Old Li's Test for the Machine Spirit

Once the Neural Interface was connected, Tech-Priest Busi spoke slowly from outside the Knight Squire Mech:

"My lord, clear your mind and recite the introduction before you without thinking.

"If you feel your consciousness fading, don't resist. It means your consciousness is being uploaded to the Knight Mech.

"If you glimpse another consciousness through the haze, don't be afraid. That is the Knight Mech's Machine Spirit. Please go along with it..."

Li Qinwu heard none of what followed. His consciousness had already blurred rapidly as it was uploaded into the Knight Mech.

Through the haze, he felt himself enter a strange space of consciousness.

Only two beings existed there: himself and a dense mass of consciousness.

The mass was vaguely humanoid. It was studying Li Qinwu with a searching gaze.

Li Qinwu's mind was foggy, as though he were dreaming.

Any judgment he made now came from pure instinct, from a more primitive place closer to his true self.

He saw the unknown consciousness staring at him and said, "What are you looking at?"

The humanoid consciousness said nothing. Li Qinwu's expression changed at once.

"Did you just say, 'What's it to you?'"

The humanoid consciousness still hadn't said a word, but Li Qinwu shouted, "Match found!" and lunged at it.

Shoryuken! Skull Crusher! Crow Takes Flight! Crippling Strike! Tornado Destroys the Parking Lot!

The two consciousnesses grappled instantly. The Squire Mech's Machine Spirit froze for a beat, then flew into a rage and fought Li Qinwu!

They wrestled and battered each other without pause.

In the space of consciousness, the two traded blows. In reality, Li Qinwu was pitting his mental strength against the Squire Mech's Machine Spirit, trying to overpower him.

"Dragon Knee Strike! Lao Da Man Elbow! Rocket Headbutt! Killer Scissor Legs!"

Li Qinwu shouted the names