Apocalyptic Mechanist

"That's quite a life."

Jiang Xiao dodged perilously, searching for an opening.

Not far away, the three Hall Masters watched the scene with furious disbelief. They hadn't expected the damned Human Killing God to openly provoke them today; it was a complete humiliation!

However, no matter how angry they were, none of them dared to step forward.

Anyone with eyes could see that Gulab was in a furious rage. If they went to help and got hit, they'd be lucky to escape with their skin!

That thing was a Tier 2 Source Energy blunt weapon. It wouldn't be difficult to bypass their Source Energy defenses and damage bones and internal organs, especially in Gulab's hands.

Meanwhile.

Above the Wicked Soul Market, on a quadcopter, an Alien from the central TV tower was broadcasting the entire event live with a super high-definition camera.

In a very short time, all the large screens and televisions in Sin City switched to the Wicked Soul Market.

"This is the Old Capital Killing God! Squawk! So intense, this is exactly what I wanted to see!!"

"On the opening day of the Viper Gang's Wicked Soul Market, a coward from the Sin City Council is being directly confronted by the Old Capital Killing God. How exhilarating! Roar roar roar, that brain-dead old octopus really knows how to play the game!

First, they nurtured a Black Mech Gang, and now another Old Capital Killing God. Tsk tsk, maybe if I replaced your stinky brain with my toes, you might be able to operate it a little better?"

Kliffen's excited, frenzied voice echoed, and the entire Sin City gradually fell into a deathly silence.

They ignored Kliffen's wild shouting, staring at the screen with disbelief!

News about the Wicked Soul Market had been flying everywhere recently. Even the most indifferent wanderers in the wilderness knew how much the Sin City Council valued the Wicked Soul Market!

For this, they had personally assigned a Tier 2 Peak, three Tier 2 Elites, and multiple Tier 2 Regular Martial Artists to participate in the opening. It was even said that the Chairman of the Sin City Council might be watching personally.

And under such circumstances, the Old Capital Killing God had directly stormed the venue?

And a frontal assault at that!

"Holy crap? Wasn't the Old Capital Killing God supposed to be just a Tier 2 Elite? Isn't he looking for death?!"

"Can't you see Viper Second Master is using humans as sacrifices? Clearly, the Old Capital Killing God is another one who cares deeply for his people. Humans are the most likely to produce such individuals, tsk."

"The Old Capital Killing God is clearly at a disadvantage. Hahaha, that's great. At least I don't have to worry about being casually kicked to death by a strong individual.

"How dare a mere human cause trouble in Sin City? This is the most normal outcome. Hunters are like this, and so are Killing Gods. Sin City is the domain of my Viper Race!"

"..."

Spark Bar.

Dozens of human martial artists, who had been drinking and exchanging information, involuntarily stopped their actions, staring blankly at the television on the ceiling.

Did they hear that right? What was going on?

The Old Capital Killing God was directly attacking the Wicked Soul Market venue?!

Crack! The sound of breaking glass echoed. Xi Ling, dressed in a black robe, suddenly stood up and turned to leave.

The next moment, she was stopped by Li Yuan.

"Calm down, what can you do if you go?"

"But Sister Xi Guang and Mr. Jiang..." Xi Ling said anxiously, "The Viper Gang used such a disgusting method to harm Sister Xi Guang last time, and now again!"

"Sigh..." Li Yuan sighed upon hearing this, "Don't worry, A Ling. I'll go. This time, I won't let them get hurt again, even if it costs me my life."

Xi Ling was stunned and even more anxious. "You know how bad your physical condition is. Fighting at full strength by pushing yourself is simply suicide!"

"Forget it, let it be. I've already tasted the bitterness of regret with Xi Guang last time."

Xi Ling was speechless. Li Yuan waved his hand and turned to leave.

Watching Li Yuan's retreating back, Xi Ling gritted her teeth and said to Bruce, "Gather some people and come with me to take a look. Remember to tell them not to approach the venue rashly."

"Understood," Bruce replied seriously.

Wicked Soul Market.

After several minutes of fierce fighting, Gulab and Jiang Xiao had fought their way into the interior of the Wicked Soul Market. Gulab's terrifying destructive power made the entire building tremble slightly.

Under the destructive force of a Tier 2 Peak, the concrete and steel frame were as fragile as tofu.

Seeing this, the panicked criminals stopped fleeing and gathered hundreds of meters around the market to watch. They wanted to wait for the final victor of this great battle to emerge!

The three Hall Masters led their teams to surround the entrances and exits of the market, their eyes fixed intently on the interior.

