Chapter 52 The Source of the Decisive Battle

The soil that was sliding down stopped falling.

The entire giant "living creature" finally revealed its appearance to everyone—

A tumor, about twenty meters in diameter, squirmed, its surface gleaming with a metallic sheen, like a hard shell. Countless vines extended from it, some rooted in the ground, others emerging and waving in mid-air.

Qi He squinted at its appearance: it looked more like a combination of mutants A and B.

No wonder this place is a dead place, because it devours all "living things" within a radius of one kilometer.

"...This, is the 'source'?"

Le Yunyu was stunned and took a deep breath.

"Or rather, the mother body." Yan Chuanbai lowered his eyes.

The virus formed a reservoir of infection underground;

By continuously devouring piles of corpses and vines, new mutations occurred, causing the infected zombies and plants to undergo genetic fusion and gain "consciousness".

And this "mother" is the highest level of evolutionary form.

Below, the giant source, drawn to Yan Chuanbai's poisonous Super 4S-level spiritual power, pupaed in a restless state, opening its countless mouths. Its body squirmed, revealing the soil beneath...

Shu Ling's eyes were sharp and perceptive: "Is that groundwater?"

Beneath the roots, underground runoff gurgles.

Qi He took a look, then looked towards the river upstream in the distance: "There is still a river."

The rushing river flows down from north to south.

He recalled the commonality of several "flagship points" he and Yan Chuanbai had previously identified: the watershed. Waste treatment plants located upstream had the strongest potential for transmission, but since waste treatment was the last link in the entire supply chain, it wasn't necessarily the initial "birth point."

But now it seems certain—

"To be precise, the entire water cycle."

Qi He turned around and looked at everyone.

It starts with underground runoff, then water vapor and surface runoff, until it pollutes the entire water cycle system.

Suddenly, Meng Yan's words before the heavy rain when he first arrived came to his mind:

"In the end times, rain is a signal."

It turns out that there were traces of everything.

Xi Moqing understood, and with one hand on the gun at his waist, he said coldly: "So, the initial route of transmission was not through people, but through water."

Qi He nodded and was about to say something.

The helicopter suddenly turned sharply!

The source seemed to have finally become enraged by the lack of "nutrients" and its thick vines snapped towards the helicopter. Gong Lianyu reacted extremely quickly, dodging it at a tricky angle.

“I…will go!”

Qi He grabbed the boarding pole in an instant, quickly pulled the helicopter up, and at the same time, gravity slammed it down!

The vines were pushed back, and a roar came from below: "Hiss...crackling..."

The helicopter climbed back to a safe altitude.

Qi He withdrew his hand and felt the resistance from before. Although he had expected it before, he could now tell everyone with certainty:

"Be prepared, it's at least level 5S."

Everyone in the helicopter gasped.

Then, Le Yunyu looked at the commander with a calm expression, "Now, what should we do?"

“So what about 5S?”

Qi He's calm tone was reassuring. He looked down without hesitation:

"Won't let it live."

-

The source was completely enraged and made a huge roar.

Above, inside the helicopter.

Everyone has put on their equipment and is waiting for deployment. Qi He first looks at the auxiliary combat system:

"Shu Ling, continue to amplify with full force. Sir, you are responsible for the safety of the helicopter. If you sense anything, inform us immediately—but don't force yourself."

Guan Shangchun said seriously: "Yes."

As for the remaining combat systems...

Qi He was just looking at everyone in front of him when the system suddenly popped up: [Just follow the strategy from the last team battle, isn't that enough?]

"The situation is different and cannot be so routine."

【？】What went wrong last time?

In addition to the system, Zhuge Dun also thought so.

He stretched out his arms eagerly: "What do you want this time? Ice spikes? Spiral blades?"

"This close combat is not going well. You have other tasks."

“……?”

After Qi He finished speaking, he turned around and faced downwards.

A gust of wind blew towards him, and the strategy in his mind had already taken shape. He issued the order neatly: "Yan Chuanbai, use your ice ability to cover the ground. Gong Lianyu copy my ability and bind it to the shield. Zhuge Dun, use your body to transform and cover your entire body——"

Gong Lianyu, Zhuge Dun:?

"Next, absolutely trust your teammates."

