Chapter 212 The Metal Controller
The ordinary metal fusion at LV8 fused a whopping tens of thousands of tons of metal, the consumption was undoubtedly immense.
But after the fusion was successful, the Scorpion Spider Demon became fully armored; its aura turned terrifying to the extreme, with powerful vitality soaring into the sky causing the ground to crack around it, as if its power had indeed reached the level of a Third Order Superior being.
[LV8 Ordinary Metal Fusion successful, Scorpion Spider Demon's Skill Advancement: Advanced Metal Control advanced to LV1 Metal Dominator, Scorpion Spider Demon gained skill LV1 Metal Erosion]
With the significant change in skills, the range of metal control ability suddenly surged, expanding to a radius of 1 kilometer.
Distance was secondary, the core was the significant enhancement of metal control.
With just a thought, metal could change and move as if it had come to life, rapidly approaching the body of the Scorpion Spider Demon.
The changes were arbitrary, the condensation swift, as if these molten metals were its living soldiers.
If it were to control the transformation into weapons, it used to take some time, but now it was just a matter of moments.
Beyond that, the metal fused with the Scorpion Spider Demon's form as if they were one entity.
Su Han was amazed to discover that after the metamorphosis into a Metal Dominator, it seemed that even the Scorpion Spider Demon's flesh and blood body underwent a fundamental change, becoming a more powerful flesh-metal composite.
Blood, metal, and flesh merged together, transforming into a brand-new substance akin to a flesh-metal alloy.
Even more horrifying power was contained within this body, and ordinary attacks were no longer sufficient to cause significant damage.
Su Han was pleased to see such an increase in the Scorpion Spider Demon's combat capabilities; if its body was as it was now, it would probably effortlessly cut through the Snake-headed Vine Puppet.
"Good, the direction of metal fusion was indeed correct, and there's also this metal erosion."
Su Han's eyes flickered slightly, the power of the Metal Erosion skill stemmed from the Metal Dominator, eroding living beings like a bone-clinging poison, ceaselessly eroding them until they became slaves to the Scorpion Spider Demon, the Metal Dominator.
They continuously devoured metal, merging it into their own bodies, replacing their biological material, refining metal alloys, like zombie puppets, day after day, until they lost all vitality, and then in agony, brought the metals back.
They were not descendants; they were puppets of the Scorpion Spider Demon, the Metal Dominator, and even during the erosion process, they could become food for the Scorpion Spider Demon.
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Guo Wutao had spent a total of five days in the Tree Domain, and while five days was not a long time, the moment he stepped out of the tall walls and gates of the Tree Domain Camp, his emotions were incredibly complex.
It was on the third day that an icy, bloody scent suddenly erupted within the Tree Domain, a scent he could not forget.
Although the people of the Tree Domain didn't explicitly say anything, having dealt with the Scorpion Spider Demon before, he vaguely sensed that it was the aura of the Scorpion Spider Demon.
Even if it wasn't Fourth Order, was the difference really that great?
"Squad leader, don't overthink it. Delivering the medicine back is what matters most," said Cheng Zhenyong, patting Guo Wutao's shoulder and pulling him back to reality.
"What am I to overthink? Like you know what's on my mind?" Guo Wutao huffed and then said, "Hurry up, we've delayed for five days, we can't afford to delay any longer."
South City needed time. The monsters gathered inside the city were only temporarily calm, and if their strength wasn't enough, disaster was inevitable sooner or later.
The whole team hurried along, carrying the exchanged enhancer potions and injections back to the camp at high speed.
Though they had traveled the road back and forth many times, it seemed as if the monsters were endless, with stronger and more numerous beasts attacking the large convoy.
Cheng Zhenyong's two Angel Envoys both joined the cleanup, ensuring that the entire convoy maintained its speed back to the camp.
Although the journey was safe, Guo Wutao and Cheng Zhenyong couldn't be happy, because monsters of First Order Upper Grade and Second Order were becoming less rare.
As the apocalypse progressed, with the surge of Spiritual Energy, more monsters had the opportunity to mutate and grow stronger.
The two strode into the office building of the chemical plant and headed straight for the meeting room, where nearly all the upper echelons were already present.
Li Ruikang was seated at the head of the table with Yan Tiejun at his side, and there was an empty seat on the right, followed by Bai Qiuwen and Tian Jiaxuan among others.
"Mission accomplished, I've brought back the item; the source is an ancient tree from the Tree Domain, which seems to have undergone some changes, so the medicinal effects should be even better," someone reported.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
The box was placed on the table by Guo Wutao, a small leather case that looked somewhat worn, its origin unknown.
But it was this very case that drew everyone's attention, for they all knew what was inside.
"Professor Bai, do you have any suggestions?" Should we keep half for experimental purposes?"
Li Ruikang asked gravely, his gaze landing on Bai Qiuwen.
"There's no need; we can actually produce the preparation for Third Grade, but the Spiritual Energy ore used is far from comparable to that of Second Order Low Grade.
Now that we've switched to the resource from the Tree Domain, although it's the Crystal Mine Fruit, if it shares the same origin as the fortifying agents, the effect might be even better," Bai Qiuwen spoke with a heavy tone: "Our camp now needs more powerful individuals to lead."
Even he, a rear-area clerk, had heard about the difficulties at the front, where every advancement required a significant expenditure of time and energy to search for survivors, as well as an even greater effort to set up defensive works. They lacked the ability to build city walls, at least for the moment.
Therefore, it was imperative to have the sharpest blade leading the team.
"If that's the case then, prepare for the injection," ordered Li Ruikang.
"Understood."
Duan Jie and Zhao Yaqian responded and went out with Bai Qiuwen one after the other to prepare for the injection.
Only Guo Wutao and the other two men were left in the room.
The doors of the entire meeting room were tightly closed, and the three men each took a seat, drifting into a long silence.
Li Ruikang's composed voice eventually broke the silence, "Old Guo, has the change in the Tree Domain been so great that it's left you disheartened?"
What kind of person was Li Ruikang?
The top political officer of the former South City—he could not fail to see that something was amiss with Guo Wutao's mood.
"I am happy, but also worried," Guo Wutao's eyes sharpened, and he glared fiercely: "They've saved more than ten thousand people and are expanding towards the North District. If successful, the camp should eventually settle twenty to thirty thousand people, which is excellent news. But—"
His tone shifted, revealing apprehension, "He is expanding, and we are also reclaiming South City."
"You're worried about conflict?"
Yan Tiejun's eyes drooped as he sat upright, his voice hoarse.
"Yes," nodded Guo Wutao, "that's what I least want to see, after all, humanity's enemy is the monsters."
The trio fell silent once again, before Li Ruikang spoke slowly after a while, "Thinking about this issue is premature; we might not be able to do as he does."
Although a casual smile graced his face, it was merely habitual and did not reflect his true sentiments.
Those without forethought invariably face immediate worries; they were accustomed to considering the longer view in their actions.
Yan Tiejun spoke, "We indeed pale in comparison to Su Han, but the situation might be different for other cities; the major cities with heavy military might have several, and they may well be able to assist..."
He pondered and then shook his head on his own accord, "Never mind, let's take it one step at a time. Rather than worrying about this, we should focus on developing quietly. Whether it's him saving people or us doing the same, they're all people of South City. Let's first see how Duan Jie and the others fare in their awakening.
If the awakening is successful and we gain Third Order strength, then we can try to reach out. The Southwest Military Preparedness Force will definitely not fall; making contact with them would be more than ideal."