The intelligence gained from Operation Deep Dive, earned with blood, is a double-edged sword. It reveals the root of the terrifying war potential of the Rift Demons and brings unprecedented pressure. The existence of the lair as a living arsenal means that simply killing monsters is only a temporary solution; destroying the lair is the key to curbing its expansion.
The Science Department was tasked with a critical mission, and all research focus immediately shifted to developing weapons targeting the lair. Ace personally oversaw the development, maximizing the potential of the " Flame of World Purification."
"Conventional explosions and energy shocks will be absorbed or even transformed by the nest!" Ace roared at the busy researchers. "What we need is instantaneous, extreme, purifying power that Transcendence its absorption limit! Or find a frequency that can cause its internal energy structure to resonate and collapse!"
Sparks flew in the laboratory. The prototype of the " White-Hot Spear," developed based on the " Flame of World Purification," was created. It could launch highly compressed, pure flames in a throwing motion, attempting to detonate the nest from the inside. However, tests revealed that a single shot was insufficient to completely destroy the core ovary of a large nest.
"The energy output is still not enough! Or... do we need a way to continuously purify and prevent regeneration?" Sentomaru frowned as he looked at the simulation data.
Meanwhile, the " Resonance Disintegration Cannon," developed based on the Sky Island Tone Dial and the sonic technology of the Science Unit, is also undergoing intense testing. They are trying to find a specific frequency that can cause the nest's biological structure to resonate and collapse. However, the Rift Demons have a bizarre composition, making it extremely difficult to lock onto their frequencies, and they are also prone to accidentally injuring friendly forces.
The research has hit a bottleneck.
The situation at the front lines has deteriorated further.
Perhaps the " Deep Dive " operation provoked the Rift Demons, or perhaps their accumulated " Tribulation Power " reached a new threshold. The main rift in the East Blue fluctuated violently once again, spewing out more demons than ever before, with a significant increase in the proportion of purple ( Admiral Candidate level) demons! Even the dark red ( Admiral level) demons were observed to appear more frequently!
The pressure on the Blood-Red Defense Line has increased dramatically!
The outlying positions, which could previously be maneuvered using tactics, began to fall one after another under the onslaught of increasingly powerful monsters. Warriors often had to pay several times the price to barely hold the line, and the Power of Fortune they gained seemed insignificant in the face of the heavy casualties.
"Report! Fortress No. 7 has been breached by a legion led by three purple monsters! The defending troops... have all perished!"
"Report! Patrol fleet No. 4 was attacked by a dark red monster; only one ship survived!"
One bad news after another arrived, and the atmosphere in the command center became extremely oppressive.
"This can't go on!" Luffy looked at the battle report and felt a sense of powerlessness for the first time. "They seem to be multiplying and getting stronger with each battle!"
Sabo's eyes were bloodshot as he constantly adjusted his deployment, trying to plug the gaps that were being torn open, but his forces were stretched thin and his defensive line was constantly retreating.
Just at this critical moment, the Science Department finally brought good news!
It's neither a " White-Hot Spear " nor a " Resonance Cannon," but an unexpected discovery—by utilizing the pure energy of the " Primordial Light " and combining it with the properties of the Flame of World Purification, a special " Purification Field " can be created!
This force field cannot directly destroy the nest, but it can greatly suppress the activity of the creep and the energy absorption efficiency of monsters! Within the force field's range, monsters recover more slowly, the energy absorption effect of their attacks is greatly reduced, and low-level monsters may even become lethargic!
"Mass production immediately! Prioritize equipping frontline fortresses and main warships!" Long ordered without hesitation.
The first batch of " Purification Force Field Generator " was urgently transported to the front lines. When the pale golden force field unfolded around the fortress, the speed of the surging monster horde noticeably slowed down, the purplish-black light on their bodies dimmed, and their attacks became less deadly. The pressure on the defending troops was immediately relieved!
"It's working! Open fire! Open fire at full speed!" the position commander roared excitedly.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the warriors were able to inflict considerable damage on the monsters even with conventional weapons. As their kill efficiency increased, their casualty rate began to decline.
However, this didn't last long. The Rift Demons seemed to quickly adapt to this force field. Higher-level monsters (purple and above) began to consciously concentrate their attacks on the force field generator! Although they were weakened, they could still forcefully destroy the generator with their overwhelming strength.
A battle for control of the " Purification Field " ensued. The defenders fought desperately to protect the generator, while the monsters launched a frenzied attack. The battle line was temporarily stabilized, but it turned into an even more brutal war of attrition.
"The force field is just a stopgap measure," Allen said calmly, reviewing the reports from the front lines. "It bought us time, but it can't bring victory. We must find a way to completely destroy the lair."
His gaze returned to the deep crack. The accumulation of Power of Fortune, the cultivation of powerful individuals, the development of new weapons... everything takes time. And the enemy clearly didn't intend to give them that time.
The tide of war remained turned, but the emergence of the " Purification Field " finally gave the desperate defenders a glimmer of hope to regain their footing. However, everyone knew that this was only the beginning. The counterattack of the Rift Demons and the terror that had yet to truly descend from the depths of the rift were the real tests.
Operation " Nail " must be escalated once again. Under the cover of the " Purification Field," a real attack on the lair must be attempted! The objective is no longer probing, but—destruction!