Chapter 1566: Chapter 889
The atmosphere of the Steel Flame Furnace glimmered with a sickly copper-green hue.
Tai Shichen stood before the observation window on the bridge, the star map projection on his power armor overlapped with the heavy industrial zone of the planet below. The orc war banner atop the Foundry Temple spire was as large as a cruiser, and tens of thousands of green-skinned technicians were piecing together some kind of orbital weapon from scrap iron.
"The Founding General activated the planetary shield before escaping." The Technical Priestâs mechanical tentacles swiftly glided across the datapad, "We need at least thirty standard hours to complete the decoding."
The scar beneath the Battle Group Leaderâs helmet twitched slightly. Through the orbital scanner, he could clearly see Uluâs war machineâa mobile fortress pieced together from thirty battle citadels engulfing the entire industrial zone, with thousands of young technicians repurposing the furnace core into a spore cultivation tank.
"Alvin." He turned to the Battle Group Champion behind him, "You take seven battalions and raid from the southern hemisphere; I want these Green Skins to lose 80% of their armor production capacity within twenty-four hours."
The Silver-armored Giant nodded, the dragon pattern on his shoulder guard glowing faintly: "And you?"
"I intend to deliver the missing judgment to Ulu." Tai Shichen caressed the power sword at his waist, the newly engraved inscription on the hilt glistening with blood in the dim lightâit was Ricardoâs genetic code.
Underground Raid
As the hydraulic gate opened, a cloud of spore-laden corrosive steam surged forth.
Tai Shichen raised his hand and fired two thermite bombs, melting the lurking murder canisters into molten iron. The modified underground maintenance tunnels were filled with death traps crafted from Green Skin technology: rusted conveyors hanging automatic firing imps, dangling cables from vents suddenly sparking, and entire sections of the passageway flipping unexpectedly, tossing people into slag pools.
"Twelve oâclock direction, Sect of Mechanicsâ Holy Relic Library." The Intelligence Director Gellerâs Spiritual Energy Long Sword illuminated the walls, those defaced God of All Machines frescoes oozing green slime, "Ulu is desecrating the Machine Soul."
The Battle Group Leader suddenly halted the warrior beside him. Under their feet, vibrations from some gigantic machinery were transmitted through the fine gold floorâit was the Foundry Furnace refitted into a war engine, its eight-thousand-ton reactor roaring like a beast.
After triggering the thirteenth Green Skin trap, they finally breached the core area. Tai Shichen gazed at the forest of iron chains hanging from the domeâeach chain suspending bodies of the modified Protection Army, these amalgams of machinery and flesh scanning the intruders with red eyes.
"For The Emperor!" With the Battle Group Leaderâs roar, fifty Blast Bomb Guns fired simultaneously.
Throne Showdown
Uluâs Throne Hall was constructed above the furnace core.
As Tai Shichen cleaved through the last blast door, the searing air currents nearly blew away his cloak. Below, a three-kilometer diameter lava pool boiled, and the Green-skinned Warlord sat upon an iron throne made from Titan remnants, clutching half of an Interstellar Warriorâs corpse with his Power Claw.
"Another shrimp to die!" Uluâs sonic weapon shook the steel beams to a tremble, igniting sparks as he rose, rocket fuel lines on his back clashing with power armor, "Your armor will become decor for my new throne!"
Tai Shichen noticed the repair marks on the opponentâs right leg hydraulic jointâthat was Ricardoâs final achievement. He silently activated the molecular oscillation field of his power sword, its blade resonating with a dragon-like hum.
"In the name of the Supreme Military Court of the Alliance." The Battle Group Leader removed his helmet, scars writhing like bloodworms in the furnaceâs glow, "You are charged with one hundred and seventy-three offenses including massacre, treason, and desecration of mechanical relics."
The Green Skin laughed uproariously, the rust flaking down transforming into sparks in the heat. He suddenly stomped the ground, causing the hidden dimensional anvil in the dome to crash downâa meticulously crafted trap, the whole floor of the Throne Hall was a magnetic device.
In the moment of weightlessness, Tai Shichen activated his jetpack, his power sword slicing a perfect arc. But Ulu abruptly tore off his back fuel line, the dark green liquid explodes midair, forcing the Battle Group Leader to the edge of the magnetic field.
"You think Iâm like those dumb kids?" The Warlord ripped open his chest armor, revealing a power core embedded with a human Think Tankâs skull, "Iâve read your shrimp tactics!"
Destined Cycle
On the seventh collision, Tai Shichenâs shoulder plate finally shattered.
Uluâs custom Power Claw carried a Decomposition Force Field, leaving corrosive marks on the fine gold with each block. The Battle Group Leader suddenly realized the enemy was deliberately protecting his left flankâwhere parts of a Star Realm Army standard reactor peeked through the armor seam.
"Geller!" He cried out in psychic communication, "Prepare Spiritual Ability Lock!"
As the Intelligence Directorâs Spiritual Energy Chains bound the Green Skin, Tai Shichen unexpectedly threw his sword. Ulu instinctively grabbed at the incoming weapon, not noticing the Battle Group Leaderâs Sleeve Sword ejecting a Micro Thermite BombâRicardoâs final close-combat invention before death.
In the molten armor seam, the human Battle Group Leaderâs hand plunged deep into the Green Skinâs chest cavity. This action perfectly mirrored Uluâs execution of Ricardo, only the roles of hunter and prey had now reversed.
"This punch is for Ricardo." Tai Shichen crushed the power core, the green blood vaporizing into toxic mist in the high heat, "Remember in your next life, true warfare isnât a contest of muscles."
As Uluâs massive body plunged into the lava, the Green Skin war machines of the entire Steel Flame Furnace simultaneously died. But before the warriors could cheer, the orbital alarms suddenly blaredâfifteen Green Skin reinforcements were breaking through the Mandeville Point.
The Battle Group Leader wiped away the corrosive blood from his eyelids, looking at the star map where the green tide surged. Behind him, the rescued Founding General was being escorted to the Judgement Ship, electronic shacklesâ blue glow flickering amid the furnace light.