Collapse, I'll Transform and Punch You

"Who didn't get anything?"

Bai Chen used his spatial authority again to retrieve the Xuanyuan Sword. Luckily, Kiana wasn't the only one with spatial powers for transformations; otherwise, he could only put it away and not take it out, having to wait for a few days cooldown.

"Xuanyuan Sword!"

Himeko exclaimed in surprise as she caught the Xuanyuan Sword. She had initially thought there would be no gains, but it seemed they wouldn't be coming back empty-handed after all.

No, Himeko actually wanted a Stigmata more, but since Bai Chen went to such lengths to bring the Xuanyuan Sword back, she couldn't dampen his spirits with a dejected look. She deliberately put on a surprised expression.

Chapter 44: Lucky Draws!

But as someone who knew the original plot, wouldn't Bai Chen know what Himeko truly wanted?

"As for the Stigmata, of course, I have to..."

[Armament: Ji Lin]

Amidst a blur of illusions, Bai Chen transformed into a black-haired girl about his height. She wore an ancient Shenzhou robe, and her eyes held a hint of majesty that didn't belong to mortals.

This was Bai Chen's first time transforming into Ji Lin. He hadn't expected this transformation to bring about unexpected events! He'd unlocked a new skill!

But now wasn't the time to test new skills. He'd find an opportunity to experiment later after returning to St. Freya.

"Huh?? Little Bai, you have a new transformation? You look so small."

Kiana leaned in, curiously fiddling with the unfamiliar style of clothing.

"Kiana, don't cause trouble."

Himeko pushed Kiana aside and looked at Bai Chen, who had transformed into a young girl.

"Could this be the world's first Stigmata holder from Shenzhou legends... the Yellow Emperor Ji Lin?"

Although Himeko didn't recognize Ji Lin's appearance, she could only guess that Bai Chen's actions likely involved Ji Lin.

"That's right. All the headquarters needs is the Stigmata data from this body for research. Am I right, Lady Rita?"

Bai Chen suddenly turned and addressed the person behind him.

"Rita?"

Theresa followed Bai Chen's gaze and indeed saw Rita standing somewhere, her relaxed and carefree demeanor completely unlike someone who had just woken up from a coma.

Now that Bai Chen thought about it, Rita probably wasn't unconscious at all. Otherwise, the water was so deep, she would have choked on some water when he pulled her out.

"Calling me Lady Rita is truly flattering. Lord Bai Chen, please just call me Rita."

Seeing everyone looking at Rita, she stepped forward and politely bowed to Bai Chen. An elegant smile always graced her lips, making it impossible to discern her true emotions.

"So, what's the headquarters' intention?"

Bai Chen couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore. Otto probably already knew whatever he needed to know. He asked impatiently, crossing his arms.

"Lord Otto has been waiting for you for a long time."

Rita's smile gave Bai Chen the answer he expected.

That old geezer was indeed watching.

"This transformation state can't support me to reach headquarters. I'll need a few days for my transformation to cool down."

It seemed Bai Chen would have to face Otto soon. He hoped the guy wouldn't be too extreme and try to control him right away.

Actually, if he thought about it, there was no need to be enemies with Otto at all. As long as he cooperated with Otto's plan, he could completely replace Kiana in completing his objectives.

Even if he became proficient with the Dimensional Wall, it wouldn't be impossible to bend the rules and do some forbidden things.

"Then I shall await your good news."

Rita then left.

"What do you mean? Grandpa knew already?"

Theresa, who had just realized, was stunned. Her feelings now were exactly the same as Bai Chen's earlier – she felt like a clown, having gone to such lengths to hide things from her grandfather for Bai Chen.

"Yeah, he probably found out in Changkong City. That transformation back then caused quite a stir; it wouldn't be surprising if he noticed."

Bai Chen recalled his first transformation, the blazing sword that almost tore the sky apart, nearly impaling him like a beacon.

Since Otto knew, the World Serpent must know too. I wonder why Gray Serpent hasn't contacted me yet? Do they think it's unnecessary?

Although the Chi You operation wasn't too difficult, the rewards were substantial.

First, after returning from this operation, Bai Chen noticed the purple light on Bronya and Himeko. He had unlocked two transformation characters, along with their corresponding greatswords and cannons.

Second, although Bai Chen hadn't checked, he could feel that he could now summon Stigmata!

With Stigmata, his strength should rise another level. I wonder how the stamina consumption and cooldown compare.

Then, the moment he killed Chi You, he received twenty draws. Coupled with the ten draws he'd saved from the past few days, if nothing unexpected happened, he should be able to get thirty more bottles of Nutrient Solution.

Having experienced the pain last time, Bai Chen felt both anticipation and fear towards the lucky draw. He was afraid the rewards would be even more "underworld-like" than last time.

But even if it's "underworld-like," the effects are obvious once learned. It's thanks to Advanced Collapse Energy Manipulation that he could gain an advantage in the fight against Kiana.

So, let's begin! Draw! Card! Go!

[System is transferring...]

[Congratulations! You have obtained Nutrient Solution *20!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained Invisibility Underwear *1!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained Wordless Heavenly Book *1!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained One Punch Eight Hundred Years of Cultivation!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained Nutrient Solution *7!]

[Hurry and invite your friends to draw!]

[The system has stored the items in system space]

New items? Three of them!

Bai Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry for a moment, and nervously clicked on the descriptions of those new items.

[Invisibility Underwear: A certain goddess felt that it was too shameful for anyone to look at underwear, so she made the underwear invisible! It can eliminate abnormal states to a certain extent.]

