"Phew~"
With a whistling sound, Lu Zheng, now a balloon man, carried everyone and floated up in a wobbly, unsteady motion.
Below them lay a massive crater left behind by the disappearance of the biological warship.
The pit walls were grayish-white, peeling away little by little in the wind, as if something was dying.
Jiangnan stood on Lu Zheng, expressionless.
The Watcher Eye on his shoulder had long since closed; clearly, that Banishment had taken a heavy toll on him.
The wind whistled in my ears, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
"Based on my observations and analysis just now..."
Just then, Wang Ming took off his glasses, which were already covered in cracks, and wiped them clean.
"That biological warship is actually the fourth form that evolved from the Fusion those flesh-and-blood monsters and Soul-Devouring Monster."
Jiangnan slightly raised his eyelids. "You already said that once."
"Of course I know I said it once."
Wang Ming argued, "But the key is its specific details, which I haven't mentioned yet."
"This biological warship is not simply an object constructed from those Flesh Demons."
He paused, the image of the explosion replaying in his mind again.
"The energy fluctuations from the explosion just now..."
"That's a miniature antimatter core unique to our Federation Star System's spaceships!"
Upon hearing this, Dennis and the others standing to the side all looked blank, clearly not understanding this profound term.
But Jiangnan's brows furrowed.
"In other words..."
Wang Ming put his glasses back on. "Those disgusting, fleshy monsters have assimilated the crashed warships in our Federation Star System."
"And the third-stage Phantom Fusion with the warship as the pilot!"
"And then, this biological warship, half-mechanical and half-flesh, was born..."
The wind seemed colder.
Jiangnan's gaze was sharp as a knife; he was unmoved by Wang Ming's lengthy analysis. "So, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Wang Ming did not answer immediately, but raised his hand and made a gesture to calm down.
"Wait, let me finish speaking first, and you'll understand everything."
Wang Ming pointed to the enormous Abyss below, which had turned grayish-white.
"The fourth stage, born from the Fusion the Flesh Demon and the ghost, is enormous in size and extremely destructive."
But the greatest truths are the simplest; with every gain comes a loss.
"They also lost their most troublesome advantage as a result."
"For example, the Flesh Demon's unpredictable assimilation and infection abilities, and the Ghost's Intangibility domain."
"Their Fusion attack and defense methods have become singular."
"But this absolutely does not mean they have regressed!"
Wang Ming's eyes sharpened instantly. "It's because... it has changed its own positioning!"
"It has ceased to be a warrior charging into battle; it has become a den!"
"A nest specifically designed to mass-produce these two types of monsters!"
"To put it simply, in your understanding, that biological warship is a terrifying [military production] base!"
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
A massive army base?!
Wang Ming turned his head and looked down into the Abyss below at the rock walls that had turned into grayish-white powder and were drifting away in the wind.
"Do you see that? This land, and there are still humans..."
"They are the [nutrients] and [energy] that produce the monsters."
"They are draining the lifeblood of this planet to build their army!"
"This is the information I wanted to tell you!"
Wang Ming stared intently at Jiangnan.
"If we want to completely eliminate these monsters and prevent the destruction of Blue Star, we must address the root cause!"
"Take down the mother nest in the fourth phase first, otherwise the number of monsters will never be exhausted!"
Everyone looked at Jiangnan, waiting for this most powerful Big Boss to speak.
However, Jiangnan smiled.
It was a laugh tinged with sarcasm.
Take down the fourth stage?
Jiangnan looked at Wang Ming as if he were an idiot, "You make it sound so easy."
Many intellectuals are like this; they like to engage in theoretical discussions without practical application.
They had no idea how difficult it was to take down that thing!
That damn thing keeps self-destructing!
If he hadn't used all his strength and his trump card to forcibly throw it into fourth-dimensional space to detonate it...
It seems that things are indeed as the consciousness of that biological warship has been clamoring.
The entirety of China will be completely erased from the world map!
Even if it contains elements of deception or exaggeration, at least...
