Needless to say, Sin Capital was indeed rich in supplies. Even fresh meat and vegetables were in circulation, but unfortunately, all production took place in the exclusive cultivation zones of the major gangs, making them extremely expensive.
It'd be a waste to give these resources to alien races. Besides, how could children keep eating canned food and cheap Nutrient Solution?
Jiang Xiao thought this as he stepped forward to inspect the parts and metal. Satisfied, he said, "Not bad. Thanks. Also, there are two modified X-21s over there. Taking out a Tier 1 Peak target won't be a problem.
"After installing the destructive overload batteries and Electromagnetic Rail, they're enough to injure an Ordinary Tier 2 Martial Artist within four hundred meters. Hmm... They might not work too well against the Viper Clan, which specializes in defense and strength. There are also three hundred exclusive bullets."
Jiang Xiao didn't take any money. After all, various coincidences had caused him to change his plans long ago.
Earning Sin Coins no longer mattered. If he didn't rob something from the Viper Gang every week, he felt uncomfortable in every way, as though his conscience were condemning him.
"As for payment, if possible, help me keep an eye out for Rampaging Mech Soldiers in the wilderness. You don't need to destroy them. Just record their locations."
Jiang Xiao spoke calmly before picking up three modified miniature terminals.
"I made some slight modifications. They can draw maps now."
Needless to say, the technology brought by the X-21 was extremely broad in scope. Even the Sniper Scope involved intelligent mapping technology.
Qian Ling took the terminals. "Understood."
Chapter 38: Power Suit, Infiltrating a Viper Gang Branch
Qian Ling and the others came and left quickly. As soon as she received the terminals, she departed.
Jiang Xiao looked at the large pile of parts and materials and prepared to begin.
However, before manufacturing the equipment, Jiang Xiao first placed the miniature Laser Module he had bought into the Research Slot and glanced at the required time.
...Estimated time required: forty-one days
Normally, he should have researched Source Energy Equipment, but the information contained in the Source Energy Amplification circuit technology was too vast. Even a Tier 1 Source Energy weapon required more than thirty years of research!
Jiang Xiao guessed that the difficulty lay in getting started, and that the later stages should be much shorter. After all, there had to be a great deal of common ground between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Source Energy Equipment technology.
Seeing that the estimated time was within an acceptable range, Jiang Xiao immediately walked toward the work area.
The core components of the Power Suit didn't require precision processing. Many parts were already available—the drive systems and bearings of the mechanical soldiers were of extremely high quality. Quite a few were about the same size as humans, so they could be used as soon as they were removed.
This Power Suit only needed powerful jumping and climbing functions. There was no need to pursue agility or long-term use.
A moment later, the sound of machinery operating rang out from the workshop.
The next day.
Jiang Xiao looked at the equipment before him, which resembled an exoskeleton. He activated Origin Data and scanned it. Only after confirming that there were no structural abnormalities did he remove his gloves.
His expression was smug.
"Not bad!"
Power Suit: A mobility device centered around magnetic energy, with extremely powerful jumping and magnetic climbing functions.
"The equipment is complete. It's time to act. I'll go check out the nearby Viper Gang branch tonight." Jiang Xiao stored the device in his Item Slot and thought to himself.
As for how to make the situation in Sin Capital even more chaotic, Jiang Xiao had plenty of ideas. The simplest was undoubtedly to kill an important ally of the Sin City Council faction!
The Viper Gang's higher-ups were one of his first choices.
"Come to think of it, has the Wicked Soul Market up above been closed recently?" Jiang Xiao recalled something and looked toward Xi Guang, who was meditating on a chair.
His gaze wandered, and Jiang Xiao couldn't help praising her inwardly. As expected of an Advanced Species, her bearing and appearance were like a delicate work of art. No matter how he looked at her, he couldn't find a single flaw. Then, his attention was involuntarily drawn to Xi Guang's slender, exquisite bare feet, smooth and warm like White Jade.
It wasn't a metaphor. They really were like jade.
Members of a higher-ranking species gained an affinity bonus toward lower-ranking members of the same species. Jiang Xiao knew this, and under most circumstances, he could ignore the negative effects brought about by it.
However, at this moment, the effect seemed unusually strong.
"Mm. The Mech Martial Gang is going to resell the Wicked Soul Market. I don't know who the buyer is." Xi Guang noticed Jiang Xiao's gaze and looked slightly puzzled.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. Ahem." Jiang Xiao immediately shifted his gaze away. Psychic energy surged as he forcibly suppressed his distracting thoughts.
The genetic affinity of a higher-ranking member of the same species was terrifying. It had almost turned a righteous, upstanding young man like him into a foot fetishist. Fortunately, his willpower was firm.
After calming down, Jiang Xiao began pondering the information Xi Guang had provided.
"Reselling the entire market directly... The Wicked Soul Market is a large-scale market in Sin Capital, so it's bound to attract plenty of major gangs. It seems like a pretty good opportunity."
I should go to the Viper Gang branch first. If possible, I'll wipe them out and frame the Black Mech Gang.
Jiang Xiao said to Xi Guang, "I might come back rather late tonight."
"Mm. Do you need help?"
"No. Let's wait until Xiao Guang has recovered to her peak."
"Okay."
Jiang Xiao quickly made his preparations. First, he modified the Terminal Goggles again, removing the signal-recording module and increasing their detection range. Then he made several battery bombs and placed them in his backpack.
As time passed, night fell.
