Void Crisis

A new day quietly dawned, and sunlight streamed through the bright glass, warming the room with a comforting glow.

Last night was the best sleep Xu Jiang had in the three months since arriving in this world.

It wasn't just that Team 17's accommodations were more comfortable than his previous poverty-stricken room; it was also because he was utterly exhausted after the fierce battle the night before.

Fortunately, the rewards from the battle were also very generous.

He looked at the orange-grade mech he'd bought at a high price last night, its majestic sheen glinting in the sun. Then he saw the stack of books clutched in its iron hands. Truly…

Wait! Why were there books?

Xu Jiang jolted awake, his earlier grogginess completely gone. He rushed to the mech and examined the books.

He clearly remembered that the mech he bought yesterday didn't come with any manuals. Now that they suddenly appeared, could it be that the old man had intentionally left them for him as a legacy?

Excitedly, he picked up one and looked at the cover: "Sister-in-law's Secrets - Part 1."

Xu Jiang: "..."

Well, considering the old man's physique, he probably wasn't suited to reading these books. Even the cover was a bit revealing; the contents would be even more so.

But where did these books come from?

After three seconds of silence, Xu Jiang thought of a possibility.

"Qianji!"

"Here," Qianji crawled in through the window.

"Where were you just now?"

"General, I acquired new equipment last night and immediately began special training. The results were remarkable," Qianji tapped the tactical goggles on its neck.

It was evident that Qianji was extremely satisfied with the night vision function, as it allowed it to maintain sufficient training even in the dark.

Rest was out of the question. From the moment it became a machine, Qianji had never considered resting.

Xu Jiang patted the twenty-odd picture books of monsters fighting in his hands and asked, "Qianji, do you know about these picture books?"

"Yes, these are the spoils of war I acquired during my training."

"Spoils of war? From where?"

"From under Baozi's bed."

And so, Qianji earnestly recounted its solo training journey after Xu Jiang had fallen asleep last night.

After the practical combat experience with the Black Tiger Gang, Qianji had fully understood its shortcomings and trained even harder.

Unable to find a suitable training ground for "Quick Draw," Qianji decided to train "Shadowstep" and "Reconnaissance Sense."

To upgrade these two skills the fastest, the best method was naturally to sneak into the target area and take a piece of loot.

Ying Xiaoxiao was too terrifying, Sha Tu was too alert, and Xiao Zhen was too kind to bully. The only one left was Baozi.

"So, these… adult books belong to Baozi?"

"Yes. He hid them under his bed, secured with three locks. They were his most carefully hidden possessions. I took one each time as a measure of my progress."

"...The word 'took' you used is truly masterful."

Qianji was also quite clueless. Why target only Baozi for 'taking'?

It had run over 20 times in one night. Poor Baozi, in the blink of an eye, all his years of treasured collection were gone.

"General, has my behavior caused you any trouble? Should I return them?"

"No need. Keep them. I've developed an interest in literature recently."

For Baozi's mental well-being, Xu Jiang decided to silently bear the burden.

He checked the time; it was already 10 o'clock. Time to go out for something to eat and get some exercise.

Exiting the bedroom, he found Grandpa Lei already waiting in the living room.

Today, he was dressed quite formally in a suit, looking quite respectable. As soon as they met, he asked, "Xu Jiang! You're awake. Did you get used to staying here last night?"

"It was alright. Killing, arson, robbery, jumping off buildings. Very fulfilling."

Xu Jiang's truthful answer didn't seem to register with Grandpa Lei, who thought he was joking. How could such a harmonious Team 17 engage in such activities?

"Come, let's have breakfast together. After you've eaten, your master will give you special training today."

He's already calling himself my master? I haven't even agreed yet!

Just as Xu Jiang was about to retort, Grandpa Lei handed him a bag.

"These are the materials I found for you, 30 units of Mana Alloy."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiang immediately changed his tune: "You really found them? Master is so generous!"

"Of course! If you take me as your master, your future is boundless!"

To take on a disciple, Grandpa Lei had certainly paid a price.

Mana Alloy was a crucial forging material and extremely rare. The old man had leveraged quite a few connections to gather it.

Xu Jiang didn't say a word, took the last [Mana Alloy], and excitedly returned to his room, handing it over to Qianji.

"General, Qianji requests to begin advancement now."

"Granted!"

[Congratulations, advancement has begun. Estimated completion time: half an hour.]

As the prompt ended, Qianji returned to its mech case state. The orange-grade Powered Mech beside it, along with a large pile of materials, all turned into a flowing stream and merged into Qianji's body.

