Starting from the destruction of the Land of Light

the other side.

The tremors emanating from deep within Liuma Mountain were like the dull beating of the earth's heart.

Even from this low peak several kilometers away, Zhang Chen could clearly feel the subtle tremors beneath his feet.

He stood on the edge of the exposed rock, his sharp gaze piercing through the thin mist, firmly fixed on the distant main peak, as if observing something, or waiting for something.

In the field of vision, the main peak was undergoing unnatural spasms, with large chunks of rock peeling off and tumbling down the steep cliffs, crashing into the dense forest below and stirring up plumes of dust. An ominous dark red halo hung over the ridge, and the air was distorted by the drastically rising temperature. From a distance, it looked as if the core of the entire mountain was being scorched madly by an invisible furnace.

"This is no ordinary thing..." Zhang Chen muttered to himself. The [Radiance] in his arms, like a keen probe, had already detected the rapidly gathering, violent, and destructive energy core deep within Liu Ma Mountain.

Its power is terrifying, far surpassing that of the previous Two-Tailed Monster and Ancient Dun.

Just then, a light yet steady footstep came from behind, shattering the silence atop the low peak. Zhang Chen didn't turn around, but a barely perceptible smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"I knew I'd find you here," Luo Xi's cool voice rang out.

She walked to Zhang Chen's side, the hem of her beige trench coat fluttering in the breeze. She pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses, her gaze behind the lenses also fixed on the violently churning mountains in the distance, her eyes deep and penetrating, as if she could see through the rocks and look directly at the terror brewing within.

As soon as the words were spoken, the sharp roar of engines ripped through the mountain's tranquility. Two silver-gray Watcher fighter jets, like two streaks of lightning flashing low overhead, swooped down from the clouds above them, their wings gleaming with a cold metallic sheen. Their target was the main peak from which the vibration originated, and the sharp sound of air being torn apart echoed through the valley.

Watching the streak of silver light that represented the pinnacle of human technology streak across the sky, Luo Xi turned her head and looked at Zhang Chen's sharply defined profile, her tone carrying a hint of understanding: "You're here pretty early."

She didn't ask directly, but the meaning behind her words was self-evident—it would be impossible for an ordinary person to appear at this optimal observation point so quickly and accurately.

Zhang Chen smiled but did not directly answer Luo Xi's probing question.

His [Radiance] possesses an almost instinctive and extraordinary sensitivity to special energies, and before the lengthy alarm process at the Earth Defense Headquarters was even finished, it had already sent him the strongest warning pulse.

He was almost in sync with the energy burst deep within Liu Ma Mountain, which is why he was able to arrive here ahead of time.

Luo Xi gave him a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions.

She understood Zhang Chen's personality and vaguely knew that the treasure he possessed had something extraordinary about it.

Luo Xi's attention returned to the main peak, and his expression turned serious. "It seems that what we feared has finally happened."

"How so?"

"I just detected the same fluctuation as before. Shortly after the fluctuation appeared, something unusual happened at Liu Ma Mountain. I am now 80% certain that these monsters were indeed attracted by someone with ulterior motives."

Zhang Chen shifted his gaze. "How did you determine that you found the source of that fluctuation?"

"The source hasn't been found yet. The signal source was mobile; it left when I tried to trace it in reverse," Luo Xi said, arms crossed. "But that's why I'm able to confirm it was deliberate."

"Generally speaking, things that can attract monsters are not many in the universe, but they are not few either. Whether it is the egg of a powerful creature, a special crystal, or a rare element, they can all attract monsters."

"But moving those things isn't so easy, especially on Earth where there's a lot of surveillance. If you try to use those things to attract monsters, the Earth Defense Force will probably check your water gauge very quickly."

Zhang Chen nodded slightly. "In other words, there are indeed certain individuals or forces using advanced technology to attract monsters."

"Hmm." Luo Xi nodded, then tilted her head. "I just don't understand, what's their purpose in doing this?"

"If their goal is to attack Earth, with their technology, they could easily take direct action. They've already attracted monsters, so having a few mechanical monsters shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Zhang Chen's lips curled slightly at Luo Xi's doubts. "Luo Xi, don't underestimate Earth now. Taking it over won't be so easy."

"Could there be other guardians on Earth besides Ultraman Aegis and Ultraman Felice?" Luo Xi suddenly turned to look at Zhang Chen.

"That shouldn't be the case... The Ultra Brothers should all be dead. Their light... couldn't possibly have a successor. Besides, you had me investigate before, and there's no such thing as the power of the earth or the power of the ocean on this earth..."

After a pause, Luo Xi couldn't help but ask, "Hey, do you know something?"

