Lei Chi Battle Blade

Ren Mian threw over two pieces of equipment: a blade and a pair of boots.

Ji Xinghuo caught the blade in his left hand and grabbed the edges of the two boots with his right, holding them up. He took only one glance at the blade in his hand, and his eyes immediately lit up.

"Good blade!"

He could not help but praise it.

The blade was an integrated modern combat saber, forged as a single piece.

Its design had evolved from the Tang Heng Dao. The originally straight blade had been changed into a slight curve, its width increased by half, and its spine thickened. Its geometric tip exuded sharpness. The entire blade was about eighty-five centimeters long. It could be wielded one-handed, and it felt extremely weighty in his grip—definitely over ten kilograms.

These features had all been designed for the immense strength of Aberrants.

Wider, heavier, and better suited for chopping and slashing, it could unleash greater destructive power!

Ji Xinghuo gripped the hilt and brought the blade close to his eyes.

The silver-white blade carried a faint dark-blue tint. The Myriad Stellar Eye magnified it in his vision, allowing him to see that the blade was composed of countless tiny metal crystals that glimmered with a dark-blue light.

"Indium-based superconducting alloy?" Ji Xinghuo recognized it.

This was a high-temperature superconductor produced in the Star Realm. When combined with materials such as magnesium, boron, chromium, and iron, it could produce a superconducting alloy that was both hard and exceptionally tough, with extremely high Stellar Force conductivity.

Indium-based superconducting alloy was extraordinarily expensive, traded by the gram.

The material for this blade alone was worth several million!

However, the most eye-catching feature of the blade was the three lightning-shaped patterns near its spine. They extended from the guard all the way to the tip, and when the blade moved, they looked like three bolts of lightning leaping across its surface.

"These are three Arc Ring Cut abilities," Ren Mian explained.

"Three?"

Ji Xinghuo was startled.

Arc Ring Cut was a high-quality ability. It condensed a semicircular electric arc in one's hand that could cut through matter. However, its attack range was very short, so its potential was not considered high.

Integrating one Ability Seed into a weapon during its creation was enough to make it a superpowered weapon.

"Ren-jie, what grade is this blade?" Ji Xinghuo could not help asking.

"Two-star superpowered."

"What?" Chi Zhonglin's eyes widened beside him. "Isn't that better than my Lava Gun? A two-star superpowered weapon should cost at least ten million Asia Yuan, right?"

Ren Mian said casually, "This blade is called Lei Chi. Its transaction price was eighteen million."

Now it was Ji Xinghuo's turn to be shocked. Holding the blade suddenly felt like holding something scalding hot. It was worth a thousand times more than the Wild Goose Wing Saber! "Ren-jie, isn't this a little inappropriate?"

Ji Xinghuo did not know how to handle this.

A thought suddenly popped into his head. Could Ren-jie be interested in me? He immediately laughed at himself. What the hell am I even dreaming about? "I couldn't find any other weapon that suited you. Only this Lei Chi was decent. It was a little expensive, but not overpriced, so I bought it."

A smile appeared on Ren Mian's exquisitely beautiful face. "Don't overthink it. Lei Chi is only on loan to you."

"And these Gale Boots cost me over three million."

"I'll count the two pieces of equipment as twenty million altogether. Remember to pay me back later." Clearly, she had already planned everything out.

Ji Xinghuo felt both touched and helpless, along with a few traces of pressure.

He had joined the team for only one day. Before earning anything, he had already taken on a debt of twenty million. It felt like he had boarded a pirate ship.

But he also knew that Ren Mian meant well.

Lei Chi and the Gale Boots were worth more than twenty-one million in total, yet Ren Mian counted them as only twenty million. She had not even specified when he had to repay her. Clearly, she did not truly intend to take them back. She was only saying it to ease his psychological burden and let him accept the equipment without worry.

"Thank you, Ren-jie." Ji Xinghuo did not act coy. He deeply remembered this kindness.

If he had the chance in the future, he would definitely repay her properly.

"You don't need to think too much about it. I'm doing this for the team. When your strength improves, it means the whole team's strength improves too," Ren Mian added.

Chi Zhonglin was utterly envious. "Ren-jie, helping me improve would also make the team stronger!"

"Have I not helped you enough over the past three years?" Ren Mian asked in return.

Chi Zhonglin scratched his head. "Uh..."

A trace of displeasure appeared in Ren Mian's eyes as she reproached him. "Xiao Chi, I don't interfere with your private life, but you've been slacking off these past few months. Your improvement has obviously slowed down. I don't know why, but as the captain, I have to remind you: don't die on top of a woman. I don't want to collect your corpse."

Chi Zhonglin lowered his head guiltily and said in a low voice, "Ren-jie, I know I was wrong. Starting tomorrow, I'll train properly."

"We'll see how you perform." Ren Mian neither confirmed nor denied it.

She looked at Ji Xinghuo again. "Xinghuo, your task over the next few days is to become familiar with your weapons and equipment. Train more with Xiao Chi and Cai Yi, and improve your teamwork."

