Chapter 64: Is This What You Mean By Unique? |
As the convoy approached Leisteru, buildings began to appear.
However, compared to the bustling Wujiang City, this place gave Chen Chu a sense of backwardness out of the 1980s. Dust filled the roads, and the buildings were dilapidated and worn-out.
In the city center, towering skyscrapers stood out, while the surrounding areas were dominated by modest one or two-story residential houses. The slightly more refined red-brick buildings merely reached three or four stories.
The sky had already darkened by the time the vehicles entered the city. Chen Chu noticed that there were hardly any people on the streets, only a few occasional figures who would quickly disappear into the dimly lit alleys. There were hardly any streetlights, with only a few scattered bulbs emitting a faint yellow glow at long intervals.
Chen Chu felt a bit puzzled. Isn't it already the year 2055? Why does Kyrola seem so run-down?
While the progress of civil technology had slowed down due to the rise of martial arts in this world, advancements in the fields of biomedicine and weapon development had become even more advanced. Network technology had also been gradually booming, as QR codes and social chat applications similar to WeChat had dominated the market. Simultaneously, e-commerce and online businesses had risen, portraying a picture of an imminent prosperous era.
Here, however, it felt like a completely different world.
In response to Chen Chu's confusion, Xia Youhui shrugged. "It's quite normal. Economic and civil development have a lot of various factors, like the local environment. The rulers of Kyrola didn’t want development here."
Chen Chu narrowed his eyes. "To consolidate their rule."
"To solidify their own rule, the upper echelons in Kyrola blocked access to true martial arts and stifled technological development here. Only rich people can get high-tech products.
"There’s also the fact that there are very few rifts here, so it’s a poor cultivation environment. That's why the Federation didn’t pay much attention before, and why things have been like this for decades. The first law of the Federation is the Human Alliance, which means they can’t interfere with internal affairs unless it affects the Federation itself."
During their conversation, the convoy, under the watchful gaze of some unseen observers, entered the military base located in the city center.
This area exhibited a touch of prosperity, marked by the rhythmic rise of buildings from two or three stories to ten to twenty. The streets were broad and immaculate, adorned with advertisements and images of local celebrities hanging everywhere.
The armored vehicle leading the way separated from the convoy at an intersection. The two transport vehicles and the car carrying the teacher continued ahead, eventually stopping outside a hotel.
On the steps were some individuals dressed in military uniforms. As Pang Long and the other two teachers disembarked from the vehicle, a middle-aged man with the rank of major general, who led the group, laughed heartily and walked down to greet them. "Everyone, you've had a long journey."
Pang Long and the other teachers quickly expressed courtesy. "Greetings, General Hong Zeshan. It wasn’t hard at all, only what we should do. Unfortunately, we didn't catch any big fish this time. Only a squad of ordinary fanatics on a probing mission."
"No worries. Taking down even a small squad still weakens them. As long as we stick to the plan and push forward, we don't need to worry about minor setbacks."
Chen Chu and the other students also disembarked from their vehicles. They were all still clad in their black and red combat armor, carrying various large melee weapons on their backs. The formation they presented was truly spectacular.
"Let's eat dinner first, and we can discuss matters tomorrow. After a long flight and going through a battle just now, I'm sure everyone’s hungry."
"Alright." Led by the three teachers, the group of students entered the hotel.
The teachers took care of everything related to the reception. Chen Chu and the other students were only responsible for eating and drinking. After satisfying their hunger and thirst, the staff led everyone upstairs.
Because students from other schools would also be arriving, the military had arranged for two people per room. Chen Chu naturally chose to share a room with Xia Youhui.
On the eighteenth floor, in Room 1808, Xia Youhui leaned his shield against the wall, the impact resonating through the room.
"At last, a chance to relax," he remarked as he casually threw his travel bag onto the bed. "Ah Chu, do you want to take a shower first, or should I?"
"Either is fine."
"Sure, I'll go take a shower first, and you can go next."
While Xia Youhui went to take a shower, Chen Chu removed his combat armor. This area was a secure zone under military control, so there was no need to wear it at all times here.
