Bang bang bang!
Countless cannons roared, bombarding the figure in the center. The silver giant, an avatar of Manison's consciousness, wantonly ravaged Mornisa's Virtual Soul.
In the realm of the Supreme Virtual, Mornisa had no power to fight back. She was beaten dizzy by Manison's violent attack. Waves of mental pain hit her like waves, making her thinking almost stagnant. Her Virtual Soul shone like white noise, making her appear very unstable.
"Ughhhh--"
Mornisa screamed in agony. Although she was mentally prepared to be beaten up by Manison, the pain from the severe damage to her consciousness was still unbearable. She could feel that Manison's attacks were filled with a strong killing intent.
This pain reminded her of the lesson Manison had taught her when her first attempt to steal technology failed.
At that time, Mornisa had only recently become Beyond Grade A, and she was incredibly proud, at the height of her ego. She was not yet fully aware of the power of a senior Beyond Grade A. After her theft failed, she was brutally beaten by Manison, and all her resistance was futile. Just like now, she was helpless and being tortured like a doll.
At that time, Manison calibrated her perception of reality, and a profound fear compelled Mornisa to embrace the Federation of Light.
This humiliating memory of being abused had been buried deep in her heart, but at this moment, the psychological trauma was reawakened. Mornisa could almost feel her soul trembling instinctively. She gritted her teeth and endured the torment, praying that Manison would end it soon.
After an unknown amount of time, Mornisa, who was enduring the pain, suddenly felt a sense of relief and abruptly left the Supreme Virtual Realm, returning to the virtual invasion battlefield where the battles continued.
Mornisa was almost mentally exhausted. Although the actual control time was very short, she felt as if she had endured torture for more than ten years. It was as if countless blenders were working in her brain, turning her brain tissue into a messy paste.
In particular, in order to continue the invasion, she had to keep her almost stagnant "book-and-image" thinking running, and stay alert, which intensified her pain once again.
The instant she left the Supreme Virtual, her computing power plummeted due to mental rigidity, and the invasion offensive in the area she was responsible for suddenly slowed down.
Taking advantage of that brief moment, the prepared Manison's eyes flashed, and he suddenly released a massive amount of information data, attempting to break through the other party's information blockade and try to transmit it to the outside world.
Buzz--
Suddenly, layers of light screens lit up at the edge of this virtual battlefield. The data blocking barrier formed by the Three Universal Civilizations' main intelligences cut off the data sent to the outside world. These massive amounts of information data collided with the blocking barrier like swarms of mosquitoes hitting a high-voltage power grid, exploding with a series of crackling sounds and instantly obliterating them.
"Cough cough, trying to spread the news while I'm injured? I didn't expect you to succeed so easily... I knew it all along..." Mornisa was quite weak, but seeing this scene, she still laughed mockingly.
Manison remained unfazed, waiting for the Supreme Virtual to cool down. While continuing to resist the invasion, he also tried to send messages to the outside world through various channels, attempting to break through the large-scale blockade imposed by the Three Universal Civilizations ' main intelligences.
With his virtual technology, it's virtually impossible for his opponents to completely lock him down, but it will take him some time to break through the blockade.
Despite the mental discomfort, Mornisa intercepted a message sent to the outside world, which was clearly a request for help from the Beyond Grade A Association.
Seeing this, even though she was injured, she couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh:
"Has that once arrogant and domineering Mechanic Emperor finally learned to ask for help? Where has your pride gone?"
Manison glanced at her, unmoved.
He knew that after sending out his request for help, the most likely response would be from Black Star, and he would probably be ridiculed by him.
If he could, he wouldn't want to deal with Han Xiao, much less let Han Xiao visit his database, since [Virtual Purification ·Restore] was his nemesis. But given the current situation, he couldn't hold out any longer and had no choice but to swallow his pride and call for backup.
One side was resisting and pleading for help, while the other was invading and blockading; the situation remained deadlocked for quite some time.
Manison kept patching up the firewall, but the defenses continued to shrink, relentlessly squeezed by Mornisa and the Three Universal Civilizations ' main AI. More and more intrusion probes were penetrating databases, copying and stealing the data he had accumulated over the years.
During this time, the cooldown of the Supreme Virtual also came back up several times, and Manison used it all on Mornisa, chasing after her and beating her until she was crying out in pain.
Mornisa couldn't recommend that Manison go after the other teammates, so she had to bear the pain alone. Her injuries worsened step by step, and if it weren't for her teammates' help, she would have almost lost the ability to maintain her invading ability.
Suddenly, a wave of intrusion data broke through the firewall and penetrated the confidential database. It lasted only a moment before being swiftly suppressed by Manison.
