Chapter 63

"What's the situation?"

"Based on the intelligence they provided, it seems to be related to the warrior's basic core. His one-star core is called the 'Flat Mirror Core,' which has the effect of 'still water flow.' According to the warrior's feedback, the Helan Federation is certain that the traveler's magic power is not water-based but ice-based." The intelligence officer added, "Helan is unwilling to provide the warrior's name, so we don't know who he is."

Hong Zhen nodded.

He thought that with a 'Flat Mirror Core,' it's not surprising that Helan kept the information confidential.

"There's another strange piece of news. According to more reliable information, the most likely candidates to defeat the traveler, the three-star armor masters Flame Demon Empress and Snowy Night, may have been exiled." The intelligence officer's expression was odd, as if he didn't quite believe it himself.

Hong Zhen was taken aback.

After a long pause, he said, "The Blue Sea people are crazy, exiling them?"

"There's a seventy percent chance. Blue Sea has sealed the news, but they are likely in an unfavorable environment. Recently, Blue Sea has been taking many actions and sealing more information, so we can't find out much. It seems something significant is happening in Blue Sea."

"This..." Hong Zhen wasn't particularly interested in the small federation of Blue Sea; he just wanted to see the Flame Demon Empress and the 'Ice Mountain Cannon' kid face off against the traveler. Before he could ask, another intelligence officer ran in.

He loudly reported, "Report to all generals, the traveler has accepted a new challenge."

There was no reaction from the group.

The intelligence officer placed a video player and said, "It's the second challenge from Zhuo Yinghao, the son of Zhuo Feifan."

There was still no reaction, and the generals' eyes showed disdain.

Last time, three against one didn't win; one-on-one, he's just asking for death.

"Three days ago, Zhuo Yinghao advanced to four-star. Today, he specifically came to publicly challenge the traveler, aiming to end this invincible legend."

This time, the group finally reacted.

"I know, his brain must have been fried when he advanced." A four-star silver armor master, this level wasn't much to Hong Zhen. The old man's casual comment made all the generals laugh, and even the intelligence officers couldn't help but chuckle.

Challenging a three-star red steel with a four-star silver...

And saying he would end the traveler's invincible legend... Your face must be thick enough to withstand the traveler's instant kill.

"Hong Zhen, the traveler has accepted the challenge. Zhuo Yinghao has also explained publicly that he has no intention of bullying a lower-ranked warrior, just educating a junior. He wants the traveler to taste failure, which will be more beneficial for his growth. He also said he would go easy and not make the traveler lose too badly." The intelligence officer explained, and the generals all had an 'I knew he'd say that' look.

They had seen shameless people before, but this level of shamelessness was a first.

"Hmph, as if we Tianyang don't have silver armor masters." Hong Zhen was dissatisfied. If it were about educating juniors, it wouldn't be your turn, little brat from the Red Dragon Federation. Can't an old man like me find a hundred or a thousand strong people to educate the young man?

"Report."

The group didn't speak, and another intelligence officer ran in.

Ignoring the group's reaction, he quickly opened a recording and said, "The situation is urgent, please forgive me, Hong Zhen and all generals. The traveler's second match against Zhuo Yinghao is about to start. Please watch the first match first. This is very important, the analysis department is going crazy."

The group was puzzled.

They thought, there's a second match?

Did the traveler lose and不服气 (refuse to accept defeat), so he challenged Zhuo Yinghao again? This sixteen-year-old kid might have that temper.

The match recording opened.

The camera quickly jumped to a previous conversation... then Zhuo Yinghao confidently waved. The traveler extended his arm, and there was no explosion. Instead, a transparent giant water bubble appeared around Zhuo Yinghao. At this moment, Zhuo Yinghao unexpectedly panicked, waving his hands as if shouting something. The generals frowned, noticing that Zhuo Yinghao had a 'submerged in water' appearance.

Then, the traveler raised his super cannon and fired a heavy shot at the panicked Zhuo Yinghao.

The armor exploded.

The match ended.

"It doesn't count, it doesn't count." Zhuo Yinghao came out and immediately shouted at the camera, "The previous match doesn't count, it was an accident. The traveler didn't use high-energy explosions; he used some trick. My armor also malfunctioned, I was briefly suffocated and couldn't fight. Let's do it again; I'll check my armor thoroughly."

The recording stopped there.