Qi He finished speaking and took the lead in jumping down: "Enter the battle!"

…

Bang, bang, bang.

Several figures landed steadily on the ground. The moment they touched down, the freezing temperature spread, and a thick layer of ice sealed off the entire land, isolating it from the mutant vines attacking from below.

Yan Chuanbai swung his long arm, shaking off a thin layer of frost on his leather gloves.

Qi He raised his eyes and controlled the attacking giant vine.

The frost froze at the same time, and a raging fire expertly ignited it. He clenched his fist, and the vines exploded!

The next moment, everyone was stunned.

The inside that was revealed by the explosion was not the root of a plant at all—

The tumors quickly gathered together like living things, and the vines that had just been blown to pieces regenerated in an instant.

Bang! The bullet was fired without hesitation.

Beneath his military cap, Xi Moqing's face was stern as he fired a shot at the tumor in the middle. With a clang, the bullet sparked and deflected. Not even a single scorch mark remained on the tumor's hard outer shell.

Boom—a huge thing pounced and rolled down!

A huge force instantly pulled everyone away from the battlefield.

After standing still, he saw that the place he had just stood in had been "swallowed up". Qi He stood in front and pressed back the giant source that was trying to attack with one hand.

The first round of trials is over——

The source of 5S level, indestructible.

【Why don't you use 'that'? 】

The little genius watch on my wrist flashed: [It’s the one that made me disappear and then turned me back to life.]

"Weak force?"

Qi He raised his eyebrows and rejected the idea. "Molecules are constantly moving. Whether it's strong or weak forces, any microscopic changes in every moment are uncontrollable. Especially at the source of the mutation."

[…Then how do we fight?]

Qi He looked at the airtight shell in front of him: "Metal ability, double protection for the shield. Zhuge Dun, get ready, you be the bait."

Zhuge reacted for a moment and understood.

The four main attacking teams are ready to enter the second round of attack.

Qi He's eyes were sharp, ready to strike: "Gong Lianyu, you only need to be responsible for one thing. Control the shield and induce the tumor to open its 'mouth'. The rest of you will attack from the inside with all your strength!"

Gong Lianyu took a deep breath and looked at Zhuge Dun.

The metallic power has instantly covered his entire body.

Zhuge Dun stared at the huge monster in front of him and shouted to Gong Lianyu, "Trust your teammates absolutely. Come on!"

-

A "metal ball" was darting around the source.

Across the hard tumor, mouths opened, like predators chasing their prey.

Attacks from all sides took the opportunity to fall into the gap.

Boom!!! An explosion sounded inside the source.

It sounded like a risky and cunning strategy, but no one raised any objections. This was because everyone knew: not only Gong Lianyu, but every one of them would protect their teammates.

What's more, there is——

"...about to shift towards the three o'clock direction; there is a gap at a height of 3 meters at the ten o'clock direction; the top gap has exploded, regenerating within 2 seconds; the vines have lost 10% of their value, regenerating within 10 seconds..."

Guan Shangjun's report came into his ears.

The source was attracted by their attack and ignored Guan Shangchun's prying. He mobilized his perception again.

All firepower fell on the giant's weak point!

Forty minutes later, Zhuge Dun was pulled back——

Gong Lianyu yelled, "I'm out of class!"

“…”Everyone.

"Protect Gong Lianyu with your shields, and get away from the battle zone first." Qi He glanced at the battle situation and quickly changed his strategy. Zhuge Dun returned to the outside of the battle zone, shielded Gong Lianyu behind him, and shouted:

"Then why doesn't it open its mouth—"

The sound stopped abruptly.

A white figure flashed out at the same time.

Qi He faced the huge tumor, his clothes flying up, his eyes fixed on it: "Yang Cheng, catch it!"

The vines in the sky intertwined and bound the entire source.

As everyone's hearts were lifted, the source surged crazily, and Qi He stepped on the vine. The people below opened their mouths almost instantly!

The vine net broke and Qi He flew upwards.

As if racing against the speed of the devouring, everything under his feet collapsed and corroded in a second. His expression remained unchanged as he only issued orders:

"Everyone, attack."

Without any hesitation, the ice power brushed past his ankle and rushed into the tumor.

Fire abilities followed closely behind.

