Chapter 61

"Xiao Ma," Old Hong laughed, still not stopping, and said, "If it could be cracked and everyone could learn it, what would teachers be for? In textbooks, which knowledge isn't cracked? Can you become a scientist just by reading books? Hahaha!"

"Old Hong, I did this for..." Brother Ma seized the opportunity.

"Your intention is noted, your intention is noted," Old Hong interrupted, pressing down the conversation with his palm. "I understand your heart, Xiao Ma. Unfortunately, it's impossible. If it could be learned after being cracked, I, the old man, would have been the first to learn it. Xiao Ma, you recently learned about the effects of vortices and reverse currents. Do you think you can achieve it? I can clearly tell you that even if you integrate two cores, you won't be able to produce the 'Reverse Explosion' effect."

"Please guide me, Old Hong." Brother Ma feigned disappointment but was secretly delighted that the traveler's technique couldn't be imitated.

Old Hong nodded.

He sighed, "Xiao Ma, your intention to contribute to the Federation is commendable. However, some things can't be imitated even if they are cracked. The primary condition for magical skills is the seed core, followed by personal insight, and finally, the most suitable usage method, personal experience, and various degrees of compatibility. If a scientist could casually teach a disciple to be equally outstanding, would there still be ordinary people in this world?"

Brother Ma appeared to be enlightened but was somewhat unconvinced.

Old Hong didn't mind and continued, "Everyone wants this power. The military will thank you for your intention, Xiao Ma. If you're unconvinced, let me give an example that everyone can understand. Suppose, just suppose... this high-energy explosion requires a basic pure water core. Think about it, how many people can meet the basic conditions?"

Wow!

Old Hong's words caused a stir among the crowd.

Although it was a hypothetical scenario, everyone understood: magical skills often require extreme conditions. If a pure water core is required, there are very few people in the entire Azure Star Alliance who meet the conditions.

"Except for a few old ghosts who are still alive, it has been 86 years since anyone in the entire Azure Star Alliance has integrated a pure water core. In the Tianyang Federation, it has been nearly 400 years since anyone could integrate it." Hong Zhen sighed lightly, seemingly worried about the development of the younger generation. "Xiao Ma, do you understand what I'm saying? The more extraordinary the skill, the more stringent the conditions. Even if the conditions are the same, the traveler teaches you, but you may not necessarily learn it, do you understand?"

Brother Ma nodded.

Hong Zhen's explanation was so clear that those with ulterior motives had to give up.

This complete resonance high-energy explosion definitely requires unimaginably stringent conditions. Even if the traveler taught someone with the same conditions, they might not necessarily learn it. Even if they learned it, they might not achieve the same effect. The same gun, when used by different people, produces different results. The same magical skill, when used by two people, can be vastly different, and the risk of failure is even greater.

This world still has geniuses and fools.

"The prerequisite conditions for this skill are indeed troublesome." Du Nan's one sentence made the military and various forces completely give up. In their view, the traveler's statement was very polite. The conditions required for this skill are probably impossible for anyone to meet. If there were someone with the same conditions, would he need to search for his weaknesses on the magic network? He could just spar with that person.

"What a pity." Brother Ma deliberately cooperated, making everyone let go of their obsessions.

"Do you think it's that easy? In water-based magic, a one-star foundation is not just difficult to integrate a pure water core. The flat mirror core, Li Qifeng's thin ice core, these are all extremely difficult to integrate. That iceberg cannon kid's zero-degree core is even more troublesome than a pure water core. Even General Dongteng's still water core is difficult for ordinary people to integrate. Xiao Ma, do you really think everyone can have this high-energy explosion technique?"

Brother Ma smiled bitterly, indicating that he was a small iron soldier and still knew too little.

"Alright, your intention is good. Young traveler, are you interested in coming to the Tianyang Federation? The old man has no other skills, but he still has some influence in the military." Hong Zhen took the opportunity to recruit Du Nan, and the audience held their breath in anticipation.

Du Nan clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Old Man. My strength is still shallow, and I want to practice more. Although I have this explosion technique, it's useless against a four-star opponent. If there's an opportunity in the future, we can talk about it. Today, I'm here for a personal matter and want to ask Brother Ma for help."

"Go on." Old Hong was secretly pleased that Du Nan didn't refuse outright and quickly spoke.

Brother Ma was speechless and dared not speak.

"Today, Old Hong cracked my technique, and I hope Brother Ma can help me promote it, so more people can understand and have confidence. I welcome any strong person with unique skills to practice with me. I'll accept anyone whenever I have time." Du Nan was very sincere, with no intention of bullying, as if he only sought a defeat.

"Alright, Tianyang will definitely help with the promotion." Hong Zhen didn't give Brother Ma a chance to speak and agreed on his behalf.

"There's one more thing." Du Nan paused and continued, "This is a bit special and might trouble Old Hong."

