Virtual Reality Cultivator-Chapter 50: The Labyrinth of Truth

Ethan and his team's stealth ship sailed slowly through the thick fog, approaching Zenith's floating fortress, which had just emerged from its camouflage system.

Up close, it looked like a massive military city floating on the ocean, with defense towers, guardian drones, and patrol ships passing by its perimeter.

Claire stared at the tablet in her hand. "This is going to be much harder than the underground city. They've already prepared this place for an assault."

Adrian crossed his arms. "So, do we sneak in, or do we fight to the end?"

Ethan clenched his fists, his eyes locked on the main building at the center of the fortress—the central data facility, where the secrets about him might be hidden.

"We'll sneak in first," he said firmly. "But if they find us... we'll fight."

Lazarus looked at Ethan with a serious expression. "Don't forget, this place might hold the answers about who you are. But Zenith is no ordinary organization. They won't let you leave once you uncover the truth."

Ethan nodded. "I know. But I've come too far to back down now."

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Claire quickly typed on her system. "Alright. I'll disable some of the security sensors on the east port. That will give us a small window to get in before they notice."

Vincent spoke over the comms. "But remember, once we're inside, I can't guarantee we'll be able to get out easily."

Adrian smirked. "When has our life ever been easy?"

Ethan took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's get started."

Infiltrating Zenith's Fortress

In the darkness of the night, they swam toward a hidden dock on the east side of the fortress, avoiding guardian drones and surveillance cameras that were still active.

Claire tapped on her small tablet. "I've temporarily disabled the security system in this area. We have five minutes before they realize we're here."

Ethan and the others moved swiftly and silently, navigating through the steel corridors that led them deeper into the fortress.

Inside, the place looked more like a futuristic laboratory than a military base. The rooms were filled with transparent tubes containing unconscious human bodies, each connected to cables and mysterious fluids.

Adrian whispered. "What is this... their new experiment?"

Claire scanned one of the tubes with her device. "This is worse than we thought... These are humans modified with artificial Qi, just like Titan."

Lazarus observed the bodies with a grim expression. "Zenith is creating the perfect soldiers... without the limitations of ordinary humans."

Ethan clenched his fists. "They want to turn humans into weapons."

Claire quickly typed on her device. "I've located their main server. If we can reach it, we can access all their data and destroy the system from within."

Ethan nodded. "Alright. Let's move."

But before they could go any further—

BZZT!

The alarm suddenly went off.

Vincent shouted through the radio. "They know you're there! The security forces are moving toward you!"

Adrian raised his weapon. "Well, looks like we'll have to fight after all."

Lazarus prepared his Qi. "Get ready. This won't be easy."

Ethan stared ahead, his eyes filled with determination.

"Then let's make them regret chasing us."

The Battle in the Steel Corridor

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The sound of gunfire and explosions filled the narrow corridor as Ethan and his team fought against Zenith's elite forces.

Adrian and Claire used precise shots to take down enemies from a distance, while Lazarus and Ethan fought close-range against the stronger artificial Qi soldiers.

"Qi Release: Dragon Shot!"

Ethan fired a golden Qi projectile at a group of enemies, blowing them apart before they could counterattack.

Lazarus struck one of the soldiers with Qi Pressure, smashing the wall behind them.

However, the more they fought, the more enemies kept coming.

Claire shouted. "They're calling reinforcements! We need to reach the server room before we're surrounded!"

Ethan glanced ahead. "Alright! Let's move!"

The Server Room and the Hidden Truth

They finally reached the main server room, a large chamber with holographic screens and hundreds of cables glowing with blue data.

Claire immediately began working, connecting her hacking device to the central system.

"I'll need some time to access their data. Protect me!"

Ethan and the others formed a defensive formation around Claire, ready to face any enemies that might come.

But as the data began to appear on the screen, Claire's expression changed drastically.

Her eyes widened, her hands shaking slightly.

Ethan looked at her and asked, "What did you find?"

Claire stared at him with an expression of disbelief. "Ethan... I don't know how to say this, but... Zenith didn't just create Titan..."

She took a deep breath before finally saying it.

"They created you too."

Ethan froze.

"What...?"

Claire pointed to the screen, where a file labeled "Pioneer-01" appeared.

Inside it was genetic data that matched Ethan's.

"You... are not an ordinary person, Ethan. Zenith created you as part of their experiment... the first successful experiment."

Ethan felt his breath catch in his throat.

"No... That's impossible..."

But before they could process the information any further—

BOOOM!

The door to the room exploded open, and a man in black armor walked in.

His eyes glowed purple, and his body emitted artificial Qi that was stronger than Titan or Reven.

He looked at Ethan with a cold smile.

"Finally, you've discovered the truth, Pioneer-01."

Ethan tensed. "Who are you?"

The man grinned. "My name is Alastor. I am Zenith's highest executor... and I've come to take you back."

Ethan clenched his fists. "I'm not Zenith's property. I will destroy you all!"

Alastor chuckled softly. "Then let's see if you can fight against your own creator."

And with that—

The most decisive battle of Ethan's life began.