The True Form of the Loch Ness Monster

The insane conspiracy revealed by that fragmented action log made the already chilly air above the ruins of Urquhart Castle feel even more oppressive.

Alistair, a scholar who had spent his entire life pursuing the truth, sat slumped on the ground, his face deathly pale. He could not imagine that the "Guardian Deity" he revered as a god was, in the eyes of these fanatics, merely a pathetic "living material bank" used to complete an evil ritual.

A trace of disgust appeared on the face of the veteran, William.

Only Lin Jie managed to break free from those suffocating words first. Now was not the time for fear or anger; they were the only ones in the know, and they were the line of defense to prevent this disaster from happening.

"They will definitely act again, and soon," Lin Jie's voice broke the silence. "Although their ship was destroyed, the log mentioned another contingency plan. Furthermore, they must realize their stronghold has been exposed after being infiltrated. They will only rush to complete the capture before the authorities discover and intercept them—most likely tonight or tomorrow."

This judgment struck the other two like a warning bell.

A dangerous plan for this mission was quickly formulated atop the ruins. What they had to do was no longer simple investigation or passive defense, but to take the initiative and act as "bait" to interfere with the Eternal Serpent Cult's capture operation, buying precious time for the "Guardian Deity" who remained unaware of the danger it was in.

The night grew deeper, the moon obscured by a thick layer of dark clouds, and the entire Loch Ness was immersed in a profound silence.

Just as Lin Jie had anticipated, the remnants of the Eternal Serpent Cult began their final operation.

Three steam-powered boats, much smaller than the previous survey vessel but clearly faster, quietly emerged from a highly concealed natural cave on the lakeshore. The engines of these steam boats had undergone special noise-reduction modifications, emitting only a faint "hum" as they traveled across the water, making them extremely difficult to detect.

Mounted on each steam boat was one of the "Whaling Cannons" they had seen before, capable of firing massive whaling spears, the barrels shimmering with the faint light of alchemical runes.

They had emptied their nest.

This time, Lin Jie and his companions were no longer passive observers. They piloted a steam fishing boat that had also been disguised by the scholar's clever hands, trailing far behind the three steam boats like a crocodile lurking in the darkness.

William was responsible for steering, the scholar was in charge of operating his "Ear of the Lake" to monitor movements underwater, and Lin Jie stood at the bow, acting as the "eyes" and "brain" of the entire team.

"They are moving toward the center of the lake, and their target is very clear," Lin Jie observed the enemy's formation through binoculars. "The three ships have formed a perfect equilateral triangle containment net. It seems the previous detection operations allowed them to lock onto the general sleeping area of that 'Guardian Deity'."

Just then, the scholar, who had been wearing the "Ear of the Lake" the entire time, wore a pained expression. He said with difficulty, "I... I hear a high-frequency, piercing sound! It's like countless needles stabbing into my brain! They... they are attacking the bottom of the lake with some kind of sound we cannot hear!"

Infrasound!?

Lin Jie immediately understood the enemy's method.

This type of infrasound, which exceeded the range of human hearing, might not cause direct physical damage to a thick-skinned UMA, but it was enough to cause unbearable harassment and pain to a biological nervous system.

This was a far more vicious, yet more efficient, method of driving it out than the previous explosions!

Sure enough, just as the scholar issued his warning, a massive bulge of water rose up from the mirror-like surface at the center of the lake!

Then, accompanied by a roar filled with pain and fury, the lake water exploded!

An existence that could not be described by any known biological terminology finally, under the endless provocations of humanity, revealed its true form—hidden for thousands of years—beneath the cold moonlight for the first time!

It was not a plesiosaur, nor was it a monster with humps.

Its lower body remained hidden in the deep lake water, with no one able to see its full form, but the mere sight of its back—winding and undulating like a small mountain for dozens of meters above the water—was enough to make any mortal who saw it lose the ability to think!

Its body was not a solid entity made of flesh or scales, but a wondrous aggregate existing between pure energy and translucent matter.

Its "skin" was like a flowing galaxy composed of ten thousand stars; within its body, countless points of light seemed to be slowly swimming, flickering in and out of existence.

It had no fixed form; every second, its silhouette underwent elegant, water-like changes.

And rising high above its massive back was a majestic head, also composed of blue starlight, lacking facial features yet allowing one to clearly sense where its "gaze" was directed.

The form of the head vaguely resembled a "dragon" from Western mythology, yet it was more abstract, carrying a sacred beauty that belonged to nature itself.

This was the true face of the "Guardian Deity of Loch Ness": a great semi-elemental lifeform that radiated a soft blue light, like a living galaxy!

When it appeared, a massive spiritual field mixed with fury and majesty spread outward. All the steam boats and ships on the lake seemed to be pressed down firmly by a giant hand, unable to move a single inch further!

When the members of the Eternal Serpent Cult saw this scene of a god descending, they felt no fear; instead, a fanatical, greedy light erupted in their eyes!

"Praise the supreme 'Primordial'! The Primordial Dragon Species... it has finally appeared!" A black-robed cultist who appeared to be the leader on the lead steam boat raised his arms and shouted as if possessed. "All units, attention! Activate the 'Dragon-Binding Chain'! Today, we shall... complete the great feat of binding a god!"

The steam whaling cannons on all three boats aimed simultaneously at the great elemental creature that had just appeared, emitting a lethal sound!

Three massive whaling spears, thicker than stone pillars and shimmering with dark golden runic light, dragged steel chains also engraved with runes, tearing through the night sky as they shot toward the body of the UMA!

However, the scene that followed left everyone stunned.

The three lethal whaling spears, capable of piercing the thickest whale blubber, passed through the Loch Ness Monster's energy-based body without any resistance. They caused no damage, as if they had been fired into a void or a phantom, and eventually fell powerlessly into the lake behind it.

The body of this UMA was immune to all pure physical attacks!

"Useless fools!" The black-robed leader cursed madly again. "Activate 'Runic Resonance'! Temporarily anchor its existence to this material world!"

Following his command, the dark golden runes engraved on the three steel chains that had fallen into the water suddenly lit up. An alchemical field signifying "imprisonment" and "binding" quickly formed a massive triangular spiritual cage using the three chains as points, attempting to trap the UMA completely within!

Lin Jie knew he could not wait any longer; if this cage were allowed to fully form, the consequences would be unimaginable!

At this critical moment, the great elemental creature seemed to have finally exhausted the last shred of mercy belonging to a guardian of the lake.

Its faceless head slowly turned toward the three steam boats filled with malice, and a gaze of absolute, emotionless indifference locked onto the fanatical cultists.

Then, it opened its "mouth" made of light.

It did not make a sound.

But the entire Loch Ness violently boiled in that instant!