"Boom!"

The last of the Black Warriors finally depleted its energy and collapsed to the ground under the siege of a group of treasure hunters.

Of the 108 Black Warriors, one-third were destroyed by the collaborative efforts of those on the Summit Ranking list, while the rest simply ran out of energy.

"What a pity," said Belrut, poking with his stick at the Black Warrior whose chest was shattered. Embedded in its heart area was a Level Five Energy Crystal Stone, but after billions of years of consumption, this crystal had become dull and dim.

"Yes," another treasure hunter renowned on the Summit Ranking list looked at the Black Warriors with a hint of regret. "These things have formidable combat power, even a Level Six Elementary Life Form would find it troublesome to deal with them. It would be great if we could make them our own."

"I've tried," said another young man from the Mechanical Race. The advanced technology of his race had transformed him into a half-human, half-mechanical being. In battle, he was like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex and could challenge a Black Warrior solo. Besides Belrut, only he could do it.

"Is there any way? Your Mechanical Race's technology should be adept at analyzing such things."

"No," the Mechanical Race youth shook his head. "These Black Warriors are not pure machines; they are a combination of martial and technological civilizations. I couldn't find any control program on them. I suspect that, like the Zuda Fleet, they are driven by a very special controller."

"So even if we acquire them, we can't use them?"

"Yes, although it's unfortunate, that's the truth. Unless we can find the control device for these Black Warriors in the city," the Mechanical Race youth said, "However, these things have much reference value for our civilization. If we can learn their craftsmanship and mass produce them, that would be great."

"We aren't interested in research," Belrut said. "Since these Black Warriors are now dealt with, it's time for us to enter the city."

"I've done a preliminary study," the Mechanical Race youth said. "It's a relatively old defense device. It can endure an all-out attack from a Level Seven Peak Life Form. The majority of the defense devices we use now have all borrowed from its principles to some extent."

"An all-out attack from a Level Seven Life Form?" Everyone showed hopeless expressions.

They might manage to break it with quantity over the quality of a full-force strike from a Level Six Life Form, but the destructive power of a Level Seven Life Form, no matter if their numbers increased tenfold or a hundredfold, would still be far from enough.

They had exhausted all their efforts to take down these over a hundred Black Warriors, with many seriously injured or even eliminated and teleported out by the Black Warriors, finally having a chance to enter the treasure trove only to encounter such an insoluble problem.

"What a waste of time!" Belrut cursed under his breath.

"Don't be anxious, I haven't finished yet!" The genius from the Mechanical Race chuckled, "But the defense mechanism isn't without its limits. It's semi-manually charged. Now that this city has been abandoned for so long, even if it has sufficient energy internally, without maintenance, once the energy of the defense mechanism is depleted, it won't be able to activate again."

"You mean we need to attack continuously to deplete its energy?"

"That's right, that's what I mean. I estimate with our numbers, continuous attacks for three to four Cosmic Days should be enough to deplete the energy of this Protective Shield."

"That's good then!"

This time, they had brought along ample supplies. To replenish energy for sustained combat, apart from the elixirs made through Alchemy, many tech-based potions could achieve similar effects.

The production of these tech-based potions was much easier compared to the elixirs crafted by Alchemists. Of course, if these potions were overused, they might have some side effects on the body, but compared to the treasures within reach, these side effects were almost negligible.

"Did everyone hear that?" Belrut shouted. "Those who can still fight, join us in depleting the energy of this defense device."

"We'll be watching everyone. If anyone tries to slack off, don't blame us for being rude!"

The warnings from these figures on the Summit Ranking were not ignored by the other treasure hunters. They knew very well that any one of these individuals could take on hundreds, and if they really angered them, they might even get killed.

Moreover, for the treasures in these cities, paying some not-so-great price wasn't unacceptable.

"Looks like none of you have any objections," Belrut smiled contentedly. "Great, then let's split into two groups, alternating attacks, one group attacking while the other rests and refuels."

...

"MMP, so noisy, what are they doing?" In a nearby valley, Zhang Menglong was N-rewatching "It Started With A Kiss" on a tablet when suddenly continuous explosions sounded from outside.

"Dean, they've already dealt with those puppets, and now they should be attacking that city's defense device. Given their strength, I reckon they need to attack continuously for about a week," Gou Dan said. "Dean, if you're in a hurry, a full-force strike from a Level Seven Life Form could blast it open."

"No worries, I'm not in a rush," Zhang Menglong shook his head. "If someone else can handle it, why should I consume my own Cred Points? I'd be losing out, let them tire themselves out, and let me know when the energy is about exhausted!"

"You scoundrel!" Gou Dan muttered softly, though it dared not openly defy Zhang Menglong's orders.

During these days, Zhang Menglong finished "It Started With A Kiss", "Legend of Zhen Huan", "Drawing Sword", "Romance in the Rain", almost forgetting what he came for. Anyway, with plenty to eat and drink, there's no rush to show off.

...

A week swiftly passed, and the light shield surrounding the Metal City had become incredibly thin.

"Everyone, keep it up. The energy of the Protective Shield is nearly exhausted!"

"Everyone, let's concentrate our force for one final attack!"

A surge of ferocious energy emanated from Belrut, a red glow enveloping the near-Level Six Martial Dao weapon stick. The surrounding geniuses were shocked and apprehensive, believing that if this stick hit them, they'd barely survive without losing a layer of skin!

"That guy is using the opportunity to show off!" The geniuses on the Summit Ranking list knew this very well.

Once this defense mechanism was breached, even though he's insisting on "each per their ability", in this place, the strength of fists is the true logic, and whoever has more prowess can take the most treasures.

"We can't let him underestimate us!"

Others also unleashed their most potent attacks, each of their peak strikes capable of injuring a relatively weak Level Six Life Form!

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Tens of thousands of attacks all aimed at a single point, with a massive tremor and myriad cracks spreading from that focal point in all directions.

A dazzling blue light rippled outward, and the entire defense device finally went silent.

"Hahaha, it's broken!"

"The treasures are mine!"

"Damn scum! Ran faster than me!"

"Get out of the way, don't block my path!"

At that moment, everyone revealed their true nature, rushing in a mad dash toward the city now unhindered.

However, at that instant, a loud voice echoed from above them.

It was a flaming red Winged Horse formed by condensed Dou Qi, and on that fiery steed stood a youth in a white cloak. Behind the white cloak were the two characters that made countless people shiver at the mention — "Sun Slayer"!

Zhang Menglong leaned down and waved at them below, "Hello comrades, thank you for your hard work!"