Chapter 717: The Dark Sentinel 28

The weapon Lu Tong had just used, though resembling a rocket launcher, was in fact one of the empire’s latest classified developments. Only someone of his rank could access such equipment, and its destructive capability was nothing short of terrifying.

The black projectile exploded midair.

In the next instant, countless fine, icy-blue needles burst outward like a storm, spreading across a wide area. Each one carried a specialized toxin designed to penetrate mental defenses. As they rained down, they pierced through the hastily raised spiritual barriers of the enemy forces and struck both sentinels and guides alike.

The effect was immediate.

Weaker guides collapsed almost instantly, their bodies unable to withstand the combined assault on both mind and physiology. Within moments, a large portion of the enemy formation crumbled.

Those who remained standing, primarily the double S-level guides and a handful of equally powerful sentinels, were suddenly exposed, isolated targets amidst the chaos.

Lu Tong did not hesitate.

His sniper rifle fired again.

Sharp, controlled shots echoed in rapid succession, each one precise and lethal. One by one, the remaining double S-level guides dropped, their defenses unable to withstand the specialized ammunition.

With their core support destroyed, the enemy’s formation faltered.

Panic spread quickly.

“Retreat! Fall back immediately!”

If they stayed any longer, their elite forces would be completely wiped out.

On the empire’s side, the sudden turn of events left the soldiers stunned for a brief moment before realization struck.

“They’re collapsing! Push forward!”

Morale surged.

Sentinels charged ahead, seizing the opportunity, while their guides focused intensely on stabilizing their partners’ mental states, ensuring no one lost control in the heat of battle.

Meanwhile, Lu Tong’s perception continued to extend forward as he tracked the retreating enemy. His awareness stretched farther and farther, pushing toward a dangerously extreme range.

Under normal circumstances, he would have recognized the warning signs and withdrawn.

But this time, he didn’t.

His focus narrowed completely onto his targets, his consciousness chasing them relentlessly.

This was the exact condition that, in another timeline, had led to his loss of control.

As his perception extended beyond safe limits, his mental domain began to hollow out, leaving him vulnerable to instability.

Fortunately, Tang Wan was there.

Through the connection of his mental body, she sensed the abnormal shift almost immediately. A chill ran through her as she realized what was happening.

Without hesitation, she sent her spiritual thread directly into his mind.

“Tongtong… stop chasing. Come back.”

Her voice, carried through their shared mental space, reached him instantly.

Lu Tong’s body stiffened.

In the next moment, his perception snapped back, retracting rapidly from its dangerous extension. His mental body stabilized, and the hollow sensation receded.

A few seconds later, clarity returned to his eyes.

He looked at Tang Wan, who stood before him with clear worry written across her face.

“I’m fine,” he said quietly.

But the lingering tension in his expression betrayed how close he had been to losing control.

For the first time, a trace of unease surfaced in his thoughts.

He had always believed that as a dark sentinel, he was immune to such instability.

So why had it happened now?

Was it because he had a guide?

No.

Even with a guide, he should still retain absolute control.

After a brief moment of thought, he attributed it to his own state.

He had been too focused, too deeply immersed in the hunt.

Tang Wan, however, wasn’t as easily reassured.

Stepping closer, her voice softened, but her concern remained evident. “It’s good that you’re okay… but what happened just now? Aren’t dark sentinels supposed to be stable? Why did you suddenly lose control?”

She knew very well that this was not a coincidence.

In the original course of events, Lu Tong’s instability had also been tied to the extreme extension of his perception.

And now, it was happening again.