Chapter 102: Game Great Demon King Xing, Assault On Crimson Vortex Space
“Wow, this is so retro!” March 7th looked at the old arcade machine and controller, exclaiming in amazement.
A Xing pinched her chin, seemingly never having played with something like this, and now she was interested.
“Come on, two-player battle, loser switches out.” Xiao Xiadou picked up a controller and sat on the stool.
These two probably haven’t played games before, so with her own skills, couldn’t she win easily?
This way, she could keep playing!
“Hmph, I’m awesome at playing games, I’ve taken first place in many game tournaments, they call me the Little Prince of Games, let me show you Sister’s skills.” A Xing was extremely confident.
“I don’t believe it, except for Boss Bai, I’m also unbeatable throughout Dragon Bone Village.” Xiao Xiadou said disdainfully.
“Then let’s go!” A Xing sat down boldly, picking up the game controller.
A Xing was indeed using a controller for the first time, not familiar with it, and also unfamiliar with the game characters and skills, getting pushed back steadily by Xiao Xiadou.
“Little Prince of Games? That’s it? That’s it?” Xiao Xiadou shook the stool mockingly, landing a small combo that brought A Xing’s character to barely alive.
What to do? What to do?
A Xing was anxious and sweating profusely, was her title as Little Prince of Games about to be ruined?
Under Xiao Xiadou’s continuous attacks, A Xing could only defend blindly, hoping to find a chance to counterattack, but there was no opportunity at all, and the remaining barely alive health was slowly decreasing.
A Xing glanced at the stool leg that Xiao Xiadou had propped up while sitting, then swiftly extended her foot for a light kick, causing Xiao Xiadou to ‘thud’ onto the ground, unable to even hold the controller.
March 7th behind her widened her eyes in disbelief, looking at A Xing with a contemptuous gaze.
Xiao Xiadou’s character lost control, A Xing seized the opportunity, landed a combo, then released the ultimate move she had been charging, instantly KO!
“Hahaha, is that all you’ve got? Have you seen the strength of the Little Prince of Games? Hahahaha.” A Xing laughed triumphantly, good thing she saved face.
“That round doesn’t count, I accidentally fell!” Xiao Xiadou rubbed her butt, unconvinced, completely unaware it was A Xing’s doing since she was focused on the game, thinking it was her own carelessness.
“Loser honors the bet, now it’s your turn to step down.” A Xing lifted her chin.
Xiao Xiadou unwillingly handed the controller to March 7th.
“Hmph, hmph.” March 7th let out two meaningful hums, her lips curling slightly: “A Xing, you wouldn’t want…”
A Xing anxiously looked at March 7th, quietly holding up three fingers with one hand.
“Hmph, Xia Dou sister…” March 7th drew out her tone.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Xiadou asked.
A Xing quickly changed to five fingers.
March 7th finally nodded in satisfaction: “Xia Dou sister, watch Sister avenge you.”
However, facts proved that talk was useless, March 7th was even worse than A Xing, defeated quickly.
After two rounds, A Xing had gotten used to the controller and character skills, her terrifying game talent began to show.
Without cheating, she won the third round against Xiao Xiadou by a slim margin.
Xiao Xiadou could only step down unwillingly again.
This time she didn’t perform well, next time, next time she would definitely win! Xiao Xiadou comforted herself inwardly.
But she didn’t know, this was just the beginning of her nightmare.
A Xing became more and more terrifying afterward, and she lost faster and faster…
By the time Meng Huaifeng and Bai Yuekui arrived, Xiao Xiadou was already like a soulless husk, weathered away.
“Xiao Xiadou, what’s wrong with you?” Bai Yuekui squatted in front of Xiao Xiadou, asking curiously.
“Boss Bai, avenge me!” Xiao Xiadou hugged Bai Yuekui and cried loudly: “Only you can punish this Great Demon King!”
The wicked A Xing had made the kid cry from winning.
“Huai Feng, you’re up!” March 7th had also gotten a bit carried away from losing, looking at Meng Huaifeng expectantly.
A Xing was a little panicked, but thinking one was a local, her five senses and reaction speed crushed them, right? Plus she had mastered this game, how could she lose? Impossible!
As for Huai Feng, his first time playing would be as unfamiliar as hers, the perfect chance to defeat him and redeem herself!
“Bring it on!” A Xing placed one foot on the stool, brimming with fighting spirit.
“You go first, if you win, I won’t need to step in.” Meng Huaifeng said to Bai Yuekui.
“Then, shall we have a round?” Bai Yuekui raised an eyebrow at A Xing.
