Chapter 321: The Terrifying Presence in the Third Layer

Chapter 321: The Terrifying Presence in the Third Layer

As night fell, six humans gathered in front of a grid-like building in the gas zone of the valley, ready for action. Each team member wore a communicator, awaiting the signal to commence.

Lu Heng looked at the light screen and asked, "Professor, can we access the internal systems of the building?"

"No, this building is not connected to the network," replied Xavier Matrix, as expected.

"Then let's begin," Lu Heng flexed his fingers in anticipation.

"Can you keep an eye on the Black Feather Spirit? Sometimes she doesn't follow the Lightbrain's commands," Xavier Matrix requested.

Yuan Yaoyao had a Lightbrain chip implanted, and many of the Black Feather Spirit's actions were based on the optimal solutions calculated by the chip. However, Yuan Yaoyao was not a robot and had her own independent personality.

This was the difference between humans and machines.

Lu Heng nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll make sure she returns safely."

After this brief exchange, Lu Heng pressed his communicator and said, "Everyone, prepare for action. After we start, the main force will breach the front entrance with explosives.

"Those with wall-penetrating abilities, go ahead and transmit the information inside. We'll adjust our actions based on real-time intelligence.

"Additionally, after the operation commences, I'll share the intelligence with the Sikes official channel, and our plan may be adjusted according to their requirements.

"Lastly, if any unforeseen circumstances arise, prioritize survival and hold out until the return time.

"We have four hours until the return time. In three seconds, we begin. Three, two..."

BOOM!

The operation commenced with a thunderous explosion, blowing open the grid-like building's entrance.

The six teams attacked the laboratory, each member fulfilling their designated roles.

Lu Heng activated Shadow Traverse and effortlessly passed through the walls into the building.

Once inside, he reported via the communication channel, "There are three underground levels. The lowest level is shielded by a black energy barrier, and the situation seems unusual. Everyone, stay alert."

This black energy barrier wasn't new to Lu Heng. He had encountered it before on the second Gaia Star, at the Delims III Base.

Indeed, the deep abyssal tumor hidden in the lowest level of Delims III Base was also shielded by this black energy.

Seeing this black energy almost confirmed that the source of the abyssal contamination was here.

However, something seemed odd.

Could it be that this time, the source of the abyssal contamination was also an abyssal tumor, just like before? But the last time an abyssal tumor appeared, the danger level was 5.

This time, it was rated at 6.

If the source of the abyssal contamination was indeed an abyssal tumor, the danger level should have been the same.

At that moment, Su Muyu's reconnaissance report came in: "First underground level reconnaissance complete. Over a hundred demons, some with mechanical modifications, average level above 30."

Lu Heng issued a command through the command channel: "Main force, breach the first underground level and clear out the demons."

As he spoke, Lu Heng charged into the first underground level, sword drawn, dispatching the demons he encountered along the way.

These abyssal demons had mechanical limbs installed, appearing mismatched and out of place.

Demons and machines didn't seem to mesh well in terms of modifications.

Many demons possessed flame and corrosive abilities, which were detrimental to metal materials.

...

These mechanical demons around level 30 were mere cannon fodder to Lu Heng, easily dispatched with a casual swing of his sword.

As he fought his way through, he absorbed a significant amount of energy.

After clearing the first underground level, they proceeded to the second.

The total number of demons in both levels was nearly three hundred, and after clearing them all, Lu Heng's body gradually formed an energy tide, breaking through his energy level bottleneck.

[Energy Level increased to 40, all attributes +4, Agility attribute +1.2]



The path to the third underground level was relatively smooth.

However, from the moment he entered this underground laboratory, Lu Heng felt as if he had stepped into a repressive space, though he couldn't pinpoint the source of this feeling.

After clearing the second underground level, everyone gathered at the entrance to the third.

Lu Heng warned, "The third level is shielded by black energy. I've seen this kind of black energy before. The abyssal tumor that appeared on the second Gaia Star was also shielded by this black energy."

He Hongyu asked in surprise, "Are you saying there's an abyssal tumor hidden beneath the third level?"

Lu Heng shook his head slowly, "It might be even more dangerous than an abyssal tumor. The last abyssal battlefield I experienced was rated level 5.

"Typically, the main factor influencing the danger level is the source of abyssal contamination.

"If an abyssal tumor is rated level 5, then something rated level 6 must be even more dangerous."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room grew solemn, preparing for the formidable abyssal creature.

...

At the same time, in a company called Calistone Technologies, Erston Strala was presenting his research progress to the leaders of the Arrival Faction and requesting additional funding.

This was a secret meeting with high-security measures in place.

Just as Erston Strala was about to reveal his research findings to the Arrival Faction leaders, he received news that the laboratory had been attacked.

