All-Out Assault

Su Ming fastened his earmuffs and simultaneously activated the soundproofing array patterns flowing on the inner wall of the cockpit.

"Azimuth correction complete, lead preset to 13 kilometers." Miao Xin's voice rang out in the communication channel, accompanied by the creaking sound of the Type 59 Modified foot making subtle adjustments in the silt.

She adjusted the cannon's direction based on the wind speed at high altitude, and then pressed the fire button.

Boom!

A violent tremor swept across the riverbed, rippling like waves. As the shockwave subsided, Su Ming loosened the restraints that had been digging into his shoulder blades. "The Vermilion Bow continues its charging cycle; load the next shot!"

"Clear!"

Because the distance had narrowed, the Plain Gift arrived above the Crystal Dragon nine minutes later, piercing through the array of suspended crystal mirrors high in the sky. The closer distance also increased Plain Gift's speed, but it was still manageable for the Plundering Clock. The Jinghuo Dragon, already poised for attack, its massive, scarred tail like a fully charged battering ram, aimed at Plain Gift's trajectory, ready to deliver another aerial slam!

However, this time, just before he was about to draw it, the speeding metal shuttle unexpectedly detonated in mid-air.

The explosion wasn't loud; it was just the directional charge inside the Plain Gift. The grooves pre-cut into the metal rod became the fracture lines, and the eighty-ton electromagnetic projectile disintegrated into one hundred and forty-four metal fragments, which fell like petals to the colossal beast below.

The giant tail of the Jinghuo swept across, managing only to deflect most of the fragments off course. The remaining fifty fragments remained on track and crashed down! Nitelai's pupils contracted sharply, and dozens of rhomboid shields, infused with runes, instantly unfolded layer upon layer on the dragon's back. Most of the fragments exploded into even finer sparks upon impact with the shields, producing a teeth-grinding thud.

But a dozen or so fish still managed to escape, viciously piercing through the shattered scales on the Crystal Dragon's back, leaving deep, bleeding wounds that exposed bone! "Awooo!!!"

Jinghuo, pain-filled shriek echoed once more, this time from three other fragmented souls.

The members of the Plundering Clock rushed to the damaged area to inspect it. Fortunately, the metal fragments had not hit the crystal cluster nodes.

Death Knell breathed a sigh of relief and looked back at the sun that had already risen above the horizon. It was past eight o'clock, and the scorching sunlight was shining on her, bringing a noticeable feeling of heat.

"Let's get started," she said to Jinghuo. "We can't wait any longer; the sunlight is barely strong enough right now."

"It should have been like this a long time ago!" Jinghuo's spirit wave carried suppressed dissatisfaction.

High in the sky, the Crystal Spawn Insect that formed the mirror suddenly dispersed, exposing the Super Crystal Dragon's battered body to the sunlight. It raised its massive head and locked onto the three Rainbow Drone that had been replenished in the sky. Then, it shook its body, and the prism-like crystal scales covering its entire body flipped outwards like bristling mane.

Miao Xin noticed the Crystal Dragon's unusual movements immediately. She immediately ordered the Rainbow Drone to accelerate and move away from the target from different directions. Su Ming also came over to look at the situation on the screen and found that from the perspective of one of the drones, blinding spots of light appeared in patches, increasing in number. Soon, the scales all over the Crystal Dragon's body became dazzling, like a giant dragon of light.

The next second, all the optical cameras on the drone failed.

"What is this?" Miao Xin exclaimed in surprise.

"Focus on the sunlight." Su Ming sighed. "This huge, extraordinary creation, you don't really think it can only breathe fire and flick its tail, do you?" A piercing red alarm sounded, and the drone's signal was interrupted. From the perspective of other drones, it looked as if it was being licked by flames, with thick black smoke billowing from its surface, spinning uncontrollably as it plummeted towards the earth.

"Sunlight can be that powerful?!" Miao Xin was somewhat skeptical.

Su Ming quickly calculated the energy gathering area provided by the Crystal Dragon's massive body and concluded, "It's about five megawatts, enough to boil 12 kilograms of water per second."

Although the Crystal Dragon cannot form a beam of light as precisely focused as a laser, its extremely high power is sufficient to burn up a non-supersonic drone.

