200: Iron chain

An angry, dark-gold tide, carrying dust and tyrannical roars, slammed violently into the dried-up riverbed area.

The soft, sandy ground instantly sank and cracked under the heavy, battering-ram-like footsteps of the Behemoths, kicking up a sky full of dust. The momentum of the charge encountered a natural obstacle here, and their speed visibly slowed once again. But at this moment, the Behemoths—especially the twenty or so in the lead—had eyes filled with bloodshot fury. Their reason had been burned away by anger and the blood of their comrades. Only Wang Meng's roar to "crush them" and the instinct to destroy everything in sight remained in their minds!

The riverbed was about a hundred meters wide, a formidable obstacle for ordinary creatures, but not insurmountable for the Golden Behemoths, who had an average height of over four meters and terrifying explosive power. They stepped into the sand, and although their speed decreased, they continued to rapidly approach the opposite bank of the riverbed with their brute strength and massive strides. There, thirty Tiangong Dwarf Shield Guards had formed a tight, arc-shaped shield wall. In the gaps of the shield wall, thirty Wenxin Elf scholars stood solemnly, beginning to chant Confucian classics in low voices. A faint white Vast Righteous Qi began to spread, forming a weak but definitely present "Domain of Order," attempting to soothe the frenzy and killing intent permeating the battlefield.

However, anyone could see that this thin line of defense was as fragile as paper before this group of maddened giant beasts. Once they closed in, the outcome would inevitably be shattered shields and dead men. In the observation hall, many people had already closed their eyes, unable to bear watching the bloody crushing that was to follow.

Wang Meng's Divine Thought was filled with the pleasure of revenge and a sinister grin: "Charge! Tear them apart! Grind that posturing Lin Zhou out of hiding!"

Charging at the very front were three exceptionally sturdy Golden Behemoths, their Rank reaching a shocking LV33—clearly elite or even hero units under Wang Meng's command! The one in the center was a size larger than its companions, with a shoulder height approaching five meters. Its dark-gold fur was streaked with a few strands of striking dark red, and a long-standing claw scar across its left eye made it look even more ferocious. It was the core hero of Wang Meng's Behemoth Legion—'Lieshan'! Its Strength attribute was estimated to be nearing the 50-point mark; it was a true siege beast!

At this moment, 'Lieshan' raised its head and let out a deafening roar, its Berserk state already triggered! Its muscles swelled further, veins bulged, and all reason faded from its eyes, leaving only pure destructive desire. It ignored the sluggishness caused by the soft sand beneath its feet. Each time its massive paws landed, it kicked up large plumes of sand. With a speed far exceeding its companions, it was the first to cross the riverbed's midline, less than fifty meters from the Dwarf shield wall! The two elite Behemoths behind it and the dozen or so ordinary Behemoths followed closely, like a wolf pack following their alpha.

Fifty meters was only the distance of two full-strength charges for the berserk 'Lieshan'! Its thick forearms were already raised, its cold, glinting claws unsheathed, aimed directly at the center of the shield wall. It prepared to use the most brutal method to tear these eyesore tin cans to pieces, along with the men behind them!

On the opposite bank of the riverbed, the Dwarf Shield Guards gripped their massive shields until their knuckles turned white, but their eyes remained resolute, refusing to retreat a single step. The chanting of the Elf scholars became more hurried, and the Vast Righteous Qi attempted to condense, but it seemed to teeter and collapse before the face of that oncoming, frenzied bestiality.

High above, Lin Zhou's 'vision' coldly locked onto 'Lieshan's' unstoppable figure. There was no trace of panic on his face, only a focused calm, like a precision watchmaker waiting for the key gears to engage.

"Distance thirty meters... twenty-five meters... now!"

His Divine Thought, as if flipping a hidden switch, instantly activated the final mechanism buried deep beneath the riverbed's sand—the one that had cost him the most effort and Materials!

"Mohist Defense · Non-Aggression—Chain of Iron Shackles, rise!"

Rumble—!

A sudden change occurred!

Just as 'Lieshan' was only twenty meters from the shield wall, its hind limbs exerting force for the final pounce, the sand beneath its feet and for several meters ahead exploded! It wasn't a simple pit trap, but six special alloy chains as thick as an adult's arm, shimmering with a dull metallic luster and covered in complex reinforcement and Binding Runes. Like long-lurking giant pythons, they suddenly shot up from beneath the sand!

