Chapter 113: A Glimmer of Cold Light Arrives First

Soon, Yao Lun’s figure appeared within sight, crossing the open buffer zone and likewise choosing to advance along the edge of the greenery.

However, he was different from the figure seen earlier on the camera; his entire body was tense, movements sharp and precise, every step measured with utmost accuracy—so precise that even the strictest tactical standards could find no flaw.

Notably, he was clutching a mechanical device the size of a fist in his hand.

“Sure enough, it’s a mechanized suit.” Ji Cheng immediately recognized it as an “Eagle Eye Model II” mechanized suit.

This type of mechanized suit is produced using Level One knowledge and can simultaneously equip two external devices; it’s quite common.

“Usually, their mechanized suits hover and orbit close around the body; holding it like that in your hand is kind of ridiculous…”

“Damn, you’re way too cautious!”

As Yao Lun drew nearer, it became clear that about ten centimeters from his body, a faint energy shield shrouded him.

Under the mottled distant light, it refracted a shimmering halo, forming clusters of varying shades of deep blue, bathing him in a delicate, translucent glow.

Ji Cheng cursed inwardly, “He’s barely got any energy left, and he’s already activating his energy shield in advance—talk about burying your head in the sand.”

As the saying goes, the highest martial skill is to fell an opponent with a single shot. The human body has its limits; even the most advanced genetic enhancements rarely withstand the onslaught of various ship cannons.

Thus, the energy shield device became the second most crucial asset in the world—second only to the data ether body.

These hard-earned lessons came from accounts soaked in blood and death.

The arched light shield enveloping Yao Lun’s body was tightly structured like an eggshell, without a single gap, and equipped with dual warning systems. Whenever an object approached at a speed beyond a certain threshold, the shield would further intensify its defense.

This was enough to extinguish most attacks and dangers in their infancy.

Not only was killing him out of the question, even injuring him was no easy feat.

“Although the energy shield device only employs ‘Particle Theory’ knowledge, its intricate design makes it tough to penetrate with attacks of the same level.”

Ji Cheng crouched low within the greenery. “Not to mention, ‘Regret’s’ output capacity ranks at the bottom within Level One knowledge creations.”

“Still, better try a sneak attack.”

As Yao Lun advanced, Ji Cheng’s hand was already resting on his dagger.

...

Yao Lun cautiously hugged the shadows cast by the lights, stepping as lightly as possible; he wanted to catch Ji Cheng off guard.

“Ji Cheng definitely won’t notice me,” he thought, vigilantly scanning his surroundings.

The early morning mist draped a thin veil over the scene, and several black dots moving against the dark sky soon caught Yao Lun’s attention.

They were some kind of birds, but presumably harmless—they slowly circled each other before scattering.

He didn’t lift his hand to check his computer screen, his eyes fixed solely on the surroundings.

Using only his memory of the nearby terrain, building density, and the width and length of the greenery ahead, he calculated the distance and how much time it would take to reach his target.

“Should be just up ahead…”

He only knew Ji Cheng’s position but dared not be certain whether mutated creatures lurked nearby, so he kept his steps quiet and measured.

Even so, as a seasoned Level Two ability user, Yao Lun’s pace was still swift.

The night wind rustled, stirring up dust.

Just as he intended to take a shortcut by climbing over a fallen log, his ears caught a faint vibration in the air from the silence.

It was too subtle to be insects or rustling leaves.

Yao Lun turned his head and immediately caught a glint of cold steel, followed by a blade slicing through like a dragon.

Swoosh!

Ji Cheng, clad in pure black combat gear, emerged like a black lightning bolt in the night, leaping from the side-rear with wild, beast-like eyes.

The dagger’s tip shifted downward in measured inches with a treacherous angle.

“Ji Cheng!”

Yao Lun’s whole body trembled in shock.

Even while maintaining his ability shield, he cautiously leapt aside and quickly pivoted on his left foot.

Ji Cheng brushed past him.

A near-perfect dodge—the dagger only sliced through the air, but Ji Cheng stayed balanced, launching an immediate follow-up attack mid-air.

The 21-centimeter Kun steel dagger, sharp as a shark’s tooth, lunged toward Yao Lun’s chest but was blocked just a palm’s width away by the shield.

A low hum echoed through the greenery as the energy shield absorbed two consecutive impacts.

The eggshell-like barrier shook but showed no sign of faltering.

“Air cutting and close combat can’t break through the defense…” Ji Cheng smiled, “No worries, I’ll wear it down.”

The initial attack went about as expected. Like most energy shields, Yao Lun’s was highly defensive, difficult to breach with same-level methods.

The only options were to use Level Two knowledge-produced mechanical weapons to overpower it or to gradually exhaust its energy.

“Ji Cheng, you actually—” Yao Lun finally reacted, about to say something.

But Ji Cheng gave him no time to speak; just half a breath later, a thin iron chain whistled through the air like a coiling serpent, wrapping toward Yao Lun’s shoulder, neck, and head.

The chain was still stopped by the energy shield, but countless tiny links struck the shield like raindrops, creating ripples on its surface.

“How is this possible?” Yao Lun’s eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined Ji Cheng could drain 7% of his suit’s remaining energy with just one iron chain.

Ji Cheng chuckled inwardly; he had found this chain while waiting, intending to quickly deplete the mechanized suit’s energy.

As long as the chain swung fast enough, it would trigger the energy shield’s warning system, forcing it to raise its defense level.

Since Yao Lun didn’t know how to control it, the shield used maximum power defending every point struck by the countless small links.

The energy consumption was naturally rapid.

Though surprised, Yao Lun’s seasoned experience helped him quickly regain composure.

“Good, very impressive—much stronger than I imagined.”

He swiftly retreated to a safe distance, steadied his stance, took a deep breath, and focused his attention.

His right hand extended, and all five fingers transformed into withered branches.

“At this point, you’re still putting on a show?”

Ji Cheng met his gaze.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The iron chain retracted, then whipped out again, becoming a silver streak that instantly engulfed Yao Lun.

But Yao Lun had already grasped that the chain heavily drained the energy shield, so he twisted his body quickly to dodge the incoming strike.

The attack nearly missed entirely, with only the chain’s tip grazing him.

Crack.

The withered branches formed by Yao Lun’s fingertips suddenly expanded violently, wrapping around the chain from over a meter away.

The disgusting slime dripping from the branches quickly corroded the chain into a pile of iron fragments, sizzling audibly.

“Quick reflexes,” Ji Cheng showed surprise, though he wasn’t discouraged; there was still time.

The sky remained dim, but both men’s vision penetrated the darkness.

They faced each other from five or six meters apart, locked in a tense standoff for several seconds.

Ji Cheng stayed rooted, waiting for Yao Lun to make the first move, to react instinctively.

Yao Lun had indeed run out of patience; the withered branches connected to his fingertips twirled as he stepped forward.

All the hair on his body swayed as if caught in a storm, each step forward accompanied by a sharp, grating noise.

This was likely an effect of his genetic protoform.

Suddenly, Yao Lun’s stride lengthened; a withered branch thrust menacingly toward Ji Cheng’s front!