10:25 AM. The sky brightened, and all the abnormal entities between heaven and earth vanished without a trace, leaving only the surging undercurrents deep beneath the ocean. Lin Xian and his squad set out from the underground base, soaring high above the sea as they streaked toward the central city district where the Infinite was located.
"Feeding grounds. No wonder such a large island has no people, not even zombies. Could this Uniga-1 be that world-class Oceanic Titan?" Ning Jing analyzed.
"Most likely. This also explains how that oversized decoy bomb from the Holy City Organization managed to lure that monster. It means the Oceanic Titan's activity range is within several hundred kilometers of these waters." Lin Xian, clad in power armor, flew at the forefront. His gaze fell upon the dark waters below before suddenly changing direction. "We're going elsewhere."
"The Neptune." Lin Xian's tone remained calm. "If I'm not mistaken, the Falcon Sea Group has its fair share of secrets too."
Booming thunder rolled across the overcast sky despite the morning hour, the dark clouds crackling with electricity. The scene reminded KIKI of yesterday's encounter. "No wonder the radiation levels in these storms are so high. It's the heated nuclear vapors rising from the seabed!"
KIKI frowned with concern as she addressed Lin Xian. "Lin Xian, now that I think about it, could Mount Garland's eruption be related to that Uniga-1 too?"
"Laine." Lin Xian replied. "He seems quite knowledgeable about submarine volcanoes."
Catching Lin Xian's implication, KIKI didn't press further. The group cut across the island's western side, following yesterday's navigation path toward the Neptune's anchorage.
"After the tsunami that monster caused yesterday, let's hope their ship hasn't capsized." Lin Xian muttered. His worries proved justified—even from a distance, he could see the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier anchored offshore, surrounded by floating debris. A large supply ship had rolled onto its side, while numerous small aircraft buzzed busily across the water. The damage was evident; this was from yesterday's events.
The Neptune's portside deck bore fresh scars in the morning light. On the tilted flight deck, Laine directed mechanical teams salvaging supplies while flight crews led by Azrael and others worked desperately with several large vessels to right the capsized supply ship. The entire Falcon Sea Group had mobilized for this operation.
"Surge intensifying! Deploy the reserve anchor chains!"
The once-lush deck plantations now lay in ruins. Survivors cleared twisted remnants of arresting cables while Vanessa, perched on the observation deck's edge operating a mobile terminal, suddenly looked up as her miniature threat radar pinged.
"Laine, you called it. They're here." Vanessa leapt down from her high perch, landing smoothly with a strange ripple beneath her feet. Meanwhile, Laine approached with Geddy and Erica in tow, sunglasses still on.
"Seems we've made contact with Sanctum's people."
Whoosh! The shriek of retro-thrusters split the air as seven figures descended onto the deck. Seeing the devastation around them, Lin Xian removed his faceplate. "Casualties?"
"Quite a few. That tsunami was no joke." Laine adjusted his sunglasses, offering Lin Xian a smile. "As expected of the Sword Bearer. Our reconnaissance planes saw that monster attack the western coast, yet you emerged unscathed."
Snap! A cable hauling the supply ship suddenly snapped, whipping into the sea and sending up a ten-meter wall of spray.
Laine's expression darkened instantly. "Geddy, Vanessa, assistance needed."
"Unnecessary." Lin Xian had assessed the situation upon arrival. He exchanged a glance with KIKI.
"Understood." KIKI grinned before soaring upward, hovering above the capsized supply ship. Her eyes glowed with intense ability energy as she raised both hands. Terrifying telekinetic force gripped the entire vessel, metal groaning under the strain as she heaved. The assisting tugboats and aircraft suddenly found their progress accelerated dramatically, the supply ship creaking back toward upright position.
Within minutes, thanks to KIKI's efforts, the supply ship righted itself, seawater cascading off its decks.
"Appreciated." Laine observed before glancing at Vanessa, who shrugged. "Combat power isn't everything. Telekinesis is truly formidable. That monster yesterday terrified us all—a cosmic horror that made our carrier seem like paper before it."
"You're lucky. Know why I'm here?" Lin Xian asked.
Vanessa, Geddy and the others fixed varied expressions on Lin Xian.
Laine smiled faintly. "Coming to collaborate with us?"
Lin Xian shook his head.
Laine's smile froze. "Then what's your purpose?"
Lin Xian pointed at the returning KIKI. "What you just witnessed—saving your lives."
Laine regarded him suspiciously. "Meaning?"
"Why would we need saving?" Erica stepped forward, puzzled. "With respect, Captain Lin, we're not the ones stranded on the island."
