We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 496 [Fragments of God]

Inside the council chamber
[Iron Fist] looked around and quickly communicated with other leaders in a way unique to mechanical lifeforms.

Finally, [Iron Fist] turned to Shane and nodded solemnly.

"The resistance will fully cooperate with you."

"Great."

Xia En smiled: "Then let's plan out the details of the operation..."

Over the next few hours, both sides developed a detailed plan.

Shane's team will infiltrate the Central Sanctuary through a hidden underground tunnel.

The resistance forces will launch simultaneous attacks throughout the city, creating chaos.

The operation was scheduled for noon the following day, the moment when the "Pulse of God" would begin.

After the meeting, Iron Fist arranged a comfortable lounge for Shane and the others.

"Get some rest, tomorrow will be a tough battle."

After Iron Fist left, Shane immediately gathered his crew for final tactical deployment.

That's when.

Suddenly, Karlless asked, "Captain, if we successfully obtain the [Shard of God], what should we do with it?"

This question made Shane fall into deep thought.

Logically speaking, the [Fragment of God] contains powerful divine energy and is an extremely precious trophy.

On the other hand, it is also closely related to the survival of the entire [Intelligent Realm].

"It depends."

Shaen finally said, "If possible, I will try to analyze its properties using the [Prying Eyes]."

"But under no circumstances should it fall into the hands of the Great Sage."

"Carles said after thinking for a moment."

"I have a feeling that the Fragment of God from the God of Steam and Machinery might be of great help to me."

"Oh?"

Xia En's heart skipped a beat.

As a life form of steam machinery, Karlless's strength is enhanced primarily through modifications to his mechanical body.

However, this was for that extremely dangerous infiltration mission in the Far North.

The Federation made special modifications to Karles, allowing her to quickly break through to the sixth rank.

However, it was precisely because of this modification that Carles' body was left with considerable hidden dangers.

As a result, she has not yet been able to break through to the legendary level.

Right now, this [Fragment of God] may very well help Karlless escape this predicament.

Xia En nodded: "I understand."

He has decided that after analyzing the [Fragment of God], he will hand it over to Karl-Rays.

……

……

Noon the next day.

In the sky above the [Intelligent Realm], the gear-shaped clouds were rotating at a noticeably faster speed.

The entire mechanical city was shrouded in a peculiar atmosphere.

The mechanical lifeforms on the street moved sluggishly, and their eyes became somewhat dull.

This is a sign that the [Pulse of God] has begun!

Meanwhile, outside the Central Cathedral.

Several rebel squads launched attacks simultaneously.

Explosions echoed throughout the city, sending thick smoke billowing into the air.

The Templars hastily assembled and rushed to the scene of the riot.

Meanwhile, unnoticed by anyone, Shane and his group had already quietly slipped into the interior of the Central Sanctuary through underground tunnels.

In the damp, dark pipes, only the faint sound of steam valves could be heard.

Carles walked at the front, her mechanical eyes gleaming faintly in the darkness.

"Turn right 30 meters ahead to avoid the patrolling guards."

Shane spoke up.

His "Peeping Eyes" allow him to see the dots and lines on the Templars through walls, making him virtually invincible in infiltration missions.

The group held their breath and moved forward, soon arriving at the bottom of a vertical ventilation shaft.

"Go up from here, and you'll find the backup passage to the third floor."

Xia En nodded and was the first to climb the metal ladder.

The ventilation shaft was narrow and cramped, with water droplets condensing on the metal walls, making climbing extremely difficult.

Halfway up the mountain, Shane suddenly raised his hand to signal everyone to stop.

Through the vent grille, he saw two Templars standing in the passageway talking.

"The unrest outside is becoming more and more frequent."

"Don't worry, the Great Sage has already dispatched the Holy Angels to suppress it."

"But... I heard that this [Pulse of God] is stronger than ever before?"

"Shut up! This is not a topic for us to discuss!"

The two warriors quickly left, and Shane breathed a sigh of relief, continuing his climb.

Finally, they reached the top of the ventilation shaft.

Carles deftly removed the grille from the ventilation shaft, and the group climbed out one by one.

Before me was a dimly lit corridor, with luminous crystals embedded in the walls, providing faint illumination.

"According to the map, the shrine room is at the end of this corridor."

Xia En whispered, "Everyone be careful, there might be a trap here."

The group proceeded cautiously.

Sure enough, not far along, Xia En discovered several hidden mechanisms.