However, in such a short time, these highly powerful intrusion probes absorbed a large amount of data and transmitted back a portion of confidential information.
"Found important technical data!" a mechanic sent a message to his teammate.
"Continue!" Mornisa's severely damaged consciousness suddenly invigorated, as if she had been injected with adrenaline.
It's like digging deep into a mine and finally finding a gem; even the suffering is worth it!
However, at that moment, the ever-calm Manison seized a crack in the blockade and finally managed to send out the distress call.
"Damn it, he found a weakness and released it!"
Mornisa's joy lasted only a few seconds before her heart sank and her happiness vanished instantly.
Despite her arrogant words, she was actually a little panicked. If the association's mechanics came to her aid, the operation would be ruined.
Especially the unfathomable Black Star, who was the formidable figure who kicked her once revered teacher down from his peak. Just thinking about him filled her with dread.
If Black Star came, Mornisa would run away without saying a word... She dared to betray the declining Manison, but she wouldn't dare to mess with the rising Black Star.
"Don't panic, we still have some time," a teammate said in a deep voice.
Mornisa steadied herself, gritted her teeth, and focused her energy, channeling her computing power to extract as much technology as possible before reinforcements arrived. She also took the opportunity to withdraw most of the computing power used by the Three Universal Civilizations' primary intelligences to block information.
Now that Manison's distress call had been sent, there was no need to expend any more effort to intercept it; everyone simply concentrated all their computing power on the intrusion.
In their anxiety, the group intensified their intrusion efforts, sending wave after wave of intrusion probes into key databases. Manison frowned and could only do his best to resist.
This continued for a while, then one of the direct-lineage mechanics, calculating the time, suddenly said:
"That's about enough. If we delay any longer, reinforcements will really be here."
"Withdraw!"
Mornisa gritted her teeth. They were far from completely uncovering Manison's true nature, but she dared not delay any longer.
With a reluctant glance at the riddled firewall of the Manison, the group withdrew their computing power and retreated along the designated path.
Just then, Manison's Supreme Virtual recovered, and before the invaders could escape, it dealt Mornisa one last heavy blow.
Mornisa was startled, and her Virtual Soul faded even further before she used her last bit of consciousness to withdraw and disappear.
In a virtual brainwave amplifier somewhere in the Ancient Star Desert, the consciousness of the group returned to their clones.
"Hurry, hurry up, I can't hold on any longer..."
Mornisa only had time to utter one sentence before her clone collapsed to the ground, and the Dominator's Descent state automatically ended.
She had been brutally beaten by Manison and was now at her limit. Now that she relaxed, she couldn't hold on any longer, her consciousness automatically returned to her body, and she almost fainted... She estimated that it would take her at least a year and a half to recover from this injury.
Judith glanced at her out-of-control clone and shook her head, saying, "Never mind her. Take the data we stole and get out of here first. The Mechanic Emperor could be chasing us at any moment."
Everyone nodded and immediately activated the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter.
Amidst the buzzing sound, the two star-shaped orbits, each equipped with a virtual brainwave amplifier, began to rotate, accelerating until they transformed into a spherical phantom.
The next moment, a flash of light appeared, and the entire virtual brainwave amplifier was teleported away, while the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter in place immediately self-destructed, exploding and annihilating.
On the other side, in the virtual realm, Manison silently glanced at the position ravaged by the enemy and slowly said:
"Please tally the data loss and give me a report."
"... clear."
The main AI responded and began searching the various databases.
Soon, a list was compiled.
Looking at the dismal statistics, Manison closed his eyes helplessly, sighed inwardly, and wore a self-deprecating expression.
If you walk along the river often enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. You spend all day hunting geese, but today a goose pecked your eye... It's true what they say, what goes around comes around.
About 70-80% of the intelligence on various forces stored in the database was stolen. This was data he had accumulated over many years of monitoring numerous forces, including many classified documents, especially those concerning the supercluster civilizations of the Ancient Star Desert.
The technical blueprints accumulated over many years of research and development were also stolen in large quantities. The only good news is that the core technologies of the Convict and the Immortal Mechanic Emperor were memorized and not stored in the database; otherwise, the losses would have been even greater.
Buzz--
Just then, a data stream appeared out of thin air, transforming into a human figure. Looking down at the mess on the ground, he clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Wow, this is quite a sight. The Mechanic Emperor that used to invade other countries is now having its database compromised. How the tables have turned!"
Manison looked up and saw that it was none other than Black Star.
He wasn't in the mood to pay attention to Han Xiao's teasing and said indifferently:
You're late.
