"Emmm, I was just saying. Was that really necessary?"
Han Fei waved a hand dismissively, got out of bed, and stretched his now-vigorous body.
"Oh? It's snowing?"
Han Fei walked to the window and suddenly noticed snowflakes drifting outside.
He opened the window and felt the biting cold wind.
"Without realizing it, another year has gone by."
In 2013, the Taotie would descend.
It was 2011 now. Once the New Year passed, it would be 2012.
It was getting closer and closer.
Come to think of it, there had always been talk about a Mayan prophecy, saying 2012 would be the end of the world. Yet this time, the apocalypse would come in 2013, not 2012. He just did not know whether such a prophecy existed in this life.
Looking at that danger-filled sky, Han Fei muttered to himself.
"Soldiers come, generals block them. Water comes, earth dams it."
Testing the Armor and New Year's Eve
Several days later.
Training base.
Bang!
Bang! Bang!
A streak of blue flashed through the air.
Several massive rocks on the ground shattered and scattered in every direction.
His hands moved without pause. A gorgeously shaped sword appeared in his right hand, while a huge blue-green card-like object emerged and floated above the ground, bearing a large character: Stab.
Piercing Wind Stab!
!!!
Its speed was unbelievably fast.
An afterimage swept past.
An entire artificial rockery exploded and blasted apart.
Yet Han Fei emerged from the other side of the rockery, his armor completely unscathed.
"The Wind Eagle Armor's attack power isn't bad, and speed is its greatest strength. Its only weaker point should be its defense. Even so, ordinary firearms are useless against me now."
Han Fei glanced at the machine guns, RPGs, and the blackened ruins placed some distance away.
"That's only the effect of wearing the armor. I'm still too weak myself. I don't know if I'm as strong as a first-generation Super Soldier, but at the very least, my recovery ability definitely isn't."
"The technology of the Godly Superpower Universe is far too advanced in defense and recovery."
He did not remember the specific settings very clearly.
He only remembered that when Qi Lin awakened, the Taotie had blasted through her chest, yet she recovered in just three days without even a scar!
An injury like that.
If it happened to him, he would have died long ago.
And that was only a first generation.
Han Fei shook his head. Fortunately, there was still time. Moreover, next September would be when his ability evolved again. He had a feeling that his ability would undergo a major change.
With so much time to spare, his margin for error was still considerable.
There was no need to worry too much.
He released the armor fusion.
Han Fei sat in a chair brought over by the accompanying staff, took a sip of water, and said, "Black Star, are the results out?"
"Data analysis has been completed and transmitted."
"Testing has revealed that this armor is designed for rapid combat. It is unsuitable for prolonged battles or assault operations, but is suitable for assassination-type missions."
"Its current weakness is most apparent in its defense. Anti-materiel sniper rifles are estimated to have a chance of causing you minor injuries. Unconventional methods such as precision missile strikes and large-scale heavy artillery bombardment still pose a lethal threat."
"Based on the owner's previous description, your current attack power is estimated to be at the level of a bottom-tier or ordinary second-generation Super Soldier, while your defense is roughly equivalent to that of an ordinary first-generation Super Soldier."
"This data lacks real-world reference samples and is inaccurate. It is for reference only."
Han Fei nodded. This evaluation was roughly the same as his own estimate.
The Wind Eagle Armor had never been known for its defense. It was famous for its speed.
That assessment was not surprising.
However, once he developed it further, strengthened his compatibility with it, and reached its peak state—when he could fire energy waves, slash out massive sword energy, unleash Piercing Wind Stab lasers, and summon the Light Shadow Steed—it presumably would not receive such an assessment.
Those abilities had been names and descriptions that flashed through his mind after he fused with the Wind Eagle Armor.
That showed the Wind Eagle Armor still had tremendous potential.
Han Fei nodded to himself.
Then he asked again.
"Black Star, based on your calculations, do you think this armor can be replicated?"
"..."
"The armor's materials are unknown, and energy analysis is difficult. Even using Earth's current technology, combined with the new materials and technologies provided by the owner, the replicated armor would not be practical."
"What if the Wood Light Shadow Stone could supply it with energy?"
