"Clang," "Clang," the two-ton barbell was repeatedly lifted and lowered by the supine Gu Xichen. Mobile reading quickly: à.1κ .O text version first release

Without employing his innate vital energy (Xiantian Gang Qi), Gu Xichen was purely exercising his physical strength. Muscle fibers swelled and contracted incessantly; pale blue veins rippled beneath his skin. Sweat gathered on his skin into small streams, eventually sliding down Gu Xichen’s smooth physique onto the dust below.

"Nine hundred ninety-nine... one thousand..."

After pushing the barbell for a thousand repetitions, Gu Xichen placed it back on the rack. He slowly swung his warmed arms and straightened his upper body.

"Still not quite there. What exactly is wrong? How can I finally awaken the 'Realm' (Jie) I obtained?"

Frustrated, he threw a light jab forward. The air before his fist snapped with a sharp crack, and a hazy white energy barrier flashed and vanished just ahead of his knuckles.

Since merging with that crystal sphere from the Crystalian, Gu Xichen’s physical condition had improved dramatically. Now, he could effortlessly generate a supersonic punch—something he couldn't achieve before even when utilizing his Xiantian Gang Qi. However, this physical enhancement did not keep Gu Xichen happy for long; a new problem continually gnawed at his mind.

He had successfully integrated the crystal sphere, and he could sense a mysterious change occurring somewhere intangible within him. Yet, Gu Xichen was unable to activate the power of the 'Realm' generated by the fusion, unable to possess the strength a true 'Realm Master' (Jie Shi) should wield. So close, yet it felt like an illusion reflected in a mirror—untouchable. Gu Xichen's inner anguish was considerable.

"According to the top-secret intelligence of the Gu Corporation, the Federation's most famous Realm Master, 'Thunder Emperor,' awakened his 'Thunder Domain' after fusing a yellow Crystalian crystal sphere and being struck by lightning during a hurricane."

"The Federation's deadliest operative, 'Vulcan,' fused a green crystal sphere. He then awakened his 'Fire Domain' only after his vehicle was ambushed and half his body was incinerated by magnesium-aluminum incendiary bombs."

"As for the Federation's biggest joke, 'King of Cuisine,' he fused a rare cyan crystal sphere, but only awakened his 'Kitchen Domain' while cooking French rack of lamb for his lover. The poor man lost all combat capability afterward but went on to invest in and manage the Federation's premier chain of restaurants. Heh, a blessing in disguise!"

Scratching his scalp in frustration, Gu Xichen muttered to himself, "Do I really have to try every single method? Hmm, touch high-voltage wires every day, self-immolate with gasoline, or perhaps swallow poison? Gods above, whatever religion's god it may be, if I happen to awaken my Realm while fiddling with some contraband..."

A wave of goosebumps spread across Gu Xichen’s skin. He suddenly recalled how, seven days prior, the beautiful physician Maria had maliciously injected him with a massive dose of aphrodisiacs. Fortunately, he managed to neutralize the drug’s effects slowly using his supreme esoteric technique (Wushang Xuan Gong), though he suffered greatly. If he had awakened his 'Realm' at that moment, what power would his ability have taken? A 'Lust Domain' (Qing Yu) that made all nearby creatures succumb to their primal desires upon activation?

"Damn it! Why are these Crystalian spheres so impossible to grasp?"

Gu Xichen’s eyebrows were knotted tightly when the gym door was kicked open. Maha strode into the fitness room, radiating murderous intent. He licked his lips and grinned at Gu Xichen, "Evil Dragon, Uncle Beard wants you in his office! Heh, heh, there’s an easy job for you. High pay, low risk—damn it, you always snag the good ones!"

"Good job?" Gu Xichen rolled his eyes and glared at Maha. He sneered, "Don't you know Uncle Beard's attitude toward me lately?"

Lazily standing up, Gu Xichen dragged his feet toward the office of the grizzled leader (Qiú Rán Tuán Zhǎng).

Maha looked at Gu Xichen with pity, shrugging and forcing a laugh, "May the great, all-knowing Buddha protect you! Uh, once you owe Uncle Beard a debt, you can’t escape even if you flee Earth. Poor Evil Dragon, you can just pay it back slowly. Uncle will let you go when you've earned him ten Class-One warships!"

"Fuck off!" Gu Xichen flipped Maha the middle finger behind his back. If he hadn't needed the backing of the Hell Angels Mercenary Corps, Gu Xichen would have already smashed his way out. The Grizzled Leader had credited half the value of that black Crystalian to the mercenary group, meaning Gu Xichen now owed the Corps half a black Crystalian sphere! That was an immense sum! Even draining everything Gu Xichen currently possessed wouldn't be enough to pay it off.

