"Zheng Zha asked curiously, 'Why are you suggesting we resurrect Luo Gandao? For starters, we know absolutely nothing about him. Personal conduct aside, he claims to be proficient with machinery, but that has zero bearing on piloting robots, does it? Just because someone can expertly ride a motorcycle doesn't mean they can pilot a giant mecha. Can you tell us your reasoning for wanting him back?' Chu Xuan nodded, simultaneously pulling a set of blueprints from his coat. 'This is the auxiliary electronic fuel injection engine I designed. The one next to it is the design schematic for a C-class Bear-shaped robot. So, we'll have to pool our Reward Points and subplots to acquire one for him. From this, you can see that with the auxiliary engine installed, this robot's mobility will increase to more than three times its current speed—that means a walking speed of two hundred kilometers per hour and a flight speed nearing six hundred kilometers per hour…' Zheng Zha froze for a moment.

He said with intrigue, 'I've checked the robot exchange options; there's no way it can fly, right? It's just a small combat robot with decent defense. Furthermore, the weaponry requires separate exchange. Frankly, I'm not optimistic about this robot's combat effectiveness.' Chu Xuan nodded. 'It normally can't fly, but we possess the Beginner Level Energy Conversion Anti-Gravity Rule. This robot, and the B-class Fortress Three-Form Robot we can acquire later, or even the A-class Gundam Prototype, can all be fitted with the Anti-Gravity Rule. This way, robots that couldn't fly can take to the skies. For those that can already fly, their speed and agility will be drastically improved. Coupled with the auxiliary electronic fuel injection engine, the combination of the two will bring about a qualitative transformation in the robot’s capabilities.' 'Besides this reason, these robots share a major, fatal flaw: energy supply. C-class robots can operate for one hour before needing a replacement energy cell. B-class units only last thirty minutes. A-class robots must finish the fight within ten minutes. If we install an energy storage device filled with Internal Energy or Vampire Energy, and then add a device that converts that energy into electricity, their operational time can be extended to at least four to five hours or more…' 'In short, we can acquire a potential main combatant at an extremely low cost. There's no reason not to take this gamble,' Chu Xuan stated coolly.

Zheng Zha pondered this. 'I think I understand what you mean, backslide333. Since Luo Gandao is a newcomer who didn't even finish his first horror movie, resurrecting him requires zero Reward Points or subplots. Therefore, we only need to prepare a piloted robot for him. If he succeeds, the team gains a powerful main fighter. If he fails, we only lose a modified piloting machine. Is that right?' Chu Xuan confirmed, 'Exactly. Compared to the hefty cost in Reward Points and subplots required to resurrect other main fighters—and the necessity of keeping them alive—reviving this rookie costs us nothing upfront. If he succeeds, the team gains another main combatant. Given this cost-benefit analysis, I have no reason not to take the risk. After all, a modified robot is inherently two to three times stronger than its original version in almost every aspect. That's basically the long and short of it.' Zheng Zha sighed. 'Understood, backslide333. Let's proceed with your proposal. Since you're already here, shouldn't we also discuss enhancements and exchanges before we head to Starship Troopers? Do you have any suggestions regarding that?' Chu Xuan thought for a moment and shook his head. 'No specific suggestions on that front. You are the Captain, after all. That responsibility rests with your judgment…' Hearing this, Zheng Zha stood up and smiled at the others. 'Then let's go. We can discuss the details further in the plaza and resurrect Luo Gandao while we’re at it.'

The group proceeded to the 'Main God' Plaza. Chu Xuan looked as if he hadn't slept in days, yet he followed the others as if nothing were wrong. His deep dark circles, however, worried everyone, especially Zheng Zha. As soon as he reached the plaza, Zheng Zha immediately exchanged for a small vial of potion from the 'Main God' and tossed it to Chu Xuan. 'Drink this. It’s a cell activation potion for fatigue relief…' Zheng Zha said calmly. Chu Xuan accepted it without ceremony, uncapping the bottle and drinking it down in one gulp. Simultaneously, Zheng Zha retrieved the Resurrection Scripture and stood beneath the 'Main God.' When he closed his eyes and reopened them, Luo Gandao, the rookie from the previous horror movie, materialized on the ground, appearing to be sound asleep.

