Apocalyptic Mechanist

He habitually patted Xi Guang's head, and Jiang Xiao looked at the proud Viper Race named Gulab on the terminal screen, his lips gradually curving upwards.

"Let your death be the opening act of this grand play."

The next day, noon.

The Wicked Soul Market welcomed an unprecedentedly lively scene, even the customer traffic in the Yuanjin Black Market below increased several times over!

Hundreds of Viper Gang members, led by the Seventh Hall Master, maintained order. In addition, major gangs with close ties to the Viper Gang, such as the Blade Armor Gang and the Dragon Fang Gang, sent over ten Tier 2 Regular Martial Artists and two Tier 2 Elites to assist the Seventh Hall Master.

This was not just the Viper Gang's business; it was a major event for the entire Sin City Council faction!

The Black Mech Gang and the Sin City Council had been in conflict for decades, and this was the first time they had extended their reach into the Black Mech Gang's territory, so it could not be taken lightly.

The shops within the Wicked Soul Market had been roughly renovated, all painted in a brown, wild style that matched the Viper Gang's characteristics. The shops that had been attacked by the Old Capital Killing God were now as good as new.

Since the grand opening had not yet been announced, most of the aliens were waiting outside the market.

Inside the Wicked Soul Market at this moment, only the Viper Gang's Seventh Hall Master and the Hall Masters of two other major gangs were conducting a final inspection to guard against any traps set by the Black Mech Gang.

Landmines and hidden bombs were the Black Mech Gang's favorite tactics; they had learned their lesson many times over the years!

Three Tier 2 Elites, among them the Hall Master from the Blade Armor Gang, was a veteran elite martial artist, stronger than the Viper Gang's Seventh Hall Master.

The three Hall Masters quickly finished their inspection and waited respectfully in the center of the market.

Soon, the sound of chains echoed, and the three looked up in the direction of the sound.

Gulab's imposing figure, like an iron tower, slowly approached. Behind him, over ten gang members were each pulling an iron cage, inside which were humans in ragged clothes, appearing somewhat plump.

Some of them were trembling with fear, while others had numb eyes that showed no light.

Most of the humans with numb expressions were missing an arm or a leg...

"How many major gangs have come?" Gulab asked the Seventh Hall Master indifferently.

The Seventh Hall Master immediately replied, "Thirteen. Second Master, three of them are neutral, and one used to lean towards the Black Mech Gang."

"Ah... it smells like it's going to be lively this time. So many familiar scents."

"Second Master, the outer gangs heard you were coming and wanted to witness your power. At least twenty thousand creatures of various races have come to observe," the Seventh Hall Master said obsequiously.

The Blade Armor Gang's Hall Master inwardly sneered. They all said the Viper Race were brutes, but it seemed that wasn't entirely true.

Then, the Blade Armor Hall Master congratulated him, "Congratulations, Second Master, on taking over the Wicked Soul Market. I'll be sure to bask in your good fortune today."

The Dragon Fang Gang's Hall Master, who had four arms and four legs and the upper body of a walrus, had held back for a long time before speaking.

"Me too!"

Gulab remained indifferent, ignoring their fawning. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Today, the Old Capital Killing God is likely to be mixed in with this crowd of various races. Pay close attention.

Inspect anyone who is heavily dressed and concealing their figure. Not a single one can be let go!"

"Y-yes!"

The three had already heard about this and showed no surprise.

It was merely the Old Capital Killing God; with the Viper Gang's Second Master here, he wouldn't be able to stir up much trouble.

Gulab walked towards the outside.

"Since that's the case, don't keep our friends waiting. Prepare to begin the opening ceremony."

"As you command!"

Outside the Wicked Soul Market, a dense mass of creatures crowded a large open space. All sorts of races jostled and peered, with shouts and roars echoing everywhere.

The Viper Gang maintained a minimal level of order among them, preventing any outbreaks of armed conflict.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted, with the cheers of the Viper Race from the wilderness and all over Sin City being the loudest.

"Second Master Viper!!"

"I can't believe I'm actually going to see a powerhouse at Tier 2 Peak!"

"I wonder if the Black Mech Gang has any schemes, but even if they do, they shouldn't make a move here, right? There are too many major and mid-sized gangs gathered here, and quite a few are neutral."

"Who knows? Better to stay a bit further away."

"Hmph, don't worry. There are Sin City Council martial artists stationed at all the high ground within a ten-kilometer radius. Nothing can go wrong."

On Prison Star, if any weapon with a range exceeding ten kilometers appeared, the planetary defense fleet would immediately descend and obliterate the weapon's creator and their faction.

Gulab arrived on the high platform in front of the Wicked Soul Market and surveyed the noisy crowd of criminals.

His eyes narrowed.

BOOM!!

The next moment, a nearly tangible Source Energy Aura erupted violently. The concrete within several meters of his feet cracked layer by layer, turning into powder. The two-zhang-high aura, emitting a terrifying pressure, spread outwards!

