At that moment, every mercenary of the X Legion lifted their gaze skyward. Xiaofeng unleashed volley after volley upon the B-rank corrupted lizard. Though the creature retaliated with searing fireballs, Xiaofeng's swift reflexes made evading such assaults effortless.
The corrupted lizard soared erratically—ascending, diving, veering left and right—yet Xiaofeng's laser cannon struck its wounds with unerring precision.
The beast's patience wore thin; it emitted frenzied roars as it pursued Xiaofeng through the heavens, hurling blazing orbs in a desperate attack.
Yet Xiaofeng seemed invigorated beyond measure. Despite the exhaustion of the day, a resolute spirit propelled him forward. To him, the B-rank beast's magical crystal was as irresistible as honey to an ant.
Old White, his shoulder gashed by the jagged armor of an exploded vehicle, spoke beside Rice, "We ought to aid Xiaofeng."
Rice frowned deeply, "Our weapons are utterly ineffective against this B-rank fiend. Only the laser cannon can inflict harm, and even then, merely minor wounds."
"I see…"
"By the way, White, how's your shoulder?"
Rice produced a cigarette and, with his flame ability, lit it for Old White.
Old White grimaced, "It'll heal gradually. My greater concern is Xiaofeng—how long can the boy endure?"
"He's being pushed too hard."
"If he exhausts himself, he'll collapse—we've witnessed it before," White replied, drawing on his cigarette.
At that moment, Kerry approached, a cigarette dangling from his lips, exuding the air of a reckless rogue. "Why aren't you helping Xiaofeng?"
Rice shook his head, "I've explained to White—only the laser cannon can harm this B-rank beast… but even then…"
"The laser cannon," Kerry murmured, eyes fixed on Xiaofeng wielding the colossal weapon against the corrupted lizard, "So that's the situation."
Kerry then activated his communicator, connecting to his father.
Hebrew's visage appeared on the screen, "My son, what's the matter? Out of funds again?"
Kerry glanced at Rice and White, embarrassed. "No. Black Whale City is under siege by a beast tide—you didn't know?"
Hebrew frowned. "Nobody informed me."
"Perhaps there wasn't time. We're close to victory now. Xiaofeng is locked in combat with a B-rank beast. Watch…"
Kerry turned the communicator's camera toward the battlefield where Xiaofeng relentlessly pounded the corrupted lizard, sweat and fatigue etched upon his face, barely holding on.
Hebrew's brows knitted with concern as he surveyed the carnage—corpses of C-rank Black Flame Serpents, wreckage of war vehicles and armed helicopters—transforming the wasteland into a veritable inferno.
"How did it come to this?" Hebrew's voice was cold with anger. The toll on the X Legion was plainly immense.
"We never anticipated the Dark Dragon Sect would ally with the coalition forces and amass such a horde against Black Whale City. But none of that matters now. The pressing issue is the B-rank beast. We tried missiles, but they couldn't breach the corrupted lizard's defenses. Only the laser cannon can harm it—but as you know, it demands tremendous energy."
"Ah, I suppose you're asking if I can provide equipment to power the laser cannon?"
Kerry nodded. "Or even stronger weaponry."
"Tell Xiaofeng to hold on a while longer. I'll dispatch our latest invention—a laser cannon unlike any other. Powered by magic crystals, we call it the Arcane Beam Cannon. It requires D-rank or higher crystals to operate; the greater the crystal's energy, the more devastating its power."
"Heh, no need to worry about crystals. The X Legion's supply has reached a staggering quantity."
"Excellent. I'll send it via Neptune Trident flyer. Tell Xiaofeng to endure for just a few more minutes."
Kerry acknowledged gravely, "Please hurry. Whether Xiaofeng can hold on that long is uncertain. A B-rank beast could easily obliterate Black Whale City."
"I understand," Hebrew said, then ended the transmission.
Rice turned excitedly to Kerry, "The Arcane Beam Cannon—is it more powerful than the laser cannon?"
"My father said so. Now we have a task."
Kerry gestured toward the mangled corpses of C-rank Black Flame Serpents scattered about. "We need the magic crystal energy to fuel the Arcane Beam Cannon. Our immediate priority is extracting those crystals."
Rice's gaze settled on the blood-soaked, heavily scarred serpent carcasses. "Understood. I'll organize a team to gather the crystals."
Kerry shook his head, "The serpent's hide isn't easily torn. The simplest way in is through their mouths. For that job, I think Dog is perfectly suited."
Rice nodded and raised his earpiece. "Dog, come here."
"On my way," came the swift reply.
In less than the time it takes to finish a cigarette, Dog arrived, his weapons nearly depleted, his appearance gaunt and disheveled.
With a grim voice, Dog asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Rice briefly outlined the situation and pointed to the C-rank Black Flame Serpent corpses. "We need those crystals. You're the only one who can breach the serpent's defenses."
Dog nodded resolutely, "Anything to help Xiaofeng. Give me a few minutes—I'll retrieve those crystals for you."