Chapter 172
Chapter 172: Rather Die Than Be Caught
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
With explanation from Anderson, Fang Ning felt as if he never needed to look at system notifications anymore and could easily understand most parts of the battles on the spot.
With Anderson’s explanations, he realized Pond-level powerhouses should always try to avoid being hit by attacks combining modern scientific weapons and Vitality techniques as there was much to risk by defending against them.
Maram could evade pretty much all the targeted attacks save for a few, of which he managed by utilizing Heavenly Armor.
However, when faced with area-of-effect attacks, even if he managed to get away from the central area of the attack, he would still be injured by splash damage…
Anderson was really a genius in that his deduction was on point. The area did have a Confinement Formation that blocked off escape route from all directions.
Maram had tried to evade the final missile attack by flying, but he started falling before he even reached three-hundred meters in height. Obviously, the Confinement Formation restricted his ability to fly beyond a certain height.
In the same way, the zipping bullets that missed their mark had disappeared in mid-air with an audible ‘pop’, signifying the restriction on horizontal distance.
When Ren Ruofeng paused his attacks after cycling through his entire ammunition, Fang Ning asked, “Anderson, Ren Ruofeng had finished testing all his weapons on the mechs, are they going to begin capturing those three people?”
Anderson shook their head, “It’s too early to tell, please continue watching patiently.”
Fang Ning was unamused, but he soon realized why Anderson said it was “too early to tell.”
Not long after, a tangerine-colored mech joined in. It looked like he was trying to test combined attacks of the two mechs.
Fang Ning thought, ‘It really was too early. There are six mechs here, so after testing two, he will want to test three, then four, until all six are attacking at the same time.’
When the two mechs started attacking simultaneously, Maram giggled coldly while he dodged the attacks.
“Your spiritually-controlled mechs are strong, but I also saw through their weakness!”
Fang Ning was confused, “What did he see through? Could it be that the spiritual sense control is the weak spot and he wants to cut off the spiritual connections of the mechs?”
Anderson explained it less directly, “It probably isn’t that. If it were me, I would be able to achieve that just by launching a Spiritual Slash at it. However, the Truth Department’s researchers should be able to anticipate that and come up with appropriate defensive measurements. I’d say he’s found another weak spot.”
During the conversation, a golden spear appears in Maram’s hand.
Fang Ning nodded. ‘He really is something, equipping a weapon just like that.’
The System joined in suddenly, “A shame, we can’t spawn this weapon too.”
Fang Ning was speechless and decided to ignore the greedy System. He focused on watching the battle.
As soon as the golden spear appeared, it was thrown at the tangerine-colored mech that just entered the fight.
Fang Ning opined that if the mech was designed to be so large, it would not have that much speed, compensating with a high defense instead.
As expected, the tangerine-colored mech did not dodge, but a white defensive barrier appeared in front of it as it deflected the spear.
Maram did not seem upset that his first attack was ineffective. Golden spears kept appearing in his hands as he sent barrage after barrage of spears at the mech.
Ren Ruofeng was really testing out the mechs combat capabilities. As soon as he saw Maram launching his attacks, he stopped the attacks from the silver-colored mech, giving a sense of everything being under control.
After the white defensive barrier appeared, the tangerine-colored mech also stopped attacking.
Maybe they were still in beta, and so were unable to defend and attack simultaneously.
After getting hit by dozens of golden spear attacks, the white barrier finally broke and golden spear pierced through the abdomen of the huge mech.
The attack did not leave the mech with any visible scratches, but the mech’s alarm began to screech.
“Reporting, the magic pool has been depleted and will not be able to continue defending against spiritual attacks. The spiritual link with operator number two has been disconnected. Mech number two needs to retreat and recharge or will not be able to continue battling. Switching mode to wireless-remote-control-and-AI mode.”
Fang Ning knew this was a beta version. In proper battles, they would not have broadcasted the report and let the enemies understand what their attacks can do to the mechs.
After reporting, the mech turned around and walked out of the battlefield. Maram did not pursue that mech but instead changed targets.
Fang Ning nodded, “Andy, you’re right. I didn’t expect its real weakness to be the power source of the mech instead of the spiritual link. It definitely isn’t a pure scientific weapon. I mean, that’s acceptable. Current mech technology could not have done this. We can tell just by its size, normal power source would not have been able to move it at all.”