The scene instantly fell silent.

The powerful Source Energy Intensity symbolized a higher degree of Life Strength. The resulting lower-level pressure made the bones of many alien criminals go soft.

Facing the silent criminals, Gulab said calmly:

"The Wicked Soul Market will completely belong to the Viper Gang and the Sin City Council. Gangs within a ten-kilometer radius will receive a 20% discount on consumption here.

The Viper Gang guarantees that incidents like those during the Mech Martial Gang's reign will not happen again!"

Gulab didn't understand rhetoric, nor did he need to. He finished speaking concisely and efficiently.

He raised a hand and gestured.

Then, under the curious gaze of all the criminals, more than a dozen iron cages were hung on the fourth floor of the Wicked Soul Market, swaying like wind chimes.

Seeing that they contained plump, fresh humans, many from the Viper Race and Blade Armor Race revealed greedy eyes and swallowed hard.

Gulab sneered, "Old Capital Killing God, I know you're watching. You cowardly rats and scum only dare to hide in the shadows when facing me, afraid to show yourselves."

Gulab raised a long saber and pointed it at one of the humans.

He said menacingly, "Watch closely. These human animals are today's sacrifices for my Viper Gang. I will dismember them one by one and distribute them to the honored guests present!

Humans are only fit to be food for my Viper Race!"

Saying this, he was about to strike.

Suddenly, Gulab's ears twitched, and he looked sharply to his left.

He saw that the creatures of various races there seemed to have seen something terrifying and had suddenly fallen into a commotion. Amidst surprised shouts, the dense crowd of criminals fearfully cleared a path.

Then, Gulab saw, between the channels where the criminals were parting.

A human wearing a pitch-black goggle and carrying a chainsaw sword was unhurriedly walking towards him from a distance.

The Hall Masters of the three major gangs were stunned for a moment.

The crowd of criminals became even quieter.

They never expected the Old Capital Killing God to actually appear today!

They began to fear that the Old Capital Killing God might suddenly attack indiscriminately.

They feared even more that Gulab's rage would spill over onto them.

They watched as the Old Capital Killing God walked to within tens of meters of Gulab, raised his chainsaw sword without a hint of fear, pointed it at him, and said dismissively.

"Tsk tsk, as expected, like father, like son. You're as ugly as your two useless sons. Only when you're dead will my eyes be clean for a while."

"Good, good, good! I didn't expect you to dare to face me directly. What a bold dog!"

Gulab was furious, his aura surging with each passing moment.

"Die!!"

"Run!"

Someone shouted, and the numerous criminals present instantly descended into chaos!

They had heard of the power of Tier 2 Peak experts. The collateral damage from a deathmatch between two such powerhouses could kill them!

Chapter 41: It's Hunting Time Now (4.5k)

Gulab's roar shook the Wicked Soul Market. His Tier 2 Peak Source Energy Aura erupted like a volcanic eruption, and the massive platform completely shattered under the violent Source Energy impact.

Stones flew everywhere as his figure turned into a brown afterimage. The long saber tore through the air, carrying a piercing shriek as it cleaved directly towards Jiang Xiao's head!

"Die—!"

Spirit Energy and Source Energy surged simultaneously within his body. The powerful judgment and body control granted by dataization allowed Jiang Xiao to narrowly evade the attack!

The saber's momentum did not diminish. Its powerful Source Energy blade left a gash more than ten meters long on the ground, and more than a dozen criminals who couldn't react in time were crushed into a bloody pulp.

Even more terrified cries spread across the open space. The criminals who had been cheering moments ago were now desperately trying to escape, and countless criminals were trampled to death.

Jiang Xiao narrowly dodged, his gaze fixed on the enraged Gulab.

[Gulab (35% Golden Snake Man Gene)]

[Level: Tier 2 Peak]

[Talent Value (Source Energy): 1.89]

[Source Energy Intensity: 97]

[Spirit Energy Intensity: 3]

As expected of a Tier 2 Peak, even within the Tier 2 category, the gap between a regular Tier 2 and a Tier 2 Peak could be described as a chasm!

Jiang Xiao knew very well that if he were to go head-to-head with the opponent, he probably wouldn't last three moves!

The difference in physical strength alone was several times over, not to mention the Source Energy Intensity. Such a gap was far from being compensated by this slight advantage in Talent Value.

"Tsk tsk, you're just like a stray dog throwing a tantrum, exactly like your two sons."

Jiang Xiao was completely unfazed, continuing his taunts. Gulab's anger grew, and his terrifying Source Energy Aura surged again!

He had originally thought that since the Old Capital Killing God had appeared so brazenly, he must have some trump card. After the initial probing attack, he hadn't expected him to have prepared any at all!

The only weapons visible on his person were that chainsaw sword and those infuriating goggles.

"I will crush your bones one by one and record your dying screams to broadcast throughout Sin City!" Gulab continued to swing his saber, his enraged voice gritted out between his teeth.