Dongdong fell to the ground, initially not realizing what had happened, thinking she had just overused bullet time, and tried to get up.
But she soon discovered she couldnât feel her left leg at all, even the most basic movements were impossible, as if the whole leg had been detached.
"Donât bother, itâs useless." Shangguan Li raised her right hand, pulsing with laser energy, eyes flashing with arcs symbolizing the activation of her cybernetic eye, "My eyes have X-ray vision, allowing me to see the microcircuits of your prosthetics."
"Just now, I used a laser beam to sever a circuit controlling your left leg. The corresponding power channel is blocked, so naturally, your left leg wonât move."
Dongdong gritted her teeth, forcing herself up shakily with her right leg.
Shangguan Li sighed helplessly seeing this, "Donât you understand? Earlier you had an advantage only because I was just playing with you."
"If I were serious, you wouldnât stand a chance. I could sever the circuits in your body one by one, making you lose all ability to move."
"You did well to force me to use this move. Surrender, thereâs no shame in it."
Dongdong clenched her fists, her stubborn temper unyielding: "Surrender? Iâve never surrendered in my life!"
Shangguan Li didnât waste any words and strode forward: "Then donât blame me for being rude. I will sever all the circuits controlling your limbs, then you wonât even be able to stand."
As Shangguan Li approached, Dongdong staggered, still trying to punch her.
Shangguan Li casually sidestepped, delivering a kick that sent Dongdong flying.
Then she rushed forward, her hands moving like a craneâs wings, creating gusts of wind, her fingers striking Dongdong at high speed.
"Pshu Pshu Pshu Pshu Pshuâ"
These strikes were more precise than surgical scalpels, hitting all the key circuits within Dongdongâs body.
Dongdong only felt excruciating pain turning into a chilling numbness spreading from the struck areas, large parts of her body losing sensation, becoming uncontrollable.
"Pshu." With Shangguan Liâs final strike, the numbness spread throughout Dongdongâs body and she lay paralyzed on the ground, able only to breathe.
Itâs over.
Defeated.
Su Mo sighed softly.
This was the expected result.
The gap in strength was too vast.
Though Dongdong is a prosthetic unlimited tolerator with immense potential, it takes time to grow even potential.
In a few more years, Su Mo believes Dongdong will surely crush Shangguan Li.
But right now, Shangguan Li is not someone she can handle.
Of course, itâs quite impressive to have forced Shangguan Liâs lethal move.
Su Mo initially thought that when Shangguan Li used ancient martial arts moves, Dongdong would lose.
Unexpectedly, she managed to hold out until now.
Really not bad.
Though defeated, still glorious.
"Clap, clap, clap..." Su Mo led the applause for the two.
Soon, the onlookers joined the applause, congratulating Shangguan Li and cheering for Dongdong.
Shangguan Li, with great style, casually tossed her long black hair back and bowed to the crowd like a great master.
Su Mo loudly announced, "Thus ends the friendship match between Edge and Mo Xue. I declare the victor isâ"
"Bang!"
Suddenly, a deep, yet violently powerful thumping sound echoed.
Just as Shangguan Li was about to leave, a voice full of fighting spirit came from behind her: "Hey."
"Itâs not over yet, where do you think youâre going?"
"Bang! Bang!" The thumping sound became clearer, heavy like a hammer striking oneâs heartstrings.
Shangguan Li froze, realizing it was the intense heartbeat driven by a mechanical engine operating at high speed.
Instantly, the applause stopped, leaving only the sound of that war-drum-like heartbeat echoing.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Everyone stared in shock at the place where Dongdong had fallen.
Somehow, Dongdong, who was "crippled" moments ago, had stood up again.
The sound of her power core running at overclocked speeds roared inside her, accompanied by furious heartbeat sounds, the pressure swept like tidal waves around.
Dazzling circuits appeared on her body, spreading as if her entire being was burning, a white mist rising around her, marks where searing body heat convected with the air.
Edge Mercenaries were astonished.
Shangguan Li was astonished.
Even Su Mo, who thought he understood Dongdong best, was astonished.
"What the...?" Su Moâs eyes widened, his mouth agape with disbelief, "When did she learn this..."
"Is this... Prosthetic Overload?!"
Prosthetic Overload, the ultimate move mastered only by the most gifted implanters.
By forcibly pushing the prosthetics past their rating limit into overload operation, granting the implanter power beyond limits.
This scene completely exceeded Su Moâs expectations.
Su Mo knew Dongdongâs talent, knew sheâd definitely master Prosthetic Overload.
But he didnât expect it to be this soon.
The key was, no one taught her, so how did she learn it?!
Then, Su Mo remembered something.
A while ago, Dongdong had asked him for a copy of the drone footage from Ou Chenyu and Ivanâs battles.
He thought Dongdong was just watching for entertainment.
Turns out, she was secretly learning how to use Prosthetic Overload from the footage?!
The key is she actually taught herself??
Implanters wanting to learn Prosthetic Overload, besides having immense talent, usually need guidance from a professional prosthetic doctor.
They have to analyze personal parameters with various instruments, continuously explore and practice, spending years, perhaps one in a thousand geniuses might learn it.