[Wordless Heavenly Book: A certain transmigrator traveled to a Xianxia world and found an opportunity to obtain many wordless heavenly books. They all required water to reveal the text. So cliché! So he created wordless heavenly books for his juniors that only revealed text when exposed to fire! Unlike this book, which is just ordinary paper. If you can read the text on it, perhaps you can learn about unknown things?]

Damn it! Ordinary paper for a wordless heavenly book! And it only appears when exposed to fire! Are you kidding me! I'll believe a bull's horn before this!

Bai Chen's face turned green with anger. The underwear was at least somewhat useful, but what use was this thing!

Never mind, let's look at the next one!

[One Punch Eight Hundred Years of Cultivation: Hundred Years of Fist Power, do you want it?]

[ /I want ]

Oh, what does that mean? The description is as good as not having one, and there isn't even an option to choose! Where's the close button?

Bai Chen searched for a long time and couldn't find the close button. This suspicious item must be stored away and gather dust!

Finally, Bai Chen found a close button in a corner. After clicking it, he felt his consciousness begin to detach, as if he were being pulled into that space!

"Wait! I clicked the close button!"

As Bai Chen tried to resist, he noticed a smaller close button in the upper left corner of the one he had just clicked!

"Hehehe! Damn it!"

These system creators are like those advertisers from my past life! Next time, at least look at my eyes before asking for consent! Ugh!

Chapter 45: Practice

Under the system's influence, Bai Chen's consciousness returned to that monochromatic space.

Unlike last time, this time a middle-aged man wearing a hat and a long robe with a vest stood before him. However, he couldn't see his face clearly, as if it were deliberately hidden.

With his previous experience, Bai Chen immediately looked up at the sky, wanting to see this time's objective.

"Learn the true meaning of 'Hundred Years of Fist Power' from NPC A."

Alright, at least Bai Chen knew that this thing he drew was for learning a skill.

Immediately, Bai Chen felt his hair stand on end and instinctively dodged far away.

Then, a straight gully dozens of meters long appeared where Bai Chen had just been standing. NPC A slowly retracted his fist.

"Holy crap!"

Bai Chen's eyes widened as he looked at the gully. It was actually created by the wind from a punch?? Unbelievable!

"Young friend, there's no need to be surprised. I have achieved this level of strength through constant practice over a hundred years. It's all accumulated over time."

NPC A assumed a stance again and said to Bai Chen quite intelligently.

"You're spouting nonsense! Can human practice make a mark like that after a hundred years?"

Bai Chen pointed at the mark created by the fist wind and angrily rebuked him. Was this guy treating him like an idiot?

"Have you ever seen anyone practice for a hundred years?"

NPC A asked back with a hint of amusement.

"Uh..."

Bai Chen thought about it carefully. He hadn't seen anyone practice for a hundred years in his previous life. In the Collapse world, anything beyond a hundred years could indeed be achieved.

For a moment, Bai Chen was speechless and didn't know how to retort.

"Be careful, Bai Chen. This guy isn't simple."

Fu Hua, who had been observing NPC A, reminded Bai Chen. With her insight, this guy in front of him was definitely not easy to deal with.

"Mhm."

Bai Chen nodded in his heart and then prepared to speak to NPC A again.

However, NPC A clearly didn't seem interested in chatting. At some unknown point, he had gotten close to Bai Chen, and with a solid stance, he threw a straight punch directly at Bai Chen's face!

Seeing this, Bai Chen hurriedly raised his hand to block, but found that NPC A's fist had transformed into a palm and landed on his chest.

With a seemingly light palm strike, Bai Chen was sent staggering back dozens of steps before he finally stopped.

At this moment, he felt as if he'd just been hit by a shot put while running laps on the track in his past life.

This damn system never taught me anything properly! If I've learned the true meaning, shouldn't I be able to beat someone up?!

"Damn it, again!"

Bai Chen actively approached Jia, preparing to go on the offensive. The training he'd done with Fu Hua during these past few days wouldn't be for nothing!

As he closed the distance, Bai Chen stabilized his stance, sidestepped, and threw a punch towards Jia's chest.

But Jia merely shifted his body slightly, reached out and grabbed Bai Chen's fist, then moved forward, twisting Bai Chen's wrist behind his back with a flick of his hand.

The entire sequence was fluid, without the slightest pause. Bai Chen didn't even have time to react before he was subdued.

With only his legs free, Bai Chen kicked backward, attempting to push Jia away.

Before Bai Chen's leg was even fully raised, Jia preemptively kicked the joint of Bai Chen's other leg. With little force, he sent Bai Chen tumbling to the ground.

Lying on the ground, Bai Chen scrambled to flip over, but one of his hands was still held, making it difficult to move. He could only try to crawl and struggle.

Then, he was struck on the head with immense force, and Bai Chen lost consciousness.

Jia retracted his bloodied fist and stepped back, waiting nearby.

After a short while, Bai Chen's body on the ground began to burn with a special flame. Soon, Bai Chen stood up within the fire.

As the flames dissipated, something seemed to have changed in Bai Chen's eyes.

"Hoo."

Bai Chen took a deep breath, staring intently at the NPC before him. This guy gave him the same feeling as Fu Hua, a kind of beauty born from being crushed by mechanics.

It wasn't just that after his recent death, he had gained a deeper understanding of what Fu Hua had taught him. He even had a slightly better grasp of this man's tactics. If things continued like this, his strength might truly soar.