Finally, the materials were all gathered. With so many good things, it would definitely be very powerful after the advancement was complete.

Satisfied, Xu Jiang dragged the mech case and returned to Grandpa Lei's presence.

"Alright, since you've worked so hard for me, I'll take you as my disciple. By the way, I still don't know your full name."

"Take you as a disciple? That sounds a bit strange. My full name is... no rush, I'll tell you later. You come with me first, I'll take you to see an old friend."

Buying a disciple by gifting? That's the inferior strategy.

Grandpa Lei had spent all night yesterday meticulously designing a perfect plan for taking a disciple.

First, he would bestow a favor, making Xu Jiang deeply grateful.

Then, he would bring Xu Jiang to visit influential figures from both the underworld and the legitimate world. Through their words, he would gradually reveal Xu Jiang's formidable reputation.

Only then could Xu Jiang be truly convinced.

With a plan in mind, Grandpa Lei eagerly set off with Xu Jiang.

Still in that old, battered car, they bumped along to their first stop: the Blackwater District.

The streets were as chaotic as ever, with several gangs fighting from last night until dawn. The battle was fierce.

Grandpa Lei asked proudly, "How is it? You've never been to the Blackwater District before, have you? This place is..."

"It's the most chaotic place in all of Yong'an City, a paradise for criminals. There's also a black market that only opens at night over there."

Xu Jiang suddenly interrupted, cutting off Grandpa Lei's intended boast.

"You've been to the black market?"

"Of course, what's so surprising? You haven't?"

Xu Jiang's counter-question made Grandpa Lei's old face twitch. He replied loudly, "Of course, I have! With my extensive experience, I'm very familiar with every street and alley in Yong'an City."

"Really? So you frequent this place often?"

"Naturally, I frequent it often..." Grandpa Lei's words got stuck in his throat again.

Because he noticed Xu Jiang's gaze had drifted to where it shouldn't have.

At the street corner, three women dressed in revealing outfits stood up and quickly greeted them upon seeing them. They swayed their hips and beckoned, throwing seductive glances their way.

Weren't these the same scantily clad girls who had accosted Baozi last night? They were already open for business in broad daylight?

"What are you thinking! As professionals, how could we linger in a place like this!" Grandpa Lei exclaimed, his anger flaring.

Xu Jiang looked at him with disbelief. "Are you sure? You haven't accepted any 'Dragon' services?"

"Nonsense, am I that kind of person? Women only slow down my Quick Draw!"

Grandpa Lei stood tall and righteous, waving his sleeves to declare himself an aloof master, untouched by worldly desires.

Unfortunately, this noble demeanor lasted only a second.

From behind the three scantily clad women, a woman in her fifties emerged. Her heavy makeup was as thick as if she had smeared it with starch. The moment she saw Grandpa Lei, she walked over enthusiastically.

She skillfully draped her arms over Grandpa Lei's shoulders and said in a syrupy voice:

"Oh my! Isn't this Brother Lei Luo? You haven't been here in ages. Are you bringing a friend today? Then I'll have to charge double."

Together! Xu Jiang recoiled in shock, taking two steps back.

He bowed towards Grandpa Lei. "So Teacher's name is Lei Luo! It's a shame I learned your full name in this manner."

Grandpa Lei: ...

A miscalculation! A complete miscalculation!

He never imagined his lifelong reputation would be ruined in a place like this.

Just as Lei Luo was lamenting and trying to find a way to salvage his image, an anomaly occurred.

Rumble~

The ground suddenly began to shake, and cracks rapidly appeared at their feet.

Simultaneously, a long, piercing alarm blared across the sky of Yong'an City.

[Attention! All citizens of Yong'an City, please note! A Void disaster has occurred near Seventh Street in the Blackwater District. Residents in the vicinity are urged to evacuate immediately.]

[Repeating: A Void has appeared on Seventh Street in the Blackwater District. Residents in the vicinity are urged to evacuate immediately.]

Seventh Street in the Blackwater District? Isn't that exactly where they were? What was this Void?

Before Xu Jiang could figure it out, Grandpa Lei's exclamation reached his ears: "Quick, Xu Jiang, grab my hand!"

Grandpa Lei tried to grab Xu Jiang, but was blocked by the panicked woman beside him, preventing his hand from reaching.

The next second, disaster struck. The ground beneath them suddenly sank, and a massive black hole appeared below.

Xu Jiang fell into the black hole.