Translator: CinderTL
"It's starting."
Deep within the underground base, the distant battle was captured by drones and transmitted to the holographic screen via electromagnetic signals.
ThecyborgnamedLu Jian's arms crackled with electric arcs. Each punch generated powerful shockwaves, accompanied by thunderous explosions.
This was a form ofMech-Warrior Technique, a specialenergy technologyinstalled in thecyborg's body.
The mark of aFifth-Tierexpert, it was a devastating killing move capable of severely injuring ordinaryFifth-Tieropponents.
At the same moment,Aunt Mei, nearing peakFifth-Tier, acted decisively.
Facing the goldenFlying Shield's spinning blade, she neither dodged nor evaded.
ThreeFlying Shuttles returned to defend her, forming a triangularForce Fieldthat created a three-dimensional shield.
Buzz!!!The collision between theFlying Shieldand theFlying Shuttles triggered an electromagnetic explosion that disrupted the drone's image transmission, causing the screen to flicker for several seconds.
Then, under countless gazes,Aunt Mei's expression remained cold and impassive. The briefcase she clutched melted like liquid.
In less than two breaths, it transformed into a silver-gray metal longbow.
"She's here!"
"Gray Arrow Meteor!"
Yuan Yueshanspoke sternly. In the image,Aunt Meidrew her bow, unleashing a surge ofMagnetic Fieldenergy that coalesced into a silver lightning arrow.
The crackling sound echoed continuously, causing theMan in Suitcontrolling the metalFlying Shieldto wear a grave expression.
Buzz!!
The golden shield returned to defense, and his briefcase melted and transformed into a massive black battleaxe.
In the next instant...
Whoosh!!!
The lightning arrow flashed forward, leaving only a fleeting silver afterimage that vanished into the air.
The world fell silent.
Until...
Boom!!!
The black battleaxe swung out, striking the silver lightning arrow that had momentarily reappeared in mid-air.
The powerful impact erupted like a storm, shattering the concrete ground with a thunderous roar.
"Aah!!!"
TheMan in Suit, wielding the battleaxe, saw his suit tear apart. Black arcs of energy erupted from his body, eventually encasing him like rock, empowering the axe.
Boom!!
The axe crashed down, and the silver lightning arrow vanished without a trace.
But instead of relief, theMan in Suitfrantically manipulated the goldenFlying Shieldhovering beside him, sending it hurtling behind him in a desperate maneuver.
Clang!!!
The silver lightning arrow was blocked once more. Though the golden shield was damaged, it had once again positioned itself in front of the transparent glass window.
An invisibleForce Fieldhad already bloomed, enveloping the entire vehicle.
Inside,Xu Hengshowed no fear, instead watchingAunt Mei's furrowed brow andLu Jian's restraint with mocking amusement.
"Come out," he said. "Knowing mycousin's personality, he wouldn't have sent just the two of you."
As his words echoed,Liu Bo, hidden in the shadows behind a grove of trees and activating his shielding device, sensed something amiss.
A dark goldenFlying Shuttleflashed behind him, rapidly transforming into a shield.
BOOM!!!
The earth-shattering explosion reverberated through the mountains.Aunt MeiandLu Jian's expressions shifted slightly, and they immediately activated theirScanning Modules.
The ground shattered, leaving a half-meter-deep crater that spread in a charred, circular pattern, reaching over ten meters in diameter.
All traces of grass had vanished, and trees and rocks had been pulverized into dust.
The dark goldenFlying Shield's surface was damaged, its surroundingMagnetic Fieldflickering erratically.
Liu Bo, standing within the shield, wore a grim expression as he looked up at the sky.
"Sniper Cannon?"
Lu JianandAunt Meiseemed to sense something, both frowning.
Soon, a specially designed flatFlying Carcould be seen circling high above.
A figure crouched above, aiming aSniper Cannonat the scene. Particle-like blue light gathered at the cannon's muzzle, as if ready to unleash another earth-shattering blast at any moment.
Their expressions darkening slightly, the three exchanged glances.
This was a high-tier weapon, even in its portable form with reduced power, far beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.
Moreover, wielding it often requiredFifth-TierPeak strength to withstand its powerful recoil.
Furthermore...
