Early the next morning, on the battlefield of the Northern Borderlands Plain, countless sea creatures were still fighting Purifier 0-1 and Purger 0-4, but this time, the Berserk Murlocs no longer seemed to be their main force.
Watching the satellite screen, Cheng Yu saw that the enemy's main force had become Naga Warriors. These hulking brutes lacked the Berserk Murlocs' barnacle armor, but they had bulging muscles, greater height, and weapons-clubs that looked outrageously heavy. It took almost three 0-1 units to bring down a single Naga Warrior.
Cheng Yu did not understand why the Wisdom units had yet to deploy ranged weapons like 0-2. Granted, he had ordered them to conserve energy.
But he had also told them to maintain the army's dynamic balance. If they kept fighting like this, his side would gradually lose the upper hand.
Embarrassingly enough, Cheng Yu had decided late last night that there was little point in him staying, so he had gone back to sleep. But looking at things this morning, were the Wisdom units really this inflexible?
After some thought, Cheng Yu voiced his doubts. The Performer's answer, however, suddenly made him wonder whether he had misunderstood the roles of these unit series all along.
"Rest assured, Commander. The enemy switched its main combat units an hour ago. We are gathering basic information on these units and will adopt a new combat approach shortly."
Sure enough, Cheng Yu clearly saw a 0-1 growing increasingly adept at fighting these brutes. It dodged its opponent's attacks smoothly, almost as though it could predict them.
Although the enemy still seized an opening and flattened it with a massive swing of its club, the unit had inflicted plenty of wounds and crippled one of its opponent's arms. Another 0-1 then sliced the warrior's head off from behind.
A little later, Cheng Yu saw a 0-1 sacrifice one blade leg to drive the other straight through its opponent's head.
Cheng Yu suddenly wondered whether he had underestimated the 0-1 units before, treating them as mere cannon fodder and believing ranged damage was king. Judging by today's performance, none of the series designations existed without a reason.
At that moment, the system explained:
"That is what makes the RTX Destroyers terrifying. Their numbers are frightening, but their quality is also frighteningly high.
"Given enough time, they can gather information on their opponents and refine their combat methods. You could say that, barring outside interference, any race they defeat will never be able to stand against them again.
"And when they encounter new races or new combat methods, they immediately manufacture new series to counter them. How else do you think Big Sis and her people came up with those twenty-five series besides the Titans, Supremacy, and Wisdom?" (￢‸￢)
Cheng Yu understood. Then something suddenly occurred to him, and he asked another question.
The big shot said Big Sis and her people ultimately faced the Wizard Civilization. Didn't they develop any new series for that? (‧_‧?)
"Get three things straight. First, Big Sis and her people were the ones who invaded the Wizard Civilization. And the Wizard Civilization was also a supercivilization, meaning the two sides were evenly matched at the time.
"Second, it isn't that the RTX Destroyers' database lacked enemies similar to the Wizard Civilization. Those enemies were simply trash compared with the RTX Destroyers. And there was a series designed to counter them: the Enabler Series.
"Third, what qualified the Wizard Civilization as a supercivilization was its overwhelming numerical advantage in powerful individual combatants at the highest levels. Even so, Purger 0-10 still achieved the terrifying feat of fighting one against three within the Epic-Rank tier.
"And although the big shot didn't mention it, why do you think the Ancestor of Wizards became the Ancestor of Wizards? A single main-cannon shot from a God-Class Titan shattered both the World-Guarding Grand Array jointly established by nine Legendary Wizards and one Epic Wizard, and the Wizard World itself. Though an Epic Wizard also tore that Epic Weapon apart with his bare hands.
"But the continuity of knowledge in the Wizard World suffered a complete break. It was only when the Ancestor of Wizards brought new knowledge that a new age of wizards began.
"Besides, hardly any living creatures remained in the Wizard World at that point. Only its strongest combatants were left. You could say that, without the Ancestor of Wizards' decapitation strike, the Wizard Civilization's destruction would have been only a matter of time.
"Of course, Big Sis and her people also paid an extremely painful price. The entire Supremacy Series was annihilated, they lost nearly ninety percent of their forces, and the resources of all eight individual universes within their territory were drained dry."
Cheng Yu clicked his tongue in astonishment. That was fucking terrifying. If he remembered correctly, Purger 0-10 belonged to the Supremacy Series, right? Every single unit in that series was a terrifying weapon rated Epic. And all of them had been annihilated. What else could he say? Not messing with that. Definitely not messing with that.
Cheng Yu suddenly felt that what he held was no longer merely the Third Calamity. Leaving everything else aside, once he unlocked every series, he would undoubtedly become a hegemonic power in the new era. Well, perhaps he should add "one of."
But looking at the armies still slaughtering each other on the battlefield, he reconsidered. Forget it. I still prefer having all that power in my own hands. Just look at the big shot.
With that level of individual power, never mind one faction like Big Sis's-even hundreds or thousands of them would probably be dealt with in a single thought. Though I might never reach that level...
The level of the Great Old Ones isn't beyond my reach. The only difference is that one doesn't need to "lift a finger," while the other does. And I believe I can reach the level of the Great Old Ones. There's no particular reason. I just have that feeling.
