Chapter 224

This guy plans to speedrun the exam venue, getting his military-grade pilot qualification certificate in a single night?

Zhou Yuanchen put down his chopsticks and threw the unfinished boxed meal into the trash can.

For some reason, he suddenly lost his appetite.

He silently logged into the 【Entropy Sea Bank】, checked the backend, and asked customer service what loan project benefits could increase his holdings in the Mechanical Path.

In the end, he only got a negative answer.

"Truly a monster beyond reason! He has achieved Spirit-Flesh Unity, spanning both the Martial Path and the Psychic Path, and that's that.

There's no reason he'd also be able to show extraordinary talent in the Mechanical Path, right?"

Zhou Yuanchen raised Qin Shi's comprehensive combat power assessment by a large margin again, estimating it at around five billion.

If the other party really passes the military-grade exam, it could approach eight billion upon completion.

Even impacting the ten billion barrier!

Against such an astronomical figure, even if Zhou Yuanchen went all out and sold himself to the Entropy Sea Bank, he couldn't win.

"A gap that makes one despair."

Zhou Yuanchen's pride as a genius Supernova, wanting to chase Qin Shi's back, was like a castle built on a beach, shattered by the crashing waves.

"The heart that was hanging has finally died; time to honestly do projects and make money."

Compared to Zhou Yuanchen's relief, Zhang Hai's reaction was more intense; he began to question Qin Shi's origins from an Old Factory Street worker family.

"Zhou Yuanchen, is it possible that Qin Shi's background is extraordinary? Look, Qin Shi's surname is Qin, and Qin Shuai's surname is also Qin!"

Zhang Hai had done a lot of mental preparation before proposing this hypothesis.

"My surname is Zhou, and there's also a Zhou among the Supreme Meritorious Subjects; am I his long-lost descendant?"

Zhou Yuanchen sneered.

Seeing Zhang Hai's pitiful look of having his cognition shattered, he felt inexplicably much more comfortable inside.

As expected, only after being rained on yourself do you like watching others get rained on too!

"Moreover, Qin Shuai has no descendants! History textbooks clearly state he never married. Old Zhang, read more books normally."

Zhou Yuanchen continued twisting the knife, wounding Zhang Hai deeper.

"Doesn't Qin Shuai have a younger brother?"

Zhang Hai lowered his voice.

His old man is the Government Affairs Bureau Deputy Director; daily meals and chats inevitably mix in some "political construction" content.

"You've got real guts, Old Zhang, daring to say even this! There are Security Bureau agents here; careful you get invited for tea!"

Zhou Yuanchen's face twitched; obviously, he knew a little about the history shrouded in mist between Qin Shuai and the Deputy Commander.

But everyone understands this is a taboo topic that cannot be mentioned.

Unless wearing a vest and surfing on the 【Dark Web】, who dares speak recklessly?

Zhou Yuanchen said this with his mouth, yet couldn't resist the impulse and quietly asked:

"Qin Shuai's younger brother committed the great crime of treason; I never heard he left any bloodline behind?"

Zhang Hai entered his area of expertise, immediately puffed out his chest, and said proudly:

"There is. I heard my old man mention it once, saying they live long-term in the Imperial Capital and are highly regarded. However, their health isn't good, they rarely move about, let alone show their face."

Zhou Yuanchen widened his eyes; people are always full of interest in discussing all sorts of rumors related to the upper echelons.

"Old Zhang, I occasionally go online and see those political construction bros mention some 'Crown Prince Faction' in the Imperial Capital.

They say the Nine Surnames mostly descend from New Dongxia's Supreme Meritorious Subjects, only Qin Shuai didn't form a 'clan' force, yet a 'Crown Prince' popped out."

Zhang Hai shrank his neck, pulling Zhou Yuanchen to a corner.

The two acted like thieves, whispering there, only hating the lack of a few bottles of beer and large portions of barbecue skewers to chat to their heart's content.

"Let me tell you, ordinary people really don't know this. Many people conflate the Deputy Commander's bloodline with that Crown Prince in the Imperial Capital, but they're actually different.

The Crown Prince in the Imperial Capital, allegedly from the Fourth War Corps, is the Successor personally selected by Qin Shuai upon his awakening.

Very young, handsome in appearance, possessing immense influence among the new generation.

As for the Deputy Commander's bloodline, rumors say it's a daughter, suffering from a serious illness, sleeping alongside the Nine Marshals year-round, only occasionally awakening.

My dad said, both are of noble status; if they were to have an arranged marriage one day, it would be the 'Crown Prince' marrying the 'Grand Princess'."

Zhou Yuanchen muttered upon hearing this:

"The seniority doesn't match!"

Zhang Hai shook his head, pulling the topic back to Qin Shi:

"This guy is so omnipotent, how could he be an ordinary person! He might well have some connection to Qin Shuai! Think about it, Qin Shuai is a heaven-gifted talent, the Deputy Commander a peerless beauty, proving the Qin Family Bloodline is destined to be extraordinary!

