Chapter 97: Leaving The Beacon, Art Of Heavenly Inquiry
The next morning.
Because they planned to leave, Welt had no time and was too lazy to personally teach Elon the life energy cultivation method.
So he had Meng Huaifeng use the ninth skill built into the Mobile Phone Martial Spirit to download the cultivation method he derived onto his own mobile phone, then transmit it into Elon’s mind.
Due to Aha’s Blissful Blessing, Meng Huaifeng had to transmit his ninth set of radio calisthenics to Welt, and obtained Advanced Combat Technique from Elon.
The cultivation method was not difficult and very simple; the transmission process only took about ten seconds or so. One could imagine that the more complex and powerful the ability, the more time it would take to transmit.
This was Meng Huaifeng’s first time using this Soul Skill. According to the two, there was no sensation at all during the transmission, the transmitted knowledge did not disappear, and the complete knowledge would suddenly appear in the mind only after the transmission ended.
Meng Huaifeng thought thoughtfully. It seemed that without the Blissful Blessing, the other party might detect it during transmission, but now they wouldn’t be detected. However, because they had to transmit back a copy of an ability, they would definitely be discovered after the transmission.
Aha was both afraid that he couldn’t transmit it and afraid that he wouldn’t be discovered.
Tricking things…
Fortunately, he had no intention of using this skill recklessly either; taking without asking is theft.
If he really wanted to learn someone else’s ability, he would get their consent or exchange it with something else.
Ever since joining the Stellar Train, he felt like his moral standards had risen.
Although Elon was an ordinary person, he had immersed himself in martial arts for decades after all, and his Advanced Combat Technique could still slightly improve Meng Huaifeng’s combat experience.
If it didn’t involve any energy usage at all, the improvement for Meng Huaifeng would have been even greater.
……
Research Institute.
Himeko took out her mobile phone and looked at the message she had just received, then stood up and said, “It’s time. I need to go. Study hard, and strive to optimize your Beacon’s weapons and Gravity Bodies in the future.”
As for the Beacon’s Power and Energy System, although it was only improved and optimized by Himeko in half a day on the original basis, it was already beyond what these people could continue to optimize.
It might take dozens or hundreds of years for their technology to develop further before they could optimize it even a little.
“Teacher Himeko, can’t you stay at the Beacon? I don’t know what your settlement is like, but it surely isn’t as big or as safe as the Beacon, right?” Engineer Morin tried to persuade her again.
“I already said last night that it’s impossible for me to stay.” Himeko refused and walked out of the Research Institute without hesitation.
Outside the Research Institute, two Observer Gravity Bodies blocked Himeko’s path.
“Miss Himeko, you can’t leave.”
Three people walked over from a distance, clearly having waited a long time.
“Who are you?” Himeko raised her delicate eyebrows and asked unhurriedly.
“I’m the Research Institute supervisor, Jiali. These two are the Leader of the Light Shadow Society and Enforcer Big Dog.” Jiali said.
“What do you want?” Himeko looked at the Leader of the Light Shadow Society. Last night, Little March had complained the most about the Light Shadow Society in the group chat.
“Miss Himeko, as far as I know, your train only has a few people, right? With your abilities, you’re completely wasted on the train. Only by staying at the Beacon can you fully utilize your talents.” Jiali said.
“Did City Lord Morgan send you?” Himeko frowned slightly.
“What does that old guy know? He actually agreed to let you leave the Beacon. The others leaving is one thing, but you absolutely cannot leave! He has no idea how amazing your talents are!” Jiali said excitedly, her expression somewhat ferocious.
Obviously, Morgan had rejected her proposal to forcibly keep Himeko, but she hadn’t given up and had persuaded one of the Beacon’s three major factions, the Light Shadow Society.
Himeko’s expression softened slightly.
“Supervisor Jiali, Teacher Himeko has already helped us a lot and has done a great service to the Beacon. Please don’t make things difficult for her.” The researchers who heard the commotion outside ran out and said to Jiali.
“Shut up, you idiots! It’s precisely because she accomplished so much in such a short time that she should stay even more! With her here, we have hope of solving the Mana Ecology. At the very least, it can ensure the Beacon is worry-free for decades!” Jiali shouted at the researchers.
“Light begets all beings, all beings follow shadow. Light cleanses my soul, shadow shelters my body. Control desire with the Way, bliss without degeneracy. Better to maim body and skin than abandon light and shadow.” The Leader of the Light Shadow Society said in an extremely pretentious tone.