"Life truly is full of woes!"

He grumbled near the door of the Grizzled Leader’s office before fiercely slamming his fist on the doorbell.

The automatic door immediately slid open, and the hearty laughter of the Grizzled Leader echoed out, "Evil Dragon? Come in quickly, I have a good job for you here."

Striding into the office, Gu Xichen gave the Grizzled Leader a less-than-standard salute, standing solemnly before his desk and asking, "What is the mission?"

The Grizzled Leader spat out a piece of tea leaf, grabbed a document from his desk, and tossed it to Gu Xichen.

"A descendant of an ancient family in London is having some minor business troubles recently. His investments have been failing consecutively, leading to a capital crunch. Hmm, based on our intel, his relationships with several major Federal banks aren't great, and he can’t secure any loans. This information has been verified. So, he plans to auction off some of his family's treasures."

Taking a deep gulp of strong tea from the large mug before him, the Grizzled Leader continued, "Of course, this client is a person of stature; he intends to hold a small, private auction. However, a portion of these family treasures are astonishingly valuable, so he has entrusted our mercenary group to provide full protection for the secret auction."

Gu Xichen scanned the document in his hands. Indeed, the situation was as the Grizzled Leader described. The client's family history could be traced back to the era of Britain’s Queen Victoria—a typical representative of the noble class who suffered for the sake of appearances. This time, he was putting over seventy family treasures up for auction, with more than half of the collection qualifying as 'National Treasure' level rarities. Hiring the Hell Angels Mercenary Corps for complete security at the auction was clearly necessary.

Pondering for a moment, Gu Xichen looked up at the solemn Grizzled Leader and frowned, "I sense a thick odor of conspiracy. Either tell me the truth, or I refuse the mission."

"Uh!"

The Grizzled Leader sucked in his breath in surprise. He immediately confessed, "Alright, you are a high-tier fighter (Xiāntiān Jí Dòu Shì); under normal circumstances, self-preservation is not an issue. However, we have learned that the Holy Unicorn is planning a retaliatory strike against us. I intend to use you to draw them out and give them a serious beating! And perhaps use the opportunity to open up the London market!"

Taking a few more sips of strong tea, the Grizzled Leader wiped the moisture from his lips with a wry smile, "You are a new face; the Holy Unicorn members don't recognize you, nor do they know the extent of your power. Their vigilance toward you won't be very high."

Gu Xichen shrugged and tossed the document back onto the desk. He sneered, "So I get a chance to play the pig to eat the tiger, cooperate with you to wipe them all out, is that it?"

The Grizzled Leader nodded vigorously and laughed, "How does that sound?"

Gu Xichen swiftly rubbed his fingers together. "What's the compensation?"

The Grizzled Leader’s face darkened. He glared at Gu Xichen and roared in a muffled voice, "You just made me lose half a Crystalian sphere! And a rare, top-grade black one at that!"

"Because of that sphere, the Roman Holm family will certainly not let this rest! Our mercenary group hasn't just suffered a huge financial loss; we’ve also made an enemy out of the powerful Holm family! All of this was for you! And you still have the nerve to ask me about compensation? Huh? Compensation? Compensation? You still want compensation?"

Gu Xichen shook his head helplessly, turned, and walked toward the door, shaking his head and sighing as he went, "Fine, fine, I’ll take this mission."

The Grizzled Leader narrowed his eyes, gently tapping the desk as he watched Gu Xichen’s retreating back, lost in thought.

Just as Gu Xichen reached the door, the Grizzled Leader suddenly boomed, "Evil Dragon!"

"Hm?" Gu Xichen turned back.

"Zakla Energy Crystals!" the Grizzled Leader said in a low voice, "A large quantity of Zakla Energy Crystals might truly allow you to complete the fusion."

"Energy—it all comes down to energy!" the Grizzled Leader said with sincerity, looking at Gu Xichen. "Your fusion might not have failed. If you have plenty of Zakla Energy Crystals, you might just become a 'high and mighty' Realm Master! Consider signing a lifelong contract with us, and I’ll give you one cubic meter of Zakla crystals to try and absorb!"

"Uh?" Gu Xichen’s heart stirred slightly. He nodded, "I will consider it."

The automatic door opened, and Gu Xichen strode out.

Comrades, Piggy suffered a small tragedy... Yesterday, my phone battery died, and Piggy’s beloved phone could no longer power on...

I won't say much else, but I lost a large number of useful contacts saved on the SIM card, like the number for water delivery, and the number for wonton delivery...

To console Piggy, comrades, please throw more recommendation votes...

Alas, recommendation votes, recommendation votes—only a large number of recommendation votes can comfort Piggy’s slightly wounded heart.