Attack of Binding
Headquarters of the Fire Moth, Operating Room.
"What's going on? The equipment is malfunctioning?" Mobius frowned as she looked at the unresponsive equipment. She had just finished anesthetizing Michael and was preparing to extract the Herrscher Core, but the equipment malfunction forced the operation to be temporarily suspended.
"Gray Serpent, what happened inside the Fire Moth?" Mobius immediately looked at Gray Serpent beside him. The instruments couldn't have suddenly malfunctioned, especially not at this time. Before the surgery, these instruments had been repeatedly checked to ensure the success of the operation; there shouldn't have been any problems.
In this situation, Mobius's first thought was that it was related to the dormant Tenth Herrscher, but how did that surviving individual affect the equipment in his operating room?
The red light in the Gray Serpent's eyes flickered, and finally it said in a puzzled voice, "I'm sorry, my master, it seems I've lost connection with the Gray Serpent Network... or perhaps the entire Gray Serpent Network is currently paralyzed..."
"That's impossible," Rovoc declared categorically in the operating room. "The Gray Serpent Network is a special network, different from ordinary networks. Its paths are imaginary paths; it's essentially a virtual number network..."
Suddenly, Rovoc paused, her gaze falling on Michael on the operating table, her expression becoming unusually grave. "Unless... it's the power of the Eleventh Herrscher."
"Michael's core had remained stable until now. Even if it had become active, there would have been a trend or obvious precursors, but our instruments haven't detected any changes in her core at all." Mobius frowned. "Then there's only one possibility... the Third Herrscher of Binding has appeared among the Fire Moth..."
This is truly outrageous. I already thought it was surprising enough that two Herrscher of Binding had appeared, but now Third Herrscher of Binding appeared?
"No." Mobius quickly dismissed his own conjecture. "If Herrscher Core is incomplete, it will directly affect the use of their powers. The operation of the Heavenly Fire Judgment is proof of this. Once the number of Herrscher of Herrscher of Binding exceeds two, the Divine Blessing Barrier in the Vesitan Region simply cannot reach such a large area in a short time, nor can it achieve that effect..."
"However, according to current theory, the stronger human civilization becomes, the more likely the Herrscher will target and destroy it." Rovoc's gaze shifted to the operating room door. "The suspicion surrounding the Tenth Herrscher among the current leadership has not disappeared. The Herrscher of Binding appeared to target Fusion Warrior, so it's not impossible for her to simultaneously destroy the Fire Moth, who is currently the main force against the Honkai."
Three Herrscher of Binding: one drawing the Fusion Warrior's fire, one betraying them on the operating table, and another attacking the Fire Moth?
Mobius gritted his teeth. According to Rovoc, it really wasn't impossible... They had always been very careful to guard against any possible situation, but they never expected to see multiple Herrscher with bug-level powers appear.
The Fusion Warrior remaining at the Fire Moth headquarters were more than enough to guard against the missing Tenth Herrscher, but what if the opponent becomes the Herrscher of Binding...?
"But why are we unharmed?" Klein asked. "If it really is the Third Eleventh Herrscher, her powers should also affect ordinary people like me, right?"
"It's possible that the core's dispersion weakened the effectiveness of its powers, limiting its ability to effectively block the Fire Moth's external communication on a large scale," Rovoc analyzed. "However, the Fire Moth headquarters maintains regular contact with Lionel, who is currently commanding the punitive expedition in the Vesitan Region. If we lose contact, Lionel should react quickly. But we don't know the current situation of Feng and the others, or whether they can return to the Fire Moth as soon as possible."
"It's possible that Lionel won't even be able to attend to our situation," Mobius said in a cold voice. "If the Honkai is clearly targeting us, and they've redeployed the main force of the Fusion Warrior away from the Fire Moth, while Lionel maintains regular communication and command outside the Divine Blessing Barrier, then if Honkai Beast tide forces him to suppress it... he won't have time to attend to the current situation at the Fire Moth headquarters."
Mobius has great confidence in Zhu Yufeng's current strength, believing that once he finds the Herrscher of Binding within the Divine Blessing Barrier, he can kill it in the shortest possible time. However, the search speed is an issue, and whether Zhu Yufeng, knowing the situation here, can return in time is also a question.
A miscalculation!
"Doctor, what should we do now?" Klein asked nervously.