“What if I say no?” Himeko smiled elegantly.
“Humans as a Community of Shared Future should unite and help each other in the apocalypse. As long as you still consider yourself part of humanity, you should stay of your own accord. Only the Beacon has the most hope of ending the apocalypse.” Jiali resorted to moral blackmail.
The smile on Himeko’s face became a bit creepy. How was she being insulted now?
“I think the train is the one with the most hope of ending the apocalypse. By your logic, I shouldn’t stay at the Beacon even more.” Himeko said.
“How can a train with just a few people compare to the Beacon? That train must be your design too, right? It must be admitted that its technological content is terrifyingly high. We absolutely cannot let you leave. You can join the Beacon with the train.” Jiali said.
“Ding.”
Himeko’s mobile phone rang once.
“My companions are urging me. Sorry, I really have to go.” Himeko ignored the two Observer Gravity Bodies and continued walking outward.
“You can’t leave!” Jiali shouted: “Leader!”
“Stop her.” The Leader of the Light Shadow Society ordered.
The Electric Halberds in the hands of the two Observers crossed, and terrifying currents blocked Himeko’s path.
A Multi-functional Briefcase appeared in Himeko’s hand, with countless serrations extending from the edges, turning into a Single-molecule Saw.
The Single-molecule Saw slashed across the chests of the two Observer Gravity Bodies, easily sawing open the thick chest armor, paralyzing the Observers without harming the pilots inside at all.
Himeko’s speed was too fast—or rather, too fast for ordinary people. They didn’t react at all before the two Observers lost their combat power.
“This… where did this come from?” Jiali said in disbelief.
Obviously, Morgan hadn’t told her that they were Ability Users yet.
She had received the information on the Gene Enhancement Fluid, but wasn’t the Gene Enhancement Fluid for enhancing the body? Could it also produce weapons out of thin air?
Was this scientific?
If it was scientific, what level of technology was needed to achieve this?
Jiali’s gaze toward Himeko grew increasingly fervent.
“Leader, we must keep Miss Himeko at the Beacon!”
“Big Dog, take her down. Be careful.” The Leader of the Light Shadow Society instructed, while calling for more Light Shadow Society warriors.
Big Dog, wearing a special model Gravity Body, walked heavily toward Himeko step by step.
“You know nothing about power.” Himeko shook her head lightly.
Under Himeko’s attack, the weapon Big Dog used to block was instantly sawed off, and the next moment, like the other two Observers, it fell into paralysis.
Looking at the Single-molecule Saw in Himeko’s hand, Jiali fearfully retreated a few steps.
Even a Gravity Body couldn’t withstand one round against Himeko. What use were ordinary people against her?
But the Leader of the Light Shadow Society didn’t retreat; instead, he closed his eyes and began to pray.
“Light begets all beings, all beings follow shadow. Light cleanses my soul, shadow shelters my body. Control desire with the Way, bliss without degeneracy. Better to maim body and skin than abandon light and shadow.”
Himeko looked at the Leader of the Light Shadow Society in surprise, then bent down to take a device from Big Dog.
“Detecting light shadow value, is this it?”
Himeko fiddled with it for a while and aimed it at the Leader of the Light Shadow Society.
Hearing Himeko’s footsteps getting closer, the Leader of the Light Shadow Society’s prayer grew increasingly urgent.
Himeko watched the light shadow value data on the screen fluctuate and soar all the way to dangerous levels, nearly reaching degeneracy.
“Fear or faith?” Himeko muttered to herself in slight confusion.
“Bang!”
Himeko kicked the Leader of the Light Shadow Society flying away, without using the Single-molecule Saw.
The Leader of the Light Shadow Society wasn’t a Gravity Body; one swipe of the Single-molecule Saw would either kill or maim him.
The Leader of the Light Shadow Society crashed into the wall and passed out without a sound.
“Help!” Jiali screamed and ran away.
She happened to run into the Light Shadow Society warriors called by the Leader of the Light Shadow Society. Jiali hurriedly said, “Shoot! The Leader was killed by her! Shoot quickly! Don’t hit the head or vital spots!”
Three Gravity Bodies were taken down before they could even attack. Her attack power might be strong, but could a mortal body withstand bullets?
As a scientist, what was the use of such strong martial power? Even if only the brain remained, it wouldn’t affect research.
Three drones flew out from the briefcase. One deployed a Shield in front of Himeko, while the other two hovered and cut toward the Light Shadow Society warriors.
