Qianji's Advancement

Yong'an City, a place filled with powerful individuals, classified this phenomenon as a disaster-level event, illustrating its terrifying nature.

Three months after arriving, Xu Jiang had heard about these disasters. One had occurred in the suburbs, wiping out all life and leaving nothing but barren land.

He never imagined he would experience it firsthand this time.

Falling into the void, endless darkness enveloped him. He opened his eyes but couldn't see a sliver of light. He tried to shout, but no sound returned.

When light reappeared, he was already thousands of meters in the air. Below him lay ruins, and he was plummeting freely.

If he fell like this, he would surely be smashed to pieces.

His only hope of survival lay in the prompt that suddenly sounded in his mind.

[Prompt: Mech upgrade complete. Initiate mech activation?]

"Nonsense! Hurry and activate it!"

Xu Jiang shouted with all his might.

The next moment, the mech case in his hand transformed into soft water patterns, flowing through his arm and covering his entire body. The mech's stability returned.

"General, I have successfully advanced. Thank you for your support. Huh? I only went into hibernation for half an hour, and the General is already initiating an airdrop training?"

"What airdrop, you idiot! Save me, help!"

"Understood. Initiating emergency evasive posture." Qianji received the command and began to exert itself to self-rescue.

Its limbs straightened and tucked close to its body, striving to maintain a balanced posture as it glided forward, searching for any possible cushioning landing spots.

Unfortunately, the expected mud pit or pool of water didn't exist. Fortunately, as it neared the ground, it passed through a steel girder.

Qianji seized the opportunity, reaching out to grab hold. The force of the high-altitude descent was immense, making a complete stop impossible.

However, by using the steel girder for cushioning, Qianji successfully shed some of its momentum. It fell diagonally downwards, bent its legs, and landed in a semi-crouched position, leaving a deep gouge in the ground. It had successfully landed.

Xu Jiang's first reaction was: That was so cool!

His second reaction was: My body hurts so much!

Even with Qianji's mech protection and the enhancement from his Robust Physique, the landing from thousands of meters still made Xu Jiang feel like his entire body was about to fall apart from the pain.

"General, you're injured? That's great! I'll treat you right away."

The grenade activated [First Aid], and a flash of white light passed over him. The pain in his body significantly subsided.

However...

"When I was injured just now, did you say: 'That's great'?"

"Uh. I meant, I finally have a chance to be useful, so I was very happy." The grenade tried to explain.

"Is that so? Then next time, you charge in first, and let me be happy too."

"No! General, I'm support. Don't send me to the front lines."

Ignoring the grenade's pleas, Xu Jiang, still half-crouched, began to observe his surroundings.

The dim sky, the abandoned streets, and the surrounding ruins didn't match the architectural style of the Blackwater District. It was likely that the void had transported him to another realm.

Xu Jiang had heard about voids before; they were terrifying disasters.

They swallowed houses, streets, and people whole.

Within the void, there were also numerous mutated creatures. Once someone fell into a void, very few could survive.

"I just don't know what level this void is, and if I can hold on until rescue arrives."

"This is a Level 1 void. Your disciple should still be salvageable."

In the Blackwater District, a researcher cautiously reported to Lei Luo.

Before them lay the terrifying void that had just formed, a thousand meters in diameter. Its dark depths were endless, and everything above it had been smoothed and banished.

Yong'an City had already organized forces to seal off the area around the void, urgently deploying instruments to suppress this bizarre energy.

The members of Team 17 had all rushed over upon receiving the news. Looking at the abyss-like void, their faces were filled with sorrow.

A Level D void was the lowest intensity, but it was still a disaster. Even with Xu Jiang's high talent, he was only a Level 5 newcomer. Could he really survive?

"He can make it, he definitely can. He went down with his mech, so he should be able to hold on for a while. Speed up your analysis. Tell me as soon as you find the exit, and I'll go down to rescue him immediately!" Lei Luo was on the verge of losing control.

If he hadn't brought Xu Jiang here, none of this would have happened.

As his teacher, with his disciple so close by, yet failing to protect him, Lei Luo was filled with self-reproach.

He desperately wanted to go down and save Xu Jiang. With his strength, he could resist the erosion of a Level 1 void.

But now, he had to wait for the researchers' analysis. Only by pinpointing the void's exit location could he safely bring Xu Jiang out.

"Hold on, Xu Jiang! Don't let the 'Calamity' infect your mind."

"Calamity? Is it that terrifying? It doesn't seem to be affecting me!"

On the other side, within the void, Xu Jiang muttered to himself while checking Qianji's attributes.

Qianji had completed its advancement, and its current appearance had completely changed.

It was no longer a simple skeletal mecha but a powerful liquid mecha.

With a light, form-fitting design, it completely shed the clumsiness of the skeletal mecha. Now, it was like wearing a bodysuit, allowing for complete freedom of movement.

Its hard silver outer shell was outlined with purple patterns, giving it a cool and stylish look. The crucial power core was housed in the chest, protected by layers of armor.

The advantage of a liquid mecha was its convenience; it could transform into a small device for daily use.

With just a switch, Xu Jiang could quickly equip it and enter combat readiness at any time.

[T-1000 Mech (General)]
[Type]: Liquid Core New Type Mech
[Quality]: Blue
[Power Core]: Spirit Seed Lv1 (Energy Recovery Speed: 50 points/sec)
[Power Energy]: 5000/5000
[Equipment Slots]: Desert Eagle Pistol, Stun Baton, Grenade, Empty, Empty, Empty
[Attributes]: Increases limb explosive power by 120kg, enhances equipment durability by 30%.
[Traits]: Divine Sense Blessing, Faith Aura
[Skills]: Robust Physique Lv10, Knee Strike Lv10, Shadowstep Lv7, Reconnaissance Lv5, Quick Draw Lv2.

Undoubtedly, after its advancement, Qianji was capable of crushing all mechas below level 20.

And this was even with its equipment slots not being full.

With the power core, Xu Jiang could equip things like an electromagnetic cannon or a thruster, further boosting his combat power significantly.

However, those were matters for after they left. What Xu Jiang relied on most now were the two new traits Qianji had acquired.

[Divine Sense Blessing: Consumes 50 energy per second, increases movement and attack speed by 30%. When taking damage, it will prioritize consuming power energy to mitigate it. It is vulnerable to lightning element, and cannot mitigate impact force.]

What an incredible trait! Not only did it increase movement and attack speed, but it also generated a comprehensive, all-angle shield. As long as the power core had energy, Xu Jiang wouldn't die.

It was much more powerful and convenient than other professions' shield or energy wall skills. The only drawbacks were its vulnerability to lightning and its inability to dissipate force.

Thinking of the bracelet that Ying Xiaoxiao had used to knock him down, suppressing him with dark lightning, Xu Jiang had a realization.

"Qianji, is this the new trait you comprehended after absorbing the bracelet's rune system?"

"Yes, General. Qianji is useless, actually comprehending such a trash skill."

"Trash? This skill is very strong! Why do you call it trash?"

"No! Being vulnerable to lightning and unable to dissipate force are flaws. I cannot allow imperfections to exist. I will find more runes to perfect this skill and ensure the General's safety."

So diligent! I have high hopes for you, keep up the good work.

After reviewing the self-preservation skills, Xu Jiang looked at the last support skill.

[Faith Aura], this skill was a new trait obtained from an orange-grade mecha, and it was the biggest guarantee for his survival in the void.

As for the old man who sold him the mecha, Xu Jiang also had a guess.

Perhaps he was a guide.