'Now, let's discuss the usage of everyone's Reward Points and subplots. backslide333, first, Ba Wang and Zero Point, you only have two D-class subplots remaining because you must use one D-class subplot to 'redeem' the woman or girl you created. Otherwise, she'll be forced into the next horror movie, do you understand?' Zheng Zha sat down on the floor and continued, addressing Zero Point and Ba Wang. The two exchanged stunned glances before immediately nodding. Zheng Zha nodded back. 'So, for your D-class subplots, Zero Point, how about using both to exchange for the high-power ammunition for the Gauss Rifle? I checked; there's a D-class round called Micro-Fusion Gauss Ammunition that costs one D-class subplot and 500 Reward Points. Upon hitting a target, it triggers a micro-fusion explosion capable of leveling everything within a two hundred and fifty-meter radius—essentially the destructive area of a high-power gravity landmine. How about you exchange for two of those rounds? You should keep the remaining three thousand Reward Points. Since the next movie is a team operation, none of us can guarantee a newcomer won't be killed, so keeping surplus points serves as a safety net.'

Zero Point silently nodded. The taciturn man walked beneath the 'Main God,' closed his eyes, and a moment later, two slender, pure yellow bullets appeared in his palm. These unassuming rounds possessed explosive power capable of reaching a two hundred and fifty-meter radius—backslide333, this was an outrageously potent yield.

Zheng Zha continued, turning to Ba Wang. 'For your two D-class subplots, I think you should exchange for an attribute enhancement. Didn't you want the werewolf enhancement? Then exchange for a D-class Beginner Lycanthropy Bloodline. It will significantly boost your base attributes, and your speed and combat strength will increase greatly upon transforming into a werewolf.' Upon hearing this, Ba Wang immediately let out two excited howls. He then hurried beneath the 'Main God' and closed his eyes. A pillar of light shot down from the 'Main God,' engulfing Ba Wang entirely. However, the pillar of light appeared quickly and vanished just as fast. When Ba Wang opened his eyes, he roared loudly, and the muscles on his body began to swell.

Everyone watched Ba Wang with anticipation. To everyone's surprise, his muscles only expanded slightly, and the hair on his body appeared a bit longer and denser—beyond that, there were no other significant changes. This left not only the group stunned but Ba Wang himself frozen in place, dumbfounded. 'Uh… this must be the Beginner Lycanthropy Bloodline, backslide333. Essentially… it just makes you look hairier, hahaha. You probably need Intermediate or even Advanced Lycanthropy before you can transform into a true giant wolf, hahaha…' Zheng Zha burst into laughter watching Ba Wang's appearance. Ba Wang was Russian to begin with, already quite hairy and large, resembling a bear from the forests of Northeast China. Now, with his muscles slightly bulked up and more hair appearing, he looked even more like that bear, which brought a knowing smile to the faces of those around him.

Putting aside Ba Wang’s crestfallen expression, Zheng Zha reminded him to save his surplus Reward Points and D-class subplots. He then looked at Zhan Gang. 'Zhan Gang, this upcoming horror movie is crucial. It's not only large-scale team combat, but we will also face other teams. Therefore, you need to play a more active role than usual. You are our team's eyes and communication link. I plan to give you one C-class subplot, and you will exchange it for a dual-C-level mental skill. I have already selected this skill for you; exchange for Psychic Lash.' 'Psychic Lash: When an enemy spies on or attempts to control one of our members, backslide333, you can convert your mental energy into a whip to lash out at the enemy’s mental power. As your mental power strengthens, this mental whip can evolve into Psychic Shockwave. This is your offensive skill, Zhan Gang.'

(To be continued) Jump to