The torrent of energy mysteriously froze the moment it reached its final explosive point.
Lin Yi's "Space-Time Destruction Slash," capable of tearing through dimensions, along with the "Gods' Protection" gathered by all the job changers behind him, were suspended in mid-air as if gripped by an invisible giant hand. They were only inches away from the shadows and night owls at the top of the altar. The violent energy still trembled at the tip of the sword and the edge of the light, emitting a teeth-grinding buzzing sound, but it could no longer advance an inch.
In the center of the battlefield, Xuan Mingzi's appearance was like a drop of ice water falling into boiling oil, instantly changing everything.
His ancient black robe fluttered without wind, and his handsome, otherworldly face showed no emotion. Only his deep, star-like eyes calmly swept over Lin Yi, over the bewildered Night Owl, and finally settled on the mysterious figure on the altar whose shadow had shrunk and revealed its majesty.
"This situation seems to have become even more interesting." Xuan Mingzi's indifferent voice rang out again, devoid of any warmth, yet it sent a chill down the spines of every living being present.
The surging "Shadow Erosion" power around Night Owl also paused for a moment. His eyes, burning with dark purple flames, stared intently at Xuan Mingzi, his voice hoarse and full of vigilance: "Xuan Mingzi... the mastermind of 'Infinite'! You actually dare to personally step in?" He obviously did not expect that this being who had been hiding behind the scenes would appear in physical form at this moment.
The mysterious figure on the altar also let out a low roar, filled with hostility towards the uninvited guest and a hint of barely perceptible fear.
Lin Yi's pupils contracted, and his mind raced.
Xuanmingzi, this ambiguous figure shrouded in mystery, what exactly is his purpose?
Their appearance at this moment is definitely not out of goodwill.
If a three-way battle breaks out, the biggest beneficiary will likely be this unfathomable game mastermind!
"Everyone, gather!" Lin Yi made a decisive move, and a clear thought was instantly transmitted to the hearts of every member of the "Time Legion" and the united job changers through the faith link.
The combined attack, which was almost capable of destroying the world, was slowly reversed like a tide under Lin Yi's command. The immense energy was carefully gathered and eventually dissipated into nothingness.
The precision with which this process was controlled drew the attention of Night Owl and Xuanmingzi, who were watching from afar.
"Lin Yi!" Long Wu was the most impatient of them all. He was about to blast the enemy to smithereens when he was forcibly interrupted. He couldn't help but shout angrily. But when he saw Lin Yi's solemn eyes and Xuan Mingzi not far away, he suppressed his fighting spirit, snorted heavily, and said no more.
A hint of confusion flashed in Su Qingmei's eyes, but she had almost unconditional trust in Lin Yi and simply came to his side silently.
Chu Yao immediately analyzed the various parameters of Xuan Mingzi's appearance, preparing to report to Lin Yi at any time.
Lin Yi's gaze was calm as he looked directly at Xuan Mingzi and slowly spoke: "Lord Xuan Mingzi, what brings you here at this moment?" His voice was not loud, but it clearly carried throughout the underground cavity, temporarily suppressing all hostility and agitation.
Xuanmingzi's lips curled into an enigmatic smile: "I wouldn't call it guidance. It's just that this game seems to be on the verge of collapse, and I have to come out and see if there's any way to salvage it, or... let it collapse even more completely."
The malice and mockery in those words set off alarm bells in Lin Yi's mind.
He took a deep breath, ignoring Xuan Mingzi's provocation, and turned to look at Night Owl and the various interdimensional invaders gathering in the distance.
Further away, there were some shadowy figures, members of the [Interdimensional Resistance Army], who had briefly cooperated with Lin Yi's forces in the previous battle.
“Night Owl,” Lin Yi’s voice turned icy, “today’s battle ended because of him. But the hatred between us, the struggle for survival between the other dimension and our world, is not over.” He paused, then changed the subject, “However, it seems there are more important matters to attend to right now. Would you be interested in temporarily setting aside our fighting and hearing a proposal that concerns the life and death of everyone?”