However, thanks to the existence of the [Peeping Eyes], these mechanisms were detected and avoided in advance, without triggering any alarms.

After turning a corner, a huge metal door appeared in front of them.

The door is engraved with intricate mechanical patterns, with a gear-shaped lock in the center.

"This is the entrance to the [Shrine Chamber]."

Shane examined the door lock carefully: "It requires a specific key to open."

If it were a regular gate, Shane would have directly teleported to the interior of the shrine using Void Travel.

However, Shane clearly sensed that the spatial structure near the [shrine room] was extremely stable.

It has clearly been reinforced by some kind of special secret technique.

[Void Travel] cannot be used.

However, there is a way to open this door.

By destroying the core point in the [Peeping Eye's] field of vision, the door can be forcibly destroyed.

But it's clear that destroying this gate will immediately invite an attack from the [Sanctuary Angels].

At that time, this infiltration will turn into a full-scale attack!
But now, the die is cast and the arrow must be released.

Xia En turned to look at the crew members beside him.

"I'm going to break down the door!"

The crew members nodded in agreement, indicating that they were ready for battle.

Xia En took a deep breath, and the [Void Secret Power] condensed in his palm, transforming into a jet-black longsword.

He aimed at the "dot" on the door lock and thrust it out suddenly!

"Crack!"

With a crisp sound, the patterns on the metal door instantly faded, and the entire door lock system was completely destroyed.

The door slowly opened, revealing the interior space.

The shrine room was much simpler than I had imagined.

At the center is a suspended metal platform, upon which floats a crystal fragment emitting a dark red light.

They rotated slowly, emitting powerful fluctuations of mystical energy.

as well as……

An aura of both holiness and majesty!
"That is the [Fragment of God]!"

Xia En frowned slightly: "But why is there only one piece?"

But now is not the time to dwell on this issue.

Xia En immediately stepped forward, ready to take the fragments.

But that's it.

The entire room was suddenly illuminated by a blinding red light.

The alarm blared sharply!
"Intruder alert! Intruder alert!" "The [Shrine Chamber] has been breached! All [Sanctuary Angels], mobilize immediately!"

Xia En's expression changed: "We've been discovered!"

"Quick, take the fragments!"

The group quickly rushed towards the central platform.

However, just as Shane was about to touch the fragment, a beam of blazing white light descended from the sky!

"boom!"

Xia En narrowly dodged the attack, leaving a charred crater in the ground where he had been standing.

Looking up, one could see three figures with mechanical wings on their backs floating in the air.

Their armor was spotless white, and their faces were covered by full-face helmets, revealing only a pair of cold, mechanical eyes.

What's most striking is the number of wings on their backs—

Two two-winged angels and one four-winged angel!
"Intruders, surrender immediately!"

The four-winged angel's voice was like the friction of metal, cold and ruthless.

"Otherwise, shoot to death!"

Xia En gripped his longsword tightly, but a smile appeared on his lips.

"Only three?"

"It seems the Great Sage underestimated us."

The four-winged angel seemed to be enraged, and its wings suddenly unfurled!

"Insanity!"

"In the name of the God of Steam and Machinery, I hereby grant you destruction!"

Before the words were even finished, the three angels launched an attack simultaneously!
The two-winged angels flanked from both sides, their energy weapons unleashing scorching beams of light.

The four-winged angel looked down from above, its cannons on its wings locking onto Shane and launching dozens of miniature missiles.

Ordinary gunpowder weapons could no longer cause any damage to Shane.

But these beams and missiles from the [Sanctuary Angels] seem to be blessed by some kind of mysterious power.

Each strike possessed the power of a seventh-tier expert.

"spread!"

At Shane's command, the crew quickly dispersed.

String Song let out a dragon roar, and scorching dragon breath surged forth.

It collided with a beam of light from a two-winged angel, bursting forth with dazzling light.

Joey waved his staff, and illusory waves surged in the space, forming a barrier that blocked the attack of another two-winged angel.

The Starry Sky Couple's Starry Sky Secret Power transformed into a beam of starlight, heading straight for the four-winged angel's back!

However, the four-winged angels reacted much faster than expected!

His mechanical wings suddenly trembled, and his body instantly retreated.

At the same time, the cannons on the wings turned in different directions, locking onto the Youxing couple and firing a dense beam of light!

"careful!"

Vivian stepped forward, her heterochromatic eyes surging with the power of [annihilation] and [rebirth].