After shooting down the first target, Jinghuo adjusted the direction of its thousands of scales, directing the beams of light towards the second drone. Miao Xin maneuvered it to roll and spin wildly, finally buying enough time to lower its altitude and hide behind the terrain for cover.

"Return to Earth and install the laser reflector," Su Ming said, while simultaneously contacting the Earth side to prepare.

Miao Xin followed instructions, but asked, "Why are these enemies so difficult to deal with this time?" She was puzzled. "Weren't the goblins easy to handle last time?"

"That was a tutorial level," Su Ming said calmly. "Today is the real boss."

"Great! This is 1, this is 2, and this is a partial differential equation, right?" Miao Xin said dejectedly, "Isn't there any gradual increase in difficulty in this ghostly realm?"

"Hehe, if such a good thing existed, I'd want it too."

The next shotgun-type Plain Gift was still gliding high in the air when it was spotted by the Jinghuo or the enormous eyeball.

The enormous eye structure gave this colossal creature exceptionally long-range vision. This property became increasingly apparent as the light intensified. The scorching beam of light immediately began to continuously burn Plain Gift outer shell. Only when the distance was relatively close was its tail propulsion device completely destroyed, triggering an active detonation program that scattered the projectile into a hail of bullets.

Since the drone was already more than 30 kilometers away, the images it transmitted were blurry. However, it was barely discernible that a small number of fragments had broken through the Dragon Tail and created several new bloody holes in the massive body of the Super Crystal Dragon.

Su Ming picked up the communicator. "Beianqi, pause the launch of the Vermilion Bow."

"Receive!"

"Why did you stop?" Miao Xin asked, puzzled. "We're still causing harm!"

"The sunlight intensity is increasing rapidly during this period," Su Ming explained. "The enemy's window of opportunity to destroy the Plain Increase thrusters will be getting earlier and earlier. Just like now, if they had waited even a little longer, none of your three drones would have escaped."

"I see," Miao Xin said, suddenly realizing.

Three more Plain Gift were still en route in the air. Su Ming controlled them to complete their attacks one after another. As expected, the effective interception range of the Super Crystal Dragon was getting farther and farther away. In the end, it could no longer guarantee the coverage of the rain of bullets.

This Crystal Dragon seems to have better eyesight the stronger the light.

Zijin's voice came through the communication, "Su Ming, does the final offensive plan need to be adjusted?"

"No need to change anything," Su Ming replied. "Although the enemy's beams are strong, their range is still limited. During the general offensive, we'll lower the trajectory of our Plain Gift bullets, letting them skim the ground and launch a surprise attack."

"What about the rocket barrage?" Zijin reminded them, "The enemy's magic array, combined with this solar weapon, will greatly increase its efficiency in intercepting rockets."

"Just handle it the same way," Su Ming replied.

At 10 a. m., the sky was cloudless.

The sun had grown intense, pouring down on the Crystal Dragon's scales and reflecting large patches of phosphorescence, like a layer of flowing liquid gemstone. Half an hour ago, the Jinghuo had already entered the territory of the Dragon Valley. Although several dragons flew around them from a distance, peeking out and then immediately flapping their wings and disappearing behind the distant mountain ridge.

Overall, things were relatively calm.

Nitelai had already removed his cloak and activated several cooling magic circles on the dragon's back. The dark blue runes flickered, and a cool breeze swept over, dispelling the scorching heat from the sun.

Sorrowful Death Knell hesitated, glancing at her cloak. It was too hot to wear, but too cold to take it off, and besides, her skin peeled easily when exposed to the sun. As she frowned, struggling with this dilemma, the urgent voice of her lookout subordinate rang out, "My lady! Those alchemical pets of the Bone King are back!"

The Death Knell quickly looked up, and sure enough, three silver-gray ghost-like aircraft, with their familiar, unsettling buzzing, reappeared overhead, beginning a new round of reconnaissance, circling like vultures.

Death Knell narrowed his blood-red pupils, staring intently at the silvery undersides of the aircraft—something that hadn't been there before.

Considering the fact that the other party dared to approach again with such confidence, it must be some kind of coating that reflects strong light, Death Knell deduced. She could try focusing the beam once, but it would be difficult to succeed. She racked her brains for a countermeasure.

