197: Counterattack Plan: Blackrock Depths

As Yan Di's battle-filled words fell, the image of Blackrock Abyss on the holographic map in the center of the conference hall was rapidly magnified, clearly presenting every detail of the hideous "Soul Furnace" before everyone.

It resembled a steel behemoth coiled upon a scar in the earth; countless thick pipes extended from the main body of the Furnace, plunging deep into the abyss's rock walls like a demon's veins, drawing unknown energy from deep underground.

At the top of the Furnace, a massive, swirling vortex of ethereal blue energy rotated slowly, emitting soul fluctuations that made hearts tremble. Countless blurry specks of light were sucked into it, like fireflies being consumed.

Those were the "data souls" of players captured by the World Serpent.

"What a vicious design," the Goddess of Life's voice was clear and cold like moonlight, yet tinged with poorly concealed disgust. "It is not only devouring the souls of players but also extracting the fundamental energy of this world, accelerating the collapse of the epoch."

"Therefore, we must destroy it," Yan Di's gaze was like a torch, sweeping over every Gods Chosen present. "Gentlemen, let us hear your opinions. Book of Truth, you start, analyze this 'opponent' of ours."

All eyes focused on the refined man holding the tome.

Book of Truth, the "strategist" among the Gods Chosen. His divine talent, the eye of truth, allowed him to perceive the fundamental rule and data of all things, making him indispensable when formulating tactics.

Book of Truth gently pushed the monocle on his nose. The tome flipped through dozens of pages on its own, without wind. In his eyes, countless streams of minute data flowed like a waterfall.

"The situation is more complex than we imagined," he began slowly, his voice clear and calm. "The Soul Furnace's defense system is divided into three layers."

"The first layer is the outer defense. It is garrisoned by elite players of the Destroyer Faction, led by the Oracle Guild. The estimated headcount is over five thousand, led by at least ten top-tier experts. Relying on the treacherous terrain of the Blackrock Abyss, they have constructed extensive defensive works and magic watchtowers. Any conventional frontal assault will result in heavy casualties."

"The second layer is the energy shield. The Furnace itself is enveloped by a massive dark energy shield. Based on my analysis, this shield is connected to the leyline energy of the entire Blackrock Abyss. Unless at least thirty-six energy nodes hidden within the leylines are destroyed simultaneously, the shield's recovery speed will be astonishingly fast, making conventional attacks virtually ineffective."

"The third layer is the internal guard, and also the most difficult. In the core area of the Furnace, besides the World Serpent's modified human troops, there is an extremely powerful individual. System information identifies him as Warden Mephisto, an Abyssal Lord-level BOSS with a level as high as 80. He is the final line of defense for this Furnace."

The series of analyses made the atmosphere in the conference hall increasingly heavy.

Five thousand elite players, an energy shield connected to the leylines, and an Abyssal Lord-level BOSS... This was a difficulty level that no single guild could challenge alone; it could even be called a Hell-level raid.

"The tougher the bone, the better the bite," Yan Di's lips instead curled into a wild, arrogant smile. "If we could flatten it so easily, we would be underestimating the World Serpent. Space Dominator, where can your 'gate' open?"

The Space Dominator, shrouded in mist, extended a finger and lightly tapped the holographic map.

"Here." He pointed to an extremely concealed energy pipe junction at the rear-side of the Soul Furnace. "This is the weakest and most easily overlooked node in the entire defense system. I can open a 'Gate of Surprise Attack' that lasts for thirty seconds, directly teleporting an elite squad of no more than fifty people inside. However, the disturbance will be significant, and we will be immediately exposed once the teleportation is complete."

"Thirty seconds, fifty people... That's enough!" A sharp light flashed in Yan Di's eyes, and a bold plan quickly formed in his mind.

He looked at Lin Mo and said in a deep voice, "Poison God, for this operation, we need your 'poison' to perform a thorough 'pulling the rug out from under them'!"

Lin Mo raised his head, and his gaze met Yan Di's in the air. He instantly understood the other party's tactical intent.

"I need a top-tier assassination squad, led by myself," Lin Mo's voice was hoarse and low, filled with confidence. "Through the 'Gate of Surprise Attack,' we will thrust directly into the interior of the Furnace. My target is not the Warden, but those thirty-six energy nodes. I have a way to let my 'poison' travel along the energy pipes and 'contaminate' them."