They were absolutely certain that the so-called Old Capital Killing God was only a Tier 2 Elite and could not possibly escape from Second Master!

Dong!! Boom boom boom!!

Deep brown Source Energy blade energy, amplified by equipment and crackling with electricity, smashed through wall after wall and shop after shop, as if it were not a slash but some kind of single-soldier missile wreaking havoc.

[Health: 67%]

Damn, I lost this much health just getting grazed twice. Jiang Xiao marveled.

Gulab roared, his long blade never ceasing its swings, "You lowly beast, how long do you think you can keep dodging!"

The opponent's slippery evasion only fueled his anger further.

His tail, carrying a strong wind, slammed down at Jiang Xiao, but he dodged it once again.

Jiang Xiao glanced at the messy, chaotic market and chuckled, "Indeed, there are a bunch of experience points waiting outside. I can't waste all my time on you."

Gulab laughed in exasperation, "Arrogant ant... Huh?"

Suddenly, Gulab sensed heat coming from beneath its tail. Before it could investigate further, an overwhelming sense of mortal danger descended!

The dust particles floating in the air seemed to freeze.

What was that? How did it appear? A trap?

"You..."

BZZZZZZZZZ!!! BOOM!!!

The smoke and dust swirled again, and in an instant, an incredibly terrifying, blazing blue light filled Jiang Xiao's entire vision!

Dozens of blue-white lightning serpents materialized. Where they passed, solid rock cracked and softened, metal melted into molten rivers, and concrete walls were torn apart like fragile paper. A mushroom-shaped plasma cloud rose from the center of the explosion, dispelling the dim shadows within hundreds of meters!

Jiang Xiao dodged through the arcs of electricity, barely managing to scramble into a crack in the ruins.

[Health: 25%]

Jiang Xiao's eyes widened.

Fortunately, he had his data system. In normal circumstances, surviving a 75% health loss was questionable.

[Killed Viper Gang Deputy Leader (Second-in-Command), gained 27,570 Experience Points (Cross-level bonus, Alien bonus)]

Killed in one blow!

His heart finally settled. Seeing the plasma dissipate rapidly, Jiang Xiao approached the edge of the crystallized explosion crater to look.

He was astonished. A mostly intact, charred corpse lay at the edge of the pit, the Viper Race's form and posture vaguely discernible.

It actually left the body intact?!

"So tough."

Jiang Xiao withdrew his gaze. Next, it was time to harvest the experience points outside, but before that...

"Player Panel!"

[Player: Jiang Xiao]

[Level: Tier 2 Regular Martial Artist (Evolution: 22%)]

[Talent Ability: Origin Data]

[Talent Value (Dual Talent): 2.58]

[...]

[Source Energy Intensity: 61 (519/1000)]

[Spirit Energy Intensity: 49 (1102/2500)]

[Experience Points: 27,570]

Jiang Xiao decisively raised his Source Energy Intensity to 75 points, then boosted his Spirit Energy Intensity to 50 points!

A lava-like hot current erupted and roared within him, while a cool sensation rippled through his consciousness like waves, growing increasingly intense!

[Player has advanced to Tier 2 Esper]

[Spirit Energy Intensity confirmed to have reached 50 points]

[Confirmed: Conditions for Mind Leap met, initiating Mind Leap]

[Please select Mind Leap direction:

1. Primary Inspiration Mind: Easier to gain inspiration between reality and illusion when conducting learning, research, and thought.

2. Primary Mechanical Mind: Thinking speed, mechanical calculation, and mechanical learning ability will be enhanced (Note: The reinforcement from the Mechanist class and Origin Data will significantly dilute this effect).

3. Primary Idealistic Mind: When developing and researching machines, there is a very low chance of gaining amplification from reality and illusion, granting machines 'miracles' beyond their limits.]

Jiang Xiao, long accustomed to the surge of Source Energy, ignored the discomfort and carefully studied the panel before him.

Between reality and illusion?

What was that?

He vaguely recalled players discussing it on forums in his past life, something about a major interstellar event, called... the Heavenly Realm Descent?

The description of the Heavenly Realm involved something about illusion, and the accumulation of history of all things.

Hmm...

As an old Paradox Interactive player, Jiang Xiao had a sense of déjà vu. The Warp? The Void? He wasn't sure, he'd see.

"I choose... Primary Inspiration Mind!" Jiang Xiao quickly made his decision.

The Primary Mechanical Mind was clearly outmatched by the functions of Origin Data, and the extremely low probability of the Primary Idealistic Mind was too reliant on luck. It wouldn't provide any help in the short term.

Only the Inspiration Mind seemed somewhat useful, though it also appeared to be quite luck-dependent.