The entire An City, and even several surrounding provinces, must have been swept away to the heavens just now, leaving not a trace!
Jiangnan took a step forward, his killing intent locked onto Wang Ming.
"What are you trying to hide by spouting all this nonsense?"
Jiangnan gazed at him. "Or perhaps you're hiding some other secret?"
Cold sweat beaded on Wang Ming's forehead.
He knew that any lie would be futile.
"Okay... I'll tell you."
Wang Ming no longer hid anything, "Actually, the reason I risked my life to come to this park wasn't for any scientific research or investigation, much less to commit suicide."
"I just... drew those monsters away."
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback once again.
Lure the monster away?
For whom?
Wang Ming didn't keep them in suspense; instead, he revealed the secret directly.
"Because... I'm hiding someone else inside the spaceship."
"One..."
"A person capable of dealing with these Flesh Demons, even Soul-Devouring Monster, and even immune to all Supernatural Ability in this world!"
Immune to all Supernatural Ability?!
The moment those six words were uttered, everyone present held their breath for a moment.
In this era, how could there possibly be a monster immune to all Supernatural Ability?!
This is practically the nemesis of all extraordinary beings!
Jiangnan's expression turned extremely serious.
He instinctively reached into his pocket, wanting to pull out his Memo Pad.
But after searching for a while, I realized that I had used up all the Memo Paper during the battle.
There's a lot more to say next.
Since we're out of paper, and we don't want to waste any words, we're starting to write.
Jiangnan frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping casually before landing directly on Zhang Yan beside him.
"Sizzle~"
A tearing sound rang out.
Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Jiangnan Nan expressionlessly reached out and ripped off Zhang Yan's sleeve.
"Yay~"
Startled by the sudden movement, Zhang Yan shuddered and recoiled.
"What... what is he doing?"
Why did you suddenly tear my clothes?
"Could it be... that he's taken a liking to me?"
"Or does he have some kind of peculiar fetish...?"
Zhang Yan's mind raced, and for a moment she even forgot her fear, only glancing at Jiangnan.
Wang Ming, standing opposite, couldn't help but twitch his lips a few times upon seeing this scene.
He simply couldn't understand it at this point.
Why does Jiangnan insist on this bizarre communication method that combines writing and speaking?
Even if you've run out of sticky notes, why don't you just open your mouth and say something?
What kind of nonsense is it to tear up a girl's clothes and use them as scrap paper?!
Seeing Jiangnan's unfazed expression, Wang Ming could only silently complain in his heart.
6.
Jiangnan completely ignored Zhang Yan's wild thoughts and Wang Ming's inner complaints.
He quickly wrote a line on the torn piece of cloth and showed it to Wang Ming.
[If the person you mentioned is immune to monster attacks, then why are you running away like a stray dog?]
Upon seeing the question, Wang Ming gave a wry smile and immediately replied.
"To be honest, at first, I did use his special physique to successfully resist wave after wave of attacks from those monsters."
"You could even say that as long as he's around, those monsters can't hurt us in the slightest."
"But..."
Wang Ming changed the subject, "Until you arrive."
"This led to some ordinary people who were not superhumans being infected and mutated by the Flesh Demon."
"And his abilities... are god-tier against Supernatural Ability and monsters."
"But for ordinary people, his ability is useless!"
"And what about those Flesh Demons..."
"It has a characteristic similar to the incubation period of a virus."
"As long as they don't actively reveal themselves, they will remain hidden within a person's body. Although they cannot acquire memories, they can still perceive everything in the outside world."
"At the same time, it will not affect the soul, but if it manifests, it will assimilate and pollute along with the soul."
"In other words, as long as they infect ordinary people and don't show themselves, they can be targeted."
"Left with no other choice, I had to make the most rational decision..."
"I hid him and the spaceship together, and set it to cruise automatically around the military base."
"And I, on the other hand, deliberately revealed myself, acting as bait to lure the monster to this park."
"We did this to preserve his spark of hope, to fight for the last glimmer of hope for all humanity!"
