The Void Piercing Shuttle tore through,, precisely appearing in the sky above Qingxu Temple's Artifact Refining Valley. Silver light faded; the shuttle body's surface layer of starlight seemed slightly dimmer, revealing this reconnaissance journey's danger and urgency.
The cabin door slid open. Tang Xiaoqi and Mu Xue, their forms showing slight fatigue, stepped out. Senior Brother , Third Senior Sister Liu Yun, Zhao Tiezhu, and others who had long awaited them immediately gathered around. Seeing both unharmed, everyone relaxed, but then was infected by the heaviness between their brows.
"How was the situation?" Senior Brother asked gravely, his gaze sweeping over the several not-yet-completely-repaired fine energy burn marks on the Void Piercing Shuttle's shell.
Xiao Qi didn't immediately answer, but first spoke to the crystal floating nearby, carrying Second Senior Brother's remnant soul: "Second Senior Brother, the Void Piercing Shuttle's energy reserve consumption exceeds sixty percent, the outer shell's defensive array has three slight overload damage points, needing immediate repair. Additionally, the recording array is fully loaded, containing combat data on three 'Void Hunters' and the latest Demon Nest perimeter images."
"Leave it to me!" Second Senior Brother's spiritual sense immediately responded, with a trace of excitement and solemnity. Several spiritual lights shot from the crystal, beginning to connect to the Void Piercing Shuttle for data download and initial detection.
Only then did Xiao Qi turn to Senior Brother and the others, taking a deep breath, his tone heavy: "The situation is worse than we anticipated. The Demon Nest has not declined from last time's heavy damage; instead, it's rapidly recovering, and even... evolving."
He raised his hand and waved, a light screen, precisely the Demon Nest images captured by the Void Piercing Shuttle's recording array, after processing.
When that massive, surface-covered writhing fleshy membranes and ferocious demonic patterns' terrifying creation appeared on the light screen, even if only images, the evil and oppression rushing forth, still made everyone present's hearts shudder. Especially the clearly visible, pulsing like blood vessels, absorbing, and the densely packed patrolling, all announcing the Demon Nest's flourishing "vitality" and rigorous defense.
"Its volume has expanded nearly thirty percent, the outer shell structure obviously strengthened, and its energy reaction level is at least fifty percent higher than when we left." Xiao Qi pointed to the images, his tone severe, "It seems to have mastered a more efficient utilization method, even actively capturing nearby asteroid belts and small celestial bodies to accelerate its own growth."
Mu Xue added from the side: "The perimeter patrolling demons have multiplied in number,, the expanded several-fold. The 'Void Hunters' we encountered this time are only one species skilled in assassination; their strength already approaches Nascent Soul mid-stage, and they are extremely."
Next, Xiao Qi displayed the records of his battle with the Void Hunters. That ability, fierce attacks, and the process where he barely managed to counter-kill them using the new treasure "Void Mine," made everyone's expression even heavier.
"We only made a brief stay at the perimeter before being detected by the Demon Lord, attracting the ambush of three hunters." Xiao Qi finally summarized, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, "We can infer: the Demon Nest core region's defensive forces will only be stronger. If we wish to organize an elite team to infiltrate internally for destruction like last time, the difficulty will rise geometrically; the success rate... nearly zero."
Silence descended upon the valley. Only the crackling sounds of the artifact refining furnace's remaining fire and Second Senior Brother's fine spiritual light flow sounds as he tested the Void Piercing Shuttle.
Strong assault difficulty extremely high!
These six words, like heavy boulders, pressed upon everyone's heart. Their original plan was to rely on the Weekdays Star Great Array externally to restrain, then have Xiao Qi lead elite infiltration, external-internal coordination. Now the infiltration path was almost blocked—did they have to rely on the Great Array and directly clash with this Demon Nest that had strengthened?
"The Demon Lord's recovery speed far exceeds our estimate." Senior Brother slowly spoke, breaking the silence, his brows furrowed, "If we cannot eliminate it soon, wait until it completely recovers or becomes even stronger—our Three Realms will be in peril."
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun gripped her sword tightly, saying coldly: "If infiltration doesn't work, then strong assault! Gather all Alliance forces, I don't believe we can't blast apart this!"
Zhao Tiezhu's booming voice echoed: "Right! Fight it to the death with it!"
Xiao Qi, however, shook his head: "Strong assault is the last choice; the price is too great. The Demon Nest is located in, the environment unfavorable to us, and its defensive forces have strengthened. Whether the Weekdays Star Great Array can achieve one-strike kill remains unknown. Once, Alliance elite all deployed, rear empty—if accidents occur, the consequences are unthinkable."
He paused, then continued: "The most urgent task is to re-evaluate the Demon Nest's strength and adjust the combat plan. Second Senior Brother, the Void Hunter remains and combat data are crucial. Can you analyze their weaknesses and and develop new counter-weapons?"
From the crystal came Second Senior Brother's focused voice: "Already analyzing! This demon's spatial mechanism is unique. Their carapace has extremely high resistance to energy attacks, but seems to have weaker defense against pure spatial disorders and certain specific frequencies of spiritual impact. The Void Mine's principle is correct, but its power and control precision need improvement. Give me time, and I can create better 'hunters'!"
Xiao Qi nodded, then looked to Senior Brother: "Senior Brother, please immediately synchronize this intelligence to the Alliance Council and all member forces. We need to convene an emergency meeting to re-discuss countermeasures. Also, the Silicon-based allies need to be notified; their technological scans might discover details we overlooked."
"Good, I'll attend to it immediately." Senior Brother acted with resolution, turning to arrange matters.
Xiao Qi finally looked to Mu Xue, Third Senior Sister, and Zhao Tiezhu: "We also need to prepare. Mu Xue, your ice system laws can effectively delay enemies in. Please discuss with Second Senior Brother to see if relevant arrays can be integrated into subsequent Void Piercing Shuttles or battle armor. Third Senior Sister, Senior Brother Zhao, Alliance cultivators' actual combat training cannot be relaxed, especially tactics for responding to environments and new demon types."
Everyone acknowledged orders, the atmosphere tense yet orderly. After the initial shock and heaviness, a determination of burning boats took its place.
The brought-back intelligence was like a warning bell, awakening everyone who still harbored a trace of luck. The Demon Nest's evolution and enhanced defense meant the final battle would be even more difficult, even crueler. But retreat was never an option—only by facing difficulties, gathering all wisdom and strength, could they, in this vast, carve out a path to survival for the Three Realms.
Xiao Qi walked to the valley's edge, looking up at that endless sky, his gaze, once again landing upon that distant, constantly growing Demon Nest.
"Time is not on our side." He muttered to himself, the fist in his sleeve silently clenching.