“Sure, save the strongest opponent for last as the finale.” A Xing agreed.
Bai Yuekui’s skills were indeed leagues ahead of Xiao Xiadou, but she was slightly inferior to A Xing in reaction speed.
The two fought evenly matched, extremely intense.
“Go for it! Boss Bai!”
“Defeat the Great Demon King!”
Xiao Xiadou cheered wildly behind Bai Yuekui.
Meng Huaifeng’s eyes carefully watched their button presses and corresponding character actions, constantly simulating in his mind.
If Bai Yuekui had come a bit earlier, she might have defeated A Xing with her proficient skills, but now it was a bit late.
In the end, A Xing won by a slim margin, with one-tenth health left, using a few small moves to defeat Bai Yuekui.
“Haha, won! What a thrilling battle, ninety-ninth consecutive win!” A Xing cheered, provocatively looking at Meng Huaifeng.
“Ah? Too awesome, even Boss Bai lost.” Xiao Xiadou looked at A Xing in disbelief.
A Xing became even more smug.
“You two lost to A Xing this many times?” Meng Huaifeng asked March 7th, they were still playing with her? He would have thrown the controller and left.
“Got carried away.” March 7th pursed her lips.
Bai Yuekui handed the controller to Meng Huaifeng, calmly saying to Xiao Xiadou: “Games have wins and losses, it’s normal, don’t mind it.”
“Wrong, I won’t lose!” A Xing held her head high proudly, planning in her mind to beat Meng Huaifeng, then never play against him again.
“Let me tell you some bad news, before boarding the train, I have played controller games.” Meng Huaifeng chuckled lightly, sitting next to A Xing.
A Xing’s heart skipped a beat, but she stubbornly said: “So what? The game is different.”
“Right, say it first, no cheating!” A Xing said vigilantly.
“Don’t worry, absolutely no cheating.” Meng Huaifeng guaranteed.
“Start quick, start quick.” March 7th urged.
The game officially began, Meng Huaifeng selected the character Bai Yuekui had used.
Starting with a defensive stance, conservatively getting familiar with the game controls.
A Xing attacked fiercely, going all out, frantically assaulting Meng Huaifeng.
Meng Huaifeng’s health bar slowly disappeared, it looked like A Xing had the upper hand.
Meng Huaifeng remained calm, sharpening his knife doesn’t delay chopping wood, combining simulated operations with actual ones.
“No problem, now!”
Meng Huaifeng seized the brief opening after A Xing’s attack, decisively counterattacking!
Ten-hit combo, twenty-hit combo…
A Xing burst raged to break free!
Meng Huaifeng instantly retreated, then closed in again, knocking her down.
Thirty-hit combo, fifty-hit combo…
Followed by ultimate move!
Health bar vanishing technique!
KO!
“This… no… possible.” A Xing was completely stunned.
“Oh!” Xiao Xiadou and March 7th cheered.
“Do you know what your biggest mistake was?” Meng Huaifeng said calmly.
“What?” A Xing asked.
“You shouldn’t have let me watch you play a round first, I’ve already learned it.” Meng Huaifeng’s lips curved slightly.
“No! My hundred consecutive wins! My undefeated legend!”
Thinking that if Meng Huaifeng had played her first and Bai Yuekui last, she could have won, A Xing regretted immensely.
“Um, is Sister A Xing okay?” Xiao Xiadou asked somewhat worriedly.
“Don’t worry, A Xing can handle this setback.” March 7th said.
……
The Pioneer Squad lived a leisurely rural life in Dragon Bone Village.
Welt taught the Awakened Walkers of Dragon Bone Village how to develop supernatural abilities and enhance their bodies.
Himeko researched this world’s unique products like Scarlet Substance, Devouring Beasts, Mana Flowers, etc., having a great chat with Bai Yuekui. If not limited by the world, Himeko thought she could fully embark on the path of Knowledge.
March 7th and A Xing played games, kicked balls with the kids, exercised with the elders, trained with the Awakened Walkers, leaving their footprints everywhere in Dragon Bone Village, getting along with everyone.
Zhu Zhuqing went to the school to attend classes and study with the children, the knowledge taught giving her a systematic understanding of the world, something impossible to learn in academies on Douluo Continent.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao learned Origin Return under Dragon Bone Village’s guidance and awakened supernatural abilities. Hong Kou awakened body enhancement ability, greatly improving equipment performance and strength. Po Xiao awakened explosive ability, making launched attacks explode, greatly increasing lethality.
These past few days, the two focused all their energy on improving and familiarizing with their supernatural abilities.