"Bone King, is this a fresh start?" Nitelai let out a weary sigh, his face etched with the gloom of a thwarted plan. What initially seemed like a foolproof operation turned out to be fraught with danger at every step, like walking on a knife's edge.

"How far are we from their artillery positions?" he asked.

"Over a hundred kilometers," Death Knell replied, looking at the undulating terrain ahead. "This final stretch won't be peaceful." "The problem is, we have no other choice," Nitelai wiped the thin layer of sweat from his brow. "We must reach them to have our only chance of victory!"

"Then once the enemy's artillery fire resumes," said the Death Knell, "We will spare no expense, exhaust all our reserves, and launch a full-speed assault!" Nitelai nodded emphatically.

On Su Ming's side, everything Vermilion Bow ready. During the approximately two-hour preparation period, all units had arrived at their designated combat positions. The Rainbow Drone swarm, equipped with laser reflectors, had also regained precise control over the enemy's movements.

"Once the attack begins, while the enemy is busy dealing with the saturation attack, lower the drone's altitude and get close for observation!" Su Ming instructed Miao Xin. Miao Xin controlled the Skeleton Pig to raise its hooves and make a "K" sign.

Su Ming connected with Bowers, the commander of the Long-Range Fire Battalion, on the channel, "Current situation?"

"All launch units are ready and we can launch at any time!" Bowers replied.

Su Ming immediately pulled down the main charging handle of the Vermilion Bow, and a huge buzzing sound echoed on the riverbank.

He stared intently at the parameters flashing on the screen. Once the energy flow stabilized, he glanced at the remaining charging time and ordered, "Long-Range Fire Battalion, launch in thirty seconds! Loitering mode, guidance control transferred to me after launch!"

"Receive!"

Now that the distance to the enemy has been greatly reduced, the ballistic flight time of the Plain Gift has been compressed to three minutes, so the rockets need to be launched first. The thirty-second countdown reached zero, and the launch site of the Long-Range Fire Battalion suddenly boiled over!

Hundreds of rockets, pointed diagonally at the sky, stirred like disturbed bees. The first batch of rockets ignited, tearing through the air with long, orange-red trails of flame as they flew forward.

Then came the second, the third... The swarm of steel bees, which blotted out the sky, flew for more than ten kilometers before uniformly lowering their altitude, like the Grim Reaper's scythe skimming the earth!

Under the command and control of the "Electricity-Swallowing Beast" guidance unit, the massive rocket swarm began to disperse in a ring, and as it approached the target, its flight altitude decreased further, making full use of the undulating mountains and ravines as cover.

However, the Crystal Dragon was so enormous, with its back exceeding 100 meters in height, that it also possessed excellent visibility. After entering the 10-kilometer range, the rocket swarm was forced to circle around from behind cover.

The lookouts at the Plundering Clock immediately saw a dense cluster of lights, and the color drained from their faces in an instant! "Damn!" Nitelai was shocked; this was already the umpteenth time he had faced such a deadly gamble.

No reward for winning, lose and you're done!

He suddenly raised his arms, and all the attack arrays on the dragon's back were rapidly activated. Countless white or blue energy orbs poured out in all directions like raindrops, attempting to weave a barrage of interception!

As the rocket swarm penetrated to the last few kilometers, Nitelai quickly switched modes, and his prism beams, like the spitting tongue of a viper, began to intercept and kill the rockets one by one!

Guided by the Death Knell, Jing's Jinghuo rippled and adjusted their angles like waves of wheat in the wind, drawing in the scorching sunlight and sweeping it toward the approaching threat.

At the same time, all the defensive formations on the dragon's back were activated to their limit, and a thick, almost solid, hemispherical energy shield, flowing with countless runes, enveloped the Jinghuo or its enormous body.

The fireballs exploding in the air were as dense as festive fireworks, but the mere twenty-second interception window was far too short. More than half of the rockets, like fearless moths, pierced through the layers of deadly net!

Nitelai's heart clenched; these swarms of piranhas that had escaped the net could only rely on this last layer of protection!

But Death Knell wasn't so optimistic at all. A warning flashed through her mind: the little missile was here. How could that "big guy," a hundred times more powerful, be absent?

She raised her head, channeling Magic Power into her eyes as she scanned the sky, but found no trace of that familiar death trajectory. Instead, her lookout subordinate let out a heart-wrenching scream, "Ahead! Directly ahead, low in the sky!"