"..."
"Based on preliminary calculations, it has a certain degree of feasibility. However, the replicated armor would still be inferior. It would not even qualify as a first-generation warrior, and could only briefly withstand attacks from ordinary firearms. At best, it could be considered half a Super Soldier. Its cost would also inevitably be high, making it a poor investment. Strongly not recommended as a money-burning project."
"You only mentioned defense. What about offense?"
"...Unable to calculate. The basic hardware still cannot bring out Black Star's capabilities. Requesting a more powerful upgrade."
"I don't have that ability right now. Just wait."
Han Fei said irritably.
"Fine. In short, mass-producing the armor isn't realistic for now. We can only wait until there's an opportunity later."
Han Fei stretched his muscles, picked up his coat, and headed outside.
"Forget it. I won't think about this anymore. I'm going home first. These past few days have been exhausting."
Time slowly passed.
It was New Year's Eve.
Fireworks blossomed in the sky.
Purple and red, they decorated the heavens with countless bursts of beauty.
They brought a hint of festive warmth to the bitter winter.
Every television channel was broadcasting galas—singing, talent shows, variety programs, ancient culture, celebrities, and the most entertaining comedy skits.
This was the entertainment culture humanity had developed.
It was flourishing beyond measure.
Yet.
At this New Year's moment.
Han Fei sat alone in his enormous house, watching television.
Watching all the joy within it.
He only felt that it had nothing to do with him.
His heart remained completely unmoved.
He had not grown up in an orphanage in this life, but his parents in this life might as well not have existed.
After he entered middle school, those two had gone their separate ways, and he had become independent as well.
All the way until now.
"How melodramatic. Haven't I always spent it like this before? I wonder what feast Aunt Wu made today. Well, I guess I can look forward to it a little."
Han Fei stretched lazily, smiled at himself in self-mockery, and picked up his hot cola.
Just then.
"Well, well! Little Fei! Lord Xin is back!"
A voice begging to be punched came from the entrance, followed by a familiar figure.
He still had that arrogant look. When he saw Han Fei turn around, he even waggled his eyebrows at him.
Gulp.
Han Fei swallowed the cola he had nearly sprayed out and looked at Zhao Xin in surprise.
"Didn't you go back to your hometown?"
"Haha, Little Fei, how could I leave you here alone?" Zhao Xin laughed loudly as he changed his shoes and walked inside.
He suddenly turned his head. "Come in already. Why are you standing outside?"
Han Fei looked over.
A broad, burly man was standing awkwardly by the door, scratching his head as he looked at Han Fei.
It was Liu Chuang.
"I was waiting for you to go in first. You're my direct superior, after all."
Liu Chuang muttered a few words and followed them inside.
"You two have homes but won't go back. What are you doing here?"
"Hey, Lord Xin has always been loyal. How could I leave you alone? Besides, my folks aren't exactly eager to see me. They'd rather I not interrupt their time alone. As for Chuang, his family is just like yours, so the three of us might as well stick together and get through today."
"Fine. I'll have Aunt Wu make more food and bring out some alcohol too. We'll have a few drinks tonight."
"Oh, right, Little Xin. I haven't disciplined you in a while, and now you're getting bold. You actually dared call me Little Fei? You've got some nerve!" Han Fei grinned viciously.
"Holy shit! Don't! Chuang, quick, stop him!"
"..."
The three of them horsed around and ended up in a tangled heap.
The enormous house gained a touch of liveliness.
Soon.
Aunt Wu brought out the dishes.
They had all been made with Longevity Cookware.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Dragon Phoenix Auspiciousness, husband-and-wife lung slices, mouthwatering chicken, Cold Fragrance Pills, ants climbing a tree, dragon-tiger-phoenix...
There was everything one could want.
"Come, everyone, together."
In such a lively atmosphere, time passed quickly.
Holy Shit! Talismans!
Although Han Fei did not drink often, his physical constitution was extremely strong. He drank three bottles by himself without feeling the slightest dizziness, as though he were merely drinking water.
Zhao Xin and Liu Chuang, however, were not quite as capable.
Before you continue