Chapter 74: Humanity's Counterattack

Volume 1 “Year of Calamity”

An Sheng knew nothing of Ye Rong’s betrayal at the Fortress, nor did he have time to dwell on such matters now. Because at this moment, he and Medusa, along with four Advanced Purifiers, had become trapped in a genuine Killing Formation – a super killing formation created by humanity!

This marked humanity’s first active expedition since the catastrophe. Previously, when Kunlun Base had just distributed those high-tech weapons from the previous era’s civilization, the base had dispatched elite forces to cities occupied by Zombies and Mutants to deploy signal enhancers, preparing for the subsequent counterattack.

However, many of these squads were attacked by high-level Alien Races, and those who managed to escape back to the base alive could be counted on one hand. This undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the survivors. Later, Kunlun Base learned its lesson, and all researchers began working day and night to decipher the high-tech weapons recorded in “Kunlun.”

The birth of the Titan signaled that the moment of humanity’s rise had arrived. They were no longer helpless prey waiting to be slaughtered – the time for counterattack had come!

The moment they were enveloped by the Energy Light Screen, the six high-level Alien Races on site immediately realized the severity of the situation. This was high technology they had never encountered before.

Medusa ceased her attack on Xiao Xiao, instead hovering in mid-air with An Sheng’s body. This light screen was no ordinary energy shield; it was even more solid than the Bulwark of that Purifier named Yalan whom Medusa had devoured.

Moreover, this shield isolated the surrounding space as well. When Medusa first noticed something wrong, she immediately used her Displacement Space skill to try to escape the light screen’s coverage with An Sheng. Unfortunately, she didn’t succeed.

The light screen was transparent, allowing those inside to see the outside situation. In the sky, the awe-inspiring massive Floating Battleship inspired both awe and fear! From that battleship descended three giant humanoid robots.

Their massive frames were angular and distinct; the black and red paint scheme exuded a terrifying aura of solemn killing intent. Particularly striking were the pair of crimson electronic eyes on the huge mechanical heads, seeming to emit a cruel, sharp light.

An Sheng remembered that when they had first established contact with Kunlun Base, that colonel officer had said that humanity would soon possess more powerful combat capabilities. Could these three giant combat machines before them be the so-called powerful high-tech combat forces?

Approaching along with the giant combat machines were hundreds of Special Forces Team members clad in Full-Coverage Exoskeleton Armor. Others might not be aware, but An Sheng was quite familiar with the capabilities of this armor. After all, Yushan also possessed one set, worn by Nie Chong. Just moments ago, Nie Chong had used this armor, coordinating with Xun Lili, to kill a Purifier.

“Medusa, I think we need to call a temporary truce!”

Xiao Xiao warily watched Medusa. Compared to this Lord, these humans armed with high-tech weapons posed a greater threat.

Medusa shrugged, speaking to Xiao Xiao with complete nonchalance: “Of course. Don’t be in such a hurry – after we deal with the trouble here, I’ll send you to meet your Emissary!”Medusa was actually feigning composure herself, as she wasn’t entirely certain about the current extent of human capabilities. However, judging solely from the energy light screen currently imprisoning them, it seemed humans had likely mastered even more powerful technological weapons.

Xiao Xiao turned and cast a deep glance at An Sheng before ceasing her bickering with Medusa, flying back toward her companions. An Sheng watched Xiao Xiao’s retreating figure with a somber expression, his heart tangled in conflicting emotions. After all, they had grown up together since childhood, and despite having been abandoned, he still held feelings for her.

“Keep staring and I’ll gouge your eyes out, believe me!”

Seeing An Sheng continuously watching Xiao Xiao’s departing figure, Medusa immediately voiced her displeasure by threatening him. Not daring to respond, An Sheng promptly averted his gaze and offered an ingratiating smile. He genuinely feared Medusa.

An Sheng swallowed hard as he surveyed the dense formation of soldiers clad in high-tech armor and the three steel giants towering like small mountains before them.

“Sister Queen, it seems our troubles have just gotten worse!”

“Fear nothing. When soldiers approach, we deploy generals to block them; when floodwaters come, we use earth to contain them. With me here, you won’t get hurt.”

Medusa truly didn’t regard these human technological advancements as significant threats. This didn’t mean she underestimated them, but rather it reflected her innate character—despising enemies strategically while taking them seriously tactically.

What concerned Medusa at the moment was An Sheng. Given his current capabilities, it would be difficult for him to remain unscathed in the impending battle. Having to divert part of her attention to protect him was the most troublesome aspect.

There was no pre-battle dialogue. Humans harbored absolute hatred toward these alien races that had devastated their world. The moment the encirclement was complete, fierce artillery assaults commenced without delay.

Laser beams, particle cannons, and various missiles poured indiscriminately toward the light screen. Instantly, the six figures within the energy barrier were completely submerged under overwhelming firepower. Explosions and shockwaves ravaged the area, the resulting dust clouds forming a dark, oppressive haze over Yushan.

Inside the fortress bunker, Ye Rong had been restrained by the survivors. Though enraged by this ungrateful woman’s actions, they refrained from harming her—she was merely a pitiable creature blinded by hatred. The most urgent task now was establishing contact with the airborne aircraft carrier.