Alas, losing to a Meritorious Subject's descendant, no wonder for me."

Zhou Yuanchen's mouth twitched listening; Old Zhang belongs to the type whose Dao Heart shattered from the blow, only able to comfort himself through wild imagination.

For the sake of the other party providing free gossip content, Zhou Yuanchen swallowed back the heart-piercing words he originally wanted to say, and perfunctorily replied:

"Right right right right, Old Zhang. Losing to a Meritorious Subject's descendant is perfectly normal."

In the gap while the two whispered, Qin Shi had already finished obtaining the Civilian Senior Pilot Qualification Certificate.

The staff member expressed extreme shock at this inconceivable progress.

Like a driving school coach watching a ten-year-old child touch a steering wheel for the first time and speedrun Subjects Two, Three, and Four.

Simply violating cognition, defying common sense!

"So the difference between military-grade and civilian-grade is this big."

Qin Shi stood on the raised steel escalator, arriving at the shoulder position of that Divine Machine Armor.

Usually speaking, the Divine Machine Armor's energy core is the cockpit entrance.

Either located in the head, or the shoulder or chest.

The Divine Machine Armor requisitioned from the First Military Academy for the training ground belonged to the War-Grade Guard series.

It was a light defense type, not equipped with Void Shields, Silent Force Fields, Multi-linked Vulcan Cannons, Giant Kinetic Weapons, and other such equipment.

It had only the most basic Ion Shield, Power Gauntlet, and Dual-linked Storm Thunder Machine Gun.

After passing the Civilian Level Middle School and High School Senior Qualification Certificates, Qin Shi initially understood the process steps of driving Divine Machine Armor.

In his view, operating such a big fellow was not as difficult as imagined.

As long as Life Force Purity was high enough, completely wrap the energy core, and complete mutual integration.

Next, it was no different from a first-person fighting game.

"What Machine Language, what Driving Guide, it's all nonsense."

Qin Shi closed his eyes and activated the Achievement Trait Iron People Achievement.

His spiritual thoughts were like tubes, instantly connecting to the Divine Machine Armor and awakening it.

The feeling was wonderful; the massive, heavy steel body formed a connection with his own mortal flesh, as if fused into one.

Qin Shi effortlessly raised his arm, broke free of the "restraints," and broke open the towering maintenance structure like an Iron Tower.

Boom, boom, boom.

The Soldier Strike Armor, nearly twelve meters tall, made a thunderous roar with every step on the high-intensity alloy floor; precise and complex shock-absorbing instruments dispersed this kinetic energy in all directions, maintaining balance and stability.

"Number One, enter the arena."

The Staff Member said while picking up the walkie-talkie.

The Military Level Qualification Certificate had strict examination conditions; not only did one need to complete a series of designated tactical moves, but also had to use the field resources of an Active Consciousness Entity to "personally" participate in a large-scale campaign with one hundred percent simulation fidelity and put on a brilliant performance.

"Activate Versus Mode."

In the command chamber, a middle-aged man wearing the First Military Academy Teacher uniform issued the command.

He stared fixedly at that Guard series Divine Machine Armor.

Qin Shi completed the acquisition of all three Civilian Level Qualification Certificates in just a few hours.

This made the middle-aged man very interested.

"This learning speed exceeds ninety percent of the students in our school. He is either naturally suited to the Mechanical Path, or... he has a special Secret Technique that makes the Machine Soul Great Joy."

The middle-aged man was named Xu Que, a serving Teacher at Hengzhou First Military Academy.

He witnessed the entire process of Qin Shi speedrunning the Civilian Level Qualification Certificate acquisition, and strong interest arose in his heart.

As a Third Grade Machine Pilot, Xu Que understood the primary core of driving Divine Machine Armor better than anyone present.

"Making the Machine Soul Great Joy is the first lesson for Military Pilots!"

Xu Que still remembered his teacher, who threw out a provocative theory with resounding words.

"Real men drive mecha, correct! But to drive a mecha well, you must treat it like courting a woman, spending two hundred percent of your effort! You must understand the postures this mecha you drive prefers, the methods that give it the most pleasure... a true Mecha King is a flirting Saint who has romanced three thousand women!"

When Xu Que first heard these words, he was only seventeen or eighteen years old; now he was nearly fifty.

He finally understood what a talent it was to make the Machine Soul Great Joy!

"Calibration complete, arena sealed complete, start!"

Xu Que issued commands in succession, then dug up his own data from back then to generate a combat target.

"Let me see if you can really make the Machine Soul Great Joy, ignoring the newcomer's accumulation stage..."

"This Military Level one is indeed powerful! It feels completely different to drive!"

Qin Shi kept both eyes tightly closed; the Iron People Achievement drove the Guard series Divine Machine Armor, and then the dazzling Light Radiance of intertwined Life Force was slowly released from his Mortal Body, filling the energy core.