"It'sChen Wu,"Liu Bosaid grimly, recognizing theFifth-TierPeakCyborgwho was a prominent figure inYun Port.
Meanwhile, deep within the underground base,Lin Haoclenched his fists, his expression flickering between light and shadow. He vividly remembered how his father had once invested inChen Wu's training.Advanced Titaniumhad helped him reachFourth-TierPeak, and later, his father had even specifically nominated him for aFifth-Tierpromotion.
But now...
"Chen Wu, have you truly become a traitor?"Aunt Meidemanded coldly, her gaze fixed on the figure hundreds of meters away. She had assumed he wouldn't interfere, or at least, out of respect for theirBoss's past kindness, would remain neutral.
"People strive for higher ground, water flows downhill," the figure in theFlying Carreplied indifferently, withdrawing his gaze fromLiu Boas if regretting his failure to severely injure him.
Then, turning toAunt Meiand the other woman, who were gritting their teeth, he extended a metallic substance from behind him like liquid metal, forming a base to support theFlying Car.
"And this," he said, "is why you've been stuck at the peak of the Fifth Tier for so long."
Boom!!
As his words fell, another cannon blast erupted.
A blue streak of light tore through the sky, covering hundreds of meters in an instant.
Sensing the danger,Lu Jian's expression shifted. He hastily dodged backward, simultaneously transforming his shoulder armor to reveal a cannon turret.
Boom boom boom!
Silver missiles shot forth, their violent explosions spreading across the sky.
Flames soared into the heavens, and smoke filled the air.
He slid back across the concrete road, barely avoiding the attack, and retreated toMei Li's side.
"It seems it's just the three of you left."
Xu Hengnarrowed his eyes, andAunt Meibegan to realize things were spiraling out of control.
The other side's confidence was overwhelming. Even with a peakFifth-Tier Cyborgand two strongFifth-Tiersecurity guards fromTian Hao Security, their demeanor shouldn't be so relaxed.
"Do you know why I agreed to personally step in and act as bait?"Xu Hengasked with a playful smile, as if sensing their confusion.
Aunt Meifelt a chill run down her spine, andLu JianandLiu Bofrowned.
Then, from the green fields and forests lining the road, the light in a desolate clearing began to shift. Finally, a gray-blackaircraftmaterialized in its place.
The four large characters of "Skyway Shipping" stood out prominently, causingLiu Boand the others' expressions to shift slightly.
"Tactical Invisibility."
They all recognized this advanced camouflage device.
It could block energy andmagnetic fieldscans, and also utilize optical refraction technology to render theaircraftinvisible in any environment.
No wonder they hadn't detected anything earlier.
Suddenly, theaircraft's hatch opened with a sharp hiss and click.
A tall figure in a red trench coat emerged.
Upon seeing the figure's face,Aunt Meiand the others' pupils constricted, whileLin Haoin the underground base in the distance frowned.
"Heh, I don't know where mycousinis hiding right now,"Xu Hengsaid, his voice dripping with mockery. "But knowing his cowardly nature, he's probably curled up like a turtle in its shell."
TheFlying Carparked on the potholed concrete road was protected by both aForce FieldandFlying Shields.Xu Heng, in a black-purple suit, sat casually in the back seat, sneering atAunt Meiand the others.
"After all, he's a stray dog now. I can understand his fear," he continued. "But it doesn't matter. If we can't find him, we won't bother. All we need to do is leave the three of you here."
As if seeing the drone in the distance, or perhaps looking through layers of space at the young man with choppy hair clenching his fists in the underground base,Xu Heng's gaze turned cold.
Xu Heng's gaze was contemptuous, his tone resolute.
"Heh, by then, that lonely widower..."
"What will he have left to fight me with?"
Boom!!!
The moment his words fell, theSniper Cannonin mid-air abruptly changed direction, unleashing a beam of blue light.
The hundreds of meters separating them seemed like mere inches in that instant.
Liu Bo's expression shifted slightly as he felt himself locked on within the earthen pit.
Without hesitation, he immediately activated the specially enhanced and upgradedFlying Shuttledevice, deploying aForce Fieldshield that transformed into a dark goldenTriangular Shield, blocking his path.
Bang!!!
The forest trembled violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
A powerful shockwave surged through the air, causing the earthen pit to collapse further.
