Fantasy Game: Infinite City

Han Zu's thoughts trembled slightly, and the little mouse on his shoulder seemed to sense it. Following his gaze, it looked at the floating structure in the center of the hall, and its golden tail tip twitched slightly, emitting a soft squeak.

He slowly approached the structure, and with each step, the surrounding air grew increasingly stagnant. The fleshy walls within the hall continued their rhythmic contraction, but it seemed suppressed by some invisible force, the contraction becoming smaller and smaller, and the flowing purple veins dimmed, as if fearing the oppressive power of the central structure. The pale gray energy within Han Zu's body instinctively stirred, a feeling he had never experienced before—not the fighting spirit he felt when facing an enemy, but a vigilance stemming from the very source of life, as if what lay before him was an existence completely beyond his comprehension.

He stopped a hundred meters from the structure, no longer daring to approach rashly. Han Zu's perception transformed from an invisible net into countless fine threads, flowing towards the structure like a tranquil stream. This time, he didn't use any offensive energy; he simply wanted to probe its essence. Without any information, Han Zu wouldn't attack rashly. The moment the threads of perception touched the surface of the structure, Han Zu's body shuddered violently, as if his fingers had touched a red-hot iron, or like a naive boy who had mistakenly entered forbidden territory. An indescribable sense of heaviness traveled along the threads, even causing his consciousness to momentarily pause.

The surface of this structure was neither the softness of flesh and blood nor the cold hardness of metal, but rather a texture somewhere in between. The feedback from the sensory threads was a near-perfect "density," as if every particle that made it up had been compressed to its limit, without the slightest gap. Han Zu tried to probe its interior with the sensory threads, but found that the surface was like the most solid barrier. No matter how he tried to push it, the sensory threads could not penetrate even a fraction. In fact, with continued contact, the threads began to show signs of disintegration.

This was unlike any other creation engine component he had encountered before. The vortex of flesh and blood above was violent and chaotic, its energy scattering wantonly; he could easily absorb its energy, flesh, and even bones. He could also use his current power to twist its structure at will; the black crystals of the teleportation nodes, though containing stable and powerful energy, could be forcibly destroyed by his power. But this core structure before him was like a completely closed world; its energy never leaked out, its structure was flawless, and even the slightest energy fluctuations carried an almost deathly order. If Han Zu hadn't been standing right in front of it, able to see the surrounding environment, he would have found it hard to believe that this thing was also part of the creation engine.

Han Zu frowned. Since the investigation yielded no results, he could only resort to the most primitive method to induce a reaction from the core. He attempted to mobilize the energy within his body. These restless, violent incarnations, disguised by peaceful energy, condensed within him into a terrifying sphere whose energy flow rate changed constantly. As the flesh and blood in Han Zu's chest twisted and separated, this sphere, sometimes slowly rotating and sometimes wildly writhing, radiating terrifying energy fluctuations—the purest offensive energy he could condense after fusing with his new power—slowly rose from the grotesque hole in his chest. He aligned his chest with the core, and the sphere then flew towards the core structure.

The sphere's movement wasn't rapid, even slow, but its constantly shifting, violent energy still sliced ​​through a portion of the air around it, striking the core structure precisely with a sharp whistling sound. However, there was no expected explosion, no energy scattering, not even a sound. The energy sphere was like a stone thrown into a bottomless abyss, silently merging into the core structure without causing a ripple. Han Zu could clearly sense that the power contained within the energy sphere was completely decomposed upon contact with the core structure, transforming into the most basic energy particles, which were then absorbed entirely by the core structure.

This scene made Han Zu's expression grow even more serious. He had encountered enemies capable of absorbing energy before, but those enemies either absorbed the energy he emitted to convert it into their own power, causing a brief energy disturbance, or they deliberately released some energy as a buffer to ensure safety. However, the core structure before him, after absorbing the energy sphere he emitted, remained completely unchanged, still suspended in mid-air, silent as a utterly lifeless object.

One failure did not stop Han Zu's attempts. This time, he channeled the energy within his body, transforming it into a slender energy whip, which he lashed fiercely at the core structure. The energy whip carried the power to tear through space, but when it struck the surface of the structure, it was as if it had struck cotton. The force was instantly dissipated, and the energy whip itself was decomposed into energy streams upon contact, merging into the core structure.

Han Zu's mind raced as he tried different methods. He manipulated the flesh and blood on the hall walls, turning the writhing muscles into countless sharp bone spikes that rained down on the core structure. He used the suction of energy to distort the surrounding space on a small scale, creating energy fissures in an attempt to draw the core structure in. He even temporarily changed his approach, treating the core as the enemy and considering how to launch an effective attack to force the core to react in ways other than stillness.

But all attempts ended in failure. The bone spikes struck the surface of the core structure and instantly turned into minced meat, which was absorbed by the structure; the unstable energy fissures that appeared in the surrounding space were smoothed out by a powerful force the moment they approached the core structure, leaving not even a ripple; the invisible cutting force that fell on the structure was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, unable to even shake the outermost barrier.

Han Zu hovered in mid-air, silently observing the core structure. He could sense that the energy level of this structure far exceeded his imagination. It truly deserved to be called the heart of this complete creation engine, continuously providing energy to the entire engine while still having the capacity to completely seal itself off, without any unnecessary contact with the outside world. The vortex of flesh and blood above, the teleportation nodes, and even the power stolen from the creation engine by the soldiers were merely "branches" extending from this heart. Even though that energy was astronomical for any being, it was not worth the heart's attention.

