Chapter 502: 《Oh No! I'm Surrounded by Peers?!》

Chapter 502: "Oh no! I'm surrounded by colleagues?!"

In the brief silence, everyone fell into silence.

Ji Jue smiled, Bao Lao drank water, Yu Shu was dumbfounded.

Not knowing why the two remained quiet, something felt off, yet inexplicable—a sense of a three-person dance too difficult to perform.

Bao Da Cai's thoughts aside, Ji Jue's feelings were peculiar—this was two people sitting together, yet somehow conjuring three pairs of colleagues. It was damn eerie.

The tacit understanding between artisans went without saying. Given their abilities, they must have explored the depths of obscurity and decay. After all, artisans whose skills see the light are few.

As for Nirvana...

Damn it, I never wanted this colleague!

No choice—everyone says artisans are unhinged, and the remnants' moral lines are low, but even that has categories. After all, the Taiyi Ring is a recognized positive organization. Though the Artisan Association might side with obscurity, we still have pride.

But these Nirvana brothers are truly insane.

They do anti-social, anti-world deeds, indiscriminately slaughtering the Empire and Federation. Their first act each morning is to strap bombs to their heads and commit terror attacks.

Not to mention, since Ji Jue became a chosen one, he's killed a Red Bang king, an imperial prince, a federal minister, two generals, and even sent the Empire's emperor to the ICU in a luxury suite... Always ready to shock with worldly wisdom.

Though their deeds can't kill them, there are too damn many!

Worse still, Ji Jue has ties to these people.

Even ignoring Ye Xian's connection, he's the direct disciple of the Sage Mercury, the sole inheritor of fluid alchemy in this age, and possesses the non-offensive matrix of the former Ink Sect.

As a terror organization founded by the remnants of the Ink Sect, Nirvana and the Ink Sect's ties are intricate. No wonder, upon meeting, their internal gestures and cuts had already emerged.

After all, Ji Jue's non-offensive nature isn't a secret, and he's a rising star among the remnants, handcrafting divine tools within a year of registering as an artisan.

If his record weren't clean enough, and his background not sturdy enough, he'd likely end up in a security bureau's iron cell, labeled a key observation target.

If this were not a dream, Ji Jue would ponder how to draw boundaries.

As for now...

Forget it. We've all fallen to this level—if you go out and act anti-social, I go out and pick trash, we each walk our own paths. No harm in huddling for warmth now.

"Mr. Ji, Bao Lao is the logistics chief and artisan in the camp. During my early days here, he cared for me greatly."

Seeing the atmosphere grow awkward, Yu Shu introduced them: "And Mr. Ji is..."

"A divine artisan."

Bao Lao smiled: "Founder of Coastal Industries, I've heard of your name. I even bought one of your tricycles. Within the Association, your reputation is thunderous."

"Where are you from? These are minor matters, not worth mentioning."

Ji Jue's warm smile was polite.

After all, they share this connection. Though vigilance and suspicion are ingrained in artisans' professional habits, as long as he doesn't write an anti-poem at Coastal Industries' gate and get recruited by Nirvana, there's no issue.

"This was a wheelchair for injured members, hastily adjusted in size."

"Ah, no problem. It's already a great help."

Ji Jue's smile held genuine gratitude. After all, in a human pillar state, even without eating, drinking, or using the toilet, there's inconvenience.

"Such a thing isn't much help."

Bao Da Cai set down his cup, suddenly inviting: "Since we can't sleep, why not visit the factory? There are more tools and equipment there.

After all, I imagine Mr. Ji wouldn't want to stay like this long?"

First meeting, inviting someone to your workshop? Even if facing a hungry talent, it's too blatant.

Ji Jue looked up, meeting Bao Da Cai's warm smile, as if proposing a casual stroll.

Soon, Ji Jue smiled too.

Nodding, "Alright."

Thus, Bao Da Cai's smile grew brighter, his wrinkles seeming to smooth out.

"It's quite simple, don't mind."

To say simple, it was indeed simple.

Bao Da Cai truly had no modesty—simple to a fault.

Minutes later, Yu Shu pushed the wheelchair to the factory Bao Da Cai mentioned. It was a factory, a home workshop-level factory, with only a few auxiliary circuits and spiritual isolation typical of a workshop.

At the entrance, several dismantled vehicles awaited repair.

Ah, solved it—this old man's repair work turned out like this?

Inside, there were common lathes, milling machines, stamping presses, and various equipment, but for special needs, handcrafting was likely required.

Besides, there was a furnace, but it was makeshift.

"Please excuse the simplicity."

Bao Da Cai didn't mind, chuckling at himself: "This place differs from the outside world. Many materials are lacking, and even if present, their performance and effects are vastly different.

