Chapter 128: Seeking a Solution

Hoo... hoo...

Tang Tian’s ears were filled with the sound of his own heavy, bellows-like breathing. The bronze statues before him swayed within his vision. Constant combat had left his mind exhausted, but he refused to give up.

He glared with bloodshot eyes, his body crouched low, staring back at the bronze statues without a hint of submission.

One hundred and twenty-second attempt.

Bronze Statue No. 1 was immensely strong and excelled at close-quarters combat, but because it was surrounded by other statues, it was actually hindered by them...

Bronze Statue No. 9 had no particular strengths other than its power and weight; its reaction time was very slow.

The multi-armed triplets—No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6—must never be allowed to occupy different positions; it would be best to lure them into a straight line. I have to find a way...

Bronze Statue No. 11 was a major problem. Its swordsmanship was superb, particularly its precise thrusts, which always found the gaps in a chaotic brawl to deliver a lethal blow. Tang Tian had fallen under this guy’s blade many times, but he also discovered that if he could close the distance and engage in body-to-body combat, No. 11’s effectiveness would plummet.

...

These were the experiences and insights Tang Tian had gained after one hundred and twenty-two consecutive charges.

The Great Stele Palm was powerful, but its attack speed was slow; it was suitable for finishing moves, not high-tempo brawls. I could consider blending in the Heavenly Dragon Force; that way, against a lean opponent like No. 11, it might have a knock-back effect...

The Tan Leg technique was broad and sweeping, with kicks like axe-chops, very domineering. If blended with the Crane Body Force, it should become sharper... The freed-up hands could use the Vibration Circle to disrupt the opponent. Coordinating two martial arts is extremely difficult, but if I can pull it off, it should be devastating...

The Vortex Scattering Hands were great for close-range sticky combat. They weren't overwhelmingly powerful, but they were fast. A series of vortices would be very effective in a brawl. The drawback was that they couldn't deliver a single lethal blow, only serving to maintain a stalemate... I could try finishing with the Great Stele Palm; that combination is worth a shot...

The Clothes-Clinging Throw had improved significantly, but it still wasn't enough...

Tang Tian summarized his successes and failures. He was bursting with suppressed rage, but he also knew his strength was insufficient; relying solely on courage would never defeat these bastards.

I have to find a way... He never stopped trying to find a way.

Most of his plans had failed, but some had given him a glimpse of hope.

Again!

Tang Tian gritted his teeth, pushed off the ground with his legs, and shot forward like an angry arrow toward the bronze statues.

***

One hundred and fifty-sixth attempt.

Tang Tian licked his lips. In the last fight, he had successfully lined up the multi-armed triplets, taken the opportunity to get close to No. 11, and used a Great Stele Palm infused with Heavenly Dragon Force to send the guy flying.

It was a pity that he had been entangled by No. 1, causing his efforts to fall short at the very end.

The Vortex Scattering Hands were indeed very useful. If his technique could be faster and he could create more vortices, forming a cluster of them to pull the opponent’s body off-balance, he could use the Great Stele Palm to finish them the moment an opening appeared.

In this kind of chaotic battle, no matter how exquisite the footwork, it had no place; utilizing the opponent's own body was the key.

Use the Vortex Scattering Hands to stick to the opponent's body; their body is the best shield.

I must try to minimize the number of enemies I face at once.

Hmm, Bronze Statue No. 9 is an excellent giant shield...

If the rhythm of the vibrations could be varied, the interference effect should be even more outstanding...

Again!

***

One hundred and ninety-third attempt.

Tang Tian crouched within the shadow of Bronze Statue No. 9. His left hand was held in a void-grasp filled with countless fine vibrational patterns, while his right hand flicked its fingers at an astonishing speed, sending small vortices flying into every corner around No. 9.

The massive figure of No. 9 swayed left and right, like a puppet on strings.

No. 9’s body served as a giant shield, firmly protecting his back.

"Big Nine" roared from time to time, swinging heavy fists and stomping his feet, but to the incredibly agile Tang Tian, it was completely useless.

Instead, Tang Tian constantly used Big Nine’s strength, guiding him with the Vortex Scattering Hands and attempting to throw him off balance.

Tang Tian’s focus was absolute; his formidable intuition was pushed to its limit.

He began to get used to fighting in such an extreme environment. Whether it was the Tan Leg, the Scattering Hands, the Great Stele Palm, or the Tyrant’s Angry Finger, his martial arts flowed like clouds and water, moving so fast that he didn't need to think at all.

Intuition, instinct!

Suddenly, the multi-armed triplets spread out, each standing on one side, forming a triangular formation that locked down the area around Big Nine. Meanwhile, Bronze Statue No. 1 broke away from its entanglement with Tang Tian and leaped out of the perimeter.

Tang Tian was stunned. This is...

The other statues didn't swarm him anymore. Instead, they held their positions and, with a clatter, rained their weapons down on Big Nine.

Tang Tian’s expression changed drastically; he understood immediately.

Big Nine huddled, head tucked, standing still—after all, he had thick skin and flesh, but he simply didn't move.

These bastards...

Attacks whistled toward him like raindrops, and Tang Tian dodged in a panic, looking utterly disheveled.

Suddenly, a thrust shot out from between Big Nine’s legs like a venomous snake in the shadows, delivering a lethal blow.

