Chapter 187: Beneath the Sixth Layer

Chapter 187: Beneath the Sixth Layer

After destroying the laser matrix, the group took a short break to recuperate.

Having cleared out two demon labs in a row, they had acquired fifteen regular crystal cores, three skill crystal cores, and two portions of Quintessence.

Su Muyu took out the two portions of Quintessence and handed them to Lin Zeyu, asking, "We just obtained two portions of Quintessence, both with Class Essence. Do you want to use them?"

Lin Zeyu took them and examined them in his hand before asking, "Lu Heng, which one should I use? I'm about to return to the real world soon, so I need to choose quickly or I won't complete my first challenge task."

The first of the three challenge tasks was a Quintessence competition.

This challenge task wasn't mandatory, but completing it would grant a reward of divine energy.

If possible, it was best to complete it.

"What Classes are they?" Lu Heng was busy searching for the entrance to the sixth layer in the fifth layer.

"One is Beast Whisperer, and the other is Demon Hunter," Lin Zeyu replied hastily.

"Demon Hunter is good. This one is quite decent. Take a look at its Class abilities, and if you like it, go ahead and use it," Lu Heng praised the Demon Hunter Class.

Lin Zeyu carefully read through the introduction of the Demon Hunter Class Quintessence and nodded, "Indeed, this Class is excellent. In that case, I'll absorb it."

After absorbing the Demon Hunter Class Quintessence, he officially initiated the Quintessence competition and asked, "I also absorbed the remaining portion of Quintessence. Is that okay?"

Quintessence was divided into two types: Class Quintessence and Neutral Quintessence. Neutral Quintessence could increase Quintessence fusion but couldn't unlock Classes.

Those who possessed Class Quintessence could also absorb other Class Quintessences to enhance their fusion, essentially using Class Quintessence as if it were Neutral Quintessence.

"Sure, go ahead and use it," Lu Heng nodded in agreement.

If they wanted to keep the Class Quintessence, they could bring it back for other Espers to use.

However, with the final battle approaching and Alex Austin's American Team already inside the base, it was best to enhance their combat power as much as possible, and there was no need to hold onto the Quintessence.

Moreover, the Beast Whisperer Class wasn't significant enough to warrant keeping it.

This Class had unique effects in specific worlds but wasn't a versatile Class.

Therefore, the best choice was to let Lin Zeyu absorb it to increase his Quintessence fusion.

...

After overcoming the laser matrix, the group discovered a hemispherical structure within the fifth layer.

This hemispherical object was too large, with a diameter exceeding a hundred meters, so it was more appropriate to call it a structure.

Surprisingly, there was another structure inside the fifth layer underground.

Furthermore, the sphere had peculiar patterns in rings around it, which even Lu Heng couldn't decipher.

The group searched but couldn't find the entrance to the next layer.

Based on the structure of the fifth layer, it seemed there was no sixth layer.

However, Lu Heng had seen the six-layer structure in Shadow Vision, so this situation was odd.

The group circled the fifth layer, all of them perplexed, "Wasn't there supposed to be a sixth layer?"

In fact, the information about the six layers beneath Delims Base 3 had come from Lu Heng from the start, and there had been no other sources to verify this.

Lu Heng placed his hand on the hemispherical structure before him, frowning, "There must be a sixth layer. Since there's no downward passage, this hemisphere must be the problem."

"Then let's break through the hemisphere's wall and see what's inside," Lin Zeyu suggested straightforwardly.

Lu Heng considered it seriously, then said, "To be safe, I'll use Shadow Vision first to check the situation inside."

Previously, he had only seen that the base had six underground layers but not what was inside the sixth layer.

Now, they had encountered this strange hemispherical structure.

Lu Heng decided to use Shadow Traverse to pass through the wall, take a look at what was inside, and then plan their next move.

Lin Zeyu checked the time and said, "We only have half an hour left. Will that be enough time?"

Su Muyu was also concerned, "If we use Shadow Traverse and encounter the American Team later, won't it be harder to fight them head-on?"

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Lu Heng assured them.

He activated Shadow Traverse, dove into the ground, and initiated Shadow Vision to observe the interior of the sixth layer.

However, upon observation with Shadow Vision, he discovered that the outer perimeter of the sixth layer was covered by a black medium, blocking his Shadow Vision.

Circling half of the sixth layer, he found that this black medium formed a spherical shape.

The entire sixth layer was a sphere, and the upper hemisphere was the structure they had seen in the fifth layer.

Lu Heng felt the shape was peculiar and tried to approach the black medium, only to sense a powerful Abyssal aura.

The closer he got to the black medium, the more intense the surrounding energy became.

Moreover, the energy within these black media was incredibly strong, even surpassing the intensity of level 30.

