Chapter 151: Destruction

"There are two Mechanical Apostle Villages that still need to be destroyed; Grand Duke Frost Eagle will surely have defenses, and the two strongholds will be heavily guarded." Lao Mao's expression grew solemn, his tone laced with deep worry, and as he spoke he pointed with his finger at the two marked locations on the map.

The group gathered around the map, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, each person fully aware that the upcoming mission would be exceedingly arduous.

"We go straight to South Stone Village." Jia Lei Si offered the plan without hesitation.

"Why go to the farthest South Stone Village?" Mo Lei furrowed his brows, his eyes full of doubt, as he waved the crystal staff in his hand, the magic crystal at its tip flashing an incomprehensible light.

South Stone Village is not only distant, but intelligence shows its surrounding terrain is complex, making a silent approach and successful sabotage extremely difficult.

"Because it's far, it's actually easier to overlook." Jia Lei Si explained at an unhurried pace, his finger tracing the route to South Stone Village on the map, "Grand Duke Frost Eagle's defenses are indeed dense, but human stamina is limited. He will most likely concentrate his main forces on outposts nearer the core area and posing greater threats."

South Stone Village is remote; in his view, the chance of us attacking it directly is the lowest, and its defenses will be relatively lax. Moreover, striking South Stone Village by surprise can disrupt his deployment rhythm, leaving him unable to discern our next move.

After hearing this, everyone fell into contemplation, carefully savoring the deeper meaning of Jia Lei Si's words.

A moment later, Lao Mao gave a slight nod, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Jia Lei Si, worthy of the third seat, your considerations are truly thorough. Though the journey is long, as long as we achieve the goal, everything is worthwhile. We'll follow your plan and set out for South Stone Village at once."

Mo Lei said no more, gently waving his staff to calm the surrounding Magic Wave, indicating his agreement.

The rest of the group wore solemn expressions, each tidying their gear and preparing to depart.

The party trudged laboriously through howling snow and wind, the biting cold wind slicing their cheeks like knives, while the direction of South Stone Village was completely shrouded by a thick snow curtain, visibility under ten meters, as if the whole world were being devoured by endless white.

The black cat perched on Lao Mao's shoulder, its pure white eyes seeming able to pierce the harsh environment, scanned the surroundings vigilantly, missing no hint of suspicion.

The staff in Mo Lei's hand emitted a faint blue glow; though not dazzling, it acted like a moving lighthouse, guiding the group through the bewildering sea of snow.

Robin stood in the middle of the party, striving to adapt to the Order Force he had just comprehended within his body.

The power was both mighty and unfamiliar, dark red chain-like patterns beneath his skin flickered uncontrollably at times, as if reminding him that the force was still not fully mastered.

Jia Lei Si and the Sun-Moon Twin Guard formed a triangular formation, keeping Lao Mao and Mo Lei securely at the center; their armor glimmered with a cold brilliance in the snowstorm, displaying formidable strength and steadfast resolve to protect.

"Something's off." Lao Mao's voice suddenly broke the party's silence, his tone carrying undeniable alertness.

Almost simultaneously, the black cat on his shoulder bristled, emitting a low, guttural roar, a sound full of fear and unease, as if warning the group of imminent danger.

In an instant, a faint yet chilling metallic scraping sound rang through the wind and snow.

"Clack— clack—"

The sound came from afar to near, rhythm steady, like countless precise gears turning in sync, amplified infinitely in the silent snowfield, striking everyone's nerves.

Before anyone could react further, the snow curtain was torn as if by an invisible giant hand, dozens of black shadows surged from all directions like lightning!

What entered their eyes was not an ordinary hunting unit, but a terrifying pack of mechanical wolves.

Their bodies were forged from jet-black alloy, flashing a cold sheen in the dim light.

Their joints were embedded with crimson mechanical eyes, like blood-red lanterns, emitting an eerie glow.

Sharp fangs constantly dripped corrosive fluid, instantly corroding pits into the snow.

Even more unsettling was their perfectly coordinated movement, as if controlled by a single brain; every lunge and turn was completely synchronized, as one entity.

"Defensive formation!" Jia Lei Si's voice rang like a war drum, echoing through the snowstorm.

His silver-white heavy armor instantly lit up with golden Rune, and powerful Magic Wave radiated outward.

In the blink of an eye, a hemispherical energy shield unfolded before the group, emitting a faint golden glow.

The first three-headed mechanical wolf that lunged slammed into the shield, producing a muffled boom, then was hurled away by the immense force, rolling several times in the snow before stopping.

Seeing this, Mo Lei immediately raised his staff high, the magic crystal bursting into dazzling starlight, and he muttered, "Starfall!"

In an instant, dozens of blue beams shot down like meteors chasing the moon, carrying powerful Magic Wave, striking the mechanical wolf pack with pinpoint accuracy.

Intense explosions rose and fell, their shockwaves like a massive hurricane, instantly overturning the surrounding snow, with snowflakes swirling through the sky.

Yet, shockingly, the struck mechanical wolves merely staggered a few steps, and their damaged bodies began self-repair at a visibly rapid pace.

Broken limbs regrew, shattered components quickly reassembled, and within moments they regained their ferocious form, lunging at the group again.

"They have advanced regeneration cores!" Mo Lei's face turned ashen instantly, his voice filled with shock and concern.

That means conventional attacks will struggle to inflict substantive damage on these mechanical wolves.

"Half-Moon Slash!" Robin shouted, the Order Force within him surging, gathering along his arm onto the Tang Sword.

Unlike previous cuts that relied solely on Life Force, this strike was infused with the power of order law, a silver-blue arc sweeping out like lightning, tearing the air in an instant and emitting a sharp howl.

Wherever it passed, the mechanical wolves' seemingly indestructible regeneration cores crumbled under the crushing force of the law, shattering like fragile glass into countless fragments, the surrounding wolf parts scattering, and the wolf bodies collapsing.

Yet the group had no time to catch their breath; more mechanical wolves surged from the endless snowstorm like a tide, countless and endless, their crimson mechanical eyes flashing in the darkness, coalescing into a bizarre sea of blood.

Seeing this, Lao Mao let out a cold snort, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

The black cat in his arms seemed to understand, leaping high, its form rapidly expanding midair, surrounded by dense dark aura, and in an instant transformed into a massive shadow beast!

Its body was as massive as a mountain, limbs thick and powerful, each step causing the ground to quake, its gaping maw like a blood-filled basin, seemingly able to devour all things.

(End of Chapter)