After completing the temporary rescue of the minefield defense forces, the New Bauhinia team didn't hesitate for a moment.

Following Bai E's second-phase plan set on the "Traveler," they needed to infiltrate the deep sea of Jade Stone Star as quickly as possible to recon and destroy the suspected "main nest prototype" under the "CT-7" trench.

Under Catherine's precise control, the "Thorny Bird" transport ship silently infiltrated the atmosphere of Jade Stone Star, using the chaos caused by the wreckage of the "Traveler" and the Bug Race's diverted attention, finally hovering over a remote sea region in the northern hemisphere, far from the main fungal patches, with seawater below reaching depths of several thousand meters.

The sea was turbulent, the clouds hung low, and in the distance, the outline of flames on the horizon faintly reflected on this sea shrouded in death.

"Phase one completed, the 'Thorny Bird' is in concealed hover mode, external camouflage and Spiritual Energy shielding are fully activated."

Catherine reported in the internal channel, "No signs of large-scale Bug Race aerial units within 50 kilometers detected, but sonar below the sea surface picked up numerous biological signal echoes, species unknown, density extremely high. Energy readings in the direction of the 'CT-7' trench on the seabed are rising abnormally, already far exceeding the baseline in the 'Traveler' data."

"Understood." Bai E's voice was calm, "Proceed to phase two as planned. Group one and group three remain on the 'Thorny Bird' to establish defense and communication nodes, monitoring the overall situation. Group two, follow me underwater."

Participating in this deep-sea mission was the elite second group handpicked by Bai E: Rose, Gu Lan, Ares, Xi Liu, along with three other members skilled in underwater combat or environmental adaptation, totaling eight individuals.

Their mechas had undergone targeted underwater modifications by Helen's team based on "Traveler" data and Jade Stone Star's marine data, equipped with high-pressure resistant shells, reinforced thrusters, underwater-specialized weapons, and custom life-support and signaling systems.

Eight "Dawn's Edge" mechas painted in deep-sea camouflage, like eight heavy torpedoes, descended into the cold, murky water from the deployment bay at the bottom of "Thorny Bird," quickly diving towards the dark abyss.

The initial descent process was relatively smooth.

As a guide, Xi Liu used his keen perception of water currents and the detailed sea maps provided by the "Traveler" to guide the team in avoiding several dangerous currents and seabed crevices.

However, as the depth continued to increase, the surrounding sea temperature began to rise abnormally, visibility further reduced, and simultaneously, a disturbing "buzzing" sound started to transmit through the water, a low-frequency vibration created by the simultaneous activity of countless creatures.

"Detected numerous fast-moving objects approaching from below and the flanks!" Xi Liu's warning voice echoed in the encrypted underwater communication channel, sounding somewhat altered due to tension.

"Not large in size, but in quantity... extremely numerous! Energy signatures match... they are Bug Race's 'Abyss Hunters' and 'Acidic Worm' variants! They've been aware of us for a while!"

Almost as the warning was issued, the attack had already arrived.

Countless deep-sea Bug Race units, magnified dozens of times, with sharp bone spurs and luminous glands, swarmed out from the dark waters all around!

Their speed was faster than any seen on land, moving effortlessly in the high-pressure water, like the deadliest school of fish.

Simultaneously, some bloated, giant-anemone-like Bug Race units emerged from the seabed rocks, spewing massive clouds of viscous, highly corrosive, and neurotoxic acid!

"Maintain formation! Don't get dispersed!" Bai E ordered calmly, the Devouring Star Blade glowing with golden white spiritual energy in the water, clearing each area with every slash.

"Ares, Rose, hold the front! Gu Lan, eliminate those acid-spitting units! Xi Liu, keep the warnings and guidance! Everyone else, open fire freely, protect the flanks!"

The battle unfolded fiercely in the pitch-black water thousands of meters deep.

The Bug Race's attack was unusually fierce and organized; they seemed entirely adapted to this extreme environment, using the complex terrain for cover and ambush.

Even more unsettling was that their tactical coordination clearly bore the marks of higher-level command, not just pure animal instinct.

"They're stalling us! And each wave of attack is stronger than the last!" Rose shouted sharply in the channel; her mecha had just used a high-frequency blade to cut open an "Abyss Hunter" attempting to ambush from behind, but the mecha's left arm armor was sizzling from acid corrosion.

"Detecting more powerful energy reactions rapidly surfacing from the trench depths!" Xi Liu's voice carried fear, "Huge in size... energy levels... close to those Bug Race advanced units we encountered on the Star Sea! More than one!"

In Bai E's Insect Race Killer perception, the cold, greedy malice surging from the depths of the trench roared like an awakening volcano.

He could clearly "feel" that more than one formidable spiritual energy entity was quickly closing in, while farther away, it seemed that even more Bug Race units were converging from other sea areas towards this region.

"They know we've arrived." Bai E's voice remained steady, but carried a hint of gravity.

"And they've mobilized far beyond expected forces to 'welcome' us. This isn't a simple defense; it's more like... a premeditated ambush and extermination."

"This won't work!" Bai E quickly judged, "Everyone, gather around me, establish a circular defense, and descend steadily! Ares, Rose, you take people to hold the core! Gu Lan, focus on eliminating high-threat targets! Xi Liu, continue to guide the direction! I need to get closer to the trench to see the situation below for myself!"