The "shadow shuttle" glided like the quietest ghost in the Universe, silently approaching the target coordinates and hovering in the outer shadow of an abandoned space station that looked like a giant tomb filled with floating metal debris. Outside the porthole was the wreckage of a "Pirate Transit Station," crudely modified and disguised as a large meteorite, but actually containing a hidden world inside. The dim starlight reflected off the rusted metal surface, exuding a sense of desolation and deathly silence.
Artoria and Minerva sat side by side in the cockpit, the holographic tactical panel in front of them clearly displaying a structural scan of the target. The interior of the disguised meteorite was divided into several areas, with simple life support systems, energy reactions, and even a few weak life signals belonging to ordinary humans.
"There are ordinary people inside," Minerva said softly, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Mhm," Artoria nodded, her gaze cold. Suma Li was indeed still the same as ever. She closed her eyes, her mental strength highly concentrated, deeply linking with the auxiliary interface of the "Sacred Knowledge Vault" while simultaneously mobilizing the powerful Psionic Energy within her Dark Plane. Target: All life units inside the meteorite that do not match Suma Li's energy signature.
"Starting calculation... Locking on... Marking spatial coordinates... Loading transfer algorithm... Execute."
There was no earth-shattering light or violent spatial fluctuations. In the marked areas inside the meteorite, the air distorted slightly, and the humans within vanished without a sound, reappearing the next moment in an Angel rescue boat tens of thousands of kilometers away. The clearing was complete.
"Clearing complete." Artoria opened her eyes and looked at Minerva. "Xiao Xiao, monitor the global energy reactions, especially spatial anomalies."
"Understood." Data streams flickered slightly in Minerva's eyes as her perception fully expanded.
"Now, for the greeting gift." A cold curve formed at the corner of Artoria's mouth. Deep within the Dark Plane, the experimental ship cannon core was activated, and a massive amount of energy was surged forth. The cannon muzzle did not physically appear; instead, an energy focusing window with shimmering purple-gold light at its edges tore open in the void in front of the "shadow shuttle."
"Take this."
Locking onto the coordinates, her gaze sharpened.
Buzz—!!!
A low hum, like the painful groan of space, rang out. A purple-gold torrent over ten meters in diameter, composed purely of destructive energy, erupted from the focusing window and instantly struck the meteorite's shell!
Boom!!!
The reinforced metal shell tore, melted, and vaporized like paper! The violent energy drove straight in, accurately pouring into the central area where Suma Li was located! Blinding light exploded, the Impact sent debris flying, and the entire meteorite shook violently and disintegrated!
"First hit! The target's energy reaction is fluctuating sharply! He hasn't disappeared!" Minerva quickly reported the monitoring results.
"As expected." Artoria's gaze did not relax in the slightest. This shot was a greeting, a defense-breaker, the opening of a fire coverage barrage!
Almost before the aftershocks of the ship's cannon had subsided, Artoria's hands had already traced several afterimages in the void. The doors to the Dark Plane "warehouse" swung open with a bang! A torrent of steel and destruction poured out!
The "Hive" floating cannon array was the first to emerge, in groups of twelve. Their cold muzzles flickered with the faint light of godslayer no. 1 armor-piercing rounds. Like well-trained soldiers, they instantly deployed in a three-dimensional spherical array centered on the "shadow shuttle," occupying all high and low firing sectors. Muzzles adjusted slightly, locking programs activated, and they stood ready. They didn't emit a monotonous hum, but a subtle "sizzling" sound of energy filling, like the rhythmic and threatening clicking of gears inside a precision clock.
Next were the "Hound" light assault mecha. They moved on all fours, their streamlined silver-gray bodies covered in miniature vector thrust ports. The moment they landed, they lowered their bodies, a low sound of air pressure release coming from their joints. Claw blades popped out, shimmering with high-frequency oscillation. The covers of the miniature missile launchers on their shoulders slid open with a "click," revealing honeycomb-like launch holes. They did not gather but, like a true wolf pack, dispersed and hid in groups of two or three using the surrounding wreckage, their electronic eyes flashing crimson as they locked onto the center of the explosion.