At this point, Wang Ming raised his head, fixed his gaze on Jiangnan, and his tone became more forceful than ever before.
"And you... are so powerful, you must come with me to save him!"
"No! To be precise, for the future of humanity, you must come with me to save him!"
Wang Ming said with righteous indignation.
However.
Faced with this inspiring speech that moved countless people...
Jiangnan was puzzled at first, but then he smiled.
The mockery at the corner of his mouth grew even stronger.
It's like I've come to understand something.
He lowered his head again, quickly wrote a line of words on the piece of cloth, and shoved it directly at Wang Ming's face.
[Moral Kidnapping me?]
Jiangnan's eyes turned cold.
[Was I too lenient with you just now, making you arrogant?]
[You even dare to threaten me?]
Jiangnan's aura grew stronger and stronger.
Why should I risk my life to save people from your Federation Star System?
Jiangnan continued her cold, relentless questioning, each word piercing the heart.
Don't give me that grand theory of human cooperation and mutual benefit; that's just nonsense for kids!
In this world, there is only one eternal truth: might makes right!
Jiangnan stepped forward, stared intently at Wang Ming, and placed the strip of cloth in front of him.
Let's put it more clearly.
[If, without any bizarre invasion, your Federation Star System discovers our backward Blue Star...]
I can say with absolute certainty that you will launch an armed invasion of Blue Star without hesitation!
[At best, all of humanity will become your slaves; at worst, we'll wipe out our species and seize your resources!]
This is the law of survival; this is reality!
[Now you're talking to me about the greater good of humanity?]
Jiangnan scoffed, his eyes full of disdain.
Faced with Jiangnan's questioning and murderous intent, cold sweat rolled down Wang Ming's forehead.
But he did not back down.
Instead, defying the murderous intent, he actually took a step forward, facing Jiangnan directly!
Then, Wang Ming suddenly burst out laughing.
That smile held a mixture of madness, relief, and words that even Jiangnan hadn't expected.
"What if..."
"That [he] isn't from our Federation Star System at all, but..."
Where are you Blue Star?
Boom!
This sentence instantly made everyone's eyes widen!
People from Blue Star?!
Dennis and the others were so shocked by these words that their jaws nearly dropped to the floor.
Even the usually aloof Jiangnan suddenly narrowed his eyes.
Immune to all Supernatural Ability...
It was discovered by Wang Ming, a person from the Federation Star System...
And they're from Blue Star!
If all of this is true, then the person Wang Ming mentioned...
Without a doubt, it is the one and only [he] that [Sky Curtain] has been searching for!
After a brief moment of shock, Jiangnan's expression remained unchanged.
He squinted, looked Wang Ming up and down, and threw away the strip of cloth covered in writing.
Do you think I'd believe your nonsense?
The thing smart people are best at is telling the most perfect lie.
I know what you're suspecting.
Wang Ming made no attempt to avoid Jiangnan's gaze, "Do you think that because I'm from the Federation Star System, those Non-Self our kind must have different intentions?"
"Do you think I would deliberately set a trap for you here for the benefit of the Federation?"
Wang Ming shook his head with a wry smile, "You think too highly of our Federation Star System."
"To tell you the truth, our place is a hundred times more cruel and ten thousand times more cold-blooded than your Blue Star!"
"In your China, there are probably many people willing to sacrifice their lives for the country."
"But where we're from... patriotism? That's a very uncommon word."
"For the vast majority of Federation citizens, the so-called nation is nothing more than an organization."
"Me too."
Wang Ming's eyes turned bloodshot. "I don't care about the fate of the Federation!"
"But... those weird, disgusting monsters, they destroyed my home!"
That's why I hate them!
Wang Ming roared.
"Everything I, Wang Ming, am doing here today is not for that damn Federation!"
"It's for humanity! For all living humans, so they won't become food for those monsters!"
"Hehe..."
After hearing this, Jiangnan simply let out a cold laugh and casually tore off the clothes from Zhang Yan's other arm.
[For the greater good? What a moving speech!]
