Warden vs Commander

The long boots followed the short boots into First Prison. One ahead, one behind, their footprints in the yellow sand overlapped perfectly.

The serious offenders near the prison gates were cowed by the pair's imposing presence. They fell silent and moved aside in unison, clearing a path.

Several prison officers followed behind them, their entire bodies tense as they kept a wary eye on Yu Tu's back, ready for any sudden incident.

Without slowing, Lu Mi passed the serious offenders' betting spot and mercilessly stomped on the "Y" representing Yu Tu, grinding his boot over it three times for good measure.

When he lifted his foot and continued forward, Yu Tu followed close behind. This time, however, he did not copy Lu Mi's step. Expressionless, he stepped on the "L" and ground it beneath his foot five times.

Everyone around them: "..."

They trembled.

Did they see that?

The surging killing intent between the First Commander and the First Prison's warden!

The serious offenders in the innermost circle even backed away another two meters.

They could not afford to provoke them.

They really could not afford to provoke them.

A howl suddenly rang out—

From the corner of the open yard.

Low, vicious, and violent.

In the corner of the yard, a Black Shadow slowly stretched its body. The black panther, over two meters long and forged entirely from black steel, raised its paws and stalked toward Yu Tu, cold murderous intent gleaming in its dark gold eyes.

Its one-meter-long iron tail curled upward behind it, the tip ending in a dark red triangular barb aimed directly at Yu Tu's heart.

"Oh my God, are they fighting already?"

"Obviously. Even Black Shadow has made a move!"

Black Shadow was the name of Lu Mi's exclusive pet mecha—the steel black panther before them.

Pet mechas were incredibly expensive. More importantly, only Energy Masters who had awakened Diamond-grade Energy Crystals could own one.

The core of a pet mecha was the Energy Source of a Diamond-grade Energy Crystal.

Every pet mecha was linked to its owner's mind. Their personalities were usually similar to their owners', making them their best companions.

For life, they would never betray their masters.

Like Lu Mi, Black Shadow was cold, powerful, and possessed absurd combat strength.

"Um, can we change our bets?"

They had been careless!

They had actually forgotten Black Shadow existed!

As for Yu Tu, the Blue River System's First Commander, he was the first plant-type Diamond Energy Master in the Blue River System's history. His awakened Energy Source was: Diamond-Grade Vine.

Energy Crystal grades, from lowest to highest, were: Low-grade, Mid-grade, High-grade, Silver Rank, Gold Rank, and Diamond Rank.

Awakened Energy Sources strictly followed the food-chain pyramid.

Plant types like vines had always occupied the very bottom of the food chain. Even if they awakened into Energy Masters, they were only the lowest class and possessed virtually no combat ability.

Therefore, Diamond Energy Masters were all animal types. For example, Lu Mi had awakened a Diamond-Grade Black Panther.

The pet mechas of Diamond Energy Masters were also related to the animals they had awakened.

Although Yu Tu was famous, because his Energy Source was so unusual, no one had ever heard of him owning a pet mecha.

Besides, even if he did have one, it would certainly have been ordered destroyed before Yu Tu was sent to Calamity Planet.

How was this any different from a one-versus-two?

If they really fought, Yu Tu was bound to lose!

"Get lost. Bets are final once placed!"

The serious offenders murmured among themselves, but it did not affect Lu Mi and Yu Tu's pace in the slightest.

Just as the two were about to step onto the stairs leading into the building, Black Shadow suddenly sprang into action. It leaped up and landed directly in front of Yu Tu, separating him from Lu Mi.

Yu Tu lowered his gaze. His red eyes stared at it without emotion as he said bluntly, "Move."

Black Shadow arched its back, as though its fur were standing on end.

Though it did not have fur.

The scene fell utterly silent.

Lu Mi turned slightly. "Black Shadow."

Black Shadow let out a snarl!

"Roar!"

Lu Mi frowned, his voice growing deeper with a faint warning in it. "Black Shadow!"

The next second, Black Shadow abruptly opened its mouth and shifted one step aside. It lay down beside Yu Tu's feet, rolled over, and exposed its iron belly.

Its black tail wrapped around Yu Tu's wrist, tugging him toward its belly with pleading expectation in its golden eyes.

Its iron tongue lolled out, making panting sounds.

The movements were smooth and seamless.

"..."

Hey! You were a Black Panther Mecha, not a dog!

They seriously suspected Black Shadow's core had malfunctioned!

Lu Mi's eyelid twitched fiercely. He kicked Black Shadow in the rear with the tip of his black shoe. "You disgraceful thing. Get out of the way."

"Awroo!" Black Shadow withdrew its tail, drooped its head, and walked away pitifully, looking back at Yu Tu every few steps.

"..."

Lu Mi lifted his foot. "Commander Yu Tu, follow."

[Author's ramblings: The food-chain rankings are, simply put, like big fish eating small fish, and small fish eating shrimp.

A big fish's Energy Crystal is higher-ranked than a small fish's, while a small fish's Energy Crystal is higher-ranked than a shrimp's. A shrimp's Energy Crystal is almost incapable of surpassing ranks to exceed a big fish's Energy Crystal.

To emphasize: not every animal in the food-chain pyramid has Diamond Rank energy. It merely means that all Diamond Rank energy belongs to animals in the food-chain pyramid. Special cases are not included, such as Yu Tu's Diamond-Grade Vine.

The setting is not complicated. Just remember the food chain.]