194: Chapter 193 Burning Fury! A surge of grief and anger reignites old wounds; a lone warrior bravely charges into the enemy camp (2)

Mu Li had already anticipated his move. His body flickered, sidestepping like a ghost in a fluid motion without the slightest delay. While evading the attack, the Xuanguang Blade in his hand swept out, carrying a sharp golden light as it slashed toward the rifle in the soldier's hand.

There was a crisp snap.

The Dark Energy rifle was sliced in two on the spot. The cut was as smooth as a mirror. Black energy fragments scattered across the ground, instantly losing their luster.

"Who are you?! Just who are you?!" the Dark Soldier shrieked in terror, his voice trembling uncontrollably. Having lost his weapon, he completely lost his nerve. He turned to flee, not even sparing a second glance at his companion's corpse.

How could Mu Li give him even the slightest chance?

His figure flashed, sticking to him like a shadow, catching up to the soldier in an instant. He delivered a heavy kick to the man's back, the force so great that it sent him sprawling to the ground, dazed and disoriented, with black blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Immediately after, Mu Li pressed down with one knee, pinning him firmly to the ground. His knee pressed against the soldier's back, rendering him immobile, while the Xuanguang Cutting Blade was held coldly against the back of his head, its golden tip nearly piercing his skin.

"Speak! Where is the Dark Energy signal transmitter? When exactly is the meeting time between the Shadow Tribe and the Void Temple?" Mu Li's voice was bone-chillingly cold, devoid of any warmth. Every word carried a sense of pressure that made the soldier's entire body go cold.

The Dark Soldier struggled desperately, his limbs flailing, but he was held motionless by Mu Li's suppression. The sharp pain in his back and the coldness at the back of his head plunged him into extreme terror. He stubbornly roared, "I don't know! I'm just a patrolman, I don't know anything! Just kill me!"

"You don't know?"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Mu Li's eyes. He pressed the Xuanguang Blade down slightly, carving a shallow bloody gash on the back of the soldier's neck. Black blood immediately oozed out, bringing a piercing pain.

"I heard your conversation just now loud and clear. If you still won't speak, I'll carve you into pieces bit by bit and let you die in agony! I'm a man of my word!" Mu Li's tone carried an unquestionable decisiveness, and the killing intent in his eyes almost seemed to swallow the soldier whole.

The fear of death instantly shattered all his psychological defenses. The Dark Soldier was merely an ordinary patrolman who had never experienced such a desperate situation. Now, intimidated by Mu Li's aura, he was already scared out of his wits.

His whole body trembled violently as he wailed his confession, "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Don't kill me! The Dark Energy signal transmitter is in the tower at the very center of the camp. It's guarded by four priests of the Shadow Tribe, and security is tight! The meeting time is set for 3 hours from now—the moment your Xuanguang barrier's energy is exhausted. At that time, the army of the Void Temple will descend and completely destroy your base!"

"Priests?" Mu Li frowned, his voice growing even colder. He applied a bit more pressure with his fingertips, pushing the Xuanguang Blade down a few more millimeters. "What is this priest's identity? What is his relationship with Lin Wei?"

"Lin Wei?" The Dark Soldier froze for a moment, then seemed to think of something. A strange and mocking smile appeared on his face—a smile that was particularly jarring to Mu Li. "You mean that woman who provided us with the layout of the Xuanguang Energy Base and leaked your defensive loopholes? She is a pawn planted by our Priest Lord at your side, and she's his personal disciple! If it weren't for her, we would never have been able to penetrate your base so smoothly, nor could we have kidnapped your team members so easily!"

"A personal disciple?!"

This news was like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Mu Li's mind and leaving him dizzy and trembling all over.

He had still held onto a final glimmer of hope, thinking that Lin Wei might have been coerced, controlled, or forced into it—that she still had a shred of conscience left. But now, the naked truth was laid bare before him. She had been one of the Shadow Tribe's people from the very beginning. All the tenderness, companionship, and loyalty were nothing but carefully woven disguises. All the care and protection were merely preparations made to steal Xuanguang Technology and destroy the base!

Those moments that had once brought him immense warmth and those memories he had cherished like treasures now became the greatest irony. They were like poisoned daggers stabbing deep into his heart, utterly crushing his trust and hope.

A massive sense of betrayal swept through his mind once more. Mu Li's chest heaved violently as sharp pain surged within him. The effects of his medicine had completely worn off, and the pain from his old ailment rushed back like a tide, even more intense than before. He coughed violently several times, spitting out another mouthful of blood that splattered onto the fallen leaves on the ground, mixing with the previous bloodstains in a jarring sight. His vision began to blur, and his body swayed, nearly unable to support itself.

