Chapter 123 Carbon-Based Creature's Bane

The blazing beam of light erupted, like a golden spear piercing the darkness, blasting right into Ash's face!

*Boom!*

Flames burst!

Before the scattered light could dissipate, a figure swiftly charged out. Han Xiao reacted instantly, his arm armor ejected the scythe hilt, which slid into his palm. He swung it out in a crescent arc, unfolding into a huge black scythe mid-swing.

The scythe blade clashed with the figure.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew in all directions as metal met metal!

A semi-transparent, crystalline hand gripped the scythe blade, the two forces locked in a trembling struggle, producing a grating sound.

Han Xiao focused his eyes. Ash's exposed skin had transformed into a diamond-like substance, impervious to blades and incredibly hard.

The ground beneath their feet surged, carbon elements being separated and transformed into dust particles, which clung to his legs like a tornado, rapidly hardening.

Alarmed, Han Xiao leaped back, dodging before the mud could solidify, tearing off the incomplete diamond formations.

"Controlling carbon elements? A troublesome ability..." The mecha's built-in analyzer detected the composition of the manipulated material, confirming it was entirely carbon. Han Xiao's vast experience allowed him to immediately deduce the nature of his opponent's powers, and he instantly felt the difficulty.

This kind of ability, which manipulates basic elements, was rare, and its effects were usually comprehensive, offering offense, defense, and control, as well as the ability to create materials. Moreover, many natural substances contained carbon elements, making this ability a bane of carbon-based creatures...

Han Xiao was secretly alarmed. Fortunately, he had the [Unyielding Body] talent, which granted immunity to true damage; otherwise, he would have been singing a dirge.

[Unyielding Body] came from the Germinal Organization leader. Of course, by current standards, the leader's strength was nothing to boast about, but that old codger was, after all, a protagonist-type character, and also a Boss. This talent was a template, and its effect was powerful—you can hit me, you can even crit me, but you can dream on about dealing true damage. True damage ignores resistance and is extremely dangerous; even a martial artist with thick skin would feel terrible after taking a hit. Having this talent was like buying insurance for his life.

Templates could greatly widen the gap in combat power between characters of the same level. So far, Han Xiao had earned two template talents. The other, [Low-Level Tenacious Life], shored up his health, giving him a health pool comparable to martial artists of the same level, making him a tough nut to crack... and Ash was getting sick of it.

[Carbon Atom Deconstruction] was a new application of Ash's ability that he had mastered after breaking through to Grade B. It was an ace in the hole against lower-level Supers, based on directly destroying the target's molecular structure. It required a check of strength and level differences, and only if the target failed the check would they suffer true damage. Generally speaking, those below Ash's grade could not pass the check. However, Han Xiao was an anomaly, with a lower level, yet immune to true damage.

"Go!"

Ash suppressed his surprise. With his ace in the hole neutralized, his other abilities were just conventional combat techniques with insufficient damage. Now was clearly not the time to get entangled in a fight. He had no time to think.

*Buzz--*

An energy field spread out, causing the ground and walls to ripple like water. Countless carbon elements were stripped away and reshaped. Powdered particles like fluttering black ribbons surrounded Han Xiao, rapidly hardening into diamond formations of various shapes—spikes, barriers, cages, and so on, entangling him.

*Crackle-*

The scene was filled with floating, swirling carbon dust, undulating like waves, solidifying at times, the material forms changing wildly in a spectacular display!

Han Xiao grit his teeth inwardly. The dense and unpredictable carbon dust ribbons were incredibly agile and relentless, giving him the feeling of being in a bullet-hell shooting game, severely testing his reflexes.

The Viper mecha's intelligence swiftly calculated a dodging route. Mechanic Han weaved and dodged, barely avoiding the attacks each time in extremely difficult maneuvers, like an epileptic patient suspended by wires doing a flamboyant street dance, summed up in two words:

--Spastic!

But the effect was also remarkable. Though he appeared to be in constant danger, he was actually as steady as an old dog!

While Han Xiao was being entangled, Ash led the Silver Spirit person out of the door. Han Xiao couldn't allow them to be taken away like this. He was about to give chase when the mecha suddenly issued a warning, alerting him to high-energy signatures behind him!

He side-stepped away!

*Boom!!*

A variety of attacks landed where he had been standing, blasting a large hole. Han Xiao turned around and saw that the group of pirates had also retreated with their slaves, firing their weapons. Dozens of Supers surrounded him, filled with murderous intent.

"Hurry, kill the witness!"

"He's just one person, let's get him together!"

Han Xiao was immediately surrounded, unable to escape. Ash and the others disappeared from sight. He frowned and had no choice but to temporarily deal with these thugs.

He was alone against the mob, unable to quickly resolve the situation. Han Xiao simply used the mecha's built-in communication to call for backup.

After fighting for a while, the groups of Star Pirates realized that they couldn't do anything to Han Xiao. Instead, several of their own had been sliced in half by Han Xiao's waist-level strikes, and they began to grow anxious.

"This guy is a bit too strong. Let's not waste time and get out of here!"

"No, he saw our faces. If he informs the Guards, we'll be exposed immediately!"

