Chapter 23: The Maestro of Precision, Revisiting Familiar Grounds

Twenty minutes later, Ren Zhong and Zheng Tian walked side by side, hurrying toward the communal sleep pod.

Halfway there, Zheng Tian’s heart was full of questions, several times almost speaking but always holding back. Ren Zhong, however, maintained an aloof demeanor throughout, weighed down by his own thoughts, unwilling to converse.

In the end, Zheng Tian never managed to voice her curiosity.

Ren Zhong’s expenses tonight were considerable. The talent test cost him five contribution points—at least next time he wouldn’t need to repeat it, so he could save that money. That is, if there would even be a next time.

Afterwards, Ren Zhong purchased a full set of basic training exoskeleton gear, priced at twenty contribution points. The appearance of this equipment was nothing like a true exoskeleton; it comprised a tactical vest, camouflage trousers, a sun cap, gloves, and shoes—five components in all, made entirely from organic fibers and circuits hidden within the woven fabric layers. Wearing it, he had almost no impact resistance or protective capability, nor did it provide any combat power enhancement.

Yet, the importance of training gear was self-evident. It was the threshold every newcomer crossed when entering the realm of mech warriors.

This gear served two purposes. First, for those whose understanding of mech warriors was superficial, it allowed them to experience what it felt like to operate actual combat exoskeletons. Second, through conservative, low-intensity stimulation, microcurrents would continuously flow through the human neural network, broadening it like a river carving its channel, gradually increasing the body’s bioelectric power capacity.

If, one day, Ren Zhong’s body could handle the maximum output power of the training gear, it would mean he was ready to switch to real combat equipment.

In addition, Ren Zhong bought five compressed batteries compatible with the training exoskeleton, each costing two contribution points, totaling ten points.

Altogether, these three items consumed thirty-five contribution points—a sum equivalent to more than a month’s earnings for other members of Zheng Tian’s squad. It was a veritable fortune.

But all these expenses were reasonable, necessities. Yet Zheng Tian couldn’t fathom why he had bought one particular item.

Electromagnetic Dust Grenade: Level Three special explosive, disperses nano-scale neodymium-iron-boron magnetic powder upon detonation, covering an area of thirty meters, total powder mass three kilograms, floating time thirty seconds. Price: fifty contribution points.

This was a Level Three single-use consumable with limited applicability and exorbitant cost. Even Ou Youning, the squad’s explosives expert, could only afford two grenades if he pooled all his assets.

But Ou Youning would never buy such a thing—he’d have to be mad.

In short, thanks to Ren Zhong’s extravagant spending, he spent eighty-five contribution points in the armory tonight, to the point that Zheng Tian watched the deductions with her heart pounding.

Back in the sleep pod, each settled in. Ren Zhong finally lay down and felt a slight sense of relief.

If Zheng Tian had asked him why he bought the grenade, he honestly couldn’t have answered.

Today’s harvest was decent, and he was basically satisfied. The only regret was that after these expenditures, he had only 17.52 contribution points left, not enough to buy the same grade Level One basic exoskeleton as Wen Lei. He’d have to save up and reconsider later.

The balanced-type Level One basic exoskeleton consisted of five base components—headgear, body armor, gloves, leg guards, and footwear—each corresponding to a body part, with a total price of 150 contribution points, averaging thirty per component.

Ren Zhong was in no hurry for now—he wouldn’t dare wear it even if he bought it.

At exactly ten o’clock, Ren Zhong “fell asleep.”

That night, his time was once again full. To sharpen his tools before work, he devoted every moment to studying the fundamentals of mech warriors.

He thoroughly learned the instructions for the training gear and gained an initial understanding of the four key parameters for advancing as a mech warrior: neural-machine synchronization rate, bioelectric power capacity, neural response index, and comprehensive physical fitness index.

The neural response index and comprehensive fitness index related to combat ability—having them slightly lacking was no issue, at least he could wear the gear.

Ren Zhong’s neural-machine synchronization rate was already up to standard.

