Chapter 371: Chapter 371: Thousand Catty Slash
Seeing the joy on Li Yao’s face, Miller intoned sternly, “Master, don’t celebrate too soon. This vehicle was built for me by a master craftsman, so I can’t gift it to you. You must return it to me after you’re done. The materials of this vehicle are very special, its strength relates to your rank, that is, its combat power will not exceed rank three.”
Li Yao, naturally, had no intention of not returning it. Such a precious item would not be given away, and the System would not let players come across such high-end gear this early.
The so-called Battle Puppet, is essentially the same concept as a Mecha, only requiring operator control, not as advanced as psychic control, the technology of the future.
Why so many people insist on studying engineering in spite of it rarely being profitable in the last life, one of the main reasons was the Battle Puppet.
Battle Puppets vary in quality, classified in the same way as equipment. Owning a suitable Battle Puppet can significantly enhance one’s strength.
For instance, Li Yao, as a Hunter, if he got a ranged puppet, it would be a significant boost to his strength. However, a melee controlled puppet would allow him to rampage within the field of close combat.
In his previous life, the fact that Li Yao, a solo player, could come and go so freely was largely thanks to two battle puppets.
“I understand,” Li Yao took the key radiating a golden glow. This was clearly a gold-quality puppet, and from the looks of its pattern, Li Yao figured this one was for melee combat.
Li Yao immediately checked the puppet’s attributes.
Berserker Puppet
Quality: Gold Legend
Rank: Race-level Boss
Life: 380,000
Armor: 1200
Skills: All-out Thrust, Cleaving Strike, Thousand Catty Slash, Death Vortex, Sword Qi Slash, Overload, Leap Stomp, Energy Shield.
Equipment Requirement: Intermediate Engineering
Puppet Level: 16 (60)
Although he had some expectations, seeing the puppet’s stats still made Li Yao take a sharp intake of breath. It was extremely strong, and this was its incomplete form. It could only display its abilities up to the level of a camp boss when with him.
“Thanks for your trust, no need to be polite here.” Li Yao summoned the puppet. It was a steel warrior standing three to four meters tall.
The puppet’s arms held two one-handed swords. They were one-handed for him, but to an ordinary player, these were two shield-sized broadswords.
Li Yao climbed onto the puppet. After a look, he discovered the buttons and levers were the same as in his past life. He skillfully controlled the puppet to move.
“Out of the ordinary indeed.” Miller expressed a note of surprise. As per usual, Li Yao should have never seen this kind of thing. However, he noticed that Li Yao was controlling it with great proficiency, which, despite raising some doubts, brought him some reassurances.
Now Li Yao had the ability to protect himself. With his skill set in engineering, there would be no problem obtaining some items.
Several previously unconcerned players’ expressions changed at the sight of Li Yao’s new formidable ally… this journey was probably going to be…
The five players had Li Yao safeguarded in the center, slowly walking along. Li Yao said, “You appear to be an outstanding team of new recruits, how about you all introduce yourselves?”
“War Horizon, 14th level Earth Shield Warrior, I am the captain of this escort mission,” said a human male, holding a shield and enshrined in a yellow glow.
“Ephemeral Bloom, 14th level Tool Thief, the scout of this mission,” a veiled ancient elf thief declared.
“Rule by Magic, 14th level Summoner Sphere Demon Art,” a gnome man revealed.
“Light Flower, 14th level Devout Priest,” a human priest hidden behind a veil announced.
“Li— Little Cold Hands, 14th level Mechanical Hunter,” Little Cold Hands hesitated before adding, “Uncle, I’ve left my materials with you.”
“Mhm, I’ll return them to you after the mission,” Li Yao looked over everyone. He wasn’t familiar with the other four people so he didn’t have much to comment on them.
However, he was a little surprised with Little Cold Hands, this introverted girl, being a Hunter, and even more surprised that she had won fifty consecutive matches in the main arena.
What surprised Li Yao even more was that Little Cold Hands was carrying the Fire Gun, a weapon that could only be wielded at the fifteenth level, which he himself had personally crafted.
“Appearances can be deceiving indeed. This little girl is not simple,” Li Yao, however, did not expose or inquire further. Everyone has their own secrets and there’s no need to delve too deep.
“Master, if you have no objections, I will lead the way,” War Horizon stated.
“Okay, you lead the way,” Li Yao followed the others towards the edge of the town.
Before long, through a teleportation array, the group arrived at an underground passage.
War Horizon spoke first, explaining, “This tunnel here is a maze, it’s easy to get lost. Although some of the tunnels have been cleared, the greatest danger is not from monsters, but from Dark Camp players. So everyone must be careful. Our group is but five people, but many groups are not.”
Ephemeral Bloom blandly opined, “Really verbose. We all know the situation, just give the orders already.”
War Horizon’s expression stiffened but he withheld his anger. “Ephemeral Bloom, it’s time for you to scout ahead.”
Li Yao didn’t voice any opinion, merely following behind.
The tunnel extended on for a great distance. Upon observing, Li Yao recognized that this didn’t look like Titan architecture, despite the structural style bearing similarities. Li Yao hypothesized that this underground palace was expanded by the Mechanical Gnomes after they discovered that the ancient seal had loosened.
“There’s a small team of Dark Camp players ahead, four people. The thief is probably scouting like me and has likely spotted us by now,” Ephemeral Bloom reported through the team channel, which Li Yao could also access.
“In that case, let’s kill our way through,” War Horizon called, leading a headlong sprint.
Just as Li Yao was about to follow, he suddenly sensed something wrong, a thief’s silhouette appearing behind the mechanical puppet, stabbing a dagger fiercely into its back. It was clearly an ambush, aiming to kill the NPC and sabotage the mission.
However, he was dumbfounded as soon as he made his strike. His target had over thirty thousand health points.
“Poor kid, you’ve picked the wrong opponent,” Li Yao’s two massive swords instantly combined to form an incomparably huge metal greatsword before turning swiftly.
A flash of golden light and the attempting-to-flee thief was knocked flying like a straw figure. Before he could even land, a flash of white light crossed and the Thief was instantly killed.
Thousand Catty Slash!
Sounds of rumbling explosions…
The colossal alloy greatsword slashed the ground, causing a crevice to spread out, shaking the entire tunnel with its tremors.
The members of the party turned back to look, their expressions frozen at the sight before them.
Li Yao split the greatsword back into two and hung it on his waist before turning back to say, “What are you all gaping at? There are still four people left. Let’s kill them together.”
Oh, okay…
The four players snapped back to reality, once again charging forward…
