Luo Lin lifted her head, gazing in the direction of the "camera" capturing the scene. However, apart from the chaotic blue quantum lightning slashing across the sea, there was nothing else visible.
"Boom!"
The once tranquil sea suddenly churned with terrifying waves, causing the Icarus to rock violently as if it were a mere toy boat dropped into a waterfall.
Fortunately, most of the personnel on the research ship were Valkyries of rank B and C, predominantly from the Schicksal Outfits. L
Though the C-rank Valkyries couldn't continue their actions, their rigorous training ensured their safety. As for the B-class Valkyries, they still had some strength left and quickly protected the non-Valkyrie civilians on board.
Captain Whitley had intended to protect the Icarus's captain and take over the helm. However, the middle-aged captain from Shenzhou stood firmly rooted to the spot as if his feet were glued there.
The middle-aged captain spoke solemnly, "With waves like these, let me steer!"
Whitley nodded, lending her support.
"We need to find a way to get out of this area. We can't linger in this environment!"
Luo Lin had already retreated into the interior of the research vessel. Although she had the strength to stand on the deck full of waves and show off, such behavior would be unproductive, and she needed to conserve her energy for the upcoming battle.
The black-haired Valkyrie quickly made her way to the bridge of the research vessel. She watched as Captain Whitley and the captain steered the Icarus together, struggling to maintain the ship's stability amidst the raging storm and giant waves.
The captain's voice trembled as he shouted, "The storm and lightning are too intense; I'm about to lose sight!"
Whitley gritted her teeth and made a decision, "Alvitr, activate the shield installed on the Icarus! If we don't do it now, we may not have another chance!"
"Yes!"
Alvitr hurriedly made her way to the other side of the bridge and pulled down the switch forcefully.
The next moment, a faint blue light spread out from the center of the research vessel, unfolding like an umbrella to form a semi-spherical protective shield. The energy pipelines installed on the Icarus began to operate at overload, emitting ominous sounds throughout the entire hull.
The shield installed on the research vessel by the equipment department was not very powerful. Its main purpose was to intercept long-range attacks from Honkai Beasts and Death Soldiers, buying time until rescue teams arrived.
Unfortunately, the current extreme environment was too extreme, causing wave after wave to crash directly onto the shield. The additional energy pipelines installed later vibrated and flickered violently, causing anxiety among the crew.
Fortunately, with this shield in place, Whitley and the captain could now see the way ahead.
"How long can it last!?"
"I don't know. The shield is already operating at overload!"
Whitley clicked her tongue irritably, "We'll have to rely on the redundant measures from the equipment department now!"
The Valkyries on the bridge exchanged anxious glances, their heartbeats accelerating once again.
As if the scene wasn't thrilling enough, Alvitr exclaimed, "Captain! Something is rising from the seabed!"
A huge black shadow broke through the sea surface, resembling a massive volcano, with bright yellow lava flowing down its sides.
These golden streams clashed with the seawater, creating exaggerated water mist that mixed with the thick smoke emanating from the volcano itself, forming a towering pillar of smoke that lingered in the air for a long time.
Even more terrifying was that the volcano was still rising, as if there was something supporting it from below.
A massive wall covered in unique purple patterns of Honkai energy gradually rose up from the sea, cracking open amidst the pounding waves. The crimson light emitting from the crack pierced through the rain and fog, reflecting in everyone's pupils.
It took Luo Lin a few seconds to realize that this thing was actually an eye!
The next moment, an even larger body emerged from the sea, lifting its head. It was the sealed Judgement-Class Honkai Beast, Chiyou!
"Hoo!!"
Whitley's expression turned solemn, "That's... Chiyou!"
Chiyou only exposed its back, carrying the volcano on its back, and its head poking out of the sea surface. Even so, the part it exposed looked extremely exaggerated.
"Large-scale Honkai event detected! Large-scale Honkai event detected!"
The Honkai energy radar installed on the Icarus began to wail, repeating the warning mixed with electronic noise.
Whitley shouted loudly, "I see it! Alvitr, turn off the alarm!"
The previously turbulent sea surface inexplicably calmed down, with the rocking of the research vessel returning to a level that even normal people could easily accept.
Luo Lin watched Chiyou, whose back was generating the pillar of smoke, gradually tilting, causing a V-shaped wave to push up on the sea surface.
She immediately said, "It's starting to move! Can you confirm the direction?"
"It's towards the Shenzhou mainland!"
The captain squinted his eyes and glanced at the radar beside him, "Its speed doesn't seem to be very fast. We should be able to surpass it, but..."
Luo Lin tilted her head and glanced at the patterns on the radar. The dense Honkai energy responses appeared on the screen, surrounding Chiyou, and it looked dizzying.
These should be Honkai beasts generated after Chiyou caused the Honkai eruption, with various types and an astonishing number!
Luo Lin even saw from a distance that many Honkai beasts had climbed onto the volcano Chiyou was carrying, and many Seraph-Class Honkai beasts were flying around the volcano's pillar of smoke. Occasionally, a few of them were struck by the blue lightning and disappeared.
The Icarus, not far from Chiyou, soon attracted the attention of these accompanying Honkai beasts, and dozens of Chariot-class Honkai beasts flew towards the research vessel.
Whitley grabbed the microphone next to her and began broadcasting, "All personnel, prepare for level one combat readiness! Repeat, all personnel, prepare for level one combat readiness! Get ready to face the imminent Honkai beast attack!"
Alvitr's voice trembled as she asked, "What do we do next?"
Whitley sighed heavily, "This is just a research vessel with not many weapon configurations. Our long-range Valkyries should prepare and go all out on the deck!"
"Don't worry, Whitley, I'm here."
A hand rested on her shoulder, and Whitley turned her head to find Luo Lin pulling out a golden-glowing assault rifle from who knows where, her expression still relaxed.
The black-haired Valkyrie smiled, "These Chariot-class Honkai beasts are nothing to me!"
Compared to the scene of Luo Lin leading the Valkyrie squad to defend the Babylon Laboratory in the system's [Second Eruption], these dozens of Chariot-class Honkai beasts were just a drop in the bucket.
"...Alright, let's go!"
Whitley and Luo Lin opened the hatch together, and the still strong sea breeze mixed with the scent of salt hit their faces. L
The Valkyries held their weapons and followed the two, determinedly making their way to the deck.
The Chariot-class Honkai beasts flapped their wings and swooped down towards the Icarus!
Luo Lin pulled the trigger, and the gunfire from her assault rifle cut through the Chariot-class Honkai beast group like a hot knife through butter. Other long-range Valkyries also joined in, coordinating with the still operational shield on the Icarus, quickly eliminating the attacking Honkai beasts.
The Honkai beasts near Chiyou became restless again, splitting up and sending another batch towards the research vessel.
Whitley frowned and muttered, "It's strange. Why aren't these Honkai beasts all coming over together?"
Alvitr scratched her head, "Could it be that Chiyou still needs the help of these Honkai beasts?"
Indeed.
This matter was is also unexpected by Helix and Senti on Chiyou.
The two of them were currently hiding behind a corner in a cave, peeking out.
Spiral widened her eyes, "Wow, where did all these Quantum Shadows come from on this road? And they're fighting the Honkai beasts!"