Amid a shower of sparks, all the weapons in the Light Shadow Society warriors’ hands were severed in two.
However, this didn’t scare off the Light Shadow Society warriors. Seeing their unmoving Leader of the Light Shadow Society lying against the wall not far away, the Light Shadow Society warriors charged at Himeko bare-handed.
Himeko shook her head helplessly. The drones suddenly fired countless bullets, precisely hitting each person’s legs, temporarily depriving them of mobility.
Even Jiali didn’t escape.
……
Far-traveling Platform of the Beacon.
Morgan, Jing Nan, Elon, Victor, and members of the Scavenger Squad came to see off the Pioneer Squad and Hong Kou and Po Xiao.
Himeko’s figure appeared from afar.
March 7th waved excitedly and said, “Sister Himeko, why are you so late?”
“A little accident happened.” Himeko looked at Morgan: “City Lord Morgan, your subordinates don’t seem very obedient to you.”
Morgan thought of Jiali who had come to argue with him last night, his expression changed, and he hurriedly said, “Sorry, it’s my fault for not managing them well. Are you alright? I’ll definitely punish them later!”
“No need, I’m fine.” Himeko said indifferently.
“Then them…” Morgan asked somewhat nervously.
“Just some minor injuries.” Himeko handed the device she took from Big Dog to March 7th.
Morgan breathed a sigh of relief.
March 7th flipped through the device in her hand and asked puzzledly, “What is this?”
“For detecting light shadow value.” Himeko said.
“Light shadow value? Oh, emotion value.” March 7th paused slightly before remembering, saying somewhat vengefully, “Where’s that kid from last night? If we weren’t leaving right away, I’d want to see just how high his faith can go.”
March 7th turned on the device and aimed it at everyone one by one. Meng Huaifeng and Xing curiously leaned over.
Normal, fluctuating, fluctuating, normal… dangerous, normal…
Huh? There’s one dangerous!
March 7th aimed the device back at the person showing dangerous. The device displayed: Scavenger, Qi Yao.
Meng Huaifeng noticed that this person had been staring intently at one person—Hong Kou.
“Hey, do you have a crush on Hong Kou?” Xing asked directly.
“Who?” The Scavengers in the direction Xing was looking exchanged glances.
“You, Qi Yao.” Xing pointed at one of them.
Everyone looked at Qi Yao with strange expressions. Qi Yao looked panicked.
“No, I’m not, I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense.”
“Whoa, it’s rising, rising again, almost to degeneracy!” March 7th exclaimed, holding up the device.
Hearing March 7th’s words, Qi Yao’s expression changed, and he turned and ran.
“I knew that kid’s gaze toward the captain was off.”
“Too bad, the captain is taken, and she’s leaving the Beacon soon.”
“Even if she stayed at the Beacon, that kid wouldn’t have a chance.”
The Scavengers whispered among themselves.
“Ahem, um, when is your train coming to pick you up?” Morgan coughed dryly and asked.
“The train? It’s not coming.” March 7th scratched her head.
“Then how are you leaving?” Morgan said in astonishment.
“Of course by walking around first and checking out the ground.” Meng Huaifeng said.
Walking around? Checking out the ground?
Weren’t they afraid of being swarmed by Devouring Beasts?
Was this the confidence of Ability Users?
“Then we’ll send you down to the ground. Please stand on the Far-traveling Platform.” Morgan said.
“No need, we can go down directly.” Welt shook his head and refused Morgan’s kindness.
Welt lightly tapped his cane on the ground, and a surge of anti-gravity enveloped Zhu Zhuqing, Hong Kou, and Po Xiao.
“Let’s go.” Welt walked to the edge of the platform and stepped into the air, slowly floating toward the ground.
Meng Huaifeng grabbed the back of Po Xiao’s clothes and said, “You can’t control the floating direction yet. I’ll take you.”
“Okay, thanks.” Po Xiao nodded. He could feel his body was light and floaty now, like a feather that could drift away at any moment.
“Sister Hong Kou, come, I’ll take you down.” March 7th beckoned to Hong Kou.
Hong Kou lightly tapped her toe and uncontrollably crashed into March 7th, who caught her in one grab.
Although Zhu Zhuqing couldn’t fly yet, with Welt’s help, controlling flight was no problem.
Everyone leaped off the platform one by one, flying toward Welt.
On the Far-traveling Platform, Elon’s mouth hung open in shock.
“This is an Ability User? They can even fly. If only they were willing to join the Beacon.” Elon said regretfully.