He attempted to resonate his will with the energy fluctuations of the core structure. This was an ability he had just mastered in previous battles after fusing with new power. Its principle was to use the resonance between his own energy and other energy sources to control objects and energies that were at or below his own energy level. His ability to kill distant soldiers out of thin air was due to his subconscious resonance with their energy.

But this time, the moment his thoughts approached the energy fluctuations of the core structure, they were repelled by a powerful repulsive force. This repulsive force was not aggressive, but it carried an absolute "rejection," which clearly told Han Zu that his current energy and the energy of the core structure were not on the same level at all. However, this time, it was he who was at a lower level, which meant that the two could not resonate with each other at all.

Han Zu's heart sank slightly. His previous unchecked power stemmed from his unique energy, which allowed him to devour and manipulate other energies. But now, he had encountered the first truly irreplaceable entity, one he couldn't devour or even resonate with. This meant that this core was currently beyond his ability to absorb.

He slowly closed his eyes, his senses expanding to their maximum, covering the entire hall. He began to carefully perceive every energy fluctuation in the core structure, trying to find a flaw. Time passed second by second, and the only sounds in the hall were the faint contractions of the fleshy walls and the occasional soft squeaks of a small mouse.

After an unknown amount of time, Han Zu suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them. He noticed a detail he had overlooked—this core structure, though appearing as a single entity, contained extremely subtle energy flows within it. This flow was not chaotic, but rather exhibited an incredibly complex cyclical pattern, like countless interwoven rivers flowing ceaselessly within the core structure.

This cyclical trajectory is fundamentally different from the energy flow trajectory of the flesh-and-blood vortex above. The energy flow of the flesh-and-blood vortex is outward and disordered, while the energy flow of the core structure is inward and ordered. This order is the source of its solidity.

Han Zu's thoughts stirred again. He thought of the teleportation node he had destroyed earlier. The three crystals of the teleportation node were connected by energy lines, forming a stable triangular structure. Once one crystal was destroyed, the entire node would collapse. So, did this core structure before him also have a similar "node"? Did its internal energy cycle also have a crucial "hub"?

If we could find that hub and disrupt its energy cycle, would this seemingly indestructible core structure collapse as a result?

The thought flashed through Han Zu's mind like lightning, causing his heart to flutter slightly. He began to concentrate his perception threads to their limit, attempting to penetrate the outer barrier of the core structure and touch its internal energy cycle. This time, he no longer tried to break through with brute force, but instead completely shattered it, turning it into the finest particles, like water droplets merging into the ocean, slowly seeping into the barrier of the core structure.

This process was extremely slow and arduous. The outer barrier of the core structure possessed a powerful repulsive force, and every inch of penetration required a significant amount of Han Zu's energy and stamina. He could clearly feel himself becoming increasingly exhausted, and at the same time, the energy within his body began to fluctuate violently. The little mouse on his shoulder seemed to sense his abnormality, gently nuzzling his cheek with its head and letting out a comforting squeak.

Han Zu gritted his teeth, his focus hardening. He could feel his sensory particles gradually penetrating the outer barrier, moving closer to the core structure. He could sense that the internal energy circulation was far more complex than he had imagined; the interwoven energy rivers, like precise instruments, each had its own trajectory, intertwining to form a perfect closed loop.

At the confluence of these energy rivers lies an extremely tiny "origin." That origin is the hub of the entire energy cycle. All energy flows out from that origin and ultimately returns to it, forming an endless cycle.

Han Zu's consciousness finally touched that origin point. A purer, more ancient energy fluctuation emanated from the origin point, causing Han Zu's consciousness to momentarily lose its way. He could sense that this origin point was the lifeblood of the core structure.

But at the same time, he also felt a deep sense of powerlessness. This origin point was enveloped by countless layers of energy, like a flood, making it virtually impossible to touch. Moreover, even if he did manage to touch it, he didn't have enough power to destroy that origin point—at least not in his current state.

Han Zu slowly withdrew his senses and opened his eyes. He looked at the core structure floating in mid-air, a resolute glint in his eyes.

This core is the lifeblood of the creation engine. As long as it exists, the creation engine can never be completely destroyed. Even if he destroys the entire creation engine today, the core will likely quickly regenerate new flesh and blood, forming a new creation engine. He can destroy it again and again, try again and again. But as long as the core remains, all of this is in vain.

This core cannot be absorbed by him, cannot be controlled by him, and cannot even be shaken by him. At least for now, Han Zu does not have the power needed to do all of this.

However, although it cannot be absorbed or controlled, there is another possible way: to destroy it.

Han Zu's mind raced. He began to recall all the battles he had experienced, all the power he had wielded, and every detail of this creation engine. He thought of the power of the energy rift, the destructive force of the energy explosion, and the characteristics of the energy fragments he had devoured.

How can we break through the outer barriers of the core structure? How can we reach the origin of that energy cycle? How can we create enough power to destroy the origin?

Countless thoughts intertwined and collided in his mind, forming countless solutions, which he then rejected one by one.

As he gazed at the silent core structure, his resolve grew ever stronger.

No matter the cost or the time required, he must find a way to destroy this core. The Ferdinand family's contact with the Creation Engine has already raised alarm bells in his mind. Before they become a truly formidable threat worthy of his confrontation, he must nip this possibility in the bud.

Moreover, Han Zu felt that he didn't have much free time in this matter.