"I don't have telepathy, so I arrived fast enough. You should say the enemy escaped in time."
Han Xiao landed in front of Manison, glanced around, stroked his chin, and asked curiously:
"Just how many men came to get you like this?"
"A few core mechanics, plus the main AI of each of the Three Universal Civilizations," Manison explained simply.
"Wow, they really value you."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Even he himself wasn't confident he could withstand this situation, since Undying Body wasn't very useful in the realm of virtual technology, so it wasn't surprising that Old Manison suffered a severe blow.
Manison clicked his tongue. "If it were a matter of force, I would have taken care of them by now."
Although he is also skilled in virtual combat, his strength and overall combat power are incomparable. After all, virtual technology is an independent capability, and the mechanical legion is of little use in the virtual realm. Otherwise, with his resources, he could easily crush these invaders in the real world.
In reality, both he and Black Star could take on ten opponents single-handedly, but in the virtual realm, no one could maintain such an astonishingly overwhelming advantage.
Han Xiao shook his head and asked:
"What do you decide to do next? Swallow your anger or fight back?"
Manison glanced at him and said succinctly, "It's up to you."
"Look at me?" Han Xiao was taken aback.
"Aren't you the president of the Beyond Grade A Association? I'm a member of the association too. You can do whatever you want."
"... Who are you? Spit out the real Manison!"
Han Xiao was shocked.
What the heck? You suffered such a huge loss, and instead of taking matters into your own hands to retaliate, you're respecting my opinion as the chairman? This isn't like you, Old Manison!
Damn it, this guy's soul has either been switched, or he suffered such a huge blow that his personality has become twisted!
Seeing Han Xiao's incredulous expression, Manison only felt impatient:
"What's with that look? What's so strange about it? Anyway, we'll handle this according to your opinion."
The database had been hacked, which naturally displeased Manison, but he wasn't too angry and didn't insist on seeking revenge.
On the one hand, he didn't consider the losses to be crippling, as the core technical data was still in his mind and had not been leaked. On the other hand, the current situation was sensitive, and he was considering the overall picture and did not want to disrupt the association's pace in its struggle with the Three Universal Civilizations.
Although he suffered a loss this time, it was still a joint effort by Three Universal Civilizations, a high-level affair. Manison was beaten into submission, and since his position in the Mechanic Faith was taken by Black Star, his need for prestige has decreased, and he feels himself becoming more and more Zen, no longer clinging to the halo of being the first mechanic in the Galaxy —it no longer belongs to him anyway.
Maybe it's just getting old, my temper is getting milder...
Manison sighed inwardly.
"You've really changed your ways..." Han Xiao couldn't help but remark, then his expression turned serious. "Don't worry, the Three Universal Civilizations ' unauthorized infringement on the personal property of association members will definitely not be left unresolved."
What are you going to do?
"Well, let's condemn it first, demand an explanation from the Three Universal Civilizations, and see what their response is."
"It's nothing more than listing my past crimes of stealing secrets from the Federation of Light, claiming this is a justified reckoning."
Manison shook his head.
"Oh, that's certainly a useful excuse. Anyway, you're in the wrong, and they're in the right. So, the issue is back on the association's side... At this critical juncture, the Three Universal Civilizations are testing you."
Han Xiao seemed to be deep in thought, and pondered for a moment before saying:
"The so-called reckoning by the Three Universal Civilizations is probably just a side effect. On the one hand, they are testing whether the association will take further retaliatory action on your behalf, and probing our strength. If we only condemn without taking action, it is also a show of weakness, while the extent of our action will reflect the strength of our resolve."
On the other hand, they continue to attack the association. They are in the right, and if the association stands up for you, it will appear domineering and further highlight their "righteousness." If they don't stand up for you, the association members will feel uneasy and resentful, which is not conducive to unity.
Upon hearing this, Manison nodded in agreement.
The Three Universal Civilizations made a move against the core members of the association during a sensitive period, and their intentions were quite clear. However, the association had no choice but to respond.
However, at that moment, Han Xiao changed the subject:
"However... these analyses are based on the premise of not considering a huge variable. If this variable occurs, the reactions of the Three Universal Civilizations will not be as I just described."
"What variable?" Manison frowned.
Han Xiao glanced at him and said quietly:
"I have a question for you, and you must answer it truthfully... Did the lost data include the Virtual Mutiny Virus technology that you secretly replicated?"
Manison was caught off guard and was stunned.
Immediately afterwards, his expression changed drastically, and he stared at Han Xiao in bewilderment.
When the hell did you find out my secret?!