Purple flames flickered in Night Owl's eyes. He glanced at the unfathomable Xuan Mingzi, then at Lin Yi, his mind racing with calculations.
Xuanmingzi's power far exceeded his expectations. If Lin Yi joined forces with Xuanmingzi, he would have no chance of winning.
Conversely, if one can sit back and watch the tigers fight, or even...
"What proposal?" Night Owl snorted, tacitly agreeing to a temporary ceasefire.
Lin Yi nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, including the soldiers of the Time Legion behind him, the job changers of the Reality Alliance who had just fought alongside him, and the Interdimensional Resistance Army who remained vigilant in the distance.
He could even sense a fair and sharp gaze coming from a hidden corner; it was the shadowy figure of the [Higher Civilization Enforcer], who was indeed here.
"Everyone," Lin Yi's voice amplified, "the threat of the interdimensional invader's nest is imminent. Once it fully opens the passage between the two dimensions, both the game world and the real world will be turned into a hell, and no one will be able to escape. The appearance of Lord Xuanmingzi has added countless variables to this crisis."
He paused, his tone becoming extremely solemn: "I propose that the [Time Legion], the [Reality Alliance], and even a portion of the [Interdimensional Resistance Army] that has temporarily set aside its hostile stance, along with all those of insight, immediately convene an emergency meeting to discuss forming the broadest possible united front to jointly confront the Mother Nest and resist all unknown threats!"
These words caused an uproar.
In particular, some representatives of the forces within the [Realm Alliance] showed obvious astonishment and disapproval on their faces.
"Alliance Leader Lin Yi! This...this is absolutely unacceptable!" An elderly man wearing heavy powered armor with the "Rock Heavy Industry" badge on his chest stepped forward from the crowd. He was Wang Zhen, the representative of a large technology group in the Reality Alliance.
"Cooperate with the interdimensional resistance? Those traitors among the invaders? Who can guarantee they won't stab us in the back? This is practically inviting wolves into the house!"
“That’s right!” Another middle-aged man from an ancient martial arts family, dressed in brocade robes and exuding a sharp aura, also said in a deep voice: “Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts! Alliance Leader Lin Yi, your actions are far too risky; you are simply gambling with the lives of all of us!”
Doubts arose one after another, and many members of the Reality Alliance looked worried.
They admired Lin Yi's strength, but in this matter of the survival of their race, Lin Yi's idea of introducing the interdimensional resistance army touched their most sensitive nerve.
Long Wu was so anxious that he scratched his head and was about to retort when Lin Yi stopped him with a look.
Lin Yi remained calm, showing no anger at these questions.
He reached out and pressed down lightly, and the noisy scene gradually quieted down.
"I understand your concerns," Lin Yi's voice rang out again, carrying a convincing power. "Dealing with a tiger is indeed dangerous. However, please consider the current situation! The interdimensional invaders' nest has an energy level far exceeding the capacity of any single force to cope. Night Owl represents only the vanguard. Once the nest descends, we will face endless enemies and a calamity capable of overturning the entire world!"
He pointed at Night Owl: "They are our mortal enemies, without a doubt. But the [Interdimensional Resistance Army] is different. They are the awakened among the invaders, the warriors who chose to resist after seeing that the Hive would eventually devour everything, including their own civilization. Their enemy, like us, is the Hive!"
"As for trust," Lin Yi's gaze swept over the doubters, his tone firm and resolute, "trust is never something bestowed by others, but something one earns and has the ability to control! I am confident and capable of establishing strict binding mechanisms within the alliance to ensure that all members share the same goals. Moreover, facing a common crisis of annihilation, temporary cooperation is our only way out!"
