Mu Zhong tilted his head with a smile. "Everything went smoothly?"
Wei Huan nodded. "Yes. I thought it would take more time. Unexpectedly, the advancement finished in a day and a half. What about you? The past two days went well? We have entered the 80-line, after all."
The 80-line guaranteed victory without defeat and full crew safety. It truly was excellent news.
"At this pace, we will reach the endgame the morning after tomorrow."
"Combat will likely become frequent as early as the predawn hours after tomorrow or even tomorrow night. The dark beasts know we travel along the world edge. They will not fail to prepare. We cannot reach the endgame directly. Before facing the endgame boss, a fierce battle is inevitable."
"The harsh conditions at the world edge affect us. They affect dark beast lords below sufficient level just as severely. Your scenario may not occur."
"That is true. We will adapt when the time comes."
"Agreed."
The two met without even time to express longing. In a few words, they returned to discussing the war situation.
The Challenge World was inherently difficult. Now, inside the assessment world, they faced encirclement and assassination by dark beast lords. The brutal circumstances allowed no carelessness.
Afterward, Wei Huan ordered all combat formation captains to the conference room for a military briefing.
The Housekeeper AI projected a holographic sand table in the conference room. It displayed a long, strip-shaped archipelago map floating in the center. Standing allowed a full overview.
The sand table intuitively revealed the world edge's severe weather and the dense dark beast lord territories in the middle.
It appeared they could follow the world edge straight to the assessment highway's endpoint.
In reality, the exit lay only at the "1 o'clock" position. It was the sole passage to the outside world, located in the highway's central safe zone.
To pass through, they had to leave the world boundary and enter the central region, rigorously guarded by dark beast lords with layered defenses.
Six days had passed since the assessment began. Even the dumbest dark beast lord would realize their strategy.
During the two days they operated along the world edge, away from dark beast territories, the lords would surely counter-layout.
The moment they returned to the battlefield, they might face highly developed dark beast territories.
"…They could be high-Level 4 territories or even Level 5. Dark beasts will interweave their domains. We may face interception from at least three territories simultaneously.
This tactic is standard for dark beasts on grand battlefields.
We need not destroy three lord halls at once. We must possess the troop strength or combat power to handle three territories or more."
A military expert aboard, part of logistics, primarily collected battlefield data and allocated combat power. This man in his forties spoke.
"We preliminarily schedule arrival tomorrow evening. The first wave of attacks may come then.
Given dark beast territory development time, excluding resource gathering, they possess at most mid-Level 4 territories.
The difference lies in whether barracks upgrade to Level 5 early or they forgo barracks to upgrade hero temples. Additionally." He paused. "Dark beast kings usually possess miracle buildings. Miracle buildings boost dark beasts significantly. Our analysis concludes that regardless of how many dark beast kings arrive, they will prioritize miracle upgrades. Barracks and hero temple upgrades will lag.
If we reach dark beast king territories before noon on the eighth day, we may fortunately face territories with maxed miracles but only Level 4 or even Level 3 other buildings."
Excitement flashed in the military expert's eyes.
With their combat power, facing Level 3 territories would be like cutting melons.
Dark beast kings. Kill one, lose one forever. The dark beast race would weaken noticeably.
"Our siege speed ahead will directly determine the final strength of the dark beast kings we face."
After the last sentence, the analyst fell silent, giving everyone time to absorb.
He continued. "Of course, they may not build only miracles as we hope. We must prepare for Sequence Five troop types and Sequence Five legendary heroes. Besides the dark beast king and a few heirs with pseudo-divine heroes, dark beast king heroes are nearly all legendary. Note this."
"Thank you for the analysis." Mu Zhong handled military intelligence. His efforts filled these materials. He nodded confirmation, then looked at Wei Huan.
Analysis was analysis. Suggestions were suggestions. Final tactics depended on Wei Huan.
Once he decided, right or wrong, the entire vehicle's goal became singular. No hesitation.
