Chapter 287: First Encounter With A Golden Body

"Cyborg!"

A product of Jiepeng’s New Martial Arts Surgery, these modified warriors were originally powerful martial artists who had been transformed into half-human, half-machine monsters by grafting metal limbs, artificial organs, synthetic brains, and light core fiber nerves.

The superhuman reaction speed provided by the light core’s rapid calculations, the enhanced vitality from artificial organs, and the complete weaponization of metal limbs gave the cyborg abilities far beyond those of an ordinary human.

They could use their combat light cores to analyze a martial artist's techniques, uncover the mysteries behind their fighting styles, and then dismantle them with precision. These cyborgs carried all kinds of high-tech, miniaturized weapons.

Zzt!

A faint sound rang out. An ultra-miniature missile shot out of the cyborg's back, splitting midair into eight sub-missiles. Each one rapidly locked onto eight different weak points on Li Xiaofei’s body, determined by the light core's analysis.

Li Xiaofei swung his blade swiftly.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The eight mini-missiles exploded and clouds of pale green toxins spread through the air. Li Xiaofei held his breath. But his sword techniques remained ferociously sharp.

The cyborg used a flashing energy blade, crackling with electricity, to parry and counter. The Cyborg could actually block and predict the trajectory of the Ghost Slayer’s strikes. This was the light core's combat data and feedback in action.

It was clear that this cyborg’s combat light core was far more advanced than the ones found in the power armors. As Li Xiaofei’s sword techniques evolved, the cyborg’s blocks gradually lost its effectiveness. However, various parts of the cyborg’s body could continuously launch missiles.

Due to its mechanical nature, it could perform bizarre movements that would be impossible for a human to imagine, like retracting and launching its arm, or twisting its joints in unnatural ways.

The key factor was that the cyborg possessed an energy shield that was far more advanced than expected. This shield would activate within three centimeters of any incoming attack and provide a near-impenetrable defense.

The combination of advanced weapons and the enhanced energy shield nearly made the cyborg invincible when it hunkered down and fought defensivelyLi Xiaofei could feel how troublesome this Cyborg was.

If it had a full supply of ammunition, it indeed had the ability to go toe-to-toe with a warrior at the Five Spirits Realm. But what made matters worse was the appearance of a second cyborg. This one was a combat support type. It could release gravity fields, laser cables, and neurotoxins, as well as resupply the first cyborg with ammo and energy cells from a distance, while also handling combat data analysis and feedback.

Damn it, I hate artificial intelligence

Li Xiaofei cursed inwardly. He quickly calculated the time remaining. There were less than ten minutes left before his Spatial Point Theft ability expired. He had to move faster.

So Li Xiaofei activated his third ultimate form. No one would associate Zhong Kui’s form with Li Xaiofei as long as he kept the Bull Demon blood armor active. Mysterious pale golden patterns immediately appeared on the surface of his body beneath the armor.

Whoosh!

The strength of his blade increased drastically. The second support-type cyborg was instantly cut down with a single slash. Several more strikes followed to land on the first cyborg. Overwhelmed by the terrifying barrage, it was sent flying.

As it struggled to stand, sparks suddenly burst from its chest, causing the cyborg to collapse backward. Without missing a beat, Li Xiaofei leaped into the air, his blade slashing down like a radiant river from the heavens, aimed directly at Zhen Jiahui and Gu Juechen.

Both of them hurriedly retreated. But at that very moment, two figures suddenly appeared in front of them, as fast as streaks of lightning and unleashed an attack in mid-air.

Boom!

The shockwave of energy rippled outward.

"Five Spirits Realm?"

Li Xiaofei was stunned.

The two people who had intervened were also at the Five Spirits Realm.

What the hell is going on? When Liuhe Base City was battling the star beast tide, there weren’t nearly as many Five Spirits Realm warriors who showed up to help. How could these lowlifes have so many warriors of that caliber at their side? It’s absurd.

The irony only fueled Li Xiaofei’s growing bloodlust. He broke through the shackles on both arms and one leg beneath his armor. The Ghost Slayer blade in his hand bloomed with a blood-red brilliance as its power doubled.

