The shields shattered, leaving the herd of colossal elephants defenseless.
Countless artillery shells rained down upon the elephant herd, exploding and causing widespread casualties.
At this moment, from behind the elephant herd, a massive energy claw swung with immense force.
Where it passed, all the artillery shells were pulverized, turning into dust that scattered in the wind.
For a moment, the surroundings fell silent.
Command Center.
Zhao Long tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes fixed on the monitor. He felt a slight shock.
The appearance of the giant claw was etched in his mind.
"This is at least an eighth-tier beast!" his advisors' minds began to churn, speculating.
One of them questioned, "No, it's stronger than an eighth-tier beast. If it were merely to destroy artillery shells, it wouldn't be too difficult; seventh-tier could achieve that. But to turn shells into dust in an instant, this ability is something even an eighth-tier beast would struggle with."
"I believe if this beast truly possessed ninth-tier strength, it wouldn't be hiding behind the scenes. It's likely a special ability."
"Insufficient information. Further speculation will only lead us further astray. I request permission to take the initiative and probe."
At this point, General Zhao Long spoke, "I agree to probe. The elephant herd will be held back by soldiers and adventurers, while the hidden beast will be confronted by experts. Who is willing to test the strength of the beast's leader?"
As his words fell, someone responded, "I volunteer!"
Zhao Long turned his gaze and saw it was one of his advisors.
This person was named Hu Mang, an eighth-tier awakened individual, possessing extraordinary intellect and a stubborn adherence to his beliefs. He relished personally proving his hypotheses and considered his deductive abilities unparalleled.
When faced with uncertainty or something he couldn't prove, he would personally investigate.
His results often aligned with his predictions, earning him the moniker 'Reckless Sage'!
Seeing him step forward, the general hesitated for a moment. He recalled Hu Mang's words.
Hu Mang believed the beast was stronger than eighth-tier but less than ninth-tier. If that were the case, it would clearly be unsafe for an eighth-tier awakened individual to probe alone.
He looked at those beside him and said, "Adjutant, take a squad and escort Advisor Hu!"
"Yes!" The adjutant immediately responded to the order.
General Zhao Long patted Hu Mang on the shoulder, "Act within your capabilities, and do not put yourself in undue danger."
Hu Mang smiled, "The base remains unbroken, and I shall not perish."
"Haha, you are still so humorous. Rest assured, I will defend the base with all my might. You will not see the day the base falls!" Zhao Long roared with laughter.
The two exchanged a look, then waved goodbye.
Mountaintop.
Lin Yu gazed into the distance.
He murmured, "I can't possibly participate in a situation like this!"
Considering his strength was only fourth-tier, he shook his head and turned back.
Back in his room.
"System, upgrade combat power!"
"Ding, host's upgrade points are sufficient. Initiating upgrade... Upgrade successful!"
In the next moment, warm currents flowed through Lin Yu's body. He was bathed in a faint white light as his strength rapidly increased. It suddenly broke through his bottleneck, his power surging significantly.
He clenched his fists, feeling the immense power within him, and let out a laugh.
"This is fifth-tier. At least three times stronger!"
With his combat power breaking through to the fifth tier, his mood was excellent, a smile perpetually on his lips.
Beep beep beep!!!
Lin Yu looked down and opened his wristband, wondering who was calling at this hour.
Upon checking, he saw it was Lin Fan.
He tapped to answer.
Lin Fan: "Big Brother, I've arrived at Guixu. Where are you?"
Lin Yu: "Why are you here?"
Lin Fan: "I just got discharged from the hospital. Thinking of you fighting hard in Guixu, how could I stand by? So I volunteered to come."
Lin Yu: "Tell me the truth!"
Lin Fan: "You know me so well, Big Brother. The dean sent us to support, but one thing is true: I was worried about you, Big Brother!"
Lin Yu: "Stop joking. Where are you? I'll send a clone to pick you up."
Lin Fan: "At the main gate of the base. You'll see me as soon as you get here."
Lin Yu: "Alright, stand still. I'll be right there."
Lin Fan: "Okay, okay, Big Brother, hurry up!"
Lin Yu put down his wristband and sent a clone to fetch Lin Fan. He then projected his consciousness into this clone.
Arriving at the main gate, he immediately spotted Lin Fan, who was chatting with an acquaintance.
Lin Yu was slightly surprised to see this acquaintance, not expecting him to be here.
As Lin Yu appeared, both of them noticed him. Lin Fan waved enthusiastically, "Big Brother, over here!"
Lin Yu walked over. The acquaintance smiled, "Long time no see!"
"Long time no see, Bai Xiaosha."
Indeed, this acquaintance was Bai Xiaosha, the young master of the Bai family he had met in Ji Cheng.
Several months had passed since their last meeting. Upon seeing him again, Lin Yu noticed Bai Xiaosha had become more composed.
Lin Fan said, "Big Brother, Brother Bai just mistook me for you, but I've already explained."
Bai Xiaosha chuckled, "I almost mistook you just now. You look so alike. If my pupil technique hadn't told me Lin Fan was a life form, I would have thought he was your clone."
Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, followed by a sense of relief.
It seemed Bai Xiaosha couldn't see through Lin Fan's true nature.
Although Lin Fan was not a natural life form, in a sense, he was still an independent being with flesh, blood, and a soul.
Aside from being deeply bound to him and unable to die, he possessed all the functions of a human.
It was normal for Bai Xiaosha not to see through it, as the essence of an external manifestation wasn't easily discernible.
Lin Yu patted Bai Xiaosha's shoulder, "We haven't seen each other in a long time. Let's go to my place and catch up."
Bai Xiaosha also felt a warmth from his words and nodded. "Wait a moment, I need to inform my teacher and classmates."
"Alright, hurry up. We'll wait for you!"
Bai Xiaosha headed towards the Dongxu Academy's encampment.
Only Lin Fan and Lin Yu remained.
Lin Fan said, "Main body, let me tell you, the situation has changed recently. Even the Dean has arrived!"
Lin Yu was slightly startled!
The Dean of the Yuzhe Academy, Yuzhe, was a ninth-tier expert. If he had come, what about others?
If other ninth-tier experts had also arrived, what would that imply?
Lin Yu could almost imagine the scale of this battle.
But if it was so dangerous, what use were they, who were of lower cultivation?
Were they cannon fodder?
Lin Yu shook his head. The higher-ups wouldn't do such a thing.
Therefore, they must have a role to play, and perhaps there wouldn't even be a large-scale war. The ninth-tier experts coming here was to maintain order and prevent unforeseen events.
At this moment, Bai Xiaosha's voice beside him snapped him back to reality.
Looking at Bai Xiaosha, he smiled.
"Let's go, let's chat!"