“Don’t even think about it. I’ve asked them many times, and they’ve clearly refused.” Morgan shook his head.
“If the three Survival Laws were abolished, they might be willing to join the Beacon.” Jing Nan couldn’t help saying.
“Shut up!” Morgan glared angrily at Jing Nan: “Don’t say that again. The three Survival Laws are the foundation of the Beacon and cannot be abolished!”
A woman wearing a detection mask and silver-white armor found the previously fleeing Qi Yao and said, “Scavenger, Qi Yao, data just came in—light shadow value reached dangerous level, approaching degeneracy. Come with us for guidance and repent for three days.”
“Ah? Yes, Lady Lightbearer.” Qi Yao said with a bitter face.
Two followers pressed Qi Yao toward the Light Shadow Hall.
……
On the ground.
After everyone landed, Welt waved his hand and released two Gravity Bodies: one Scavenger-exclusive White Shark series, and the other a City Defense Force-exclusive City Defense Guardian.
“Hong Kou, Po Xiao, although you’ve injected the Gene Enhancement Fluid, the ground is still too dangerous for you. These two Gravity Bodies are for you.” Welt said.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao didn’t hesitate and quickly entered the Gravity Bodies.
They knew very well that without Gravity Bodies, they would be a burden to their benefactors. Even with them, they could barely avoid dragging their feet.
Po Xiao entered the City Defense Guardian first, so Hong Kou could only enter their more familiar Scavenger White Shark series.
After moving slightly, Hong Kou opened the visor and said in surprise, “Why do I feel like this general model performs better than my custom one?”
“It’s probably an illusion from our enhanced bodies.” Po Xiao said.
“I modified and fine-tuned these two Gravity Bodies yesterday; their performance has indeed improved a lot.” Welt admitted.
Unfortunately, the materials, core, and circuits were all average, so the upper limit was limited.
Welt could create matter out of thin air, but it couldn’t exist forever. How long the created matter lasted depended on how much Imaginary Energy Welt used.
If he used it himself, he could periodically recharge it with the Power of the Herrscher of Reason to extend its existence without much impact.
But for others, if a key part suddenly disappeared at a critical moment, that would be laughable.
Looking at the endless Gobi, March 7th said, “Sigh, it’s so desolate here. Which way do we go?”
“I’ll check the source of the disaster first, then we’ll head toward the source.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“Mm, leave it to you, Huai Feng. It’s not too late to solve the source first and then explore and learn more about this world.” Welt agreed.
Meng Huaifeng closed his eyes, then opened them, saying somewhat awkwardly, “Um, maybe everyone should step back a bit?”
Due to time constraints, he had only parsed and modified one skill with Aether Editing so far: Map Teleportation, bypassing Aha’s Bliss Effect.
The other skills hadn’t been parsed and modified yet, so the Bliss Effect still applied.
Simple replication couldn’t bypass the Bliss Effect; only adjustments that changed the skill effect would work, even if minimally—as long as it could barely be considered two different skills.
Welt had a bit of psychological shadow and wanted to step back.
But the others all looked curious and quite expectant about what forbidden knowledge this would be, so he could only grit his teeth and stay.
“Art of Heavenly Inquiry, where is the source of the Mana Ecology?”
Meng Huaifeng closed his eyes and activated the skill.
Unlike last time when it only blindly increased output, Meng Huaifeng, now versed in Aether Editing, could precisely target search in the direction with the most incoming information, with associated information more accurate, greatly improving efficiency.
Plus without Silver Wolf interfering, in just one minute, Meng Huaifeng opened his eyes.
No one asked Meng Huaifeng the result; instead, they all looked at the others.
Finally, all eyes settled on March 7th.
Because only March 7th had a hesitant expression.
“March, what did you learn?” Himeko asked curiously.
“E drive, study materials, 1.5 TB, just that—what does it mean?” March 7th said, full of confusion.
Meng Huaifeng’s heart skipped a beat.
Uncle Yang was an old antique and probably didn’t know.
Sister Himeko was graceful and ladylike, probably… didn’t know.
Xing was only two years old and probably didn’t know.
Zhu Zhuqing was from Douluo Continent and definitely didn’t know.
Hong Kou and Po Xiao were born in the apocalypse and didn’t know.
He relaxed in his heart. Phew, no problem.
“Some random words, who knows?” Meng Huaifeng shrugged.
Himeko looked at Meng Huaifeng meaningfully. His heartbeat frequency had changed just now.
