Industrial Cthulhu doesn't believe in the end times.

Chapter 196 Go Forward!

In Su Xun's vision, the world seemed to have changed. Spiritual energy permeated the foundation of all things, and the various elements derived from it became part of the world.

His perception has also improved, and the world appears clearer and closer to its 'essence' before his eyes.

In the past, when he fought, he relied more on the elements in the environment to fight. He used whatever was available in the environment, which was more energy-efficient.

In his previous life, however, he was known as the Little Creator. His core ability was to divide pure spiritual energy into different elements according to his own will, and then recreate matter.

Of course, this is still just a prototype, but it has already shown some of its power.

Su Xun gripped the sword in his hand, and amidst the astonished gazes of the surrounding crowd, the sword gradually emitted a soft light unlike anything he had seen before.

Previously, this was just a mass-produced alloy weapon, but now the blade is gradually becoming as translucent as black jade, clearly indicating that even the material has changed.

Yin Danyi watched clearly from the side and saw that it had transformed into a spiritual weapon, possessing special abilities similar to those of a legendary 'magical artifact'.

Su Xun's ability to do all this is largely due to his observational ability to directly perceive the essence of elements. It can be said that this is the most crucial manifestation of his ability to control elements.

In fact, having been accustomed to the vision of the ninth level in his previous life, he had always felt that there was a thick fog in front of him, but now, this fog had finally partially dissipated.

Everything operates in an orderly manner.

Heaven and earth have no ill intentions. Since the birth of spiritual power, everything that has happened has followed its proper laws. It's just that all things are like straw dogs, the fittest survive and the unfit perish. Humans are among them, nothing more.

But does this mean that humanity should succumb to decline and perish?

Of course not.

Millions of years ago, when humans first stood upright and looked down upon the world, their ancestors, wielding stone spears and torches, had already declared their victory to the heavens and earth. Now, they are merely retracing their steps.

A large number of extraordinary individuals gathered in front of Su Xun at an extremely fast speed, waiting for him to give instructions.

"set off!"

Without much preamble, the group of several thousand people headed straight for Mount Tai.

While countless residents of the safe zone were watching the grand competition on television, the heavy gates of the sixteen base cities under Taimon's jurisdiction slowly opened, and armies gathered from all directions, rushing towards various secret realms in batches.

Such scenes are playing out all over the country.

The group heading towards Mount Tai was naturally the strongest, including not only those from Xinfu, Fenggao, and Licheng, but also a considerable number of extraordinary individuals from the Dongchang base city who traveled along the railway.

Under the organization of the Taimon Legion, as soon as there was any unusual activity in this secret realm, a large force surrounded it. After it completely floated to the surface, the superhumans from various places quickly strengthened the encirclement in the shortest possible time.

Su Xun also brought along many fourth-tier cultivators who had come from afar. Although they were eager to return home due to the changing situation, Su Xun did not let them go back immediately.

There are many problems to be solved in reality, and some answers may appear in secret realms, just like the city defense problem that Su Xun has always been worried about.

Under his leadership, this expedition should yield even greater results, and these extraordinary individuals from all over the country can then return home with some of these gains.

This is also why Su Xun plans to personally venture into the secret realm.

The snow had not yet melted, and the mountains were covered in silver, with the sound of cannons already rumbling.

The further ascending secret realm is no longer just a fog-like illusion of perception, but rather, shadowy mountains appear within the fog, seemingly merging into the surrounding mountains.

There are even some antique buildings above, echoing the original human-built scenic area, making it hard to tell whether it's real or an illusion.

Of course, in the eyes of Su Xun and other fourth- or fifth-tier extraordinary beings, that was still another world, naturally imbued with a sense of illusion and etherealness.

At this moment, numerous alien species emerged from the secret realm, only to be swiftly blasted to death by artillery fire.

The latest jet weapon operates on the same principle as a gale, and only a seventh-tier being can withstand it. However, the alien species that have emerged at this time do not even have a single sixth-tier member. They fall in vain at the exit of the secret realm, their corpses piling up like mountains.

Compared to the brutality of the Battle of Haiqu, the current legion is much more composed when facing the alien species. In other places, such as the previously revealed secret realms, the alien species there have even overcome their instincts and are unwilling to approach the exit.

