Chapter 417 - Reopening the Elemental Era! (Part 3)

In the replay, Lu Ran continued, “As you can see, this is a Superior-Overlord elemental lifeform. My parents discovered it in an ancient ruin and gifted it to me. Through raising it, I’ve developed a deep fascination with elemental lifeforms and the Elemental Era.

“At the same time, I’ve also grown passionate about the Mechanical attribute. So, I wondered—if mechanics can merge with animals and plants for armed evolution, why not with elemental lifeforms? Thus, my first invention today is the Elemental Mechanical Armed Evolution!”

He then pulled out an ordinary-looking black pistol and tossed it into the air. The cloud-like elemental lifeform enveloped the gun. Then, a brilliant evolution light erupted, stunning the viewers. When the light faded, the cloud was gone, replaced by a black-and-white patterned pistol floating mid-air.

The Ultimate Eye displayed new data.

[Species: Mechanical Lifeform]

[Attributes: Mechanical (Water, Ice, Lightning, Wind)]

[Species Rank: Superior Overlord]

[Level: 50]

The elemental lifeform had successfully merged with the gun, becoming a mechanical lifeform.

Lu Ran’s voice returned, “However... Due to my elemental familiar’s high level and the limitations of mechanical materials, it didn’t break through to quasi-Legendary. It’s a pity.”

The audience was speechless.

The fuck? You wanted a quasi-Legendary familiar? The entire republic has only a handful of those!

“While its level didn’t increase, the fusion undoubtedly enhanced its power! Through this evolution, it gained a new mechanical species talent!”

As Lu Ran explained, he picked up the Calamity Pistol and aimed it forward. Violent natural elements gathered within the barrel.

“Viewers watching the replay can fast-forward now. After mechanical armed evolution, my elemental familiar gained the Elemental Accumulation talent. It can enhance attack power by charging. So, the longer the charge, the greater the damage. Due to time constraints, I’ll only demonstrate partial power...”

Lu Ran charged the Calamity Pistol for several minutes. The viewers, hearts racing, fast-forwarded to the five-minute mark when Lu Ran fired. A fully charged blizzard bullet shot out as a dazzling ice beam, engulfing the Ultimate Space in blue light.

Even through the screen, the viewers suddenly felt an icy chill. When the light faded, the environment had completely changed.

The barren Ultimate Space was now a frozen wasteland, with glaciers stretching to the horizon, icy clouds filling the sky, and a biting northern wind howling across the land. In the bullet’s path, there were towering ice mountains that glittered under the sun, their beauty breathtaking. The frozen plain mirrored the sky’s blue. It was stunningly serene.

A single shot had altered the weather and terrain. Even the Ultimate Eye was frosted over.

The Ultimate Eye’s analysis appeared. “The area affected by the blizzard was 1,024 square kilometers. Core freeze zone energy level was equivalent to a level 60 Superior-Overlord Ice-attribute familiar’s full-power attack...”

The viewers gasped.

A level 50 Superior-Overlord elemental lifeform, after mechanical evolution, could unleash an attack rivaling a level 60 Overlord’s full strength? No wonder it ranked so high. Wait... is this its limit? The attack only charged for five minutes. What about fifty minutes?

The audience shook their heads, assuming there must be a cap.

“Participant Pedestrian A, have you completed your presentation?”

Lu Ran, standing on the glacier, remained silent for a moment before answering, “Not yet.”

He tapped the frozen pistol, melting the ice with a flame spirit.

“My invention is Free Mechanical Armed Evolution, meaning the elemental lifeform can separate from the mechanical equipment after fusion. As you’ve seen, elemental lifeforms—the first beings born from the world—wield nature’s primal destructive power, far surpassing animals and plants.

“When combined with human technology, they harness natural forces through mechanical means. Hence, they become walking calamities. The republic already has technology that maximizes natural energy for devastating attacks. Imagine combining that with elemental lifeforms! Creating weapons capable of slaying gods might be possible.”

Lu Ran’s grandiose claims left the audience spellbound. But soon, they realized his invention was only ranked seventh, which means the Ultimate Space didn’t fully endorse it.

“Right, the Elemental Era ended long ago, and elemental lifeforms are nearly extinct. No matter how impressive Pedestrian A’s pitch is, there aren’t enough elemental lifeforms for research. “

“Every breakthrough requires countless failures. Without a steady supply of experimental subjects, this invention’s impact is severely limited.”

“Given that, seventh place seems fair. Pedestrian A’s elemental familiar was already powerful—the destruction might be partly due to its innate strength.”

“Still, it’s astonishing. I’ve never seen technology merge with elements before...”

The viewers sighed, finally understanding Lu Ran’s ranking.

“Impressive.”

Vice Principal Fu and the National Mechanical University leaders took deep breaths, marveling at Dr. Cheng Kong and Lu Ran’s achievements in such a short time.

Especially Lu Ran—who knew he had an elemental lifeform familiar all along?

“

Haha,

we’ve got another top-ten contender!”

The university leaders were thrilled, as rankings affected annual government funding.

“As expected of him.”

The participants from Blue Planet and Stellar Moon Federation were also impressed. Regardless, Lu Ran’s invention in such a short time was remarkable.

“Close call.” Mark relaxed, thinking Lu Ran’s ranking wouldn’t climb further due to limited applicability.

Unlike his replicated Soul Massage Device, which the Stellar Moon Federation had widely adopted, Lu Ran’s elemental weapon had niche uses. Enhancing national talents’ learning efficiency would have far greater long-term value than a disaster weapon.

“I won...”

However, just as Mark was being to gloat, what followed stunned everyone.