Risk

The battle begins

The Insect Armor Sword collided with the giant axe once more, the shockwaves spreading along the hilt and covering Lu Heng's entire arm.

He shifted his weight to the side, his foot sliding lightly half a foot across the mud, but his gaze wasn't completely locked onto the Silver Big Goblin in front of him. His peripheral vision continued to spread outwards, scanning the outer battlefield.

The Big Goblin wasn't fully focused on the one-on-one fight either. Its heavy breathing carried a foul-smelling white mist, and its crimson gaze occasionally swept over the elite Bronze squad it had brought. The Crossbow Tower continuously fired armor-piercing bolts, the Bone Demon and two robots tightly entangled the Green Demon, and the Bloodthirsty Vine vines waited for an opportunity to pierce and harvest. The squad's casualties were accumulating little by little, and the battle line was being continuously squeezed.

Seeing their comrades fall one after another, the Green Demon Squad, which had been fighting in all directions, suddenly changed their tactics.

The Big Goblin let out a low, hoarse growl—a command.

The Bronze Green Demon, who had previously fought individually and only knew how to savagely pounce, immediately responded. Those holding shields took half a step forward and stood side by side, while the Green Demon wielding bone blades and bone spears stood in staggered rows behind the shield bearers, leaving just the right gaps between them. A faint layer of blood energy flowed and swirled among them, subtly connecting everyone's power together.

Lu Heng's pupils contracted slightly.

This group of alien species actually formed a formation similar to that of infantry on an ancient battlefield.

With shields in front and blades behind, they provide mutual cover, no longer charging aimlessly. Energy circulates within the array, and the weaknesses of individual units are compensated for by their companions.

This discovery made Lu Heng's heart sink.

We can no longer engage the Big Goblin head-on with the Insect Armor Sword.

The level advantage is undeniable. Most of the Silver Tier aliens encountered in the past were like wild beasts, at most possessing some rudimentary blood energy attacks and only knowing how to fight alone. This Big Goblin is completely different. It is proficient in the use of blood energy and also has the ability to command a group and build a coordinated battle formation. Once this formation is completely stable, the pressure on the outside will instantly surge, and the two layers of battlefield that have been painstakingly separated could be torn apart at any moment.

With a thought, Lu Heng transmitted a command to the Bone Demon.

The Bone Demon itself has no independent consciousness or judgment; all its actions are controlled by Lu Heng. The moment it received the mental command, this Puppet, forged from Silver physique, strode forward, its heavy skeletal body blocking the front of the formation. It felt no pain, was unafraid of severe injuries, and even if its flesh and bones were torn apart, it would not feel fear or retreat. It was perfectly suited to withstand this Green Demon Squad that had formed a battle formation.

The Heavy Anvil Assault Mech and the Mech-Driven Butler adjusted their positions in sync, one on the left and one on the right, cooperating with the Bone Demon to block the flanks of the formation and prevent the Green Demon army from spreading outwards. The mechanisms of the Crossbow Tower on higher ground clattered, and bolts continuously pierced the air, prioritizing the Green Demon in the front row who were holding shields. The shields could withstand one impact, but with continuous crossbow fire, the shield surfaces would slowly crack and dent.

The Bloodthirsty Vine Vines lay dormant on the ground, their dark tendrils slightly taut, waiting for an opening in the formation so they could entangle and strangle any stray enemies.

Having stabilized the flank defense, Lu Heng ceased his probing and entanglement tactics.

With a flick of his wrist, he sheathed the Insect Armor Sword at his side, and with his other hand, he reached for the Kiss of Nightmare at his waist.

The Big Goblin noticed Lu Heng's movement, and with a burst of strength in its arms, thick, blood-red energy surged across the surface of its giant axe, with dark red mist slowly flowing along the blade. Lu Heng's spiritual perception clearly detected the destructive power contained within. Once hit by this axe strike, even the Blood Armor on his body would find it difficult to completely prevent the blood energy from corroding him.

The Big Goblin stomped its foot on the ground, preparing to charge at Lu Heng.

Lu Heng raised his gun and pulled the trigger.

A deafening explosion rang out, and shrapnel rained down.

The Big Goblin has a keen instinct for deadly danger. The instant the gun fired, it twisted its body sharply to the side to dodge. Most of the bullets grazed its body, failing to deliver a full-coverage, devastating blow.

But several bullets still tore through the flesh on its shoulder, and dark blood gushed from the wound, splashing into the soil.

Big Goblin staggered back a few steps, looked down at his wound, then raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on the Kiss of Nightmare in Lu Heng's hand.

It had never seen such a weapon before. Its brief burst of power, beyond imagination, completely exceeded its understanding of attack methods. Fear was clearly written in its ferocious pupils.

A brief standoff ensued.

