"Just now, what the hell was that thing?" Xing Chen looked up, but in this sand-whipped desert, he couldn't see a thing.
What shocked him even more was that he couldn't sense the thing's presence at all; even Lan Ye's bio-radar registered nothing. This was utterly inconceivable! Seeing the enemy was the most terrifying thing!
Xing Chen broke out in a cold sweat all over. Even Yue Ying hadn't managed to dodge the attack. Thankfully, the instant they were struck, both he and Yue Ying activated their defensive magic and Dou Qi, so the injuries weren't severe!
At this moment, Yue Ying was warily scanning their surroundings, but it seemed she, like him, had found nothing!
"Could it be that guy, Zhan Lang?" Xing Chen mumbled to himself. "But how did he evade my detection senses?"
Whoosh! A strange sound of air being ripped apart suddenly came from behind him!
Xing Chen whirled around!
Hovering in mid-air were two tall, imposing figures, both clad in the Fengtian Demon Armor, just like Yue Ying! They wore the glittering, golden Star King equipment set!
And around them surged an energy fluctuation, faintly visible yet distinct. It wasn't magic, nor was it Dou Qi, but a far more ethereal and bizarre wave of psychic energy!
These two were Daoists, and their cultivation levels were absurdly high! At least on the same terrifying tier as a Hero! In an instant, Xing Chen drew a horrifying conclusion!
The two were now coldly scrutinizing him!
"Truly surprising," said the powerfully built man in the air, sounding genuinely taken aback. "I didn't expect you to know Zhan Lang. Who exactly are you, to infiltrate Wolong Mountain Villa?"
"......" This man's aura far surpassed Zhan Lang’s, even exceeding the combined might of himself and Yue Ying! Damn it—could this be another Hero? Xing Chen instinctively drew the Dragon Shadow Sword!
Yue Ying simultaneously drew the Heaven-Opening Greatsword from her back!
"Interesting. You wish to resist?" The two figures in the air moved their longswords almost simultaneously!
They were two pristine, silver longswords, surging with intensely powerful psychic fluctuations. Though he had never seen them, Xing Chen recognized them instantly as the ultimate divine weapons coveted by every Daoist in Legend of Mir: the Xuan Tian!
Swish! Two streaks of golden light shot out at incredible speed!
Thwack! Ah! The searing pain of blades piercing flesh made Xing Chen cry out! Yue Ying beside him also let out a cold grunt, her usually icy, calm face contorting unnaturally!
Xing Chen and Yue Ying, who were fully on guard, had failed to dodge the lightning-fast surprise attack! Struck again by the astonishing energy, they were forced back several steps before they could finally stabilize themselves!
Had they not invoked their protective magic and Dou Qi, they would surely have been instantly killed by those ridiculously powerful Fire Talismans!
My heavens! Who is this guy? How does he possess such terrifying speed! And power!
"How was that? How does the taste of a Level Four Soul Fire Talisman suit you?" The two figures descended slowly, closing in on Xing Chen and Yue Ying, their terrifying killing intent enveloping both of them.
Xing Chen knew for certain that if he made any move, he wouldn't escape a fatal blow!
Forcing down the urge to faint from the sheer agony, he stared intently at the two men before him.
The speaker was a tall, distinguished-looking man in his early thirties, handsome and well-featured, but his dark, sharp gaze revealed him to be a ruthless, cold-blooded killer!
Beside him stood a female Daoist with a vacant expression, her demeanor identical to Yue Ying's. It was clear this woman was also a Hero who had been activated, just like Yue Ying.
What a powerful adversary. He hadn't even been given a chance to retaliate. Xing Chen was horrified! Under that oppressive aura, he felt that no matter how hard he struggled or exerted himself, defeating this opponent was impossible!
But the will honed by years of constant battle forced him to pull himself together, secretly channeling his Dou Qi, preparing to seize an opportunity for a counterattack!
"Answer me. Who exactly are you?" The mysterious Daoist slowly approached, stopping about twenty meters away. "What is your purpose in entering Wolong Mountain Villa?"
Xing Chen remained silent, but his eyes burned with fierce anger and high fighting spirit!
"Refusing to answer?" Facing Xing Chen’s resolute gaze, the mysterious Daoist smirked playfully. "That will make your death rather unpleasant." As he spoke, the mysterious Daoist raised the Xuan Tian in his hand.
The potent psychic energy surged once more, condensing into a shimmering silver orb, followed by an awe-inspiring, palpable wave of killing intent!
"All talk," Xing Chen roared, suddenly sweeping his Dragon Shadow Sword forward. "Die."
Swish! With a sharp whistle, four strange streaks of light shot out like bullets from a barrel!