March 7th and A Xing also wanted to awaken supernatural abilities, but unfortunately they had no Life Essence, awakening nothing.
Meng Huaifeng occasionally went to Jiuchuan City to invade a Mana Flower, or played ball and games with March 7th and A Xing, but most time was spent improving Aether Editing and Quantum Warp Jump Technology.
March 7th and A Xing complained that such diligent Meng Huaifeng felt unfamiliar, playing wasn’t fun anymore.
They had agreed to slack off together, yet he secretly started working hard!
Could they still happily play together?
Seven days later.
Pioneer Squad assembled.
“I’ve fully analyzed the Mana Flower’s information network system. If Crimson Vortex Space is basically the same, I can crack it immediately, time to act.” Meng Huaifeng said confidently to everyone.
“Crimson Vortex Space is quite dangerous inside, the task of entering Crimson Vortex is for Little March and A Xing, I’ll cover you, any issues?” Himeko arranged.
“No problem.” Welt said.
Meng Huaifeng agreed, his current strength was basically the known ceiling of this world including Devouring Beasts, but not by much, danger was still possible. Moreover, he wasn’t good at combat.
Better to leave it to the stronger March 7th and A Xing.
Himeko gave two badge-like items to March 7th and A Xing: “These are protective devices I made based on Boss Bai’s data, whether useful or not, wear them first.”
“With Sister Himeko’s strength, they must be useful.” March 7th said happily, pinning them on her chest with A Xing.
“Then, let’s set off.” Meng Huaifeng said.
Fully armed Bai Yuekui and the Awakened Walker squad had been waiting at the village entrance for a while.
“We’re going together, should be fine, right?” Bai Yuekui flicked her hair.
Meng Huaifeng’s research progress was never hidden from Bai Yuekui, so her knowing they were about to act wasn’t strange.
“To solve Mana Ecology, Boss Bai and us have prepared for a long time, can’t miss us at this key moment.”
“If successful, I can boast to juniors later that I contributed to saving the world.”
“Yeah, maybe it comes down to our bit of strength in the end.”
The Awakened Walkers joked one after another, eyes full of hope.
Meng Huaifeng looked at this group of Awakened Walkers he had gotten familiar with these days, only two or three familiar faces from his world’s original story, most probably sacrificed or retired in the next decade or so.
Most of those familiar faces were still training in the village.
This time, he hoped they could all live on.
“With your help, it’ll be like adding wings to a tiger. Let’s go.” Meng Huaifeng didn’t dampen their enthusiasm, smiling in agreement.
Regardless of strength, those willing to contribute to saving their world deserved praise.
The group rode in four armored vehicles toward Jiuchuan City.
Four hours later, the group finally arrived in front of the Mana Flower King.
The mobile phone floated in front of Meng Huaifeng, projecting a virtual screen and keyboard.
Meng Huaifeng skillfully invaded the Mana Flower King.
Cutting off the Mana Flower King’s connection channel to Crimson Vortex Space, Meng Huaifeng queried the information sent by Mana Flower King during previous Crimson Vortex openings and sent the same to Crimson Vortex Space.
Soon, information came from Crimson Vortex Space: in half an hour, Crimson Vortex would open, now have Mana Flowers everywhere gather Devouring Beasts and submit Life Essence.
Meng Huaifeng sneered, directly destroying this message.
“In half an hour, Crimson Vortex will open, get ready.” Meng Huaifeng reminded.
Everyone stood like statues, afraid to accidentally attract Devouring Beasts’ attention and cause trouble.
As time approached, everyone’s heartbeats quickened, countless thoughts surging.
“Do you think we can really solve this damn Mana Ecology this time?” Finally, someone couldn’t help speaking to ease the tension.
“Boss Bai said chances are high, otherwise she wouldn’t fully support.”
“If it fails, we’d have to wait over a decade for a plan with unknown success rate.”
“Over a decade? Who knows if I’ll even be alive then?”
“Better to die saving the world than in survival, sounds more heroic.”
“Time to fight hard, guys.”
“Calm your minds, maintain Origin Return, don’t attract Devouring Beasts.” Bai Yuekui warned.
The Awakened Walkers reined in their excitement.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao also clumsily maintained Origin Return state in the Gravity Body.
The agonizing half hour finally passed.
Above the Mana Flower King, a red point gradually lit up, growing larger, eventually forming a massive vortex, color deepening to dark purple.
If there were people near other Mana Flowers, they would see purple vortices appear above all Mana Flowers across the continent.
However, only one truly allowed entry to Crimson Vortex Space, the one in front of Meng Huaifeng and the others!
