Wangyue City, the primary city of the second world, lies at the heart of the four kingdoms, embraced by the cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Chen Tian's presence materialized here.
Wangyue City houses the portal to the third world. Players aspiring to reach this next level must proceed to the city's center and enter the teleportation array.
Consulting his map, Chen Tian located the portal and then set off, his steps leading him directly towards it.
In the grand plaza of Wangyue City stood a colossal teleportation gate, meticulously guarded by an army of soldiers. Clad in gleaming silver armor and wielding golden lances, they stood erect like bamboo, flanking the plaza.
Under their watchful eyes, players queued to enter the portal, presenting their identity cards for authorization. Only those permitted could pass.
Chen Tian approached the vicinity, but he did not head directly for the portal. Special devices in the area rendered his "Heavenly Veil" skill incapable of fully concealing his aura. Furthermore, he dared not present his identity card for registration. While he could fabricate false interface attributes, his identity card information was beyond his current capabilities. The "Heavenly Veil" skill was not omnipotent, and Chen Tian had become an enemy to all players; revealing himself now would lead to exposure.
He had no desire for another fight, so he resolved to wait. Once everyone else had passed through, Chen Tian would make his move.
Chen Tian waited from morning until sunset. The guards remained steadfastly in their positions around the plaza. Seeing that no more players were present, Chen Tian decisively strode towards the teleportation gate.
Instantly, guards on both sides intercepted him, demanding, "Your identity card, please!"
Chen Tian flicked his finger, and a card materialized between his digits. He presented it to a guard, who took it and declared, "Level forty-one. Insufficient level. You do not have permission to use the teleportation gate. Please leave!"
Chen Tian's expression darkened. He had forgotten that the teleportation gate in the second world had a level restriction; only players level fifty and above could use it. However, Chen Tian was truly reluctant to continue leveling in the second world. He spoke, "My level is forty-one, but my strength can contend with level fifty players. Is that acceptable? I recall the portal's requirements mentioning that sufficient strength can also grant access."
"Oh? If you wish to use the teleportation gate, you must pass an assessment. A level forty-one player fighting a level fifty opponent. If you win or draw, you may use the portal. If you lose, you must leave!" the guard stated earnestly.
Chen Tian nodded, "Very well! I accept the assessment!"
"Excellent! Please follow me!" The guard returned Chen Tian's identity card and led him to another area.
This area housed a massive building, its silver exterior exuding a formidable aura. Chen Tian grew serious; the opponent within was clearly powerful.
The guard announced, "Adventurer, your opponent is inside. You may only exit if you defeat them or achieve a draw. Prove your strength!"
Chen Tian stepped forward, pushed open the door, and entered. As he did, the door sealed shut behind him. The darkness within the chamber was immediately illuminated by countless lights.
Before Chen Tian's eyes, a young boy slowly opened his eyes. However, Chen Tian sensed something peculiar about the boy.
The boy fully opened his eyes, revealing a pair of deep blue irises that fixed upon Chen Tian. He extended his arm, and from his palm shot a red missile. Chen Tian was stunned.
A cyborg? And a level fifty cyborg at that. This opponent was incredibly powerful.
Chen Tian narrowly dodged the missile's attack, but it miraculously curved and approached him from behind. Chen Tian realized it was a homing missile. He instantly summoned twin blades, and with a flash, the missile detonated.
Chen Tian activated his Divine Eyes, and information flooded his mind. However, he still harbored a question: how did cyborgs appear in the second world? Could there be another Mechanic class player like himself?
The information about the boy before him then appeared in Chen Tian's mind.
Bing Tianning
Level: Fifty
Status: Semi-Cyborg (Consciousness Sealed)
Health: 90000/90000
Energy: 81000
Speed: 9500
Luck: 0
Weapon Mastery: 6910
Technology: Mechanical Arm, Alloy Armor, Divine Iron Wings, Wrist Blade, Energy Missile, Homing Missile.
Chen Tian stared, astonished at the semi-cyborg experimental subject. He then looked at the status section, and an idea formed in his mind. This was a failed experimental subject, abandoned by its creator. But Chen Tian, being proficient in all classes, also possessed the Mechanic class. He wanted to try and recruit this cyborg named Bing Tianning.
No sooner said than done. The opponent's attributes and technology far surpassed Chen Tian's Snow Ridge Dragon. It was a waste not to take him, especially since he was an abandoned experiment. With no current binding, Chen Tian could bind him to himself. While others might see him as merely an experiment, Chen Tian would make him even stronger.
He immediately switched his profession to Mechanic, then extended his attribute interface. A mechanical keyboard materialized, and his hands flew across it. Mechanical tubes extended from the keyboard, inserting themselves into Bing Tianning's body. Chen Tian began to breach the opponent's defenses. As time passed, Chen Tian finally broke through the electronic defense network, wiping sweat from his brow. "This is no easy feat! The defense network set by the person who modified this guy is too complex. If his consciousness hadn't been blinded by hatred, preventing him from fully grasping it, this fellow wouldn't have ended up like this."
Based on the defense network he had deciphered, Chen Tian understood everything about Bing Tianning. Bing Tianning's consciousness had been fully programmed by his former creator to obey commands. His consciousness was meant to follow the creator's orders. However, Bing Tianning's consciousness was clouded by hatred, preventing full integration and thus introducing uncontrollable factors. Consequently, the creator deemed him a failed product and discarded him. Later, he was found by the Lord of Wangyue City and brought back to serve as an assessment machine.
Chen Tian typed on the keyboard and said, "Don't worry, I'll give you some special instructions, and you'll recover." As Chen Tian pressed the keys, Bing Tianning's eyes gradually regained clarity. Chen Tian then pressed the confirmation key. With a swipe, the interface vanished, and the tubes around Bing Tianning disappeared.
Bing Tianning asked, confused, "Why am I here?"
"You're awake."
"Who are you?"
"It's alright. Think carefully and recall your memories. You've just recovered; your memories haven't fully integrated yet!" Chen Tian said with a kindly demeanor. Bing Tianning sensed no hostility from Chen Tian and closed his eyes to feel his memories.
The moment Bing Tianning's memories integrated, he exclaimed excitedly, "You saved me, didn't you?"
"Yes. I don't like cyborgs becoming war machines. Now you have only one choice: bind yourself to me and become my cyborg. I will preserve your consciousness, empower you, and help you seek revenge."
"After regaining your memories, your strength and level will require a Mechanic's personal assistance to grow. Otherwise, you won't be able to develop."
Bing Tianning declared, "I agree. My purpose in life is revenge! I'll do anything for revenge! I desire powerful strength to avenge my clan's destruction!"
Chen Tian nodded and conjured a mechanical panel. Bing Tianning slowly touched it, and the contract was instantly completed. In Chen Tian's eyes, two enormous mechanical gears began to turn. A vortex gate composed of sky-blue mechanical gears appeared. Chen Tian said, "Go inside first. I'll give you a full modification once we reach the third world."
"Alright!" Bing Tianning stepped in without hesitation, and then he vanished.