Chapter 49: Essence

She looked at the system and asked, "You mean, we can now materialize and summon this data?"

【Theoretically possible, ma'am. But summoning multiple entities at once consumes massive computing power to sustain them, and coordinating them is highly complex. According to the optimization plan, it is recommended not to perform material summoning, but to load the extracted 'traits' and 'skill modules' onto existing units in an empowering form, achieving efficient aggregation and use of power.】

"Oh?"

Heimu was genuinely surprised this time: "Really? You can do that? Merge a group of people's traits into just a few individuals?"

【Yes. The database has completed trait extraction and compatibility analysis. For example, fuse Jiepade's defense, Peila's tactical analysis, Natasha's healing, etc., as common traits; grant Xier's quantum teleportation, Lingke's adaptability, Luka's combat intuition, etc., to high-mobility units. This can greatly enhance the core unit's overall capability and adaptability to different scenarios, avoiding……the hassle of command during group battles.】

The system spoke in its calm electronic voice, uttering very pragmatic words.

Heimu heard this, let out a light laugh, with a hint of amusement.

"It sounds like condensing the entire Beloberg's 'essence' into two trump cards."

She elegantly snapped her fingers, made the decision: "Then let's merge. Let me see what kind of sight it will be when the power of a city's heroes' traits is gathered."

【Command confirmed. Beginning data trait fusion……】

In the center of the laboratory, light blazed again.

This time, it was not a material summoning, but countless specks of light, like a galaxy drawn by attraction, streaming toward A Xing standing there and Bai Hang peeking curiously at the doorway.

Flowing into A Xing's body was a stream inclined toward protection, fortitude, order, and knowledge—Jiepade's 【Will of Ice】, Bronya's 【Commanding Presence】, Peila's 【Information Grasp】, Xiluwa's 【Mechanical Resonance】, Natasha's 【Battlefield First Aid】, and the bond of 【Absolute Trust】 with creation from Kelala.

These traits merged into her body already strengthened by the Star Core, making her aura heavier and steadier; in her golden eyes, the light of reason and calculation became more pronounced.

Flowing into Bai Hang's body was a stream inclined toward agility, variability, intuition, and survival—Xier's 【Shadow Shuttle】, SangBo's 【Myriad Schemes】, Lingke's 【Snowfield Survival】, Huke's 【Childlike Intuition】, Luka's 【Fighting Spirit Ignition】.

These traits combined with her foundation as a former legendary pilot, making her feel lighter, her perception sharper, and even granting her many odd little tricks in her mind.

She looked at her hands in astonishment, feeling that the world in her "eyes" (especially when wearing this miraculous eye mask) became clearer, and also……full of exploitable "loopholes".

The light faded, fusion complete.

The system dummy timely projected a new data panel:

【Unit: A Xing】

【Status: Complete (Star Core Fusion), Beloberg Protective Traits Fusion】

【Trait Overview: Ultimate Defense, Tactical Calculation, Sovereign Aura, Basic Healing, Machine Affinity】

【Commentary: A reliable bulwark and tactical core.】

【Unit: Bai Hang】

【Status: Good, Beloberg Agile Traits Fusion】

【Trait Overview: Spatial Shift, Environmental Adaptation, Master of Schemes, Combat Intuition, Survival Expert】

【Commentary: A deadly shadow and the source of variability.】

Black Curtain Lady looked at the refreshed data on the light screen, especially that concise yet infinitely possible trait list, and couldn't help but click her tongue twice, a gleam of genuine interest flashing in her violet-black eyes.

"Granting a city's worth of 'possibility' to two separate individuals…… System, your data integration ability always brings me a surprise."

She praised, her gaze shifting between A Xing and Bai Hang, whose auras were now markedly different: "Then, now armed with this new power, let us go 'persuade' Teacher Na Ke Xia. I wonder if his 'Rising Dragon Fist' can shake this…… 'wall' and 'shadow' forged from Beloberg's will."

