Chapter 506: Trap and Contempt

"Li Yu's attitude is so tough. I'm afraid it won't be easy this time..."

"He definitely has the Other-Dimensional Camp backing him up. Let's retreat, let's retreat. Let's not waste our time here..."

"..."

Li Yu's tough stance instantly spread throughout this area via the Black Hole Network, and some factions hidden in the dark observing the situation immediately backed out.

The reason they had delayed making a move was precisely to wait for Li Yu to express his stance.

Now that Li Yu's attitude was so tough, some factions didn't want to waste time here, because with the help of the Other-Dimensional Camp, no one here was Li Yu's opponent.

Of course, some other factions had different ideas.

"His attitude is so tough, perhaps he's just bluffing. Could it be that the entire Other-Dimensional Camp revolves around Li Yu alone?"

"How many lifeforms can they deploy to help Li Yu fight for this place?"

A massive faction organization couldn't possibly revolve around just one person.

They should naturally dispatch human resources based on the harvest the operation could provide.

It was impossible to make a big fanfare to launch an operation, only to end up harvesting some worthless things. No one would engage in such a losing business.

Therefore, these people believed that the Other-Dimensional Camp couldn't possibly deploy overly powerful lifeforms. At worst, when facing Li Yu, they would just go a bit easier on him and not beat him to death.

Sack Star—this was a planet located in the Bolot Star System within the Silver Ring Arm, under the jurisdiction of the Bolot Civilization.

The president of this civilization had changed three times in the short period following Reinhardt's death, all dying during their terms due to some unspeakable, special reasons.

The Meditation Organization aggressively promoted its believers in this star sector, and this planet was no exception. Basically everyone here was a believer of some Artificial God.

Gigantic statues stood tall in every city, and the only thing the citizens did every day was pray, pray, and pray again without stopping.

Furthermore, all food and other daily living resources were uniformly distributed by the planet. There were absolutely no commercial trade activities.

"We can still detect seventeen A-rank energy sources, but that shouldn't be all their power." Hunter pointed at the holographic screen and said:

"Another reason why those factions haven't made a move should be out of fear of the Meditation Organization's final outburst."

"After all, Meditation was once considered a powerful organization. Who knows how many Artificial Gods are still hidden on this planet, capable of erupting with extremely astonishing power."

Li Yu nodded. No one wanted to be the bird that stuck its head out, let alone the target of Meditation's final outburst, so they had been hiding in the dark keeping watch.

"Due to the defection of some high echelons, who also took away some Artificial Gods, the remaining high echelons have transferred all the Artificial Gods from other places to here. This is a force that cannot be underestimated."

"Moreover, this planet's defense system is not simple. The Celestial Shield was custom-made by Meditation from the Opto-Electric Technology of the Star Glory Empire," Siegel added.

"It is sufficient to withstand the concentrated fire of ten thousand warships, as well as conventional planet-destroying weapons."

"Mm, I know. Issue an ultimatum. Tell them that if they surrender, they can be spared," Li Yu ordered.

Although this would most likely have no effect, as those who could persist until now were all a group of people utterly loyal to Meditation.

However, there was no harm in trying.

At the same time, he also said: "Prepare the Omega Frost."

"Based on the locations provided by Siegel, let's attack several important locations on this planet first. We'll wash the ground with fire before doing anything else."

"Miserable believers, let them go meet the deities they believe in."

The Omega Frost was a superweapon unlocked through the [Tarkin Doctrine Compendium]. Compared to the massive sizes of other devices, this one was relatively compact.

Therefore, during this time, Li Yu had completely manufactured this device using the raw materials created by the [Reality Stone].

It was a tower-shaped weapon about five hundred meters tall, constructed entirely of high-strength alloy. Its top-mounted firing mechanism contained a conversion structure that Li Yu found difficult to understand.

It could convert external energy into a powerful frost elemental attack, thereby freezing the entire planet, and could also serve as an auxiliary method for other forms of attack.

...