Everyone watched Wei Huan, awaiting his decision.
Wei Huan knew the weight of his choice. He did not speak hastily. "Continue the analysis. I want projected troop consumption against territories of varying combat power.
I also need to know, in dense combat, the optimal degree and quantity for using Bloodlust to end battles swiftly."
Wei Huan's undead legions' combat power required data collection.
He held back. Yet he revealed plenty. Three pseudo-divine items and a title granted 100% massive bonuses.
During the month at War Clan headquarters, his undead numbers reached horrifying levels.
He still showed only part.
For contingencies.
Even part granted crushing power in this world.
All believed he could solo silver treasure chest monsters.
In full exertion, he could kill gold-level monsters.
Add Mu Zhong and Dou Lin's attribute blessings, plus Sequence Five combatants aboard.
Wei Huan believed he could snatch another fragment from Mephidi's tentacles.
Only Mu Zhong knew his true strength.
Mu Zhong was his sole absolute trust.
When others panicked, Mu Zhong stayed calmest.
He truly understood Wei Huan.
Wei Huan's question told Mu Zhong he calculated his combat power silently.
If necessary, he could reveal more strength to reach dark beast king territories faster per plan.
Data calculation was critical. No sloppiness.
Mu Zhong led on-site calculations. The briefing lasted two hours, setting general direction.
Without a new king appearing outside, it would continue.
Mid-sea beast king battle, Captain Xue advanced to Sequence Five successfully.
He eagerly wanted battlefield entry. Li Xue suppressed him. "Return and adapt to new power properly. Do not rush for DKP."
Captain Xue felt wronged. He did not. Combat adapted new power. He obeyed his wife and returned.
The interlude ended. The sea beast king wailed and fell, contributing core material.
The material barely warmed in storage before DKP exchange.
Too many awaited Sequence Five advancement. Many vehicles needed only core material for upgrade.
Current pressure was immense. Thinking of Level 6 vehicle with 1001 people, Wei Huan felt subtle suffocation.
He misthought.
On other war vehicles, even Fang William's, core teams used allocation priority for Level 5 materials.
Here, DKP sufficed. Wei Huan killed kings easily. The assessment highway was a feng shui treasure. Core materials seemed unprecious.
To others, gold-level monsters required costly kills. They acted rarely.
Without assessment time limits and dark beast king trouble, Wei Huan would not leave.
Sea beast king dead. Continue forward.
Vehicle radar map flashed continuously. All treasure chests and ruins appeared in scan radius.
No ruins explored. No chests skipped. Ghost Crows' sole role now was plowing and opening chests.
Even in ocean, their incorporeal nature ignored sea pressure.
The bottom screen occasionally popped chest rewards.
At 2 a.m., when all drowsed, latest rewards appeared.
[Obtained Gold-Level Wisdom Potion X1]
[Obtained Gold-Level Sage Robe X1]
[Obtained Gold-Level Strength Boots X1]
[Obtained Gold Circlet X1]
[Obtained Tire Upgrade Blueprint (Six) X1]
[Obtained Sea Dragon Whisker X1]
[Obtained…]
…
No time to examine. The vehicle alarm blared sharply.
In under a minute, all combat department challengers assembled.
Wei Huan and Mu Zhong rushed. En route, Housekeeper AI reported details.
Chest opening accidentally triggered gold treasure chest. They faced gold-level chest monster pursuit.
Both faces soured. Anyone's brief rest interrupted would scowl similarly.
Facing gold chest monster pursuit was critical. Both must participate.
"What is the gold treasure chest monster?" Mu Zhong asked Housekeeper AI curiously.
Human development of Level 5 world had not reached core civilization contact.
Gold chests sometimes spawned this world's relics. No one dared open. Even Fang William unsure of victory against Level 5 relics.
If damage inevitable, wait until minimal before touching Pandora's boxes.