As he neared the black medium, Lu Heng felt his body being eroded by it, as if it were trying to penetrate his body.

He didn't need to think to know that something incredibly dangerous lay behind these black media.

As time passed, the duration of Shadow Traverse was almost up.

Lu Heng had to return to the fifth layer, his mind still pondering what lay behind the black medium.

The group gathered, curious about the situation.

"What's down there? What's beneath this black medium?" Lu Heng shook his head, "There's a layer of black medium blocking the shadow vision, and I sense an energy level of over 30 within it."

"This might be the most powerful thing we've encountered in a long time, and it must be from the Abyss," Lu Heng continued. "We've found the right place, but whether we can clear this Abyssal pollution source is another story."

The greatest fear stemmed from the unknown. If Lu Heng could see what was behind the black medium, he could decide whether to break through the hemispherical wall. But now, unable to see beyond, he knew only that what lay behind the black medium was undoubtedly terrifying.

"What should we do now? Should we take action or wait until the last minute, blow open the wall, and if something comes rushing out, we immediately retreat?" Lin Zeyu suggested a relatively safe approach.

This plan could ensure their safety, but even if they blew open the wall at the last minute, they wouldn't have enough time to destroy whatever was inside.

In other words, this plan would only allow them to glimpse the contents of the sixth level, but not eliminate it, failing to complete the challenge task.

Of course, seeing what was inside and gathering firsthand information was valuable in itself.

As the group discussed, a loud blast echoed from the direction of the fourth level, creating a large hole in the wall.

The five members of the Americas Team stepped into the opening, and the two sides officially met.

"We meet again, and this time, you won't escape," Alex Austin said, moving his neck as a pre-battle warm-up. "I didn't expect you to corner yourselves like this."

Lu Heng's group, by normal logic, had indeed backed themselves into a corner with each level they descended.

Because they collapsed the entrance after each level, there was no way out if they wanted to retreat.

This strategy had effectively stalled the Americas Team for a long time.

If they had left the entrance open, the Americas Team could have followed it down in just a few minutes and reached the fifth level.

But with the entrance destroyed, the Americas Team had to find another way down, delaying them by a full forty minutes.

Harris chuckled, "They're trying to stall until the return time and then leave."

Calim, the heavy gunner, slung an RPG rocket launcher over his shoulder and scoffed, "They're dreaming if they think they can last five minutes against my firepower, let alone twenty-five?"

It was now 11:35 PM, and they had just twenty-five minutes until the return time.

Not only did the Americas Team send in all five members, but they also brought over thirty mechanical guards, who arranged themselves in a formation, their cannons aimed at Lu Heng's group.

"Their firepower is intense; what should we do?" Lin Zeyu swallowed, feeling tense.

They were in the underground fifth level, with limited space for a sniper to operate effectively.

If it came down to a firefight, they couldn't hold against over thirty mechanical guards.

Yuan Yaoyao, looking at the data on her screen, warned, "Brother Lu, their total firepower is twelve times ours. We're under pressure."

Lu Heng, eyeing Alex Austin, smiled and waved, "Come over here. I want to see if they dare to open fire."

Three minutes had passed since the Americas Team entered, and they still hadn't fired a shot.

The group gathered around Lu Heng, who stood in front of the hemispherical structure.

Alex Austin's expression darkened, and the atmosphere became tense.

"Despicable Xia people!" he shouted angrily.

Lu Heng, who had initially been uncertain, now confirmed his suspicions upon seeing Alex's expression.

The Americas Team had accepted a task from the Descension Faction to support this base, and their mission undoubtedly included protecting what was inside the sixth level.

This was why they hadn't opened fire immediately upon entering.

Otherwise, they would have started bombarding the moment they arrived.

Moreover, Lu Heng had noticed something even more suspicious.

"I find it strange that you haven't been tasked with clearing the Abyssal pollution. Unless your brains are made of pig feed, you must know that this is the source of the Abyssal pollution. But it seems you have no intention of destroying it."

The Descension Faction's task would not reward them with divine energy.

For Espers, the rewards from the Descension Faction couldn't compare to divine energy.

So, what was the reason they chose to protect the Abyssal pollution source in the sixth level instead of eliminating it?

Alex Austin scoffed in defense, "One of the challenge tasks is to join a faction and complete their missions. Our task from the Descension Faction is to protect this base."

Lu Heng smirked, refuting his argument, "No, the first task the Descension Faction gave you was to capture Xavier Matrix.

"Moreover, joining a faction is a means, not the end. The true intent of the challenge task is for you to join a faction, infiltrate it, and investigate if they are connected to the Abyssal pollution source.

"So, there must be another reason why you're protecting what's beneath us, and that's intriguing."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end