Unfortunately, I don't believe a single word of it.
[I even seriously suspect that you are now a puppet assimilated by a flesh monster.]
[You're putting on this melodramatic show just to lure us to that spaceship wreckage so you can wipe us all out, right?]
Faced with Jiangnan's exposure and distrust, Wang Ming laughed even harder...
He understood what he meant.
"Good."
Wang Ming closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, only resolute determination remained.
"Since you think I'm a monster assimilated by the Flesh Demon, since you think I'm lying to you..."
"Then let's prove it using the simplest method!"
"I'll test this with my life!"
Wang Ming tore open his shirt, revealing his heart.
"If my death could earn your trust!"
"If my life could be exchanged for yours to save that person!"
"Then I can die now!"
Wang Ming stared directly at Jiangnan: "Just like you killed that ghost before, do it! Kill me!"
"If it were Flesh Demon, it would definitely fight back to the death!"
"Once I'm dead, the truth will come out!"
Faced with Wang Ming's fearless act of sacrificing himself.
Jiangnan simply tilted her head.
How did you kill that ghostly creature?
He glanced at his Human Emperor Lamp...
"Alright, since that's the case..."
Jiangnan raised his right hand, clenching his five fingers into a fist.
"Just go die."
Looking at this tense atmosphere...
The people standing not far away were so frightened that they fell silent.
They dared not utter a word, because they knew very well...
In the eyes of a top Big Boss like Jiangnan, they were not considered comrades-in-arms at all; they were merely burdens that could be discarded at any time.
Dennis, though afraid, also harbored a faint sense of hope.
He quietly leaned close to Lu Zheng's ear, who was standing on Inflatable Man, and whispered something.
"Hey buddy, don't be so nervous."
I don't think they'll fight.
"Why?"
A puzzled expression appeared on Lu Zheng's enormous balloon face.
Dennis, with an expression that seemed to know everything, analyzed the situation.
Based on my experience watching countless Hollywood popcorn blockbusters...
"This is absolutely a classic plot twist!"
"At the very last moment, the Protagonist's fist will definitely stop just 0.01 centimeters from the second male lead's nose!"
Then the Protagonist will be moved by the second male lead's spirit of sacrifice, and the two will smile at each other and rebuild their trust!
"Just wait and see, it's definitely going to be like that..."
However.
Dennis's words hadn't even completely faded from his lips.
"Bang!!!"
A loud explosion rang in everyone's ears!
The next second.
Dennis and Lu Zheng only felt a blur before their eyes, and something with a fishy smell splashed all over them!
The two of them stiffly lowered their heads, looking at the red and white stains on their clothes...
That was blood and brain matter.
"How could this be..."
Dennis looked up in disbelief, staring ahead.
In my line of sight, a headless corpse was falling limply backward.
Jiangnan, with Orthodox God, withdrew his fist, which was stained with red and white substances.
He actually...
They actually smashed Wang Ming's head with a single punch!!!
There was no stopping at the last moment, no mutual trust and smiles, only the most violent slaughter!
"Thump."
Jiangnan kicked Wang Ming's headless corpse into the Abyss.
He casually flicked his hand, cleaning the blood and brain matter off his hands. "In my life, the thing I hate most is someone arguing with me."
"Want to die? I'll grant your wish."
Everyone was stunned by this sudden brutality.
But the killings in Jiangnan did not seem to be over.
His gaze suddenly shifted to the female superhuman whom Wang Ming had risked his life to save earlier.
The female superhuman was being watched by Jiangnan and kept retreating.
"What... what do you want to do?"
Jiangnan showed no pity as he threw the strip of cloth at her.
[Wang Ming risked his life for you, and you didn't even say thank you; you just hid behind, trembling.]
[Ungrateful trash is just a waste of air if you keep her around.]
"Bang!"
"Pfft!"
An invisible bullet pierced the female superhuman's forehead.
Before the woman died, her eyes were still wide open, filled with fear and confusion.
Two people killed!
At this moment, everyone finally broke down completely.