[System Alert: Host's old ailment has intensified again. Heart rate irregularity has increased, and Xuanguang Energy fluctuations are bordering on loss of control! Vital signs continue to drop. Host, please evacuate immediately!]

Mu Li's body went limp, and he almost collapsed. He quickly used his arm to prop himself against a nearby tree trunk, his knuckles turning white from the effort and veins bulging. Cold sweat poured down his cheeks, dripping onto the trunk and leaving small wet patches. His chest felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand; dull aches mixed with sharp stabs, coming in waves. Even his breathing became shallow and hurried, each breath feeling like countless fine needles pricking his chest. This was accompanied by a radiating ache in his back and shoulders, and his limbs began to grow weak. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright. He bit his tongue, drawing blood that spread through his mouth, slightly suppressing the intense pain in his chest. His fingers reached for the medicine bottle again, only to find it completely empty—those two pills from earlier were his last.

"Hold on... I must hold on..." Mu Li murmured, his voice so raspy it was barely audible. He forcibly channeled the remaining Xuanguang Energy in his body to his chest, barely suppressing the surging pain. The despair in his eyes was replaced by an even deeper resolve. He couldn't fall. His team members were still waiting for him, and the Xuanguang Base was counting on him. He had to destroy the signal transmitter and stop the enemy's meeting plan.

Seeing this, the Dark Soldier thought Mu Li was exhausted and saw an opportunity. He surged with power, trying to break free from Mu Li's suppression and turn to run.

But with his last shred of willpower, Mu Li held him down firmly. His fingers clamped onto the soldier's shoulder like iron pincers. His eyes were devoid of any warmth, and the killing intent within them plunged the Dark Soldier into terror once again.

"Since you know so much, then you can go to hell!"

Mu Li's voice was bone-chillingly cold without a hint of emotion. He shoved the Xuanguang Cutting Blade forward with a sudden burst of strength, piercing straight through the back of the Dark Soldier's head. Black blood gushed out, splattering onto Mu Li's combat suit and mixing with his own bloodstains.

He let go and stumbled back a few steps, leaning heavily against a large tree. He gasped for air, each breath heavy with the scent of blood. The intense pain in his chest almost suffocated him. His body slowly slid down the tree trunk, but he forced himself to stay propped up.

[System Notification: Host's vital signs continue to drop. Xuanguang Energy reserves are below 30%! It is recommended to evacuate immediately and find a safe area for treatment! Otherwise, your life will be at risk!]

"Evacuate?"

Mu Li slowly shook his head, a flash of determination in his eyes. He raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. His fingertips trembled slightly, but his gaze was exceptionally firm.

"I can't evacuate... The signal transmitter must be destroyed... My team members are still waiting for me... I can't let them sacrifice themselves in vain..."

He knew better than anyone that he was already at his limit, plagued by his old ailment and with very little Xuanguang Energy left. Every extra second he held on meant enduring immense pain.

But if he were to fall or evacuate, the enemy would successfully meet in three hours. The Southwest Xuanguang Base would be reduced to ashes, the team members from Binhai would surely die, and the entire Huaxia Xuanguang Energy Project would go down the drain. The hard work of countless people would be destroyed in an instant.

He couldn't afford to retreat, and he wouldn't. Protecting this land, protecting the Mystic Light Energy, and protecting the team members by his side was his lifelong vow. Even if it cost him his life, he would never back down.

Mu Li forced his nearly collapsing body to move, taking out his last remaining Xuanguang Energy supplement from the storage module of his combat suit. He had specifically saved this supplement for an emergency, and now, he had no choice but to use it. Trembling, he pulled off the needle cap and injected the supplement directly into his arm. The cool liquid flowed through his veins, and soon, a warm and thick golden light slowly spread, traveling along his blood vessels to his chest. It temporarily stabilized his failing vital signs, and the tearing sensation in his chest eased slightly.

[System Notification: Xuanguang Energy reserves have recovered to 50%, enough to support short-term combat. An optimal raid route has been planned for the host, bypassing the main enemy patrol areas to reach the central tower directly. Please be careful to avoid enemy surveillance equipment!]

Mu Li nodded slightly, his gaze becoming even more determined. Taking a deep breath, he forced down the dull pain in his chest. Following the route suggested by the system, he lowered his body again and, like an invisible shadow, quietly slipped into the camp.

This time, his gaze was exceptionally resolute. The anger and hatred in his heart no longer clouded his mind; instead, he forcibly refined them into an unstoppable drive, supporting him as he moved forward step by step.

He thought of his team members who trusted him unconditionally, and the days they had fought side by side, facing life and death together. He thought of the earnest expectations the people of the entire country had for the Mystic Light Energy, and the hope it could bring to Huaxia. He thought of his vow to protect this land with all his might and those who had sacrificed themselves to protect Xuanguang. All the pain, fatigue, and despair were cast aside at this moment. Only one conviction remained—destroy the signal transmitter, stop the enemy, and save his team.

