Chapter 340: Full Text Complete

The scorch marks left by the energy beam still emitted a faint burnt smell in the air; Zhang Cheng crouched, his fingers lightly brushing the ground, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Clean and decisive; the one who struck must be exceptionally powerful."

"Could it be a mysterious employer?" Xingji Xiake clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, fury burning in his eyes.

Xingyun Zhizhe pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold glint.

"The direction Tom pointed to before dying is the fortress's core area. It seems the answer we seek lies there."

"Go!" Zhang Cheng rose, his tone firm, leading the way into the passage toward the fortress's depths.

Inside the passage, the light was dim, and strange energy glows flickered on the walls, as if harboring unknown danger.

The group advanced cautiously, psionic Li Li releasing an energy wave to scan the surroundings.

"Watch out!" Li Li suddenly shouted, and an energy field materialized, enveloping interstellar warrior Ma Ke.

Ma Ke let out a muffled groan as a powerful energy impact hurled his body backward, slamming heavily into the wall.

Mechanic A li hurried forward to check Ma Ke's injuries, "He's fine, just an energy shock injury, no life danger."

"These energy fields are part of an automatic defense system," Xingling xue zhe explained, "We must be cautious to avoid triggering more traps."

The road ahead grew even more treacherous, with endless varieties of energy traps and maze passages, draining everyone's stamina and spirit.

Zhang Cheng calmly analyzed the situation, directing the group to skillfully avoid danger, advancing step by step into the fortress interior.

Finally, they arrived at a massive hall.

In the hall's center stood a towering figure, wielding a gigantic energy weapon, exuding a suffocating aura of pressure.

"Fortress guardian, De Lei Ke!" Xingyun Zhizhe said in a deep voice.

De Lei Ke let out a deafening roar, swinging the massive energy weapon, a dazzling beam racing toward Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke.

Both were prepared and dodged simultaneously, but De Lei Ke's power was overwhelming; the aftershock of his attack shattered the surrounding walls.

Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke surged forward again, engaging De Lei Ke in fierce combat.

Blade flashes and sword shadows, energy spilling everywhere, the entire hall trembling.

Yet De Lei Ke's strength seemed endless; Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke were repeatedly repelled, their bodies accumulating more wounds.

Zhang Cheng furrowed his brow, knowing this could not continue.

He glanced at Guangming Shizhe, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Prepare..."

Guangming Shizhe stayed close behind Zhang Cheng, watching his steadfast silhouette, her heart full of trust.

A gentle light emanated from her hand, enveloping Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke.

Both instantly felt power surge, their movements faster, their attacks sharper.

Guangming Shizhe occasionally used support skills, granting the front-line teammates a boost of power, while vigilantly watching the surroundings, ready to handle any sudden events.

Between her and Zhang Cheng no words were needed; a glance, a motion, and they understood each other perfectly.

Amid the fierce battle, Xingyun Zhizhe kept a close eye on De Lei Ke's attack patterns.

He discovered that although De Lei Ke was powerful, his attack frequency seemed to follow a certain rhythm.

Each swing of the energy weapon was followed by a brief pause, like a precise machine recharging.

This revelation delighted Xingyun Zhizhe, who immediately relayed the information to the hard-fighting group.

"Its attacks are rhythmic! The interval is about three seconds!"

With Xingyun Zhizhe's tip, Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke promptly adjusted their battle strategy.

They ceased blind assaults, instead seizing the pause after De Lei Ke's attacks to launch swift counterstrikes.

For a moment, the battle dynamics shifted subtly.

Although De Lei Ke remained strong, Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke's attacks began to take effect, carving wounds into De Lei Ke.

"We need a stronger offense!" Zhang Cheng said gravely, his gaze shifting to Xingling xue zhe and alien scientist Ka Er.

"Both of you, any way to break the stalemate?"

Xingling xue zhe and alien scientist Ka Er exchanged a glance, a spark of brilliance flashing in their eyes.

Xingling xue zhe smiled mysteriously, "Perhaps we could try..."

Xingling xue zhe gave another enigmatic smile, pulling a strange device from his pack; its surface coursed with intricate energy patterns, shimmering with a deep blue glow.

"This is an Energy Shield Generator retrofitted from ancient Star Spirit race technology, capable of adjusting its defense mode according to the enemy's attack frequency," alien scientist Ka Er added, taking a crystal that glowed oddly and embedding it into the device.

"With my energy amplification crystal, it should block most of that guy's attacks."

The device activated, a translucent Energy Shield enveloping the group.

De Lei Ke's energy weapon hammered again, but the shield held firm, only rippling with faint undulations.

The group's pressure eased sharply, and Xingji Xiake and Ma Ke seized the chance, launching a fierce counterattack on De Lei Ke.

However, De Lei Ke was no ordinary foe.

Seeing brute force fail, it emitted a shrill screech, an invisible mental wave sweeping forward.

Some weaker-willed teammates instantly clutched their heads and screamed, falling into chaos.

Mechanic A li grimaced in pain, covering his head as his tool slipped to the ground.

Even the usually composed Xingyun Zhizhe turned pale, his body trembling.

A brief chaos erupted within the team; De Lei Ke seized the moment to strike, his energy weapon blasting the shield, which quivered violently, on the brink of collapse.

At the critical moment, Zhang Cheng grabbed the teetering Xingyun Zhizhe, shouting, "Hold steady! Don't let its mental attack disrupt you!" He turned to psionic Li Li, his gaze full of expectation.

"Li Li..."

Li Li inhaled deeply, her eyes flashing with a deep blue light.

A powerful energy wave surged from her body, forming an invisible shockwave that swept the entire hall.

Those affected by De Lei Ke's mental attack felt the pressure lift, and the chaotic state gradually subsided.

Xingyun Zhizhe steadied his stance, a sharp light flashing in his eyes, and immediately rejoined the battle analysis.

Meanwhile, Derek let out a painful roar, his massive body trembling slightly, and the energy weapon in his hand stalled briefly.

Xingji Xiake and Mark seized the opportunity and launched another fierce assault.

Sharp blades and powerful energy strikes poured down on Derek like a torrential rain, leaving deep gashes down to the bone.

Derek roared repeatedly, yet unable to resist, his huge frame swayed on the verge of collapse.

The scales of victory seemed to be tilting toward Zhang Cheng and his companions.

Just as everyone prepared to deliver the final blow to Derek, an abrupt change occurred.

Derek suddenly ceased its attack; the wall behind it slowly split open, revealing a hidden passage that emitted a faint, ethereal glow.

The air inside the passage shimmered with an invisible energy, hinting at a long-concealed secret.

Derek let out a low growl, tinged with reluctance, then collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Zhang Cheng raised his hand to signal everyone to stop attacking, his eyes fixed on the slowly opening secret door.

A mysterious aura seeped from the doorway, sending chills through those nearby.

"It seems the true secret lies there…," Zhang Cheng whispered, stepping toward the secret door.

Guangming Shizhe followed closely, gripping his weapon tightly, his eyes flashing with resolute light.

"Whatever it is, we must face it."

Xingyun Zhizhe pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the faint light seeping from the secret door.

"Hope… we have made the preparations…,"

Everyone slowly walked toward the secret door…