Chapter 225: First Meeting with Yu Li, Radiant as the Blazing Sun!

The power gauntlets hummed and resonated, activating at one hundred percent full power; dark blue electric arcs leaped and bounced, releasing ring after ring of dazzling halos that seemed almost tangible.

Zhou Yuanchen and Zhang Hai, situated inside the observation room, even though they were isolated from most of the noise by high-strength glass, still clearly felt that enormous impact force, like colliding meteors.

Terrifying airflow struck the glass wall like waves crashing ashore, making a "hua la la" sound; although it left no obvious damage marks, it still made people instinctively step back.

Two suits of Divine Machine Armor, like mountain giants grappling in close combat; if placed in an urban circle, the rampaging residual waves would be enough to destroy large swathes of the city district.

"The earth shakes and the mountains tremble! No wonder the ancient era's evaluation of the Divine Machine War Group likened them to heavenly soldiers descending to the mortal world, possessing the might to burn mountains and boil seas, to prop up the heavens and split the earth!"

Zhou Yuanchen couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air; he instantly felt the Martial Path was so insignificant — even a powerhouse who had stepped into the Professional Realm would be unable to oppose a proper military-grade Divine Machine Armor, right?

"For someone from the New Martial Arts faction, you're surprisingly conservative. Seventy percent of the Divine Machine squadrons in the War Group are piloted by New Martial Arts practitioners."

Zhang Hai sneered, a look of expectation rising in his eyes; the Hengzhou Great Reclamation movement was about to fully unfold.

When the time came, perhaps he too could pilot a Divine Machine and kill in all directions!

Thinking of this, he seemed to understand something, and secretly thought:

"No wonder this guy was in such a rush to obtain a Military Pilot qualification certificate! The Governor's Mansion must have leaked the news behind the scenes; he's preparing in advance to steal the limelight and become a propaganda model!"

Zhang Hai gritted his teeth, deeply resenting that he hadn't received the Governor's Mansion's appreciation and attention.

Dong!

Qin Shi progressed with godlike speed; the Body Refining Furnace swallowed the dense radiance of the Hundred Bones, the entire Guard Series Divine Machine Armor seeming to fuse completely with him, with absolutely no operational obstacles existing.

Under one hundred percent precision, he could even execute Wind Fist Style techniques!

Disengage power gauntlets, complex components release!

Five fingers closed, the Divine Machine Armor likewise clenched its mechanical giant fist!

Kacha, kacha!

Beam-thick knuckles locked together, assuming an offensive stance.

As the "Punch Eye" of the Hundred Aspects Refining Momentum was pinched out, a frenzied, violent tidal wave of air waves was swallowed like a whale gulping water!

Transforming into a majestic cloud cluster so thick it was unbelievable!

"Cao!"

Xu Que, who was just about to announce Qin Shi's passing grade, extremely unbecomingly blurted out a curse.

Piloting a Divine Machine Armor to complete the Martial Path's secret striking method.

This is a level only a Third Grade Military Pilot can set foot in!

Placed at Hengzhou's local First Military Academy, just the mecha piloting course alone — forget a perfect graduation score, he could even be hired as an instructor!

"He really has no Divine Machine piloting record in the past?"

Xu Que was somewhat unwilling to believe it.

"We've checked; indeed he has never made contact with one. Instructor Xu, don't forget, Classmate Qin comes from Old Factory Street in the Taian Metropolitan Area; the educational environment he received inherently does not possess such conditions."

The Security Bureau staff member was very certain.

"Hurry up and announce his pass! Cao! If this goes on he'll punch through the venue..."

Xu Que slammed his palm hard on the console; his voice came through the speaker:

"Alright, alright! Perfect score on the assessment! This student, please stop!"

Qin Shi's poised-to-strike offense paused for a beat; he sighed regretfully:

"What a pity; I was still planning to activate the second stage, to see to what extent the Divine Machine Armor could push combat power."

Hong!

