From the recent assault launched by the slime molds, it's clear that entities like the slime molds broodmother and broodmother counterpart are all highly intelligent beings.
Perhaps the broodmother counterpart's words just now were meant to undermine Orion's confidence.
In this mysterious domain, they are employing hypnosis and various forms of manipulation to target Orion's subconscious desire for victory and self-assurance.
Because at this moment, Orion's power is locked in a grueling contest with the giant-horned whale's devouring force.
In a time like this, any wavering can lead to defeat.
…
Soraya City remains under ongoing invasion by the fungal creatures.
Guarded by undead, small scorpions, and cannon fodder troops, Soraya City repelling wave after wave of slime molds mutants.
With the aid of arrow towers and low-level magic towers, those slime molds monsters are dealt heavy blows.
However, powered by the slime molds layer as their supply source, the mutants do not relent; instead, their assault grows even fiercer and more frenzied.
Soraya and Vexis are witnessing all of this.
They now stand atop the city walls, gazing into the distance.
They're well aware that the source of the battle's tremors is precisely the direction where Orion vanished.
"There's no mistaking it—it's an Arch Lord's aura!"
"This kind of aftermath could only be unleashed by an Arch Lord."
"Could it be that Orion joined up with my master, and they were ambushed?"
Vexis's speculation finds no validation, as she can no longer reach Arthas.
That, in turn, also means Orion and Arthas are both in hot water.
The good news is that Vexis has a contract with Arthas and can sense that he's still alive.
"Can you sense Orion's condition at all?"
Vexis turns to Soraya, who is dressed in vivid red, her arms and legs exposed to the air. She looks all the more graceful.
Especially in that setting—sandstorms swirling around them, the grand city walls beneath—Soraya possesses a certain carefree poise, a vision of striking beauty at first glance.
"I can't sense him!"
Soraya shakes her head, her tone laden with worry.
"But I know Orion is still alive!"
Like Vexis, Soraya also shares a contract with Orion.
He left suddenly, stayed gone for a long time, and then this conflict among Arch Lord-level beings erupted right outside Soraya City.
Leaving only Vexis and Soraya to defend the city doesn't exactly bode well for the situation.
"Let's go back!"
"Soraya City's survival in the midst of this slime molds tide depends on you continuously hatching small scorpions."
Vexis offers Soraya some advice, speaking from an overarching strategic perspective.
For Soraya City to hold out against this next wave, Soraya herself is absolutely essential.
"It won't be delayed. The hatching process is already ongoing!"
Without another word to Vexis, Soraya casts one last look at where Orion disappeared, then turns and heads back toward her Nest.
"I will protect Soraya City!"
"I'll be here waiting for you. You must come back!"
Deep inside, Soraya quietly prays for Orion's safety; she has already fallen deeply in love with that giant.
…
Survivor's Platform, Champions Alliance public channel.
Leonidas: "Damn it, I still can't reach Arthas or Hulk. What on earth should we do now?"
Leonidas: "Alexander, Edward, say something!"
Leonidas is anxious, extremely worried about Arthas and Hulk's predicament.
But the public channel is silent; nobody speaks, not even Kraken.
In truth, with so many fungal creatures from the sea shifting to the mainland, Kraken is hardly idle.
At this moment, Kraken is on a rampage, hunting Legendary-level slime molds parasitic creatures beneath his rank.
Kraken is painfully aware that right now, he's the weakest in the Champions Alliance.
He's also vying with Orion to see who can become an Arch Lord first and earn Deputy Commander Edward's reward.
"I hope Arthas and Hulk both come out of this unscathed!"
As he hunts, Kraken can only pray in silence for these two allies.
Alexander: "Come on, can you shut up for a moment? You're driving me fucking insane!"
Alexander: "I've already sent reliable subordinates through the teleportation arrays to Bone City and Soraya City."
Alexander: "We'll get an update on the situation soon enough."
Alexander's words carry a hint of emotion.
For Alexander, this is rare.
As an assassin, he's supposed to discard any unnecessary emotions, since they slow the speed of drawing a blade and weaken resolve.
Yet any sentient being can't possibly cast aside all emotions.
And Alexander invests what little he has in the Champions Alliance, in these comrades.
After all, they, like him, come from Earth.
In a sense, they know and understand each other—and treasure one another all the more for it.
Leonidas: "Right, Arthas and Hulk both built cities with teleportation arrays. I can't believe I forgot something so crucial!"
He stops speaking, presumably rushing to order his subordinates to gather news.
In the western, southern, and eastern regions, there's only one slime molds broodmother apiece, so Leonidas, Alexander, and Edward's storm avatar can handle them with relative ease.
But since both sides are currently pinning each other down, no one can break away to help.
Alexander: "Bone City is completely safe, all is well."
Alexander: "Arthas has pulled all the enemies into his death domain. We don't know the details yet, so we'll have to wait and see."
A moment later, Alexander speaks again, his tone now cool and emotionless.
This calm, collected demeanor is the Alexander everyone usually knows.
Leonidas: "And what about Hulk?"
Alexander bringing no mention of Arthas being killed is already good news to Leonidas.
For powerhouses at Leonidas's level, as long as they aren't taken out in an instant, they can reveal their trump cards and stall the enemy.
With no news about Orion, though, Leonidas can't help worrying.
Alexander: "Hulk isn't with Arthas, and he's not in his Soraya City, either."
Alexander: "Based on reports from the lich stationed in Soraya City, I deduce that Hulk was ambushed by a broodmother counterpart while out hunting fungal creatures."
Alexander: "That's the situation, and we'll have to wait for further information to confirm the details."
Leonidas falls silent, as though waiting—and also preoccupied with battling a slime molds broodmother.
Deputy Commander Edward remains quiet too; his true form is busy tying down a demigod, while his avatar engages a slime molds broodmother. It's no small burden on him.