Inside, Lu Heng, wielding the Kiss of Nightmare, gazed at the wounded Silver Big Goblin. Outside, the Bone Demon stood firmly at the front, enduring the first combined assault of the Green Demon army. Bone blades slashed at the Bone Demon's torso, leaving deep gashes, but the Puppet showed no sign of retreat, steadfastly holding its line.

The shields of the front-row Green Demon trembled repeatedly as crossbow bolts struck their surfaces, cracks spreading along the shields. The flow of blood energy within the formation continued uninterrupted; they took turns positioning themselves, with wounded individuals retreating and healthy Green Demon moving forward to fill the gaps and maintain the integrity of the formation.

Lu Heng observed quietly and made a quick assessment.

This formation is not invincible. The Big Goblin's command ability is ultimately limited, and gaps still exist in the formation, making the coordination less than perfect. However, this cooperative combat mode far surpasses the instinctive fighting of ordinary Green Demon.

The Big Goblin roared and issued a new command.

Within the formation, two Green Demon wielding spears burst forth from the gaps in the shields, their spearheads shrouded in bloody energy, aiming for the side of the Bone Demon. Following Lu Heng's instructions, the Bone Demon slightly turned its body, using its thick shoulder bones to withstand the impact of the spearheads. The spearheads pierced the surface of the bones, but failed to penetrate completely.

The Heavy Anvil Assault Mech charged forward, its sturdy chassis slamming into a shield bearer, knocking the Bronze Green Demon off balance. The Mech-Driven Butler seized the opportunity, precisely striking the cracks in the shield's surface, further weakening the defense.

The Crossbow Tower roared again, and an armor-piercing bolt pierced through a cracked bone shield, embedding itself in the shield bearer's chest. The Green Demon staggered and fell to the ground, but his comrades immediately rushed forward to fill the gap, and the formation remained almost unbroken.

Lu Heng's gaze shifted back and forth between the Big Goblin and the outer array.

This Big Goblin's core threat isn't just its formidable strength and ferocity. Its most troublesome aspect is its ability to mobilize squads, organizing a group of brute-force-only aliens into coordinated combat. As long as this formation exists, the pressure from the perimeter will persist, and it can always find an opportunity to coordinate with the squads to encircle them.

The Big Goblin gripped its giant axe tightly, the flesh of its shoulder wound slowly writhing under the nourishment of the blood energy, attempting to heal. It stared at the Kiss of Nightmare in Lu Heng's hand, hesitant to charge at full speed. The injury from the previous attack made it clear that this unfamiliar short weapon possessed the ability to instantly cripple it.

It dared not approach again without any reservations, but it also had no intention of retreating.

Lu Heng gently stroked the gun barrel of Kiss of Nightmare with his fingertips, weighing his options in his mind.

Kiss of Nightmare is a close-range burst weapon; it only deals full damage when you get close enough. The previous shot was fired from too far away, only causing minor injuries. To finish off the Big Goblin with this weapon, you must create an opportunity to get close.

Getting close to the target means facing the giant axe wreathed in crimson energy head-on, which is extremely risky.

The Insect Armor Sword remains an option. However, the level difference is significant, and in a prolonged head-on confrontation, Lu Heng's weakness in physical strength will be continuously amplified. The Big Goblin's Bone Ornament Necklace still glows faintly around his neck, continuously weakening mental attacks and making it difficult for Mind Spike to quickly penetrate his defenses.

The Blood Taisui Mycelium attached to Lu Heng's body gently writhed, continuously accumulating Mental Energy, awaiting instructions. Once needed, it could assist in attacking the opponent's spiritual defenses and attempt to break through the barrier of the Bone Ornament Necklace.

Reports of fighting continued from the outer battlefields.

Another Green Demon shieldbearer was struck down by a crossbow bolt. Bloodthirsty Vine vines instantly sprang up, wrapping around the fallen monster's limbs, their spikes piercing flesh and reaping the remaining blood. New shieldbearers quickly filled in, and the formation remained stable. Several new wounds appeared on the Bone Demon's body, its bones shattered, yet it still stood firmly at the front of the formation, without swaying an inch.

The Big Goblin roared again, adjusting its attack rhythm. The shield bearers slowly advanced, compressing the Bone Demon's space and attempting to force the Puppet to retreat, tearing open the outer defenses. Once the Bone Demon's defenses were breached, this Bronze squad could rush into the inner layer and attack Lu Heng from both sides.

Lu Heng knew that the array could not be allowed to continue advancing.

He looked up at the Big Goblin, whose fierce glint remained undiminished. While keeping a wary eye on the Kiss of Nightmare in Lu Heng's hand, the Big Goblin continued to command the formation to apply pressure.

The balance of power on the battlefield hangs by a thread.

Lu Heng gripped the Kiss of Nightmare tightly, simultaneously sending his thoughts to the Bone Demon, the two robots, and the Bloodthirsty Vine. All combat units received the order in unison, preparing to counter the Green Demon army's impending onslaught.

The Big Goblin raised its massive axe high, its blade surging with crimson energy, signaling the start of a new offensive.