Chapter 42: The Beginning of the Poorest (Strongest) Zhongzhou Team

Li Xiao shrugged helplessly, pulled out a capsule marked with a skull, and tossed it over.

Seeing this symbol, Zhan Lan, Zhang Jie, and Zero Point all instinctively took a few steps back.

Zhan Lan, who had been an ordinary person only half a month ago, felt her eyelids twitching. She looked at Li Xiao in terror

"Don't tell me this thing is what I think it is?"

Li Xiao replied with a flat expression

"Congratulations, you guessed correctly."

"By the way, Zero Point, this is for you."

After returning the Gauss sniper rifle to Zero Point, Li Xiao moved a small iron box marked with special symbols from the ammunition area and handed it over.

Zero Point opened the box, revealing twelve pieces of specially shaped ammunition arranged in pairs.

Zero Point said in pleasant surprise, "Is this... ammunition for the Gauss ion sniper rifle?"

Li Xiao nodded with a smile

"That's right. All the academicians from relevant majors were temporarily summoned by the Academy of Engineering. Due to time constraints, they didn't use templates; they manually adjusted the machines to craft these for you."

"There are six types of special warheads in total, two of each. In other words, this box is worth over five hundred reward points."

With suspicion and uncertainty, Zero Point took out a bullet marked in brownish-green from the box. Looking at the unique shape of the warhead, she said uncertainly

"Is this... a Dumdum bullet?"

Li Xiao smiled proudly

"Exactly. I specifically requested this—special Dumdum bullets adapted for use with a sniper rifle."

"Unfortunately, because the manufacturing was rushed, we haven't had time to test their power, so you'll have to see for yourself during practice."

"Furthermore, these are just conventional bullets. Even so, this is already the limit of real-world technology."

"Ammunition with attributes or enchantments will have to be exchanged for by yourself."

Zero Point put them away preciously: "I am already very satisfied."

Watching the Dumdum bullets being put back, Zhan Lan and Zhang Jie's eyelids both twitched.

Finally, Zhan Lan reacted and said in disbelief

"Wait, is our country crazy?"

"I can understand supporting some weapons and ammunition, perhaps out of respect for Chu Xuan or because of the technological blueprints he provided."

"But this kind of taboo ammunition that violates international conventions—and even *that* thing—they are actually willing to give them to you?"

"Are you sure the state gave these to you, and you two didn't just rob the state?"

Zheng Zha looked at Zhan Lan with a strange expression, his face practically screaming the word "idiot."

He then said sincerely

"Even though both of us have unlocked the genetic lock and I have exchanged for two types of enhancements, with just this level of ability, trying to contend with a nation would be no different from seeking death."

As he spoke, Zheng Zha gave a mysterious smile.

"And besides, who says these are the greatest gains?"

"In the Main God Space, these things are, at most, just some reward points."

"The truly good stuff hasn't even appeared yet!"

Seeing Zheng Zha's expression, Chu Xuan, who had been silent while holding the skull capsule, lowered his head. He turned to look at Li Xiao, who was supporting him.

It was only with this glance that Chu Xuan realized the man beside him was also observing him.

The two men, each harboring their own schemes, exchanged a smile.

The awkward part was that both knew the other was faking it. Consequently, their expressions were exceptionally strange for a moment.

However, they were soon distracted by the green light in Zheng Zha's hand.

A few minutes later, when they saw the wound on Zhan Lan's hand healing rapidly within the light, everyone finally confirmed the ability of the Green Ruyi.

As the last of the blood disappeared, Zhan Lan said thoughtfully

"It's a strange feeling. Just now, it felt as if some other substance was added to the flesh of my palm. It's somewhat similar to when the Main God heals, but different."

Although Zheng Zha had some reservations about Chu Xuan, he instinctively looked toward him at this moment.

Under everyone's gaze, Chu Xuan pushed up the frames of his glasses and said calmly

"Alright, then I will conduct the analysis."

"A total of six items that can be confirmed as Magic/Legendary class items have been brought from the real world."

"There is no need to discuss these three; through your experiment and the repair conditions the Main God just mentioned, they are undoubtedly items similar to spatial bags."

"The points required to repair these three spatial items are not large compared to the advantage they currently provide us."

"As for the remaining three, the reward points required for their repair are quite substantial."

"With our remaining points, we can only afford to fully repair one of them."

"I will calculate the possible uses of these three items based on the characteristics I know. As for which one to repair finally, you all can decide."

"First is the Jade Ruyi. This is an antique that has been collected in the National Palace Museum since the founding of the country."

"According to historical research, there are records of several ancient rulers being associated with it."

"Most of these records state that the object was made of 'Yang Jade' or 'Warm Jade,' and that keeping it close to the body for long periods had the effect of prolonging life."

"Of course, due to the cultural level and perception of that time, such claims might be inaccurate."

"But seeing it just now, the historical records were not wrong; it should simply be described differently—as having healing capabilities."

"Although they did not have internal energy in ancient times, keeping it close to the body for a long time might have still had some effect."

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Xuan spoke again

"The advantage is that this Jade Ruyi is the only one among the three that can be used in a preliminary capacity without being repaired."

"The disadvantage is that even if repaired, I believe its ability will only be enhanced in terms of healing."

"In other words, it would be better to use those reward points to gamble on the other two."

"Furthermore, in the team right now, only Zheng Zha can use internal energy."

"No, I can use it now too."

"It's likely at a D-level internal energy standard," Li Xiao interjected.

Chu Xuan looked at the nodding Zheng Zha and said thoughtfully

"Alright, it seems internal energy is something that can be taught. If that's the case, let's set the matter of internal energy aside and talk about the items."

Hearing this, everyone snapped out of their trance regarding the exquisite Green Ruyi.

However, Zhan Lan suddenly picked it up, inspecting it from all angles

"But this doesn't look like something that needs repairing. Didn't you just say it was a treasure of rulers and was collected by the museum after the founding of the country?"

"Moreover, there are no cracks or defects on it. Yet the Main God just prompted that it can be repaired. It's truly strange!"

Li Xiao said

"Or perhaps this isn't actually the shape of the Jade Ruyi, and what we are seeing now is just its form after being damaged."

Zhan Lan could only helplessly accept this explanation.

Chu Xuan continued

"The second item is this square seal that appears to be made of stone. This is also the most severely damaged of the three; only a single corner remains."

"However, in ancient mythology, without exception, any magical treasure related to a seal is of the attack type. And what we most urgently need regarding Magic/Legendary class items is a powerful offensive capability against ghosts and monsters."