Chapter 491: Alive, It's Alive Again!
Chapter 491: Alive, It's Alive Again!
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Moon Shadow Sect, Artifact Pavilion.
"A top-tier concept, an ingenious design!"
Xiang Tiange had disassembled the Terminator M134 into components and drawn a blueprint. Even after reviewing the design countless times, he couldn't help but marvel.
"How did the humans of Earth Star conceive such precise mechanisms? Every component interlocks perfectly—they've pushed mechanical puppetry to its absolute limit!"
As a grandmaster artifact smith, Xiang Tiange rarely felt admiration. The earlier M4 had given him a hint of respect, but witnessing the six-barreled rotary machine cannon left him utterly awestruck. Frankly speaking, any mechanical creation from Cangyun Realm paled in comparison to these Earth Star weapons called 'guns'.
"Ancestor, this junior has a humble request." Xiang Tiange rubbed his hands together eagerly. "If possible, could we bring Earth Star's grandmaster smiths to Cangyun Realm? I'd love to exchange forging techniques with them."
Chen Huaian fell silent for a moment.
Tsk, this Xiang Tiange really dared to dream. Currently, the Electronic Girlfriend game system didn't possess such functionality. But as game versions kept updating with more features, the possibility of transporting living people couldn't be ruled out."We'll discuss that later... More importantly, can we mass-produce these quickly?" Chen Huaian was more concerned with immediate practicalities. With the demon race threatening to attack, having Cangyun versions of Terminators ready would be a game-changing weapon.
"The Terminator's structure is more complex than the previous M4," Xiang Tiange answered cautiously. "Ancestor, I'll do my utmost!"
"Ancestor, Sect Master, don't leave yet!" Xiang Tiange suddenly stood up, pursing his lips and narrowing his eyes with a smug grin. "Heh heh heh, please follow me."
Exchanging glances, Chen Huaian and Li Qingran followed Xiang Tiange through long corridors and hidden passages into a secret chamber. The spacious room contained only one object—car-sized and covered with red cloth.
Standing before the draped object, Xiang Tiange turned with even greater self-satisfaction. "Ancestor, remember what I mentioned before? If we enlarge the Cangyun M4's caliber, enhance its formations, and equip it with a stronger energy source..." With a dramatic flourish, he yanked away the red cloth, revealing...
Chen Huaian's eyes focused.
Well damn.
It was essentially an oversized Cangyun M4 mounted on a steel chariot. To put it bluntly... Xiang Tiange had barely innovated—just scaled up the M4 and converted spiritual energy bullets into large-caliber spiritual energy shells.
Such crude imitation in modern weaponry would result in compatibility issues—reduced range and weaker firepower. But replacing gunpowder with spirit stones changed everything. The Cangyun M4 resembled a laser gun more than a firearm, while this Cangyun M4pro was practically a laser cannon.
"Elder Xiang, impressive! You actually made it work?" Chen Huaian's face lit up. "How's the firepower?"
"Observe the Recording Stone." Xiang Tiange channeled spiritual energy into an ink-black stone on a nearby table. Mist coalesced into a projected image showing Moon Shadow Sect disciples operating the Cangyun M4pro.
With an earth-shaking BOOM, a distant hill was obliterated by a cyan energy beam—equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator's full-powered strike, not even counting the subsequent explosions and heat waves.
"So that was the source of yesterday's thunderous noise..." Li Qingran nodded in dazed comprehension.
"Ancestor, Sect Master, how's the performance?" Noticing Li Qingran's stunned expression, Xiang Tiange grew even more smug.
"Passable." Having witnessed stronger weapons, Chen Huaian remained unfazed. "Can we mass-produce it?"
"Reporting to Ancestor, we've already manufactured one hundred units." Xiang Tiange clasped hands respectfully. "But we're temporarily halting production to focus on the Terminator M134. This new weapon lacks a name—perhaps you and the Sect Master could decide?"
Chen Huaian glanced at Li Qingran.
He considered naming it the "Qingran Cannon"—using his girlfriend's name for a weapon would be romantic.
"Sect Master should decide." Li Qingran seemed to anticipate his thoughts, covering her mouth. "Absolutely cannot use this disciple's name—how embarrassing!" ℝÁΝɵ𝔟ΕŠ
"F-fine." Chen Huaian scratched his nose. "Let's keep it simple then—Cangyun M4pro!"
Having visited Earth Star, Li Qingran understood "pro," along with "plus" and "promax." But Xiang Tiange looked utterly confused. "Ancestor, what does this... 'puru' signify?"
