Mad Storm: The First Team's Bloody Battle
"Celestia! Calm down!" Fa shouted loudly, her right eye's star pupil flickering, time momentarily freezing in her vision. She clearly saw the trajectory of Bloody Mary's oscillation waves, the spreading direction of Gin's mechanical insect tide, and the expansion range of Tequila's frost shock waves. She knew it was too late to stop Celestia now; she could only try to buy her space.
"Kayla! TISK! Zhamisi! Protect Celestia! Wyrselon is our target; the container must not be destroyed!" Fa commanded in a deep voice, her short blade slicing through the air, the frost magic of the cold silence origin condensing on the blade, instantly severing two energy beams aimed at Celestia.
Kayla let out a roar, her burly frame instantly swelling, muscles bulging, veins popping! She entered the fourth-stage transformation's "Thunder Frost Annihilation Beast" form! Her original leopard-like body was covered in raging lightning and frost, steel-like fur standing on end, arcs crackling wildly across her surface, her thunder claws tearing the air with destructive force, charging toward Bloody Mary's oscillation field! "Come on! Let me rip apart you wavy-headed bitch!" Her thunder claws collided with the oscillation field, emitting a piercing screech, thunder light and invisible forces erupting in astonishing energy shock waves, turning several nearby mutants into blood mist!
TISK bellowed angrily, slamming his Burning Vine Warhammer heavily into the ground! Lava fire and frost power erupted simultaneously within him, ice and flame blasts intertwining, forming an energy barrier of scorching heat and freezing cold, enveloping Celestia and the cultivation pod, resisting Tequila's extreme cold storm and Gin's mechanical insect tide. Ice crystals and sparks flew wildly around him, mechanical insects sizzling as they were frozen or melted upon contact with the barrier.
Zhamisi moved like a phantom through the frost and insect tide, her two venomous fang curved blades turning into two deadly silver lights, precisely slicing through approaching mechanical insects and mutants. Her movements were elegant and lethal, each swing bringing up a puff of black poisonous mist, corroding everything it touched. She keenly detected Gin's actions of constantly replenishing mechanical insects from her sleeves and waist jars, locking onto Gin's position.
Celestia was briefly halted by Bloody Mary's oscillation waves, but Wyrselon's agonized screams completely ignited the last remnants of her reason! "Get out of the way——!" She roared, her dual wings shaking violently, abandoning attack as her surrounding wind thunder forces compressed madly, suddenly erupting into a black energy sphere! "Wind Thunder Explosion!"
The black energy sphere exploded with a boom, invisible shock waves briefly shattering Bloody Mary's oscillation field, Celestia's form flashing like lightning, charging toward the cultivation pod again! But just as she was about to touch it, Gin's mechanical insect tide had already converged into a black giant wave, slamming toward her! At the same time, Tequila's extreme cold domain instantly expanded, completely freezing the several-meter radius around the cultivation pod, drastically slowing Celestia's speed once more.
"It's useless! Their power will tear you apart!" Virginia sneered mockingly, firing another dark purple energy at Wyrselon's extraction tube. Wyrselon's screams grew more piercing, his body convulsing more violently, the extraction speed of his life essence accelerating again!
"No——!" Celestia's eyes turned blood-red; she saw Wyrselon's light of life rapidly fading! She knew she couldn't wait any longer! "Thunder Pulse!" The long-accumulated lightning power in her body erupted fiercely, blue arcs coiling like giant serpents around her limbs and body, forcibly dispersing Gin's mechanical insects and Tequila's extreme cold!
"Fa! I'm coming!" Celestia's voice carried resolute pain. She no longer attacked the cultivation pod but turned to face the three lieutenants, her eyes flickering with mad determination. "I'll hold them off! You save Wyrselon!" Her four wings danced wildly, wind thunder forces forming a violent black tornado around her, charging straight at Bloody Mary, Gin, and Tequila!
"Storm Fury!" Celestia poured out all her power, countless blades and lightning spears condensed from wind thunder forces raining down like a storm, a completely suicidal fighting style!
Bloody Mary frowned, sensing this near-self-destructive madness. "Interesting, but not enough!" She crossed her hands, the oscillation field instantly condensing into an invisible barrier, blocking most of the attacks. Gin's mechanical insect tide split into countless smaller streams, attempting to infiltrate through gaps. Tequila swung her fists, whipping up even fiercer frost storms, trying to completely freeze Celestia.
At the same time, the tide-like mutants and mechanical sentinels had once again surrounded Fa's first squad.
Fa calmly scanned the battlefield. She knew Celestia was buying them time, and Wyrselon was on the brink of death!
