Cangqiong Continent, the border of the Holy Empire.
Thunder rumbled low across the desolate wilderness. Rain mixed with the stench of blood, staining the muddy path a deep, murky red.
"Cough..."
Su Zhe leaned against a scorched, withered tree. His leather armor was shredded, a savage sword wound nearly splitting him diagonally across the chest. He panted heavily, surrounded by several corpses clad in silver armor—the vanguard knights of the Holy Church.
As an "Otherworlder" who had crossed over less than three hours ago, Su Zhe should have died in that ambush. But he survived, thanks to the cold, mechanical voice echoing in his mind.
[Ding! Battle concluded. Residual energy from powerful biological entities detected in the vicinity.]
[System Core Functions Initialized: 『Soul Harvest』 and 『Future Mall』.]
Enduring the searing pain, Su Zhe scrambled toward the nearest corpse. It was the leader of the squad, a formal "Second-Class Knight." In life, he had swung a longsword wreathed in holy light, nearly decapitating Su Zhe.
His hand trembled as he touched the knight's cold steel visor.
[Deceased Entity Detected: Roland, Second-Class Knight of the Holy Church.]
[Extracting... Extraction Successful!]
[Skill Obtained: 『Holy Slash』 (Basic) — Converts Battle Qi into a disruptive blade of light.]
[Memory Fragment Obtained: Partial defensive map of the Border Fortress.]
[Civilization Points Obtained: 500 Points.]
As the system voice faded, a wave of warmth flooded Su Zhe's body. A faint but sharp trace of Battle Qi manifested in his previously withered meridians. Simultaneously, countless combat techniques were branded into his muscle memory like a searing iron.
In Su Zhe's field of vision, streams of pale blue data flickered frantically, eventually converging into a precise interface visible only to him.
[Host Status Panel]
- Name: Su Zhe
- Realm: Apprentice Knight (Newly Awakened)
- Skills: 『Holy Slash』 (Basic)
- Civilization Points: 500
- Core Functions:
1. Soul Harvest: Extract skills, talents, and memories from the deceased.
2. Future Mall: Consume points to exchange for trans-dimensional tech equipment.
[Basic Attributes] (Average adult male = 1.0)
1. Strength: 1.2 (Affects explosive power and melee damage. Su Zhe is currently only slightly stronger than a common farmer.)
2. Agility: 1.5 (Affects reflexes and coordination. The soul fusion from transmigration has made his senses exceptionally sharp.)
3. Spirit: 4.8 (Affects perception and the control limit of tech equipment. Su Zhe's spirit far exceeds ordinary levels—this is his core asset for wielding future weaponry.)
System Evaluation: "In this primitive world filled with magic, you are currently just a slightly stronger ant. Note: High physical stats are required to operate high-tier armaments. Forcing the use of Nano-Mecha beyond your capacity will result in your bones being crushed instantly by gravitational pressure."
"So this is... the power of the Transcendent?" Su Zhe clenched his fist, feeling the unfamiliar surge of Battle Qi.
But it wasn't enough.
In the distance, the thunderous sound of hooves approached. It was the Church's reinforcements—at least fifty elite knights armed to the teeth, possibly accompanied by expensive combat mages. Charging out with only a basic 『Holy Slash』 would result in being hacked to pieces.
"In this world, Spirit is usually exclusive to mages. But I... will use it to guide the destruction of civilizations."
A cold glint flashed in Su Zhe's eyes. He roared in his mind, "Open the Future Mall! Filter for long-range armaments under 500 points!"
Shua—!
A pale blue screen unfolded before him. Countless creations from an era far beyond this one gleamed with a cold, metallic luster:
- 『Nano-Repair Needle (Trial Version)』 — 150 Points.
- 『High-Frequency Vibrating Dagger』 — 300 Points.
- 『XM-25 Individual Airburst Weapon System (Single Shot)』 — 450 Points.
Su Zhe's gaze locked onto the final item. In this world of bows, arrows, and fireballs, this was a literal divine judgment.
"Exchange for XM-25! Plus three Thermobaric rounds!"
[Ding! Exchange successful. 450 points consumed. Equipment deployed to System Storage.]
Hum—!
A heavy weight settled into Su Zhe's hands. A pitch-black weapon of sci-fi beauty, equipped with a complex optical tracking scope, appeared out of thin air. Its cold, reliable metallic texture felt utterly alien in this world of mud and magic.
"The Holy Light will punish evil?"
Su Zhe curled his lips into a chilling smirk. He expertly racked the bolt, sliding a thermobaric grenade—capable of vaporizing half a chapel—into the chamber.
On the horizon, the silver armor of the First Cavalry Squad was already visible. The leading Paladin raised his sword, bellowing, "Heretic! Prepare to die!"
Su Zhe knelt on one knee, locking onto the arrogant transcendents through the thermal imaging scope.
"The times have changed, milord."
His finger squeezed the trigger.
BOOM—!!!
A tongue of orange fire tore through the rain, carrying the destructive breath of a civilization thousands of years in the future, screaming toward the knights who were still trapped in their dreams of divine right.