However, the beam only left a faint mark on its armor, failing to cause any substantial damage.
"This thing’s defense is insane!"
Sun Yang grumbled as he moved quickly, dodging the combat machine’s counterattacks.
"The armor’s too thick! Ranged attacks aren’t working well!"
Bai Lin’s analysis came in moments later. "Its core is probably hidden somewhere on its back, but we have to get close to confirm!"
"We have to get close, huh?"
A slight smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips. "Then let’s get close!"
"You’re going to go?"
Han Ruoxi sounded surprised. "Brother Chang’an, that thing is huge! It’s too risky to get close!"
"There’s no other way. Someone has to give it a shot."
Li Chang’an’s tone was casual, as if he were discussing something perfectly ordinary. "Cover me. I’ll find its weak point."
"I’ll go with you!"
Before he could finish, Shen Qiuyue was already at his side, High-Energy Sword in hand, her expression as calm as ever. "You can’t do it alone. We need to coordinate."
Li Chang’an glanced at her and nodded. "Alright. Together."
"We’ll be responsible for drawing its attention!"
Han Ruoxi said as electricity began to gather in her hands, "Brother Chang’an, you two be careful!"
"Don’t worry!"
Li Chang’an tightened his grip on his Saw Chain Sword, his gaze sharp. "Let’s take it down!"
The words had barely left his mouth when Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue shot forward. They moved like cheetahs, their speed a blur as they rushed the massive combat machine.
"Han Ruoxi, Sun Yang, cover them!"
Bai Lin’s voice crackled in their earpieces. Without hesitation, Han Ruoxi unleashed a powerful bolt of Lightning, striking the combat machine’s side.
"Come on! Let’s see how long you can last!"
Not to be outdone, Sun Yang fired continuous blasts from his Pulse Gun at various parts of the machine, trying to draw its fire.
Sure enough, the combat machine was pinned by their attacks. Its massive mechanical arms swung about with a low rumble, trying to lock onto the members of the Insect Hunter Squad.
Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue seized the opportunity to close in. Their target was the combat machine’s back—the likely location of its weak point, according to Bai Lin’s analysis.
"Looks like the armor on its back isn’t as thick!"
Shen Qiuyue said in a low voice, her eyes scanning the target. "We need to find a way to punch through it."
"I’ll give it a try!"
Li Chang’an raised his Saw Chain Sword, leaped into the air, and charged straight for the combat machine’s back. The sharp teeth of the Saw Chain Sword ground against the armor with a piercing shriek, sending sparks flying.
However, though the armor was indeed thinner here than on other parts, it remained incredibly sturdy. The Saw Chain Sword only managed to cut a small gash into it.
"This thing’s defenses are terrifying!"
Shen Qiuyue’s brows furrowed as she looked at the shallow gash. "We need more firepower!"
"Han Ruoxi, concentrate all your current and attack the gash on its back!"
"Got it!"
Han Ruoxi immediately focused all her Superpower. A wild current surged in her hands. A moment later, a thick bolt of Lightning shot toward the combat machine’s back, striking the gash Li Chang’an had cut with perfect accuracy.
The powerful current instantly pierced the armor. The combat machine’s movements stuttered to a halt as it let out a piercing mechanical screech, its entire frame beginning to shake violently.
"It worked!"
Sun Yang yelled excitedly, "Keep up the attack!"
"Keep up the pressure!"
Seizing the opportunity, Li Chang’an wrenched his Saw Chain Sword free and struck the combat machine’s back again. The gash grew larger, and the current bored deeper.
Under the combined assault of the Insect Hunter Squad, the combat machine finally let out a low rumble. Its massive body slowly lost its balance, finally crashing to the ground with a tremendous BOOM that made the earth tremble.
"We got it!"
Li Chang’an released his Saw Chain Sword and let out a long sigh. "Is everyone alright?"
"No problem!"
Han Ruoxi shook her hands, the current gradually dissipating from them. A smug smile spread across her face. "I told you, electricity is the most effective!"
"Your performance was good this time."
Shen Qiuyue glanced at her and nodded slightly.
"Where’s Sun Yang? Is he still alive?"
Li Chang’an looked around and found Sun Yang crouched behind a large rock, panting.
"Of course I’m alive!"
Sun Yang dusted himself off and walked out with a grin. "That thing was a real pain, but thankfully I have you all!"
"Don’t be so modest. You pulled your weight in that fight just now."
Li Chang’an smiled. "Everyone did a great job!"
"But who was that person from before?"
Bai Lin walked over, his expression puzzled. "He just vanished without a trace. It feels like he deliberately lured us here."
"That is a bit strange."
Li Chang’an nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant mountain cliff. "This might just be the beginning," he said in a heavy tone. "The real enemy hasn’t revealed themselves yet."
"Seriously, what’s that guy’s deal?"
Sun Yang wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Li Chang’an in confusion. "He just vanished like that? Feels like he left a huge problem for us to solve."
"Yeah, he clearly could have fought us head-on, but he chose to lead us here instead."
Han Ruoxi also frowned. "That guy definitely has some other objective."
"His goal might be more than just fighting us."
Shen Qiuyue analyzed calmly, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Luring us here... it might have been to test our strength, or to prepare for his next move."
"Doesn’t that just mean things are about to get more troublesome?"
Sun Yang clicked his tongue, a hint of resignation in his voice. "I really thought the mission would be over once we took care of these mechanical monsters."
"Don’t be so optimistic."
"This enemy isn’t simple," Li Chang’an said, wiping his Saw Chain Sword. "That combat machine was just an appetizer."
"An appetizer?"
Han Ruoxi shook her head with a wry smile. "I really don’t want to know what the main course is."
"We need to keep scouting. There can’t be just these things here."
Bai Lin said with a frown as he checked his equipment, "The signal interference is still present, which means something else hasn’t shown itself yet."
"It’s not over yet?"
Sun Yang sounded exasperated. "Shouldn’t we just go back to base and return with a larger force? This could be a major conspiracy for all we know!"
"Returning isn’t out of the question."
Li Chang’an nodded, his gaze drifting toward the distance. "But if we go back now, things might be even more troublesome once the enemy has finished their preparations."
"He’s right. We need to figure out their plan as soon as possible."
Shen Qiuyue looked up at the distant mountain face. "There’s a valley up ahead. I think the enemy might be there."
"Alright, let’s keep moving forward then."
Li Chang’an gestured for the team to gather. "Everyone, stay alert. Don’t get separated."
The Insect Hunter Squad quickly readied their gear and continued deeper into the valley.
The valley was even quieter now. Besides the sound of the wind, there was hardly another sound to be heard.
"This place is too quiet."
Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but whisper, her eyes darting around. "Something feels off."
"The quieter it is, the bigger the problem."
Li Chang’an walked at the head of the group, his gaze fixed forward. "Everyone, be ready. We could be attacked at any moment."
The words had barely left his mouth when the ground began to shake violently. Several massive cracks suddenly split open on the distant cliff face. A blast of scalding air erupted, accompanied by a piercing roar, as several enormous Mechanical Warriors slowly emerged from the fissures.
"I knew it wasn’t over!"
Sun Yang shouted, quickly raising his Pulse Gun. "It’s not just a few of them this time! Looks like this will keep us busy for a while!"
These Mechanical Warriors were even larger than the previous combat machine. They held massive Energy Weapons, their bodies radiated a scorching glow, and every step they took seemed to land with thunderous force.