"Kayla! Break through the defenses!" Fa shouted loudly, her own form flashing, right eye star pupil flickering again, turning into an afterimage, performing immature instant teleportation through the dense fire net of mechanical guards! Each flicker avoided fatal attacks, while her short blade swung, each cut precisely severing the mechanical guards' energy connection lines!
Kayla rampaged like a berserk beast through the mutant horde, her massive thunder claws swinging to create blood and gore with each strike. Lightning and frost intertwined on her sharp claws; any mutant touched was either frozen into ice statues or electrocuted to char, wailing as they fell. Her charge headed straight for the central cultivation pod, ready to use her terrifying power to forcibly shatter Virginia's instrument extracting Wyrselon's life force!
TISK solidified the rear defense, his lava hammer swinging to release scorching flame ripples with each strike, roasting incoming mutants. At the same time, he skillfully used metal magic to manipulate scattered mechanical debris in the hall, shaping them into temporary cover, providing shelter for teammates. He also continuously released magic intertwined with frost and flame, blocking more enemies from surging in.
Zhamisi turned into a green lightning bolt, dodging the dense mechanical insect tide, lunging straight at Gin! She knew these little bugs were annoying, but Gin was the core! "Venom Burst!" Zhamisi crossed her venomous fang curved blades, swinging fiercely, two arcs of concentrated toxic energy tearing through the air, shooting straight at Gin.
Gin's smile instantly vanished; she hadn't expected Zhamisi to target her so directly! She leaped back lightly, an invisible force field appearing before her, attempting to block the venom arcs. However, Zhamisi's venom was not only highly corrosive but also carried a special paralyzing effect. Though weakened by the force field, some poisonous mist still penetrated. Gin let out a soft grunt, her movements noticeably slowing for a moment. In that instant, Zhamisi's figure closed in, venomous fang curved blades carrying chilling killing intent, aimed straight at Gin's throat!
"Hmph!" Gin's eyes flashed with ruthlessness; she no longer held back, clapping her hands fiercely! All the mechanical insects around her instantly converged, forming a rotating black drill, emitting a piercing buzz, charging straight at Zhamisi! "Insect Sea Drill Strike!"
The Arrival of the Second Team: Turning the Tide
Just as the battle reached a fever pitch, a series of explosions and energy short-circuit crackles came from deep in the hall.
"Alert! Energy lines severed!"
"Database breached! Data being massively stolen!"
Virginia's face finally darkened. She looked toward the second team's direction, her gaze icy: "You actually broke through my defenses!"
Boom! A massive wind pressure accompanied by dazzling light suddenly burst open an alloy hatch on the other side of the hall!
"Fa! We're here!" Arya's voice was clear and firm. Behind her followed Rex's nano-drone swarm and mechanical insect group, Salsa leaping in lightly, Lin Ya steadily advancing, and Yuyuer behind them, holding her dragon bone staff.
As soon as Arya entered, she immediately sensed the battlefield's chaos and Wyrselon's dying aura. A flash of anxiety crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by calm. She drew her Storm Bow, emerald energy condensing on the string, not shooting at enemies but between Bloody Mary and Tequila entangled with Celestia! "Wind Bind!" Two powerful small tornadoes rose from the ground, instantly binding the two lieutenants' footsteps; though unable to fully trap them, it clearly disrupted their rhythm, easing Celestia's pressure.
"Ice Seal Gift!" Yuyuer raised her dragon bone staff high, the crystal orb shining brightly with blue light. An extreme cold current erupted from her, spreading rapidly; any mutant or mechanical guard touched had thick frost condensing on their surfaces, movements slowing or even freezing solid! This cold current was completely different from Tequila's frost domain—it was purer and more freezing.
Lin Ya pressed his hands to the ground, emerald light flowing within him; the metal walls and frost-covered floor began to seep dense mycelium, extending rapidly like living things, wrapping toward mutants and mechanical guards, while tough vines drilled from underground, layer upon layer binding enemies tightly! "Life Entangle!"
Rex unhesitatingly activated his nano-drone swarm and mechanical insect group. Hundreds of nano-drones with ice-blue glow, like countless sharp ice blades, precisely cut through incoming mechanical guards, leaving marks at their vulnerable joints, paralyzing them. His mechanical insect group howled toward the mutants entangled by Lin Ya's vines—they self-destructed! "Boom boom boom!" A series of explosions rang through the hall, blasting mutants to pieces, blood and flesh flying!
