In just over ten days, Han Xiao's mechanical army had recovered to a scale of several million, with all models fully upgraded. At this moment, the massive army blocked Heber's path, and all sorts of long-range weapons opened fire on Heber.
A dazzling rain of light, composed of beams of Psionic Energy particles and dark energy annihilation rays, bathed Heber.
Heber's martial aura swelled into a massive crimson-gold sphere of light, thousands of meters in diameter, forming his protective energy and propelling his mountain-like body forward. A long trail of flame trailed behind him, like a comet rising against the black tide. To countless spectators, this scene inspired an aura of unwavering courage, a spirit that seemed to defy even the strongest odds.
A barrage of long-range artillery fire bombarded Heber's protective aura, leaving behind clusters of expanding energy spheres in his path.
Braving the devastating barrage of fire, Heber charged headlong into the mechanical legion's position, unstoppable, smashing through layers of mechanical soldiers' defenses, and firing towards Han Xiao.
He chose to charge straight at Han Xiao, aiming to exploit his strengths and exploit his weaknesses, quickly eliminating Han Xiao in close combat!
"As expected of Beyond Grade A martial artist, his physical strength is truly terrifying..."
Han Xiao glanced at the battle information and raised an eyebrow.
Heber's level, attributes, and health are all question marks. The panel shows that several template-level abilities on Heber have been triggered, namely Low Damage Immunity, True Damage Immunity, fixed damage reduction, huge damage reduction brought by super tenacity, and damage deflection from the Beyond Grade A martial artist's protective aura!
This means that Heber True Damage Immunity, and also immune to normal attacks whose damage value does not exceed a certain threshold—a threshold equivalent to a burst attack required to inflict actual damage on Heber in a normal Calamity Grade. Due to a special fixed damage reduction, only damage exceeding this threshold is calculated: if the damage immunity threshold is 100, and you deal 110 points of damage, then it's 110 minus 100. Part of this 10 points of damage is absorbed by Fortify Power, and the remainder is further reduced by the template-level resistance feat...
After so many layers of reduction, the final figure represents the actual damage suffered by Heber!
What's most frightening is that Heber's recovery ability is also quite good. Although it's far inferior to his own, it still provides considerable endurance.
Thick, hard, and long-lasting!
This is a real Beyond Grade A tank!
"As expected of the iron-headed kid who can easily smash through a planet with his bare body..." Han Xiao's eyes narrowed; he knew from the start that this would be a tough battle.
Hadavy also possesses two template specializations: True Damage Immunity and Low Damage Immunity. However, as a superhuman, his abilities are limited and his attack power is not high. Heber is clearly more well-rounded. This Beyond Grade A martial artist, who excels in both offense and defense, is not only a tank but also a brute with astonishing destructive power.
Therefore, Han Xiao had no interest in engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Beyond Grade A martial artist. Even though he was quite physically strong, the difference between the main and secondary attributes of Beyond Grade A martial artist was like a chasm. Their three-dimensional attributes were too far apart, and close combat would be pure torture.
Seeing Heber suddenly turn his face, he quickly guessed Heber's intention to finish the battle quickly, and secretly curled his lip.
While this is the correct tactic for a martial artist to fight a mechanic, it also shows that the Tyrant is very confident in his own destructive power and obviously doesn't take his reputation for "Undying Body" earned in the Calamity Grade seriously.
"Do you think it's that easy to finish this quickly?"
Han Xiao snorted coldly and casually tossed a Luck Curse at Heber —whether it worked or not, he just threw it at him.
He adopted different tactics against different opponents, immediately switching to a kite-fighting style, using his speed to move around and control the mechanical legion to besiege Heber.
The enhanced mechanical legion after reaching Beyond Grade A boasts superior performance. With its current Mechanical Affinity boost, hundreds to thousands of ordinary mechanical soldiers can handle a Calamity Grade. Furthermore, the [Advanced Mechanical Generation] ability provides sustain, making it virtually immune to attrition warfare.
Most importantly, most mechanical warriors can break through Heber's defenses. Even if the actual damage is reduced too much, the sheer size of the legion means that, little by little, they can be very lethal even to a bug-level tank like Heber. They can hold Heber down and slowly whittle down his health. This is the advantage of the legion strategy against any class—because as mechanical creations become stronger, the sheer number of them can always pose a threat to those of the same level.
Han Xiao knew that against an opponent like the Tyrant, there were no shortcuts; the only option was to use sheer numbers to wear him down, to grind an iron rod into a needle.
