Health is a Blessing

On the abandoned highway, the armored combat vehicle sped along.

Tin Can's face was filled with excitement.

"Fat Xiang, I never thought you were so capable, so strong, and that transformation! Wow, I always thought you were just a big dummy before."

"Heh heh."

Fat Xiang scratched his head, a foolish grin on his face.

The battlefield was the best training ground. It was one thing for Tin Can; at most, it made his driving skills fiercer. But Fat Xiang had undergone a complete transformation.

Well, only when he transformed. When he didn't, he was still that same simpleton.

Gao Gong glanced at him, thinking that this guy's skill level was truly high. He wondered how Aunt Xiang had trained him, or if he was just naturally like this.

In the Cyber World, skill levels were divided into Normal, Advanced, Elite, Expert, and Master, with civilization as a prerequisite.

Gao Gong's two highest skills were both 'Advanced,' while this silly kid's transformation was 'Elite.'

This made Gao Gong suspect if this kid had been passively training since birth. After all, he wasn't a Mech-Bio Beast that could gain experience by hunting.

However, this was undoubtedly a good thing. As long as he could fully adapt to the battlefield, he would be a complete monster.

"Boss, why are we heading back so early today?"

Ever since he had been on the battlefield and witnessed Gao Gong's methods, Tin Can was utterly convinced. He had wholeheartedly acknowledged the latter as his second boss. He just didn't know when he could officially become one, get a raise, and have insurance contributions.

A healthy organization would provide the best benefits to every member.

This was what his previous boss, an excellent guild leader, had said in his speech when starting the guild.

Although after giving the speech, he had fired himself.

Gao Gong, of course, didn't know what Tin Can was thinking. He was just pondering how to spend the eighty thousand experience points he had earned over the past ten days.

Thanks to the high intensity of the war hunting, his gains in less than ten days were equivalent to a month's worth before.

Well, undoubtedly, he should level up first.

[You have upgraded Mechanical Augmenter to Lv10 (Max). Strength +1, Agility +1, Perception +1]

[You have reached the maximum level for your current profession and cannot be further upgraded]

[You have met the requirements for job advancement. Do you wish to proceed?]

Of course, it was 'No.' He had only implanted skin for biological augmentation, and the questline for the classic Mechanical Hunter wasn't finished yet. If he advanced now, his brain must be broken.

However, he could try his sub-professions.

[You have upgraded Neuro-electronics to Lv5]

[You have upgraded Human Biology to Lv5]

[You have upgraded Human Mechanics to Lv5]

[Neuro-electronics]Lv5: Conduct in-depth research on the brain and body, augment nerve fibers, and simulate nerve signals using electronic circuits.

[Human Biology]Lv5: Study the organs, structures, and functions of the human body at various levels, as well as their biological interactions with the surrounding environment.

[Human Mechanics]Lv5: Design principles for artificial implants.

[You have upgraded Prosthetic Doctor to Lv5 (Max). Perception +1]

[Your total level has increased to Lv19]

[You have triggered a job advancement quest: Senior Prosthetic Doctor]

[Job Advancement Quest: The Old Doctor's Dark Medical Arts]

Quest Objectives:

1. Successfully complete three prosthetic augmentation surgeries. 2. Complete two custom-designed augmented parts based on your own ideas. 3. Conduct one prosthetic experiment.

"Tsk, this minor advancement is harder than in my previous life."

Gao Gong recalled that in his memory, a minor advancement for a normal Prosthetic Doctor at level five only required completing one prosthetic surgery, one augmentation part, and one prosthetic experiment.

This was likely the additional difficulty from upgrading the three professions to Lv5.

However, this wasn't a problem.

With additional difficulty came additional rewards.

After some thought, Gao Gong also upgraded Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology to Lv5 in one go.

[Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology]Lv5: Principles of nerve signal transmission enhancement.

The three professional knowledge provided by Prosthetic Doctor were related to prosthetic implantation and crafting. However, the function of Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology was prosthetic connection and augmentation of mechanical species.

Next came the much-anticipated blueprint lottery.

As a wealthy player with nearly sixty thousand experience points remaining, Gao Gong naturally chose to inject the maximum. What about technical streams or hidden quests? None of them felt as satisfying as simply paying to win.

If I spend enough money, I am the wish itself.

lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology] + lv5 [Neuro-electronics]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 1 Neural Blueprint: Advanced Neural Massage Chair]

What the heck, a bad start. Level 5 knowledge yielding a Level 1 blueprint? What kind of operation is this? They've even churned out a geriatric massage chair.

lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology] + lv5 [Neuro-electronics]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 2 Neural Blueprint: Happy Wiggle Stick]

This happy wiggle stick... is its happiness legitimate?

lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology] + lv5 [Neuro-electronics]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 1 Mechanical Blueprint: Electric Egg Beater]

[Fusion successful, you have researched...]

Five trash blueprints in a row. Gao Gong's forehead veins were throbbing, his eye corners twitching, and his mouth trembling. Seeing this, Tin Can's heart skipped a beat – oh no, did his boss find out about his wish for a raise?

