121: A world of difference

Qin Jin’s gaze fixed on the Balance Giant.

This interception also drew the Balance Giant’s attention, causing its body to turn, its bloody face looking towards Qin Jin.

Mentally, Han Miao’s voice continuously echoed, relaying Qiu Dongyan’s analysis to Qin Jin, finally adding, “The Patrol Bureau is already preparing special weapons. We need you all to hold back this monster and prevent it from escaping the area covered by the boundary device.”

“Qin Jin, be careful in everything.”

“Hold it back, huh?”

A thought flashed through Qin Jin’s mind. Throughout the entire area, the battle had already begun.

After its attention was drawn, the Balance Giant took steps, rapidly approaching the direction where Qin Jin was located.

“Disperse.”

As Qin Chi’s voice rang out, he charged forward, his original power surging into his expansion equipment, and the azure lightning dark halberd appeared.

Facing an opponent whose combat level was currently unconfirmed, Qin Jin would hold nothing back.

As he boarded the mech and established a mental connection, the Balance Giant stepped forward, swinging one of its scale pans, which slammed towards the azure lightning dark halberd.

As the scale pan was swung out,

On various parts of the Balance Giant’s body, the Secret Sect Disciples who had already lost their life force were now opening and closing their mouths, seemingly chanting secret words in unison.

The secret words converged, and on the surface of the scale pan, a bronze light flowed, with mysterious power attached, causing its strength to surge.

In the next instant!

The scale pan struck forward. Qin Jin did not dodge, raising both arms of the azure lightning dark halberd. Power flowed into the mech, and its palms abruptly blocked the front of the scale pan. At the moment of contact!

Boom!

Under the collision of forces, the mysterious power and the thunderous impact mutually eroded each other. Qin Jin clearly felt a colossal force coming. The lower limbs of the azure lightning dark halberd stepped on the ground, and the ground instantly shattered, sending fragments flying.

“The power is not bad.”

A thought flashed through Qin Jin’s mind, and he transmitted information to Han Miao mentally.

“Tell everyone else, I’ll hold back the main body of this monster.”

As the message was conveyed,

The Balance Giant’s scale pan was about to be retrieved, but at this moment, inside the cockpit, Qin Jin reached out and gripped. The azure lightning dark halberd’s hand opened and firmly grasped the edge of the scale pan.

The retrieval action stopped. Qin Jin clearly felt a tremendous force coming from the point of contact.

With a single grip, the power of thunder erupted, and the human figures attached to the top were directly incinerated into char and then into ash, scattering to the ground.

Inside the cockpit, Qin Jin’s expression was extremely calm, but in his eyes, there was a barely perceptible hint of excitement.

From cultivating Martial Arts to piloting mechs, Qin Jin had experienced many battles, big and small. In the Star Sea, he fought against people; in the Great Wilderness, he fought against beasts.

But—

After acquiring the azure lightning dark halberd, he had never experienced a mech battle!

His current environment had not yet exposed him to such things.

Now, although the opponent was not a technological mech, its massive form created by mysterious means was akin to a special mech, which made him unusually excited.

The moment he gripped the scale pan, the azure lightning dark halberd’s other hand formed a blade. Qin Jin’s internal power surged out, his hidden secret appearing behind him to provide a boost. Extending through the mech’s arm, thunder surged and gathered in his hand, forming a thunder blade that he fiercely brought down!

The azure lightning dark halberd had close-combat weapon modules, but the mech itself was inherently a combat weapon.

At the same time,

The Balance Giant’s other scale pan also came in support, taking advantage of Qin Jin’s sidestep to strike at the side of the azure lightning dark halberd.

In the next instant,

As the thunder blade sliced down, striking the point of contact on the scale pan, a piercing wail erupted.

The human figures attached to the top were instantly annihilated, and the connection was directly severed. The scale pan remained in the azure lightning dark halberd’s palm, while its latter half rapidly contracted, revealing its true form within.

At the broken end, it was not solid, but rather presented a bronze glow, looking more like a construct of a special power.

As it contracted, a new scale pan grew out from the broken end, but without the corpses of Secret Sect Disciples attached, its power was noticeably weakened.

