Chapter 808: Core Battle

The third day, at midnight.

The squad reached the outermost barrier of the core region.

Before them was an arc-shaped energy wall reaching thirty zhang high.

The wall's surface was entirely formed of condensed yin energy, presenting a deep purple-black color.

Its surface bore countless fine patterns that throbbed like blood vessels.

The wall was not a physical object but a pure energy field.

Any matter touching its surface would be instantly disintegrated.

"This is the 'Yin Energy Barrier'."

In Lin Chong's faint perception through regular vision, he could 'see' that the wall's surface was composed of millions of intertwined sealing patterns.

Each pattern operated according to some algorithm, forming a perfect defensive matrix.

"The detector shows the wall is at least five zhang thick."

The Artisan reported.

"The energy intensity……cannot be measured, far exceeding the instrument's limit."

"Is there an entrance?" Zhao Si observed the surroundings.

"Theoretically there should be a maintenance passage," another Artisan said.

"But the scan detects no structural gaps."

Lin Chong closed his eyes, fully sensing the vague guidance transmitted through the link from Chen Wen.

That deep-blue will, far away, was difficultly 'touching' the barrier's structure.

After a moment, Lin Chong opened his eyes.

"The wall is not uniform."

He pointed to a spot about fifty steps ahead to the left-front.

"There, there is a 'Data Exchange Channel'."

"It opens once every three hundred breaths, each opening lasting three breaths."

"It is used for the internal system to synchronize information with external nodes."

"When the channel opens, the barrier will temporarily reveal a 'Logic Gap'."

"We can pass through there."

"But only for three breaths."

"Moreover, while passing through, one cannot carry any active energy device, otherwise it will be identified as an anomalous data stream, triggering purging."

Zhao Si looked at the Breaker Cone components.

"This thing..."

"We must bring it in." Lin Chong said resolutely.

"But its energy signature is too strong; it will surely be identified."

"So we need cover."

He looked at the two Technicians.

"Can you use potential energy to simulate yin energy fluctuations?"

The Technicians exchanged glances.

"We can try, but the simulation precision required is extremely high, and the duration cannot exceed five breaths."

"Five breaths is enough."

Lin Chong quickly made arrangements.

"The channel will open next in seventy breaths."

"Zhao Si, you take two scouts in the first batch to pass through; upon entering, immediately establish an internal rendezvous point."

"I will bring the Breaker Cone components in the second batch."

"The Technicians will, while we pass through, fully simulate yin energy fluctuations to mask the Breaker Cone's energy signature."

"Remember, only three breaths."

Everyone nodded.

Time passed.

Sixty-five breaths.

The squad lay in ambush outside the channel's designated position.

On the barrier's surface, the patterns began to accelerate their flow.

Sixty-eight breaths.

The Technicians began to pre-condense potential energy.

Seventy breaths.

On the barrier's surface, a circular area about six chi in diameter suddenly became transparent.

Inside was an emerald-green, high-speed flowing data stream of light.

"Go!"

Zhao Si led the two individuals shooting out like arrows.

They rushed into the transparent area.

Their figures were swallowed by the data stream.

Three breaths.

The transparent area began to contract.

Second batch, go!

Lin Chong bore the Breaking Wall Cone components and, together with the artisan carrying the remaining parts, charged out.

The shaman pressed both palms to the ground.

Blue-white momentum energy surged forth like a tide, but at the moment of leaving the body, it was forcibly twisted into a purple-black fluctuation matching the frequency of the fortification.

The fluctuation covered Lin Chong and the other person.

They charged into the passage.

Just at the final instant.

The fortification's identification system seemed to detect a hint of discord.

A fine scanning ripple swept past.

The shaman's simulation showed a deviation of one-thousandth of a breath.

The alarm was not triggered.

But deep within the fortification, a sleeping "existence" was startled.

Lin Chong felt a cold will sweep over him.

As if being gazed upon by the abyss.

He forcibly suppressed his heartbeat and rushed through the passage.

The scene before his eyes changed abruptly.

Inside the core area.

That was a magnificent hall that could not be described in words.

Its height had no visible top.

The ground was black crystal smooth as a mirror.

