Chapter 237: Scavenger's Shadow

"Reinforcements? Scavenger?"

Li Qingxuan shared this brief and mysterious message with Yan Xin and others, and the atmosphere on the oasis instantly became solemn and full of speculation.

"Reinforcements...... does it refer to the guardians of other Ancestors' Legacy? Or allies who also received the beacon signal?" Yanxin Runesmith frowned, trying to analyze more information contained in that ancient code, but aside from the aura sharing the same origin as the Ancestors, there was nothing else gained.

"Scavenger...... this title is full of ill omen." An elf scout whispered, "It sounds like some kind of...... mechanism responsible for eliminating specific targets."

Li Qingxuan pondered for a moment, then once again placed his hand on the ancient tree's core, focused his spirit, and sent a clearer and more detailed inquiry toward the direction of the response—about their identity, about the so-called "Reinforcements" and "Scavenger", and about the current crisis in the Exile Land.

After sending the message, there was a long wait. Communication delays in the Void exceeded imagination; each exchange could take days or even longer.

During this waiting period, Li Qingxuan was not idle. He integrated more deeply with the ancient tree, comprehending the mysteries of the Life Law, while directing the stationed personnel to further strengthen the oasis's defenses. They used the deciphered runes to construct an invisible energy warning net around the oasis's perimeter; any unauthorized presence approaching would trigger an alarm.

He also tried to use the ancient tree's perception of the Void to monitor energy changes in the direction of the Exile Land. The chaos and malice in that region spread like spreading ink stains, growing denser, making people uneasy.

Five days later, the response finally came again.

This time the message was slightly longer than before, but still fragmented, as if the signal were passing through some strong interference.

"... We are the 'Watchers'...... inheriting the Ancestors' will, guarding the Order's Fire Seed......"

"... The 'Exile Land' movements are known...... the 'Primordial Light' has set out......"

"... Beware of the 'Scavenger'...... False Emperor's creation, hunting Life Beacons and...... all high-density life-response individuals......"

"... They...... have come......"

The message cut off here; no matter how Li Qingxuan tried to contact, the existence called 'Watchers' gave no further response.

"Primordial Light...... Watchers......" Li Qingxuan murmured, these unfamiliar titles seemed to hide an ancient organization closely related to the Ancestors and the Primordial Rune. Their reinforcements might truly exist!

But the warning of the "Scavenger" also sank his heart. The False Emperor indeed did not let go of these "Life Beacons" that might threaten His plan, and dispatched a specialized extermination unit!

"Raise the alert level! All personnel, without my permission, may not leave the oasis energy barrier range!" Li Qingxuan immediately issued the order. Their oasis, in the Void, was like a lighthouse in the dark night; to the Scavenger, the target could not be more obvious.

In the following days, the oasis entered the highest level of combat readiness. Everyone tightened their nerves, and patrol and monitoring efforts were doubled.

However, what was bound to come would eventually come.

On the tenth day after receiving the Watchers' warning, the Elf Communicator responsible for monitoring the energy warning net issued a sharp alarm!

"Detected high-speed unidentified objects approaching! Quantity three! Energy signature...... highly annihilative response! It's the 'Scavenger'!"

Li Qingxuan instantly appeared at the oasis's edge, his gaze sharp toward the direction the alarm came from. Only see in the distant dark Void, three tiny black dots emitting an ominous dark red light, rushing straight toward the oasis at astonishing speed! Their speed was extremely fast, even exceeding that of the Realm Breaker Legion assault ship previously encountered!

"Activate all defenses! Prepare to meet the enemy!" Li Qingxuan growled low.

The emerald energy barrier shone brightly, becoming more solid. On the ground, the thorn vines stimulated to grow rose like living things, their tips flashing with condensed energy light. The stationed Star Dust Guard took their positions, energy weapons fully charged, and the Dwarf Engineer operated the temporarily erected crystal stone battery driven by life energy.

The three black dots rapidly enlarged, revealing their true form—

That was not a conventional warship, but three coffins with extremely bizarre shapes, seemingly woven from obsidian and shadow——

They were about ten meters long, their bodies suffused with dark red energy patterns, lacking portholes, lacking engine nozzles, only possessing an unpleasant darkness that seemed to absorb light. They glided silently through the Void in a manner completely defying physical laws, carrying a cold, pure will of destruction.

"Lock on target! Open fire!" Li Qingxuan ordered.

In an instant, energy beams, the Dwarf's gun barrage, the Elf's magic arrows, and the emerald life-energy shells fired from the crystal stone battery poured down like a torrential rain upon those three coffins!

However, a shocking scene occurred!

Most energy attacks, when approaching within a certain range of the coffins, were like a mud cow entering the sea—easily absorbed and dissipated by that layer of flowing dark red energy patterns! Only a few attacks containing strong life energy (such as the crystal stone shells and the Elf's magic arrows) could cause slight obstruction, making the dark red light on the coffins' surface ripple slightly, but unable to inflict substantive damage!

Their defense rendered them nearly immune to conventional energy attacks!

"Physical defense and life energy resistance are extremely high!" Yan Xin quickly analyzed the data, his face grim, "They are absorbing the energy from attacks to replenish themselves!"

In this brief gap of attack, the three coffins had already reached the front of the oasis energy barrier!

They slowed not at all, nor used any ranged weapons, but like three meteors, they ruthlessly and directly slammed into the emerald energy barrier!

Boom!!!

A deafening impact sound rang out! The entire oasis shook violently! The point of impact on the barrier burst into blinding light, ripples spreading wildly, obviously dimming by a notch!

"They intend to forcefully break through the barrier!" the Star Dust Guard captain exclaimed.

"Don't let them succeed! Concentrate fire, attack the same one!" Li Qingxuan's eyes turned icy; he knew he absolutely could not let these Scavengers enter the oasis interior. He took a deep breath, the Life Imprint on his chest flared again—this time, he would not only defend but also take the initiative!

He leapt forward, passed through the energy barrier, and actively went to meet the one of the coffins charging in front!

On his spear, a hazy light containing the essence of life and death condensed again! He wanted to test whether this attack, fusing life and annihilation forces, could inflict damage on these bizarre Scavengers!

"Give me...... break!"

Li Qingxuan roared, man and spear as one, turning into a gray streak that tore through the Void, fiercely stabbing that shadow coffin!

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