"Alright."

Ji Xinghuo nodded. He understood what she meant. They would probably be heading out to hunt very soon.

Next, he put on the Gale Boots.

Ji Xinghuo had heard of these one-star superpowered combat boots before. They were suitable for almost every Aberrant and were the most common type of speed-enhancing combat boots.

The camouflage-colored Gale Boots were very light, yet made of tough material. They came with two abilities: Gale Step and Balance. The former was a high-quality ability. When activated, wind rose beneath the wearer's feet, increasing running speed. It also provided some cushioning when falling from a height, reducing the impact of the fall.

Balance, on the other hand, was a basic ability. It allowed both feet to maintain balance as much as possible and avoid falling over. Even on rugged and complex terrain, it could help maintain one's center of gravity.

The Ranger Class Template included Balance.

After putting on the Gale Boots and experiencing their effects, Ji Xinghuo was overjoyed.

Although Balance was only a basic ability, its effects were outstanding. Whether in close combat or Martial Dao Rank, footwork was the most important foundation. It would greatly improve his strength.

Ji Xinghuo estimated that after mastering Balance, his Martial Dao Rank should reach professional seventh rank! That meant that among the Ranger's five abilities—Thousand Spirit Dexterous Hands, Flash Step, Intuitive Reflex, Precision, and Balance—he had mastered four. He lacked only Flash Step.

He recalled the Flash Step Ability Seed he had seen in the Ability Seed store on the day he bought the Life Spirit Seed.

The Myriad Stellar Eye had given it a fusion success rate of ninety-five percent, ranking first among the Ability Seeds he had encountered. It was clear that Flash Step was highly compatible with him.

"Should I fuse Flash Step in the future?"

Ji Xinghuo hesitated.

Flash Step's effect was an instantaneous burst of speed, as fast as lightning. However, the movement distance was extremely short, and it consumed a huge amount of stamina and Stellar Force.

Besides Rangers, the Class Templates of Swordsmen, Gravity Masters, and Flying Steppers also included Flash Step. Martial Artists could also replace an ability in their templates with Flash Step.

This showed just how powerful Flash Step was.

Flash Step was only a basic ability and fairly common, but its potential was the highest among basic abilities.

Many Ability Seed experts and Aberrants believed that after multiple upgrades, Flash Step could rival a Super-Limit ability. Moreover, the higher Flash Step's level, the more astonishing its effects became.

If he were merely an ordinary Ranger, he would definitely fuse Flash Step.

But now, he was a Magnetic Field Maniac.

The Magnetic Field Maniac's Class Template did not include Flash Step. Every Aberrant had limited fusion opportunities, and each was extremely precious. The Magnetic Field Maniac already had seven abilities, so he could not waste them lightly.

Unless he could obtain other Expansion Oddities.

"Forget it. I'll consider it when the time comes." Ji Xinghuo cast aside these distracting thoughts and focused on training.

Over the next few days.

Ji Xinghuo practically lived in the training grounds all day. Physical training, Stellar Force cultivation, Martial Dao sparring, adapting to his equipment—his schedule was packed.

A day in the Star Realm lasted nearly fifty hours, and he slept only eight hours a day.

He spent all his remaining time training.

The Ether tea prepared by Ren Mian was very effective. It helped Ji Xinghuo's Stellar Force value break through one hundred, and the Rotating Magnetic Field's level progress also increased by one point.

His greatest improvement, however, was still in Martial Dao Rank.

In just a few days, Ji Xinghuo's Martial Dao skills had advanced by leaps and bounds. Even without wearing the Gale Boots, Jiangnan Caiyi, who was at professional seventh rank, was no longer his opponent. His win rate was around seventy percent.

Against Chi Zhonglin, who was at professional ninth rank, he could fight back and forth while wielding Lei Chi and wearing the Gale Boots.

Of course, Chi Zhonglin had not gone all out either.

Even so, Ji Xinghuo's rate of improvement frightened Chi Zhonglin. He no longer dared to go out drinking at bars and trained obediently every day, as though he had become a different person.

Sometimes, Ren Mian would also join the sparring.

Her weapon was a pair of gauntlets.

Although it was obvious that Ren Mian did not focus much on Martial Dao, as if she only practiced it casually whenever she was bored, and according to her, she had never even taken a rank assessment, her Martial Dao Rank was solidly at master level—perhaps even above master level! Ji Xinghuo could still trade a few moves with Chi Zhonglin, but against Ren Mian, he barely had any ability to fight back.

He spent the entire match being beaten around like a punching bag.

After dinner that night.

At the dining table earlier, Ren Mian announced that they would head out hunting tomorrow. She told everyone not to train anymore that night, so they could conserve their strength and recover.

Thus, Ji Xinghuo did not cultivate for once. He sat in the garden and admired the night view.

It was a starry night, and the sky was covered by the Milky Way Reflection.

Ji Xinghuo had spent more than a dozen day-star-night cycles in the Star Realm, equivalent to over a month on Earth. Whenever he saw the Milky Way in the sky on starry nights, he was always awed and enthralled by its dazzling splendor.