Fortunately, the sixth blueprint finally turned his luck around.

lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology] + lv5 [Neuro-electronics]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 3 Neural Blueprint: Central Nerve Direct Control Ring]

Gao Gong glanced at the blueprint's notes.

Notes: Can perform restraint-type modifications on the nervous systems of small to medium mechanical species. Applicable range: radiation value below 10,000.

That is, Mech-Bio Beasts below C-Class.

As for "restraint-type modification," this thing—

It's the Golden Cudgel!

Gao Gong's eyes lit up. Following [Desert Skin], he had another bestseller.

Compared to [Desert Skin], this blueprint was more accessible. It didn't even require transferring to the Mechanical Hunter class. One only needed a Perception exceeding 5 to use it.

The higher the Perception, the more Mech-Bio Beasts one could control.

This could completely become a "faction specialty"!

Gao Gong immediately decided that he couldn't cooperate with Little Finger on this blueprint.

Being kept by a rich woman was great, but having the means to keep a rich woman himself would be even better.

Let's try a different set of professional knowledge to change my luck.

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 2 Mechanical Blueprint: Human Pleasure Operation Device]

This pleasure... is it legitimate?

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 2 VR Blueprint: Open-Version Virtual Projection]

According to the notes, this virtual projection was no longer a fixed-device, fixed-plot VR. Instead, it could be controlled to a certain extent according to the creator's thoughts.

In simple terms, this thing was a "special effects generator."

If you added some R-rated hand-drawn manga, tsk tsk.

Too bad I've already retired from the jianghu, Gao Gong shook his head. Suddenly, a thought struck him.

If this thing were modified, it could serve as an "auxiliary combat device."

Imagine, his assassination-style swordplay combined with it – wouldn't that mean generating sword qi when you want sword qi, creating clones when you want clones, and producing sound effects when you want sound effects?

Qiao Feng: Dad doesn't have to worry about his speakers being smashed anymore.

This is quite interesting.

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 2 Neural Blueprint: Neural Frequency Amplifier]

This small item is also good; it can strengthen the connection of neural equipment.

Then came three more trash blueprints.

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Invasive Neural Augmentation Technology]

[Fusion successful, you have researched a Level 3 Neural Blueprint: Manual Nerve Disruptor]

Gao Gong's heart rejoiced. It had finally come out.

In his previous life, this thing was also known as a "mob-pulling artifact." Its function was to create a super-noise field within a 300*300 meter radius.

Within this range, its effect was equivalent to ten times the noise of a construction site – for monsters, that is.

They would do anything to smash this thing.

And for Gao Gong, this blueprint was also a "fish-blasting artifact."

From now on, when hunting Desert Worms, there's no need to wait around like a sycophant for them to come out.

I'm going to use noise to disturb monsters!

[Central Nerve Direct Control Ring], [Open-Version Virtual Projection], [Manual Nerve Disruptor]

With these three blueprints, Gao Gong wouldn't need any other 'neural connection equipment' for a while.

So, he changed his approach.

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Human Mechanics] + lv4 [Mechanical Augmentation]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 2 Mechanical Blueprint: Giant Grip Magnetic Gloves]

These gloves increase grip strength by 9%, blunt weapon heavy attack damage by 12%, and come with the 'Magnetic Call' skill.

This skill is like a weaker version of the 'Electromagnetic Exciter.' With these gloves on, by adjusting the suction, you can pull weapons towards you. The heavier the weapon, the stronger the suction.

They are quite suitable for heavy weapon users.

However, the image of these magnetic gloves gave Gao Gong a strong sense of déjà vu.

Isn't this just Thanos's glove without the gems?

If Thanos had had this glove back then, he wouldn't have been snapped out of existence.

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Human Mechanics] + lv4 [Mechanical Augmentation]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 2 Mechanical Blueprint: High-Temperature Metal Boots]

This is a wearable auxiliary device, weighing 5.7kg, adjustable in size. Its attributes are Strength +2, +15% grip, and a reduced chance of triggering stun effects.

Gao Gong looked at Fat Xiang with a strange expression. Could an Emperor of Luck be standing before him?

These two pieces of equipment are clearly suited for heavy-hitting characters, specifically prepared for tanks.

Gao Gong didn't believe it and opened two more.

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 1 Mechanical Blueprint: Torsion Belt]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 2 Mechanical Blueprint: Violent Forehead Guard]

One is a premium basic item with Endurance +4, and the other comes with the auxiliary skill 'Blood Rush,' which grants an additional 15% critical hit rate when active.

"Brother Gao, why are you touching me?" Fat Xiang asked blankly.

"Nothing, just feeling your fullness and borrowing some luck."

lv5 [Human Biology] + lv5 [Human Mechanics]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 2 Tech Blueprint: Blood Coagulator]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 2 Tech Blueprint: Polymer Scalpel]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 2 Medicine Blueprint: Metal Sedative Pill]

[Fusion successful, you have researched the Level 1 Prosthetic Blueprint: Immune Appendix]

After opening over twenty blueprints, only seven were legitimate blueprints, and they were all related to surgery.

How should I put it? Health is wealth?