By now, it was already eight in the evening. Chen Chu stood by the window and looked outside, noticing that the surroundings were pitch black, with only sporadic lights in the area controlled by the military.
"Never thought there would be such underdeveloped areas in this world," Chen Chu remarked with a hint of nostalgia, then narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
From everything he had witnessed today, it seemed that the situation in Kyrola was more complicated than he had imagined – with the Federal Army, high-level cultivators, followers of the demon cults, and rebels all thrown into the mix.
What role are we students playing in this intricate web of forces?
Regardless of the answer, Chen Chu decided to prioritize stability in the upcoming events. His main goal was to accumulate more contribution points to enhance his strength and achieve a breakthrough to the Third Heavenly Realm as soon as possible.
While Chen Chu was lost in thought, Xia Youhui emerged, drying his hair. "Ah Chu, it's your turn now."
"Okay."
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Chen Chu walked out to find Xia Youhui laying on the bed, chatting cheerfully on his phone with a smile.
"Ah Chu, check the group chat; there's something you gotta see."
"What's so interesting?" Chen Chu walked over, picked up his phone, and opened the messaging app, only to find that the messages in the group chat had exceeded 99+.
Curious, he clicked on the group and saw Lin Xue and others having a lively conversation inside.
Just like Chen Chu's group, they had also encountered an attack after getting off their plane. During the battle, Lin Xue had killed more than ten rebels, displaying remarkable courage that was quite unexpected for a girl.
What was even more surprising was that Luo Fei had managed to snipe a Third Heavenly Realm disciple of the cult.
Yes, sniped.
The girls in the group chat had posted numerous photos. Among them were images of Lin Xue, standing on an armored vehicle with her longsword in hand, exuding a heroic and gallant aura. There were also pictures of Lin Yu, standing with a sword at her side.
Luo Fei’s photos were particularly unique.
In the pictures, the girl was dressed in dark red combat armor, carrying a sniper rifle that was over two meters long. The barrel was about thirty millimeters thick, giving it a futuristic and stylish appearance.
Chen Chu: @Luo Fei, what's going on? Why do we all have melee weapons, and you have a sniper cannon?
Luo Fei: [Playful] Didn't I mention before? My cultivation art is unique.
Chen Chu was dumbfounded.
Chen Chu: Is this what you mean by unique? Is your art called Gunmanship?
Lin Yu: What is Gunmanship?
Chen Chu: I just made it up.
Chen Chu cleared his throat.
Luo Fei: I follow a unique cultivation path. My art allows me to conceal my killing intent and aura, and specializes in long-range detection of the enemy's presence. It's a special art.
I don't have particularly strong direct combat abilities. To deal sufficient damage, I need to use special firearms in conjunction with my art.
For example, this 28mm caliber anti-material sniper rifle. Using special armor-piercing ammunition, it can silently kill enemies from two thousand meters away.
Even Fourth Heavenly Realm cultivators can die if they are caught off guard.
This rifle can also be used as a cannon. With special incendiary explosive rounds, I can quickly bring down a building with continuous fire.
After Luo Fei finished typing, the entire group chat fell silent. Chen Chu was a bit baffled.
Chen Chu: Aren't you too overpowered?
Luo Fei: [Sticking out tongue] Originally, my aunt prepared this rifle for my second-year trials to kill large mutated beasts.
This path comes with a price. It’s very weak in the early stages, and only has certain combat power after breaking through to the Fourth Heavenly Realm.
But, this type of cultivation art is used a lot within the military. A few elites using specially designed cutting-edge weapons can kill some colossal beasts that wouldn't die even from a hydrogen bomb.
Lin Xue: I’ve already heard it from you in the afternoon, but it still puts me in a bad mood.
Yi Rui: Yea, we fought long and hard on the frontline, but you easily killed a Third Heavenly Realm cultist from the back and gained 10 points just like that.
The following chats in the group were criticisms of Luo Fei and her weapon. It was just too overpowered.