The generals were speechless, thinking: So, Zhuo Yinghao, you can be even more shameless.

The armor provided by the magic network malfunctioned?

You dare say that? Why don't you say the magic network malfunctioned? The armor is just a segment of unchanging data; as long as it's not damaged by external forces, it won't have any problems. Moreover, losing and saying it doesn't count, and wanting to redo it when something unexpected happens... in reality, you wouldn't have a hundred lives to spare.

If you really encounter insectoid star beasts, who would give you a redo?

You'd be killed instantly.

"Connect to the second match, let's watch again." Hong Zhen was excited, believing everyone present could see: the traveler's techniques are not just one.

"Yes."

The engineering soldier opened the live recording, and it was already Ma Ge's face: "Ladies and gentlemen, the second match has ended, with a total duration of thirty-six seconds, almost the same as the previous one. A thrilling match, let's congratulate the traveler again..."

"Wait, it doesn't count, it doesn't count."

At this moment, Zhuo Yinghao, connected to the magic network, shouted again, "There's a problem with the second match. Ladies and gentlemen, please wait a moment. I think I've found the trick. It wasn't my armor's problem; it was the traveler, he has a second technique. I just didn't react in time, but I'm sure I've figured out the traveler's technique. Let's do it again; I'll install a breathing apparatus and guarantee a surprise for everyone."

Du Nan, seeing the third challenge, accepted it without a word.

At this moment.

All the forces paying attention were both amused and exasperated, thinking: Can Zhuo Yinghao really have a way to counter that water submersion technique?

Hong Zhen didn't say much, just gave a cold snort, not looking optimistic.

The third match.

Zhuo Yinghao made a 'perfect' gesture, and as soon as Du Nan moved, he frantically waved his hands, as if a new problem had arisen.

At the match site.

Du Nan didn't care about this clown act, raised his super cannon, and blasted this idiot.

"There's a problem, definitely a problem." Zhuo Yinghao immediately jumped out, ignoring the silent mockery from the crowd, and shouted, "I was suffocated again, couldn't breathe at all. This broken breathing apparatus didn't work; there must be a problem, it can't be like this."

"General Zhuo, are you saying the traveler cheated?" Ma Ge's tone was calm, but his eyes showed a different color.

"Well, on the magic network, cheating is unlikely... but it must be some strange method. I was completely suffocated, the breathing apparatus didn't work, this is unreasonable."

"Yes, I've heard similar things. Some people were instantly killed by the traveler without even a chance to fight, and they also had objections." Ma Ge seemed to be cooperating.

The mech enthusiasts in the audience could smell the sarcasm.

"This is different, I'm a four-star silver armor master." Zhuo Yinghao loudly objected, indicating he was a higher rank: "It wasn't a high-energy explosion, it was suffocation, do you understand? I couldn't breathe, how could I fight? There must be a problem, traveler, tell us, what despicable method did you use?"

Du Nan was calm, "I refuse."

"What do you mean, this match is unreasonable, say something." Zhuo Yinghao was angry.

The audience burst into laughter at the conversation, thinking Zhuo Yinghao was one of the few such shameless mech warriors they had seen. Ma Ge, seizing the opportunity, thought this guy was losing his mind, his intelligence probably dropped a few levels: "General Zhuo, I personally believe that a mech warrior's secret techniques are generally not openly discussed. If Mr. Traveler doesn't want to say, you shouldn't force it."

"But the match is unfair, this is not right." Zhuo Yinghao was even angrier.

"Unfair? Hmm, why don't you take a break?" Ma Ge couldn't help but laugh, suggesting. The production team also found it amusing, thinking this 'fair match' was a joke. If it were really like this, they might as well watch their left hand fight their right hand or a staring contest, guaranteed no one would lose.

"No."

Zhuo Yinghao looked like a brave warrior: "I want a fourth match. Even if I'm suffocated, I can hold on for ten to twenty minutes. I don't believe I can't beat you in that time. Let's do it again; I will definitely defeat you today."

Sixteen minutes later.

The match was over, and Du Nan quickly logged off.

Zhuo Yinghao was still shouting, "It doesn't count, it doesn't count. Everyone saw, it wasn't my fault. He didn't fight me, he just ran away. I didn't lose, look at the data, it shows I died from suffocation, not being killed. Everyone saw, right? This magic water bubble is unreasonable, it slowed me down. Let's do it again, I'll use a water combat module, this time I'll definitely win."

