Learn from the Enemy to Defeat the Enemy

[Robust Physique Lv1: Increases wearer's strength by 5%, stamina by 10%.]

The sudden prompt in his mind left Xu Jiang completely stunned.

Admiral Qianji was his mech—he'd just stepped out to take a shower, so how had he suddenly comprehended a skill? Could a mech even comprehend skills?

"Hey, Xu Jiang? Where are you going! Aren't you heading to the bathhouse?"

"Forget the bath!" Xu Jiang turned without a second word and sprinted back home.

A mech comprehending a skill—that was a top priority! Not only did it save money, but more importantly—it was fully automatic.

Bang!

Xu Jiang nervously pushed open the door, and the first thing he saw was a pistol floating in midair, glowing with a strange blue light.

Looking down, in the narrow walkway by the bed, the mech was on the ground, doing push-ups one after another.

"98, 99, 100! Good, on to the next exercise."

So diligent!

It completely ignored his arrival, silently preparing to start the next training routine.

Xu Jiang quickly interrupted her: "Qianji, hold on a second. I want to ask you something."

"Yes, General!" Qianji stood at attention, her demeanor meticulous.

"Did you just comprehend a skill?"

"Let me check. Mm, that's right. I comprehended an ordinary skill."

Qianji's voice was flat. She raised the instrument panel on her arm, glanced at it, then lowered it again, as if tightening a screw—just a skill, nothing special.

"How did you do it?" Xu Jiang asked excitedly.

If his mech knew a convenient way to learn skills, he might be able to carve out a profitable path.

Qianji didn't refuse. She crisply pointed at her neck and replied: "Simple. Just exercise."

"First, 100 push-ups, then 100 sit-ups, then 100 squats... Note: no breaks. Repeat the cycle five times in a row, and you'll initially comprehend a skill."

Qianji's tone was serious, with no hint of deception. But after that training regimen, wouldn't you lose all your hair?

Oh, right—this mech had no head, so no fear of hair loss.

Xu Jiang's eye twitched. He asked, unwilling to give up: "Isn't there a slightly easier way? Something to quickly learn skills and boost combat power?"

"There is. Like him." Qianji raised her skeletal arm, pointing at the Desert Eagle meditating in the corner.

Little Deagle?

But this kid had just been floating there, supposedly meditating? He hadn't produced any results either!

Just as Xu Jiang was doubting, Little Deagle moved. He darted up and down in the air, cheering and shouting.

"I get it! I finally get it!!"

"Huh? What do you get?"

"I get it—the reason the Mech clan is declining!"

Alright, so this one had been motionless, genuinely pondering the future. But you're just a pistol—what great life philosophy could you come up with?

"Look at those Elementalists, those Holy Practitioners. The source of their power isn't scientific at all."

"...A talking pistol, discussing science with me? You've got some nerve. Fine, just give me the answer. What do we do?"

"I think the Mech-type needs to make some changes too."

"Such as?"

"Learn from the enemy to defeat the enemy."

[Congratulations! Major Sand Eagle, through deep contemplation, has understood that only magic can defeat magic. Skill learned: Telekinetic Bullet Lv1]

[Telekinetic Bullet Lv1: Bullet trajectory correction +5%, vital hit rate +2%]

Just—just like that, he learned it?

Could meditation really work? Xu Jiang stared at Sand Eagle, lost in confusion.

The darting pistol was snatched up by the mech, who scolded it sternly:

"Such a small achievement, and you're already complacent! Have you forgotten the humiliation the General suffered today because of us, the disdainful looks?"

"Yes, I must never forget today's shame. I will work hard, I will strive, I will reclaim the lost glory."

"Well said. Then let's begin. All-night training tonight, not a moment of slack."

"Yes, Admiral Qianji."

Xu Jiang really wanted to explain—people just didn't have high hopes for his talent; no one had actually rolled their eyes at him!

But thinking about it, maybe this was the Mech clan's driving force for relentless effort. Too lazy to stop them, Xu Jiang decided to start his own meditation plan.

Physical training was out of the question—he had no interest in baldness. But meditation training was a good idea. If a pistol could do it, surely he could too.

