Volume 1, Chapter 31: Other Factions

Beneath the calm surface of the water, several massive shadows suddenly lunged from the murky depths on both sides!

"Splash!"

Water erupted into the air!

Seven or eight gargantuan beasts, each the size of a small truck and covered in thick, dark green scales, burst forth. Their forms were a grotesque fusion of crocodile and lizard. They possessed thick, powerful limbs and razor-sharp claws, making them as swift in the water as they were agile in climbing the banks. As they opened their blood-filled maws, layers of jagged, pallid fangs glinted with a chilling, eerie light.

"Amphibious Croco-Lizards!"

Li Hexuan’s heart skipped a beat. Memories from his past life immediately flooded his mind with data on these troublesome creatures. These monsters were thick-skinned, incredibly strong, and possessed extreme aggression.

"Fire!"

Before Li Hexuan even gave the order, the crew members instinctively raised their weapons.

*Rat-tat-tat! Bang! Bang!*

Bullets rained down upon the Croco-Lizards, throwing off sparks. Yet, their scales were absurdly tough; most bullets simply ricocheted away. Only a few high-powered armor-piercing rounds managed to leave shallow, bloody scratches, which proved entirely useless.

One Croco-Lizard, thoroughly enraged, let out a roar and launched its massive frame, lunging straight at the lead boat where Zhang Nan stood!

"Go to hell!"

Zhang Nan didn't retreat; instead, he pushed forward, slamming his heavy shield into the beast!

*Thud!*

A dull, heavy impact echoed. Zhang Nan felt a massive, surging force, causing the assault craft to sway violently. The veins on his arms bulged as he desperately held his ground against the creature's impact, though his hand felt numb from the shock. The raw power of this beast was far beyond that of the fish-monsters they had encountered before!

The remaining Croco-Lizards pounced from the water and the surrounding ruins, attempting to encircle the three assault craft!

"Brother Xuan!" a teammate shrieked, as a steel hull plate beside him was ripped open by a Croco-Lizard's claw, leaving a terrifying gash.

"Thunder-Magnetic Storm!"

Li Hexuan unleashed his high-level electromagnetic energy without reservation!

*Hum—!*

Centered on him, an energy field nearly ten meters in diameter instantly expanded, filled with wild, intertwining dark blue electric arcs and chaotic magnetic forces! The air grew pungent with the smell of ozone, and countless tiny, serpentine bolts of electricity darted through the field, crackling with explosive force!

The charging Croco-Lizards collided with the "Thunder-Magnetic Storm" and their movements stalled instantly! The violent currents shredded their thick scales, while the chaotic magnetism severely hindered their mobility, forcing them to let out bellows of pain and fury. A few smaller lizards were sent into violent spasms, their skin scorched black!

"Now's our chance!" Li Hexuan shouted. "Nan, ram through!"

"You got it! Hold on tight!"

Receiving the order, Zhang Nan’s eyes shone with a fierce light. The "Titan Strength" within him erupted, and his already knotted muscles expanded further, making him look a size larger. He shoved the driver aside, took the helm himself, and pushed the assault craft’s engine to its absolute limit!

"Clear a path for me!"

Zhang Nan roared, steering the craft forward. The grim, fish-king bone ram at the bow glinted coldly as it slammed into a giant Croco-Lizard trying to intercept them from the side!

*Boom!*

The Croco-Lizard was sent flipping sideways. Even its hardened scales were fragile against the bone spike, which carved a massive wound deep enough to expose bone. Dark green blood sprayed outward!

Zhang Nan’s boat tore a gap through the encirclement. Li Hexuan and the other craft followed closely behind, seizing the window provided by the lingering effects of the "Thunder-Magnetic Storm" and the chaos among the lizards to escape the deadly waterway just in time.

After the fierce battle, everyone was injured and the boats were heavily damaged, but miraculously, there were no casualties.

Just as the group began to catch their breath and check for damages, the roar of motors suddenly echoed from around a bend in the wide waterway. Several dark green military-grade assault boats, emblazoned with striking military insignia, sped toward them, forming a fan-shaped formation that subtly surrounded the three battered vessels.

On the lead boat, a tall young officer with the rank of second lieutenant held a state-of-the-art assault rifle, eyeing Li Hexuan and his group. Behind him, a dozen armed soldiers stood in readiness, their muzzles pointed toward Li Hexuan’s group with deliberate intent.

"Who are you? Where do you come from, and what is your purpose in E-City?" The officer’s voice was calm, yet carried the cold, rigid authority typical of a soldier.

Li Hexuan remained composed. The opponent’s superior equipment and well-trained soldiers confirmed the intelligence from his reconnaissance team—the military had indeed established a foothold in E-City.

"Just survivors passing through," Li Hexuan said lightly. "Looking for a way to survive in E-City."

"Passing through?" The lieutenant raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Was that massive commotion just now caused by you? Did you kill those Croco-Lizards?" He scanned the battle damage on their boats and the bloodstains on the team members.

"Just lucky," Li Hexuan replied noncommittally.

Beside the officer, an arrogant-looking soldier stepped forward, aiming his rifle with a hostile tone: "Cut the crap! Looking at how you’re sneaking around, you can’t be up to any good! Drop your weapons and submit to a search!"

Li Hexuan moved faster than words. Zhang Nan’s eyes widened with rage, and he was about to lash out, but a single gesture from Li Hexuan stopped him.

"Officer, in this apocalypse, weapons are our lifeblood." Li Hexuan’s lips curved into a faint smile as he turned to the provocative soldier, his right index finger flicking slightly.

"You—!" The soldier was about to say more when he suddenly felt his rifle shudder violently. An invisible force struck it, impossible to resist, and the weapon flew from his grasp, clattering onto the deck in front of Li Hexuan!

Every soldier raised their rifles in unison, and the tension reached a breaking point!

The lieutenant was also stunned, staring fixedly at Li Hexuan. He hadn't even seen how Li Hexuan had done it!

"A small trick, nothing worth mentioning." Li Hexuan spoke with indifference, as if he had done something trivial. "We have no intention of making enemies with the military; we just want to find a safe place to settle down."

The lieutenant took a deep breath, suppressing his inner shock. This group, especially the young man leading them, possessed unfathomable strength. They were definitely not ordinary survivors.

He waved his hand, signaling his men to hold their fire, and said to Li Hexuan in a deep voice: "E-City is now under the jurisdiction of our military district. A large official shelter has been established in the city center, and we are working hard to restore order. If you truly are ordinary survivors, you may head to the shelter for registration, where we will provide basic food and lodging."

He paused, his tone becoming grave: "However, I must warn you: E-City is currently a melting pot of all kinds of people. Besides the military, there are many other factions, and danger lurks everywhere. Especially that 'Tower of Source Energy' that suddenly appeared—it has attracted all sorts of people, and has become a true battlefield."

Li Hexuan’s heart stirred: "Other factions?"