Chapter 5: Declining the Invitation

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In the bustling marketplace of the Fusion Trade Market, a dazzling array of goods vied for attention, and the Star Beast Trading Shop was especially lively with the clamor of voices. The shopkeeper beamed with delight upon seeing the Class B star beast brought by Zhuang Qitong, quickly stepping forward to negotiate the price, his face brimming with smiles.

Though the beast known as Pu Xie was not rare, a perfectly preserved hide was exceedingly precious. One must understand that mechanical armor hunts for star beasts often involve fierce battles, easily leaving the creatures disfigured and compromising their integrity and value.

While Zhuang Qitong discussed prices with the shopkeeper, Zhuang Yun strolled leisurely inside the store, eyes sweeping over the dazzling array of star beast merchandise. She silently calculated: if she could eliminate the star beasts occupying the Guanmu Temple, she might be able to redeem the Taoist temple sooner.

Her gaze caught the bounty hunter missions plastered on the nearby wall—those lordly estates plagued by invading star beasts. Accepting such bounty missions could yield higher rewards.

“Getting rich overnight is just around the corner!” Zhuang Yun’s eyes gleamed with gold.

“Where did this wild girl come from? Go home quickly, don’t get in the way of our business.” With that, a dismissive hand gesture urged Zhuang Yun to leave.

The shopkeeper, previously all smiles, glanced at the commotion near Zhuang Yun. Seeing the pair’s attire, he realized they were together and worried it might sour future dealings with the Taoist in front of him.

He immediately scolded a servant, “Sorry, Taoists, the newcomer doesn’t understand the rules. Please forgive us.”

“Hmph.” Zhuang Qitong also noticed the servant’s snobbish attitude; his expression darkened as he swiftly completed the transaction, then respectfully addressed Zhuang Yun waiting in the back, “Master, thank you for waiting.”

Zhuang Yun smiled faintly and nodded gently. “Let’s go.”

“Master, come on, I’ll take you to see my mech repair shop.” Zhuang Qitong put aside his earlier displeasure, already deciding never to return to that shop.

They arrived at the modest storefront—Zhuang Taoist Mech 4S Repair. Though plain, the shop was fully equipped with all necessary repair tools. Trust in the Taoist’s skills and reputation was what upheld the business.

In the main hall stood a six-meter-tall mech. This small mech was agile and versatile, suited for navigating narrow spaces and stealth operations.

Though it looked small, the price was not cheap—a basic mech cost several million. The shop had repaired mechs for decades but did not own a single one themselves.

At this moment, a figure on the mech was working with an electric drill, wearing a protective mask.

“This is Lin Yiwen. His parents passed away, and he lives alone. He’s introverted but highly skilled with mechs—he picks up techniques quickly, so I took him on to help in the shop,” Zhuang Qitong introduced to Zhuang Yun.

Lin Yiwen was about twenty, slender, wearing a white tank top stained with smudges. Veins stood out on his fair arms, his eyes focused intently on the mech before him. Wearing earmuffs, he seemed detached from the world.

Suddenly, a badge fell from Lin Yiwen’s body. When Zhuang Yun picked it up, it emitted a faint blue glow.

Noticing Zhuang Qitong, Lin Yiwen paused his work.

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Zhuang Yun handed the badge back to Lin Yiwen, whose face flickered with a moment of nervousness before quickly regaining composure. “Thank you.”

“Greetings, Taoist!” Lin Yiwen greeted Zhuang Qitong, then looked at Zhuang Yun with curiosity.

“Lin Yiwen, this is my...” Zhuang Qitong was about to introduce Zhuang Yun when she interrupted.

“Just call me Zhuang Yun.” She gave a subtle signal, and Zhuang Qitong immediately understood—when away from home, do not reveal the identity of the Master.

“Lin Yiwen.”

Meeting Zhuang Yun for the first time, with her cute bun held by a single jade hairpin and sunlight illuminating her smile, Lin Yiwen was momentarily flustered and accidentally knocked over a bottle of machine oil.