They couldn't understand Jiangnan's illogical act of murder, and finally felt remorse for the man who had saved them...
An uncontrollable fear arose.
Especially Lu Zheng.
The aloof and powerful filter he had built up in his mind regarding Jiangnan shattered completely at this moment!
This is not a savior at all!
This is a ruthless, unpredictable Madman who kills without blinking an eye!
A complete and utter demon!
But fear gripped everyone's throats, and no one dared to utter a word of condemnation.
"Buzz!"
In this oppressive atmosphere, Lu Zheng finally controlled his body and landed on the ground at the edge with everyone.
As soon as he landed, Lu Zheng returned to human form and collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
Jiangnan turned around, her back to the crowd.
"My path ahead is fraught with certain death."
"Those who are willing to follow me, continue on."
"If you don't want to, you can leave now. We won't force you."
Upon hearing this, Dennis, Lu Zheng, Zhao Kaiding, and another female superhuman...
He shook his head almost reflexively.
Are you kidding me?!
Following a Madman who'd blow someone's head off at the drop of a hat?
That's worse than facing the monsters outside!
At least dying at the hands of a monster would be a quick death, but dying at the hands of this Madman, who knows how I'll end up!
No one wants to entrust their life and fortune to a capricious God of Slaughter.
The three bowed to Jiangnan, while Dennis bowed his backside to him.
"Thank you so much for saving my life!"
Although Jiangnan's brutality frightened them, he had indeed saved them before.
After saying that, the four of them turned around and rushed into the distance of the park as if they were fleeing, fearing that Jiangnan might change his mind.
In the blink of an eye, the original team was reduced to just one person.
A midday breeze blows, and fallen leaves rustle in the breeze.
Jiangnan turned around.
Looking at Zhang Yan, who was standing alone in the same spot, her legs still trembling.
He raised an eyebrow slightly. "What? They've all run away, aren't you leaving?"
Zhang Yan's face was pale, but she bit her lower lip and shook her head.
"I... I had no choice."
"Those four are strong; even if they escape, perhaps..."
"There might still be a glimmer of hope, but I'm just an ordinary person, and I've left you..."
She looked up at Jiangnan, her eyes reddening. "They might not die, but I will definitely die!"
Faced with certain death and the possibility of being killed by Madman, she chose the latter.
After listening to Zhang Yan's realistic analysis.
Jiangnan was taken aback for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"Hahaha!"
This time, he didn't sneer or mock; he genuinely laughed heartily.
Seeing Jiangnan's unusual laughter, Zhang Yan's already tense nerves almost snapped, and tears welled up in her eyes.
She thought Jiangnan was going to kill her.
But the next second...
The fear on Zhang Yan's face suddenly froze.
Instead, there was deep doubt and horror.
Because she suddenly realized that the echoing laughter...
It turns out that Jiangnan wasn't the only one?!
Besides Jiangnan's laughter, there was another man's laughter coming from right next to him!
"What... what's going on?"
Zhang Yan turned her head and followed the sound, her gaze slowly moving downwards.
Finally, it landed on the Human Emperor Lamp hanging at Jiangnan's waist.
Beside it...
Suddenly, a semi-transparent figure appeared, standing silently!
The figure wore a bitter smile.
It was...
Wang Ming, whose head had just been smashed by Jiangnan's punch and whose body had been thrown into the Abyss!!!
"Ah?"
Zhang Yan was completely stunned; her brain went completely blank.
"Ha... haha, I told you, you're a smart woman, ma'am..."
Meanwhile, Wang Ming's soul form was giving a helpless, bitter smile.
The scene changes.
Beneath the bottomless pit.
Darkness, deathly silence.
"Clatter."
The headless corpse, smashed to pieces, and the corpse of the female superhuman.
At this moment, it's actually in the dark...
He stood up!
The two corpses, their mangled flesh and blood beginning to writhe and chew, made chewing sounds.
A few seconds later, two voices came from inside the headless corpse's abdominal cavity.
"We've been discovered..."
"That human with the lamp, what terrifying insight..."