"Do you know?" Zhang Chen asked with a smile, then seeing Luo Xi's angry expression, he quickly continued, "There are many guys hiding on Earth these days, and many guys have their eyes on Earth, but... none of them want to be the first to stick their neck out."

"Originally, there were two Ultraman on Earth. Besides Ultraman Eggs, there was the one from abroad. However, as you know, the one from abroad was eventually assassinated by an alien. But then, Ultraman Phyllis appeared, and to this day, no one knows her identity."

Luo Xi frowned slightly, looking at Zhang Chen as she began to think, just as Zhang Chen continued speaking.

"Ultraman Eggers is the card that is out in the open on Earth, while Ultraman Phyllis is the hidden card. Because of her appearance, no one knows how many hidden cards are still hidden on Earth, so no one is willing to be the first to stick their neck out."

"You have to understand, there are only two outcomes for those who stick their necks out: either they're the first to fall or they become cannon fodder. Those aliens aren't stupid, and they wouldn't dare to gamble."

"As for their purpose in attracting the frequent appearances of monsters..."

As if confirming Zhang Chen's implication, the distant main peak suddenly erupted with an even stronger tremor.

boom!!

Immediately afterwards, a terrifying roar, a hundred times more intense than before, shattered the heavens.

The entire mountain range was filled with mournful cries.

In a large area near the mountainside of the main peak, the hard rock layers softened and melted instantly, like butter thrown into a furnace, and then violently erupted upwards.

Instead of a scene of landslides and earthquakes, it formed a huge, upward-reaching jet of boiling lava and blazing white flames.

At the heart of this devastating lava flow, a massive, breathtaking silhouette suddenly rose up and flew directly out of the volcano.

Upon seeing that terrifying figure, Luo Xi's beautiful eyes widened slightly, and she blurted out the other person's name—

"It's the volcanic monster bird, Patton!"

When the image of the colossal beast's head, composed of churning lava and flames, was captured, locked, and enhanced by the optical lenses of high-definition satellites and fighter jets on the command center's massive main screen, a collective gasp filled the command center!

The grotesque head outline, the iconic sharp beak, and the eyes burning with violent and ferocious flames—even though the shape appeared more distorted and enormous due to the lava energy—its core features instantly awakened many people's long-dormant memories of terror.

"Yes, it's that?!" A young technician exclaimed, breaking the silence.

"No mistake! It looks like this..."

"It's the volcanic monster bird...Barton!!"

This name represents not only a ferocious monster, but also a tragic defeat for the Ultra Warriors.

Tang Yu's fingers danced across the virtual keyboard, almost blurring the lines, his voice trembling slightly. "M78 Nebula Contact File, Codename: Ultraman Taro Battle Record..."

One corner of the main screen instantly shrinks to show the live video of the monster Barton, while the other corner rapidly plays a low-resolution, shaky video that is clearly from the distant past:

In the scene, a giant in red and silver (Ultraman Taro) is battling an incredibly ferocious giant bird. The bird has a sharp beak, powerful wings, and is wreathed in intense heat. It is incredibly fast and its attacks are fierce. Ultraman Taro is clearly struggling...

Then, a chilling scene froze on the screen—Barton seized a fatal opening, its sharp beak, gleaming with deadly light, piercing Taro's chest. Crimson light particles spurted out like blood, and Taro collapsed in agony. The timer flickered wildly before going out, and his massive body lost all its radiance...

The video ended, and the command center fell into a deathly silence.

An invisible pressure filled the air. Even a powerful warrior of light like Ultraman Taro had fallen to the venomous beak of Barton. How could they possibly defeat this even more terrifying creature that had appeared now?

"The volcanic monster bird Barton, with a poisonous beak containing highly toxic neurotoxins, is extremely fast and its attack methods are extremely deadly. It once defeated Ultraman Taro and... Ultraman Zoffy." Tang Yu read out the key information from the file with difficulty, his voice hoarse. "Energy scan confirmed that the current target's energy response is comparable to the peak recorded in the file, and its destructive power is unpredictable."

Tatsuta clenched his fists as he stared at Barton on the screen, who was stretching out his massive body in the lava and flames, emitting a silent, defiant roar.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately turned to Tang Yu. "Tang, immediately notify the combat readiness team to prepare liquid nitrogen and anti-high-temperature weapons. Also, tell Wang Kui not to act rashly, especially..."

(Command Center! This is Watcher One! Target, target form confirmed, we are locked on!)

(Repeating, we've been targeted!!)

An urgent communication interrupted Tatsuta's words, drawing everyone's attention.

On the big screen, Patton suddenly opened his mouth, and several terrifying flames instantly blasted towards the two planes in the air.

...