Tang Tian’s body stiffened; he had been struck by a blade.

Failure!

When he retreated from the Room of Eighteen Bronze Statues, he gritted his teeth. "Damn No. 11!"

I should have made Big Nine move; that way they wouldn't have been able to lock their positions...

No. 11 is too insidious; I must find a chance to clear him out first...

Again!

***

Sai Lei was a bit surprised. Tang Tian hadn't come out for several days. Every so often, roars and howls would echo from where he was training.

What is this guy doing?

Still... what a hot-blooded youth...

A knowing smile couldn't help but tug at the corners of Sai Lei’s mouth. Tang Tian was the most unconventional person she had encountered in many years; he never hid his ambition, and he was always bursting with confidence.

Although he was sometimes arrogant enough to be annoying, she had to admit that among all the geniuses she had ever seen, she was most optimistic about Tang Tian. At the very least, Tang Tian never complained of fatigue.

Thinking about the martial soul contract she had signed with him, she hoped her optimism would be rewarded. Her own fate was now tied to this guy, after all.

"Have you made any progress?" Suddenly, Bing’s voice came from behind her.

Sai Lei was startled. She turned around and, seeing it was Bing, paused for a moment. "Don't you need to accompany him in his training?"

"No need." Bing shook his head. Recalling Tang Tian’s training over these past few days, he felt it really wasn't necessary. At first, he had intended to guide Tang Tian; as a chief instructor of the military corps, he had unique insights into combat analysis. But soon, he realized that Tang Tian was constantly trying out new methods.

Although he could tell at a glance that most of those methods were bound to fail, he didn't intervene.

The methods Tang Tian came up with on his own were fundamentally different for his growth than having the problems pointed out by him. Bing knew well that this quality of constant reflection was extremely precious.

There were many obedient soldiers, but very few who could think. In his career as an instructor, the soldiers who excelled at thinking never failed to achieve great things.

"How are these mechanical martial armors?" Bing’s gaze fell on Sai Lei.

At the mention of mechanical martial armors, Sai Lei’s spirits lifted. After being obsessed with these machines for so long in this dark, sunless place, she had finally found someone like-minded to talk to. The conversation picked up immediately.

"They are excellent! The Southern Cross Corps truly deserves its reputation as the peak era of mechanical arts. These armors contain many mechanical techniques that have since been lost; they are incredibly refined." Sai Lei gestured enthusiastically. "Look at these joints. Modern ones are made more delicately, but in terms of performance, they are far less practical than these."

Hearing the praise, Bing showed no sign of joy; instead, he frowned. "Then do you think these mechanical martial armors can adapt to modern combat?"

Sai Lei pondered. "For low and mid-tier combat, they should still be competent, but they wouldn't be suitable for high-tier combat."

Bing finally showed an interested expression. "How so?"

"Mechanical martial armors amplify true energy and enhance martial arts, which means they need to be able to withstand that true energy. High-tier true energy has immense destructive power, and ordinary materials cannot withstand it. I’ve analyzed this Southern Cross bronze; the true energy it can withstand is at most eighth-tier. It cannot handle ninth-tier energy or higher," Sai Lei explained fluently.

Bing was noncommittal. "These armors are just standard-issue equipment for common soldiers. The mechanical armors used by experts won't have the problem of being unable to withstand true energy."

"That’s true." Sai Lei didn't refute this. She continued, "However, if you look at the weapons used by other factions when they reach the high tiers—Secret Treasures, Silver-tier Secret Treasures, and Martial Souls are already very powerful, not to mention Gold-tier. The key is that they are smarter. The bloodline power of the Black Soul is also exceptionally strong; those astonishing bloodlines are like a vast treasury. Their bodies can be trained to an incredible degree. The Soul General lineage of the Clan Alliance—their Soul Generals are deformed, but equally powerful. If you look at the most mainstream factions today, you’ll find that at the high tiers, they all share one common characteristic: they rely more on Martial Souls."

"Relying more on Martial Souls?" Bing looked thoughtful.

Sai Lei ticked them off like a connoisseur. "Secret Treasure Martial Souls, the activation of bloodlines, all are closely related to Martial Souls. And the Soul General lineage is even more so. Because whether it is the power of the body or the power of machines, there is always a limit. Only the power of the Martial Soul possesses broader horizons."

"I understand," Bing said with a sudden realization. "Integrate mechanical arts with Martial Souls."

"Yes, but I’ve discovered that this problem isn't that easy." Sai Lei smiled bitterly. "I would need to fully digest these technologies to even have a chance. It’s a massive project."

"No rush. Take your time." Bing appeared quite patient. He remembered something else. "By the way, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?" Sai Lei asked.

"Please modify a bronze mechanical ostrich," Bing explained. "The old antiques of the Southern Cross Corps are a bit too eye-catching. I hope you can modify it to fit the current style so that it won't remind people of the Southern Cross Corps."

Sai Lei understood and became quite excited. "That’s simple. Haha, let me think—what style should I change it to? It has to be flashy! I have an idea..."

Sai Lei began muttering to herself and then, completely ignoring Bing, started working on her own.

Bing didn't disturb her; in his eyes, this was exactly how a mechanical engineer should be.

Suddenly, his posture stiffened.

A flash of shock passed through Bing’s eyes. *Swish.* His figure vanished instantly.