"The Ninth Herrscher once showed a strong interest in the Herrscher Core of the First Herrscher, which had not yet been made into Divine Key. The Herrscher of Binding's interests may include Lilim, and of course..." Mobius looked at Michael, "As another Herrscher of Binding, the Herrscher Core within Michael must also hold a strong attraction for her."
"I remember Lilim was with Astaroth today," Rovoc said. "And Rin, Griseo, and Blanca, they're all with Astaroth now. With Astaroth protecting them, they should be fine for the time being. But the other ordinary people..."
Mobius clicked his tongue, quickly devising a strategy. "Immediately find a way to notify the others within the Fire Moth, even if it's through the most primitive means. Of course, prioritize informing and confirming Qianjie's situation. If this Herrscher of Binding hasn't completely suppressed Honkai Energy... then Qianjie is our last trump card. At the same time, tell Einstein to immediately send warriors out of the Fire Moth's headquarters area to do everything in their power to transmit this message to the outside world!"
However, the most basic power of the Herrscher of Binding is to suppress Honkai Energy, and it's hard to say how much of an effect Qianjie can play... But right now, the strongest fighting force remaining at the headquarters of the Fire Moth is only Qianjie.
Mobius glanced at Klein again. If Klein was alright, it meant that the effects of the Divine Blessing Barrier on ordinary people hadn't spread here yet?
Within the Divine Blessing Barrier in the Vesitan Region.
"Huff... Breathing is becoming more difficult," Pardo said, taking a deep breath. "Is the effect of the Divine Blessing Barrier strengthening?"
"It's the weakening effect of the Divine Blessing Barrier taking effect," Zhu Yufeng said. "Although it seems to have a small impact on us right now, it's still there. Staying inside for too long will still have an effect. What's more, we're currently being attacked by special Honkai Beast within the Divine Blessing Barrier from time to time, forcing us to fight back."
"Compared to the Divine Blessing Barrier of my previous life, this level of influence isn't that significant." Sakura gripped the hilt of the Seven Thunders of Purification at her waist, alert to the changes in her surroundings.
"Feng, you don't look too well?" Lilith asked Zhu Yufeng. "What are you still worried about?"
"I still feel something's not right. Shortly after we entered the Divine Blessing Barrier, Lionel and the others were attacked by the Honkai Beast Tide, and now both inside and outside the barrier are embroiled in battle... Although it could be a coincidence, I still feel something is off," Zhu Yufeng said, frowning. "We still need to resolve the situation inside the Divine Blessing Barrier as soon as possible."
"I... feel that way too," Elysia whispered. "Everything seems too coincidental, yet too logical..."
The appearance of the Honkai Beast tide was to force Lionel and his group to fight back and do their best to protect Su and the others from interference, and to maintain the Fusion Warrior's exploration of the Divine Blessing Barrier. It seemed like a coincidence, but it was not without reason. However, according to the information Su transmitted, Lionel had to mobilize some of the Fusion Warrior inside the Divine Blessing Barrier to suppress the Honkai Beast tide outside because of Honkai Beast massive size.
If what has already happened will inevitably happen again, will the Tragedy of Binding that occurred in the previous life really pass by so easily this time?
"But... we really feel like the effect of this Divine Blessing Barrier is getting stronger..." Pardo scratched her head and said, "I feel like my stamina is being used up faster and faster, doesn't anyone else feel the same way?"
Zhu Yufeng looked at the others. He didn't really feel anything. Lilith shrugged, indicating that she didn't feel anything either, and Elysia shook her head, indicating that she didn't feel anything either.
Zhu Yufeng then looked at Sakura. He, Elysia, and Lilith were Herrscher, so it was normal that they couldn't sense it. Sakura, however, should be able to detect it, right?
Sakura paused for a moment, then said somewhat uncertainly, "Perhaps... the effect of the Divine Blessing Barrier is slightly strengthening, which is why I haven't reacted? If Phyllis is right, perhaps we can move quickly in this direction for a while, and maybe we'll find the answer."
Zhu Yufeng glanced at Xila and Mostima again. Nahamah and the others weren't with him; they were with Kevin. It seemed that his team, apart from himself, was indeed all girls...
Xila and Mostima didn't feel much either.
"Maybe... it's because I'm the weakest one in the team..." Pardo tapped her finger, "And it's my first time entering the Divine Blessing Barrier, so..."
"No, I trust your judgment," Zhu Yufeng said. "Pardo, you don't need to feel inferior at all. You are already an excellent warrior. Perhaps it's because we've both entered the Divine Blessing Barrier before, so we had certain expectations of this barrier and overlooked this change."
