Chapter 571

Lin Qingtong planted the giant sword in the floor and said, "This is the disadvantage of carbon-based life forms: they are prone to illness, recover slowly, and have no replacement parts when their functions age. Don't you want to elevate the essence of your life?"

She rolled up her sleeves, revealing her arms, which were silvery-white and had a metallic sheen. Although they were a bit thicker than the average girl's arms, they weren't considered muscular; at least they were thinner than Ke Chajing's arms.

"Oh, so you're here to persuade me?"

From the very beginning, Si Ming didn't believe the other party's nonsense about standing up for Liu Qingqing. He just didn't understand why she suddenly approached him. If it was to settle old scores, her master Zhu Hao and her elder brother Lin Qingxiang were clearly more entangled, and he didn't really have any deep-seated hatred for her.

"The experiments on Metal Cells have achieved a substantial breakthrough, and I am the best proof. Once the body is fully metallized, strength will increase dramatically, easily surpassing the Spirit Transformation. However, compared to the sublimation of the essence of life, the increase in martial prowess is merely a bonus. The important thing is that from then on, the body will no longer be invaded by germs, becoming immune to all poisons. Even without any exercise, one can maintain good health, and lifespan will be greatly extended. Even if one is injured by an incurable internal force in a battle with a powerful opponent, one can simply remove that part and replace it with a new one, allowing one to fully enjoy the joy of battle without worrying about injuries."

"You're making this sound like a TV commercial. Are you going to add, 'Eight Hearts and Eight Arrows, only 998 to take it home'?" Si Ming scoffed, feigning complete disbelief. "Since your organization's black technology is so advanced, why not recruit more soldiers and metalize all your members? With three thousand Spirit Transformation level experts, conquering the entire Sea Continent would be a piece of cake. Why bother hiding in the shadows, engaging in these underhanded schemes?"

Lin Qingtong said, "The reason is simple. The success rate of metallization is not high. Not everyone can survive the cell transformation process. After all, it is related to the sublimation of the essence of life. The benefits are huge, but the risks are also considerable. However, weighing the pros and cons is a problem for others to consider. You don't need to, because your right hand has already completed metallization, which proves that your body can fully accept this process. For you, this is a zero-risk, high-return deal."

"A risk-free, highly profitable proposition... that's tempting indeed..." Si Ming smiled, chuckled dryly a few times, then his expression hardened. "But I refuse!"

"Why? Are you also one of those traditionalists who refuse to accept new technologies and are stuck in the past?" Lin Qingtong frowned. "As far as I know, you are not resistant to new things, and you are even willing to challenge Cultivation Method that no one has ever practiced before. Could it be a difference in stance?"

"No, I am precisely an innovator who believes that science and technology are the primary productive forces. But it is precisely because I believe that science and technology can change the world and understand the power of technological civilization better than others that I hold a skeptical attitude."

Technological research is like the creation of Internal Cultivation; it requires countless experiments on mice. You say that the metallization experiment has achieved a substantial breakthrough, but how significant is this breakthrough? Going from zero to one is a major breakthrough, but after taking the first step, there are still ninety-nine steps to go before the technology is perfected. Even if the body doesn't get sick or become immune to all poisons, won't there be other flaws?

For example, oxidation and rusting, and the inability to resist magnetism—I don't believe that metallic life forms are perfect life forms. Your earlier mention of a significantly increased lifespan is even more ridiculous. Before death, no one can guarantee how long a person will live. Are current estimates really accurate? Without substantial experimental data, what qualifications do you have to make such guarantees?

I'm not opposed to new technologies, even if it means transforming into metallic or silicon-based life forms, but only if the technology is perfect and has no side effects. I only want to benefit from new technologies, not become a guinea pig in technological experiments.

What if, after metallization, even the bottom becomes a metal rod?

Lin Qingtong is a woman, and a martial arts fanatic at that, so she might not care about the romantic feelings between men and women. But Si Ming hasn't yet escaped his base interests and still retains the instincts of a male creature, dreaming of the harem that every man has.

What if the bone becomes weak and brittle after metallization, or remains vigorous and healthy throughout?

What if what comes out isn't DNA but engine oil?

This technology is clearly riddled with problems and far from mature; to try and fool him into being a guinea pig is treating him like a technological illiterate.

"You only want to reap the benefits without sowing; how can you say such shameless things in such a dignified tone?"

"Why not? Right now, you're begging me, not the other way around. I can wait fifty years, a hundred years. I'll make a decision after you discover major flaws in the technology or completely perfect it."

"What a blunder. Looks like there's no point in talking about it."

Lin Qingtong didn't show much disappointment on her face.

"The answer was actually predetermined. I remember you said before that you felt hopeless about breaking through to the Nascent Spirit Transformation stage, which is why you took the risk of joining the Remote Heaven Society and accepting Metal Cells. So, assuming you have an 80% chance of breaking through to the Spirit Transformation, would you still accept the Remote Heaven Society's offer?" Si Ming asked.