"Target moves swiftly in sea. Possesses electronic scan shielding. I cannot capture specific image temporarily." Housekeeper AI replied.
This intrigued Mu Zhong more. "Water elemental? Level 4 world core was ice elementals. This world should be water elementals. It merges with sea. We cannot see."
"I lost trace now. Caution. It may be near vehicle."
"Activate protective shield."
"Shield always active. Increasing power now. Suggest captain summon grandmother-level Burrow Beast Mother for escort. Gold-level chest monster combat power extremely high. Entering Level 1 alert. Instructions please."
With the last words, all including Mu Zhong looked at Wei Huan. They noticed his expression was strange. Deep vigilance yet not overly tense.
Mu Zhong was puzzled, about to ask. Housekeeper AI spoke. "Combat ahead. Magic fluctuation traces. Abnormal water flow.
Scanning…
Detected dark beast lord troops. Approximately 100 water elementals surrounding one human.
Simulated projection activating…"
With the last words, forward large screen displayed intense deep-sea battle.
Over a hundred water elementals spun sea vortices, encircling a central female.
The female had Eastern features. Body bare. Long black hair spread in water, five to six meters, like living weapons attacking surrounding water elementals.
She clearly was not human. Yet resembling humans too closely, everyone watching felt vigilance mixed with curiosity.
Mu Zhong glanced at Wei Huan again. Expression unchanged. Vigilant yet relaxed.
What did it mean? Mu Zhong did not understand.
As war vehicle rapidly approached, about to crash into the battling "human" and water elementals.
Everyone, unsure, instinctively looked to Wei Huan.
Wei Huan finally spoke.
Wei Huan said, "Crash through."
Three short words instantly shattered mental barriers.
Yes. Regardless of her human likeness, she was not human.
Challenge World teemed with crises. Besides comrades and kin, all were enemies.
Facing alien race, even resembling a real human in distress, no sympathy or hesitation.
Wei Huan's words broke illusions. Protective shield activated. War vehicle charged. The bare woman seemed to notice them suddenly. Treated mercilessly, she curled tightly, raised hands shielding her face.
Her reactions seemed even more human.
Knowing they should not, still felt charging heedlessly wrong.
Then the war vehicle truly passed before the woman.
Humans entertained thoughts. AI did not. They executed orders firmly.
Astonishing scene followed.
War vehicle advancing at 2600 underwater, shielded, did not shatter the woman. She pressed against the windshield in a posture forcing polite male gaze aversion yet irresistible peeks.
Snow-white form lay alluringly before all. Her face, not strikingly beautiful yet exceptionally pleasing, showed pain.
She pounded the glass, struggling desperately. She shouted. Expression turned pleading.
As if saying: Stop. Please. I hurt. I do not want to die. Please do not kill me.
Any expression, any gaze that could move hearts if only to let her live.
Her eyes spoke.
Liu Chengzhi first turned to Wei Huan, hesitant.
Then Cousin Mu, panda eyes staring, brows furrowed enough to crush flies.
Lin Xu murmured. "Clearly bizarre like a female ghost. Yet I pity her. What is wrong?"
"Mental type." Captain Xue spoke. Since Sequence Five, his pecs "developed" exceptionally, strutting like a rooster. "Influence on me is limited. Her appearance has too many unreasonable oddities. Definitely ignore. But continuous interference is bad. We need the source."
Cousin Mu nodded. "Low sequences are severely affected. Caution scholars and experts aboard. Some only Sequence One."
Housekeeper AI said, "Continuous observation. Anomalous locked in rooms. Internal scan… No intrusion traces."
"No internal. External." Mu Zhong looked at Wei Huan. "Send undead out?"
Wei Huan nodded. "Good."
Mu Zhong whispered. "Your view?"
Wei Huan said, "Mental type confirmed. As Level 5 world core civilization and gold chest monster, combat power not weak. Affects low-sequence challengers. Kill first."
