Chapter 416 Battlefield and Experiment
This opportunity came sooner than anyone expected.
Just six months after the start of the fifth cycle, the black tide once again gathered at the horizon, pressing down on the wizard camp with a decisiveness and ruthlessness far exceeding any previous round.
Upon hearing the alarm, Jemin and the logistics wizards, though surprised, quickly got ready and busied themselves on the core observation platform of the legion's main camp.
Unlike the previous round, most of the observation instruments placed on the platform this time are configured in pairs.
One set consists of old instruments that were "rescued" from the previous round and have been repaired and calibrated, while the other set consists of newly manufactured instruments made using materials that have been "reset" in this round.
Jemin's research group decided to conduct experiments while collecting data, so the new machine was designed to collect data.
The old machines were used to observe the data differences that arose when matter that had existed, disappeared, and then reappeared in time, as an important paradoxical reference experiment.
"Why are they in such a hurry this time?" Jemin frowned as he adjusted the macroscopic energy scanner in front of him and looked at the black wall that had risen again in the distance.
Based on the experience and records from previous rounds, the Scythe-Skull Clan should be more inclined to delay and attrition, using the cycle of reincarnation to learn through trial and error.
Moreover, for unknown reasons, most members of the Scythe-Skull Clan seem to have a strong aversion to the concept of time loops, so they should be quite happy about the wizard's act of delaying time.
“I don’t know.” Frost’s voice came through the communication rune, calm but with a hint of seriousness. “Our advance is exactly the same as the last round’s ‘warm water strategy,’ but the other side doesn’t seem to be cooperating.”
“They may have sensed something… such as a shift in our research focus, or that we are using reincarnation for some kind of exploration that is more dangerous to them.”
Jemin seemed to be deep in thought.
The Scythe-Skull Clan's resistance to time reversal is clear, yet at this moment they have chosen this near-suicidal all-out attack.
Did they sense that the wizard's research might touch upon the fundamental nature of reincarnation, thus driving them to desperate measures?
Or perhaps, deep within their unknown decision-making network, some ancient will is driving them toward the flames?
In any case, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain high-level samples.
"Commander, please preserve some high-level samples for me during the battle, preferably level seven or eight individuals," Jemin immediately requested. "Whether dead or alive, complete corpses or separable intact parts are acceptable."
“Sure,” Frost agreed readily. “Since the spoils will disappear after the cycle, we might as well make the most of them. You should also be prepared; the pressure on the front lines will be immense.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the war broke out again.
This time, the Scythe-Skull Clan army had clearly learned from the painful lessons of the previous two rounds.
When the wizards habitually released targeted "frequency pollution fields" and "crystallization and disintegration waves," patches of reverse-modulated energy shields quickly lit up within the insect swarm.
Like countless ripples on a black sea, they neutralize and cancel out most of the interference.
They even release specialized "scavenger" variants that, at their own expense, actively absorb and decompose nanoclouds that specifically target their pheromone receptors.
The Scythe-Skull Clan is evolving and adapting.
But the wizards never stopped.
Before the wizard could even cast spells on a large scale, the most critical task of annihilation on the battlefield was handed over to a new generation of bio-modified beasts.
These monsters are based on the genes of captured low-level individuals of the Scythe-Skull Clan, incorporating the hunting characteristics of various creatures from extreme environments, and embedding dozens of fatal weaknesses in the physiological structure of the Scythe-Skull Clan.
Their appearance is ferocious, like armored centipedes magnified countless times, with their carapaces covered with bio-energy cannons. Some variants have fleshy clumps that flow with highly corrosive mucus and can spray penetrating bone spurs.
Most importantly, these bio-engineered beasts are endowed with the ability to devour large amounts of biomass for evolution and rapid fission and reproduction.
As soon as the battle began, the first batch of tens of millions of bio-engineered beasts were deployed to the battlefield like hungry wolves pouncing on a flock of sheep.
Their claws and teeth can easily tear apart the reinforced carapace of the Scythe-Skull Clan, and the digestive juices they secrete can quickly break down the tissues of the Scythe-Skull Clan and convert them into their own energy.
Whenever a bio-beast consumes enough biomass, its body surface will writhe violently, and then it will split into two or even three independent individuals in a very short time!
The moment the black swarm of insects collided head-on with this silver-gray "plague," the battle turned into a one-sided affair.
The number of bio-beasts increased exponentially during the battle, spreading rapidly like ink dropped into water.
Soon, the silvery-gray color swallowed up and covered the black ocean.
The battlefields they traversed left only fragments of weathered carapaces, drained of energy and biomass.
The wizards in the rear played the roles of "support" and "harvest".
They unleashed a wide-ranging energy storm, clearing obstacles and creating opportunities for the bio-engineered beast horde.
Or precisely target and eliminate high-ranking members of the Scythe-Skull Clan who attempt to organize a counterattack or unleash special abilities.
Under Commander Frost's orders, many wizards manipulated invisible force fields to separate relatively intact and valuable Scythe-Skull Clan corpses from the chaotic battlefield and transport them back to the rear platform.
Jemin quickly got to work.
