Chapter 501 - 495: The Secret of the Mechanician, Beggar Edition Ma Ran

"The optimal solution to the dilemma of Extraordinary Life evolution?"

Upon hearing Sikong Si’s words, Cheng Lixing was taken aback, then nodded, "For us Earthlings, it does seem that way."

Under the promotion of the Super Bureau, every law-abiding Chinese citizen can receive a copy of Burning Martial, which they can study and practice to embark on the path to the extraordinary.

However, even now, the value and significance of Burning Martial remain beyond the imagination limits of most Earth humans.

After all, not everyone has the chance to witness Ma Ran fighting with all his might.

"..."

After giving a brief response, Cheng Lixing fell silent.

He appeared to be staring blankly at the crimson live broadcast projection, yet his mind was completely blank.

Cheng Lixing and Sikong Si, having emerged from the Mecha Master training camp as comrades and competitors, have always shared the same goal: to become the strongest Mecha Master on Earth!

However, Cheng Lixing knew very well that, for him, this goal represented a life ideal, an ultimate pursuit.

Whereas, for Sikong Si, it was merely a transitional goal, a stepping stone towards achieving the ultimate ideal, something that could be accomplished without exerting all efforts and sacrificing everything.

One could say Cheng Lixing was sincere and focused, undistracted, while Sikong Si had grand aspirations.

All along, although Cheng Lixing vaguely sensed a difference in goals between himself and his friend, Sikong Si always avoided answering when questioned, maintaining an air of mystery.

Until today, during the battle between the [Prophet] and the Second Generation [God of Slaughter], Sikong Si, emotionally stirred, finally displayed something he had never shown before.

"The correct path for life evolution..."

Cheng Lixing furrowed his brows, sensitively perceiving that his friend might be harboring some unknown secret.

Otherwise, as someone who hasn’t reached Tier Seven, to be contemplating these things seemed overly preoccupied.

Moreover...

In that brief moment earlier, Cheng Lixing vaguely sensed that Sikong Si’s demeanor, usually "indifferent yet meticulous," was completely different, even showing hints of a fanatical stance.

Upon careful reflection, Cheng Lixing realized that Sikong Si just now seemed less like a teenage Mecha Master and more like a fervent researcher in the mystic ocean of knowledge for decades, if not centuries, into Extraordinary mysticism.

Cheng Lixing, usually straightforward and sociable with a naturally friendly demeanor, was actually very keen in perception, especially in "gauging character through aura," and never had it been wrong — almost an innately awakened superpower.

In official promotional footage, when Cheng Lixing first saw Ma Ran’s image, unlike others who saw Ma Ran as a "winner in life," "socially active," or "idol," he inexplicably felt an emotion called "sympathy."

The reason was simple — Cheng Lixing sensed from the depths of Ma Ran’s gaze a profound sorrow and irrevocable sadness, and a strong, all-encompassing aura of death.

From Ma Ran’s gaze, Cheng Lixing perceived something never before seen.

That was...

A will to die!

A determination to achieve a goal at all costs, by any means necessary, even at the sacrifice of oneself!

Such an aura could not possibly be a mere promotional façade!

Many extraordinary individuals exist on Earth.

Whether others could see Ma Ran’s sorrow and determination like Cheng Lixing did, at least in his view, Ma Ran was a man worthy of admiration and following.

Anyway...

Upon seeing Ma Ran in the promotional video for the first time, unlike those fanboys and fangirls with heart-thumping adoration, he simply felt goosebumps all over.

The feeling was encapsulated in four words — scalp tingling!

He found it hard to imagine a young man under twenty years old having such a gaze and resolve!

Connecting it all together, upon careful consideration, Cheng Lixing believed that Ma Ran’s sorrow and resolve were probably not for the innocent lives lost in various battles and events.

Instead, it was because...

Ma Ran’s eyes pierced through the quantum fog, tore through the veil of time, glimpsed into the terrifying future of Earth humans!

After collecting a wealth of Ma Ran’s information through various new media platforms, Cheng Lixing silently tagged him as a "Guardian" in his heart.

From then on, Cheng Lixing worked harder, genuinely feeling a sense of urgency, started digging into his hidden talents bit by bit, until today, becoming one of the two strongest young mech engineers in the training camp!

"..."

Cheng Lixing gave a deep look at Sikong Si beside him, but the words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

No matter whether the other was a super genius with hidden talents like the [Prophet], a Reincarnator, or someone who possessed a Golden Finger-like cheat, those things weren’t important.

Ultimately, they weren’t much stronger than himself, and compared to first-tier powerhouses like the [Prophet] and [Martial God], still very much lacking.

Sikong Si’s sense of identity as a Chinese citizen, his pride as one of the two strongest Mecha Masters domestically, his gratitude to Burning Martial creator Ma Ran...

These were all true and sincere!

Thus,...

Cheng Lixing temporarily decided not to probe Sikong Si’s secrets further.

He planned to pass on this intelligence to the two leaders after Ma Ran and Su Qiangwei team up to take down the Second Generation God of Slaughter.

...

Ma Ran and Su Qiangwei showed no martial integrity, directly adopting a two-against-one strategy.

Ti Sheng couldn’t gain an advantage even in a duel with Ma Ran, let alone when besieged.

He was like a ping-pong ball, smashed from the sky into the sea, then from the ocean blasted onto land by the two.

At this moment, Ti Sheng’s body was in tatters, his entire being surrounded by blood light, and his divine power simmering. As the Second Generation God of Slaughter, his power far surpassed the previous generation, seemingly terrifying beyond measure, but in Su Qiangwei’s eyes, he looked like a bankrupt beggar version of Ma Ran with both ability and aura bankrupt.

For reasons unknown, Ti Sheng’s mentality completely collapsed when Su Qiangwei glanced at him with such eyes.

"You forced me!"

He tightly gripped the blood-red Tang Blade, crimson divine power gathering on the blade: "Die!"

"Fatal blow, Divine Artifact Release!"

"Endless Slaughter!"

In an instant, the layer of scarlet veil over Blood Mist Star vanished without a trace.

All of Ti Sheng’s believers rapidly swelled, muscles coiling and veins protruding, their eyes filled with bloodshot lines.

Even the red-skinned wine men, who had been brainwashed and converted into "Game Main God Xuan" believers by 97825, were now in a daze, their expressions ferocious, eyes gleaming with bloodthirst.

The Earth Transcendents hiding in the cellar were equally affected.

In an instant, the Tang Blade in Ti Sheng’s hand shattered, transforming into a blood rainbow, darting straight towards Ma Ran!