After Winning The Esports Championship I’m Going To Pilot A Mecha: Chapter 148

148. Old Era and New Age

Old Era Blue Star, Xia Country’s First Research Institute.

“Are you okay?”

Ji Qiming, after recording the growth data of the Mother Aberration, turned to see Qi Ling looking rather unwell and asked with concern, “You look a bit tired. Have you been overworking recently?”

The construction of Sky City had been put on the agenda, and under Ji Qiming’s leadership, the core components had completed their initial tests. During this period, the entire research institute had been very busy, and even Ji Qiming himself had not been home for a long time.

Qi Ling’s eyes were heavily shadowed, as if he hadn’t slept for several days. His aura was both dispirited and bleak, causing the assisting staff nearby to quietly express their concern.

“I’m fine.”

Qi Ling shook his head and said.

The thread of rationality named “Reason” was on the verge of breaking, as if a black mist were continuously eroding his brain. Murmurs and mysterious voices were swirling in his mind, making him almost unable to distinguish who he was.

“The prototype of Sky City is nearly complete, but how should we deal with the Mother Aberration’s biological signal emitter?”

The researcher next to him recorded data on the computer while curiously asking.

“The biological signal organ of the Mother Aberration is not just an emitter; it is also the energy division core of the Mother Aberration.”

Ji Qiming looked at the writhing Mother Aberration in the glass cage and said, “It has an energy conversion efficiency far surpassing current technology. The construction of Sky City is fundamentally an expansion based on that biological signal organ. With our current technological level, we can’t replicate it or destroy it, but we can make use of it.”

Although the biological signal organ of the Mother Aberration had been extracted, it continued to emit invisible biological wavelengths endlessly even after being separated from the main body. Despite its seemingly small size, the energy it contained was more terrifying than all the energy sources on this planet combined.

Even Ji Qiming could not find a way to destroy it. However, as Ji Qiming mentioned, they could utilize it. By using the Mother Aberration’s biological signal organ as the foundational energy source for Sky City, they could convert the endless biological wavelengths it emitted into power. This approach would not only prevent the biological signal from being transmitted and attracting the arrival of the the Cosmic Deity but also enable Sky City to achieve the technological feat of “taking flight.”

Even Dr. Zhang Bifang, upon hearing Ji Qiming’s plan, had to admit that it was a stroke of genius.

In the world, besides Ji Qiming, no one else could conceive and accomplish such a feat.

Before leaving the room with the Mother Aberration, Qi Ling looked back once more at the glass cage that resembled a high-rise building.

The Mother Aberration in the cage was no longer violent; its body moved gently. As it twisted, a flash of fervor appeared in Qi Ling’s eyes, as if he were a devout believer facing his deity with devotion.

……

“Congratulations.”

Dr. Zhang Bifang smiled and said to Ji Qiming, “I heard the Sky City project has made progress?”

Ji Qiming nodded, “Yes.”

“Then how do you plan to handle the [Spark] of Sky City?”

Zhang Bifang asked, “The [Spark] is the only final directive of Sky City. With your temperament, you wouldn’t give it to someone else, would you…”

Ji Qiming was silent for a moment, then shook his head, “I won’t give it to others, nor do I plan to keep it myself.”

Zhang Bifang was somewhat surprised, “Then what are you planning…”

Ji Qiming changed the subject, “I have my own ideas.”

Qi Ling stood behind and listened, a strange color flashing in his eyes.

…

“Qi Ling, why are you the one picking me up?” Ji Mingzhu peered out, “Where’s my brother?”

Fresh off winning the world championship, Ji Mingzhu looked puzzled under the evening’s fiery sunset but was familiar and casual with Qi Ling.

Qi Ling adjusted his glasses, “Professor Ji is still at the research institute. I’m here to pick you up. By the way, congratulations on winning the championship. I watched the match—it was impressive.”

“Thank you.”

The car sped smoothly along the elevated highway. Ji Mingzhu, sitting in the back, gradually fell asleep, her face calm and beautiful.