Meng Huaifeng operated without hesitation, fingers flying, leaving afterimages.
Crimson Vortex Space’s network information system was undoubtedly inherited from Mana Flowers, just more complex.
Meng Huaifeng quickly invaded Crimson Vortex, rewriting its entry conditions.
『Allow any existence to enter!』
“It’s good!” Meng Huaifeng said urgently.
March 7th, A Xing, and Himeko stepped forward, flying into the Crimson Vortex.
Crimson Vortex Space didn’t notice the invasion at first, but after entry conditions were rewritten and three unqualified people entered, it finally detected something wrong.
Moreover, Devouring Beasts from other places hadn’t come to pay rent.
Mana Flower King spewed large amounts of Scarlet Substance, Crimson Vortex slowly began contracting.
When the space channel wasn’t open, Mana Flower King and Crimson Vortex Space had only a slight connection, hard to invade and easy to detect, but now with space open, closing it wasn’t easy.
Meng Huaifeng immediately fought for control of Crimson Vortex, clashing with Crimson Vortex Space’s information flow.
“Roar!”
Roars of Devouring Beasts came from all directions.
“On guard, prepare for battle!” Bai Yuekui shouted: “East side is mine.”
Devouring Beasts could enter Crimson Vortex Space, unknown if it would affect the entered March 7th, A Xing, and Himeko, so they had to be stopped!
“West side is mine then.” Welt also took a direction.
Meng Huaifeng’s hands didn’t stop, a figure flashed beside him, Jing Yuan.
“AI, combat handover, north side is mine. Hong Kou, Po Xiao, assist Boss Bai on east. Zhu Qing and Awakened Walker brothers and sisters defend south Devouring Beasts together.” Meng Huaifeng arranged expressionlessly.
Uncle Yang’s side was definitely fine, even easy, his own was fine, Bai Yuekui was decent, about equal to Zhu Zhuqing, might struggle a bit.
After Hong Kou and Po Xiao awakened supernatural abilities, piloting Gravity Body made them much stronger than Dragon Bone Village’s Awakened Walkers, perfect to assist Bai Yuekui.
Awakened Walkers were numerous, could handle ordinary Devouring Beasts, strong ones beheaded by Zhu Zhuqing, could hold.
If it really collapsed at the end, that would be Uncle Yang’s time to clear the field.
More and more Devouring Beasts gathered, various forms and types.
As expected of Mana Ecology’s source, Jiuchuan City’s Devouring Beast numbers far exceeded that small city.
Crimson Vortex was huge, defense range vast, occasionally a few Devouring Beasts broke through east and south lines toward Crimson Vortex, then blasted by Uncle Yang’s gravity ray.
Zhu Zhuqing went all out, speed invisible to the eye, only black shadows flashing, a Devouring Beast down. In crises, multiple clones appeared instantly, turning the tide.
Time in Crimson Vortex Space flowed over a hundred times faster than outside, their entry time far exceeded, yet not out, longer time meant higher success hope.
Bai Yuekui ignored her gene breakdown and cell decay risks, Tang Saber slashing continuously, sword qi quartering Devouring Beasts.
Gravity Body enhanced by Hong Kou’s supernatural ability was unprecedentedly powerful, unscathed by Devouring Beast attacks, every sword precisely hitting the glowing energy core in sight, aka Rhino Seed in Dragon Bone Village.
Po Xiao sniped every threatening leaked Devouring Beast precisely from behind Hong Kou, even if not hitting Rhino Seed, the explosion temporarily disabled them.
Minutes later, realizing it couldn’t regain Crimson Vortex control from Meng Huaifeng, dense Life Essence spewed from Crimson Vortex.
Rumbling!
An earthquake, a small-mountain-sized figure crawled out from underground.
“King Class Devouring Beast!” Bai Yuekui paled, pre-Cataclysm even countries’ strongest weapons couldn’t kill this level!
Their task was to stop Devouring Beasts from entering Crimson Vortex.
She could hold it, kill at a cost.
But now, Crimson Vortex was right behind, King Class needed few steps to enter.
In such short distance, how to stop and kill it?
If she charged alone to behead, surrounding Devouring Beasts would rush into Crimson Vortex!
Welt gripped his cane slightly.
Meng Huaifeng’s phantom-like fingers paused, Crimson Vortex locked, with prior shown abilities, impossible to unlock short-term.
Wrist flipped, a spear appeared in Meng Huaifeng’s hand.
Using his self-compiled modified map teleportation, appeared in the air beside the King Class Devouring Beast.