"Your Excellency Maurice, everything is ready. The 246 Artificial Gods have already completed the construction of the Faith Network. At the right moment, we can ensure he dies without a burial place!"

Someone reported in a low voice. Maurice was the only A3-tier lifeform holding his ground in the Meditation Organization.

Other lifeforms of this tier had long left this place to find new backing.

Simultaneously coercing a large amount of classified data, enough to guarantee them a place in a new organization.

Only Maurice had not left, silently staying here with his dedication to the Meditation Organization.

His face was aged, the ravines on his face like fossils that had weathered many storms. His eyes gazed at the horizon; no one could tell what he was thinking.

Then, the person spoke again with a somewhat angry tone: "Li Yu released a statement telling us high-level lifeforms remaining here that as long as we surrender, our lives will be spared."

"Hehe, little does he know, his own death is imminent!"

"Alright, I understand." He nodded, showing no reaction to this. After the person finished reporting, they left hurriedly.

"Surrender and be spared..." Maurice repeated those four words, his tone devoid of any fluctuations.

"Tempted?" A person stepped out from the shadows. Their facial features couldn't be clearly seen; their entire body looked like pitch-black liquid piled together, squirming continuously.

"You still haven't left?" Maurice asked in return, turning his head to look at the person.

The squirming black figure replied: "I need to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly..."

"With the Faith Network, plus your methods, he has no possibility of surviving." Maurice's expression remained calm, yet he suddenly asked: "You guys went through so much trouble just to kill Li Yu?"

"Is it worth it?"

"Hehe..." The black figure shook its head: "No, he isn't worth us going through so much trouble. We are merely doing this to verify a speculation."

"Speculation?" Maurice frowned.

"A very important speculation." Speaking up to this point, the black figure let out an eerie laugh: "But none of this has anything to do with you. Act according to the plan, and we each get what we need."

Maurice said nothing, nor did he continue to press the matter.

Right at this moment, a holographic screen popped up in front of Maurice. The image magnified, revealing fleets of warships suspended in the distant orbit.

Among them, one warship with a grayish-brown exterior and an irregular shape resembling a meteorite was extremely eye-catching.

From the warship formation, a warship carrying a tower-shaped device slowly flew out. As energy was supplied, the device began to operate.

A translucent blue light beam shot out from its base. However, before it even approached the atmosphere, a translucent blue defense barrier blocked this attack.

This was the Celestial Shield Siegel had mentioned, custom-made by Opto-Electric Technology to provide defensive support for Meditation's headquarters.

Ripples of energy rippled across the light blue barrier. The contact surface of the two collided with a dazzling light, and soon began to condense into ice, continuously spreading outwards.

"Ultra-low temperature attack?"

Maurice stared at this scene, his heart not experiencing much fluctuation.

The next moment, a massive barrage of artillery fire descended as the Black Pupil Fleet fired at will.

The internal energy structure of the defense barrier, which had already been frozen solid, was completely damaged. It was effortlessly cracked open by the remaining attacks.

Ultra-low temperature attacks were sufficient to destroy most defensive measures; it was difficult for any energy to remain active under ultra-low temperatures.

Thick energy beams tore through the atmosphere, striking at designated locations.

At this moment, the numerous believers who were currently praying looked in terror at the "shooting stars" streaking across the sky. They fell to their knees one after another, silently reciting the names of the deities in their hearts.

Rumble!

Energy orbs exploded one after another on the planet, rapidly expanding while unleashing immense destructive power, leaving deep craters in their wake.

Siegel had once secretly infiltrated this place and figured out the ranges of most of the ground defensive devices. Combined with pinpoint strikes, basically all of the Meditation Organization's ground defensive devices were paralyzed.

"Although Li Yu seems reckless, he sent someone to roughly scout out this planet long ago," the person in the shadows spoke up.

Feeling the slight tremors of the earth, Maurice's expression began to change somewhat.

...

"The outer defense system has been breached, but the opponent's high-level lifeforms still haven't made a move," Hunter quickly said.

"Mm..." Li Yu nodded: "Have Palpatine charge up, just in case."