"Then why haven't you left, knowing Mount Garland might erupt?" Lin Xian's gaze swept across the Falcon Sea Group's key members, his voice steady. "For the Crystal Lattice? Forbidden Artifacts? Or something beneath the island?"
Laine's eyes narrowed. "You've been to the island?"
"Eliminated Sanctum's people while we were at it." KIKI crossed her arms, tilting her chin up. "That place holds significant secrets. What do you know?"
Exchange of glances passed between Vanessa's group and Laine, who hesitated before meeting Lin Xian's eyes.
"Perhaps we should discuss this inside?"
In the bridge information room, Laine explained, "We observed your battle with Sanctum in the city yesterday. Apologies for not assisting—our situation was dire."
Lin Xian nodded. "Expected."
The Oceanic Titan's appearance had turned surrounding waters into hellscapes. Even now, it was evident the Falcon Sea Group had narrowly avoided annihilation yesterday.
Laine continued, "I knew you'd come. Those lies about hunting blood crystals? You wouldn't believe them."
"Distrust." Erica interjected bluntly. "To be precise, we weren't sure you'd survive."
"You knew about Sanctum's movements?" Ning Jing frowned.
Laine shook his head. "Not specifics, but I warned you—Sanctum had you marked."
"Never expected such scale." Vanessa added. "Frankly, had our city monitors not caught your movements, we'd have assumed you perished against that creature."
"Impossible! Our Infinite is formidable!" KIKI protested.
"Indeed! Mere demons cannot daunt us!" Fire Bro declared.
Laine studied them before focusing on Lin Xian, who spoke first: "If I'm correct, you're anchored here for more than just hunting, yes?"
Laine admitted, "The Neptune's propulsion system suffered severe damage during an abnormal entity battle a week ago. Technically, we're stranded here. Fortunately, Haiyan Island is nearby."
"Fortunately?" Lin Xian's lips curved slightly. "You consider that favorable?"
"Better than drifting helplessly in the Pacific's depths." Laine shrugged. "Our aircraft and other vessels remain operational, but we're reluctant to abandon the Neptune."
Lin Xian's gaze sharpened. "Mr. Laine, I said I came to save you. I expect truthful answers."
Laine hesitated. "Captain Lin, how exactly do you plan to save us?"
"Your Neptune won't be repaired in time. Unless you intend to flee with your remaining five ships and that hidden submarine?"
Laine's composure finally cracked. "How do you know time's short? You've confirmed Mount Garland's instability?"
Lin Xian nodded, producing a small detector. "I also know you possess a Forbidden Artifact. Your ship's well-supplied, dealing in Crystal Lattice on the black market—possibly related, though I care little. I came to warn you: There's a device beneath the island attracting countless abyssal horrors now swarming nearby waters. Add your Oceanic Titan, and I estimate less than 24 hours before Haiyan Island is submerged."
"Consider this a goodwill gesture. If helpful, act on it." Lin Xian rose to leave.
He'd noticed much yesterday but cared little until now. Laine's wariness mirrored Erica's description—their group remained guarded, likely fearing collateral damage from Lin Xian's status as the Sword Bearer and primary target.
Laine called out, exhaling deeply before confessing,
"Twenty-four hours? The emplacement device has deteriorated that badly?"
Lin Xian turned. "You knew."
"Of course." Laine revealed astonishing news: "I formerly belonged to the Foundation—that submarine base. Special security division."
"You're Foundation?" KIKI blurted.
"Formerly." Laine clarified. "No current ties. More like... former asset?"
Lin Xian scanned Laine's companions. "And them?"
"Just me." Laine confirmed before Lin Xian pressed, "What else do you know?"
Laine met his gaze squarely. "It was an experimental facility. They lured abnormal entities for research—content unknown to me. But whenever that device deactivated, massive seabed quakes followed, surfacing countless entity corpses. The stench... storms carried heavy radiation, much like yesterday."
Lin Xian frowned. "So the blood crystal hunt was genuine?"
Laine glanced at Erica, who silently raised her mechanical arm. Its hatch slid open, releasing a viscous wave of dark energy that thickened the air instantly. Lin Xian's group recoiled from the intense Forbidden Artifact energy.
Erica extracted a copper valve-ball from her arm—palm-sized, drawing microscopic particles toward it.
"We call it the Dark Energy Copper Ball. It rapidly absorbs ambient dark energy and blood crystals within range, but the side effects..." She quickly resealed the device, exhaling in relief. "High concentrations easily induce aberrant transformations in nearby personnel."
Understanding dawned on Lin Xian's face—this explained Laine's extreme caution. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