At the same instant, Yue Ying launched two Fireballs, flying toward the mysterious Daoist's shoulders from the left and right!
Boom! KABOOM! The mysterious Daoist didn't even bother to dodge!
Thwack! The incoming Dragon Shadows struck the mysterious Daoist squarely in the chest, a vital spot!
But the scene that followed left Xing Chen stunned!
The four Dragon Shadows, carrying astonishing force, were thrown back as if they had struck hardened steel plating!
The mysterious Daoist, struck head-on by the Dragon Shadows, merely staggered slightly before regaining his footing. The spot on his chest where he was hit didn't even show the slightest mark!
And Yue Ying’s two great Fireballs were instantly shattered into strange fragments of flame that scattered everywhere!
"Is that all you've got?" The mysterious Daoist revealed a hint of disdain in his smile.
"Ah!" Xing Chen was aghast. This guy had withstood the Dragon Shadows, which could pierce the Fengtian Demon Armor, and Yue Ying’s Fireballs, head-on, without so much as a scratch!
What kind of defense was this! Was this guy also a Hero whose personality system had been activated, just like Zhan Lang!
"Hmph," the mysterious Daoist seemed to read Xing Chen's mind and stated gravely, "Don't be surprised. Like you, I am human. A genuine human. It’s just that the Fengtian Demon Armor I wear has stronger defensive capabilities than ordinary Fengtian Demon Armor."
"Stronger defensive capabilities than ordinary Fengtian Demon Armor?" Xing Chen was confused but his face instantly changed. "There are variations in strength even for the same style of Fengtian Demon Armor?"
"Naturally, the Fengtian Demon Armor forged using Wolong Mountain Villa's highly advanced forging techniques cannot compare to the imitation set you are wearing. It is several tiers superior even to the standard military equipment worn by your Heroes," the mysterious Daoist explained. "This is enhanced gear reserved only for the Wolong Generals."
"You’re saying it’s just because you have better gear," Xing Chen gritted out through clenched teeth.
"Differences in civilization represent differences in strength, and equipment is also a part of strength," the mysterious Daoist stated calmly. "This is something people from lower-tier civilizations like you cannot comprehend."
"Technological civilization—what exactly are you trying to say?" Xing Chen’s dark gaze fixed intently on the mysterious Daoist!
This guy clearly took him for someone unfamiliar with modern technology, perhaps a native of the continent of Marfa. But that was fine; he could use this rare opportunity to prepare himself! With his decision made, Xing Chen commanded internally.
Order: Prepare to unleash Thunder Strike!
At this moment, only his strongest move might turn the tide! Perhaps only the immense destructive power of Thunder Strike could penetrate his equipment’s defense!
Faced with Xing Chen's bewildered expression, the mysterious Daoist seemed to find himself in the mood for conversation. Years of guarding the border had driven him nearly mad with loneliness, so encountering an impudent intruder like this meant he had to indulge in a lengthy chat.
"Ignorant lowlanders," the mysterious Daoist lectured. "The power and brilliance that emerge from the fusion of technology and civilization—you cannot understand it. Survival of the fittest, the strong prey on the weak—this is an eternal, immutable truth in every world, in every era." The mysterious Daoist raised the Xuan Tian, which was now condensed with powerful psychic fluctuations. "Well, this is the first time in many years I've had such a satisfying chat. As a reward, I'll make sure you die quickly."
"It's you who will die!" Xing Chen roared, exploding forward. The Dou Qi energy, instantly amplified by the Kai-Wang Fist, burst forth at that very moment: "Thunder Strike!"
Release! Thunder Strike!
Lan Ye’s voice flashed through his mind!
Hah! Not far behind him, Yue Ying suddenly let out a clear cry! Whoosh! A potent magical wave surged, and a colossal blue lightning bolt descended from the heavens, slamming fiercely into the Dragon Shadow Sword infused with all his Dou Qi!
Clang! KABOOM!
The massive lightning seemed to come alive, drilling into the twisted, trembling sphere of Dou Qi, seeming to inject new life into the already agitated, erupting Fire Spirit!
Then, a wave of destructive power exploded forth! Arcs of electricity twisted, flames raged!
The entire world seemed to freeze at that moment! That familiar sensation of spatial stasis, almost dreamlike and unreal, reappeared! Both he and Yue Ying, as well as the mysterious Daoist and his Hero, seemed partially frozen, moving extraordinarily slowly—everything was like a slow-motion shot in a movie!
This feeling was not unfamiliar; it had appeared before when he executed Thunder Strike! And he was mentally prepared!
