Chapter 476: Steam

"This world… seems real yet not real, seems false yet not false, seems illusory yet not illusory, seems tangible yet not tangible… it is a world created by me in a struggle against the Creator."

Fang Xing extended his hand, as if trying to grasp the wind of the night's clamor.

Unfortunately, he grasped nothing.

"The spacetime laws fluctuate, the True Self laws fluctuate—even fate, fire… all are absent… Is this a world without law fluctuations? Or are they all sealed off?"

Fang Xing shook his head.

His body was merely an ordinary teenager's frame—hungry, tired, wounded, bleeding, and if too much blood flowed, he would die!

His strength could only be called a zero in combat; without law comprehension amplification, he was even weaker.

Law comprehension amplification was the best multiplier for combat power.

Even when he fully activated his explosive secret technique before, he could barely contend with the 12th or 13th Realm.

But with law comprehension, it became possible.

Even now as an ordinary person, as long as he retained his former law comprehension, Fang Xing feared no ordinary Martial Saint or even Martial God!

But now, this method was completely lost.

Even willpower—this elusive thing—could only affect himself, unable to be projected outward.

It was as if… this was a world completely insulated from the supernatural!

"Forget it… If I'm like this, the Creator must be too… Compared to fighting a fully enlightened Celestial Immortal who comprehends the laws, having the laws sealed together is actually a win for me."

Fang Xing thought of his opponent and fell into deep thought.

"The Secret Art of Life Struggle naturally stakes life itself—ending only when one side dies!"

In other words, winning was simple: find the Creator and kill Him, and all would be settled.

But Fang Xing simply couldn't do it—he was just an ordinary college student.

"Aside from directly killing the opponent, the most likely outcome is that both of us encounter danger during the Womb's Mystery and are naturally eliminated…"

This possibility was actually high; before Fang Xing awakened, a serious illness, natural disaster, or even robbery could have taken his life.

The fact that Fang Xing had survived until now was a stroke of luck.

"The Creator's Womb's Mystery might be even heavier—just wait, perhaps He'll die on his own…"

"Or perhaps we both compete to outlive each other? Mortal life has its limits—if I live longer than Him, I still win!"

"So my next goals: first, master power; second, build influence…"

Mastering power was for self-preservation!

If this world had a supernatural path, he could climb it to extend his lifespan and live longer.

Building influence, besides self-preservation, could help him search for the Creator's whereabouts.

Fang Xing glanced again at his status panel and froze.

"This world, seemingly devoid of the supernatural, has no Source Power, no law comprehension… all other runes are dim, even the Great Sun Buddha Mantra is severely weakened…"

"But what does this 'Star Warrior' mean?"

"My martial path began as Blue Star martial arts, then merged with Immortal Dao… Could this be because after breaking through the Ten Realms of Martial Arts, I merged with the Source Power system and the Pan Wu Scripture, hence the name 'Star Warrior'?"

"Star Warrior? Not bad… but unfortunately, the current 【Star Warrior】 title has no supernatural effect…"

Fang Xing guessed he might only learn how his power had surged after fully winning this Life Struggle and leaving this strange world.

…

The next day.

Hei Huan Private Mechanical Academy.

The campus was vast, filled with various mechanical devices.

Fang Xing even saw iron rails laid on the ground, and a small steam locomotive puffing white steam, pulling a series of tiny carriages.

Before, it hadn't meant much, but now it felt like a toy train in an amusement park…

"Alright… at least it saves effort. Riding a toy train to class every day isn't so bad…"

Fang Xing thought for a moment, then squeezed onto the small train and took a seat.

The train moved slowly, barely faster than an adult's jog, swaying gently from one classroom building to another.

Students got off at intervals, and more boarded.

Fang Xing disembarked at a large building and entered a laboratory, where he met a burly man in oil-stained work clothes, with a beard, golden hair, and blue eyes.

This was his mechanical engineering instructor—Monachi Dian.

"Teacher."

Fang Xing bowed: "I'm here…"

"Hmm…"

Monachi was crafting a strange machine—it looked like a brick-sized iron box with a gear-based ignition mechanism: "Your design for this 'gas lighter' is excellent… The key is portability—it can be carried outdoors."

"But it's still less convenient than a box of matches…" Fang Xing remarked.

This was one of his "brilliant ideas" during his Womb's Mystery haze, which his instructor had taken notice of.

Still, Fang Xing now suspected Monachi had taken him on as a student purely to exploit him and squeeze out his creativity…

"No! This is just a prototype—there's still huge room for improvement."

Monachi said: "This is the beauty of machinery—we can add a wind shield…"

"You're right, Teacher."

