Chapter 277: Mechanical Beast vs. Mechanical Beast!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three of the closest mechanical centipedes were knocked flat by this immense force, their massive bodies rolling across the ground and shattering large patches of rubble.

Yet, they paused for less than a breath, then flipped back over as if nothing had happened, their blade-like legs scraping again with a shrill, grating sound, continuing their relentless charge—no visible dents marred their shells.

"No good! These things can't be damaged at all!"

Di Chunlei dodged frantically while shouting anxiously.

To evade one mechanical centipede's pursuit, he instinctively leaped backward in rapid succession, barely escaping out of the rocky zone.

He had expected the centipede to chase after him, but was stunned to see that the one reaching the zone's edge flickered its crimson compound eyes a few times, then stopped, turned around, and crawled toward the others still inside.

This discovery filled Di Chunlei with both shock and delight; he immediately shouted toward Zhang Shaochong and Shi Yilan, still fighting inside the zone.

"Shaochong! Yilan! Get out of this area! These mechanical centipedes won't chase after you!"

Hearing this, Zhang Shaochong and Shi Yilan perked up instantly, activating their movement techniques and braving several impacts and poison mist exposures, barely managing to dash out of the rubble zone.

Indeed, the two centipedes chasing them also halted at the boundary, refusing to cross it.

Seeing this, Chen Mu no longer bothered with the iron clumps; his form shot like lightning, easily shaking off the remaining two centipedes, and he retreated to Di Chunlei's side.

The four stood outside the zone, Di Chunlei and the others watching with lingering dread as the fifteen massive mechanical centipedes wandered aimlessly through the ruins, their metallic shells reflecting the ceiling's light, radiating a cold aura.

The aerial restriction forbade flight; on the ground, these invulnerable, immensely powerful mechanical centipedes blocked the way—there was no way to reach the ruin's center.

Di Chunlei and Zhang Shaochong stared at the zone, brows furrowed, desperately pondering a strategy—but found no solution.

Chen Mu also frowned, wondering whether to use "Earth Submersion."

Just as Di Chunlei and the others were at a loss, a heavy, rhythmic sound of metal scraping and footsteps suddenly came from the corridor behind them.

"Who's there?"

Di Chunlei turned around warily.

There, under the control of Liu Xianbo and Liu Xiankang, five massive mechanical tigers were slowly and cautiously approaching.

The lead mechanical tiger's chest cavity opened, revealing Liu Xianbo's face, wearing a nervous, ingratiating smile; through the amplifier, he asked cautiously.

"Uh, gentlemen, the path ahead seems treacherous. Would you allow my brother and me to lend a small hand?"

Liu Xianbo and Liu Xiankang were offering help voluntarily?

Di Chunlei first froze, then his gaze fell on their massive mechanical tigers and the swarm of mechanical wolves behind them—he paused, thinking.

These steel constructs might actually be useful—they're inanimate, and sturdy enough to serve as the perfect buffer to pass through the centipede zone.

Zhang Shaochong's eyes lit up too; he whispered, "Di brother, Chen brother, Miss Shi—look. These mechanical centipedes are invulnerable and immensely strong, but their movement seems restricted to the zone. If the Liu brothers' mechanical beasts draw their fire and tie them up, we might use our speed to dash through quickly and reach the center!"

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Di Chunlei replied.

Shi Yilan studied the mechanical wolves and tigers carefully, imagined their clash with the centipedes in her mind, her beautiful eyes brightened, and she nodded in agreement: "Zhang brother is right—this plan works. But we must guard against the Liu brothers secretly scheming."

"That won't be hard."

Di Chunlei spoke, and he, Zhang Shaochong, and Shi Yilan all turned their gazes toward Chen Mu, waiting for his decision.

Who did Liu Xianbo and Liu Xiankang fear?

Naturally—Chen Mu!

As long as Chen Mu agreed, the Liu brothers wouldn't dare act up!

Chen Mu's expression remained calm; after a brief thought, he gave a slight nod.

"Fine."

The "Earth Submersion" technique could let him carry others through the rubble zone, but as a trump card, the fewer who knew of it, the better—he wouldn't reveal it unless absolutely necessary.

Seeing Chen Mu's approval, Di Chunlei relaxed completely and shouted loudly toward the mechanical tigers: "Liu Xianbo! Liu Xiankang! You can help—but once inside, whoever finds a treasure claims it by fortune. You must not use your mechanical beasts to seize or attack us. Otherwise, don't blame us for being uncivil!"

His tone carried a warning.

Inside the mechanical tiger, Liu Xianbo and Liu Xiankang hurriedly responded through the amplifier.

"Di brother, rest assured! With Chen brother here, how would we dare act improperly? We'll follow the rules—find a treasure, whoever grabs it keeps it. We won't use our beasts to snatch it!"

"If we break this, may thunder strike us down!"

His tone was ingratiating and earnest.

…

The deal was struck. Chen Mu's group stepped aside, each cultivating their Qi, adjusting their state, preparing to sprint.

Seeing this, Liu Xianbo and Liu Xiankang immediately activated their mechanical beasts.

The five largest mechanical tigers let out a low roar, their heavy steps pounding forward like iron fortresses as they charged into the rubble zone!

Behind them, over a hundred mechanical wolves surged like a gray metallic tide, their claws and fangs scraping with a chilling, grating sound.

The instant the mechanical beasts entered the zone, the ground trembled again—the fifteen ferocious mechanical centipedes were simultaneously "angered," their blade-legs slicing the earth as they launched a furious assault on the wolves and tigers!

Boom~ Boom~ Boom~

Boom!

In an instant, metallic clashes, rending sounds, and explosions erupted together.

The mechanical tigers, relying on their massive size and thick armor, endured the centipedes' bites and poison mist, their thick tiger paws slamming and jaws tearing as they grappled with the centipedes.

The mechanical wolves, more agile, moved in packs, using their numbers to harass and ram the centipedes' joints and legs from the sides and rear. Though some wolves were flung away by the centipedes' strength or torn apart by their sharp legs, scattering into scattered parts, they successfully diverted most of the centipedes' attention.

Individually, each mechanical centipede was clearly superior in quality—but the mechanical beast swarm, through sheer numbers and coordination, forcibly held back these fifteen terrifying guardians, creating a chaotic, fierce battlefield at the center of the rubble zone.

"Now!"

Di Chunlei seized the moment and roared.

"Go!"

The moment the words left his lips, he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, choosing a relatively safe path and darting through the chaotic fray like a fish swimming through water, heading straight for the opposite side.

Whoosh!