“General Hu Biao, this is Nie Chong, captain of the special operations team from the Northern Theater Command Third Combined Operations Brigade!”

Hearing Nie Chong’s name, Chief of Staff Hu Biao responded excitedly: “Hello, Captain Nie Chong. The commander and Number One have been informed of your heroic deeds. You’ve been promoted to lieutenant colonel.”

Under normal circumstances, a two-rank promotion would have delighted Nie Chong. But now he had no time to dwell on such matters—An Sheng’s survival was the absolute priority!

“I appreciate the leaders’ recognition, though I merely fulfilled my duty as a soldier. However, Chief of Staff, there’s something I must report!”

“What is it?””Among the six alien races you control, one is a benefactor of our fortress. This alien has been protecting these survivors since the beginning of the catastrophe, and it is precisely because of him that Lieutenant Ye Rong and I, along with other soldiers, managed to survive. He is different from other aliens – he is a friend to humans!”

Nie Chong earnestly explained An Sheng’s background to Hu Biao. Although An Sheng had been protecting Yushan Fortress all along, he was still a Mutant after all. Nie Chong didn’t know if his words would be effective, but he had to try regardless.

“Oh?”

Staff Officer Hu let out a surprised exclamation.

This news was truly unprecedented and explosive for soldiers from Kunlun Base like them. In the understanding of base officers, Purifiers viewed humans as original sin, while Mutants saw humans as food. Now there was actually an Advanced Mutant who had been protecting his food? Wasn’t this astonishing?

“Are you telling the truth? This is simply unbelievable!”

Seeing that the other party didn’t quite believe him, Nie Chong immediately continued explaining: “Sir, the video Lieutenant Ye Rong sent to the base was edited. That demon-like Mutant in the video is exactly the one I just mentioned. His name is An Sheng. When he killed people in Linhe Region, it was because the survivors there were enslaving women and children. An Sheng only acted to rescue them.”

“Bzzzt Bzzzt

“Sir! Sir!”

Just as Nie Chong wanted to explain further, the damned communicator chose this exact moment to develop interference, making continued communication impossible. Simultaneously, intense explosions echoed from the sky above!

“Damn it!”

Nie Chong slammed the communicator to the ground. The battle in the sky had already begun. An Sheng’s strength was nowhere near comparable to those Purifiers and the Lord. Could he retreat unscathed? Nie Chong had no way of knowing – all he could do now was pray.

“Check the communication equipment, quickly!”

Staff Officer Hu Biao was also very frustrated by the sudden communication interruption. He had only caught the general idea of the information Nie Chong reported and was just about to verify further when the communication cut off.

However, this was unavoidable. To prevent other Purifiers from continuing to reinforce this area, all vessels in the formation had shut down their Particle Signal Amplifiers. Combined with the intense combat happening mid-air, communication disruptions were inevitable.

But this didn’t matter anymore. Although limited intelligence suggested there might be a Mutant friendly to humans in the Energy Cage, there was no time to worry about that now. The arrow was already on the bowstring – it had to be released. If that alien could survive, perhaps they really should meet this alien.

But could he really retreat unscathed under such intensive fire coverage?

An Sheng certainly didn’t have that capability, but Medusa did, and she was handling it with ease. As Medusa’s man, An Sheng naturally remained under her protection, completely unharmed.

At this moment, An Sheng and Medusa were enveloped by a blood-red translucent sphere – precisely the Bulwark ability absorbed from the Purifiers.The superpower of that Purifier named Yalan was already heaven-defying to begin with. Had it not been for her limited energy reserves preventing prolonged maintenance of the Bulwark, it could truly be called an absolute defense.

But when Medusa obtained this ability, it became an entirely different matter. What was Medusa? An Advanced Lord approaching Tyrant level, with life energy so torrential it could be described as a raging river. Sustaining a mere Bulwark was an extremely simple task for her.

“Silly boy, look at this. You’ve been risking your life to protect humans for so long, and now they’ve turned around trying to kill you. How does that feel?”

Medusa watched An Sheng beside her with playful amusement, particularly curious about his current feelings.

An Sheng remained silent. It would be pure deception to claim he wasn’t troubled. The artillery fire now targeting him was partly his own responsibility – or more accurately, largely his own doing. There was a certain irony in having one’s own efforts backfire.

However, An Sheng could still understand the situation. After all, he was currently fighting alongside Medusa against those Purifiers, and the Reinforcement Troops from Kunlun Base had never seen his transformed appearance. It wasn’t unreasonable for them to mistake him for an enemy temporarily.

Understanding was one thing, but feeling uncomfortable was another. An Sheng had to be grateful that he had the powerful Medusa by his side. Otherwise, under such concentrated artillery fire, he would have been either dead or severely wounded after the first volley.

This guy still maintained his previous good-natured personality. Had he been slightly more suspicious, he would have realized things were far more complicated than they appeared. Why hadn’t the rescue request sent from the Fortress to Kunlun Base mentioned his presence? Or had there been some omission in the process?

Connecting all these points, An Sheng would certainly have discovered that he had fallen into someone’s conspiracy. But with too many events occurring today, he neither had the time nor energy to ponder these matters.