The whole nation: You're put to survive on a desolate planet, you'll be running an alien b

"...Attention, all units."

The "gatekeeper's" cold voice echoed through the control room via communicator, like an invisible curse that instantly enveloped the entire battlefield below. His gaze was fixed on the small yet stubborn figure on the main screen, as if trying to see right through him.

"Activate the 'Scavenger' protocol. Targets: Li Haotian, Liu Hu, Su Wan. Eliminate all obstacles."

The moment the order was given, the ground beneath Li Haotian and the others emitted a sickening metallic creaking sound.

"That's right, but can you even get there?" The "gatekeeper's" cold laughter came through the loudspeakers that filled the space, carrying a condescending mockery and cruelty, as if he were watching a drama whose ending was already predetermined.

Before the words were even finished, the alloy ground within a hundred-meter radius of the inverted pyramid suddenly bulged up. Countless tentacles, gleaming with a dark metallic luster, burst forth from the earth like giant pythons emerging from the depths of hell! Their surfaces were covered with intricate mechanical patterns, and their tips were sharp, spear-like spikes. They wriggled and hissed, instantly weaving into an impenetrable metal jungle, completely sealing off all passages to the lower core area.

A strong, pungent smell of engine oil mixed with ozone filled the air, and the screeching sound of metal rubbing against metal was incessant, making one's scalp tingle.

Liu Hu and Su Wan's expressions changed drastically. They were instantly forced back, back to back, warily watching the ever-approaching jungle of tentacles. These tentacles were too numerous, too fast, and tireless, seemingly endless.

"Damn it, this thing is like a centipede demon, I can't cut it all down!" Liu Hu roared, his high-frequency battle axe fully charged and emitting a buzzing sound.

Li Haotian's gaze sharpened instantly, locking onto the source of the chaos like a hawk's—the base of the inverted pyramid. There, the "Gatekeeper's" power was projected, and Lin Mo's only chance.

Without the slightest hesitation, the plan instantly took shape in my mind.

"Liu Hu! Su Wan!" His voice boomed, clearly reaching their ears amidst the noise, "Create chaos, draw their attention! Buy me thirty seconds!"

"Leave it to us!" Liu Hu roared, abandoning his defense and instead charging headlong into the densest swarm of tentacles. His massive body moved like a cannonball, his high-frequency battle axe slicing through the air with dazzling blue arcs, each swing sending up a shower of metal shards and a piercing cutting sound. One metal tentacle after another was severed, sparks flying from the cuts, but more tentacles immediately surged from behind, surrounding him layer upon layer.

Su Wan reacted just as swiftly. Instead of engaging in a direct confrontation, she quickly activated her tactical arm armor. "Liu Hu, retreat to my three o'clock position, I'll clear a path for you!" she shouted, as a high-frequency electromagnetic pulse shot from the device at the front of the arm armor. Where the pulse passed, the movements of the metal tentacles clearly froze and became disordered for a moment, like a machine with a faulty signal. This tiny opening was magnified infinitely under Liu Hu's relentless attack.

The two, one attacking and the other supporting, worked together seamlessly, tearing a small, chaotic area through the metal jungle and drawing the attention of most of the tentacles.

At the very moment they acted, Li Haotian made his move.

Ignoring the grotesque tentacles, he turned and rushed to Lin Mo's side. Lin Mo's face was ashen, his body trembling slightly, his lips bloodless, and his once clear and bright eyes were now unfocused, as if his soul might dissipate at any moment.

"Hang in there." Li Haotian's deep voice rang in her ear, carrying an undeniable strength. He bent down and carefully lifted Lin Mo into his arms. Her body was very light, as light as a feather, yet it carried a feeling of exhaustion that made his heart sink.

Holding Lin Mo in his arms, Li Haotian no longer had any scruples. The energy within his body surged wildly like never before, his muscles bulged instantly, and he transformed into an arrow released from a bow, rushing headlong towards the base of the inverted pyramid!

"You can't go there!" In the control room, the "gatekeeper's" pupils suddenly contracted. He instantly saw through Li Haotian's intention. It wasn't an escape, it was a charge! A frenzied charge that used himself as the bullseye, drawing all firepower!

"Stop him! All tentacles, entangle him!" The "gatekeeper's" voice carried a hint of impatience for the first time.

Upon receiving the order, nearly half of the metal tentacles that had been surrounding Liu Hu and Su Wan immediately split off, turning like a tide and surging overwhelmingly towards Li Haotian.

In an instant, the shadow of death enveloped Li Haotian. Dozens of sharp metal tentacles pierced from all directions, blocking all his paths of advance, their sharp shrieks tearing through the air, determined to riddle him and Lin Mo in his arms with holes.

Li Haotian neither dodged nor avoided; his eyes were only on the target that was getting closer and closer.

He knew that Su Wan needed time to analyze the control source and energy frequency of these tentacles. The best way to analyze them was to have these tentacles attack the same target in the most concentrated way—a "living beacon" that could withstand the attack and transmit data.

He is that beacon.

He wanted to use himself as the core, his body to withstand the attack, and his bio-energy field as a medium to fully "feed" Su Wan the most authentic data of the "gatekeeper's" power. At the same time, his act of carrying Lin Mo towards the base was also creating the most direct physical pathway for guiding the energy of the "singularity".

Use yourself as bait, use yourself as a bridge!

"Buzz—!"

A faint glow emanated from Li Haotian's body, a sign that he had concentrated his energy to its limit. Instead of blocking, he used his hardest shoulder to slam into the foremost tentacle!

With a deafening clang, like a hammer striking a steel plate, sparks flew. The tentacle bent slightly from the impact, yet it still stubbornly aimed for his vitals. Using the recoil, Li Haotian increased his speed even further. More tentacles coiled around him, their sharp spikes tearing deep, bone-revealing wounds into his arms and back, instantly staining his clothes crimson with blood.

A sharp pain shot through him, but Li Haotian didn't even flinch. Lin Mo, nestled in his arms, seemed to sense his unwavering will, trembled slightly, and unconsciously snuggled closer to him.

This subtle movement, like a warm current, flowed into Li Haotian's almost burning consciousness.

His steps became more steady, and his eyes more resolute.

Metal tentacles followed him relentlessly, leaving numerous scars on his body, but he was like a warship heading towards the eye of a storm, undeterred by the raging waves.

The base of the inverted pyramid, its core radiating eerie energy, was now almost within reach. Countless ancient runes on the base's surface began to slowly light up as he approached, as if welcoming him, yet also issuing a warning.