As the thunder blade sliced down, the other scale pan also flew over. Just as it was about to strike the azure lightning dark halberd’s side waist, runes flashed around the mech’s body, and an energy shield appeared!

This was an auxiliary function inherent in the azure lightning dark halberd.

In the past, even the Deep Drillers was equipped with energy shields, so the azure lightning dark halberd naturally had related modules.

The scale pan impacted the energy shield, causing ripples. The mysterious power attached to it eroded the energy shield, almost breaking through in moments.

But—

This process was already enough for Qin Jin to react.

The azure lightning dark halberd turned around, and the black crystal on its chest rapidly spun. Frost condensed in the air. Original power, supplemented by ice-attributed spiritual energy from within the Spiritual Void, simultaneously surged into the crystal, activating the special ability module!

Absolute Zero!

In the next instant,

An extremely cold torrent spewed forth, ice-white in color, spreading and freezing along the scale pan. In an instant, it had already reached the Balance Giant itself.

Qin Jin unleashed his full power, combined with the azure lightning dark halberd’s amplification. In a flash, the Balance Giant’s movements halted. Ice crystals covered its body, and it stopped moving.

azure lightning dark halberd!

Due to the segmented design, according to the Star Ring Heavy Industries team, it could not compare to the top-tier mechs of the same realm.

But that was the Star Ring Heavy Industries team; their definition of “top-tier” was naturally high.

Moreover, having fought alongside Qin Jin in the Great Wilderness, under the influence of Vow Power and spiritual energy, the azure lightning dark halberd had significantly improved.

Now, with its full power unleashed, everything was frozen.

The Balance Giant’s power was not bad, but that didn’t mean every aspect was outstanding enough.

At the moment of freezing, the right arm module dropped, and the mystic dragon halberd was in hand. Qin Jin pressed the attack. With the Sky Thunder Body activated, thunder spread from the azure lightning dark halberd’s body. Power gathered on the great halberd. The azure lightning dark halberd leaped up, as if raising a brilliant thunderous sun, and slashed down towards the frozen Balance Giant!

Everything around seemed to fall silent.

With one halberd strike, from the Balance Giant’s upper part, middle, and legs, the great halberd passed through as smoothly as if cutting. Cracks appeared one after another. Moments later, the mysterious power contained within the Balance Giant’s body suddenly erupted, rushing into the air, where it was intercepted by the light screen. Some parts of its body were completely annihilated, while others fell to the ground, turning into countless fragments.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.

The sounds of crashing continued.

Within the battlefield, silence fell at this moment.

The battle erupted extremely quickly, but no one expected that after a brief exchange, the terrifying Balance monster would be reduced to such a state.

Just then,

Qin Jin clearly saw that on the ground, the bloody face was already shattered. Now, as its mouth opened and closed, the Balance humanoid avatars that had manifested around it, some of which had already been destroyed in battle with the Patrol Bureau, were now gathering towards it.

“It didn’t die directly.”

“The Mi Sect’s methods are still quite numerous.”

The azure lightning dark halberd stood, halberd in hand, continuously building up power, preparing to deliver a decisive blow once the monster’s strength gathered.

Behind them,

Inside the command center, everyone fell silent.

Beside Song Shulin, a subordinate remained silent for a moment, then quietly spoke, “Director, the special offensive weapons are ready.”

“Are we—still activating them?”

Song Shulin did not answer him.

This Director of the Patrol Bureau, who was considered somewhat knowledgeable, now had a look of bewilderment in his eyes for the first time, muttering, “How can he be so strong?”

The Balance Giant seemed to be the ultimate method of the Secret Sect Disciples. He had already prepared for casualties, and it was precisely to reduce casualties that he was preparing to use special weapons in the urban area.

But now—

All the results exceeded his expectations.

“The mech he is wearing is extraordinary.”

At this moment,

Qiu Dongyan’s aged voice rang out, reaching the ears of everyone present in the command center.

She slowly said, “There are two biggest troubles when dealing with Secret Sect Disciples.”

“Firstly, their various novel and mysterious methods.”

“Secondly, their power level.”

“The power of Secret Sect Disciples comes from the gods. After interpretation, it is transformed into their own power. Compared to the gods, the interpreted power level is not worth mentioning, but compared to other people, their power level is often superior.”