Heavy footsteps sounded as the "Bedrock" heavy defense robots walked out with steps like battering rams hitting the ground. Each stood four meters tall, their thick composite armor dull under the starlight. The rotary rapid-fire cannons on both arms slowly preheated and turned, emitting a low "woo-woo" sound, while the thick energy barrier generators on their backs began to charge, forming a faint blue arc-shaped shield outline. They moved forward heavily and steadily like mobile fortresses, providing cover for the following units.
The "Web Weaver" information interference units scattered silently to every corner of the battlefield like dandelion seeds. They had no offensive weapons, were pitch black, and their surfaces were covered in complex energy patterns. When activated, they emitted an almost inaudible, sharp high-frequency noise, like nails scraping against glass. A force field invisible to the naked eye, but capable of strongly interfering with Dark Energy communications and conventional perception, quickly expanded using them as nodes, enveloping the entire engagement area.
Finally, there were the "Scavenger" self-destruct drone swarms. They were the smallest, shaped like flat metal beetles, flying out in groups and emitting a dense, tooth-aching "buzzing" sound. Like a cloud of death insects, they circled and hovered at the periphery of the battlefield, looking for the best timing and angle for self-destruction.
In just a few seconds, thousands of mechanical units had completed their battlefield deployment with absolute silence and efficiency. There was no confusion, no hesitation; every unit was like an extension of Artoria's limbs, precisely executing her will. Only the various subtle sounds of energy flow, mechanical operation, and weapon charging mixed together, forming the prelude to a cold, efficient, and oppressive symphony of death.
At this moment, from within the meteorite wreckage struck by the ship's cannon, a battered and furious figure broke through the twisted metal and energy turbulence, appearing under the starry sky.
Suma Li. His armor was damaged, his blonde hair scorched, and his face bloodstained. His sinister eyes were full of shock, anger, and malice. However, when he saw the scale of the attacker's array—a small vehicle, two seemingly weak women, and the surrounding dense "tin toys"—a sense of humiliation instantly outweighed his shock and anger.
"Heh... Haha..." He let out a raspy, cold laugh. His voice couldn't travel in the vacuum, but the mockery in his thoughts was clearly discernible. "Small fry sent by Kaisha and Hexi, bringing a bunch of... scrap metal? To seek death?"
His gaze swept over the mechanical legion, full of disdain. A Third Generation God Body, an ancient Heavenly Scum—would he be afraid of these? In his long life, he had seen countless mechanical creations, all of which eventually turned to dust before absolute power and a God Body. These things were just a bit more numerous and looked a bit tidier, but their essence was still fragile iron blocks and simple energy circuits.
Contempt, arrogance, and a sense of superiority rooted in bloodline and power made him treat the steel torrent before him with the most thorough disdain.
Artoria didn't waste words. She raised her hand and swung it down. Fire.
Phase One: The Collapse of Arrogance.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The "Hive" floating cannon array was the first to strike. Precise point-blank shots in batches and from different angles, coordinated perfectly! The beams were slender, cutting through the darkness.
Before the cold smile on Suma Li's face had fully faded, his figure turned into an afterimage, easily dodging. He didn't even use his full strength, relying solely on the basic speed of a Third Generation God Body to weave elegantly through the gaps in the barrage, as if playing. "Trivial tricks. This level of energy shooting, even my protective Dark Energy... Huh?!"
His thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
Chi! Chi! Chi!
Several beams he failed to fully dodge hit his body. Instead of being easily deflected or annihilated by his protective Dark Energy as expected, they made a piercing sound like boiling oil poured on snow! Those slender beams seemed to carry some extremely malicious penetration and erosion characteristics, easily piercing through the layer of Dark Energy shield that was enough to resist conventional energy cannons, and nailing themselves firmly into his God Body!
