153: Each with their own thoughts

Every skill name exuded an overwhelming sense of technology and power.

Among them, the evolution branch of the [Omni-Mechanical Arm (Arm)] was particularly complex, almost forming a system of its own.

Based on her thoughts and energy input, the "Dawn Morningstar" arm could change forms in an incredibly short amount of time.

When precision operation was needed, it could disassemble into dozens of flexible mechanical tentacles, just like the most skilled surgeon.

When long-range firepower was needed, it could transform into a "Star Energy Pulse Cannon" or a "Particle Beam Gun" equipped with multiple energy modes.

When close-quarters combat was needed, it could instantly condense into an indestructible "High-Frequency Vibration Particle Blade" or a heavy "Kinetic Smash Hammer."

It could even simulate various engineering tools for rapid repair and manufacturing.

It was simply a mobile, all-purpose arsenal!

Without hesitation, Lu Zhifei quickly invested the skill points accumulated at Lv35 into several key skills and the arm's evolution branches.

[You have learned: Star Energy Pulse Cannon Lv.1]

[You have learned: High-Frequency Vibration Particle Blade Lv.1]

[Your Star Core Divine Weapon arm: Omni-Mechanical Arm (Arm) has unlocked the 'Weapon Transformation Acceleration' and 'Energy Efficiency Optimization' branches!]

The feeling of her strength increasing once again filled her with a sense of security.

She raised her right hand, and with a thought, the silver-white divine weapon arm transformed fluidly.

At times, it turned into an energy weapon with a deep muzzle, spitting out scorching simulated beams.

At other times, it shifted into a combat blade form, the blade vibrating and cutting through the air with a sharp hum.

All kinds of changes were at her whim, without any hesitation.

However, deep within the evolution branches of the [Omni-Mechanical Arm (Arm)], Lu Zhifei saw a node she desired immensely, but could not yet activate — [Nano Concealment Form].

[Nano Concealment Form: Requires the prerequisite technology 'Nano Branch Technology' to unlock. Once unlocked, the Star Core Divine Weapon arm can decompose into a stream of nano-particles, hiding under the user's subcutaneous tissue to achieve perfect concealment and rapid deployment.

Nano Branch Technology is a necessary prerequisite skill to enable super-speed assembly and follow the Legion-style route.]

Below the description text, the conditions for unlocking 'Nano Branch Technology' were clearly marked:

[Obtain 'Biological Dynamic Mimicry Core' (Has a chance to drop when killing a Queen of the Zerg · Brood Mother level or above unit)]

"A Queen of the Zerg core!" Lu Zhifei frowned slightly.

This was no small difficulty.

A Brood Mother-level Queen of the Zerg was an existence capable of ruling over a massive Zerg nest network. Her strength was unfathomable, and she would certainly be surrounded by a massive number of Zerg guards; trying to kill her was no different from pulling a tooth from a tiger's mouth.

But this [Nano Concealment Form] was crucial to her.

Being able to hide such a conspicuous divine weapon arm would undoubtedly greatly increase her stealth and survival capabilities, especially in this world filled with crises where she could be backstabbed by her own people at any moment.

Furthermore, this core skill was followed by a whole host of branch skills; without obtaining nanotechnology, those branches could not be activated.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhifei's thoughts drifted away.

She remembered when she first arrived in this world as a "Beta Tester."

Back then, she was high-spirited and had a group of trusted teammates by her side.

They explored together, fought together, and even fantasized about uncovering the ultimate secret of this world together, and then returning home in glory.

However, reality was cruel.

The brutality of the Zerg, the infighting within the Alliance, and those insidious "Pseudo-Humans"...

One by one, her teammates fell, either dying on the battlefield, being swallowed by conspiracies, or being assimilated by the Zerg in despair.

In the end, only she remained, like a lone wolf walking in the boundless darkness, carrying everyone's hopes and regrets, struggling to survive.

It had been several years...

She could hardly even remember the specific faces of her former teammates, only some blurred silhouettes and the unforgettable moments of their sacrifices.

Until today, until she saw the posters of Lin Fei and Meng Zi.

That almost forgotten warmth and bond called family began to ripple across her frozen heart once again.

They had come.

They had also become very strong.

Following the immense joy and comfort was a heavier, realistic consideration.

She knew very well that at this moment, Tianshu City, and even the upper echelons of the entire Alliance, were likely shaken by her defection.

The so-called order to "hunt down the traitor and reclaim the divine weapon" had likely already been issued.

And given the strength and reputation that Lin Fei and Meng Zi were currently displaying, it was highly likely that those "Pseudo-Humans" and the ulterior-motived upper echelons would use them as the best "hunting dogs," sending them to hunt down her, the "vicious" traitor.

If she were to rashly make contact or reunite with her younger brother and sister, it would not only expose her whereabouts but also drag them completely into the center of this storm.

By then, they would face not only the endless Zerg but also the enemies from within humanity, those wearing human skin.

Pseudo-Humans, the ambitious figures of the Alliance, and other forces eyeing the divine weapon...

That would be a truly situation where the whole world was their enemy!

Lu Zhifei's eyes gradually became cold and sharp.

She could not be impatient.

She had to become stronger!

Strong enough to protect herself, and strong enough to carve out a path to survival with her younger brother and sister in the face of any conspiracy!

...

The theft of the Star Core Divine Weapon's core component, the forced breach of the S-rank secret research institute, and the defecting researcher Lu Zhifei were like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up monstrous waves among the highest levels of the Saka Star Human Alliance.

