Chapter 780 - 544: Fusion Collapse Palm!
Above the river of life.
Just as Chen Sheng cast his gaze upon himself, pondering the road ahead.
On the other side in the mecha world, a decade passed quietly and without a trace.
Deep within the Federation’s center, a heavily encrypted holographic space was slowly taking shape as a virtual conference room.
Light blue energy patterns flowed in the void, sketching out simple yet solemn circular seats.
One figure after another followed the invisible summons, stepping on tiny particles of light to slowly emerge, their forms turning from blurred to clear.
They were all dressed in standard mecha combat uniforms, with shoulder plates adorned with star insignias representing their rank as mecha masters, each a mainstay of the Federation.
Soon, the circular seats were more than half occupied, and whispers were suppressed to an extreme low.
At this moment.
A tall figure stepped into the conference room on a cloud of light dust, none other than Li Bai!
The once-green young boy had now transformed into a vigorous young man.
He was clad in a silvery-grey mecha master combat uniform, with four golden star patterns embroidered on the collar, standing tall like a pine, with a sharpness between his brows.
Over the years, his growth had been nothing short of legendary.
Having been tutored by a master, finding a powerful backer...
Getting admitted to the Federation’s top mecha school at a speed far beyond the ordinary, becoming the youngest official mecha master!
Now he had even joined the ranks of four-star mecha masters and was called the Hundred Battles Martial Saint, a leader among the Federation’s younger generation.
"In my previous life, I gave it my all and only got into a third-rate Martial Arts University..."
"After graduating, I barely touched the threshold of an intermediate martial artist, could only be an inconspicuous intern at the private ’Black Water’ armed company, looking at people’s faces."
"But in this life, everything is different."
"I am already a four-star mecha master, even the chairman of the Black Water Company bows and flatters upon seeing me."
Thoughts flowed in Li Bai’s mind; he was quite satisfied with the struggles of these ten years!
...
The ranking of mecha masters in the Federation has an incredibly rigorous evaluation system.
It includes the driver’s own combat power, the compatibility with the mecha, extraordinary willpower, tactical literacy...
None can be lacking!
The levels range from junior apprentice, intermediate apprentice, senior apprentice, and then to official mecha master...
Martial artists in apprentice stages can only drive civilian basic mecha, mostly used for industrial production or daily security.
Only by passing the Federation’s strict assessments can one become an official mecha master, qualifying to command the powerful military-grade battle armor in the galactic battlefield.
The rank of official mecha master is marked by stars; the more stars, the stronger the combat power, and the higher the status in the Federation.
Typically, a three-star mecha master earns the honorary title of "Martial Saint," admired by thousands.
Five stars and above stand at the pinnacle of human combat power as a "Martial God," holding up half the sky of the Federation.
Of course, merely becoming an official mecha master, even the lowest-ranked one-star, grants combat power sufficient to crush a simple Daoist Sect grandmaster, establishing one as an absolute privilege class within the Federation, holding a Federation-issued "license to kill," beyond the jurisdiction of all but the highest levels of the Federation.
...
Time silently flowed by.
Suddenly, the void at the center of the conference room trembled sharply, and a tall figure slowly appeared.
Clad in a profound black military uniform embroidered with dark gold starship and mecha patterns, his attire expressed absolute authority.
The most striking feature was the five vividly lifelike golden swords on his shoulder badges.
That was the exclusive insignia of the Federation Marshal, representing the highest military authority in the Federation, worn by only one person.
Upon his chest lay nine gleaming golden stars in a neat row, a mark of a nine-star mecha master, the Federation’s first nine-star Martial God.
He was none other than Zhou Yang!
His appearance quieted everyone present immediately.
All looked at him with eyes free of any impurities, filled only with deep-seated respect and awe.
Li Bai was no exception; more respectful than anyone else present, he even felt a proud sense of honor.
In his eyes, Uncle Zhou Yang was the future Celestial Emperor, founding the Celestial Alliance, sweeping across the stars, a savior figure.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Yang slowly raised his hand, his voice deep:
"Alright, you are all elites of the Federation, summoned here in secret for one purpose—slaughter the gods!"
Upon these words, the entire virtual conference room suddenly stilled, and everyone’s faces changed dramatically!
Li Bai’s entire body stiffened, his mind going blank.
He stared at Zhou Yang’s figure, with only one thought:
"History has changed!"
He remembered clearly, before the change of the stars, humanity had only attempted three god-slaying plans, each time deploying the full might of the Federation, ultimately ending in failure with heavy casualties, an eternal scar!
This was the fourth attempt!
No records existed in history for this!
This earth-shattering feat, different from the secret private relations between Zhou Yang and Senior Brother Jiang Ming, would undoubtedly be recorded for future generations whether it succeeded or failed.
Even if it failed, the Federation would temporarily hide the news and reveal it once the dust settled, letting the world know of humanity’s struggle.
Considering his close relationship with Uncle Zhou Yang, he had no doubt it was the butterfly effect he caused.
Li Bai slowly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath:
"Change is good, change is good!"
"If everything remained the same as in my last life, then what would be the point of my rebirth this time?"
...
In the depths of space.