Qi Ling’s gaze lingered on Ji Mingzhu’s face, his expression dark.

The phone rang again with urgent intensity. This time, Qi Ling answered.

“Where have you taken Mingzhu?”

Ji Qiming’s voice was icy, with a trace of disbelief.

His most trusted assistant had betrayed him at this critical moment, taking Ji Mingzhu away.

“I want the [Spark].”

Qi Ling replied curtly, “Give me the [Spark], and I’ll release Ji Mingzhu. Otherwise…”

His tone was stiff, a stark contrast to his usual, more introverted demeanor. Ji Qiming was silent for a moment, then incredulously asked, “Mother Aberration… Has it influenced you?”

Qi Ling sneered, his voice tinged with an inexplicable madness, “I don’t want to waste time.”

The vehicle sped along the elevated highway, the crimson sunset painting the world in a doomsday-like hue.

Halfway along, a figure appeared ahead, leaping over a high fence with an agile and light demeanor, landing deftly on top of the vehicle.

Qi Ling was startled. Through the sunroof, he saw an extraordinarily handsome face.

The young man looked at Qi Ling expressionlessly, reaching up to grip the sunroof. Without apparent effort, he effortlessly tore off a metal plate, the scene resembling something out of a sci-fi movie, leaving Qi Ling with a chilling feeling.

“Bang!”

Qi Ling pulled out a gun and fired directly at the young man above.

The bullet passed through the young man’s body, leaving a hole in his shoulder. To Qi Ling’s surprise, no blood flowed from the wound. Instead, the wound revealed a liquid-metal-like substance, and within moments, the injury rapidly healed, returning to its original state.

Ji Mingzhu, lying in the back seat, remained undisturbed by the commotion. Her breathing was steady, completely unaware of the crisis unfolding around her.

The young man’s gaze fell on Ji Mingzhu’s face, and his expression softened for a moment. He then extended his hand, blocking Qi Ling’s bullets, and reached into the car to take Ji Mingzhu.

“You’re not taking her!”

Qi Ling’s eyes turned vicious in an instant. At that moment, he seemed to lose his human form; his entire body suddenly swelled, as if the flesh beneath his skin was writhing wildly. This scene momentarily stunned the young man, and the next second, Qi Ling extended his hand, with his fingers rapidly growing like tree branches into slender, fleshy vines that lashed out at the young man!

The two parties engaged in a fierce struggle inside the vehicle, but the car did not slow down. Instead, it began to sway left and right on the straight elevated highway, as if it might crash out at any moment.

“Thud!”

The young man heard an unusual sound and seemed to sense something. Ignoring Qi Ling, he jumped through the sunroof, cradling Ji Mingzhu in his arms.

In the next moment, the slender, fleshy vines pierced into his body. Qi Ling’s eyes were cold, his voice icy: “Get away!”

“Hmm.”

The young man’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he politely said to Qi Ling, “I’ll go first. Goodbye.”

Qi Ling was momentarily stunned.

Suddenly, a red light appeared in the young man’s eyes, transforming his entire demeanor. With one hand protecting the sleeping Ji Mingzhu, the young man’s other hand lightning-fast grabbed the slender, fleshy vines spreading from Qi Ling, twisting and tearing them off with swift, decisive movements. Taking advantage of Qi Ling’s momentary distraction, the young man bent his body and kicked directly at Qi Ling’s chest!

[Asura Mode]

Qi Ling was caught off guard by the kick, his body crashing into the steering wheel. The vehicle, traveling at high speed, suddenly swerved and smashed into the nearby guardrail!

The young man, cradling Ji Mingzhu, kicked open the car door and jumped out. He rolled a few times on the ground to dissipate the force of the impact, finally landing safely, and Ji Mingzhu remained unharmed.

The vehicle, like a beast out of control, broke through the guardrail and plunged into the river, sinking almost instantly.

“Creeeak—”

A car behind slammed to a stop with a screeching halt, narrowly avoiding a collision with the young man.