What he most needed to improve now was the second parameter: bioelectric power capacity.

The calculation for this capacity was complex, but its external manifestation could be simply summarized: the higher the capacity, the greater the maximum power a mech warrior could channel through their armor.

For instance, Wen Lei, now a seasoned Level One warrior, could definitely output over ten kilowatts with his armor.

As for Ren Zhong, his current capacity was at most one kilowatt, which made training gear essential for improvement.

Once his capacity surpassed ten kilowatts, he’d be eligible to wear Level One equipment and would barely qualify as a quasi-Level One warrior, even without passing the title assessment.

The next morning, everything unfolded much as it had before, with only minor differences.

Upon waking, Ren Zhong immediately checked the balance on his wristwatch.

Good—it had increased by a full point, now at 18.52.

With his official wristwatch, he no longer had to pay the outrageous ninety percent tax. From now on, Ren Zhong could make money just by lying down.

Ren Zhong was “again” invited by Zheng Tian to join the squad as a temporary member.

The six then had breakfast in the cafeteria before heading to the parking lot.

Compared to last time, Zheng Tian seemed in unusually high spirits, walking briskly and leading the squad at a faster pace.

To avoid disrupting the schedule, Ren Zhong had to carefully regulate his stride and pace, forcing the other five to slow down and match his rhythm, thereby dragging out the time.

At the parking lot, they witnessed the professional team showing off again, exchanged brief banter, and set off.

Ren Zhong, through subtle manipulations barely noticeable to others, synchronized their departure time to within a mere half-second discrepancy from last time—acceptable.

Same destination, same route, same seating arrangement, pressed close to Chen Hanyu as before.

The only difference was that Ren Zhong now wore his training armor, with low-power bioelectric stimulation running throughout the journey, leaving his body numb and barely able to sense Chen Hanyu’s softness beside him.

He had kept the device running continuously since last night, never switching it off.

On the way, Zheng Tian again explained each squad member’s profession and specialties to Ren Zhong, adding only that after today’s hunt, Ren Zhong could consult Wen Lei for more insights.

Although Wen Lei had become a laughingstock in Ju Qingmeng’s circle, his foundational skills remained solid and his level was reliable.

“Mr. Ren, here’s your gun. In a moment, you’ll…” Zheng Tian began.

“Alright,” Ren Zhong replied.

Clutching the machine gun once again, Ren Zhong felt none of the awe he’d experienced last time. In the face of a Bladewing Mantis, this thing was little more than an oversized water pistol—good for splashing around, intimidating people at best.

The hover truck reached the Iron Bug Forest without incident.

First encounter, second, third…

In the trench warfare, Ou Youning showed off his skills—a double kill with a single shot.

So far, the squad had earned fifteen contribution points.

Zheng Tian counted supplies again. “We’re in luck today. There’s plenty left. I propose we expand our gains. What do you all think?”

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Ren Zhong’s face.

Clearly, Zheng Tian, her imagination running wild, deeply respected this “big shot’s” opinion.

Ren Zhong drew a deep breath. “Alright!”

“Which direction should we take? Should we go deeper?” Zheng Tian asked.

“You make the call,” Ren Zhong said.

“Alright. I think we can venture a bit further in,” Zheng Tian replied with a smile.

Half an hour later, the scenery outside the windows grew strangely familiar. The hover car’s sensors began to beep alarms.

Ren Zhong glanced at the readings.

Energy response intensity index: 7.7.

There it was—the Iron Foot Beetle, companion of the Bladewing Mantis.

Last time the squad found the Iron Foot Beetle, its energy level was below the minimum for a Level One Ruin Beast—ten. They assumed it was injured.

Now, retracing the answer, Ren Zhong realized the Iron Foot Beetle’s lethargy was simply because the Bladewing Mantis regularly drained the iron from its body.

He took a deep breath.

Good. Time, place, enemy position, Ruin Beast type, countermeasures, the beast’s weak points—all the elements were in place.

It was time to begin strategizing and seize victory from afar.