Ertsong Strala's simulated body suddenly stood up, intending to leave.

However, after receiving information from the laboratory, he realized the situation was worse than expected.

The attack had just occurred, and the underground laboratory had already been breached.

Ertsong Strala immediately activated the laboratory's highest defense system, but to no avail.

The defense system of that laboratory was like paper in front of these ferocious human ability users.

Even some laser weapons were directly destroyed by an unknown AOE, with little effect before being breached.

Ertsong Strala immediately headed outside, preparing to use all his available resources to stop the actions of these alien creatures.

The Arrival Faction's high-ranking members present were perplexed and asked him where he was going.

However, just as Ertsong Strala opened the conference room door, he encountered a high-ranking commander from the Sikes military.

"Ertsong Strala, you're under arrest," the high-ranking Sikes military commander presented electronic documents and detained Ertsong Strala.

This prevented Ertsong Strala from even having a chance to return to the laboratory.

The operation was too sudden, and he had no prior warning.

Not only him, but the Arrival Faction's high-ranking members were also unaware.

If the Sikes officials were investigating Ertsong Strala, with the power held by the Arrival Faction, they could have obtained intelligence in advance and warned him to evacuate the laboratory.

However, just before the meeting started, the Arrival Faction received no news at all.

Even during the meeting, no information was leaked.

Ertsong Strala only learned about it after the laboratory was attacked.

The Arrival Faction's high-ranking members present witnessed the military sending a high-ranking commander and chose to watch coldly.

Since the Sikes military had already intervened, Ertsong Strala was beyond saving.

These Arrival Faction members wouldn't risk the fate of the entire faction to protect a single scientist.

...

The reason for the presence of the high-ranking Sikes military commander here was naturally due to Lu Heng sharing intelligence during the operation.

Initially, there was no evidence of Ertsong Strala conducting illegal research.

However, after Lu Heng entered the underground laboratory through the wall, the footage he captured was shared in real-time.

The Sikes central system obtained the intelligence and confirmed Ertsong Strala's crimes within seconds, immediately issuing an arrest warrant.

Therefore, this high-ranking commander arrived in just one minute and proceeded to arrest Ertsong Strala.

Ertsong Strala turned to the Arrival Faction's high-ranking members behind him, seeking help, but received no response.

His calculation system, after processing, had already reached a conclusion.

If he didn't do something, he would face military trial.

So, while being arrested, he sent out a series of encrypted messages.

...

On the other side.

A high-ranking Sikes military commander, accompanied by a drone swarm, was rushing towards Ertsong Strala's secret laboratory.

Su Muyu warned, "The Sikes mechanical units are almost here."

Lu Heng nodded and said, "Then let's speed up. I'll take a look inside. If it's an Abyssal Tumor, everyone retreat to near the second-floor entrance. If the situation turns unfavorable, we'll immediately evacuate."

Everyone moved, retreating to the second-floor entrance, fully alert, and prepared for the most dangerous situation.

Lu Heng took a deep breath, ready to initiate the second Shadow Traverse.

Just at that moment.

The ground suddenly shook.

Not only Lu Heng, but all the ability users on the second floor felt it.

"It just shook."

"It did shake."

"What's happening?"

They were about to face a Level 6 danger-rated Abyssal Contamination Source, something more terrifying than an Abyssal Tumor. If not handled properly, there was a constant risk of life-threatening situations, so everyone's focus was at its peak.

Lu Heng frowned, beginning to gather Essence Energy.

Just then, the ground shook again.

Su Muyu's eyes narrowed, and she shouted, "Retreat quickly! Hyper-Energy Reaction! Hyper-Energy Reaction!"

"Retreat quickly!" Lu Heng trusted Su Muyu's judgment and immediately shouted, turning to run outside.

Just at that moment.

The ground leading to the third floor exploded, and a terrifying substance burst out from underground, startling everyone with its horrific appearance.

"Run!"

All the ability users on the second floor turned and fled, with those possessing wall-penetrating abilities directly drilling into the walls to escape.

However, the collapsed second-floor alloy door suddenly closed.

This alloy door, blasted open by a powerful skill, was already lying on the ground, but at this moment, it suddenly moved, blocking the exit.

The ability users with wall-penetrating abilities, already inside the walls, were about to escape when they were suddenly blocked by something within the wall, causing them to retreat in shock.

"There's something in the wall!" cried the ability user who was blocked.

The other ability users began to bombard the alloy door with various powerful skills.

Boom! Boom! Boom...

The powerful skills struck the alloy door, twisting and deforming it. It was on the verge of breaking, but it quickly recovered.

The originally sturdy alloy material seemed to soften and began to move.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end