These chains were not disorganized; they shot out at extremely ingenious angles that complied with mechanical principles! Two coiled around 'Lieshan's' pillar-like left forelimb knee joint, two wrapped around its relatively fragile right hind limb ankle, and the last two were like venomous snakes baring their fangs, coiling lightning-fast around its muscle-bound waist and abdomen from both sides!

[Mohist Mechanisms · Chain of Iron Shackles (Special Enhanced Version)]:

Material: Hundred-Refined Star Iron mixed with Elementary Mithril Silk; extremely high strength, with a perfect balance of elasticity and toughness.

Rune Inscriptions:

Reinforcement Rune (Primary): Significantly increases the physical strength and tensile resistance of the chains, allowing them to briefly withstand tearing forces exceeding 50 points of Strength.

Binding Rune (Secondary): Generates a weak gravitational field upon activation, increasing the difficulty for the bound target to break free.

Paralysis Rune (Core): Releases a weak but pure electrical energy upon contact with the target, interfering with the target's nerve and muscle signal transmission.

Trigger Mechanism: Dual trigger via pressure sensors and Divine Thought remote control to ensure precise timing.

Design Principle: Utilizes the Behemoth's charging inertia and the moment its center of gravity leans forward to attack its supporting leg joints and the waist/abdomen that generates power, disrupting balance and restricting force.

Core Effects:

Physical Imprisonment: Once successfully wound, it forms a composite mechanical restraint, greatly limiting the target's movement and power generation.

Paralysis Effect: Triggers a 'Strength/Physique Opposition Check.' The target must use an attribute value of (Strength + Physique) / 2 to oppose the chain's preset 'Binding Force' (based on material strength and rune bonuses, equivalent to approximately 48 points of Strength) and 'Paralysis' interference. If the check fails, the target enters a 'Paralyzed' state, unable to actively exert force to break free, lasting 1-5 seconds (depending on individual resistance and the check difference). If the check succeeds, they can break free, but it will consume a significant amount of stamina and time, and their actions will be severely restricted.

Synergistic Enemy Entrapment: Multiple chains work together, not just as simple binding, but as a temporary 'joint lock,' making it difficult for the target to apply their strength.

"Roar?!"

'Lieshan's' charge came to a grinding halt! It only felt its limbs and waist suddenly tighten as a massive binding force, accompanied by a numbing, stinging sensation, surged through it, forcibly strangling its forward momentum! In its Berserk state, its Strength had skyrocketed to nearly 55 points, but the chain's binding force was also as high as 48 points. Even more lethal was that sudden 'Paralysis' effect!

[Strength/Physique Opposition Check Triggered]:

Target: 'Lieshan' (Golden Behemoth Hero, LV33, Berserk)

Target Attributes: (Strength 54 + Physique 46) / 2 = 50

Chain Binding Force: 48 (Base) + 2 (Paralysis interference, treated as Strength difference influence) = 50

Check Result: Tie! Paralysis effect partially activated!

'Lieshan' felt a wave of intense soreness and weakness in the muscles where it was bound, as if countless fine needles were stimulating its nerves, causing its gathered berserk power to stall! It roared in anger, trying to use brute force to snap these annoying iron chains, but the chains' Reinforcement Runes glowed with incredible toughness, and the numbing sensation interfered with its exertion of force. It was like a Tyrannosaurus temporarily trapped in an invisible spider web; despite its destructive power, it could only twist its body in vain, plowing deep furrows into the sand, unable to break free in the short term! Its expected pounce was completely interrupted, and its massive body slightly lost its balance due to its forward inertia being blocked.

Five seconds! At least five seconds of imprisonment!

The two elite Behemoths following closely behind were not directly entangled by the chains, but they were startled by 'Lieshan's' sudden halt and roar. Their charging steps involuntarily slowed, and their formation fell into brief chaos and hesitation. The ordinary Behemoths further back were even more affected; seeing their leader's struggling predicament ahead, their fierce charging momentum faltered.

This sudden turn of events in the blink of an eye caused the atmosphere of the entire battlefield to reverse abruptly!

"Now!" Lin Zhou's Divine Thought was like an unsheathed sword, instantly reaching all units on standby. "Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain, combined attack! Target—lock onto 'Lieshan'!"

"Swift as the Wind—Harass the enemy and cut off the rear!" The twenty Elf Rangers who had been roaming on the periphery pushed their 'Lingbo Step' to the limit, turning into twenty green lightning bolts as they boldly cut into the rear and flanks of the Behemoth Legion! They were no longer just harassing; they were firing arrows imbued with stronger 'Righteous Qi' precisely at the eyes and nostrils of the Behemoths trying to bypass 'Lieshan' to continue the assault on the defensive line! They didn't seek to kill, only to create maximum chaos and interference, delaying their rescue efforts!