Death Knell's bloodshot eyes darted around, and she saw a blindingly cold light tearing through the air at an alarming speed, rapidly expanding, right on the undulating horizon.

This is Plain Gift!

This time, Su Ming still used a 45-degree high-angle trajectory, but with ample energy, he made it descend earlier, flying close to the ground for the approach. Although this would sacrifice some terminal velocity, it would hide itself below the horizon in the "blind spot".

This meant that by the time the Plundering Clock was discovered, it was too late!

With a deafening roar, Plain Gift abruptly disintegrated before impact. 144 pre-set fragments scattered, transforming into a hail of bullets that shrieked as they all crashed into the seemingly thick energy barrier!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

A sudden, dense sound, like hail pelting a window, shattered! Over 80% of the defensive array's core overloaded and extinguished under the violent impact. The massive shield collapsed with a deafening roar, like a glass dome struck by a heavy hammer.

The remaining shrapnel continued its momentum, carving deep into the crystal scales on the Crystal Dragon's shoulders, leaving behind a large number of horrific, bone-revealing wounds. The Crystal Dragon's enormous eyes, like a still, lifeless lake, suddenly erupted with two crimson, ferocious lights, filled with a deathly madness. But in the next second, they dimmed like a candle flame being extinguished!

But at this moment, no one could afford to pay attention to this part. Because on both sides of the Crystal Dragon, more than three hundred heavy rockets that had broken through the interception were crashing in like a torrent!

Boom boom boom boom boom!!!

The explosions, so dense they were indistinguishable, merged into one. Blinding flames and billowing smoke, like flowers of hell, completely engulfed the Jinghuo or the battered mountain body.

Countless shattered crystal scales, flying rock-like chunks of flesh and blood, mixed with burning metal fragments, shot wildly in all directions like a volcanic eruption!

"Awoooooo!!!"

A mournful wail, filled with endless pain, swept across the dragon like an invisible tsunami. The members of the Plundering Clock on the dragon's back were stunned and unable to stand!

"Yeah!" Inside the cockpit of the Type 59 Modified, Su Ming punched and high -Miao Xin's bone hoof!

"Perfect timing!" Miao Xin exclaimed excitedly, "Next shot!"

She pushed the control stick, and the massive Type 59 Modified lifted its body, deploying its tailstock.

A smaller but still very heavy projectile was quickly hoisted into place by the dragons, who spared no effort in expending their Magic Power to assist. Su Ming swiftly checked all the key system parameters, and the main charging lever of the Vermilion Bow was pressed down once again.

"Recharge time: 86 seconds!" he said into the communicator. "Fifty tons of small projectiles, 50% power, rapid fire mode!"

"Understood!" Beianqi replied.

The Crystal Dragon's battered back still echoed with the lingering Jinghuo, heart-wrenching Psionic Power, and the surrounding area was a scene of horrific carnage. Twelve hours ago, this once smooth, radiant, and incomparably powerful super dragon had now transformed into a pitiful blood dragon, its body covered in blood, its scales shattered and peeling off.

Protected by their own power and the remaining magic array, most of the members of the Plundering Clock survived, but all were wounded. The towering crystal clusters were barely protected by their own shields, shimmering faintly in the smoke.

In the recent saturation attack, many Crystal Spawn Insect were torn to shreds by the explosion, but a considerable number survived. These insects, shimmering with a ghostly blue light, emerged from the shattered dragon scales and viscous flesh, coalescing again into streams of backward flight as they struggled back to the dragon's back. "Jinghuo! Keep charging!" The voice of the Death Knell carried an undeniable resolve. "A swarm of missiles of that scale cannot return anytime soon. This is the only way to survive!"

Jinghuo could only endure the tearing pain, take heavy steps, and drag her massive body forward once more.

"But what about that big metal rod?" A terrified spirit wave screamed from within the crystal cluster.

The rain of missiles may not return, but the attacks on that "solid iron" that brought them nightmares will not stop!

"Intercept them with self-destructing Crystal Spawn Insect!" A glint of quick thinking flashed across Nitelai's face.

"Yes! Let's do it this way!" A glint flashed in Death Knell's eyes; this was indeed their last resort.

There are still 7-8k more updates later today; I'll finish this battle.