This was a feeling of utter helplessness, facing the world of horror films, the unknown fate that lay ahead, the past that seemed to stretch on endlessly, the agony of constantly growing stronger yet still having so many more powerful beings looming over him, and the things he had to do against his conscience just to survive… A person isn't a robot, nor are they one of those protagonists in novels who are impossibly brilliant and dispatch foes like slaughtering dogs from the moment they appear. He was just a regular white-collar worker, after all. Even though he was gradually changing, slowly becoming stronger, his heart wasn't that of an inhuman monster; he was just an ordinary white-collar worker! After encountering so much pain and death, how could he not feel lost? How could he not feel rage? That was the anger born of being unable to grasp control of his own life, that was rage directed at fate itself! One thousand meters beneath the earth, after the outer layer of the shield was cleaved through with a single strike, what was revealed was an all-metal passageway. This metal passage was about thirty meters high and a staggering seventy meters wide. It was obvious the passage had been completely shattered by hydrogen bombs, and even the protective layer seemed hastily erected, which is why Zheng Zha’s single slash had breached it. Then, the four of them charged into the depths of the corridor.

“Luo Gandao, remember this: if we manage to seize the Fire Seed source, once you have it, retreat immediately back the way we came.

Then, once you exit the outer passage, use the electric propulsion system to flee as fast as you can, running as far as you possibly can. When you charge into the passage carrying the Fire Seed Source, I will sever the passage. Simultaneously, I’ll have Wang Xia detonate the area where we planted the explosives to prevent the robots from pursuing you. After all, as long as we secure the Fire Seed Source for one hour, we can all return to the 'Main God' space… Please, even if you have to die, make sure you deliver the Fire Seed Source to Zero Point and the others before you do!” Luo Gandao’s heart lurched. He was currently piloting the Space Fortress Type-III Robot, so he couldn't see Zheng Zha’s expression, but for some reason, he suddenly felt a wave of terror, as if a great sword radiating chilling light was beside him—a blade so sharp it made his very bones ache.

Perhaps even Zheng Zha hadn't noticed.

His gaze right then was sharp as a blade, and he walked forward unhurriedly, holding the Hu Po blade. Though his bearing appeared relaxed, every step he took left an indentation two to three centimeters deep in the ground, pressed down with each measured stride.

Except for Luo Gandao, who couldn't afford to look at the ground, Wang Xia and Chu Xuan clearly saw the indentations when they glanced down. When they turned their attention back to Zheng Zha, that blade-like sharpness in his expression was utterly unrecognizable as the Zheng Zha they knew. The killing intent radiating from him was so palpable it felt as if he would cleave down anyone he encountered. This version of Zheng Zha, combined with the footprints scarring the floor, caused Wang Xia to secretly gasp in awe.

Chu Xuan frowned deeply. He murmured to Wang Xia, “We’ll set the charges here. Fill this area completely with plasma bombs; use the highest yield possible… Then you should head back to the surface. Zheng Zha’s condition is… unsettling. It bears a resemblance to the berserk state you mentioned when he unlocks the fourth stage of the Gene Lock. If that’s the case…” Chu Xuan paused here, his brow furrowed, clearly deep in thought over something.

Wang Xia didn't argue. He nodded and stopped where he was, accepting the Green Goblin hoverboard Chu Xuan handed him. He immediately began setting up the mines and time bombs. Inside, however, a sense of panic was rising. Although he couldn't be certain, Chu Xuan’s words carried a note of grim finality. Could there be some unforeseen catastrophe awaiting this raid? (Could Zheng Zha’s berserk state be reemerging? If so, wouldn't Chu Xuan be in grave danger…?) Without dwelling on Wang Xia’s hesitation and concern, Zheng Zha walked ahead, murmuring softly, “Are you worried I’ll slip back into that berserk state again?”

“Yes,” Chu Xuan admitted frankly. “That’s precisely what concerns me. Because while we understand the conditions for unlocking the first three stages of the Gene Lock, there is zero empirical evidence describing the fourth stage. That level engages with the genetic structure itself and is intrinsically linked to one's personal consciousness and inherent quality. To put it simply, it involves using a person’s consciousness to influence their genes. This is outside my current framework of explanation, and therefore, anything beyond my realm of understanding, I cannot trust for the time being.”

Zheng Zha looked silently at Chu Xuan. His gaze remained as chillingly sharp as a blade—an expression Chu Xuan had never witnessed before. Then, he turned his head away. “I am not privy to the exact scientific principles that govern the unlocking of the fourth stage of the Gene Lock. But I only need to tell you one thing: I have not reverted to my initial berserk state… That is all.”