Zhuang Yun used Taiji energy to support the oil droplets mid-air, which formed a yin-yang fish pattern.

She circled the mech, its metallic sheen seeming to beckon her.

“I really want to try it...” Zhuang Yun murmured softly.

“Sure!” At that moment, a middle-aged man wearing glasses entered.

“Teacher Lu! Didn’t you say you’d come to pick up your mech tomorrow?” Zhuang Qitong greeted him.

“I happened to pass by, so I came to check it out!” Teacher Lu laughed heartily.

He overheard Zhuang Yun’s words and said, “I just heard this young Taoist wants to try? No problem, go ahead!”

Teacher Lu was generous and well-liked by students. Often, students came to his home to practice mech operations, and it was one of these students who had brought the mech in for repairs.

“But, Master... uh, Zhuang Yun, you haven’t tested your spiritual power yet. Operating a mech beyond your level can harm your body,” Zhuang Qitong worried.

“If the spiritual power is Class B, this beginner mech won’t connect deeply with the brain, so it won’t harm the body. It’s usually used for adaptive training, so feel free to try,” Teacher Lu explained.

“All right! Thank you, Teacher Lu!” With that, Zhuang Yun leapt into the cockpit, recalling the internal structure Zhuang Qitong had described. She took in the control panel before her, and the halo above her head began to automatically link with her brain.

Lin Yiwen stopped working; his usually dull eyes seemed to shimmer. His family once owned a mech like this, and he had dreamed of piloting one himself, but fate had been cruel.

The cabin door closed. Operating a mech requires focusing spiritual power and channeling it throughout the machine to drive its movements.

Zhuang Yun took a deep breath. Though uncertain of what spiritual power was, she instinctively gathered her inner strength in the dantian and slowly emitted it outward.

Zhuang Qitong watched nervously as the mech remained still, sweating silently.

Teacher Lu appeared calm—after all, Class A spiritual power users were rare on this planet.

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Training to concentrate spiritual power usually required attending a top mech knight academy from childhood—a foundation that took seven or eight years to develop. Zhuang Yun’s performance was already beyond expectations.

Suddenly, the mech’s eyes flashed a dazzling red and began to activate.

A Taiji totem appeared inside the cockpit.

Zhuang Yun carefully lifted her foot, initially feeling great resistance, the weight making movement difficult.

Gradually, she became accustomed to the sensation, adjusting her inner strength until her movements flowed more smoothly. She piloted the mech out from the cramped repair bay into an open courtyard.

“It worked! It worked! The Taoist sect’s revival is in sight, hahaha!” Zhuang Qitong was overjoyed and moved to tears by Zhuang Yun’s ability to operate the mech, overwhelmed with excitement.

Teacher Lu’s eyes also brightened. He had not expected this seemingly untrained little girl to pilot a mech so effortlessly. “Truly a moldable talent,” he thought.

With proper training, she could become a national treasure.

Dust swirled in the courtyard but did not dampen their joy.

Zhuang Yun eagerly piloted the mech, throwing a straight punch, a left hook, then a backflip.

“Crack.” Suddenly, the mech’s eyes dimmed again, and the cockpit slowly opened.

Zhuang Yun stumbled as she climbed down; Zhuang Qitong hurried to steady her.

A mouthful of blood spilled forth.

“I’m fine, just a bit nauseous,” Zhuang Yun wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.

“Being able to operate the mech on the first try is remarkable. Many students faint within seconds of their first attempt,” Teacher Lu praised, then pulled out a business card from his chest pocket and handed it to Zhuang Yun.

“I’m Lu Wei from the Pasa Mech Knight Academy’s admissions office. Young Taoist, you have exceptional talent. Consider joining our academy—conditions are negotiable!”

Teacher Lu was confident; Pasa Academy was one of the top five nationwide, and no one had ever refused him before.

“Ah, I have no intention of attending school,” Zhuang Yun declined.

Well... Zhuang Yun was the first.