"Ugh!" Suma Li groaned, his figure showing a clear lag for the first time. From the hit areas came a pain that wasn't just simple burning, but something deeper into the bone, as if it were disintegrating his cellular structure and suppressing energy regeneration! The wounds didn't heal immediately; instead, they flickered with a strange dark red energy residue, hindering the God Body's self-repair!
"This is... a god slaying weapon?!" Suma Li's pupils suddenly contracted, the disdain in his eyes instantly replaced by unbelievable horror! He snapped his gaze toward those inconspicuous floating cannons, toward the energy signatures left by those beams... That's right! That kind of special energy wavelength targeted at Super Genes and God Body structures, highly destructive and suppressive... it was the godslayer no. 1 armor-piercing round! And it was a mass-produced, high-precision, long-range sniper version!
Top-tier god slaying weapons that were only found in small quantities in Kaisha's armory! How could they appear here? And be equipped on these "tin toys"? And even more... hundreds of them firing at once?!
A chill instantly shot up his spine to the top of his head.
However, before he could recover from this shock, the mechanical legion's attacks followed one after another, giving him no time to think!
Just as his figure lagged due to the pain and shock!
The "Hound" assault mecha moved! In groups of three, they pounced from tricky angles! Miniature missiles blocked his path in advance, and claw blades aimed straight for the joints, energy nodes, and other relatively weak connections of the God Body! Their attacks were equally swift, precise, and fearless!
Suma Li was both shocked and angry. He swung his flame sword, blowing up a "Hound" in front of him. But the claw blades from both sides had already arrived! He subconsciously used Dark Energy to strengthen his defense—
Chila! The sound of piercing metal tearing and energy erosion!
The claw blades tore fiercely at his armor and God Body. Although they failed to cause a fatal wound, the high-frequency oscillation energy and special material coating once again broke through his hastily gathered defense, leaving deep wounds and similarly suppressing their rapid healing! The claw blades of these "Hounds" had likely undergone special treatment, possibly even infused with decomposition toxins or energy disturbance fields specifically targeted at Angel and Heavenly Scum God Body materials!
The metal storm from the "Bedrock" heavy robots followed, sealing off a large area and forcing him into a position where he couldn't pull away to regroup. The "Web Weaver's" interference made his attempts to mobilize large-scale Dark Energy for a wide-area clearing exceptionally difficult and slow, as if he were in a swamp.
This was no longer the overwhelming battle he had expected.
This was a meticulously woven, all-encompassing three-dimensional hunt targeted at his God Body's characteristics!
Every attack carried a fatal threat!
The things he had regarded as "scrap metal" had now turned into death warrants!
"No... impossible!" Suma Li roared in his heart, his initial arrogance and contempt long since replaced by cold sweat. For the first time, he truly felt that he was firmly trapped in a giant web of death composed of god slaying weapons, special mecha, information interference, and heavy fire suppression! Every node of this web pointed to his weaknesses and was enough to cause effective damage! And the one manipulating this web was that seemingly harmless black-haired girl in the distance!
The sky had fallen.
His Third Generation God Body, which he took pride in, had its defensive power greatly reduced in the face of these highly targeted attacks. His speed, which he was so proud of, was greatly limited under the precisely calculated fire net and fearless close-quarters combat. His rich combat experience was actually somewhat useless when facing this unprecedented tactical system, completely executed by machines and without any emotional flaws!
The battle quickly reached a fever pitch. Suma Li put away all contempt and brought out the true strength of an ancient Heavenly Scum. Dark Energy boiled, and his sword light was sharp, constantly slicing "Hounds" to pieces and destroying floating cannons. But for every unit he destroyed, more would immediately take its place; the attacks never stopped and became increasingly tricky. More and more wounds were added to his body. Although not fatal, the feeling of his energy being constantly consumed and his wounds healing slowly, like being sliced to death, made him incredibly anxious.