Alchemy isn't a prominent discipline. Most people can't imagine things they've never heard of. Without a foundation, let alone blessings... Beyond basic material interference, we can only resort to mechanical engineering tricks."

The difference between inside and out.

In this dream world, no matter how real, it ultimately differs from the outside. Massive imagination and scattered thoughts overlap and tangle, forming the dream's skeleton as 'consensus'.

Round sky, square earth.

The sun rises in the east, sets in the west; apples fall from trees... All natural things are projected into this dream.

Yet due to the barriers of perception, the highest good and great evil remain unknown, let alone traces. Without them, without blessings, a chosen one relying on higher summoning might not even retain their abilities.

"Even this?"

Ji Jue's gaze fell on the corner of the factory, a row of steel limbs—arms and legs of various sizes, prosthetics embedded with tools.

"This is thanks to Mr. Ji's public release of Coastal's prosthetic designs. Otherwise, this accumulation would need to start anew.

Limited by spiritual essence and consciousness strength, some people's severed limbs can't regenerate. Too slow, and if shadows remain, they might be lost forever."

He glanced at Ji Jue, his eyes unhidden with curiosity and doubt: "However, your situation seems different..."

Depending on spiritual essence and consciousness, recovery varies in speed, but it's possible. Unlike Ji Jue, who's turned to stone, completely petrified.

Not to mention recovery—if not for material interference, he'd shatter at a touch.

Generally, in this dream, a person's image depends on self-perception and subconscious. Even with wasteland intrusions, no one thinks they're stone.

Rather than an anomaly, it's more like...

Rejection?

This dream refuses to grant him a vessel? Too absurd—his original body has even twisted into stone and dead matter in imagination...

Like a curse.

But by whom?

The elder's mind raced.

"May I borrow your tools and equipment?" Ji Jue suddenly asked.

"That was the plan all along. When it comes to prosthetics, isn't it more convenient to make them yourself?"

Bao Da Cai smiled, having waited long: "No need to be polite—use them freely. I'm curious to see how your imitation compares to the original."

Why is there not a single soul among these relics who doesn't cause trouble?

Ji Jue glanced at the pair of eyes brimming with hope—more than letting Ji Jue act freely, perhaps he wanted to gauge his own worth...

At this, Ji Jue understood completely, yet remained utterly unbothered.

Very well.

Since you put it that way... I won't hold back!

Without hesitation, he raised his remaining arm, knocking against the nearby device. Soon, in the silence, one machine after another sprang to life, their indicator lights flickering as they began to operate on their own.

Under Ji Jue's direction, Yu Shu took his place at the lathe. The harsh screech of metal filled the air, sparks flying incessantly. In mere minutes, countless components piled up on the table.

Guided by Ji Jue, Yu Shu worked tirelessly, sweat pouring down his face. Though he had trained on assembly lines, his speed was still limited. Fortunately, the wiring was simple, the structure straightforward. Soon, a crude yet peculiar mechanical arm emerged on the table.

Then... Yu Shu was replaced by his own creation. The rough mechanical arm took over his work, diving back into production. Moments later, a second, more refined and intricate arm appeared, its fingers unlike any human hand.

Together, the two arms began modifying the lathe and milling machine... How outdated this home workshop was! No need to waste time on such primitive tools.

Within half an hour, the production tools had evolved under the arms' collaboration. Ji Jue finally turned his attention to the most critical task.

Soon, an alloy spine materialized on the table. Controlled by the mechanical arms, it adhered to Ji Jue's back, its structure securing it in place. The arms then grafted onto his hands, moving with the ease of a natural extension, adding layer upon layer of complex mechanisms—shock absorbers, armor plating, engines, motors...

Even his own form was ruthlessly carved and reshaped, amputating limbs to match the replacements. In the end, save for his head, his entire body was sheathed in steel.

Click—

The jet-black steel form stood slowly, its joints emitting sharp friction.

Before the stunned Yu Shu now stood an unmistakable mechanical monster.

Transforming steel into flesh, infusing it with mercury to become blood, using his consciousness and soul as the core, and the flow of spiritual essence as power...

It was as if his soul had become a forge, his body mere material to be altered at will, yet somehow perfectly natural.

At last, as the mercury circulated, the iron sheen gradually faded, replaced by a texture resembling flesh and blood, no longer bearing any trace of abnormality.

Like a monster donning a mask, hiding once more among the masses.

Though nearly indistinguishable, it was all the more chilling.

"How is it?"

Ji Jue lifted his steel hand, clenching it slightly, feeling the sparks and sensation at his fingertips.

"Worthy of fluid alchemy, the art of infinite transformation, the pinnacle of purification."