After all, while the mutants are twisted and chaotic, they're not quite zombies. No matter how crazy or stupid they are, they'll learn fear after dying a lot. "They deserve to be killed. Kill them for a few days and they'll behave!"

The person in charge of overall command in the local area is Cheng Rui, the division commander of Licheng Division. Placing him in this position can be considered a promotion and training for him.

Possessing extraordinary strength, he was adept at handling military affairs. By the time Su Xun arrived, he had already arranged everything. There was also a secret realm within the jurisdiction of Licheng, where he had clearly accumulated a great deal of experience.

Su Xun was very satisfied with their performance and assigned the people he had brought with him.

"The main force is yours. I'll take a portion of high-ranking elites in. Your task is to seal off this place completely and prevent the alien species from gaining a foothold here."

"We can't be careless. These newcomers are just the vanguard. This mission won't be easy, but we have to complete it no matter how difficult it is. Do you have the confidence?"

Cheng Rui didn't say much, but instead put his legs together, saluted, and said, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Nodding, Su Xun turned around and took stock of his troops.

The grand competition is still ongoing, with some extraordinary individuals still participating in the competition within the base city. While these individuals can certainly be considered top performers, the combat effectiveness of an army is not determined by just one or two outstanding individuals.

The competition was already nearing its end, so leaving those hundred or so people in the city wouldn't have much of an impact. In fact, it would allow them to strengthen the base city's defenses and prevent any dangerous forces from taking advantage of the situation.

The finals were postponed, but some soldiers who came down from the battlefield may have to go back to compete in the future.

That's all for later. Among the group of extraordinary individuals, Su Xun brought ten fourth-tier individuals and two hundred third-tier individuals. More than that would be pointless, as they would be too conspicuous and might attract more danger.

The speed of a team's movement is composed of its slowest part. This is even more evident in teams composed of superhumans. Bringing a large number of second-tier superhumans may increase their combat power, but it is more likely to slow them down, which will be detrimental to the missions they will face next.

Of course, this does not mean that lower-level superhumans have lost their role. For example, in positional defense operations, a large number of second-level superhumans can take advantage of their numbers and better support the entire battle line with various heavy firepower.

Therefore, Su Xun handed over the remaining troops to Cheng Rui for command. In the early stages of the rising of the secret realm, a large number of alien species would inevitably flock to the vicinity of this entrance. What Su Xun said before was not an exaggeration; their pressure would certainly not be small.

This time, the team did not even have armored vehicles when entering the secret realm. Just as Su Xun had told Jiang Yi before, the current level of armored vehicle technology is not enough to cooperate well with the superhumans in combat, and may even hinder their actions.

However, this does not mean that they lack firepower. Many of the research institute's new weapons and even experimental equipment were carried directly by them.

Isn't this what people with enhanced physical abilities do? If used properly, their payload capacity is higher than that of an all-terrain vehicle.

Moreover, the team also had human artillery like Xiao Zhenru. Su Xun even arranged for several people to help her carry those powerful but potentially explosive 'floating cannons'.

With everything ready, Su Xun took one last look at Tao Yue.

She was the only second-tier transcendent in the team, and she was holding the oracle bone that was constantly emitting golden light.

In fact, it wouldn't have been impossible to simply take the oracle bone and have someone else take it in, but Su Xun ultimately didn't do that.

If someone can take this today, they can take something else from someone else tomorrow. This loophole cannot be opened, at least not in their hands.

Of course, there is an even more important reason: one person is hardly a burden. For a group of third and fourth-tier superhumans, carrying a little girl is no different from carrying a potato.

"Zhenru, you are responsible for protecting her."

"clear."

With a gasp, Tao Yue's petite body flew into the air. Xiao Zhenru smiled smugly: "Not heavy, definitely not as heavy as a potato."

"Xiao Zhenru!!! Put me down!!!"

Hearing the little girl's scream, many people around her laughed, which eased the tense atmosphere of heading to the dangerous place.

"Then, the target is the Mount Tai Secret Realm."

Su Xun turned to look at the mist from which alien creatures were constantly emerging, and drew his long sword.

"go ahead!"

(End of this chapter)