What made his heart turn even colder was that the small vehicle would give him a hard hit every now and then—that terrible ship cannon always fired unexpectedly just when he was at his most battered, when his old strength was spent and new strength had yet to form. Although it couldn't directly wound him severely, it always forced him into a more dangerous situation or disrupted his rhythm. Every weak fluctuation of the ship's cannon charging made his heart jump.
This wasn't a battle at all; it was a one-sided, cold war of attrition and torture! The opponent's goal seemed not to be a quick kill, but to slowly grind away his power, destroy his pride, and let him experience despair!
"bastard!!" Suma Li let out an angry roar, no longer holding back, preparing to launch a wide-range attack to force a clearing.
However, at the very moment his energy was converging.
A cold light flashed in Artoria's eyes. The "Psionic Collapse Generator" was activated.
Suma Li only felt a strange tearing palpitation at his energy core. His ultimate move was interrupted, and his figure lagged once again!
"Concentrate fire!" Artoria's command was issued.
All mechanical units opened fire with everything they had! Along with the "shadow shuttle's" main cannon, all attacks, like a converging galaxy of death, completely submerged Suma Li, who was momentarily stiff due to the energy backlash!
Boom boom boom boom boom—!!!
Amidst the continuous explosions, Suma Li's God Body began to disintegrate. His shields shattered, his armor was pulverized, and flesh and blood flew everywhere...
Phase Three: Desperate Counterattack and the Iron Fist's Response.
When the intense light and smoke of the explosion slightly cleared.
Suma Li was already broken and battered, floating like a rag. His remaining eye was full of malice, fear, and a desperation bordering on madness. But he wasn't dead yet. Malice and madness outweighed everything. He glared fixedly at the "shadow shuttle," at the calm black-haired girl behind the porthole. It was her! Everything was because of her! If he just killed her...
Relying on his remaining power and his last bit of control over space, Suma Li launched a micro-wormhole transfer for a close-range assassination! His figure blurred, a wormhole flashed, and his broken body appeared outside the "shadow shuttle's" porthole, his ghost-like claws stabbing straight at Artoria's face!
"Ling!" Minerva cried out in alarm.
There was no panic on Artoria's face; a cold mockery of "as I thought" flashed in her eyes. Her right fist swung upward with a boom! From her forearm to her knuckles, nanomachines instantly deployed, forming a silver-white arm guard and gauntlet! The knuckle rammers of the gauntlet protruded, and the energy focusing crystal on the back of her hand lit up.
In Suma Li's eyes, the girl's calm face was replaced by the cold and ferocious metal gauntlet, and the blazing yet cold fighting spirit erupting from those clear eyes, like the core of a star!
Horror had just begun to rise.
Bang!!! Crack—! Argh—!!!
A dull explosion, the crisp sound of bones breaking, and a shrill scream! Suma Li's ghost claws were pulverized, his arm bones and shoulder blades were completely shattered, and his whole body was sent flying backward as if hit by a main cannon, trailing a "ribbon" of flesh, blood, and dissipated energy!
This punch shattered his final counterattack and his dignity.
Artoria withdrew her fist, and the arm guard vanished. She calmly watched Suma Li's unconscious, broken body fly backward.
"It's over." She raised her hand, palm upward. "Spiritual Particle Disintegration Array, maximum power, directional excitation."
Silent ripples spread, enveloping the broken body. Suma Li's remaining consciousness let out a silent shriek as he felt all information of his existence rapidly melting, disintegrating, and turning into nothingness.
Three seconds later, the ripples dissipated. The starry sky was empty. Suma Li was completely "annihilated."
The "shadow shuttle" turned around, and the mechanical units were retracted. Only silent ruins and a piece of erased history remained.
In the Merlot Heavenly Court, Hexi pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the cold stone that had been deposited for tens of thousands of years turn to dust. A truly relaxed smile curved her lips.
"well done... Little Artoria."
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