Both oscillated and resonated at a certain frequency, mutually integrating, completing "docking."

Hum!

Qin Shi heard bells ringing loudly in his ears, as if a lever was being pushed and a turbine ignited.

The Divine Machine Armor he drove was like a sleeping steel dead thing being awakened.

"The Driving Guide says it's best to recite a hymn, such as 'Circuit, protect us; Steel, resist all,' and also 'There is no unchanging truth in flesh and blood, no enduring power, no inevitable certainty.'"

Qin Shi did not do as instructed; he thought, talking so much gibberish, it was better to directly communicate with the Machine Soul.

When his Spiritual Field Power spread out, a graceful figure appeared before his eyes.

She was like a moving pitch-black Saint statue, solemnity and gentleness appearing at once; the Power Gauntlet clung tightly to her figure, and as the waistline tightened, it outlined perfect lines.

"Please command me, Master."

The low and hoarse voice, combined with that pale and coolly beautiful face, made her seem like a living War Maiden.

Waiting for Qin Shi to issue instructions!

"Pleasing the Machine Soul? Completely wrong! A true expert makes the Machine Soul submit to me!"

Qin Shi concentrated his spirit, condensed his mind, and placed his palm on the Machine Soul's head.

As if bestowing a medal on a knight.

【Machine Soul Great Joy! Compatibility +10...】

【Current match 98%!】

The Stele Panel flashed with text information; Qin Shi manipulated the Guard series Divine Machine Armor and stepped into the "exam venue."

Opposite him was a blue mecha of the same model; as long as he defeated the other side, the preliminary exam would be considered passed.

Qin Shi quietly waited for the Countdown to end.

Three! Two! One!

At the moment the last second fell, he issued a command to the Machine Soul that was like a War Maiden—

"Defeat it!"

Boom!

The power of the entire Divine Machine Armor was instantly boosted to maximum; without Qin Shi needing to do much, all parameters were adjusted to peak condition.

Blazing, dazzling light flames erupted from the power furnace, and as Qin Shi raised his hand, the massive gauntlet closed its five fingers with ease.

The atmosphere seemed to be struck aside by a meteor, the vast training ground letting out a tremendous roar as tornado-like gales raged!

"Is this a rookie?"

Zhou Yuanchen and Zhang Hai, brought to the observation chamber, watched this stunning scene.

The visual impact of the Military-grade Divine Machine Armor was incomparable to the Civilian Level one just now.

A steel giant over ten meters tall drove its fist at one hundred percent power.

This acceleration and strength were enough to shatter a cruiser!

"So smooth! He unleashes the Divine Machine's power so easily! How does he do it?"

Xu Que held his breath, finding it hard to believe.

The combat mecha modeled on his training parameters soon reacted, swinging its fist as well.

In less than a fraction of a second, various parameters inside the console lit up, immediately completing a series of tactical movements: raising the hand, bending the elbow, clenching the fist, and striking out.

Bang!

The two Power Gauntlets collided with a crash!

Terrifying air currents exploded one after another, comparable to a million barrels of gunpowder detonating!

Qin Shi felt his Mortal Body shaken violently, like a crude iron embryo struck by a great hammer, sending sparks flying.

He took a deep breath, operated the Ru Shen Ti, and once again lifted the ton-heavy high-power Power Gauntlet, cleaving through the surging air waves like a sea tide.

He threw another punch!

The blue mecha was not so quick; recovering from the violent shaking, it immediately showed an inability to withstand the second wave of Qin Shi's attack.

"The hardest part of controlling Divine Machine Armor is matching one's own movements precisely with the massive body."

"This kid is like Divine Machine and Man as One! Totally unreasonable!"

Xu Que watched wide-eyed as the blue mecha was struck in the head by Qin Shi's punch, staggering backward.

Rumble!

The massive body slammed into the hard wall; structural fasteners and linked joints wailed, and even the flesh and blood matter attached inside began to tremble, terrifying heat evaporating from within as billowing white smoke rose.

"So exhilarating!"

Qin Shi seemed to merge with this Divine Machine Armor, becoming one with that Machine Soul.

His spirit resonated deeply, his mortal flesh seeming to embrace the graceful figure of a War Maiden.

Every completed movement brought unparalleled exhilaration.

"Vitality is surging, being released! I never knew piloting a Divine Machine could feel this good! No wonder those on the Mechanical Path don't like women..."

Qin Shi's thoughts diverged, turning to Lao Zhang.

"Thinking about it, the big shots who pilot Divine Machines, like Qin Shuai and Lao Zhang, none of them marry. Could it be they regard the Divine Machine as their lifelong partner?"

Gasp!

He seemed to have discovered some earth-shattering truth, immersed in the pleasure of merging with the Machine Soul while beginning to attempt more difficult movements and postures.

In the vast, spacious field, the pitch-black Divine Machine Armor twisted its body, turned its waist, and actually delivered a beautiful spinning kick, striking the opponent!

End the battle!

(Chapter End)