Sensing silently, King Class core was 100 meters inside its body, with its huge size, total extermination not easy.
“Yunqi Spear Technique—Sky Breaking!”
Powerful Imaginary Energy gathered on the spear, like a meteor, shooting toward King Class Devouring Beast.
Learned from Dan Heng who never parted with his spear, a powerful move that made Dan Heng break principles, who could block it?
Spear pierced King Class body like tearing silk, unstoppable, straight over 100 meters, hitting core!
“Roar~!”
King Class Devouring Beast roared violently, sound waves scattering sky clouds, then crashed heavily, another earthquake.
“He… isn’t he a researcher?” Bai Yuekui murmured in disbelief.
“Careful!” Hong Kou beheaded a Devouring Beast lunging at Bai Yuekui, saying: “Don’t compare to them, they aren’t from our world.”
“No, without comparing, how know there are skies beyond skies, people beyond people, how improve further? I see I have much room for progress.” Bai Yuekui smiled radiantly, high-spirited.
Meng Huaifeng returned near Mana Flower King, took out another spear, blocking southeast Devouring Beasts, easing pressure on Bai Yuekui and Zhu Zhuqing.
Whenever Crimson Vortex started shrinking, Meng Huaifeng paused, hammered the controller behind Crimson Vortex Space, re-expanding and locking it.
One hour later, three figures emerged from Crimson Vortex Space.
“How’d it go?” Meng Huaifeng, who had just hammered Crimson Vortex Space again, put away his mobile phone and asked.
“With this lady on the job, of course it’s solved?” March 7th puffed chest proudly.
“My evaluation: not as good as Stellar Core.” A Xing said it was easy.
Meng Huaifeng looked at Himeko.
“Little March and A Xing handled it all, I didn’t act.” Himeko smiled lightly.
“Hey, what do you mean? Don’t trust this lady?” March 7th pouted unhappily.
“Of course I trust Little March, Little March is unmatched in the world, Little March is invincible, Little March is drop-dead gorgeous, Little March is brilliantly smart…” Meng Huaifeng’s compliments flowed effortlessly.
“Aiya, stop, stop! It’s embarrassing.” March 7th blushed, hurriedly interrupting.
Though compliments, too direct and embarrassing, who could handle it?
“Praise me, praise me.” A Xing pushed March 7th aside, looking at Meng Huaifeng expectantly.
“Go to the side.” Meng Huaifeng rolled eyes at A Xing, your skin so thick, wouldn’t you take it all?
A Xing’s expression froze, what did that mean?
Differential treatment?!
I’ll fight you!
“Look! Mana Flower is withering!”
Someone suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone looked at Mana Flower, no longer vividly red, now dry and dull, petals visibly drooping.
All Mana Flowers on the planet withered similarly.
“Ah!”
An Awakened Walker screamed, Zhu Zhuqing flashed to save him.
“Buck up! Dawn is near, don’t fall now!” Bai Yuekui encouraged loudly.
People were out, no need to maintain Crimson Vortex.
Meng Huaifeng swung spear, charging into the beast horde.
March 7th and A Xing didn’t yield, several drones flew from Himeko’s hand.
Awakened Walkers were exhausted, Bai Yuekui already injured, body struggling.
Devouring Beasts could be cleared later, at Bai Yuekui’s suggestion, the group carved a bloody path out of the encirclement.
“Thank you.”
On the way back, Bai Yuekui sincerely thanked the Pioneer Squad.
“No need for thanks. Mana Ecology is solved, but Devouring Beasts won’t vanish, need gradual cleanup.” Himeko said.
“I understand, many Devouring Beasts, but without Mana Ecology, like rootless duckweed, will be cleaned eventually.” Bai Yuekui said confidently.
Catastrophe source resolved, Train Crew wouldn’t interfere further, up to the planet’s people.
This was both trial for the planet’s people and inevitable ordeal for a civilization.
Train Crew weren’t nannies, couldn’t solve everything.
Too many stars in the Universe.
Looking at Awakened Walkers ignoring injuries, excited and laughing heartily.
Himeko swallowed the behind-the-scenes info, better say when Train leaves.
Maybe behind-the-scenes would act soon? Strike and warn then, planet worry-free.
If backing civilization too evil, could only eliminate them.
Fierce glint in Himeko’s eyes, Train Crew acted as knight-errants, kind, but never lacked thunderous means.
Of course, only for irredeemable villains.
Ling Cage not finished, too many plot holes later, wrote conservatively to avoid twists. Easier to wrap this way.
Also, 100 chapters, confetti celebration, monthly ticket please