As Zheng Zha finished speaking, he lunged forward. Several robots of varying sizes appeared in the corridor ahead. The first one to confront them immediately fired an energy blast toward the three of them. After Zheng Zha and Chu Xuan deftly dodged, the blast struck Luo Gandao’s Type-III Robot, exploding with a force comparable to a high-yield anti-tank missile.

Zheng Zha reacted the quickest. The instant he evaded the energy bolt, he stomped down hard beneath his feet, activating ‘Shave’ in its ‘Instantaneous Destruction’ state. He then moved at a speed barely visible to the naked eye, closing the distance to the cluster of robots. The robot that fired the blast was a little over four meters tall; its physique wasn't immense, and its reaction speed was remarkably fast. As soon as Zheng Zha materialized, it flipped backward in retreat, pushing off the ground with one hand, seemingly poised to launch itself ten meters clear of Zheng Zha in an instant.

“Trying to run?” Zheng Zha’s demeanor was colder than ever, his eyes truly sharp as knives. The moment that robot braced itself on the ground with one hand, the Hu Po blade in Zheng Zha’s grip swept out with unseeable speed. A mist-like arc of white blade energy flashed across the air. When he retracted his weapon, the robot appeared outwardly unharmed as it tumbled backward. However, after only moving two or three meters, its metallic body disintegrated into thousands of fragmented pieces scattering onto the floor. This robot had been struck only once, yet upon recoiling, it dissolved into countless tiny steel shards that showered the ground. Before the remaining robots could react, those fragments detonated violently, stirring up a fierce gale within the corridor.

The other robots were clearly not pushovers. They were distinctly different from the outer units that had already been destroyed. One colossal robot, nearly ten meters tall, suddenly shuddered its shoulders, and both arms transformed into rotary chain guns. With a resounding hum, a continuous stream of energy bolts erupted, causing the already explosive corridor to erupt in further detonations. Behind it, another robot, over seven meters tall, suddenly flipped backward, undergoing a rapid one-to-two-second transformation into an incredibly robust multi-barreled main battle tank. The tank’s main cannon thundered to life.

The third robot hadn't moved when it witnessed the massive robot firing its chain gun suddenly being sent flying backward. Where it had stood moments before, the man wielding the scarlet longsword now stood. As he kicked the giant robot away, the Hu Po blade in his hand flew outward, colliding head-on with the blast from the tank’s energy cannon. With a tremendous boom, the third robot seemed to glimpse a colossal white tiger whose fangs were tearing into the main cannon’s muzzle. By the time it focused again, Zheng Zha was standing atop the wreckage of the main tank. He silently drew the Hu Po blade free from the twisted metal wreckage. As white, murderous energy flared, two black, bat-like fleshy protrusions violently burst from his back, tearing his shirt into ribbons. These two fleshy wings unfurled completely, spanning over three meters from left to right—a truly astonishing sight!

“Without strength, you cannot protect those you hold dear. Without strength, you cannot achieve your meager desires. Without strength, you can only commit acts that violate your own conscience!” Zheng Zha’s eyes were blood-red as he ground out these words, glaring at the last remaining robot. As the machine raised its massive gun barrel to fire, Zheng Zha was already standing behind it with his blade. As the light bolts from its muzzle exploded, this final robot was utterly pulverized into scattered steel debris.

“Ooooh!” Luo Gandao roared in astonishment. “Damn, that was incredible! When they talked about the terror of Zheng Zha’s fourth-stage frenzy, I thought they were exaggerating. I never imagined the true horror of his fourth stage! He’s too powerful, truly too powerful! With his current combat power, why would we even need to attack together? He could wipe out every single robot by himself!” Chu Xuan, however, shook his head. “It’s unlikely to be the fourth-stage berserk state… If it truly were the frenzy state, the very first strike he made would have been directed at me—the one he currently hates the most… So, does this mean this state is the intermediate level of the fourth stage?” Chu Xuan pondered briefly. Seeing the sheer speed Zheng Zha was exhibiting, he couldn't afford further contemplation. He turned to Luo Gandao. “Let’s move! The surprise assault has only just begun! Rush to the core of the base at top speed. Once you have the Fire Seed Source, run! Their sole objective will be the source. If we can just hold them off a bit longer, as long as they don't reclaim the Fire Seed Source, we’ll all be safe. Go!” Ahead, Zheng Zha left a wake of shattered metal, his gaze like a knife, his back adorned with wings, charging into the depths of the passage like a demon god. Along the way, there was no longer anything moving—regardless of whether that moving thing was biological or not… Leap to