Chapter 474: Steam
Chapter 474: Steam
"This world... it's like a mirage, neither real nor fake, neither illusory nor solid... It's a world I created through a life-and-death struggle with the Creator."
Fang Xing stretched out his hand, as if trying to grasp the bustling wind of the night.
Unfortunately, he couldn't catch anything.
"The fluctuations of space-time laws, the fluctuations of the True Self Principle, even fate, fire... all are non-existent... Is this a world without law fluctuations? Or are they all blocked?"
Fang Xing shook his head.
This body of his was just an ordinary teenager's body; it could get hungry, tired, injured, and bleed. With too much blood loss, it would die!
His strength could only be described as pathetic. Without the amplification of Law Comprehension, it was even worse.
Law Comprehension amplification was the best power booster.
Even when he used all his strength to unleash the Secret Art of Burst, he struggled to compete with Twelfth and Thirteenth Stage professionals.
But with Law Comprehension, it was possible.
Even if he was an ordinary person now, as long as he had the Law Comprehension from before, Fang Xing wouldn't fear ordinary Martial Sages, let alone Martial Deities!
But at this moment, this ability was completely lost.
Even the will, something so mysterious and profound, could only affect himself and couldn't be projected outward.
It was as if... this was a world of Superhuman Insulation!
"Forget it... If I'm like this, then the Creator is even more so... Compared to dealing with a Celestial Immortal who has fully comprehended the laws, it's better to seal off Law Comprehension. That way, I'm the one who gains."
Fang Xing thought of his opponent and fell into deep contemplation.
"The Life Contention Secret Art naturally gambles with life! It ends with the death of one party!"
In other words, winning was actually quite simple. Find the Creator, cut Him down, and everything would be fine.
But unfortunately, Fang Xing couldn't do it; after all, he was just an ordinary college student.
"Aside from directly eliminating the other party, the greatest possibility is that both of us encounter danger in the Fetal Mystery and are naturally eliminated..."
This possibility was actually quite high. Before Fang Xing's awakening, a serious illness, a natural disaster, or even a robbery... any of these could have taken his life.
It could only be said that Fang Xing's survival until now was a stroke of good luck.
"The Creator's Fetal Mystery might be even heavier than mine. As long as I wait, maybe He'll die..."
"Or, we can compete to see who lives longer. The lifespan of ordinary beings has its limits. As long as I live longer than the other party, I'm still the winner!"
"So, my next goal is first to master power and second to expand my influence..."
Mastering power was for self-preservation! Even if there was a superhuman path in this life, he could still climb up, prolong his lifespan, and live longer.
With influence, he could also search for the Creator's whereabouts.
Fang Xing glanced at the attribute panel and was taken aback.
"This world, which seems to lack superhumans, has no Essence Power, no Law Comprehension... All other runes are dim, and even the Great Sun Bodhimanda Spell has been weakened too much..."
"But what does this 'Stellar Warrior' mean?"
"My martial arts initially belonged to the Blue Star Martial Arts, and later incorporated the Immortal Path... Could it be that after breaking through the Tenth Stage of Martial Arts, it also incorporated the Essence Power System and even the Martial Canon of the Universe, hence the name 'Star Warrior'?"
"Stellar Warrior? Not bad... It's just a pity that the title 'Star Warrior' at this time has no extraordinary effects..."
Fang Xing estimated that he might need to win this life-and-death struggle completely, and only after leaving this strange world would he know how much his strength had skyrocketed.
...
The next day.
Black Ring Private Mechanical College.
The campus was vast, and various mechanical creations were scattered around.
Fang Xing even saw iron tracks on the ground and a small steam locomotive pulling a series of small carriages, emitting white steam as it passed by.
Before, there was nothing, but now it gave him a feeling similar to the toy trains in amusement parks...
"Alright... At least it saves some effort. Taking the toy train to class every day sounds pretty good..."
Fang Xing thought for a moment and squeezed onto the small train, taking a seat.
The little train moved slowly, almost as fast as an adult's jog, and swayed as it arrived at one teaching building after another.
Students got off from time to time, and more students boarded.
Fang Xing got off at a building and entered the laboratory, where he saw a burly man with an oil-stained work uniform, a goatee, golden hair, and deep blue eyes.
This was his Mechanics tutor, Montaque Dean.
"Teacher."
Fang Xing bowed: "I'm here..."
"Hmm..."
Montaque was crafting a strange machine that looked brick-sized, somewhat like an iron box with a gear and a firing mechanism: "Your idea for this 'gas lighter' is quite good... The key is portability, allowing it to be carried outdoors."
"But it's actually not as convenient as a box of matches..."
Fang Xing commented.
This was the 'brilliant idea' that had come to him when he was obscured by the Fetal Mystery, and it had caught his tutor's attention.
However, at this moment, he suspected that Montaque had taken him as a student purely to use him as a workhorse and, in the process, exploit his creativity...