Li Xiaofei slashed viciously at the Five Spirits Realm experts.

Slash!

Two fountains of blood shot into the sky. The two Five Spirits Realm warriors who had suddenly appeared didn’t even have time to react before they were both decapitated in a single strike.

“What?!” exclaimed a horrified Zhen Jiahui.

In his final moments, he saw the gleam of a blade rushing toward him.

“No, I’m with the Star Coun-”

Before he could finish his sentence, everything in his vision began spinning rapidly. His head was flying through the air.

Li Xiaofei, having completed his strike, looked up to search for Gu Juechen but found that he had vanished.

Just then, a sudden sense of danger surged through his mind. A terrifying force exploded from inside the pavilion. When the stone wall shattered, a dark phantom of a Mole Crow materialized as if it were real and hurtled straight toward him.

Caught off guard, Li Xiaofei could only cross his blade in front of his chest to defend himself.

Boom!

Li Xiaofei was sent flying and crashed heavily into the ground below. A bitter taste rose in his throat as blood nearly forced its way out of his mouth.

Golden Body Realm?!

Li Xiaofei immediately realized that there was a terrifying Golden Body Realm expert still hidden on the battlefield.

Damn it. The Star Council really spared no expense this time. And to make matters worse, this Golden Body Realm warrior resorted to a sneak attack. How utterly shameless.

Anyone else in his position, after being caught off guard like that, would have likely felt a surge of fear. He could leave if he wanted to, especially since Zhen Jiahui was dead and the mission was complete. But Li Xiaofei refused to back down.

He gripped his Ghost Slayer blade and leaped into the air, sending dozens of slashes into the broken stone wall where the attack had come from.

At the same time, he turned into a whirlwind as he charged inside.

Golden Body Realm? So what?

He was determined to face this opponent head-on. Li Xiaofei’s fighting spirit burned, his will unshaken.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions echoed from within the room.

Boom!

Three breaths later, Li Xiaofei was blasted outward once again, slamming into the ground.

Damn it!

The Golden Body Realm warrior was truly despicable to unleash vicious attack dogs inside the room. Li Xiaofei realized that he was no match for this opponent just yet.

"Time to bail."

Li Xiaofei turned and fled.

The two cyborgs had seemingly completed repairing themselves and moved to block his escape. Annoyed, Li Xiaofei unleashed a flurry of slashes at them.

Breaking through his shackles had multiplied his strength many times over, so the two cyborgs barely had time to react before they were sent reeling backward, parts flying off their bodies. Sparks flew as they short-circuited and were flung away.

Li Xiaofei charged out of the front courtyard and tossed a smoke bomb behind him. He disappeared into the thick cloud of smoke. By the time the smoke cleared and the surrounding warriors swarmed the area, there was no trace of him.

A strange growling noise emerged from the broken balcony of the pavilion. A massive black Great Dane that was the size of a small calf appeared on the balcony.

Its eyes glowed like blood pools and its muscles rippled like molten steel. Its sharp, white fangs looked strong enough to chew through iron. The sheer physical strength radiating from its body distorted the air around it, creating an eerie and terrifying sight. This was a tamed star beast.

A pale white hand slowly emerged from the darkness of the inner room and gently stroked the dog’s head. The Great Dane’s nose twitched as it sniffed the air, searching for a scent. A low, ominous whimper rumbled from its throat.

The dog's owner walked out of the rubble. It was the portly and trusted inspector Wu Fohai.

"Has he disappeared?" He glanced across the courtyard, his eyes narrowing into a cold, glimmering slit. "No matter. As long as we recognize him next time, that'll be enough."

At the same time...

A flash of light from the portal signaled Li Xiaofei’s return, as he stepped back into the training room of the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters. Both his stamina and starforce qi were nearly depleted. His legs gave out, and he collapsed forward. Tan Qingying rushed over to catch him.

"Are you okay?" The young lady’s voice was filled with concern.

Li Xiaofei replied, "Just a bit exhausted, nothing serious. Don't worry."

But before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly changed.