He bathed, changed clothes, sat cross-legged, and began contemplating the future of the Mech-type.

For the glory of machinery, for the three-year vow, I... zzzzZZZZ...

The morning sunlight streamed through the window as Xu Jiang slowly woke from a pleasant dream.

In the dream, he had gained a miraculous ability—lying still and doing nothing could still skyrocket his combat power.

And when he opened his eyes, the dream came true.

[Congratulations, Admiral Qianji, after arduous training, the skill: Robust Physique, has been upgraded to Level 6.]

[Robust Physique Lv6: Increases wearer's strength by 30%, stamina by 60%.]

[Congratulations, Major Sand Eagle, after deep contemplation, the skill: Telekinetic Bullet, has been upgraded to Level 6.]

[Telekinetic Bullet Lv6 (Passive): Bullet trajectory correction increased by 30%, critical hit rate increased by 12%.]

These two really were putting in the effort—they'd actually trained all night, one staying up to ponder life, the other staying up to do sit-ups and squats.

"Don't you two want to rest a bit?"

"No need, time is tight and the task is heavy—how could we slack off? Rest assured, General, we will become battle-hardened elites!"

Even after a sleepless night, their morale was still high. Machinery truly was machinery; not needing sleep or rest was the most terrifying ability of all.

"Is there anything I can help with?" As a general, Xu Jiang still had to show some concern for his subordinates.

Qianji didn't refuse his kindness either. She stopped her squats and saluted Xu Jiang.

"Thank you for your consideration, General. If possible, please allow us to maintain a high training volume every day from now on."

Good, with employees like you, how could I ever worry about not affording a villa.

After washing up, Xu Jiang had to head out for training.

He had Qianji transform back into the mech case, then boarded a maglev train, weaving through the city.

Gazing into the distance, a skyscraper towering into the clouds stood at the very center of the city—that was the core of Yong'an City, commanding the pinnacle of power.

On the streets, all kinds of flashy flying cars zipped between neon lights, while in the shadows, explosions rang out like music.

Chaos, clamor...

Yong'an City—a city of luxury and extravagance, yet also a city of disorder and sin.

To live here in style, one had to strive to become a strong individual.

Following the address, Xu Jiang arrived at a remote, abandoned shooting range. By now, over forty people had gathered there, and the leader was the old man he'd met yesterday.

"Alright, this is about everyone. Let me introduce myself—my surname is Lei. Over the next three days, I'll be giving you all some basic training. You can call me Instructor Lei."

Grandpa Lei's introduction was very brief; he didn't even bother with a roll call.

After all, it was only three days. After those three days, probably few among them would remember him, so there was no point in mentioning his name.

Time was tight and the task heavy, so Grandpa Lei went straight to the point: "Three days isn't enough for systematic learning. Are there any techniques you urgently want to understand?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a woman over fifty raised her hand.

"I heard that with a mech, you can easily control computers. I want to know how to do that." This woman looked like she was attending a senior re-employment class, yet she asked a very basic question.

Controlling a computer—couldn't she just buy a mouse and practice at home?

Xu Jiang certainly wasn't going to let the teaching get derailed. He quickly raised his hand and said, "I want to learn the specific operation of firearms and mechs, as well as ways to improve combat power."

Hearing his words, Grandpa Lei finally looked at him seriously.

He really hadn't expected this!

Although Xu Jiang's talent was average, his drive hadn't diminished at all—this was the true passion a Mech Warrior should have!

Grandpa Lei nodded at him approvingly and said, "Alright then, I'll start by teaching everyone how to use a computer. First, press this button. See this data cable that pops out? Plug this end into the back of the computer..."

Xu Jiang: ???

Mixed in with the group of older women, Grandpa Lei smiled warmly, personally guiding them on how to plug and unplug the cable. For a moment, laughter and joy filled the air, everyone happy and harmonious.

Xu Jiang had reason to suspect that this old man was indulging in the charms of the older women.

Where was that cool gun-spinning stance from yesterday! Where was that swagger of spending tens of thousands of Credit Points on a single bullet!

What a fall from grace!