Salsa's soul form detached from the mechanical cat, turning into an almost uncatchable black shadow, directly phasing through space, aimed straight at the suspended rhombic purple crystal control hub beside Virginia! "Shadow Falcon!" Five shadow energy falcons screeched from behind her, charging at the mechanical guards trying to stop Rex's nano-drones! At the same time, she commanded shadow variant winged people and dark wolf knights to emerge from the shadows, joining the battle to support the first team's Kayla and TISK. Even dozens of massive shadow behemoths, bodies like small mountains with ice and dark attributes, slowly rose from the hall's corner shadows, letting out low roars, one claw smashing several mechanical guards!
Virginia's smile finally vanished completely, her gaze shooting like knives toward Salsa. She hadn't expected the opponent to have such diverse means! "Even a necromancer is here! Hmph!"
Virginia Joins the Battle
The battle situation instantly reversed, the originally one-sided siege turning into intense melee.
Celestia, bolstered by Storm Fury, though covered in wounds, still held off Bloody Mary and Tequila, preventing them from fully supporting Gin and Virginia. Bloody Mary's oscillation waves were powerful, but Celestia's extreme speed and wind thunder forces made precise hits difficult. Tequila's extreme cold domain was countered by Celestia's lightning power, unable to fully freeze her.
Zhamisi's venomous fang curved blades engaged in fierce close combat with Gin's mechanical insect tide. Gin's Insect Sea Drill Strike was formidable, but Zhamisi's agility and venom allowed her to navigate like a fish in water. The venom not only corroded mechanical insects but also seeped through Gin's soft armor, causing waves of paralysis. Gin's face turned ashen; she hadn't expected these "rats" to be so troublesome.
Fa seized the opportunity to continuously use instant teleportation to approach the cultivation pod, while using cold silence origin's ice magic to freeze approaching enemies. Her short blade turned into a cold light in her hand, each swing bringing up ice crystals, precisely shattering enemies. Her right eye's star pupil locked onto the extraction tubes connected to Wyrselon; she had to sever them!
Kayla carved a bloody path through the mutant sea, her thunder claws flashing with dazzling lightning, unstoppable as she charged toward the cultivation pod, ready to destroy the instrument extracting Wyrselon's life essence. TISK and Salsa's shadow variants, dark wolf knights, and shadow behemoths cleared remaining enemies at the rear, solidifying the defense line.
Virginia watched the chaotic battle, a flash of impatience in her eyes. Her fingers lightly tapped the armrest, Wyrselon's screams growing weaker, his light of life nearly extinguished.
"It seems I have to personally deal with these eyesore rats." Virginia said softly, her voice carrying a chilling intent. She slowly stood, the high-backed chair dissipating into countless shadow particles.
She no longer fired simple shadow energy at Wyrselon but locked her gaze on Fa and the others breaking through the defenses.
Virginia's Madness and the Battle's Beginning
Under the laboratory dome, Virginia's rage ignited the final battle.
"Obstructive rats, all deserve to be crushed!" Virginia's voice was ice-cold and piercing; she rose elegantly from her throne, dark purple energy swirling around her like boiling venom. Her figure blurred instantly, clarifying again as she floated in mid-air, facing Fa from afar. She gripped the air with both hands, two grotesquely shaped giant scythes materializing out of nowhere, blending streamlined design with eerie biological texture. The blades weren't metal but highly compressed shadow energy flickering with arcs, edges flowing with cold tech blue light, handles wrapped in data stream-like rune chains—this was the ultimate killing weapon fusing tech and shadow magic!
"Die!" Virginia crossed her dual scythes and swung! In an instant, dozens of massive purple-black crescent slashes mixed from pure shadow energy and high-frequency oscillation particle flows tore through the air, emitting ear-piercing spatial wails, fanning out toward Fa, Kayla, TISK, and Celestia charging toward Wyrselon! Where the slashes passed, the hard metal ground was silently cut, leaving molten edges and scattering data sparks.
"Careful!" Fa's right eye star pupil shone brightly with eerie blue light, time perception instantly stretched! She clearly saw each slash's trajectory but found they not only moved at astonishing speed but contained space-disrupting oscillation fields, making her immature instant teleportation extremely dangerous and hard to pinpoint! "Scatter! Don't hard-block!" She warned sharply, while madly infusing her inherited earth magic into the ground beneath her feet!
"Earth Barrier!" Boom! Several thick, shimmering earth-yellow magic aura alloy rock walls rose abruptly before Fa! This was her combining earth magic with her understanding of metal, forcibly altering the laboratory floor structure for defense!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The shadow oscillation slashes slammed into the rock walls! The sturdy alloy rock disintegrated at the microscopic level upon contact with high-frequency oscillation particles, then eroded and torn by shadow energy! Shattered stones and molten metal scattered! Fa's rock walls only held for less than a second before being utterly destroyed! The remaining slashes continued unabated!