Mu Zhong glanced again at the "woman" still on the windshield, pained and aggrieved.
Honestly, if Level 5 core monster only seduced, unrealistic. Superficial weakness heightened vigilance.
In speaking, portals appeared directly ahead. Shura Horse leaped out, seizing the woman's arm.
Her face changed. She clawed back. All saw nails lengthen instantly. Faint scales appeared at fingertips.
Facing Shura Horse attack, she displayed combat ability.
Body shook. Scales covered. Fins sprouted at elbows with sharp bone spines, combat-capable.
Ankles grew flowing ribbon-like fish tails. Legs remained separate, not merging as expected. Did not hinder swimming speed.
Or not swimming. Water magic manipulation.
In water, she moved without motion. Extremely fast.
Water power condensed. Vortex circle trapped emerging Shura Horses.
Scene mirrored initial appearance battling water elementals. She did not surround them. She controlled them.
Now same method against Shura Horses. Yet she killed none. Maintained peaceful posture. Finally faced vehicle directly. Mouth opened and closed. "Humans. I am relic. Not enemy. Talk."
She strove to show sincerity. Even spread arms in surrender.
Yet the scene evoked dread upon reflection.
While communicating, she matched vehicle speed.
Vehicle now over a thousand mph. No "monster" should keep up.
Her ease showed her race's oceanic prowess.
High intelligence. Attempted human negotiation. Used "surrender" for trust.
"Truly no resistance?" Mu Zhong muttered. Looked at Wei Huan. "Your view?"
Wei Huan said, "I do not believe."
Wei Huan knew it all. He could not say more. Only his attitude warned against misplaced sympathy.
With Wei Huan's words, more portals appeared before her. Dense undead species emerged.
They swarmed ferociously, engulfing her completely.
Seawater surged madly. She resisted desperately. Against vast undead legions, her fight grew strained.
Suddenly she burst from encirclement. Bloodied, pounded windshield. Cried for help.
Tears streamed from eyes. Round pearls. Fell on glass with "da-da-da" crisp sounds.
Contrasting her pitiful scene, undead pursued relentlessly, visages grotesque.
Ferocious Shura Horse seized her hair. Yanked her from vehicle.
Limbs pulled brutally. Immense force to tear apart. She finally struck. Water bubbles materialized, blasting Shura Horses away.
Many Shura Horses flew. None died. She still held back. Resisted attacks while shouting inside.
Voice transmitted directly to minds. Understood regardless of speed or complexity. "Humans. No hostility. We are Atlanteans. Tens of thousands years ago, we came from Blue Star. I do not wish harm. Give me time to speak."
"Atlanteans?"
"No way. Legendary lost kingdom?"
"Mermaid indeed."
"Do not believe. Even from Blue Star, previous civilization. Likely not friendly to us."
"No wavering. Listen to boss."
Fortunately, the external scene was not projected to plaza. Only cockpit viewers saw.
20 seats. All except Dou Lin present.
10 veterans. 10 new captains from teams. Including two experts and one military analyst.
Witnessing brutal struggle, some wavered. Rational voices quickly quelled.
"This is Challenge World! Gold chest monster! Her tactic! Stay calm! She seeks sympathy. Watch. Her true face will be revealed soon!"
Before words ended, the evading woman was seized from behind by Shura Horse. Black claws tore snow-white skin. White scales and blood drifted before eyes.
"Ah!"
The woman cried in pain. Furious strike pushed Shura Horse away without harm.
She looked inside painfully. No response. Expression turned sad. Deep, incomprehensible despair.
Then she relaxed. Abandoned resistance. Accepted fate. No longer evaded Shura Horse tearing.
"!!"
The Woman truly became shredded flesh before all. Crimson blood churned in the deep sea, gradually dissipating.
The vehicle fell deathly silent.
All stared wide-eyed at slowly falling hair strand and undead encircling coldly, cruelly from all sides.
Why?
Why?