Anderson said, “You are absolutely right. The magic pool that it mentioned must be the accompanying module for storing magical energy in order to support the continuous usage of Formations. However, the total amount it can store is evidently not enough to withstand a Pond-level powerhouse’s attacks.”
Upon hearing that, Fang Ning began to roughly understand the spiritually-controlled mechs. They were strong and valuable, but they were far from invincible.
Maram’s attack was successful and started looking a little smug.
He instructed, “Kamal, follow my lead and take care of the four that are not Ren Ruofeng’s.”
Ren Ruofeng’s voice came out of the silver-colored mech. “No wonder you’re a Pond-level powerhouse, your reaction is quick. You’ve exhausted my beta-version mech, but similarly, your Divine Power would have been running out too.”
Fang Ning glanced over and discovered the fading golden light of Maram’s Heavenly Armor. It was durable, but it dimmed significantly after taking so many hits from the modern scientific weapon.
Maram scoffed. “That’s where you’re wrong. We are supported by gods.”
Immediately after, he kneeled down and did an Anjali Mudra. His face was strict as he muttered silently as though he was praying.
It was unknown why Ren Ruofeng did not order the other mechs to take the opportunity to attack and just allowed the enemy to replenish his power.
After a while, a golden light spilled down from the sky. Maram’s golden armor immediately shone brightly as it touched the light, returning to its initial state.
As it was Fang Ning’s first experience in seeing a phenomenon like that, it stunned him. “That golden light is replenishing their Divine Power, isn’t it?”
Anderson immediately explained, “That’s right. I know about this. They told me before that the three gods will grant them their power if they would pray to them sincerely. However, in my opinion, the so-called Divine Power is a manifestation of their Faith. The difference between that and our spiritual sense is only the way they manifested, and that Divine Power is purer.”
Fang Ning went into a state of deep thought as he heard that. ‘China is trying to promote the practice of the Basic Cultivation of the Spirit to heighten everyone’s spiritual sense, which the Nets Above Snares Below was collecting. Compiling all those information, the Truth Department’s plan was really thought out.’
Just as he was thinking, the battle quickly turned intense again.
The younger Caucasian man, Kamal, had yet to be attacked. He still had plenty of Divine Power left. A dozen or so bronze spears appeared in his hand, attacking the remaining four mechs at the same time.
The four mechs were the same as the previous one. They had a white barrier each and did not attack while in defense.
Every one of Kamal’s spears could home in to their targets, and they were impossibly fast. The mechs were not built for evading attacks, so even though they kept shifting around, they were not successful in avoiding any attacks and could only deflect the spears with their barrier.
Soon, the four mechs started to sound their alarms and retreated from the battlefield one by one.
Maram cackled loudly. “What else have you got, Ren Ruofeng? Just bring it on now!”
Ren Ruofeng’s tone was calm, “Looks like my beta version mechs were not able to take down you Pond-level powerhouses. However, did you forget what I said? I said I had it all planned out!”
When he had finished shouting, an imposing pale golden hand appeared in the sky and pressed down at Maram.
“Duck!” shouted Sina who had yet to speak.
Nevertheless, she was too late. The massive hand arrived almost as if it ignored any air resistance and grabbed Maram without any delay.
The hand slowly raised in mid-air, closing in on the silver mech’s head as if giving him an extreme close up.
Ren Ruofeng laughed at this point. “What do you think? The armor and spears you formed Divine Power are powerful, but my Tianluo Divine Palm is much more powerful.”
“Let go of me!” Maram struggled but could not move at all. Furthermore, he realized to his horror that he could not utilize his Divine Power, even a little bit.
The System was disappointed. “What a waste. We weren’t able to nab any of the three enemies today. Host, you shouldn’t have notified the Truth Department. I shall punish your miscalculation by canceling your break, so go and cultivate right now…”
Fang Ning jumped to the defense of his break. “Wait! Even if I didn’t tell the Truth Department, they were already prepared, it has nothing to do with me!”
The System said, “That’s true, then let’s go, I wanna go into seclusion. This trip wasted half of my day, so I shall take that off your break.”
Fang Ning immediately stopped the idiot and said, “Not necessarily wasted. Let’s wait a little longer. We’ve all underestimated Maram, so maybe he could bring us a surprise…”
The System was still trying to farm, so Vigilante A did not leave the area and started preparing to kill-and-steal instead.