Minglie's flames exploded with a bang! It was as if it was following Qi He's footsteps, burning everything he passed by.

…

The sun gradually set.

A red-gold sun was swallowed by the silent horizon.

The entire land was plunged into darkness in an instant. Qi He leaped back ten meters, avoiding the vines' attack. A drop of sweat ran down his forehead as he stopped in the open space and looked.

Shrouded in darkness, the huge source looked more like a monster like a hill.

The battle had lasted for five hours.

They became familiar with the Source's attack patterns, and likewise, the Source gradually mastered their tactics.

After all, weakness only exists "within".

Qi He paused for a moment before rushing forward again: "The eighth round of attack."

Swoosh, the wood power bound the source, freezing the vines. Supplemented by a fire attack, the metal spear sank into the body in the instant of induction. Gravity! Heat! Magnetism...

Skills fell down dazzlingly.

An unprecedented roar echoed throughout this deadly place.

Suddenly, Qi He paused slightly.

A 0.2 second time difference, and he was about to be devoured by the suddenly erupting tumor! A thin vine suddenly wrapped around his waist and pulled him back fiercely -

Bang, his shoulder hit Yan Chuanbai's chest.

The rapid heartbeat could be heard for a moment, and soon the two separated again.

Qi He glanced at Yan Chuanbai.

The latter's profile appeared calm in the night, and the hand on his waist naturally dropped down. After only a second, he looked away again: Shu Ling's amplification weakened.

Assisting seven combat systems at the same time, she was almost reaching her limit.

A voice came from the headset: "...Sorry."

"You've been holding on for a long time." Qi He said.

[Five seconds left.] The system suddenly counted down.

Qi He glanced at Gong Lianyu, who was taking a break behind Zhuge Dun, and said, "Gong Lianyu, copy Shu Ling's ability."

Ends in 5 seconds.

Gong Lianyu came back to life: "Okay."

He snapped his fingers and said, "Shall I refill it for you?"

"No." Qi He looked at the source that had regrouped and calmly gave the order, "Give Shu Ling all your strength to increase her power."

Gong Lianyu was stunned for two seconds. After he figured it out, he suddenly laughed, "Ha..." As the son of a general, his eyes showed complete submission without any disguise, "Qi He."

The supernatural power is activated to replenish Shu Ling with all his strength.

-

Another three hours passed.

Compared to the beginning, everyone's mental energy has been greatly consumed, and their movements have slowed down imperceptibly.

However, the source of the 5S level seems to have not weakened at all.

As Qi He flew out, he asked, "Sir, how much has been lost from the source?"

After a few moments of silence, a struggling voice came over: "...less than 10%."

Everyone's heart suddenly sank.

After fighting for more than 8 hours, the source loss was less than 10%. Even if their own consumption was ignored, it would take at least 80 hours - that is, more than three days.

My mental strength simply can't hold out that long.

But if you retreat halfway, based on the regeneration speed of the source, you will be back to your original state within a day.

Qi He took a deep breath and exhaled.

We can't keep wasting time like this.

He suddenly stopped and faced the source.

The people around him who noticed his movements paused slightly, and even the source paused. The next moment, Qi He raised his hands, and frantically mobilized his mental power, pulling it to the highest point -

Boom... Boom... Boom...

In the incredulous eyes of the source and his teammates, he uprooted the former.

It rose high into the sky and then crashed down. BANG!!!

After hitting it more than ten times in a row, Zhuge Dun was stunned and couldn't help but say, "Stop, stop hitting it. You won't kill it like this."

"I know."

Qi He's eyes blazed with anger, yet he remained calm. He slammed the source into the pit for the last time, and amidst the flying dust and sand, he looked at the source as it slowly "stood up":

“But it can be more efficient.”

“…”

Yuantou's blood pressure soared as if for the first time, and after he "stood" up, all the "mouths" on his body opened!

Roaring and running towards Qi He——

A long, shiny metal blade appeared in Qi He's palm, covered with white frost.

His bright eyes were fixed on the front.

The gap between levels is huge, and we must speed up.

Or, upgrade to level 5S.

The author has something to say:

Source (running away): I'm so mad, I'm so mad, I'm going to kill you, kill you, kill you!

System: It’s human nature to be irritated by him.