opinions.

“If you go to the Moon alone and run into trouble, no one will be able to help you.”

The second son of the Bai Family said, “If we’re there, you’ll at least have intelligence and fire support from lunar orbit. Launching smart munitions or nuclear warheads isn’t something one person can manage alone.”

Meng Jin said, “Same here.”

Gu Yaoluo said, “We have to go.” After a moment’s thought, he admitted to himself that he was afraid of dying. But Gu Yaoluo also knew that if he didn’t take a stand at a critical moment like this, he would never enjoy such a high level of resource allocation in the future. Even if he died, at least his family would receive compensation.

“Since you’re not afraid of dying, I won’t try to talk you out of it. Someone has to go check on the situation anyway.”

After confirming his teammates’ attitudes, Su Zhou turned back and continued speaking to the ground command center. “I believe I’m a good candidate for the job.”

There was no time for meetings or discussions. Within a mere three minutes, the upper echelons of all the world’s major powers had been briefed on the situation. In fact, the American Federation’s lunar exploration program had been following close behind Zhengguo’s. This time, they immediately announced they would launch a rocket at top speed to follow the Zhengguo team.

Meanwhile, the Central Committee held a brief meeting in cyberspace that lasted less than five seconds in the real world. By a vote of 21 to 15, they approved the proposal to support Su Zhou’s immediate departure for the Moon.

And so, in Earth’s orbit, after the astronauts completed their checks, the rocket engines ignited once more. This time, their destination was the Moon.

With the thrust of the new-model rocket, the journey to the Moon would take 40 hours. This was already extremely fast, as a rocket cannot travel in a straight line but must instead make a lateral insertion into an elliptical orbit. Furthermore, a manned rocket prioritizes safety and stability, not maximum efficiency.

For the astronauts inside the rocket, the 40-hour journey was a long wait. The suddenly perilous mission and the heavy responsibility it entailed were indeed an immense psychological burden. However, even Gu Yaoluo, who had the weakest resolve of the group, was able to at least maintain his composure.

Su Zhou, on the other hand, appeared relaxed despite his serious expression.

Aside from his normal inspection duties, he often took out his personal blade to polish it. Although the others couldn’t see it, in his eyes, the Blade of Annihilation, filled with a vast amount of pale golden Desire Power, was gaining more and more Spiritual Energy. Even the Wisdom Tree Essence Soul, which was often with it, admitted that while staying near the Blade of Annihilation, it grew a little afraid the blade might suddenly fly up on its own and strike it down.