As soon as he said this, a flash of surprise crossed the eyes of the Gods Chosen present.

Contaminate the energy nodes! What a crazy yet brilliant idea!

Conventional destruction would inevitably cause huge energy fluctuations and be instantly detected. However, Lin Mo's Rule of Poison could silently infiltrate the energy network like a virus, dismantling the entire shield system from the inside!

"Good!" Yan Di immediately agreed. "You are responsible for breaking the shield, and I am responsible for the main assault! When our Alliance army arrives at the periphery of the Blackrock Abyss, I will personally lead a team to launch the fiercest feint attack, drawing the attention of the Oracle Guild and all the outer defenders. This will buy you the most valuable time for infiltration."

"Once the shield is dismantled," Yan Di's gaze turned to the Space Dominator and the Goddess of Life, "Space Dominator, immediately open a second 'Large Teleportation Gate' to deploy our main force right beneath the Furnace! Goddess of Life, you need to organize the strongest Healer team, preparing for the final decisive battle against the Warden!"

A clear, interlocking surprise attack plan was outlined in just a few minutes.

Lin Mo's surprise squad would act as the scalpel, precisely severing the enemy's main defensive artery; Yan Di's assault force would act as the sledgehammer, drawing frontal fire; and finally, the main Alliance army would deliver the thunderous blow, striking directly at the heart of the enemy!

"The plan is feasible," Book of Truth nodded, adding, "But there is one issue. Not all guilds within the Guardian Alliance are willing to pay the price for this 'adventurous' plan of ours. Having them conduct a feint outside might be acceptable, but asking them to participate in the final general attack and confront an Abyssal Lord directly—I fear many will shrink back."

This was indeed a practical problem. An alliance was, after all, an alliance, not a single person's army.

"Then let them watch," Lin Mo said coldly. "Watch how we, the Gods Chosen, fight. This battle is not just for the World Serpent, but also for everyone in the Alliance to see. Let them understand who the true leaders of this war are, and who holds the hope that can lead them to victory."

His words carried an undeniable dominance.

Yan Di laughed heartily. "Well said! It's settled then! Everyone return and prepare. In six hours, we assemble at the 'Meteorite Field' outside the Blackrock Abyss!"

The meeting concluded, and the figures of the Gods Chosen disappeared one by one.

Lin Mo did not leave immediately. He returned to his guild's headquarters and walked straight into the alchemy laboratory.

Conventional toxins might have their effects greatly reduced against nodes composed of pure energy. He needed a completely new Poison of Rules specifically targeting energy constructs.

He opened his warehouse and retrieved a large quantity of rare materials collected in the game: Abyssal Jellyfish Nerve Cords, Void Worm Crystallites, Wailing Dust of Vengeful Spirits... all top-tier materials imbued with special energy properties.

Most crucially, he drew out a trace of the most fundamental "Divine Spark Power" from the source of ten thousand poisons.

This was his first attempt to integrate his own rule into alchemy.

Ethereal green flames rose on the alchemy table, and Lin Mo's concentration was absolute. His hands moved like phantoms, precisely dropping materials one by one into the crucible. Guided by his mental power, the energy properties of these materials were broken down and reorganized.

Finally, he slowly injected that precious trace of "Divine Spark Power" into it.

"Buzz—"

The entire laboratory trembled, and an indescribably terrifying aura diffused from the crucible. It was not mere poison gas, but a higher-level contamination of concept.

In the end, all light and energy converged inward, and a thumb-sized crystal vial containing deep purple liquid lay quietly in the center of the crucible. Within the liquid, countless tiny runes seemed to be born and extinguished, possessing an eerie beauty.

[Rule Poison: Entropy]

Category: Special Alchemical Potion

Effect: Capable of invading and dismantling pure energy structures, causing them to revert from an ordered state to a state of disordered "entropic silence." Possesses devastating counteracting effects against energy shields, magical constructs, and elemental creatures.

"It's done."

Lin Mo grasped the vial, feeling the terrifying power contained within, and a cold curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

World Serpent, are you ready to welcome a feast of Wither?

Simultaneously, upon the Meteorite Field, the army of the Guardian Alliance began to assemble. Banners from different guilds fluttered in the wind, and tens of thousands of players converged into a torrent of steel, their fierce aura soaring into the sky.

The great war is imminent!