WhenLiu Boregained his composure, he saw that the dark goldenFlying Shuttlehad sustained further damage, with tiny cracks now visible.
TheForce Fieldsurrounding him had dimmed significantly, as if it had consumed a vast amount ofEnergy Technology.
Whoosh!!
Just then, a figure in red clothing burst out of the distantaircraft.
Liu Bo's expression darkened as he hastily maneuvered theFlying Shuttleshield to block the incoming attack.
Clang!!!
A punch landed squarely on the shield, the sharp impact echoing through the forest.
The triangular, dark-gold shield visibly dented and deformed, causing violent fluctuations in theForce Field.Liu Bowas sent flying backward, crashing through tree after tree.
"Liu Bo!!"
Inside the underground base,Lin Hao's face darkened as he watched the scene unfold.
TheRed-clothed womanwas utterly ruthless. Her figure flickered, leaving trails of silver arcs of electricity. Each punch concealed immense explosive power, forcingLiu Boto retreat step by step, leaving deep craters in the ground around him.
Adding to the pressure, aFifth-Tier Cyborgin mid-air had locked ontoLiu Bowith aSniper Cannon, ready to ambush. In moments, the situation had been completely suppressed.
"Zhong Yan..."
Lin Haoclenched his jaw, utterly shocked that she would collaborate withXu Heng.
Every major corporation had its own conflicts and conflicting interests, andSkyway ShippingandJadeite Biotechwere no exception.
But at this moment...
Boom!!
TheSniper Cannonflashed, and the dark-goldTriangular Shieldshattered with a crack, nearly collapsing entirely. It was as if they had anticipated the weakness and coordinated their attack perfectly.
Zhong Yan, clad in a red trench coat, sneered and charged forward. Silver arcs of electricity gathered on her pale, synthetic skin, coalescing into a dazzling magnetic aura that enveloped her palm.
Boom!!!
TheMagnetic Fieldflashed violently, and theTriangular Shield, desperately trying to hold its ground, shattered instantly.
Liu Bo's expression darkened further. His dark golden mechanical eyes flickered rapidly, and the last two conicalFlying Shuttles behind him shot forward, attempting to intercept the attack.
But.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal clashing echoed through the air. Liquid metal spread acrossZhong Yan's body, transforming him into a silver-gray metallic form.
With rapid palm strikes, he sent sparks flying as he deflected theFlying Shuttles.
Then, he unleashed a punch aimed directly atLiu Bo's chest.
"Get out of the way!"
Seeing the dire situation,Lu Jianroared and charged forward from a distance.
HisRadiant Alloybody erupted with silver light, and electric arcs crackled around his fists as he rushed to assist.
But.
"You're my opponent!"
TheFifth-Tier CyborgunderXu Heng's command sneered, blockingLu Jian's path and throwing a punch to hold him back.
Boom!
The concrete ground shattered into dust, revealing a crater several meters wide.
Standing atop a heavy truck,Aunt Mei's expression was icy. She drew her electromagnetic silver bow once more, conjuring aMeteorarrow that streaked toward thered-clothed womanmoving swiftly through the forest, relentlessly pressingLiu Bo.
Whoosh!
The arrow pierced the air and vanished from sight.
When it reappeared, it had already reached the forest hundreds of meters away, about to strike its target.
Boom!!
But a blue rainbow light descended from the sky, andChen Wu, manning aSniper Cannon, sneered.
"I've been wanting to test my skills against yours for a long time."
"Today's a perfect opportunity."
As his words echoed, the silver arrow was shattered by theSniper Cannon's explosive blast.
Crackling arcs of electricity flashed across the sky.Aunt Mei, catching the anomaly in her peripheral vision, frowned. TheFlying Shuttles at her side merged to form aTriangular Shield.
Clang!!!
A golden battleaxe swung down, and theMan in Suit, who had been grinning earlier, lunged forward to join the encirclement.
The situation took a sudden turn for the worse. All three were now on the defensive, suppressed by their attackers.
Liu Bo, trapped in the forest, had several of hisFlying Shuttles destroyed. HisMagnetic Fieldenergy was nearly depleted, and he was on the verge of collapse.
No one noticed that in the distance, a streak of dark blue, accompanied by a furious roar, was hurtling toward them like a cannonball.