Finally, the Dragon Shadow Sword, now infused with potent Dou Qi and electrical magic, emitted strange, buzzing sounds—half roar, half excitement. Xing Chen, his energy accumulation reaching its peak, finally lunged with his sword!
Clang! KABOOM!
The Dragon Shadow Sword, entwined with fire and lightning, shot forward like a cannonball, smashing into the mysterious Daoist!
"Ah! Impossible!" The mysterious Daoist’s face changed drastically; he didn't even have time to dodge!
Protect the host! The Hero, who had been standing there blankly, shot forward like lightning, intercepting the blow in front of the mysterious Daoist!
A dull roar followed—a frantic explosion of energy erupted! Wood splintered, stones flew, grass snapped, the wind tore—the void instantly became chaotic, as if a storm were howling, every inch of space filled with power surging from a hundred thousand directions, threatening to rip apart everything tangible!
Xing Chen felt a strange, indescribable release. The flames threatening to consume his entire body finally found an outlet—the target struck by the Dragon Shadow Sword! The mysterious Daoist's Hero!
His entire body seemed to erupt like volcanic lava, spraying outward, trying to twist and shed that terrifying momentum, but helplessly finding his body out of control! His spirit and flesh seemed utterly disconnected!
What an intense energy discharge! Even though he was prepared, Xing Chen couldn't fully control this terrifying power! He was involuntarily forced back several steps!
On the other side, the Hero who took the full force of the Thunder Strike was instantly pulverized by the horrific energy explosion. The powerful residual Dou Qi wave didn't diminish, instead slamming the mysterious Daoist and sending him flying uncontrollably!
He then smashed violently onto the ground! The terrifying impact sent the fallen mysterious Daoist tumbling like a tire, rolling over a dozen times before finally stopping!
Alarm! Biological unit damage detected. Life force dropping. The internal bio-computer reported figures that chilled the mysterious Daoist to the bone!
Vital functions severely damaged. Life force reduced to the lowest warning threshold of 10 points! Tactical computer analysis: Immediate retreat!
"It’s Thunder Strike," the mysterious Daoist struggled to rise!
The sight before him was unbelievable! This guy’s combat strength had instantly skyrocketed to a terrifying intensity capable of triggering Thunder Strike!
"I can't believe he could execute Thunder Strike," the mysterious Daoist staggered to his feet, looking at the Hero who had been blasted to pieces. For the first time, his previously calm face showed fear and panic. "You! Who exactly are you?"
"Hmph," Xing Chen, radiating killing intent, slowly advanced. "Now, I have the questions." The Dragon Shadow Sword, wreathed in the twisting flames generated by the intense energy fluctuation, was now gently held against the mysterious Daoist's throat. "Where are my two children? What happened to them?"
"Your children?" The mysterious Daoist, overwhelmed by this terrifying aura, involuntarily slumped back onto the ground. "Which children of yours?"
"The two that Zhan Lang abducted," Xing Chen growled menacingly.
"The two brought back by Zhan Lang were your children?" The mysterious Daoist seemed to recall something, but his expression quickly shifted to mockery. "Too bad. You arrived too late."
"What?" Xing Chen felt an icy chill wash over him. "What happened to them?"
"They were sent to headquarters long ago. If I guess correctly, they have already been converted into bio-soldiers just like her," the mysterious Daoist mused, glancing at Yue Ying behind Xing Chen. "They’ve become puppets of our Wolong Clan."
"Ah! What did you say?" Xing Chen could hardly believe it. "Converted into bio-soldiers?"
"They will become mindless, emotionless walking dead," the mysterious Daoist cackled sinisterly. "What a shame. Although you are strong, you cannot save them. In fact, you might even become their opponent in the future."
"No, that can't be true." Xing Chen's mind went blank. Had the thing he feared most, the worst possibility, actually come true?
Thump! Just as Xing Chen was reeling in distress, the mysterious Daoist, who had been slumped on the ground, suddenly sprung up like a shot and vanished into the distance like lightning! His speed was simply unbelievable!
"Stop!" Xing Chen snapped back to reality and rushed after him, but the swirling sand instantly swallowed the mysterious Daoist’s figure.
Even stranger, the clear energy signature had vanished completely at the same moment.
"What's going on?" Xing Chen was momentarily stunned. The guy had just disappeared. He couldn't even sense his aura.
"His class is Daoist. After activating Invisibility, he can conceal his presence," Lan Ye explained. "It can also block detection from biological scans."
"Meaning we can't find him at all?" Xing Chen asked.
"Yes," Lan Ye confirmed.
"Damn it!" Furious, Xing Chen wanted to slam his head against a wall. He had finally captured a living source of information, and he let him escape just like that!