Lin Qingtong fell silent for a while, then suddenly burst into a slightly manic laugh, "You're right, if the righteous path weren't blocked, no one would want to take the unorthodox path—but where do you get the confidence that you can definitely advance to the Nascent Spirit Transformation?"

"You really want to know the answer?" Si Ming's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Maybe I shouldn't. I'm afraid it will hurt your pride."

"Then die!"

Lin Qingtong shouted and took a heavy step forward, causing the floor to tremble slightly. He drew his Collapse Sword with his right hand and slashed horizontally, sweeping through the air like a roaring beast.

Si Ming lowered his stance, calming the trembling floor. Then, he gathered his strength in his fist and unleashed a "Vajra Gate" strike, compressing the air with his palm to form an invisible wall of energy.

Sword and palm clashed, their powerful force clashing like a hurricane sweeping across the ground. The residual force rippled outwards, blowing away all the remaining trash in the room and causing the entire building to shake violently.

This time, Lin Qingtong stood firmly in place, while Si Ming was once again forced back. Half of his arm went numb, and he was unable to use the Vajra Demon-Subduing Power and the Asura Divine Power. In terms of strength, he was still slightly inferior to his opponent.

"Tch, so what if you have heavy weapons? I have divine weapons too, but I'm not carrying them with me."

At this moment, Si Ming truly envied those cultivators who carried spatial Law Treasure with them. With a wave of their hand, their weapons would appear in their palms, unlike him, who couldn't carry them with him normally and had to run home to get them in case of an encounter.

"Whose fault is it that I didn't bring a weapon!"

Lin Qingtong charged forward with her sword, her imposing aura overwhelming. Si Ming retreated swiftly, rubbing his palms together to form a blade, and unleashed a dense net of flames with a move called "Thousand Blades Scorching the Plains".

But Lin Qingtong simply swept her sword, shattering the fire net into countless sparks. Then, she focused her energy, thrust her sword forward, and Wenlin Formless Art to manipulate the airflow, instantly generating an invincible and fierce Gang Qi.

In the past, Si Ming always used strength to bully his opponents, but today he tasted the bitterness of being subdued by force. Fortunately, he is no longer the same as before. He can break metal and split stone with his strength, and he can turn steel into water with his gentleness. He has extraordinary skills in both strength and gentleness.

In an instant, he swayed his body supplely, his waist swaying gently like a willow, drifting with the wind. With light steps, he created subtle and mysterious changes that could not be described by any words. He effortlessly avoided the power that the giant sword had gathered to its peak. Then, his left fingertips, like an eagle's beak, pecked at the blade of the giant sword, shattering the Gang Qi energy with a clang. Then, with a seemingly casual wave of his right hand, a crystal-clear, jade-like hand emerged from his sleeve and swept across the sword's edge.

Lin Qingtong immediately felt a gentle yet irresistible force sweep over her like a long wind. The Collapse Sword, having lost its protective Gang Qi, was like hitting a flexible yet rapidly spinning ball, causing it to deflect involuntarily. Not only was its attack completely neutralized, but it was also pulled outwards.

Taiji?

Lin Qingtong slammed her sword into the ground to stop her momentum and regain her balance.

"Not all martial arts that use softness to overcome hardness are Daoist School Taiji. This is the Water Moon Mirror Dance and Shaman Steps of the Shaman School, which predates Daoist School Taiji in history."

Si Ming smiled slightly, as if he had done something insignificant, and waved his hands lightly like a fish swimming in a lake, saying, "I remember you are also good at soft skills. Last time we sparred, you treated me like a spinning top, and I was spinning involuntarily for most of the day. It was a disgrace for me. After that, I practiced my moves and techniques diligently to make up for my shortcomings. Today, I can finally avenge that humiliation."

In that battle, Si Ming used a vise and a machine tool to fight Lin Qingtong's Collapse Sword, trying to overcome force with force. However, he was defeated by the opponent's softness overcoming hardness. After spinning around for a long time, he almost collapsed and died.

Lin Qingtong scoffed and said, "Counting from then on, you've only been practicing for two years. Where do you get the confidence that you can surpass me in skill?"

"Don't use your mortal mindset to measure genius. Sometimes, what you can't do in a lifetime, a genius can accomplish in a single day." Si Ming slightly bent four fingers, making a provocative gesture. "Come, feel the insurmountable chasm between mortals and geniuses, and then fall into despair!"

"Hmph, I'll make that inexplicable confidence of yours disappear in no time!"

Lin Qingtong urgently activated her inner energy, and the phantom of the mythical beast Wenlin appeared behind her. Instantly, a gale howled in the room, swirling around her. Then, her body spun rapidly, turning three times like a top. The Gang Qi on her Collapse Sword flowed horizontally, creating a violent tornado, like a roc spreading its wings.

"The Peng's Heavenly Whirl!"

Using the force of the swing, Lin Qingtong 'One Sword strike became several times stronger, slashing towards Si Ming with earth-shattering force.

"Your temper is much worse than before. Is it a side effect of metallization, or a consequence of secretly practicing Super Martial Dao?"