"No! This is just a prototype, and there's still a lot of room for improvement."
Montaque said, "This is the beauty of mechanics. We can also add a windproof cover to it..."
"That's what the teacher said."
Fang Xing nodded.
In this era, the identity of a university student was precious, and he wasn't about to give it up.
When faced with authority, he wasn't foolish enough to directly rebut.
In any case, his life plans had already undergone a major change.
Only a fool would become a mechanic; could one still build mechas in this steam age?
Being able to craft a mechanical rifle was already pushing it!
What he wanted to do, naturally, was to practice martial arts!
With a muscular body, he would smash anyone who dared to challenge him!
'Many cultivation methods and secret techniques in the 'Martial Canon of the Universe' required the True Self Principle to enter... In this world, it's considered useless.'
'But Blue Star Martial Arts, and some ordinary training methods and killing techniques from the books, can still be picked up and used to train one's body to its limits.'
'Furthermore... In this world, if there are superhuman beings, as long as I obtain their secrets, I can definitely innovate.'
Fang Xing pondered in his heart.
However, he didn't show it; instead, he followed his tutor as usual.
The academy's courses weren't too heavy, and in the afternoon, he still had self-study time.
Normally, the past Fang Xing loved to hang out in the library, hungrily learning all kinds of mechanical knowledge.
But for the current Fang Xing...
'What's the point of studying? I want to punch!'
He walked out of the academy and strolled on the street.
Black Ring City was a thriving commercial hub, with all sorts of indulgences available. He even saw advertisements for several Midnight Clubs and Degenerate Balls.
"Can these things be openly advertised? It seems I was too naive before..."
Fang Xing secretly mocked and searched around, noting down the addresses of several 'Martial Arts Clubs' and 'Combat Clubs'.
The clubs in Black Ring City were well-developed, and it seemed like there were clubs for every industry.
He walked a few rounds and entered a small alley.
In the alley was a small shop that seemed to be a general store. The signboard at the entrance was already quite old, and several yellowed papers were posted on it:
【New Arrivals: White Bread, Honey, Antiques...】
【Acquisitions: Black Serpent Oil, Incense Snake Grass...】
...
When Fang Xing entered the general store, he saw an old man with white hair. He wore glasses, had deep frown lines, and scrutinized every customer who entered the store with a critical gaze.
Upon seeing Fang Xing, the wrinkles on the old man's face seemed to relax into a smile: "Oh, it's Fang Xing... What good news do you have for me?"
"I didn't come to sell today, but to buy."
Fang Xing coughed.
Although he had a scholarship, he was still a bit tight on living expenses, and he had sold quite a few things to Old Quin.
This guy looked like an ordinary general store owner on the surface, but in reality, he was a black market merchant who could always get his hands on some good contraband.
"Oh? That's rare..."
Old Quin smiled, revealing yellowed teeth: "What do you want?"
"Short barrel."
Fang Xing was concise.
Old Quin was taken aback, then seemed to ponder: "It seems you've gotten into some trouble? I know a few influential people; perhaps I can introduce you to them..."
"No! I just... lack a little sense of security."
Fang Xing shrugged and followed Old Quin into the back room.
Old Quin knocked on the wall and opened a hidden compartment.
He took out a box and handed it to Fang Xing: "Take a look..."
Fang Xing opened it and saw a six-shot revolver.
Its barrel was short, the gun body was sleek, and the handle was made of redwood, showing some signs of wear and tear, likely a second-hand item.
"Black Serpent Model 2, 90% new!"
Old Quin said, "As a self-defense weapon, its power will definitely satisfy you. Of course, you can't use it in a shootout with a steam rifle... I'll also give you two hundred rounds of ammunition, just 300 Black Sol, quite cheap, right?"
"A brand new Black Serpent Model 2 only costs 200 Black Sol..."
Fang Xing was speechless: "We're old friends, give me a real bargain price!"
His monthly living expenses were only around 100 Black Sol.
"Moreover..." Fang Xing leaned forward: "You know, if I wasn't in a hurry, with my abilities, I could definitely make one myself..."
Old Quin was momentarily speechless; he knew that this young man truly had that ability!
Previously, the other party had sold many small mechanical items through him, all of high quality and well-received.
"250 Black Sol, you have to let me make a little profit," Old Quin said helplessly.
"Alright..."
Fang Xing took out a stack of banknotes.
Although he said he could make it himself, it was actually quite troublesome and easily exposed. He'd rather spend a little more.
After paying, he gripped the gun handle and checked it with his mechanical knowledge, finding no major issues, and nodded in satisfaction.
After completing the transaction, Fang Xing seemed to casually ask: "Old Quin... Do you know of any intelligence in the black market related to Mysticism or superhuman powers?"
"Mysticism? Do you mean the gypsy witch's fortune-telling or the priest's bloodletting therapy?"
Old Quin burst into laughter: "Young man... Believe in steam and science!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