A glint appeared in Bao Da Cai's eyes as he sighed: "Thank you for the lesson. Even a dull fool like me has learned much."

Ji Jue smiled, as if magnanimous: "Just trivial details. Consider them compensation for borrowing these tools."

More than borrowed tools—this appearance...

Yu Shu wiped his sweat, glancing around, at a loss for words: It's practically a case of usurpation!

In a few short hours, mechanical arms continued to emerge from the new structures, transforming the factory into an unrecognizable sight. Welding light and sparks flew as another device was assembled.

It had become entirely tailored to Ji Jue's habits and preferences, another realm altogether.

When dawn broke and workers arrived, they might well doubt they'd come to the right place.

Yet, to be honest...

It seemed far more advanced now?

Ji Jue turned to the old man: "I've taken such liberties—surely you're not angry, Bao?"

"Trivial matters, unworthy of mention."

Bao Da Cai waved his hand dismissively: "After all, you're the creator of the Coast. This technique is truly breathtaking. I should've spent more time on engineering back then.

Truth be told, logistics and production were always a matter of choosing the lesser evil. Now that you're here, I can finally breathe easy."

He relinquished his position and role without a hint of resistance, not even a flicker of desire to compete... No, perhaps he never cared for such things to begin with.

"...This is the 'Blessed'?"

Ji Jue retrieved a plain wooden stake from a display rack beside the factory. Palm-sized, it felt weightless in his hand, its spiritual essence subtly flowing.

He glanced at the old man, who nodded indifferently, offering no objection. Ji Jue didn't hesitate, letting the essence seep in, unleashing a wave of disintegration...

In an instant, like a CT scan, the internal spiritual structure materialized in his perception, vivid and clear.

Stripped of divine blessings and benevolence, relying solely on pure spiritual interaction and construction, they'd crafted something so intricate.

They could even cast angels down to earth, stripping them of divine power...

"Ah, so it's 'healing'?"

Ji Jue sensed the effect of the alchemical creation, sighing softly.

In this immortal dream, all was consciousness and essence. The Blessed's effect, unlike weapons, resembled a medicinal cure.

Its sole function: an electric-like surge of spiritual stimulation, triggering the spiritual entity's primal instinct, akin to a knee-jerk reflex.

Like a bucket of cold water splashed on a dazed soul, jolting it forcibly awake.

Restoring its original form.

In this deathless dream, limbs would regenerate, flesh would mend. Ultimately, the instincts etched into the soul would compel one to unconsciously return to their true self.

For ordinary people, it might merely accelerate recovery.

Yet in this process, all constructs that defied one's innate nature or subconscious would be purged and erased—including the angelic modifications and blessings!

"Alas, the Sacred God's blessing has already been imprinted into the soul through paradise. Under intense stimulation, it's become deeply rooted. All I can provoke is conflict between two instincts, causing chaos, but it's unsustainable."

"A brilliant idea."

Ji Jue sighed, staring at the Blessed in his hand, lost in thought.

Time was too short—I hadn't expected such a meticulous method.

If this approach...

His heart stirred suddenly, inspiration igniting. Yet, as he pondered, the factory outside erupted in rising shouts and roars.

Unceasing.

As if a crowd was gathering, their furious accusations echoing.

"Listen to me—"

In the dim light of dawn, someone shouted: "That woman, Wen Wen, has gone completely mad! Think carefully, everyone—think! Since she arrived at the camp, what has she done?

Beyond sabotage, there's been no victory at all. She's been goading us to die, and the casualties grow by the day. The angels' siege and pursuit grow ever tighter, ever harsher... Now, we can barely survive!

If this continues, is there any future left?!"

More voices of righteous fury roared: "Drive her out!"

"Make her leave!"

"Step down!!!"

"Are you out of your mind, Mr. Lu!" A hoarse voice roared in anger: "What the hell are you saying! If it weren't for Commander Wen, do you think you'd still be alive today!"

But immediately after, a mocking voice chimed in: "What did she give you to make you act like this?"

"I'm telling the truth!"

"Are you allowed to speak, but not others? Hey, you're not going to hit someone, are you?"

"You bastard..."

In the shrill shouts, conflict and curses raged on.

Boiling over.

"Tch!"

Ji Jue's expression gradually darkened, his rare moment of clarity shattered.

Fortunately, he had already formed a complete thought, so he didn't lose the inspiration.

But...

"How lively it is."

He dropped the wooden stake in his hand and looked outside.

Beyond the dust-caked glass, faces flushed with indignation gathered in the crowd, like a powder keg about to explode.

Internal strife.

Ah, it's the end of the month, please give me a monthly ticket~

(End of chapter)