"Thunder Frost Barrier!" Kayla roared, her massive Thunder Frost Annihilation Beast form shifting sideways, arms crossing to block in front of Celestia's side, the thick thunder frost armor on her body erupting in blinding blue-white electric light and extreme cold freeze, hard-clashing the slashes!
Sizzle——! Ear-piercing energy friction rang out, Kayla's massive body pushed back by the slashes, deep scorch marks and cracks left on her thunder frost armor, arcs scattering, ice shards flying! She grunted, blood spilling from her lips, but successfully blocked the fatal strike for Celestia.
On the other side, TISK thrust his lava hammer "Earth Shaker" heavily into the ground! "Furnace Heart · Absolute Defense!" The hammerhead's ice-fire patterns flashed madly, a hemispherical shield woven from lava and solid ice instantly expanding, enveloping him, nearby Zhamisi, and Arya! The shadow slashes boomed against the shield, erupting in earth-shaking roars! The shield fluctuated violently, ice-fire energy rapidly consumed and annihilated; TISK's stout body shook, beard and hair standing on end, gritting his teeth to withstand the assault!
"Annoying turtle shells!" Virginia snorted coldly, raising her dual scythes overhead, shadow energy and data flows on the blades madly converging, forming a constantly rotating, compressing purple-black energy sphere! "Dark Star Annihilation Cannon!" She slashed down fiercely! The destructive energy dark star smashed like a meteor toward the area where everyone was!
The might of this strike far exceeded before! The air compressed with explosive booms, the entire laboratory hall trembling!
"Can't hard-block!" Yuyuer's face changed drastically, her dragon bone staff erupting with unprecedented blue light! "Raging Tide Grip · Counterflow!" She exerted all her strength to control the remaining firefighting water, condensed water, and air moisture in the lab, forming a massive, high-speed reverse-rotating vortex water shield above everyone! Attempting to use water's flow and unloading properties to dissipate the impact.
Lin Ya pressed his hands to the ground, emerald light surging desperately: "Thorn Guard!" Countless metal-gleaming, spike-covered giant vines broke through the soil, layer upon layer intertwining beneath the water shield, forming a second defense line; vines blooming with healing aura flowers, attempting to absorb scattered energy for self-repair.
Rex's armor emitted overload alarms; he concentrated all energy to his back armor, unfolding a massive rhombic energy shield, complex circuit runes flowing on its surface: "Full Power Energy Shield, Deploy!"
Salsa screeched, commanding the shadow behemoths and several strongest shadow variant winged people to leap fearlessly, using their massive bodies and condensed shadow ice armor to form a third blood-and-flesh (soul) defense line!
Boom rumble rumble——!!!
The Dark Star Annihilation Cannon smashed down!
First was Yuyuer's vortex water shield, holding for only half a second before being evaporated and torn by the terrifying energy! Next was Lin Ya's Thorn Guard, tough vines burning and shattering like paper under the destructive energy, healing flowers withering instantly! Rex's energy shield flickered violently, data streams scrambling, persisting for two seconds before booming apart! Finally, Salsa's undead legion; the shadow behemoths and winged people let out silent wails in the purple-black energy storm, bodies rapidly annihilated and decomposed!
The explosion's shock wave swept the field! Everyone was hurled away! Kayla's massive body crashed into a distant wall, smashing a deep crater; TISK spat blood, the shield's backlash shifting his organs; Fa used instant teleportation to narrowly avoid the core impact but was still churned by the aftershock; Celestia was interrupted mid-charge by the shock wave, tumbling to the ground; Arya and Zhamisi relied on agile movements to dodge, still bleeding from ears and nose; Yuyuer and Lin Ya's magic overdrawn, faces pale; Rex's armor damaged in multiple places, sparks flying; Salsa's mechanical cat shell was flung away, her soul form fluctuating.
Most terrifying was that Virginia's heaven-shaking strike's energy core exploded not on the ground but upward! The Dark Star Annihilation Cannon, containing spatial oscillation power, like the sharpest drill, ruthlessly pierced the laboratory's incredibly sturdy multi-layer dome made of energy crystals and super alloys!
The dome tore!
Ear-piercing metal snapping and energy crystal shattering echoed through the clouds! A massive hole with edges flowing molten metal and scattered energy appeared above the laboratory dome! The Misty Reef's perpetual gray-white thick fog outside, mixed with cold salty sea wind, instantly poured in! Dim skylight sprinkled from the hole, illuminating the devastated, smoke-filled battlefield below, and also illuminating Virginia's figure floating directly beneath the hole, like a demon god.
"See that? This is the price of resistance!" Virginia's voice echoed through the hole, carrying cruel triumph. She was preparing to gather power again, delivering the final blow to the barely breathing Fa and the others below.