The originally fully activated Divine Machine Armor, its entire body's more than one hundred thousand complex components shuddered violently, yet actually instantly reined in its fist momentum, returning to a statue-like stillness, standing quietly erect.

This transition from motion to stillness truly surprised everyone.

To achieve this kind of precision operation beyond imagination requires at least over a hundred real combat training sessions!

This is the dazzling data only an Ace Pilot can possess!

"Issue him the qualification certificate! Tell him to stop testing! If he keeps testing, I'm going to suspect the classes I teach at the military academy are useless!"

Xu Que's face wore an expression of being struck to the verge of collapse; he waved his hand, planning to copy today's video recording and let those young pilots in the academy with their noses in the air take a look at what a true Ace really is!

"Instructor Xu, you certify that Classmate Qin possesses the ability to pilot a military-grade Divine Machine, correct?"

The Security Bureau staff member asked.

"Nonsense! He's practically fused into one body with that Soldier-class Guard Series Divine Machine Armor! This kind of operational precision and fluidity — even I would find it hard to pull off! If he doesn't possess the ability to pilot a military-grade one, then what am I!"

Xu Que seemed to have his defenses broken, replying in a disgruntled tone.

"Very well, thank you for your supervision, ensuring the procedure is without error."

The Security Bureau staff member said with a smile, not holding Xu Que's terrible attitude against him.

This bunch of First Military Academy pilots, from the day the Divine Machine Armor debuted, have been the "first-class people" among all serving arms.

Seeing Xu Que's red-faced, uncomfortable appearance, the Security Bureau staff member instead felt a secret delight in his heart.

Dog-shit military academy top students! What are they going crazy for!

"Hope there's a chance next time to pilot you again."

Qin Shi reluctantly left the core cockpit; his life force purity seemed to have been tempered, its radiance growing ever brighter, flesh vitality even more vigorously boiling, every cell conveying a craving that then formed a "hunger sensation."

Third Senior Sister Yu Weiwei, who had accompanied him and inspected the scene, quietly appeared before Qin Shi, handing him a can of Level 5 Energy Liquid.

"Fish Senior Sister, did Master Zhang pass the Divine Machine pilot qualification certificate? What level?"

Qin Shi asked indistinctly while glug-glug-glug chugging it down.

"Master never systematically studied it. Our Martial Path isn't the Mechanical Path; we don't have much interest in those 'same frequency reception', 'matching degree increase', 'forty-two tactical moves'."

Yu Weiwei smiled gently.

"Ah?"

Qin Shi was very startled.

In that case, isn't Lao Zhang driving without a license?

"Martial Path practitioners all rely on fate to choose their Divine Machine Armor; the standard military issue doesn't suit them. In the words of the military academy instructors, 'Those barbarian martial artists are utterly unrefined, they don't even prepare foreplay, they just violently seize manipulation rights with their Qi Life Force!'"

As Old Yu spoke to the end, she was slightly embarrassed.

"Junior Brother Xiao Qin, this counts as you breaking the tradition of Martial Path practitioners driving Divine Machines. If Eighth Senior Sister were here, she would definitely praise you as the best pilot in the Martial Path and the strongest Martial Artist in the Mechanical Path."

Qin Shi finished a can of Level 5 Energy Liquid, still wanting more.

After finishing the driving, his Ru Shen Ti was empty, as if hollowed out by the Machine Soul.

He hadn't had this feeling for a long time.

"Driving a Divine Machine without a license, won't Dongxia pursue it?"

Qin Shi persisted on this question.

"Master, in his old age, is the Lord of the Dao Guan; armored and armed, he has Hundred No Taboos. Killing people isn't illegal, let alone driving without a license."

Old Yu said, tilting her head.

Huh?

A Dao Guan permit is greater than a pilot's Qualification Certificate?

Didn't I take the exam for nothing then!

Qin Shi's thinking diverged, and he looked back at that pitch-black Divine Machine of the Guard series.

A man always has special feelings for his first time.

"Don't know if I'll be able to drive you again in the future."

Accepting the Military Level pilot Qualification Certificate issued at Light Speed, Qin Shi waved his hand as if saying goodbye.