"Fierce as Fire—Full focus fire!" On the opposite bank of the riverbed, the fifty Tiangong Dwarf Crossbowmen pushed the firing rate of their ballistae to the absolute limit! They completely ignored the other Behemoths; all ballistae aimed simultaneously at the massive beast that was temporarily trapped by chains and had lost most of its mobility—'Lieshan'! Crossbow bolts poured out like a rainstorm. This time, the arrowheads no longer shimmered with 'Slow' runes, but with the 'Armor-Piercing · Sharpness' runes that Li Mo had urgently optimized!

Puff puff puff puff—!

The dense sound of impacts was like striking an anvil! Most of the bolts were still deflected by 'Lieshan's' thick, steel-plate-like fur and muscles that were even harder in its Berserk state. However, more than ten bolts, bolstered by the 'Armor-Piercing · Sharpness' runes, slammed into its relatively fragile waist, abdomen, joint connections, and... near its left eye with the single old scar!

"ROAR!!!" An even more painful and furious roar erupted from 'Lieshan's' throat as blood began to seep from multiple wounds on its body. Although each wound was not deep, the accumulated damage and pain were rapidly consuming its Berserk duration and health.

"Immovable as a Mountain—Stabilize the defense line, Righteous Qi blessing!" The thirty Wenxin Elf scholars behind the Dwarf shield wall chanted chapters from 'the analects' in unison: "The commander of three armies can be captured, but the will of even a common man cannot be broken!" A thicker Vast Righteous Qi spread out, not only stabilizing the will of their own defensive line members but also exerting a weak suppression effect on the nearby Behemoth pack, causing an inexplicable sense of irritation and a faint... fear to rise in their hearts. This feeling made them even more frenzied, yet also made it harder for them to form effective cooperation.

And the true killing move came from that deep blue reaper appearing once again like a shadow.

"Enforcement Squad—Ultimate Judgment!"

The forty Lawful Merman Enforcement Squad members, led by Iron Face (LV33), charged out again from an extremely hidden sand hole on the flank of the riverbed like ghosts! This time, their target was crystal clear—the Behemoth hero 'Lieshan' who was trapped by chains, focused by crossbow fire, and struggling madly!

"Target state: Berserk, Chaos, out of formation, posing a major threat—Verdict: Execution!" Iron Face's cold intent was like the final sentence.

On all the Law Fishmen, the faint green light of the 'Net of Law' brightened slightly more than ever before (though it remained weak due to divinity restrictions), and forty steel tridents simultaneously erupted with a blinding cold light!

[Combined Skill: The Net of Law is Vast]!

The strength, speed, and attack precision of the forty Law Fishmen were briefly resonated and synergistically amplified through Legalist 'Orders' and the tacit understanding formed through long-term training! They no longer attacked separately but acted as a single whole, launching their strongest strike ever from four different directions simultaneously!

Four highly condensed deep-blue trident shadows tore through the air, carrying the maximum damage bonus of 'Law Enforcement,' and pierced with extreme precision into 'Lieshan's' four most lethal weaknesses at this moment—deep into the old scar of the left eye, the pulsing blood vessels below the side of the neck, the waist and abdomen wounds previously opened by crossbow bolts, and the inner side of the right hind knee joint that was entangled by chains and unable to move flexibly!

Puff! Chish! Crack!

The tooth-aching sounds of sharp blades entering flesh, cutting ligaments, and even piercing bone rang out almost simultaneously!

'Lieshan' let out the most shrill and desperate wail since the start of the battle! Blood burst from its left eye, sprayed wildly from its neck, its waist and abdomen wounds were completely torn open and enlarged, and a crushing pain radiated from its right hind knee joint! With four vital points suffering such heavy blows simultaneously, even a Golden Behemoth hero with abundant vitality was instantly on the verge of collapse, especially given its life-overdrawing Berserk state!

The light of the school's combat protection mechanism flashed violently on 'Lieshan,' meaning it had neared the limit of the 'elimination judgment'!

The paralysis effect of the chains also reached its peak at this moment, and 'Lieshan's' struggling movements suddenly stiffened.

A cold light flashed in Iron Face's eyes as he thrust his trident forward again, aiming directly deep into its slightly open mouth that revealed its fangs—to deliver the final, decisive blow!

Wang Meng let out a heart-wrenching roar in the God Domain link, a mix of shock, fury, and disbelief: "No—!"