Jiang Xiao put on the goggles, threw the Black Dragon Sniper Rifle into his second Item Slot, and quietly left through the underground passage with a new melee weapon on his back.
The melee weapon he had obtained from the Spark Gang wasn't a sharp weapon in the traditional sense. Instead, it was a piece of equipment with special destructive properties.
Qi-Breaking Chainsword: Tier 2 Source Energy Equipment. After being infused with Source Energy, it can destroy an enemy's Source Energy Aura. Maximum destruction: aura protection not exceeding 10 points above the user's Source Energy Intensity. (Destruction limit: 95 points.)
It couldn't affect Tier 2 Peak targets, but it was more than enough for the current Jiang Xiao.
A difference of 10 points in intensity meant at least a twofold difference in quality!
Of course, the one-point difference between Ordinary and Elite Tier 2 targets wasn't included. Though it looked like only a one-point gap, the actual difference was far greater than double the intensity.
The nearest Viper Gang branch was one block away from the Wicked Soul Market, less than five kilometers in a straight line. Jiang Xiao soon reached the outskirts of that block.
Unlike Kasar Street Block, which was filled with low-rise buildings, this area was extremely prosperous. Hundred-meter skyscrapers were everywhere, and several buildings even exceeded three hundred meters in height!
Dense, chaotic elevated walkways and maglev train tracks wound around the buildings, extending straight toward the interior of Sin Capital.
Yet beneath this prosperity was a scene of desolation. Garbage and scraps littered the ground, while crooked little buildings grew like weeds in Wild Growth.
Jiang Xiao reached the base of one of the three-hundred-meter skyscrapers, took the Power Suit out of his Item Slot, and quickly put it on.
A buzz came from his palms and the front soles of his feet.
Pressing himself against the wall, Jiang Xiao began slowly climbing upward.
The dim night and the radiance from dozens of holographic projections intertwined, making Jiang Xiao's figure difficult to see. At the same time, Origin Data covered his body to prevent detection by the security devices.
He had already learned about this Viper Gang branch the day before.
It belonged to the Seventh Hall Master, who had advanced to Tier 2 Elite less than two years ago. He controlled one large-scale market and three medium-scale markets, making him the least senior among them.
He had only one Ordinary Tier 2 Martial Artist under his command.
The office was undoubtedly located on the top floor.
More than ten minutes passed before Jiang Xiao finally climbed to the top floor of the building. He didn't climb onto the roof. Instead, he clung to the wall and sent Origin Data into it.
A guard squad was stationed on the roof, and he didn't want to create unnecessary complications.
Origin Data penetrated several meters into the wall. Then he sensed several data streams that should have been invisible appear. Their essence consisted of countless 01 signals, which had now transformed into conspicuous information streams under the cover of Origin Data.
Alarms, surveillance devices, and... communications?
The communication leading to the hall master's office had to be important!
Jiang Xiao immediately used Origin Data to connect this data stream to the Terminal Goggles. The next moment, a voice came through the goggles' earpiece.
"Second Master, rest assured. I'll definitely secure the Wicked Soul Market for you."
"—Mm. The Wicked Soul Market is very important to the gang. It's the best springboard for us to establish influence in the outer ring of Sin Capital. The outer ring and the boundary between the outer and middle regions used to be the Black Mech Gang's territory. I didn't expect them to give up an area this time."
"I understand. The Wicked Soul Market will reopen in three days at the latest. Will you come to preside over the ceremony? Most of the large and medium-sized gangs in the middle region will send people to celebrate."
"—I'll come personally when the time comes, to prevent the Black Mech Gang from causing trouble."
"Got it, Second Master. With you presiding personally, I'm sure the Wicked Soul Market will be even more popular than before. There's one more thing. What should we do with the black market beneath the Wicked Soul Market?"
"—Hmph. It's nothing more than a place where a bunch of worthless trash huddles together for warmth. Still, we can't rule out a connection with the Black Mech Gang. I'll deal with it personally when I arrive."
"Understood. I'll await your arrival here, Second Master."
"..."
The communication ended, and Jiang Xiao fell into thought.
If he hadn't guessed wrong, that bootlicker was the Seventh Hall Master. The Second Master he mentioned was surely the Viper Gang's second-in-command!
A Tier 2 Peak powerhouse, one of the top figures in Sin Capital, and a true member of its core ruling class!
He was far more valuable than a mere hall master.
Jiang Xiao's expression shifted. In the end, he chose to return the way he had come. If he wanted to fish for a big catch, he definitely couldn't alert the snake.
Jiang Xiao returned to the Mechanical Workshop.
"Mr. Jiang." Xi Guang's eyes lit up slightly when she saw Jiang Xiao return.
"Mm. I still have to go out again."
Jiang Xiao casually rubbed Xi Guang's head, then changed into a black robe and left once more.
The strength of a Tier 2 Peak powerhouse was extremely formidable. Even the Black Dragon Sniper Rifle might not be able to injure him. With only three days to prepare, he had to hurry and obtain enough power to kill him.
Of the powers currently known to him, which could reliably kill a Tier 2 Peak target and was easy to obtain?
Jiang Xiao already had an answer. He rushed straight toward Kasar Street Block.
Chapter 39: I Picked This Up
Viper Gang Headquarters Tower.
Gulab slowly glided along. His sturdy body, over three meters tall, radiated immense pressure. Every gang elite who passed by looked at him with awe and fanaticism.
"Second Master!"
"Second Master!"
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