The troops continued advancing.

The dark and deep tunnels endlessly extended downward, winding and twisting. The surrounding pathways were exceedingly wide, with the ground paved with top-quality black stone.

Above their heads.

One fluorescent fruit after another adorned the walls, emitting light that illuminated the dark cave.

Everyone along the way was extremely cautious, observing the surrounding situation, fearing that two Shell People might suddenly leap out and launch an attack on the entire unit.

Following that earth-shattering attack before.

The entire unit's trust in Baiyu had reached its peak; no one doubted Baiyu's strength anymore.

Nor did anyone question Baiyu's decisions.

Many in the team were visiting an alien nest for the first time, and after overcoming their initial fear and panic, they gradually adapted to the atmosphere here.

Simply put.

This was an alien military base.

Numerous war machines constructed with rune technology surrounded them, although all were buried in the soil, looking as if they hadn't been used in many years.

With several Shell People squads having been defeated.

Baiyu advanced unobstructed, recording and observing the surroundings as he proceeded deeper into the cave.

In the process, he was constantly familiarizing himself with the operation of the Eye of the Black Moon.

It seemed that through repeated use of the Eye of the Black Moon, he began to understand this item from the Divine Spirit better.

It was also possible that the deepening power of the Black Moon within him contributed to this understanding.

After all, a single use of the Black Moon Death Struggle had a significant impact on the power of the Black Moon in his body; the Eye of the Black Moon required Black Moon Power to be operated, and as Baiyu's Black Moon Power strengthened, he naturally became more proficient in using the Eye of the Black Moon.

He estimated.

The remaining two uses would be enough to destroy the mountain and everything beneath it belonging to the aliens.

After all, that previous strike alone.

Had already disrupted all the spirit arrays here, rendering any protective measures completely ineffective.

Baiyu estimated that he had reached the interior of the mountain now.

But he still hadn't found the alien stronghold, nor any trace of the "Flesh and Blood Altar" mentioned by the old Shell man.

He couldn't utilize the Eye of the Black Moon under these conditions either.

However.

As the troops advanced, a majestic city gate appeared in front of them.

This city gate was entirely made of black stone, with each block at least five meters long, stacked together. The entire city wall was as tall as ten meters, sprawling in front of the cave, completely blocking the path to the depths.

To enter deeper areas.

They had to pass through this gate; it was impossible to go over it otherwise.

On top of the city walls, squad after squad of Shell People soldiers stood behind cover, fully armed, with weapons and armor all complete, including some black technology he had never seen before.

Every Shell Person kept their eyes locked on the troops that had reached the foot of the city.

From their eyes.

Baiyu saw hatred, slaughter, and bloodthirsty emotions.

The animosity between the aliens and the Human Race had lasted for ages, both sides irreconcilable, each longing for the other's demise.

However.

Humans were not as cruel as aliens, consuming enemy bodies raw and carrying out various brutal live sacrifices.

Of course.

Before a racial war, no one was right or wrong, nor was anyone cruel or merciful.

In fact, in many cases.

Cruelty was often far more useful than mercy.

Anyway, everyone's ultimate goal was to kill the other; humanity had never been a peace-loving race.

And when another race was invading, they would explode with unprecedented unity and enthusiasm for war.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

Seeing the Shell People on the lofty walls, Baiyu stopped pondering and instead called for the unit to prepare for a hard fight.

In fact.

He was ready to use the power of the Eye of the Black Moon to completely demolish this place.

By the look of it.

This should be a major city of the Shell People; such a city was unlikely to be plentiful inside this mountain.

It wasn't even impossible that this might be the only one.

There was a high probability that the Flesh and Blood Altar was hidden within.

However.

Just as Baiyu began to issue orders, a Shell person, dressed distinctively differently from the others, stood on the city wall.

He examined the ground below and then fixed his gaze on Baiyu.

"Are you the leader of this human army?"

A moment later.

He spoke the human common language fluently, each pronunciation incredibly precise.

Baiyu had learned this language in school, so communicating posed no problem for him; in fact, many people understood the common language; after all, it was widely used.

"I am. Do you have any business?"

Baiyu did not immediately strike.

The rare appearance of a Shell person willing to negotiate was worth listening to to see what he wished to say, while also enhancing his understanding of the aliens.

Recently.

He increasingly felt that the aliens were not unified, and the relationship between Demons and aliens was somewhat ambiguous.

When Exotic Beasts were involved, it became even more complicated.

Learning more was never a bad thing; understanding oneself and one's adversary ensured victory in every battle. At the moment, stalling for time for reinforcements to arrive was the goal; if the opponent was willing to negotiate, Baiyu naturally welcomed it.

After Baiyu spoke.

The Shell People leader loudly said, "I mean no harm, human leader. We can sit down and talk properly!

This unit of ours split from the Shell People tribe.

Unlike those Shell People who love to wage war, we have absolutely no intention of fighting.

We love peace and only wish for a place where we can live freely!"

The leader spoke loudly.

Of course, hearing this rhetoric, Baiyu could hardly suppress a laugh.

Outside, those Shell People not only killed most of his subordinates but constructed an altar in the air in front of the cave, performing live sacrifices with captives, an act of extreme bloodshed and cruelty that made one wish to eradicate these creatures from the world.

Yet they claimed to love peace and abhor war?

"Really? Shell person leader, you should show your sincerity. My side isn't unwilling to talk to you either."

Although Baiyu sneered in his heart, he didn't reveal it outwardly.

Instead, he answered the other formally using the common language, intending to navigate and see what tricks they were planning.

But just as he finished speaking.

Clank…

The large city gate built of black stone swung open; Baiyu knew that with just the men he had, there was no way they could breach this city.

Moreover, they didn't know how many Shell People warriors were inside and couldn't risk a rash attack.

But now.

The opponent had voluntarily opened the city gates, which carried a certain profound meaning.

All at once.

Those following Baiyu began to discuss quietly, eyes full of caution.