“Because of this, some mysterious methods are more likely to be effective.”

“However—”

At this point, Qiu Dongyan’s tone also showed a hint of surprise: “Student Qin Jin, his power level surpasses the opponent’s, and he is also piloting an extraordinary mech.”

“The power level was already behind. This Evil God Sect priest was quite extraordinary, creating such a method in his madness. But how could a temporary body condensed from power and flesh compare to a technological crystallization forged through countless trials?”

At this point, Qiu Dongyan fell silent.

She still had information she hadn't disclosed.

Not long ago, she had clearly sensed two forces, possibly related to deities, within the ritual site.

This Student Qin, while being a Congenital Realm Martial Artist, also seemed to have made some achievements in the Mi Sect.

And—

Qiu Dongyan's eyes lowered slightly, recalling the fundamentally startling aura she had sensed during her initial perception.

“Comparing him to a Mi Sect priest who has lost contact with a deity is an insult to Student Qin.”

At the front.

The Balance Apostles gathered, primarily with blood-colored faces, seemingly wanting to re-condense their bodies. But after enduring that attack, he was almost completely destroyed. Now, despite constantly gathering, he couldn't form a body at all.

It was at this moment.

The mystic dragon halberd was held upright in hand, the halberd head pointing downwards, and then suddenly dropped!

The moment the halberd head touched the ground, a ring of lightning spread outwards from it, completely sweeping away everything in the area.

Everything was annihilated.

The feeling of disgust in his heart completely vanished.

Qin Jin turned around.

The azure lightning dark halberd's cockpit opened, he leaped out, and the mech behind him retracted.

“It’s time to maintain the mech again.”

A thought flashed through his mind as Qin Jin landed on the ground, walking towards the back, watched by the Patrol Bureau members.

The subsequent cleanup work clearly didn't require his further involvement.

In the distance.

The mission began at dawn. At this moment, the rising sun in the eastern sky dispelled the darkness, illuminating the young back.

Wherever Qin went, the Patrol Bureau members quickly made way.

As he walked out of the designated area.

Suddenly, a voice exploded.

“It’s… resolved?”

“So strong, stronger than imagined.”

“I thought I was going to die here today.”

“Stop chatting, go immediately and search this collapsed cinema to see if we can get more information.”

The order was given.

The Patrol Bureau members sprang into action.

The Evil God Sect stronghold had been cleared, but that didn't mean it was over. If any useful intelligence could be found, it was equally important.

For the Starfire Federation, their enemy was not the Evil God Sect, but the Evil God himself!

The Evil God Sect was also a way for them to increase their understanding of the Evil God.

Not far away.

The Tian Ce Academy students watched Qin Jin leave, looking at each other, all somewhat silent.

Just then, a voice spoke up.

“Su Su.”

“I feel your description of this Qin Jin isn’t quite accurate. Just using [strong] isn’t enough.”

As soon as the words fell.

Many people looked towards Su Su.

A memory flashed in Su Su's eyes, she bit her lip, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't speak.

Even according to Diaz's description, Qin Jin, chosen by the Star God Chosen, absolutely wouldn't reach this level.

Clearly—

After the Heavenly Selection concluded and he entered the Academy, he had made astonishing progress.

“In future Academy martial arts competitions, we won’t have to face such an opponent, will we?”

“Not that kind of thing—!”

“Having his own mech at such a young age, I’m envious.”

“Do you think it’s possible that Qin Jin is so powerful because his mech is too strong, and he himself is just average?”

“What do you think?”

“You can fool your brothers, but don’t fool yourself.”

The students' conversations continued.

Just then.

Yuan Shen's voice suddenly rang out. He slammed his fist into his palm and shouted, “I have some regrets! Piloting a starship doesn’t seem as exciting as piloting a mech!”

As his words fell.

A hesitant voice came from beside him.

“Yuan Shen, not everyone who graduates from Tian Ce can become a captain.”

As the words fell.

Kind laughter erupted around them.

Yuan Shen looked at the student who spoke, his eyes slightly bright: “There’s such a good thing?”

After leaving the designated area, Qin Jin did not relax.

Since he was performing an Academy mission, he naturally had to see it through to the end.