The mecha's energy surged into its thrusters, and Han Xiao transformed into a streak of light, weaving and darting about. The vast battlefield provided ample space for him to spread out his battle lines.
With every gesture, Heber unleashed a powerful aura, like a star releasing energy, shattering piles of mechanical soldiers. However, the broken machines rapidly reassembled under Han Xiao's Mechanical Force, fearlessly changing formations to intercept him.
Both being Beyond Grade A, Han Xiao has various mechanical devices providing power, making him faster. Although Heber's physical flight is not slow, it is much more cumbersome in comparison, making it difficult to close the distance.
"This battle will drag on for too long." Heber smashed a giant soldier with a punch, his brow furrowing slightly.
For many years, there has been no Beyond Grade A mechanic in the Shattered Star Ring. Heber has little experience fighting against mechanics of the same level, but he knows that a mechanic's power comes from knowledge and time.
Black Star has only been advancing for less than two months, with limited learning time and insufficient opportunities to expand his mechanical forces. This is precisely the time when he is most Wings and vulnerable.
Therefore, what Heber wanted was a one-sided crushing victory, not a protracted war.
"I need to put in some effort..." Heber took a deep breath, not of air, but of the omnipresent dark energy in the universe. Every cell seemed like a bottomless pit, thirstily absorbing the dark energy and then rapidly dividing.
The next moment, his mountain-like body swelled up, instantly bursting through his armor and transforming into a giant tens of meters tall, directly entering the second stage.
He is also a unique new species of Beyond Grade A, and those who advance to Beyond Grade A from the martial arts system will basically have one characteristic - removing the genetic limiter of their physical body!
In other words, his physical strength has "theoretically" no limit!
Heber stretched out his palm, aimed at Han Xiao in the distance, and shook his head.
"You do have talent. Given time, you might have the potential to become something like the Mechanic Emperor... What a pity."
The next instant, everyone's vision went white.
A blinding beam of light burst forth from Heber's palm. This External Wave was incredibly fast, and it wasn't just a simple projectile; Heber could remotely control it and it had a tracking effect.
Han Xiao dodged more than a dozen times, but was still hit by the beam of light, his whole body bathed in crimson-gold martial arts aura.
However, instead of exploding as expected, the External Wave energy condensed into a tangible form, like a long tentacle that gripped Han Xiao in its hand.
[Determining strength level... Determination failed, your strength level is lower than the opponent's]
[You have entered a [Energy Restriction] state; you are unable to release your Qi.]
Han Xiao was startled. The martial arts aura around him generated a suppressive force, causing the Mechanical Force within his body to completely subside, shrinking into his cells and unable to be released. The connection between his own Mechanical Force and that of the mechanical legion was severed.
He tried to break through the martial aura surrounding him, but encountered terrifying resistance. His body moved extremely slowly, almost as if he were fixed inside the crimson-gold pillar of light.
"This is..."
Han Xiao's pupils contracted.
"Come here!" Heber pulled sharply, and the crimson-gold beam of light rapidly contracted, pulling Han Xiao, who was in the distance, toward him.
Martial artists refine and hone their own strength, which is an extension of their limbs and can be endowed with many attributes. In terms of sheer strength, martial artists surpass Five Superpower Systems and are masters of using strength.
For martial artists, skills are simply different martial arts techniques. There are countless martial arts styles in the universe, and the techniques are endless.
This move compresses martial arts energy, unleashing a External Wave that forms a special energy field upon hitting the target. It uses one's own energy to suppress the target's energy, like setting up layers of barriers around the opponent to forcibly block their energy within their body. This is a martial artist's control technique.
Unless one's Qi strength level is higher than or equal to Heber's, there is no exemption. Heber is a veteran Beyond Grade A who has existed for many years and has mastered countless Qi strength cultivation methods, making his Qi strength level unfathomable.
The mechanical legion, controlled by AI, focused its fire on Heber, but without Han Xiao's Mechanical Force boost, they couldn't even break through Heber's defenses.
The floating guards behind Han Xiao released traction beams at him, trying to pull him out of the crimson-gold pillar of light. However, Heber bulged his arm muscles and poured in more energy, causing countless light bullets to shoot out from the crimson-gold pillar of light, shattering any machinery that approached.
Han Xiao's thoughts raced.
"We need to find an easy way to counter this move. Heber definitely won't use it just once. Void Leap has too long a cooldown; he might escape once, but he won't be able to escape a second time..."