Although Xila has no memories of her previous life, she is still somewhat affected by them. In addition, Xila's judgment in this situation is not very good. In most cases, Xila behaves like a killing machine that carries out orders, only caring about the execution without considering the process and consequences.
Furthermore, Zhu Yufeng still believed in Pardo's strong luck; if Pardo had made this suggestion, it might actually be true.
"So, assuming Phyllis is right, if we search in the direction where the Divine Blessing Barrier's effect gradually strengthens, could the source be the Herrscher of Binding?" Elysia guessed.
"Su, has anything changed about the Divine Blessing Barrier?" Zhu Yufeng contacted Su to ask.
"No, Pardo's guess is very likely correct. Several other warriors have also suggested that the effect of the Divine Blessing Barrier is gradually strengthening," Su's voice rang out. "I was just about to tell you this. Judging from the paths of the warriors who have made this claim, you will all eventually converge at the same point. In other words... this final convergence point may indeed be the location of the Herrscher of Binding."
"After all, it's only a fragmented power, so the closer you get to the power, the more obvious its effects become?" Zhu Yufeng thought. But since Su had confirmed what Pardo said, they only needed to travel to confirm the result. The unease in his heart lingered, making him somewhat irritable and eager to end the battle here as soon as possible.
The outer perimeter of the Divine Blessing Barrier.
"What? The communication signal is being jammed?" Lionel frowned. "Honkai Beast have evolved this ability?"
"Yes, sir," a soldier said. "We have confirmed that several Mutant Honkai Beasts have appeared in the Honkai Beast tide. The strong electromagnetic waves they are emitting are interfering with our equipment, causing us to be unable to contact headquarters."
"Immediately notify all Fusion Warrior outside the Divine Blessing Barrier to prioritize decapitation strikes against any disruptive Mutant Honkai Beast. We must restore communication with headquarters!" Lionel ordered.
After the soldiers left, Lionel looked towards headquarters. The main force of Fusion Warrior was concentrated at the Divine Blessing Barrier, and the outer command post had been impacted by the Honkai Beast tide, with the appearance of Mutant Honkai Beast capable of interfering with communications... From a strategic perspective, could the ultimate goal of all this be headquarters?
Although Dr. Mei and Vill-V are conducting on-site surveys of the Divine Blessing Barrier, a large number of researchers and high-ranking officials remain at headquarters. Could the remaining Tenth Herrscher take this opportunity to make a move? But several Fusion Warriors are still stationed at headquarters...
After much deliberation, Lionel decided to suppress this speculation and the current situation for the time being. If he were to inform the Fusion Warrior within the barrier, it would inevitably cause them to become anxious and take some hasty actions, which might play right into the Honkai's hands.
The headquarters of the Fire Moth.
Hen glanced back at the direction of headquarters, secretly gripping the communicator in his hand. He was the only Fusion Warrior assigned to carry out this mission, sending signals to the outside world. There was no other way; a Herrscher, suspected to be another Eleventh Herrscher Herrscher, attacked headquarters, cutting off its communication with the outside world. The number of Fusion Warrior stationed at headquarters was not enough, and the number of personnel that could be sent to the outside world was extremely limited.
Moreover, this does not mean safety. The Herrscher have made corresponding preparations for the possibility of someone escaping to the outside world to make contact. Warriors have already proven at the cost of their lives that the further one goes into the outside world, the more obvious the suppressive effect of the Divine Blessing Barrier on energy becomes. Those researchers and warriors in the outer circle... may have all been wiped out.
Ordinary people would find it difficult to survive under the suppressive effect of the Divine Blessing Barrier; only Fusion Warrior could do so.
So Hen took the initiative to do the job.
As an experienced veteran, Hen was quite capable and could make appropriate countermeasures in crisis situations. Moreover, he was one of the stronger Fusion Warrior who remained. Furthermore, most of the other Fusion Warrior who stayed behind in the Fire Moth were young, and the more they stayed, the greater their chances of survival.
"Griseo... this time, even Dad doesn't dare to promise you he'll definitely come back..." Hen thought bitterly to himself, unable to even say goodbye to his wife and daughter because of the communication disruptions...
Hen knew very well that this journey would most likely end in death, so before setting off, he entrusted Mobius to convey his last words to Griseo and Blanca.
"We must get in touch with Feng and the others!"