Ma Ge was speechless.

The production team had nothing to say.

Finally, Ma Ge had to speak, "General Zhuo, the traveler has logged off for some reason. Why don't we have him come back tomorrow?"

"What, he ran away? Coward, I already have a way to counter it..." Zhuo Yinghao didn't finish, and Ma Ge promptly cut the connection, saying to the audience, "Today's challenge ends here. A four-star silver armor master against a three-star red steel armor master, General Zhuo against the traveler, the two... according to General Zhuo, the two are 'undecided.'"

Hahaha!

Outside the TV, the audience was in stitches. This clown of a general, and the Red Dragon Federation dared to show him.

"Based on my persistent efforts and with the traveler's agreement, starting tomorrow, we will add an audience participation mechanism. Welcome all interested viewers to participate in the live broadcast. Remember, participation is only valid during the live broadcast, not during reruns, where we can 'it doesn't count, it doesn't count.'"

Hahaha!

"We will randomly select lucky viewers to have a face-to-face conversation with the traveler. But don't talk too much, just a sentence or two. We will also select some viewers' comments and insights to better understand the true knowledge of mech enthusiasts. That's all for today's show, I need to go backstage and laugh for a while, see you all later."

Hahaha!

This episode was too satisfying for the mech enthusiasts, and the audience was thoroughly amused.

Four-star against three-star.

Getting beaten up and still not admitting defeat... what could be funnier?

At this moment, the major forces paying attention to this matter and the relevant personnel were deep in thought. There was no way to counter high-energy explosions, and now the traveler had another 'water suffocation' technique, a method that even a breathing apparatus couldn't counter. If this continues, is there anyone within the four-star silver rank who can beat him?

In the short, unbreakable suffocation, who can kill the traveler?

At this moment.

In the Scrap Metal Star, in a hidden underground palace of a certain city.

Three imposing, equally tall and muscular giants sat together. One had a single eye, one had nine fingers, and one had skin as black as iron, with scars crisscrossing his body. They were watching the latest match of Du Nan, Zhuo Yinghao's clownish challenge. They watched intently, not missing a second, ignoring Zhuo Yinghao's reactions and focusing only on Du Nan.

Until Du Nan logged off, they turned off the player and fell into deep thought.

After a long pause.

The black, muscular giant spoke, "Duying, you are close to the captain and most familiar with General Qin's techniques. What do you think?"

"There's no need to ask, it's definitely a Pure Blue technique. Tixiang, you are still as cautious and meticulous, coming here to get confirmation from me, right?" The single-eyed giant had a strange appearance, with some white hair, making it hard to guess his age.

"Ichilang?" The black giant, called Tixiang, turned to the nine-fingered man.

"Pure Blue." Ichilang spoke little.

"Very good." Tixiang was satisfied, rubbing his bald head, and said, "General Qin never revealed what he left behind or where. Now this kid has Pure Blue techniques and has killed General Qin at the Shallow Sea Fortress. He must know something."

"Don't act rashly, Tixiang. Even if you start a war and break out of the Scrap Metal Star, invading Tianyang, you might not find his true whereabouts." Duying said.

"Then, are we just going to watch him be murdered? He's only a three-star." Tixiang seemed to have boundless anger: "We survived the great disaster back then only because General Qin saved our lives. That war was a conspiracy. Have you all forgotten? After our victory, we were scattered and sent on a foolish expedition to the insect star, where many of our brothers were injured or killed, and the guard was almost wiped out. I returned to Blue Sea to recover and almost died from an assassin. Now this kid has these abilities, will those who plotted against us let him go?"

"They don't know." Duying interrupted.

"What?" Tixiang was confused, and Ichilang also turned to look.

Duying sighed, "I think in the Azure Star Alliance, besides me, no one else knows the secret of the Pure Blue technique. Those who attacked General Qin weren't because of Pure Blue, but because of a secret he was protecting. At the Shallow Sea Fortress, General Qin could have left us and escaped. Perhaps he thought that even if he escaped, he would be constantly harassed, so he gave up hiding."

"You mean, besides you, no one else knows the kid's secret technique?" Tixiang asked hopefully.

Duying nodded, "Yes, so we don't need to protect him. Pure Blue isn't as weak as you think. Even if he doesn't use his full strength, he's not afraid of silver-ranked warriors."

"How is that possible, he's only a three-star?"