Accompanied by a specialist from the Patrol Bureau, he went to other suspicious locations for confirmation.

Ultimately, no other strongholds were found.

Clearly, this large cinema was the last stronghold in Hanmei City.

At the same time.

The Patrol Bureau's exploration of the last stronghold also yielded results, basically confirming the entire sequence of events.

It was similar to Qiu Dongyan's speculation.

After the Federation's last major purge targeting the Celestial Balance Apostles, [Heng Lüzhu · Wanqi] disappeared. The cult stronghold here was a fish that slipped through the net of the purge, and they also lost contact with their deity.

The Secret Sect Disciples could not contact their deity, not only losing their path to ascension but also experiencing a constant loss of the power they had gained through their interpretations.

After enduring for a long time, they prepared for a final desperate struggle, which was detected by the Cold Plum City Patrol Bureau, becoming the beginning of everything.

Approaching noon.

In Hanmei City, a celebration banquet was held, led by the Patrol Bureau.

While the celebration banquet was underway.

At the Evil God Sect stronghold.

The boundary barrier had been removed, but other restrictions were set up near the stronghold's ruins to prevent others from entering, and many Patrol Bureau members were stationed there.

Just then.

Amidst faint rippling waves, three figures arrived together, appearing outside the stronghold.

They did not conceal their presence. The moment they appeared, they were noticed by the Patrol Bureau members, who cautiously approached. After verifying their identities, the Patrol Bureau members respectfully made way for them to enter the stronghold.

These three were precisely the leading instructors from the three academies for this mission.

Gu Huang, Zhou Tianren, and Duan Yunhua!

Duan Yunhua was Tian Ce's leading teacher this time. Compared to the other two instructors, his Tian Ce uniform made him look remarkably ordinary.

At this moment.

The three walked into the stronghold, looking at the collapsed building ruins. Duan Yunhua's voice was calm as he spoke softly: “This person’s talent in the Mi Sect is truly not bad.”

“Although the ritual did not take effect, his use of such methods failed to draw even a trace of attention from [Heng Lüzhu] here. It seems this Evil God has completely departed from within Federation territory.”

“That’s not surprising.”

Zhou Tianren said, “After all, that major purge was quite severe.”

Speaking of this, he looked at Gu Huang, his mustache bobbing up and down: “I was originally prepared to act, there was no need for the Patrol Bureau members to sacrifice themselves in vain.”

“I didn’t expect your Martial Abyss student to solve everything.”

“Qin Jin.”

“In this Academy mission, he truly stole the show. No one else could have done better.”

“It seems we can only give him the highest evaluation.”

“Me too.”

Duan Yunhua sighed softly: “I have heard about this young man. I heard our Tian Ce also tried to recruit him, but unfortunately, we couldn’t beat your Martial Abyss.”

“With such a talent among the new Academy students, Martial Abyss will likely gain a considerable advantage for the next three years.”

Gu Huang's expression remained unchanged.

She withdrew her gaze from the building ruins and looked at Zhou Tianren.

“The incident is completely over, and there’s some free time before returning to the Academy.”

She placed one hand on her saber hilt: “Zhou Tianren, want to fight?”

Upon hearing this.

Zhou Tianren's eyes lit up: “I was just about to test Ink Blade’s methods.”

The next instant.

Both figures disappeared simultaneously.

Duan Yunhua shook his head, his figure vanishing without a trace.

The celebration banquet ended.

In the rest room provided by the Patrol Bureau, Qin Jin sat down and let out a long breath.

As the protagonist of this celebration banquet, he was exceptionally busy, constantly socializing.

“The first Academy mission was very smooth.”

“Through continuous combat, I can also adjust my own state. Upon returning to the Academy this time, I can try to break through to the Cavernous Realm.”

“The third realm of the Heavenly Azure Method will surely bring me another great leap forward.”

Sitting in his seat, thoughts flashed through his mind.

A visitor notification sounded.

Qin opened the door and saw a familiar figure standing outside.

Gu Huang.

Before he could even speak her name, he clearly sensed an unparalleled sharpness permeating Gu Huang's entire being. The moment he sensed it, it was as if he saw surging, boundless saber and sword light.

The next instant.

This aura of sharpness suddenly receded, as if it had never existed.