The thugs were divided. Half of them wanted to retreat and were about to withdraw when suddenly, the roof of the slave market exploded, startling everyone. They looked up in surprise and saw several Butterfly Dragon flyers hovering in the air, shining spotlights down. In the background was the psychedelic starry sky, and in the distance, more flyers were arriving.

These Guards were all players. Han Xiao had simply made a quick call and they had come over, using their official positions to quickly arrive as reinforcements. Melos waved from behind the high-density glass.

All the thugs were shocked! Like thieves caught red-handed!

Han Xiao retreated, moving out of the line of fire, and grinned.

Ever heard of an arrow that pierces the clouds, summoning a thousand troops and ten thousand horses? You want to gang up on me? Dream on, I have backup too!

All the flyers opened fire, unleashing lasers on the thugs.

*Bang bang bang!!*

Golden lasers rained down, and the pirates fell like harvested wheat, horrified and terrified!

"It's the Dragon Tamer Guards! Run!"

"Scatter!"

They panicked, no longer caring about Han Xiao, and scattered in all directions, fleeing with their heads in their hands. The flyers split up to pursue them.

Han Xiao didn't immediately give chase. The Dragon Tamer Guards had a better vantage point and would be more efficient at pursuing them. He didn't want to move on the ground and was waiting for his 'Bat Wings' to arrive. Ash had escaped first and had already disappeared, but Han Xiao wasn't just standing by watching. He had secretly marked his opponent.

"Melos, a group of mysterious people stole the Silver Spirit person. I've marked them on the radar and sent the information to you. Don't let them get away!" Han Xiao drew a glowing route on the map, transmitted it to Melos, and said seriously, "The opponent has a Super, also at Grade B, who can control carbon elements. Be careful, maintain your shields, and don't engage him until I arrive!"

"Understood, I've already spotted them and am tailing them," Melos replied.

At this moment, Weysand sent a communication, asking in a deep voice, "What happened?!"

Han Xiao recounted the events, emphasizing that the enemy had attacked Dragon Tamer's property, with malicious intent, and that he was the hero who had thwarted their plans—These enemies are so arrogant, daring to shit, piss, and fart on your head, the Captain of the Guards. If you don't go up there and kill them, how can you even show your face?!

He feared that Weysand hadn't understood the main point and repeated it three times.

"Alright, alright, I got it," Weysand hurriedly hung up, afraid that Han Xiao would repeat it a fourth time. But Han Xiao's purpose had been achieved. Weysand's mind was automatically replaying the previous content, unable to forget it, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

That's right, everyone knows that our Dragon Tamer Guards protect the entire city. These people dare to violate the rules, and they don't even put the Guards in their eyes. Are they challenging me?! If these people dare to rob slaves today, tomorrow they'll dare to blow up the floating islands. This can't be allowed to stand! If I don't get rid of you, what kind of Captain of the Guards am I?!

Weysand pondered for a moment, and then flew into a rage, ordering the Guards under his command to mobilize.

It just so happened that Ames was not here, so the Guards were on standby at all times, on high alert, and extremely efficient. One flyer after another streaked across the sky, whooshing loudly.

The residents and visitors on the ground all looked up, their faces astonished. They had never seen the Guards mobilized on such a large scale before. What was going on?!

Han Xiao surveyed the messy scene and saw the unconscious Horlode, his eyes lighting up and his mood instantly improving. "Serves you right, trying to swindle my money. Hope you lose everything."

When Horlode woke up and saw that all the slaves had been robbed and that his house was bare, he didn't know what kind of expression he would have. Thinking of Horlode's smug look earlier, Han Xiao couldn't help but feel gleeful.

He looked at the panel and saw a new message, indicating that he had stumbled upon a criminal act, provided information, and caught the enemy red-handed, increasing Dragon Tamer's faction favorability by 400 points, finally raising the relationship from indifferent to neutral.

Han Xiao suddenly thought of something. Taking advantage of this waiting time, he walked into the underground prison and came to the location of the secret door, using brute force to smash through the wall, revealing Aroshia's cell.

The thugs hadn't discovered the secret door. Aroshia was still locked inside. In fact, Ash had noticed the existence of the secret door, but his target was only the Silver Spirit person, so he couldn't be bothered to tell the others.

Han Xiao ripped open the cell door and extended his hand towards Aroshia.

He remembered that he had a [Distant Visitor] mission, which required him to take Aroshia away for six days. Previously, he hadn't bought her because Horlode was greedy for money, but now wasn't this a good opportunity!

If he didn't pick up his old trade of taking advantage of a fire, Mechanic Han wouldn't be able to get over his conscience!

He wouldn't leave even a single hair for Horlode!

Aroshia looked up at Han Xiao's hand, a look of confusion on her face, and didn't move.

"That's right, she has no memory and not much curiosity." Han Xiao recalled Horlode's introduction, so he simply stepped forward and unlocked her shackles and collar, grabbing Aroshia's hand and walking out.

As expected, Aroshia didn't show any intention of resisting, her face was calm, allowing Han Xiao to pull her along, like a small boat drifting with the current, following closely behind.

She stared at Han Xiao's profile from beginning to end. Although she behaved like a puppet that would move when pulled, her eyes were very bright at this time, lively and incomparable, as if she was pondering.