Countless thick yin-energy conduits converged from all directions, inserting into a huge, slowly rotating purple-black sphere at the hall's center.

That is the yin-energy core.

Its diameter exceeds thirty zhang.

On the sphere's surface, billions of patterns flow simultaneously.

Each pulse releases an energy ripple that makes space tremble.

Around the sphere, twelve smaller crystal platforms hover.

On each platform sits a high-ranking shaman in lotus position.

They close their eyes in prayer, their bodies linked to the platforms, becoming part of the core control network.

And between the ground and the sphere.

Three yin-energy constructs wander about.

They have no fixed form, as if condensed from flowing yin-energy.

Sometimes like a giant python coiling.

Sometimes like a multi-armed demon god.

Sometimes they turn into a purple-black mist sea covering half the sky.

Their "gaze"—if that can be called a gaze—is slowly turning toward the intruders who have just broken in.

"We've been discovered."

Zhao Si whispered.

"Execute Plan B."

Lin Chong gave the order calmly.

"Zhao Si, lead people to lure away the constructs."

"Artisan, find the assembly position."

"Shaman, prepare to disturb the shaman platforms."

"I will break through the final layer of defense."

The plan was swiftly executed.

Zhao Si led five members to step forward actively, maneuvering to the left side.

They threw momentum-energy explosive thunders.

The explosion echoed within the hall.

Two of the three constructs were attracted and turned to pursue.

The third, however, remained before the core sphere, standing guard unmoving.

"It's not taking the bait."

The artisan said anxiously.

"There is still an active shield on the sphere's surface, with extremely high strength."

"The Breaking Wall Cone must be brought within ten feet to be injected."

"Then let's lure it away."

Lin Chong drew his sword.

"You all prepare to assemble."

He alone walked toward that construct.

The construct "looked" at him.

Its form began to change.

It condensed into a humanoid warrior three zhang tall, wielding a yin-energy great blade.

The warrior raised his blade.

It split down silently.

Lin Chong raised his sword to block.

Clang——

A huge metallic clang reverberated in the hall.

The clash of momentum and dark energy burst forth with blinding light.

Lin Chong was knocked back three steps.

The tiger's mouth split.

The construct warrior, however, remained completely still.

"Such strong power..."

A faint blue gleam flickered in Lin Chong's eyes.

Rule Vision was activated at full power.

He "saw" that the construct was not a physical entity.

Its power stems from a direct link to the core sphere.

Each strike carries a fraction of the power of the entire dark-energy network.

Cannot clash head-on.

He changed his tactics.

He maneuvered with his body technique.

The blade light wove like a net, specifically targeting the energy 'umbilical' connecting the construct and the sphere.

The warrior was forced onto the defensive.

But at that moment, one of the two constructs pursuing Zhao Si actually split off and turned back.

A front-and-rear pincer attack.

"Captain!"

A technician tried to lend support, but was repelled by a dark-energy beam fired from the shaman platform.

Lin Chong found himself in a bitter struggle.

Double blades whirled.

His figure struggled to dodge between the two terrifying attacks.

The armor was grazed.

Dark-energy corrosion began to spread.

But he gritted his teeth and held on.

He bought time for the artisan.

The artisan had found a relatively concealed spot behind a crystal pillar.

He began assembling the wall-piercing cone.

The three components were joined.

Interfaces were docked.

"Still need twenty breaths!"

On Lin Chong's side, danger lurked at every turn.

A dark-energy blade grazed his shoulder, shattering the armor.

The flesh was scorched black.

He let out a muffled grunt, yet his swordplay grew even swifter.

Just then.

At the hall's summit.

That massive violet-black sphere suddenly cast a solid 'gaze'.

The gaze locked onto Lin Chong.

A cold, mechanical, emotionless voice rang directly in everyone's minds.

【Identification: Repair Procedure Associated Unit】

【Authority Level: High Risk】

【Execution of Elimination Protocol】

On the sphere's surface, a pattern lit up.

It fired a thin yet incredibly concentrated dark-energy beam.

It pointed straight at Lin Chong's brow.

There was no way to avoid it.

In Lin Chong's eyes, that deadly violet-black light was reflected.

And the wall-piercing cone's assembly still had only five breaths left.