Hunter's expression slightly changed. Although the warship beneath his feet looked quite ugly, the firepower it was equipped with was absolutely not to be trifled with, sufficient to flatten this planet.

However, this would also destroy valuable things on the planet's surface, so it was a last resort.

"Siegel, come with me," Li Yu called out. Siegel remained silent, and at some unknown point, he had already vanished from where he stood.

Li Yu was somewhat speechless. Did you think the detection device couldn't see your stealthy hiding movements?

Shaking his head, the [Symbiotic Colonization Armor] covered him. The blast door opened, thrusters activated, and he headed towards the planet.

...

"He's here, get ready!"

Twelve figures wearing black robes stood inside an archaic palace.

Surrounding them were statues of Artificial Gods, the brilliant light illuminating the place with incomparable clarity.

Overall, it looked somewhat similar to the Pantheon, just far less grand and majestic.

The floor was filled with complex patterns, and beneath each Artificial God statue was a crucial node connecting all the Artificial Gods together.

Archaic chanting echoed here. Accompanied by mysterious incantations, the patterns on the ground began to flicker and light up.

A milky-white tassel was drawn from every Artificial God statue, converging towards the central node.

Simultaneously, the twelve individuals acting as transfer points began to tremble. Fissures cracked open on their skin's surface, similarly radiating white radiance.

However, their eyes were filled with fanaticism and madness.

Li Yu stood in the void, looking down at the crater-pocked earth. According to Siegel's intelligence, this should be Meditation's headquarters.

However, there was nothing on the surface, only a few scattered buildings. Most of it should be underground.

"I'm already here, isn't anyone coming out to see me?"

As soon as his voice fell, a deep crater exploded on the ground, and Maurice's figure flew up. He stared at Li Yu from afar and said indifferently:

"I can sense your confidence."

Although it didn't sound like there were many emotional fluctuations, Li Yu could clearly sense through the Force that this old man was very unhappy with him.

Based on Siegel's intelligence, Li Yu had already recognized this person: "Maurice, right? I find it hard to imagine that an organization like Meditation still has utterly loyal people. What is your goal?"

"No goal..." Maurice shook his head, staring intently at Li Yu: "I want to know where your confidence comes from. A wild beast is not at its most dangerous when it is at its peak, but when it is on the verge of death."

"You should know that we won't surrender without a fight, yet you actually dare to risk yourself? Where are the people from the Other-Dimensional Camp you rely on?"

Li Yu chuckled twice: "Stop observing in secret. There's no one else, just me. Whatever tricks you have, bring them out quickly."

"Oh?"

Maurice's figure suddenly blurred. A blood-red light passed through his body, and his figure shattered. It was actually just an illusion.

"Then whose person is this Excellency?" Maurice appeared from another direction, unscathed, staring at the direction where Siegel had disappeared.

Being exposed to his face, Li Yu wasn't embarrassed, stating calmly: "Just an assassin, no need to mind him."

Even Maurice was speechless. You acted just now as if you were fighting solo. If it weren't for this old man's quick reaction, I would be dead by now.

And you actually tell me no need to mind him.

He was no stranger to Siegel; Siegel had previously attacked the Meditation Organization under orders.

"His strength is not bad. This was just a probe..." Siegel secretly explained to Li Yu, but no matter how one listened to it, it felt like protesting too much.

Because of the power of the Blade of Gungnir, I developed a somewhat relaxed mindset.

In the past, I wouldn't have struck so quickly. The timing wasn't right. Knowing the opponent was on guard, I got a swelled head.

Siegel reflected on himself, his face taut.

A legendary assassin, and that's it?

Li Yu roasted Siegel in his mind, then acted as if nothing had happened and said:

"You know, I have a lot of things to do. I don't have the time to slowly clip your wings here. It's better to get it done all at once. It saves everyone trouble."

"That's right, it saves everyone trouble," Maurice spoke slowly, repeating Li Yu's last sentence. Black armor plates extended, quickly covering his entire body.

(End of Chapter)