The defenses within the camp were far more formidable than imagined. Patrolling Dark Soldiers and elites of the Void Temple were everywhere, armed with dark energy weapons. They marched with steady steps and alert eyes, not missing even the slightest movement. Dark Energy surveillance devices, like countless prying eyes, hung in every corner of the camp, emitting a faint purplish-black light as they scanned every nook and cranny. If any abnormality was detected, an alarm would be triggered immediately.

Relying on his extensive combat experience, the system's precise assistance, and his extreme patience, Mu Li carefully avoided wave after wave of patrol teams. He skillfully dodged the surveillance scans, moving like a nimble leopard through the shadows of the camp, gradually approaching the tall tower in the very center.

This tower was fifty meters tall, constructed entirely from dark energy crystals. The structure emitted an eerie and sinister dark purple light. From a distance, it looked like a crouching behemoth, sending shivers down one's spine. At the top of the tower was the dark energy transmitter that was continuously sending a meeting signal beyond the atmosphere. The transmitter's surface flickered with a piercing purplish-black light and made a constant "zzzt" sound. The signal was like an invisible thread connecting the camp on the ground to the warships beyond the atmosphere.

Standing around the tower were four priests of the Shadow Tribe. They wore black robes embroidered with eerie dark patterns. Their faces were sinister, and their eyes were cold. They held Dark Energy staves tipped with dark energy crystals that emitted a powerful, chilling aura, far beyond that of ordinary Dark Soldiers. The four of them stood in a square formation, their alert gazes scanning the surroundings as they guarded the tower's entrance, leaving no opportunity for any enemy.

[System Notification: Four enemy priests detected. The Dark Energy fluctuations within them are strong, and their strength far exceeds that of ordinary soldiers. It is recommended to take them down one by one and avoid a direct confrontation to prevent excessive consumption of Xuanguang Energy!]

Mu Li took a deep breath, suppressing the Xuanguang Energy within him to the limit to avoid being sensed by the priests. He crouched in the shadows near the tower like a leopard, his body pressed tight against the cold wall. He waited patiently for the best moment to strike, his gaze locked onto the lone priest on the left, observing his every move and searching for a weakness.

Just then, his personal communicator vibrated slightly. The faint vibration was exceptionally clear in the silent night. Mu Li's heart tightened, and he quickly and carefully took out the communicator, lowering the volume to check the message.

It was a message from Old Yang. Old Yang was one of his most trusted team members and the person in charge of this hostage rescue operation in Binhai City.

"Engineer Mu, we have arrived at the outskirts of the Binhai City base. We successfully avoided the enemy patrols and are currently formulating a plan to rescue the hostages. There are no casualties so far. How is the situation on your end? Have you found the signal transmitter? Do you need backup?"

Seeing this message, Mu Li's cold heart felt a flicker of warmth, and his eyes grew slightly moist. It turned out he wasn't fighting alone. There was a group of team members who trusted and supported him, fighting by his side from afar and cheering him on.

His fingers flew as he replied, his movements gentle for fear of making even the slightest sound that might alert the priests around the tower: "I'm preparing to destroy the enemy's signal transmitter; I've already located it. No backup needed. Stay safe and try to stall for time. Don't act rashly. Once I destroy the signal transmitter, I will head over to support you immediately. You must protect yourselves and the other team members."

After sending the message, Mu Li completely cleared his mind of all distractions. He put the communicator back into the storage module and relocked his gaze on the target in front of him, his eyes becoming increasingly resolute. He knew he had to act quickly and couldn't afford to delay, or it would not only affect the hostage rescue in Binhai City but also give the enemy an opening.

He seized the gap as a patrol squad turned to leave. Taking advantage of the moment when the other three priests' attention was diverted, he no longer hesitated. His body suddenly surged forward like a bolt of golden lightning, rushing toward the lone priest on the left.

The Xuanguang Blade in his hand, trailing brilliant golden light, streaked through the night sky like a meteor toward the priest's back. The blade was incredibly sharp, carrying an invincible momentum that gave the opponent no chance to react.

Although the priest was alert, he hadn't expected the enemy to be so bold as to launch a surprise attack right under his nose. By the time he sensed the danger, it was too late. He instinctively tried to turn and cast a counter-spell, but the Xuanguang Blade had already reached his back. The sharp blade instantly sliced through his robe and pierced his heart.

"Ugh..." The priest let out a short groan, his body stiffening. The Dark Energy staff in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. He slowly turned around, his eyes filled with surprise and indignation. He wanted to say something, but could only spit out a mouthful of black blood. Then, his body fell heavily to the ground, his breath gone, and the Dark Energy surrounding him dissipated instantly.

"Enemy!"