He took a deep breath and raised his voice: "Are we going to give up this only chance to win and sit and wait for death just because of the risk of possible betrayal? Are we going to watch our homeland, our family, and everything we cherish be completely crushed by the iron hooves of an alien dimension?"
"I, Lin Yi, the [Master of Time and Space], hereby swear that as long as I have a breath left, I will fight to the very last moment! This alliance will take the protection of our world as its highest purpose! All those who join will receive my protection and respect, but any attempt to undermine the alliance or harm our common interests will be met with my most severe punishment!"
His words were powerful and impassioned, each word carrying the force of thunder, deeply resonating with everyone present.
The doubts on Wang Zhen's face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of shame and determination.
He remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply to Lin Yi: "Alliance Leader Lin Yi is wise and farsighted, I admire him! My Panshi Heavy Industry is willing to join the alliance and obey orders!"
"We are also willing to join!" Some representatives of forces who were originally wavering were now inspired by Lin Yi's leadership charisma and determination to fight to the death, and expressed their opinions one after another.
Even the previously silent shadowy figure showed a slight fluctuation in its concealed aura, seemingly indicating some degree of approval of Lin Yi's words.
Compared to chaotic, disorganized fighting, an alliance with a unified goal and a strong leader is clearly more in line with his concept of "order".
Su Qing gazed at Lin Yi's tall and straight back, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and worry.
The moment Lin Yi finished speaking, Chu Yao began to silently deduce the various details of the alliance's construction.
Night Owl watched all this with a cold eye, without uttering a single sarcastic remark.
For him, anything that could buy time, cause these "prey" to fight amongst themselves, or create any exploitable gaps was advantageous.
Just when everyone thought the alliance would be reached smoothly and the atmosphere eased a little.
"Hehehe..."
A cold and eerie chuckle suddenly rang out, coming from Xuan Mingzi, who had always seemed like an outsider.
He clapped his hands slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears: "What a moving speech, Lin Yi. It seems you do indeed have some leadership potential." His gaze swept between Lin Yi and the representatives of the forces who had just sworn allegiance, with a hint of amusement, "This alliance sounds rather interesting."
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they all looked at Xuan Mingzi, wondering what he was going to do next.
Xuan Mingzi smiled slightly, but that smile sent chills down one's spine: "However, I've always preferred watching the show rather than becoming an actor myself. So, I won't be directly involved in your alliance."
He changed the subject, his tone tinged with a playful anticipation: "But I'll be watching closely from the shadows to see what kind of spectacular... or rather, tragic drama this rabble of you can put on. Just don't disappoint me."
After speaking, Xuanmingzi's figure began to become ethereal, as if he were about to merge into the air.
These words were like pouring ice water on a newly lit fire, casting a shadow over the morale that had just been built up.
Xuanmingzi's decision not to participate but to observe means that he could intervene at any time depending on how the situation changes, becoming an enemy, or... becoming an even more terrifying being.
Lin Yi's eyes narrowed; Xuan Mingzi's attitude was even worse and more unpredictable than he had expected.
But he did not back down in the slightest.
The more this is the case, the more we must demonstrate the strength and determination of the alliance!
"In that case, Your Excellency Xuanmingzi, please wait and see." Lin Yi's voice was as steady as a mountain. He suddenly turned around and faced the various forces behind him who had reached a preliminary consensus, as well as his most elite legion.
Where is the Time-Space Legion?!
At his command, the spirit soared to the heavens.
"exist!"
A thunderous response erupted from the mouths of the legion's soldiers, each one radiating a soaring fighting spirit and unwavering conviction.
Countless professional halos suddenly lit up, and powerful energy fluctuations converged to form a terrifying pressure that could change the very fabric of the world!
This force is both an encouragement to allies and a silent declaration to all potential enemies!
The alliance is newly formed, but the winds of war are already blowing!
The real test has clearly only just begun.
The mother nest high in the unknown, and the Xuanmingzi lurking in the shadows, will be the great challenges they will face next.
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