Having successfully trigger his skill, Ren Ruofeng was smug. “There’s no use for you to struggle. At the end of the day, your Divine Power is still spiritual sense. My spiritual sense is not as pure as yours, but after collecting it from the citizens of our country and converted by the Nets Above Snares Below, its quality isn’t any lower than your Divine Power, but I have more in quantity. Just follow me to the dungeon of the Truth Department, why don’t you…”
At this point, Maram’s face changed. A hint of savagery came and went from his eyes, then his body flashed with a golden light before he spontaneously exploded!
“F*ck, he self-destructed! I didn’t even threaten to kill him…” Shock appeared on Ren Ruofeng’s face for the first time.
A faint golden spirit hid among the flesh and blood that scattered in mid-air, escaping to the sky. The Confinement Formation seemed to not have an effect on it as it easily flew past the upper limit of three hundred meters and kept rising.
The System said, “Haha. Host, you’re really good at planning this, now’s my chance.”
Fang Ning was relieved that a half-day of his break was saved and was not taken off…
Vigilante A leaped into the air from where he was and chased after the spirit in his dragon form.
A moment had passed before Fang Ning heard the system notification.
[The System captured the heir of the Indian God of Creation’s spirit, Maram Desan… and locked him in the System Prison.]
[The System stopped a threat toward China, the Celestial Dragon awarded the Host 10 Favorability points toward all attributes.]
[The System obtained a massive amount of Heroic Fame.]
[The System obtained a massive amount of Morality, all Morality Bars full.]
Fang Ning preened. “How ’bout that? It’s not wrong listening to me, is it?”
The System praised, “You’re good, Host. How did you know that Maram would self-destruct in the end?”
Fang Ning could not confess that he was taking a gamble, of course.
He said, “Seeing how proud he is, I knew he must have a huge ego after duking it out with you. So I guessed that he will not allow himself to be humiliated…
“Moreover, Anderson said the Indians and the Power Balance Society had a good relationship. Remember how N’gun tried to escape by self-destructing so he can ask the Black Cat Tom to perform a reincarnation for him? I think Maram was trying to do the same thing. Let’s wait for Anderson’s interrogation result.”
The System said, “Host, you inferred so many information just from the little information we have, my admiration toward you was like a rapid stream, flowing unhaltingly through-”
Fang Ning said, “You can stop with your disingenuous praises. We can go now.”
The System said, “There are two left… shouldn’t we wait?”
Fang Ning said, “We won’t be able to nab them.”
The System said, “I’ll wait for a while longer.”
The System’s praises were as fake as praises could be as Vigilante A stopped in mid-air in his dragon form.
Fang Ning was completely speechless. The idiot was so straightforward that it still did its own thing even though it had just praised Fang Ning’s foresight. This was obviously distrustful of its strategist.
…
At the battlefield, the silver mech turned toward the two remaining Indian powerhouses.
Ren Ruofeng’s tone was frigid. “Why, do you wish to escape via self-destruction too? Also, miss, stop wasting your energy. This Confinement Formation was set up by Old Hag Hong herself. Maybe you could contend with her in another fifty years, if you live that long…”
Before he could finish, a sourceless scoff was heard around the area.
The remaining heirs of the three major gods of India were spooked out and telepathically discussed.
Kamal whined, “I said that we shouldn’t have come. Picking a fight with the Truth Department now is not worth it. Since we’re blessed by the gods, we should have advanced to a Grade-A powerhouse and leave the worldly problems to its people.
“Just because Maram, that old fart, wanted to be one step ahead of the Chinese. Look at him now, he’s only left with a spirit, I don’t even know if he could appear in front of us ever again. I’m not sure Black Cat Tom would be pleased about that…”
Sina shook her head and said, “No use talking about this. Let’s surrender, at least we would be able to live. We have used all our strength. At least we’ve defeated Vigilante A and gravely injured him. Even if the God of Destruction incarnated into this world to seek revenge, they wouldn’t blame it on us.”
Both of them stopped and bowed at the silver mech, saying, “We shall surrender, please be kind to us.”
…
The fire dragon circled in the sky, looking at the battlefield below. As they both surrendered and was taken away with a special tool binding them, its eyes were filled with disappointment.
The System said, “How could you be right again, Host? The remaining two chickened out. They should have followed Maram, preferring death over slavery.”
Fang Ning was at a loss for words. “That’s right. Choosing to not become a slave of the Truth Department, and then become your slave, that would be a fate worse than death…”