"Go ahead and say it."

"Alright." Du Nan deliberately showed a bit of joy and said, "Thank you, Old Hong. The matter is this: I've fought several shallow sea battles, at the three-star red steel stage. Every time, it ends in defeat, and I can't win no matter what."

Old Hong calmly said, "That's normal; there have been no winners in the shallow sea for years."

"Yes, after several battles, I found a glimmer of hope for victory." Du Nan's words made Old Hong's eyes light up, and the audience and various forces were stunned. "According to my knowledge, the shallow sea is different from what is described in history books. I've tried many times, and after Zhuo Ying's order to charge, no matter how hard I try, I always lose. To win the shallow sea map, I think I need to find a way before that."

Old Hong was surprised and then laughed, "Is there such a strange thing? It seems Zhuo Fan is just boasting."

When he said this, no one dared to laugh.

Unlike Old Hong, who had a transcendent status and could scold Zhuo Fan as a junior, they couldn't.

"Yes, so I thought about focusing on this aspect and winning before the red dragon army's charge." Du Nan affirmed.

At this moment, Old Hong laughed.

He said, "Young man, I understand. You want to recruit a team to break the 'no victory in the shallow sea' record? Young man, it's good that you've experimented so much, very good. However, the old man can clearly tell you that the difficulty of the shallow sea map depends on one person, not the blue sea army."

Du Nan nodded and said confidently, "I know, it's Qin Zhongjia. He decides the outcome."

"Then..." Old Hong was about to speak.

Du Nan interrupted, "With a strong teammate, I can handle Qin Zhong alone."

"What! What did you say?" Old Hong stood up abruptly, trembling and pointing at Du Nan, astonished. "You, you... you can handle Qin Zhong alone? You can match a three-star Qin Zhong... no, no, wait, according to what you're saying, the person who killed Qin Zhong recently was you?"

Old Hong's words stunned the program staff.

The audience was petrified, and even the various forces and the military were stunned.

"No."

Du Nan first denied it, and when everyone's nerves relaxed, he continued, "Theoretically, I haven't won against Qin Zhong; I can only kill him in a desperate fight. Qin Zhongjia has unique skills. With a strong teammate, I can ensure that I take Qin Zhong down with me before the charge. I can't suppress Qin Zhong; killing him is my limit. Of course, this is only for the three-star map."

Everyone was already silent after hearing these words.

Indeed...

It's really you...

The person who caused a storm recently is you. Earlier, people were more concerned about who killed Qin Zhong rather than the outcome of the shallow sea battle. Now, hearing the traveler's words, they confirmed that this unbeaten legend had a crack. A 'traveler' was trying to achieve what no one in the entire Azure Star Alliance had done.

Old Hong fell back into his chair, breathing heavily.

His heart was incredibly excited.

Qin Zhong, the peak of the Azure Star Alliance, finally had someone daring to climb. Qin Zhong, this legendary figure one rank below him, had been 'invincible' for too long, suppressing 1.2 million Azure Star warriors for nearly a century. Now, someone was rising to challenge him.

Brother Ma was also extremely excited.

As a journalist, he deeply understood the value of Qin Zhong, a name more familiar than the 'invincible traveler.' It was a name he had grown up hearing.

"Can you really kill Qin Zhong? Are you sure?" Hong Zhen asked, still excited.

Du Nan nodded.

Without much explanation, his attitude said it all.

"Good!"

Hong Zhen shouted, and the program site was swept by a storm. Brother Ma and others were knocked down, glass shattered, and Old Hong laughed heartily, repeatedly saying, "Ha ha ha, good, very good. Since you've said it, the old man won't back down. You need teammates, and the old man will provide them. Whatever you need, I'll give you. As long as you win the shallow sea map, I'll fulfill any request."

With one sentence from Hong Zhen,

A hurricane called 'Shallow Sea Storm' formed.

The major federations of the Azure Star Alliance immediately took action, contacting the Tianyang Federation, Old Hong, and even Brother Ma to explore the situation. The undefeated shallow sea map for a century... this victory, this glory, who wouldn't want a share? This mountain that had suppressed the entire Azure Star for nearly a century finally had its most powerful climber. How could they not follow to benefit?

The next day.

At a speed called 'Tianyang speed,' Hong Zhen gathered the most outstanding three-star red steel armor masters of the Tianyang Federation.

Together with the traveler, they entered the shallow sea map.

Twenty minutes later.

When people heard the announcement that the traveler and Qin Zhong had both died, the entire Tianyang Federation was shaken by cheers. Mech enthusiasts were in tears, as if witnessing a divine miracle. Brother Ma appeared excited but was worried, not understanding why the traveler had 'cut off this new source of wealth.' Ten minutes later, the shallow sea fortress exploded, and the result was still...

Challenge failed!

The mechanical voice rang out, and the cheering crowd instantly turned to stone.

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