After he left the training ground, several instructors and trainees from the military academy prepared to clean up the mess.

They had to repair these Divine Machine Armors again, then drive them back to the academy.

About forty minutes later, Xu Que numbly stared at that Divine Machine Armor that had been driven by Qin Shi, gritting his teeth and saying:

"Why would it refuse my login? I've used every method to please the Machine Soul, but it just won't take effect!"

The training ground echoed with desperate questions!

The Divine Machine Armor remained indifferent throughout.

As if sinking into silence.

……

……

In a flash, a few days passed in the blink of an eye; besides cultivating diligently as always and completing his daily training tasks, Qin Shi sparred with Zhou Yuanchen, Yan Ren, and the others, continuously honing his fighting style.

Occasionally he also had to accept Third Senior Sister Old Yu's "torture," being pulled into the Mental Space to improve his Meditation Method.

In short, life was very fulfilling.

"Brother Huo, how does operating a personal social media account work?"

Qin Shi held the Governor's Mansion's "Hengzhou Supernova Plan Schedule" and walked up to Huo Erwen.

The earlier items like "cooperate with media interviews" and "try to maintain an excellent image with no bad habits," he could still understand.

But the further back it went, the more outrageous it got, with things like "dating the opposite sex requires a background check" and "if secretly photographed by paparazzi or indecent photos are released, the first thing to do is contact a dedicated PR team."

Huo Erwen took it in stride; almost every Administrative New Star has similar requirements for Supernovas with Sun potential.

First is the Image Project, second is publicity work, and last emphasizes equal importance of personal virtue and potential development.

The new generation of Suns, to gain public recognition and nationwide adoration.

Must guarantee "perfection" in all aspects!

Yu Li did this very well.

"When you have time, just take some photos, share your life; if it's too troublesome, you can give the account to Teacher Lin or someone else to manage."

Huo Erwen said.

"The Center City's Support Fund isn't easy to get either."

Qin Shi complained a sentence, picked up his Mobile Phone to photograph today's lunch, then added the caption—

"Happy days are always short; I don't think I'll forget this time in Center City. For the rest of my life, with dreams as my horse, the youth grips his sword!"

Ding!

Posted!

Text and images combined!

Qin Shi put away his Mobile Terminal in satisfaction.

Almost the instant this was sent out, benefiting from Center City's official promotion, a large number of "fans" poured in, following and replying.

In just a few minutes, he gained a hundred thousand followers, and the number was still increasing at an astonishing speed.

"Tsk, the end of the Martial Path turns out to be becoming an Idol."

Qin Shi's mood was subtle, with a strange feeling like a traditional Restorationist Faction member lamenting "the collapse of rites and music in modern society."

"Xiao Qin, our Special Train is tonight; if there are friends to see or things to settle, seize the time. After the Great Expansion movement, you might have to go deep into the front lines……"

Huo Erwen spoke.

"The front lines, huh."

Qin Shi murmured; Hengzhou New Star has large areas of contaminated territory that have never been cleaned up, numerous Vassal Creatures live and breed there, and thus form quite a few Yin Realm Rifts.

These zones must be "reclaimed and developed" anew; once the large-scale contamination is cleared, Bi Lei Cheng or Outpost Stations can be built.

"In the eyes of the new generation, they all yearn for merit."

Qin Shi smiled; the Great Expansion movement will inevitably give rise to a batch of young professional-grade experts.

Hengzhou's stars shine brilliantly once more; people like Zhou Yuanchen and Zhang Hai should be under quite a bit of pressure.

"Let's buy some specialty products to take back, Big Sister, youngest one, Teacher Zhang, Teacher Liang, and the senior brothers and sisters from Nanhuang Dojo."

"By the way, Teacher Lin and Sister Yun need a share too……"

Qin Shi counted on his fingers and found that big and small packages could fill the trunk.

He ran to Third Senior Sister Yu Weiyi's meditation room and invited her:

"Senior Sister, you've protected me for many days; Junior Brother wants to show my gratitude. Would you do me the honor of going out shopping together?"