The news, with the highest encrypted priority, instantly spread across the seven remaining giant human cities on Saka Star — Tianshu, Yuheng, Kaiyang, Yaoguang, Tianquan, Tianxuan, and Tianji.

Tianshu City, as the direct victim of this incident, saw its anger and anxiety almost condense into substance.

At the emergency joint meeting of the Alliance, the general in charge of military coordination slammed a thick stack of damage reports onto the alloy conference table with a livid face, producing a dull, loud sound.

"Everyone! This is not just a simple defection and theft! This is a shaking of the very Foundation of our human Alliance!

The Star Core Divine Weapon is our greatest hope for resisting the Zerg and reclaiming our home! It must never fall into the hands of a dangerous traitor, who might even be a Zerg spy!" His voice was somewhat hoarse from anger, and his gaze swept over the faces of the representatives of the other six giant cities on the virtual screen like cold knives,

"I demand that all giant cities immediately share their intelligence networks, form a joint pursuit force, and at all costs, capture Lu Zhifei and reclaim the 'Dawn Morningstar'!"

On the screen, the representatives of the other six giant cities expressed their agreement with righteous indignation.

"Your Excellency the General is right! The loss of Tianshu City is the loss of all humanity!" The representative from the industrial hub of Yuheng City, an elderly man dressed in exquisite clothing, was the first to state his position, "Yuheng City will fully cooperate, open all border checkpoints, and assist in the search!"

"The Kaiyang City legion is ready at any time!"

"The Yaoguang City intelligence department has already begun to track with full force!"

...

For a time, the conference room was filled with a passionate atmosphere of shared hatred for the enemy and overcoming difficulties together.

The seven great human giant cities of Saka Star seemed, at this moment, to be united as never before, vowing to bring that audacious traitor to justice.

However, beneath this seemingly harmonious clamor surged even more turbulent and sinister undercurrents.

The Star Core Divine Weapon! These four words represented not only the hope of resisting the Zerg but also absolute power capable of breaking the existing balance of power! Whoever could grasp it would possess supreme authority on the future Saka Star, and even within the entire human Alliance!

Joint pursuit? Sharing intelligence?

To those ambitious figures who also coveted the power of the divine weapon, this was merely a pretty excuse to stall for time and paralyze their opponents.

Almost at the same moment the joint meeting ended, more secret orders were quietly issued from the core command rooms of each giant city.

Deep within Yuheng City, that same elderly representative who had just been speaking eloquently was now whispering to a shadow in a holographic projection: "The 'Night Owl' squad has departed. Remember, once you find the target, there is no need to ask for instructions; take control immediately! The core component of the divine weapon must be brought back to Yuheng!"

In the technological city of Kaiyang City, inside a massive underground hangar, dozens of elite soldiers wearing optical camouflage and equipped with the latest exoskeleton armor were boarding a silent aircraft.

"Operation 'Ghost' begins. Primary target: Lu Zhifei and the Star Core Divine Weapon. If you encounter obstruction from other forces... kill without mercy!"

Similar scenes were playing out simultaneously in other giant cities such as Yaoguang, Tianquan, Tianxuan, and Tianji.

Every giant city had dispatched its most elite and secret special forces. Like poisonous snakes lurking in the darkness, they operated under the guise of assisting in the pursuit, while each harbored the ambition of monopolizing the divine weapon for themselves.

An invisible net, centered on Tianshu City, was quietly spread, aiming directly at Lu Zhifei, who had just escaped and had not yet realized she had become the target of everyone.

And in this complex hunting game, the protagonists pushed to the forefront were undoubtedly Lin Fei and Lin Mengzi.

At the Alliance command center in Tianshu City, General Chris personally saw the two off, with a look of just the right amount of anticipation and gravity on his face.

"Captain Lin Fei, Deputy Captain Lin Mengzi, the Alliance is counting on you for this mission!" He gripped Lin Fei's hand tightly, his tone sincere, "You are the heroes of our humanity; only you have the greatest hope of bringing that dangerous traitor to justice and reclaiming the divine weapon!

I have allocated the latest reconnaissance drones and a small high-speed assault craft for your use. If you need any support, contact us at any time!"

Lin Fei wore a slightly cynical smile on his face and withdrew his hand unobtrusively: "Rest assured, General. Since we have accepted the mission, we will naturally do our best."

Lin Mengzi remained her usual cold and detached self, only nodding slightly as a response.

Watching them lead a symbolic elite Alliance squad aboard the assault craft and disappear into the gray skyline of Tianshu City, the smile on the General's face slowly faded, replaced by a deep and cold calculation.

He was indeed not controlled by the Zerg, but the greed and desire for power in his heart were even more terrifying than those of the Pseudo-Humans.

He wanted the Star Core Divine Weapon.

He also wanted to completely bring Lin Fei and Lin Mengzi, these two powerful ability users with infinite potential but difficult to control, under his command to become the sharp blades in his hands.

And now, an excellent opportunity was laid out before him.

Let these two equally powerful and equally threatening forces collide and slaughter each other...

"Lu Zhifei... Lin Fei... It would be best if they fight to mutual destruction..." The corners of the General's mouth curled into a cruel arc, his eyes flickering with the light of a poisonous snake, "By then, whether it is the divine weapon or you two so-called heroes, all will be in my grasp!"

He did not know that his little scheme had already been seen through by Lin Fei.