496's mech rested in the dust, like a motionless statue. He tapped the mech's console gently, flipping through the information inside mech Zero, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Theoretical knowledge base? This little guy is quite interesting."
496 quickly browsed the contents. The data showed dense psychic transmission formulas, energy core design models, and many handwritten plans to improve the performance of mechas.
"A kid at the fifth level of Qi training can come up with so many complicated things." He shook his head, his tone 30% mocking and 70% approving, "But, it's all just talk."
Xiang Fan saw an unfamiliar command code pop up on his screen. He was finally able to resume communication. He held his breath and asked tentatively, "Who are you? Why did you attack me?"
"Take action?" 496 scoffed, his tone calm yet carrying the pressure of a powerful opponent. "I just wanted to see if you're worth my time. You have potential, but your skills are still far from perfect."
496 paused, flipping through the pages, and said calmly, "Theory is your strong point, but unfortunately, in terms of practical application, you can't even touch my level."
Xiang Fan asked nervously and curiously, "Senior, did you deliberately use a Qi training-level mecha to fight me?"
496 was silent for a second, then chuckled softly, "Of course. Otherwise you wouldn't even make it through the opening round."
Xiang Fan's face suddenly turned black, and he couldn't help but mutter in a low voice: "Is it really necessary to be so venomous..."
496 suddenly asked, "Where did you learn all this theoretical knowledge?"
Xiang Fan quickly replied, "I found some basic information in the sect's library, and also collected some from the virtual network."
496 nodded. "The sect's library. It seems you are a disciple of the Lingxiao Sect. However, this knowledge can only help you get started. To go further, you need real practical experience and higher-level theory."
Xiang Fan asked cautiously, "Then... Senior, can you teach me? I want to become stronger!"
496 snorted coldly, his tone adding a hint of teasing, "Teach you? Why would I teach a kid who can't even operate a beginner mecha?"
Xiang Fan was speechless for a moment, clenching his fists. Just as he was about to argue, a long list of file prompts suddenly popped up on the screen.
"External transmission file detected: High-level theory and practical optimization scheme of energy core."
Xiang Fan was stunned for a moment, his face full of disbelief: "This... these are for me?"
496 said calmly, "Don't be so moved. This information is ten times more complex than anything you currently understand. If you can't understand it, it's your problem."
Xiang Fan's blood boiled with excitement: "I will definitely learn it! Thank you, senior!"
"Don't be so quick to thank me." 496's tone was like pouring cold water on me. "Learning them is only the first step. I will test you at some point in the future. If you fail, I won't waste another second on you."
Xiang Fan's eyes lit up, and he said with full fighting spirit: "Don't worry, senior, I will definitely not let you down!"
496 smiled and said, "I hope so. Otherwise, all expectations will turn into disappointment, and I usually just make those who are disappointed disappear completely." After he finished speaking, the mecha slowly started up and disappeared into the dust again, without a trace.
Xiang Fan took a deep breath and looked at the information on the screen, his heart full of fighting spirit.
496's mecha gradually disappeared into the yellow sand.
Xiang Fan sat in the stopped Mech Zero, staring blankly at the dizzyingly complex formulas on the screen, muttering to himself, "Next time we meet, if I still can't understand this, he'll probably just call me a loser..."
A gust of wind blew by, and a prompt popped up on his virtual helmet interface: "Exit the virtual battlefield?" Xiang Fan pressed the confirm button, and the entire chaotic area instantly dissipated, returning to the tranquility of reality.
He took off his helmet and leaned back in his chair, his mind still replaying 496's last words.
"Nerd, give yourself some work." He muttered softly, a studious yet helpless light in his eyes: "This thing is as rare as ghost painting, and you actually say it tests my comprehension. Senior really overestimates me."
After returning to reality, Xiang Fan's first thing was to open the terminal and load the file sent by 496.
Countless complicated folders popped up on the screen, each with a title such as "Advanced Psionic Matrix Design" or "Distributed Structure Optimization of Energy Core". Just looking at the names made one's scalp tingle.
"This is too inhumane!" Xiang Fan opened a folder, which was filled with models and formulas, and even the notes were written as if they were for an exam.
He scratched his head and said, "Senior, are you training me as a cultivator who can transcend tribulation?"
But even though he complained, he couldn't resist the temptation of this knowledge.
Xiang Fan moved a small stool and stared at the screen as intently as he usually did when studying mecha information. He used his fingers to draw the lines in the air, trying to understand the meaning of each formula.
"This energy transmission path is quite interesting. It seems that it can improve my Mecha Zero..." He muttered to himself, like a child who picked up a new toy, full of strong research enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, somewhere on the virtual battlefield, 496 closed the mecha's control panel and slowly leaned back into the driver's seat. He stared at Xiang Fan's figure on the projection screen, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"It's quite interesting," 496 said softly. "This nerd is quite smart, but whether he can make it to the end depends on himself."
Suddenly, a call popped up. 496 glanced at it, frowning slightly. After answering, the other party spoke directly, "496, who is this Zero you've been targeting recently?"
496's voice was a bit nonchalant. "He's a kid at the fifth level of Qi training. His knowledge is okay, but his skills are just so-so. But he's a little special."
The other party hesitated for a moment: "Is it special enough to warrant your personal action?"
"Special enough to be worth seeing." 496's eyes darkened a little, and he added with a sneer, "Perhaps... he will become an interesting puzzle piece in the collision of spiritual practice and technology."
Elsewhere, Xiang Fan's research continued late into the night. He finally raised his head, rubbed his eyes, and muttered, "My head's about to explode. This is too difficult. But it's really interesting."
He looked at the notebook full of notes and felt a sense of accomplishment.
Suddenly, his stomach growled, completely destroying his seriousness.
"I forgot to eat dinner. This is not okay."
He stood up and began to search for the spiritual fruit, muttering to himself, "No matter how powerful one's brain is, it still needs to be well fed. After I finish this spiritual fruit, I'll study the 'Distributed Energy Matrix'. I hope I can understand the first paragraph tonight..."
As Xiang Fan chewed the spiritual fruit, he looked out the window at the starry sky, a hint of anticipation welling up in his heart: "I wonder how far this test will take me?"
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