Chapter 25: Cloud Soaring Peak?

“How exactly does this thing work? I can’t make heads or tails of it!” Ling Ren picked up a machine gun, utterly confused by its purpose.

“Haha, that’s something you don’t understand yet, but not to worry,” Lu Changsheng chuckled. “Tang Yi truly thought of everything—this jade slip is the instruction manual. Take a look and you’ll figure it out.”

“Oh, let me have a look then!” Ling Ren took the jade slip and began reading. “So that’s how it works! Tang Yi really is a genius. But the bullets are still a problem. Zuo Jiao, spread the word—have everyone gather inferior spirit stones in large quantities. The more, the better. Old Lu, as for these bullets, we’ll supply half, and your side should provide the other half.”

“That’s a small matter. I’ll notify them right away and have them brought over,” Lu Changsheng replied.

With the orders of both presidents, their subordinates sprang into action. Following the method outlined in Tang Yi’s instruction jade slip, they began practicing. The machine gun’s appearance was much like the AK-47, but its magazine was different—a small box that could store items, attached to the gun, filled with spirit stones instead of bullets. To conserve ammunition, Tang Yi had designed it with extraordinary compatibility. Inferior spirit stones could be used as bullets; although they were substandard, the gun compressed pure spiritual energy for firing, ejecting the impurities like spent shells.

Ten days later, a thunderous rattling echoed across the battlefield of the ancient transmission array. The ghostly creatures burst apart one after another, leaving the ground littered with materials. After five days and nights of relentless gunfire, the ghosts were finally eradicated, leaving the ancient transmission array dormant. No more ghosts could be transmitted through it.

“It’s been over a thousand years, and to think we resolved it in just five days—it’s almost embarrassing,” Ling Ren sighed.

“Brother Ling, enough lamenting. We need to hurry and prepare. If we don’t reach Flying Cloud Peak before Tang Yi sets out, who knows when we’ll see him again,” Lu Changsheng urged.

“Ah, alright, I’ll just finish packing… Let’s go,” Ling Ren said, quickly gathering his belongings.

… Flying Cloud Peak, Changbai Mountains …

“Taoist Tang, where are you planning to go this time? The ghost problem in the Celestial Maiden star system still isn’t resolved. Shouldn’t you help us sort it out first?” Lu Changsheng addressed Tang Yi, who was busy with some unknown task.

“My apologies, truly. There were supposed to be three years left, but since this matter was resolved ahead of schedule, I need to attend to my own affairs now,” Tang Yi replied as he bustled about.

“Would you mind telling me what’s going on?” Lu Changsheng inquired.

“Little Guo, explain it thoroughly to Old Lu. I’m really too busy at the moment,” Tang Yi said, as he continued using his storage ring to collect items from the room.

“Alright, Lu Changsheng, this way please. I’ll explain everything from the beginning,” Guo Ziping invited him to the lounge and began his explanation. After more than ten minutes, Lu Changsheng nodded in understanding.

“I see! The previous emperor died accidentally, and now the new emperor is the King Ming whom you once protected. So you’ve returned since you no longer need to guard him. We’ve been so busy fighting ghosts that we haven’t paid attention to mundane affairs. But why does Tang Yi need to travel—what’s the connection?” Lu Changsheng was puzzled.

“That I don’t know either. Once Tang Yi’s done, you can ask him yourself. I’ll take my leave now—I have things to pack as well,” Guo Ziping said as he departed, intending to accompany Tang Yi on his journey.

“Taoist Tang, tell me—what will it take for you to help us finish off these ghosts?” Lu Changsheng asked helplessly.

“That’s simple: materials, spirit stones, rare treasures—the more, the better. That’s all there is to it! You decide. I only have two days left. Give it some thought,” Tang Yi said, packing his belongings before boarding the spaceship.

…

“Jet, how do you feel? Any sense of greater power?” Tang Yi asked the spacecraft.

“Captain, there is no sensation. However, more new functions have been detected. Energy output is declining. Suggest increasing energy modules. Over,” Jet replied in its emotionless voice.

“Ah, you’re right—I almost forgot. Today, I’ll install a brand-new motor for you, strengthen your heart. Ta-da… an antimatter reactor! The antimatter you’ve collected this past half year is enough to power your body for ten years,” Tang Yi said, producing an enormous reactor. In just a few minutes, he upgraded the spaceship’s power system.

“Captain, after diagnostics, the new energy system has increased power output by two thousand eight hundred percent compared to the old one. All ship components can now be fully utilized. If upgraded, performance can triple. Proceed with upgrade? Upgrade will require a large amount of energy, approximately ten billion kilocalories,” Jet reported after its self-check.

“Oh, that’s just ten thousand top-grade spirit stones—no trouble at all. Let’s upgrade now,” Tang Yi said, placing ten thousand top-grade spirit stones into the ship’s special energy chamber before disembarking, allowing Jet to execute its self-upgrade program.

Above Flying Cloud Peak in the Changbai Mountains, Jet began its upgrade, emitting deafening noises. Whoosh, whoosh… The ship transformed continuously, fierce winds whipped up the mountain’s long-standing snow, triggering massive avalanches. Tang Group staff rushed out upon hearing the commotion.

“Wow, isn’t this just like a Transformer in the movies? So cool!” Zhang Qiang shouted as he watched the metamorphosing ship.

Transformers never seemed this big, Tang Yi mused.

After more than ten minutes, the ship ceased transforming and settled into silence. Its new appearance left the onlookers staring in awe; some even drooled.

“No self-control at all. Sure, the ship is stunning now, but you don’t need to drool over it. Tsk…” Bai Dongfang mocked Hua Shaojie, who was drooling, though he nearly succumbed himself.

“Alright, everyone go prepare. Tomorrow, Tang Group’s Flying Cloud Peak will fly with Jet to Horse Tail Star in the Pegasus Galaxy. Anyone not wishing to go must leave before dawn. Is that clear?” Tang Yi suddenly announced loudly.

“What’s going on? Is Flying Cloud Peak really going to fly? Impossible! And why are we heading to the Pegasus Galaxy? Isn’t everything fine here?” someone called out.

“The reason is simple. Everyone knows about the ghosts—we’re going there to wipe them out. With Tang Group nearby for production, the process will be much faster. Understand?”