He moved among the endless stream of "samples" being transported back, scanning them with his mental energy and sorting them quickly.
The first and second levels of materials are stored in batches in a specific area as basic research materials.
The morphology and variation characteristics of the third and fourth levels were carefully examined and categorized.
Those at levels five and six will be given priority in screening.
All samples were processed according to the experimental plan. Some were stored in the cave as a whole, while others were carefully cut up—perhaps a limb, half a head, or part of the internal organs were cut off. Only the cut-off parts were stored, while the remains were left outside.
Each level of sample was divided into multiple batches, segmented according to volume percentage, and stored in the internal storage space to observe changes in the next round.
Just as the sample collection work was in full swing, something unexpected happened high in the sky!
Five terrifying pressures that caused the heavens and earth to change color suddenly descended, and the sky seemed to be pressed down by an invisible heavy object.
Five Level 8 Scythe-Skull Clan leaders, whose size far exceeded that of ordinary beings and whose carapaces were covered with dark gold patterns, led hundreds of fierce Level 7 guards to tear through the clouds and head straight for the core of the wizard camp!
Their goal is clear—to destroy the command structure and those “researchers” who pose a deadly threat to them!
"Finally willing to come out?" Frost's icy voice echoed through the sky.
Without the slightest hesitation, his silver-gray robe billowed, and his figure transformed into a streak of light tearing through the sky, fiercely meeting the five level-eight auras!
One against five!
Behind him, dozens of level six wizards, who could no longer contain themselves, roared and soared into the sky, each choosing their target and rushing towards the hundreds of level seven scythe-skull race.
Despite being at a significant disadvantage in terms of numbers and levels, the wizards showed no fear, their eyes only filled with cold calculations.
The sky instantly transformed into a destructive vortex where laws and energy clashed.
Frost's figure flickered amidst the attacks of five level-eight powerhouses. Each of his moves was concise and efficient, yet the resulting fluctuations in the laws of space caused the space itself to groan incessantly.
He single-handedly managed to hold back and even completely counter five beings of a higher level!
The sixth-level wizards also had an exceptionally smooth campaign.
They either faced off against several level 7 Scythe-Skull Clan members individually, or formed small battle formations to fight against overwhelming odds.
Various bizarre and powerful witchcrafts unfolded, the flow of time was partially distorted, space was folded and torn apart, matter was deconstructed at the molecular level, and the soul was impacted at the spiritual level... The wizards gave a vivid interpretation of the violence of knowledge.
Seventh-level Scythe-Skull Clan members continued to fall amidst mournful howls, their mangled corpses raining down.
Soon, level six wizards dealt with their opponents. They harnessed their energy, dragging several, or even a dozen, massive corpses of level seven Scythe-Skull Clan members back to the platform and dumping them in front of Jemin.
"Quick! Before the energy completely dissipates!" the wizards urged.
"You guys went way too far! The entire sample is practically crushed!"
While saying this, Jieming was highly focused, his movements as fast as a phantom.
He quickly examined each corpse, focusing on the special armor on their chests known as the "glory armor".
According to research, this shell records the severe injuries an individual has experienced, and each healing leaves a unique, unforgeable color mark.
Because the color changes randomly with each healing process, in the culture of the Sickle Skull tribe, the more scars and colors on the carapace, the richer the combat experience and the higher the social status.
Such a unique shell naturally became the most suitable marker.
Using a specially made carving knife, Jemin precisely cut standard circular, triangular, or square fragments from the armor of several corpses, and then collected the fragments into the cave.
As for the corpses themselves, half were stored whole, and the other half were stored only in the parts with their shells cut off.
The fierce battle in the sky is nearing its end.
Frost severely injured the last two level-eight leaders who were putting up a stubborn resistance with a "Starburst of Annihilation" that tore through the void, and then used a powerful binding spell to lock them in mid-air, making them unable to move.
In his hands, he was already carrying three lifeless corpses of the Level 8 Scythe-Skull Clan.
He landed on the platform, put down the three corpses, and pointed to the two imprisoned ones in the air: "Keep the living ones for observation, you can dispose of the corpses. Follow your experimental plan."
Jemin nodded and stepped forward to carefully examine the three level-eight corpses.
Their armor was even larger, its colors mottled and vibrant, recording countless fierce battles.
Jemin selected one of the corpses, along with two circular fragments cut from the armor of the other two corpses, and solemnly placed them into the most core isolated area of his inner cave.
With these markers, the next cycle will be able to make progress in the study of the time paradox mechanism caused by time reversal.
Jemin patted his chest with satisfaction.
On the battlefield, the number of the Scythe-Skull Clan army has been reduced to a critical point due to the combined efforts of the bio-beasts and wizards.
That inexplicably familiar, pulling sensation originating from the very roots of the world once again swept over Jemin's senses without warning.
The elements of the entire plane began to tremble violently, and time began to reverse.
The fifth cycle is about to end.
In the final moment before his consciousness was stripped away, Jemin used all his mental strength to sweep as many of the new instruments and recording crystals on the observation platform as possible into his inner sanctum.
Darkness engulfed the field of vision.
(End of this chapter)
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