Fang Xing nodded.

In this era, a college student's status was precious—he had no intention of giving it up.

He wouldn't be foolish enough to directly defy authority. His life plan had already changed drastically.

Only a fool would become a mechanic—could he even build mechs in this steam age?

Getting a mechanical rifle would be the limit!

What he needed to do, of course, was train in martial arts!

Beat down all who defied him with sheer muscle!

"Many techniques and secret arts from the Pan Wu Scripture require True Self Law to enter—useless in this world."

"But Blue Star martial arts, along with ordinary training methods and killing techniques from ancient texts, can still be revived—to push the human body to its limits."

"And… if this world holds supernatural beings, once their secrets are uncovered, I can innovate anew."

Fang Xing pondered inwardly.

Yet he showed no sign of it, continuing as usual, following his instructor's lessons.

The academy's curriculum wasn't overly heavy; by afternoon, he had free study time.

In the past, Fang Xing had loved spending hours in the library, hungrily absorbing all kinds of mechanical knowledge.

But for the present Fang Xing…

"What's the point of studying? I need to punch!"

He left the academy and wandered the streets.

Hei Huan City's commerce thrived, with endless luxuries—he even spotted ads for nightclubs and lewd dance parties.

"Can these things really be advertised openly? Clearly, my old self was too naive…"

Fang Xing muttered inwardly, then searched further, noting down addresses of several "boxing clubs" and "martial arts clubs."

Hei Huan City's clubs were highly developed—seemingly every trade had one.

He walked several blocks, then slipped into an alley.

In the alley stood a small shop—a general store—with a faded sign and several yellowed papers pasted to its door:

【New Arrivals: White Bread, Honey, Antiques…】

【Buying: Black Rat Tail Oil, Smoked Snake Grass…】

【Acquire: Black Rat Tail Oil, Xun She Grass…】

Fang Xing entered the store and saw an elderly man with white hair, wearing glasses, deep nasolabial folds, observing every customer with a discerning gaze.

Seeing Fang Xing, the old man's wrinkles seemed to soften into a smile: "Oh, it's Fang Xing… What good news do you bring me today?"

"I'm not here to sell today—I'm here to buy."

Fang Xing cleared his throat.

Previously, though he had a scholarship, his living expenses were tight—he'd sold many things to Old Kui.

On the surface, he was just an ordinary shopkeeper, but in truth, he was a black-market dealer who always managed to acquire contraband goods.

This guy looked like an ordinary general store owner, but he was actually a black-market dealer who always managed to get his hands on contraband goods.

Old Kui smiled, revealing yellowed teeth: "What do you want?"

Old Kuiyin smiled, revealing yellowed teeth: "What do you want?"

Fang Xing spoke succinctly.

Old Kui paused, then nodded thoughtfully: "You've gotten into trouble, then? I know a few powerful people—I could introduce you…"

"No. I just… lack a sense of security."

Fang Xing shrugged and followed Old Kui into the back room.

Old Kui tapped on the wall, revealing a hidden compartment.

He pulled 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 body sleek, the grip made of redwood, worn with signs of prior use—it was clearly secondhand.

Its barrel was short, the stock sleek, and the grip made of redwood, with signs of wear—clearly a used item.

"Black Snake Mk. II, ninety percent new!"

Old Quain said: "As a self-defense weapon, its power will definitely satisfy you—though of course, you can't trade fire with a steam rifle... I'll throw in two hundred rounds for free. Just three hundred Blackso, isn't that cheap?"

"A brand-new Black Snake Mk. II only costs two hundred Blackso..."

Fang Xing frowned: "We're old friends—give me a honest price!"

His monthly living expenses before had only been around one hundred Blackso.

"Besides..." Fang Xing leaned forward, "You know—if I weren't in a hurry, I could easily build one myself..."

Old Quain fell silent. He knew this young man truly had the ability!

Previously, the man had sold him many small machines—high quality and widely praised.

"Two hundred fifty Blackso—you've got to let me make a profit," Old Quain sighed.

"Fine..."

Fang Xing pulled out a stack of banknotes.

He said he could build it himself, but it was troublesome and risked exposure—he'd rather spend a little more.

After paying, he gripped the pistol grip and inspected it with his mechanical knowledge, finding no major flaws, and nodded in satisfaction.

After completing the transaction, Fang Xing casually asked: "Old Quain... do you know of any rumors in the black market about occultism or supernatural forces?"

"Occultism? You mean those Gypsy witches' fortune-telling? Or some priest's bloodletting cure?"

Old Quain laughed heartily: "Kid... believe in steam and science!"

(End of Chapter)