The Operation Begins

Honestly, Li Zhengzai was not a good teacher.

But he did have the bare minimum of a gambler's integrity—he could accept a loss.

He taught conscientiously, and Xia Lin studied just as diligently. But unlike North Wind Heavy Punch, Gale Blade Leg was clearly far more profound.

Xia Lin was slow to learn it.

Only after three hours did Xia Lin finally grasp the essentials of Gale Blade Leg and how to generate force with it, but he was clearly still a long way from forming the skill.

Li Zhengzai was growing anxious too, grumbling to himself that the kid was a little slow. Fortunately, Xia Lin spoke up and freed him.

"I understand the basics. All that's left is constant practice."

"Anyway, that settles the bet. Thanks, man."

After Xia Lin said that, Li Zhengzai exchanged a few pleasantries and hurried away. He returned to his post in front of the television and started a new bet with Casimo.

Xia Lin, however, paid no more attention to the Savage Martial Arena.

Even though Bai Guang was about to take the stage, he did not go watch.

He simply immersed himself in learning and training, unable to pull himself away as he gradually elevated the technique of Gale Blade Leg into a skill.

On the first day, Gale Blade Leg did not turn into a skill.

But Xia Lin had begun to get a feel for it.

On the second day, he still could not do it.

But Xia Lin's swinging kicks already had a cutting edge to them.

This was not just because Xia Lin was a quick learner, but also because his current attributes were so high.

With base attributes of over a hundred points, Xia Lin could easily whip up a gust with a kick, even without using any technique.

On the third day, he gained a slight foothold.

On the fourth day, inspiration struck.

On the fifth day, in the afternoon.

The skill finally took shape!

He opened his attribute panel and looked at his third skill slot.

A satisfied smile appeared on Xia Lin's face.

[Gale Blade Leg (Grade D) (Growth-capable): Consumes one point of spirit, with no cooldown. Mimic a blade with your leg and unleash sharp gusts to injure enemies!]

The skill description rapidly distorted as Unstable Mutation took effect.

But Xia Lin's mouth twitched, his smile quickly vanished, and he was left speechless.

[Mimicry Blade Leg (Mutation): Passive skill. Your legs mutate into two melee weapons: a saber and a sword. Their sharpness depends on your physical attributes.]

[Note: Physical mutations may affect your body shape and mobility. Please consider carefully.]

"Ah..."

Xia Lin sighed softly. He felt helpless, but there was nothing he could do.

After all, his talent was called Unstable Mutation. Besides mutation, there was also the word unstable...

Looking back, Xia Lin had actually been very lucky.

His skills had mutated several times, and each mutation had been just right, perfect down to the finest detail.

Unfortunately, luck was not on Xia Lin's side this time.

This was a useless mutation... Xia Lin could not possibly turn his legs into a saber and a sword. How would he walk?

"Don't mutate."

Xia Lin chose not to mutate it, and so the unremarkable skill Gale Blade Leg remained in his third skill slot.

"It'll have to do for now."

Xia Lin thought of the Forgetting Potion sold in the Ash Zone Shop.

Forgetting Potion (Grade B item): Removes one skill of your choice.

Price: 500 Ash Zone Points.

It was inexpensive, equivalent to one attribute point.

This also showed that the Ash Zone encouraged Walkers to try different skill combinations.

The Ash Zone Shop even sold Class Forgetting Scrolls (Grade A), and they were not expensive either, costing only 1,000 Ash Zone Points.

For an Ash Zone Walker, neither resetting skills nor changing classes was particularly difficult.

Two days later, in the morning.

In the public training ground.

The Fierce Martial Kings and top Fierce Martial Arts practitioners affiliated with Aoluosi Pharmaceuticals had gathered.

Today was the day the operation began.

There were 24 people in total... that was the number on Aoluosi Pharmaceuticals' side.

Huaxin Technology could field slightly more experts than that.

In the center of the grounds, Luo Qi, the fourth-generation Fierce Martial King, stood shoulder to shoulder with Augustine, the fifth-generation Fierce Martial King.

Iron Dragon Augustine stood two and a half meters tall and was even more powerfully built than Casimo. He was said to be a natural genetic mutant.

His features were fierce and menacing, and his body was covered with a thin layer of metal plates. It was unclear whether they had grown naturally or been added through modification.

His mouth was sewn shut... Rumor had it that Augustine had sewn it shut himself. He could not speak.

Thus, Luo Qi had to step forward and take charge.

Luo Qi spoke, his voice as deep as ever.

"Everything is ready. In a little while, we'll board a transport vehicle from the Suzuki First Mechanical Research Institute and use the supply truck to get deep inside."

"Don't worry about the checkpoints along the way. They've all been dealt with. In just one hour, we'll be able to appear right in the core area of the Suzuki First Research Institute."

The Suzuki First Research Institute's main research project was the Firmament System.

The place was heavily guarded, even more so than the Suzuki Consortium's headquarters.

And the current head of the Suzuki Consortium, Suzuki Shinto, had been residing there for some time.

The Firmament System was far too important, the Suzuki Consortium's biggest and most secret project. It was only natural for Suzuki Shinto to oversee it personally.

Of course, besides Suzuki Shinto, the third-generation Fierce Martial King, the Mechanical Martial Arts practitioner Divine Machine, Watanabe Munen, was also at the First Research Institute.

"Everyone, split into three groups."

"Group one's task..."

"Group two's task..."

"Group three's task..."

Luo Qi explained the assignments, dividing twenty-one people into three special operations teams of seven.

But Xia Lin, Luo Qi, and Augustine were not in any of the groups.

Xia Lin understood...

He had a special assignment.

And that special assignment was revealed after they boarded the vehicle.

"I need you to hold off Watanabe Munen for at least ten minutes."

Xia Lin rolled his eyes.

Aoluosi had once said that with Martial Artists Do Not Die from Gunfire, Xia Lin's combat power could be considered equivalent to a Fierce Martial King's when facing a Mechanical Martial Arts practitioner.

And now he really was using Xia Lin as a Fierce Martial King...

Aoluosi: What else?

There was not really much to discuss about it, nor was it a question of anyone taking advantage of anyone else.

From the moment Aoluosi proposed their cooperation, Xia Lin had known he would be used as a blade.

If an outsider like you didn't go to the most dangerous place and carry out the most dangerous task, was I supposed to send my trusted aides instead?

From the moment Aoluosi said, "You can rival a Fierce Martial King," Xia Lin had also known who his opponent would be this time.

It could only be the third-generation Fierce Martial King, Watanabe Munen!

Xia Lin touched the pouch of potions hanging at the small of his back and spoke slowly.

"If I can hold Watanabe Munen off for ten minutes, can you guarantee the destruction of the Suzuki Consortium?"

Augustine gave a cold, wordless chuckle. Luo Qi's expression did not change as he simply said, "We absolutely can."

"Believe me, we want to sweep the Suzuki Consortium into the dustbin of history even more than you do!"

Xia Lin fell silent.

He simply opened his attribute panel, looked at A Thousand Li Apart at Parting, whose cooldown had long since ended, and gave a slight nod.

"Then I'll take the job."

The three people in the vehicle said nothing more.

They simply closed their eyes and rested, preparing themselves fully for battle.

The vehicle drove steadily, stopping and starting as it passed through checkpoint after checkpoint, slowly making its way into the Suzuki First Research Institute.

About an hour and fifteen minutes later, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and two long knocks followed by one short one sounded from the front.

The three of them snapped their eyes open, fierce flames blazing in their gazes!