Footsteps sounded behind him.

He did not need to turn around to know it was Chi Zhonglin. The man plopped down beside him.

But he did not say anything.

Chi Zhonglin gazed at the Milky Way. Starlight shone across his face, revealing an expression entirely unlike his usual carefree demeanor. He seemed to have something on his mind.

After a long while, Ji Xinghuo broke the silence.

"Have you ever been to another planet?"

The Star Realm was, so far, the only route out of the solar system. The same was true for other Extraterrestrial Races.

From the Star Realm, one could travel to any planet in the Milky Way. There were rumors online that many powerful Aberrants had passed through other Star Gates and arrived on planets beyond Earth.

"No."

Chi Zhonglin shook his head. "There are eight Extraterrestrial Races under the Tianyu Royal Court, including Earth. But aside from the Fomalhaut People, the other seven Extraterrestrial Races have very little contact with us, and they generally do not easily allow outsiders into their Star Gates."

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

He had only asked casually and had not expected an unexpected answer.

The Tianyu Royal Court was the Star Realm nation where Olympia was located. It had been founded by a branch of the Celestial Race and ruled the entire Thousand Peaks Abyss Forest, whose estimated area exceeded two hundred million square kilometers!

That was even larger than Earth's land area.

Yet the range of activity for Earth's Aberrants rarely extended more than two thousand kilometers beyond Olympia City.

Only a very small number of Earth Aberrants had ever ventured beyond the Thousand Peaks Abyss Forest.

This vast land was covered in boundless primeval forests. Ravines crisscrossed the ground, and countless bottomless rifts, like abysses, split the land apart. The environment was complex and secluded, the climate ever-changing, and most striking of all were more than a thousand enormous Hanging Mountains floating in the sky.

The Thousand Peaks Abyss Forest was named for this reason.

The Celestial Race, born with the ability to fly, built cities on these Hanging Mountains and made them their homes, gradually developing into the Tianyu Royal Court.

The Tianyu Royal Court was the master of the Thousand Peaks Abyss Forest, but they did not place much importance on the land beneath the Hanging Mountains, treating it only as a hunting ground.

The land was home to enormous numbers of Astral Alien Races, along with countless powerful beasts, living creatures, and monsters.

Earth Human had to compete with these alien races for territory.

However, Earth's greatest enemy was neither the Celestial Race nor the other Astral Alien Races, but the Extraterrestrial Race from Fomalhaut! Fomalhaut was twenty-five light-years from Earth, an unreachable distance within the Milky Way, yet in the Star Realm, the two sides' Star Gates were only five hundred and forty-eight kilometers apart!

They were practically right on each other's doorstep.

Unfortunately, Fomalhaut's Star Gate had opened more than a thousand years before Earth's! When Earth's Star Gate opened in 2033, the Fomalhaut People quickly discovered Earth and immediately launched a large-scale invasion.

In the first year of the invasion alone, more than two billion humans died. Over the following decade or so, more than half of the terrible price paid by nations around the world had gone toward resisting the Fomalhaut People.

Although Earth successfully drove back the Fomalhaut People and, with the Tianyu Royal Court's support, reclaimed its Star Gate, a blood feud had already been forged.

Over the past two centuries, the Fomalhaut People had continued to attack humans and cities, causing countless casualties.

The nations of Earth were constantly embroiled in disputes, slaughtering one another.

But when facing the Fomalhaut People, humanity could always put aside its grudges and join hands against the foremost enemy that had nearly driven mankind to extinction! Ji Xinghuo had not seen the Fomalhaut People with his own eyes, but he knew that he would have to face these aliens sooner or later.

He asked Chi Zhonglin how the Fomalhaut People should be dealt with.

The two talked for a long time.

The Milky Way Reflection gradually dimmed, and the starry night was about to end. Ji Xinghuo suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Do you know Ren-jie's background?"

Chi Zhonglin looked at him strangely. "Why are you asking that?"

"Just curious." Ji Xinghuo had already prepared his answer. "Ren-jie is so powerful and so beautiful. Logically, she should have become famous long ago. But I had never heard of her before, and her name isn't on the Sky Ladder either. It's a little unbelievable. She's too mysterious."

Chi Zhonglin laughed. "A few years ago, I asked the same question as you, but Ren-jie wouldn't say. I've never met her on Earth either."

"So you don't know either." Realization appeared on Ji Xinghuo's face. "Ren Mian" was probably a false name.

"What difference would knowing make?"

Chi Zhonglin did not seem to care, but his expression turned very serious as he said solemnly, "All I know is that Ren-jie treats us well. Without her, I could never have reached my current level of strength. Sooner or later, Ren-jie will tell us herself. Whoever dares harm her is our enemy!"

Ji Xinghuo nodded heavily in agreement. "You're right."

"Get some rest. We leave tomorrow." Chi Zhonglin stood and patted Ji Xinghuo on the shoulder. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you perform."