The secret power transformed into a barrier, blocking the way for Youxing and his wife.

"boom!"

The barrier was shattered by the beam of light, but the Ghost Star couple had already taken the opportunity to retreat and disappear back into the shadows.

Instead of making a move, Xia En calmly observed the battle.

The fighting style of the [Sanctuary Angel] is extremely unique.

Their movements were so fluid, almost mechanical, that it seemed as if they possessed some kind of precognitive ability, always able to react one step ahead.

"Just as Silver Feather said, they can predict attacks..."

Xia En narrowed his eyes, activating the [Peeping Eyes] at full power.

In his vision, countless tiny “dots” and “lines” appeared on the three angels.

But the most crucial "point" is constantly changing position!
"Their weaknesses can move?"

Xia En felt a chill run down his spine.

This means that ordinary attacks are unlikely to seriously damage them!

"In that case..."

Xia En took a deep breath, and the [Void Secret Power] within his body surged wildly!
He suddenly swung his sword, and a jet-black sword light swept out.

Wherever it passed, space was torn open, leaving a dark rift!

The four-winged angel's mechanical eyes suddenly contracted, and it dodged rapidly, but its left wing was still grazed by the sword light!

"Crack!"

The sound of metal breaking rang out as half of the four-winged angel's wing was severed!
However, the angels did not lose their balance as a result.

Instead, it quickly adjusted its posture, and hot steam spewed from the broken wings, which began to slowly regenerate!
"Regeneration ability?!"

Xia En frowned.

These [Sanctuary Angels] are even more troublesome than expected!
Meanwhile, the battle on the other side also reached a stalemate.

Although String Song's dragon breath suppressed a two-winged angel, the opponent's beam weapon also prevented her from getting close.

While Joey's secret techniques were exquisite, the other two-winged angel was highly mobile and always managed to evade key attacks.

The couple attempted several surprise attacks, but the angels' ability to predict their movements rendered them futile.

The battle was at a stalemate!
"We can't let this drag on!"

Xia En knew very well that this was the Central Sanctuary, and enemy reinforcements could arrive at any moment!
It must be resolved quickly!

Elvis, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up.

"Their precognitive abilities are very likely related to the laws of time."

"Perhaps I can temporarily interfere with their premonitions."

As a member of the Eternal Dark Clan, Elvis possesses certain time laws, which he can use here.

A glint flashed in Elvis's eyes, and an invisible wave emanated from his body!

Instantly, the three angels visibly froze.

A jumble of electrical currents flashed in their mechanical eyes; the prediction system seemed to be malfunctioning!

"It's now!"

Seizing the opportunity, Xia En flashed and appeared directly in front of the four-winged angel.

The jet-black sword flashed like lightning, piercing straight into the core of the angel's chest.

The four-winged angel hastily blocked, but the interference field slowed his reaction by half a beat.

"Pfft!"

The jet-black longsword pierced through the armor, hitting the core with pinpoint accuracy.

"boom!"

The four-winged angel's body trembled violently before exploding with a deafening roar!

"One solution!"

Without pausing, Shane turned and rushed toward another two-winged angel.

Having lost its ability to predict the future, the two-winged angel's combat power was greatly reduced, and it was quickly swallowed up by the dragon's breath of the String Song, turning into a lump of scrap metal.

Seeing that things were not going well, the last two-winged angel turned around and tried to escape.

"Want to run?"

Karl-Leigh sneered, his figure flashing like a ghost as he blocked his path, his fist piercing directly into his chest.

The two-winged angel staggered a few steps and fell heavily to the ground.

The battle is over!

Xia En breathed a sigh of relief, but remained vigilant.

"Quickly, take the [Shard of God]!"

He strode towards the central platform and reached out to grab the dark red crystal.

The moment Shane touched the crystal.

A vast and terrifying consciousness suddenly descended upon Xia En's mind.

In an instant.

Xia En seemed to hear countless machines chanting hymns.

He saw countless gears turning in the void, and torrents of steam and metal surging endlessly.

A majestic and ancient voice echoed in his mind:
[Mortal, how dare you lay a finger on the authority of the gods?]

Xia En's pupils suddenly contracted, and his whole body felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave!

He felt an indescribable pressure enveloping his entire body, as if the weight of the whole world was pressing down on his shoulders.

That is... the will of the God of Steam and Machinery!

(End of this chapter)