Yu Weiyi turned her body, revealing a beautiful curve.

She smiled at the corner of her mouth:

"Sure."

……

……

Xinyue Mall in Central City, covering a vast area.

Qin Shi carried big and small packages, looking at Yu Weiyi, who was full of enthusiasm and still wanted to keep shopping, and asked hesitantly:

"Senior Sister, you've already bought seven kitchen knives, five sets of tableware, and twelve sets of pots and spatulas…… how about we continue next time?"

He never expected Yu Weiyi's shopping impulse to be so strong; once triggered, it was unstoppable.

He never expected that the place this Third Senior Sister liked to shop most was neither various good-looking clothes nor jewelry and bags; as soon as she entered the mall, she headed straight for the kitchenware area, wishing she could move everything away.

"Then let's leave it at that."

Yu Weiyi felt rather regretful, slowly moving her gaze away from the eighth kitchen knife she had locked onto.

"Thank you, Little Brother Qin Shidi; I haven't shopped this happily in a long time."

Qin Shi held kitchen knives in his left hand, lifted pots and spatulas with his right palm, and carried clanging bowls, chopsticks, knives and forks, teapots, and teacups on his back.

He squeezed out a smile and said:

"As long as Senior Sister is happy."

The champion of the Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition still ended up as Senior Sister's baggage-carrying little brother.

If I had known, I would have called out Lao Zhou or Xiao Yan.

They could have shared the burden for me.

"Is he Qin Shi?"

In the rest area on a higher floor of Xinyue Mall, Yu Li, dressed in loose sportswear and exuding a youthful aura, cast his gaze downward.

"That's right, it's him!"

Chen Caier nodded vigorously.

"To walk such a difficult path is indeed extraordinary. The Seven Great Limits of the Flesh, a perfect path of promotion passed down from ancient times."

Yu Li's gaze was clear, like hidden sharpness, with not a trace leaking out; a wisp of cloud-like breath swirled through the air, passing through countless crowds, crossing vast spaces, and touching Qin Shi.

Crack!

The air suddenly exploded!

Qin Shi's brow twitched, and ripples rose in his Consciousness Sea.

The Mental Realm of Spiritual Residence and the Holy Embryo Prototype allowed him to quickly catch that trace of abnormality.

"Spies on me? Still a master of the Martial Path."

Qin Shi lifted his eyelids, his eyes shining like great stars, like cold lightning tearing through the sky.

The other party's breath was instantly locked on, like a lit fuse, burning quickly and biting back.

Hiss!

Yu Li flicked his finger lightly; the faint breath released by his Qi Life Force rose like a wisp of blue smoke and dispersed into nothingness.

Interrupting Qin Shi's reverse locking.

"The Old Martial Arts school's breath manipulation is indeed exquisite, making me feel like I'm showing off before an expert."

Yu Li stood on high ground with both hands in his pockets.

His gaze looked down from above and happened to collide with Qin Shi's cold eyes.

For no reason, the air around the two became viscous, like dark clouds covering the sky before a rainstorm, with a hot and stifling discomfort.

Chen Caier thought so, with fine sweat appearing on her forehead and cheeks.

She wanted to speak, but it was stuck in her throat, unable to squeeze out a word for a long time.

"So pretentious. Seems to be that guy Teacher Lin mentioned."

Qin Shi, carrying big and small packages, stopped, causing the Ru Shen Ti Furnace to operate unconsciously, and his Life Magnetic Field circulated like a circle.

This was the first time he had seen this First Among Peers.

Yu Li!

"Youthful vigor is at its peak, unwilling to rest."

Yu Li raised his eyebrows; the fine hair strands by his forehead and temples fluttered as if blown by a breeze, drifting upward unceasingly.

The two genius boys spoken of by the world conducted breath collision through only the exchange of gaze and consciousness.

As if a black and a white great flood dragon fought in midair, claws and teeth flying, scales bristling.

Neither would yield!

(Chapter End)