Translator: AnubisTL
Chen Jiang nodded with satisfaction. "I'm naming this plan the Star Chain Project."
"Once the Star Chain Project is fully operational..."
"We'll be able to strike precisely where we aim."
"The only current limitation is the availability of high-quality energy blocks. But that's no problem—the mechanical race has them. We'll just ask them for a few."
"..."
Scar Dog finally snapped out of his daze and asked, somewhat bewildered, "Brother Jiang, isn't this combat strategy a bit too advanced?"
He couldn't even imagine how the enemy could possibly defend against such tactics.
"You think this is advanced?" Chen Jiang chuckled, shaking his head. "There are even more advanced possibilities. Remember, the teleportation gate is bidirectional, right?"
"A directional, bidirectional teleportation gate opens up endless possibilities."
"For example, we could set the exit point a kilometer in the air and lure in alien race players who can't fly."
"Or, when enemy missiles approach, we could intercept them with the gate and teleport them right back above the enemy's heads—essentially reflecting their own attack."
"It's just a shame the teleportation gate is a bit too small."
"Otherwise, there would be even more ways to play with it."
"Alright."
Chen Jiang nodded slightly, ending the conversation. He turned to Scar Dog and said, "In that case, you and Li Hao will carry out this mission together."
"Your task is to drive this heavy truck into the sky pit. Just before it crashes, use the teleportation gate to escape."
"No problem," Scar Dog replied with a serious nod. "And detonate it the moment we leave, right?"
"No," Chen Jiang shook his head. "You can only teleport a thousand meters at a time. The explosion from this heavy truck will definitely affect that range."
"What you need to do is open six teleportation gates, end-to-end."
"Once you've teleported to a safe distance,"
"I'll hold the detonator, extend my arm through the teleportation gate, and detonate the TNT. This will ensure maximum safety."
Although the TNT's detonation range is only 100 meters,
six interconnected teleportation gates will instantly extend his arm holding the detonator by six thousand meters, placing it inside the truck's cargo compartment for a close-range detonation. He can then quickly retract his arm.
Yes, it sounds astonishing.
But this is precisely how the Ten Thousand Races Arena operates.
Everything is perfectly logical and meticulously calculated.
"Alright, let's head back."
After finalizing their preparations, Chen Jiang and his group returned to the ruined mine.
Now, all they had to do was wait quietly until 11 PM.
Then they could begin. Begin the fireworks.
Speaking of which, this heavy truck packed with TNT really did resemble a giant firecracker.
The truck's cargo bed, filled with scrap rebar, rusty nails, steel balls, and TNT, still had some gaps.
To fill these gaps completely, Chen Jiang and his team dumped in massive quantities of coal dust, packing it in until every crevice was stuffed.
This coal dust...
Like an additive, would make the ensuing flames even more spectacular.
Soon, it was noon.
By this time, Feng Jiutian had already taken a commanding lead in the race kill rankings.
[Race Kill Rankings]
[Top Ranking: Mechanical Race, Feng Jiutian]
[Kills: 72,839]
[Second Ranking: Human Race, Chen Jiang]
[Kills: 17,892]
"Whew!"
Having just arrived in a mountain valley, Feng Jiutian wiped the sweat from his brow, panting heavily, and glanced at the race kill rankings, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
Nearly a fourfold lead.
But—
A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes as he frowned slightly and murmured, "Chen Jiang's kill count hasn't changed all morning. Not a single alien race kill. Has he given up?"
"Well..."
The subordinate standing beside him pondered for a moment before replying, "Chen Jiang's kill count was constantly fluctuating last night. He might be sleeping during the day now."
"That's possible."
Feng Jiutian nodded, a cold smile spreading across his face. "In that case, we'll push even harder. I can't wait to see Chen Jiang's reaction when he wakes up and sees my overwhelming kill count."
"He'll probably remain silent, then after midnight, he'll use the global speaker to claim he was sleeping all day and didn't see Lord Feng Jiutian's declaration of war, thus avoiding the competition and preserving his reputation."
"Hmph."
A ruthless glint flashed in Feng Jiutian's eyes. "Don't worry. Even if he tries to play blind today, he won't be able to. I'll force him out."
He then turned his gaze toward the Meat Valley below, took a deep breath, and accepted the detonator from his subordinate.
Moments later, Feng Jiutian's kill count on the race kill rankings surged by another 4,000.
He immediately set off for the next Meat Valley.
To be honest, venturing to so many Meat Valleys under the scorching sun was exhausting work.
But the moment he imagined Chen Jiang's frustrated, gloomy expression, he felt as refreshed as if he'd taken a cold shower, his energy renewed and his spirits soaring.
Meanwhile, Chen Jiang was indeed sleeping, just as Feng Jiutian had predicted.
After all, he hadn't slept all night and needed to recharge.
Chen Jiang and his two companions were all dozing in the vehicle, leaning back in their seats.
Of course...
Li Hao, groggily waking up mid-journey, instinctively glanced around and noticed Scar Dog sleeping in the seat next to him, a shotgun cradled in his arms, his finger resting on the trigger.
It was the first time Li Hao had ever seen someone sleep with their finger on the trigger.
And why was that shotgun pointed at him?
He really wanted to say, "Could you move that barrel? What if it goes off?"
But when he saw Scar Dog's usually droopy ears instantly perk up at his slightest movement, he reluctantly shut his mouth.
Adjusting his posture, he leaned back in his chair and slowly drifted off to sleep.
If it goes off, it goes off. After all, I have two lives.
With this thought, Li Hao quickly fell into a deep slumber.
He was the only one on the bus completely relaxed and sound asleep.
What was that saying?
By doing nothing, one can accomplish everything. When you abandon all concerns, you discover that even heaven and earth cannot harm you.
The only danger Li Hao needed to worry about was Scar Dog's gun going off. As for other threats, those were for Chen Jiang and Scar Dog to handle. But whether Scar Dog's gun would fire was beyond his control.
In other words...
No matter what dangers loomed, he had no way to influence them.
Since that was the case, he might as well completely relax and fall asleep.
Responsibility and capability are always intertwined.
When you realize you lack the ability to handle any danger, you'll discover you were never responsible for its arrival in the first place.
This cool air conditioning, this comfortable car seat, this safe environment.
Li Hao curled up contentedly in the car seat, finally enjoying his first proper sleep since descending into this world three months ago.
It was also the first time he had truly fallen into a deep slumber.
So comfortable.
"..."
Shortly after Li Hao drifted off, Scar Dog slowly opened his eyes, staring expressionlessly at the drool trickling from Li Hao's mouth.
For some reason, he suddenly felt the urge to pretend his gun had misfired and put a bullet in Li Hao's head.
For over three months, he had never dared to sleep as soundly as Li Hao.
What Chen Jiang and the others didn't know was that at that moment, nearly all human players were staring with complex expressions at the race kill rankings and Chen Jiang's unchanged kill count from the morning.
Many hoped Chen Jiang would at least send out a global speaker message.
This avoidance couldn't go on forever.
The human race valued one principle above all: lose the battle, but never lose face.
Feng Jiutian of the mechanical race had already declared war by name, leaving no room for evasion.
Even in defeat, they couldn't cower like a turtle, pretending nothing had happened.
(End of the Chapter)
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