With those thoughts, Cheng Yu resumed his day of "slacking off." He was waiting-waiting for the enemy's main force to arrive. That would also be the moment he officially launched his counterattack, because he had yet to deploy his greatest weapon.
Cheng Yu had always been clear about his objective. He was not here to grind away at this bunch of worthless fish. He wanted to hurt them thoroughly, to make them understand he was not someone to provoke, and then begin searching for information about the fragments.
I've spread so many messages, mentioning both the Mechanicus and the Inquisition, all to flush out that fish. From the looks of it, either the other party isn't a Transmigrator, or the news hasn't reached them yet.
But it doesn't matter. Once I conquer this world, I'll have plenty of ways to find them. The reasoning is simple: one of those favored geniuses has to be the person I'm looking for. And I'm certain they've already made a name for themselves.
As for that so-called Ally? Heh. They don't seem remotely official. Given enough profit, it's only a matter of time before they stab me in the back.
Cheng Yu then turned his gaze to the large screen and watched this live-action blockbuster.
Donny's gaze was dark. There was no other reason: noon was approaching, and His Majesty would soon arrive. Yet Donny had made no outstanding contributions, merely meeting the mission's requirements, while his side had already suffered nearly fifty percent casualties.
Noon arrived.
Inside Steel Main City, Cheng Yu had his feet propped on a mechanical platform and was leaning back in his chair, working up the drowsiness for an afternoon nap, when a piercing alarm jolted him awake.
Alert, alert. A large concentration of organisms has been detected approaching from the north. Commander, please take note. Rough estimate: six million. Estimated arrival at the coast: ten minutes.
Hearing this, Cheng Yu watched hundred-meter-high waves surge toward the Far North Coast. They're finally here.
Seated atop Coral Mountain, the Merfolk King listened to a Merfolk Knight's report. He nodded slowly, then stood and spoke softly to the old whaleman beside him.
"Old Jimmy, pass down my orders. We'll rest here at Shallow-Sea Beach first, then launch an all-out assault on the enemy tonight."
Old Jimmy bowed and said:
"As you will it, Your Majesty."
Looking at the white whaleman kneeling before him with a hand pressed to his chest, the Merfolk King spoke gently.
"You've done very well, Donny."
Donny bowed his head deeply.
"All for the empire, and for Their Majesties."
The Merfolk King nodded, then continued:
"But can you tell me why you violated Imperial Law and used the soldiers' corpses to conduct a Summoning Ritual?"
At those words, Donny shot a vicious glare at the young female Merfolk Mage nearby, then lowered his head and replied:
"I believed it was the best solution for dealing with the enemy's ranged attacks."
The Merfolk King looked up at him and asked softly:
"And? Did you deal with them?"
Donny's face flushed red, but he still forced the words through clenched teeth.
"N-no."
The Merfolk King continued with the same expression, the same manner, and the same tone.
"So, you're making a fool of me?"
Donny immediately pressed his forehead against the coral and cried out:
"I would never dare! Please punish me, Your Majesty."
The Merfolk King shifted his position and spoke unhurriedly.
"You violated Imperial Law, and one of its strictest prohibitions at that. By law, you should be executed. However, considering that you acted for the empire's victory, your punishment may be reduced. You will lead the charge in the coming battle. If you return alive, you will receive twenty lashes. Do you have any objections?"
Donny froze. Lead the charge? Like the Giant Octopus Elder before him, he was at the peak of Legendary-Bronze Five-Star. Even the Giant Octopus Elder had died at the enemy's hands. Although this battle was different, his chances of surviving were still slim. And even if he made it back, he would receive twenty lashes.
The Deep Sea Empire's lashing punishment stripped away every defensive measure. For mages, the lashes struck their flesh; for warriors, their souls. For those who cultivated both? Both were struck at once. Wouldn't twenty lashes cost him half his life?
But Donny had no choice but to bow his head and accept.
"I obey. Thank you for sparing my life, Your Majesty."
The Merfolk King nodded slightly.
"Mm. You may leave."
After Donny withdrew, the Merfolk King looked at Old Jimmy and asked quietly:
"What do you think?"
Old Jimmy bowed.
"Donny violated the empire's prohibition. Your Majesty's judgment was already more than generous. This old servant thanks Your Majesty for showing mercy."
The Merfolk King gave the old whaleman a meaningful look and smiled.
"There's no need for that. He is your son, after all. I ought to grant you that much consideration."
Old Jimmy bent even lower.
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's mercy."
Night gradually fell.
The Merfolk King reached the highest point of the gentle coastal slope at the Far North Coast. Looking at the Purger army, he remarked:
"So this is the force that dealt my Deep Sea Empire such a heavy blow. Interesting indeed."
At the very moment the Merfolk King appeared, inside Steel Main City...
An alarm sounded.
Alert, alert. Silver Creature detected. Silver Creature detected. Danger. Extreme danger.
Cheng Yu looked at the footage transmitted by the Satellite. On the screen was a crowned man with a human upper body and a fish's lower body.
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