Bai Hang felt the new power surging within, excitedly clenched her fists, and her fox tail wagged happily.

A Xing merely bowed again, calmly:

"As you wish, ma'am."

This is a surreal arena.

The elliptical combat zone floor is solid dark soil, surrounded by strange flora emitting soft fluorescence, the light dim.

Above is not a ceiling, but a star‑spangled night sky; starlight falls, draping the arena in a veil of silver.

Black Curtain Lady sat elegantly on one side of the spectator stands, the system dummy standing silently beside her.

Their gazes turned toward the field, as if anticipating a drama about to begin.

At the center of the field, A Xing and Bai Hang were conducting their final "warm‑up".

A few virtual soldiers, just conjured by the system, roared as they charged at the two.

Bai Hang tapped her toes, her body like a white phantom, effortlessly dodging the virtual soldiers' lunges.

The bow of condensed energy in her hand shimmered; she needed no careful aim, relying on the intuition from Xier's 【Shadow Shuttle】 and Lingke's 【Snowfield Survival】 granted by the fusion, and loosed a rapid volley of arrows backward.

The energy arrows struck the virtual soldiers' energy cores precisely; they stalled a moment, then dissolved into basic data streams.

The whole process flowed like clouds and water, bearing a dance‑like grace.

(Wow! This feeling…… it's as if my body knows instinctively how to move!)

Bai Hang's heart leapt; her fox ears twitched slightly from excitement.

On the other side, A Xing's approach was more direct.

She didn't even move, simply watching the virtual soldiers rush in calmly; at the instant their claws were about to reach her, her bat swung with a muffled sonic boom, striking first.

No fancy technique—just absolute speed and power, plus the steadiness from Jiepade's 【Will of Ice】 fused into her.

The bat's trajectory was simple and efficient; with a few dull "thuds," the virtual soldiers were smashed apart and dissipated.

Her golden eyes remained calm and unruffled, as if she had merely brushed dust from her sleeve.

The warm‑up ended, and the field fell silent.

The fluorescent flora swayed slightly, as if waiting for something.

The next moment, space at the far end of the field twisted slightly, and a figure slowly emerged.

It was Na Ke Xia.

He still wore that mismatched blue‑white striped hospital gown, his green hair somewhat disheveled.

He crouched on the ground, head lowered, fingers unconsciously scraping the floor, as if obsessively counting nonexistent cockroaches.

His gaze was vacant, his expression blank, his whole being exuding a madness utterly out of place in this dreamlike setting.

Above his head, and above A Xing and Bai Hang's heads, a red bar appeared clearly—that was the system's simulated "HP" for easier observation.

"Ready." Heimu's cold voice echoed via thought into the minds of the two on the field.

Bai Hang took a deep breath, pulled open the energy bow, and aimed the arrow tip at the seemingly defenseless green-haired scholar.

A Xing then gripped the bat, lowered his center of gravity slightly, and entered a fighting stance.

It seemed to sense the killing intent locked onto it, and Na Ke Xia's moving fingers stopped.

He slowly lifted his head in an extremely stiff posture, his lifeless eyes "gazing" toward A Xing and Bai Hang.

No warning, no roar.

At the moment Bai Hang's energy arrow left the string, Na Ke Xia moved!

His movement was so fast it defied common sense—no longer crouching, he side‑slipped like a ghost; the energy arrow brushed past his clothing, flew into the fluorescent grass behind, and kicked up a spray of light particles.

And his figure had already, as if teleported, closed the distance to A Xing!

Still that set of fists that looks mad but actually contains terrifying lethal power!

He weirdly flicked his left hand upward, leaving an afterimage, precisely parrying A Xing's bat that was trying to intercept!

At the same time his right fist shot up like a snake from its hole, from low to high, carrying an absurd yet incredibly fierce momentum—exactly that signature 【Rising Dragon Fist】!

"Bang!"