Warden vs. Commander

Long boots followed short boots into First Prison. One before the other, the footprints they left in the yellow sand completely overlapped.

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

Several prison officers followed behind them, their bodies taut as their wary gazes remained fixed on Yu Tu's back, ready for any unexpected situation.

Without slowing down, Lu Mi passed the serious offenders' "betting" spot and, without the slightest courtesy, heavily stomped on the "Y" representing Yu Tu, then ground his boot over it three times.

When he lifted his foot and moved on, Yu Tu followed close behind. This time, however, he did not copy Lu Mi's steps. Expressionless, he stepped on the "L" and ground it 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 closest to them even retreated another two meters.

They could not afford to provoke them.

They really could not.

With a howl—

It came from a corner of the open yard.

Low, vicious, violent.

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

Behind it, its one-meter-long black iron tail curled upward. At its tip was a dark red triangular barb, aimed directly at Yu Tu's heart.

"My god, are they really fighting already?"

"Of course! Even Black Shadow has made a move!"

Black Shadow was the name of Lu Mi's exclusive pet mech—the refined-iron black panther before them.

Pet mechs were extremely expensive. More importantly, only energy users who had awakened Diamond-Grade energy crystals could possess one.

The core of a pet mech was the energy source of a Diamond-Grade energy crystal.

Every pet mech was connected to its owner's mind. Most had personalities similar to their owners and were their best companions.

For their entire lives, they would never betray their masters.

Like Lu Mi, Black Shadow was cold, powerful, and possessed explosive 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-Grade energy user in the Blue River System's history. His awakened energy source was: Diamond-Grade Vine.

Energy Crystal ranks, from lowest to highest, were as follows: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, silver-grade, Gold Rank, and Diamond Rank.

Their 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 as Energy Masters, they would only be the most inferior sort, with almost no combat ability.

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

The pet mechs of Diamond-Grade energy users were likewise related to the animals they had awakened.

Although Yu Tu was famous, because his Energy Source was so unusual, no one had ever heard that he possessed a pet mech.

Besides, even if there were one, before Yu Tu was sent to Calamity Planet, it would surely have been ordered destroyed.

How was the current situation any different from one against two?

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

"Get lost. Bets are final!"

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 main building, Black Shadow suddenly erupted into motion. 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, clearly bristling.

Even though it had no fur.

The entire scene fell silent.

Lu Mi turned slightly. "Black Shadow."

Black Shadow let out a roar!

"Roar!"

Lu Mi frowned. His voice sank, carrying a faint warning. "Black Shadow!"

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

Its black tail wrapped around Yu Tu's wrist. With a pleading, expectant look in its golden eyes, it tugged him toward its belly.

Its iron tongue stretched out, making "pant, pant" sounds.

The motions flowed smoothly, all in one go.

"..."

Hey! You were a black panther mech, not a dog!

They seriously suspected Black Shadow's core was broken!

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

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

"..."

Lu Mi lifted a foot. "Commander Yu Tu, keep up."

[Author's ramblings: In simple terms, food-chain rankings are like big fish eating little fish, and little fish eating shrimp.

Big fish Energy Crystals are higher-grade than little fish Energy Crystals, while little fish Energy Crystals are higher-grade than shrimp Energy Crystals. Shrimp Energy Crystals are almost incapable of surpassing ranks to become higher than big fish Energy Crystals.

To emphasize: not every animal in the food-chain pyramid possesses Diamond Rank energy. It simply means that all Diamond Rank energy comes from animals in the food-chain pyramid. Special exceptions do not count, such as Yu Tu's Diamond-Grade Vine.

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