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him, and he activated a talent he hadn't used in a long time—[Chaos Body Release]!
His entire body suddenly transformed into a cloud of gray mist, becoming Chaos Body form. He then used Void Leap to teleport away from the crimson-gold pillar of light before reverting to his human form.
"The talent of the Void Race..." Heber had read Han Xiao's intelligence data and was not surprised at this moment.
Intelligence indicates that Black Star's Void Travel has a cooldown period of a few minutes; using it now is tantamount to losing a trump card.
However, what outside intelligence doesn't know is that when Han Xiao uses Void Leap -type talent in his Chaos Body state, the cooldown is reduced to just over ten seconds!
This was a talent he possessed during his time as Chaos Observer, a time when he wasn't as famous as he is now, and he rarely revealed this ability to outsiders!
Han Xiao released his Mechanical Force to link with the mechanical legion again, and sighed inwardly.
He had originally intended to rely on his own combat strength to contend with the Tyrant, but now it seemed that there was indeed a certain gap between himself and Heber. With his physical strength, his life was not in danger, but the situation would definitely be very passive.
Since the duel was being held under the spotlight, Han Xiao didn't want to be completely dominated by Heber throughout.
"I was hoping to save some money, but it looks like I can't..."
Han Xiao licked his lips, opened the panel, and activated an item.
The Character Summon Card Reynold!
Perfect Mechanical Sense!
Han Xiao's eyes widened suddenly, his pupils flashing like lightning.
The Mechanical Force coursing through the mech soldier's body became dazzling, and blue-gold light overflowed from the gaps in the machinery.
In that instant, Han Xiao's Mechanical Affinity surged, increasing by a total of 1.4 times, which greatly boosted the combat power of the mechanical legion!
Upon seeing this, Heber paused, his eyes filled with doubt.
"It seems a little different."
"This is the power of Beyond Grade A being, it's too strong..."
The spectators stared in awe at the two combatants. Many knew the concept of Beyond Grade A, but had never witnessed Beyond Grade A fighting each other. They were mesmerized by the sight.
"Tyrant Majesty's heroic bearing is truly captivating," Jorde exclaimed excitedly.
As the saying goes, a well-trained body makes it easier to attract the same sex. Most Pugilist Class officers in the War Realm have a personality cult about the Tyrant. When they see the Tyrant displaying his prowess, the people in the War Realm are very excited.
On the other hand, the Amethyst Civilization and some of the cooperating forces who were watching were all worried for Han Xiao.
Ames did not interfere in the one-on-one duel between the two. It was a duel, and since Han Xiao had not spoken, she did not need to take action against the Tyrant.
At this moment, Ames was keeping a close eye on Sisko. Han Xiao instructed her that if Sisko made any unusual moves, it would be best to stop him immediately.
Sisko glanced at Ames, then turned his gaze back to the battlefield, narrowing his eyes.
"Black Star's strength has improved since our fight, but he's still no match for Tyrant. It was inevitable that he would be at a disadvantage..."
Sisko nodded secretly. The current situation was as he expected. He knew the strength of the Tyrant well. Black Star was fighting him to a standstill, but that didn't mean he could fight the Tyrant to a draw.
Beyond Grade A abilities vary and counter each other. Sisko is not afraid of the Tyrant because mental attacks are the Tyrant's weakness, and he is also wary of the Tyrant's physical strength. The two keep to themselves. However, Black Star cannot target the Tyrant's weakness like he can, and can only confront it head-on. The Tyrant's physical strength naturally surpasses that of the newly born Beyond Grade A.
If it were a normal freshman Beyond Grade A, he might really have been killed by the Tyrant, but Sisko had fought with Black Star, and currently only he knew Black Star's true strength, which he had not revealed to the Tyrant.
"Black Star also possesses a body that is extremely resilient even among Beyond Grade A, not much weaker than Heber's. He should be able to hold out for a long time. They are still testing each other; I'll make my move when their condition declines..."
Thinking this, Sisko turned to look at the Arcane Church flagship behind him.
He knew that in the flagship's command center, the fleet commander was waiting for his signal.
Just then, a figure like a shooting star flashed past in his peripheral vision, flew into the War Realm not far away, and crashed heavily into seven or eight spaceships.
Sisko turned his head and was immediately startled.
The one who got sent flying was actually Tyrant?!
Sisko was a little stunned, then suddenly turned his head and looked at Han Xiao, who had activated his Perfect Mechanical Sense, his eyes gradually changing.
"It seems I underestimated you..."