"Puru means bigger." Chen Huaian couldn't be bothered to explain properly. "I'll show you that world someday—hard to describe now."
"This junior can visit that world?!" Xiang Tiange instantly forgot about terminology, overjoyed. "I must prepare materials to exchange with their master smiths!"
Chen Huaian: "......"
His first task upon returning would be instructing Zhao Ying to abduct firearms experts from Earth Star's armament factories to the Exorcist Division.
...
"Qingran, you've reached early Nascent Soul stage? When did that happen?"
Only after returning to the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave did Chen Huaian notice Li Qingran's significantly deepened aura.
"Humph! My own master doesn't even notice his disciple's breakthrough!" Li Qingran planted hands on hips, turning away angrily. "Master used to care so much, but now won't even glance my way—like peach blossoms swept away by spring rivers, discarded after the novelty fades?"
Chen Huaian broke out in cold sweat.
But Li Qingran wasn't finished.
"Has Master found some new disciple with supreme spiritual roots, making this stubborn stone seem worthless?"
"What nonsense! What absolute nonsense!" Flustered, Chen Huaian couldn't tell if she was truly upset. Previously, the Electronic Girlfriend system would notify him of Li Qingran's advancements. Since their mutual confession, the system had gone completely silent—no logs, status updates, or affection meters. Did the system avoid broadcasting their intimacy? This was excessive!
"Ridiculous, I've taken no new disciples." Softening his tone, he continued, "I truly overlooked your Nascent Soul breakthrough. These days preoccupied with Earth Star affairs... Honestly didn't expect you'd advance so quickly—such heaven-defying talent!"
Li Qingran turned back, almond-shaped eyes glistening despite her curling lips. "Master always knows how to sweet-talk. Qingran isn't actually angry about that."
Despite her words, she discreetly wiped her eyes while adjusting her sleeves. Chen Huaian mentally cursed himself. The Tideborn Art only cultivated to Nascent Soul stage. Now Li Qingran lacked advancement methods, and he'd been oblivious.
"Ahem, it's not like I was completely unprepared." Chen Huaian forced out, "I've long prepared the Tideborn Art's successor—the Oceanborn Art for your continued cultivation."
The early Nascent Soul battle pass reward was precisely the heaven-grade Oceanborn Art. Now even reward notifications had stopped—otherwise he'd have known about her breakthrough earlier. Hurriedly redeeming the reward (which produced unlimited jade slip copies upon binding), he handed one to his disciple.
Though her eyes sparkled, Li Qingran pursed lips stubbornly. "Oh? Suddenly so considerate. When I broke through, the entire sect hall shook—disciples screaming in alarm outside. Yet Master remained unshaken, not even looking my way."
She cared less about the manual than her master's attention.
Chen Huaian flushed, scratching his head. "I was strategizing the premium Celestial Jade Marrow acquisition at the time, completely occupied—"
"Convenient excuses!" Li Qingran pretended anger though her eyes curved happily, delicate finger poking Chen Huaian's chest. "Punishment!"
"What punishment?" Chen Huaian tensed.
"Punish... Master to accompany me flower-viewing by the spirit pool. Punish Master to recount his youthful adventures. Punish..." Rising on tiptoes, she whispered by his ear, "Punish Master to watch over my cultivation tonight... in my chambers!"
Her hair brushed his cheek, carrying a faint fragrance. Chen Huaian's ears burned, heartbeat erratic as he stammered, "Y-yes, as you wish."
Regardless of Wind Spirit Sect matters, he'd make time for Li Qingran tonight.
Eyes glinting mischievously, Li Qingran finally accepted the jade slip, hugging it like a love token. "Master... I'm hungry."
She suddenly looked up, blinking large eyes.
Chen Huaian facepalmed. "What would you like? I'll prepare it." He didn't even question why an energy-sustained Nascent Soul cultivator felt hunger.
Her radiant smile returned as she clung to his arm. "Last time at Exorcist Division, Master personally made cola chicken wings—Qingran loved those. Could Master make them again?"
"Of course, of course~" Chen Huaian agreed outwardly while panicking internally. About those cola chicken wings... While technically "made by him," it was under Zhao Ying's guidance. Strictly speaking, he'd only provided cola and chicken wings... and completed the final step of carrying the dish from kitchen to table. That's it. Now Qingran wanted his cooking? Would it even be edible?
[Your Electronic Girlfriend has submitted a Feeding Request.]
[Successful feeding grants high affection points. Detecting player's abysmal cooking skills, three options provided.]
Alive!
Chen Huaian's eyes lit up.
The damn system had finally resurrected!
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