“Hey, you don’t want your f*cking life ah!?”

A middle-aged driver cursed as he got out of his car. However, upon seeing the young man, he swallowed his words. He looked at the gap in the guardrail, then at the young man and the person in his arms, hesitatingly asked, “What’s going on… Do you need me to call the police, buddy?”

The young man did not respond. It was as if he was speaking to someone else, muttering to himself, “Hmm… Saved him, Mingzhu is fine. Qi Ling fell into the sea. His state just now was a bit like a variant of the Mother Aberration; he must have been assimilated… Hmm, okay, I understand.”

He looked at Ji Mingzhu in his arms, who had grown into a tall and handsome young man. Compared to the chubby, excitable child from years ago, Ji Mingzhu had changed significantly, with more defined features and an even more striking appearance. Just looking at his face, one could tell how many fans he must have had as a professional player.

Cang Lan reached out and patted Ji Mingzhu’s head. Ji Mingzhu’s eyes remained closed, his chest rising and falling with deep, steady breaths.

“It’s been a long time… Mingzhu.”

……

“Boom—”

A dense shower of meteors descended, the scale much larger than ever before. The blazing fires on the ground intertwined with the fiery clouds in the sky, creating a scene of apocalyptic red that filled the world.

The First Research Institute was severely damaged by meteors, and the Mother Aberration escaped from its glass cage.

The world began to spiral out of control. The peaceful scenes from a few days ago seemed like a mirage, shattering with the slightest touch. What followed was a scene of devastation: everywhere was engulfed in flames and debris, with monsters continuously emerging from the Mother Aberration’s body, starting to attack human cities.

Cities fell, and the Aberrations rapidly spread across the land. Human weapons were ineffective against their biological force fields. Blood and corpses covered every corner of the cities, and the civilization and technology humanity once took pride in seemed utterly fragile in an instant.

Mechs were mass-produced, and emergency recruitment of pilots began. Meanwhile, years of development in artificial intelligence technology entered the mass production phase, with the AI troops and mech squads fighting together against the Aberrations. The war between humans and Aberrations began a long and grueling stalemate.

……

“Cang Lan.”

Ji Qingfeng looked at the young man before him and handed him the chip.

“I’m entrusting the Spark to you. You must… you must protect Mingzhu.”

Cang Lan silently took the chip. He lowered his eyes, his handsome face radiating an undeniable firmness.

“I will.”

……

New Human Era.

Jiusheng City.

“Bang!”

The door was suddenly kicked open. Wilderness Wolf was startled and looked up warily, “Who?”

Before he could finish his sentence, a figure appeared before him like a flash, accompanied by a gust of wind. Wilderness Wolf was struck hard on the neck and lost consciousness immediately.

The figure didn’t spare a glance. With a clear target in mind, it moved straight through the area where Wilderness Wolf had been and headed for a specific room.

As the door to the room opened, the recently awakened Yao Guang and Tian Ji tensed up.

“I’ll hold him off. You go first.”

Tian Ji whispered to Yao Guang, who nodded seriously.

Although Tian Ji still had some effects of the anesthetic gas lingering, his recovery ability was quick. Holding off an ordinary person like Wilderness Wolf was not a problem.

However, the visitor was not the expected Wilderness Wolf but another person they had not anticipated.

When they saw the figure clearly, both Tian Ji and Yao Guang were stunned.

“…Jin Qing?”

“Come with me.”

“Jin Qing” glanced at them calmly, “First, find Mingzhu. I’ll explain everything later.”

“Wait… wait a minute…”

Yao Guang had a vague feeling that something was off… No, it was more than just something being off. The “Jin Qing” before them spoke with a familiar tone, which was completely unlike the real Jin Qing. Instead, it resembled the manner of a certain AI they frequently interacted with.

“Axiu?”

Yao Guang tentatively asked, “Is that you, Axiu?”

“Jin Qing” nodded, “Yes, it’s me.”

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