Chapter Forty-Eight: Fang, Doctor of Mechanics, Tang

A mechanical chitter echoed—four mechanical arms, jointed like a spine, unfurled segment by segment. Under Fang Tang’s control, the four serpentine appendages shot forward with astonishing speed. They extended nearly eight or nine meters before reaching their limit.

At the end of each arm, four metallic claws opened, and from the center of each palm, a swirling vortex began to glow. With a resonant hum, lightning, columns of fire, gales, and slicing jets of water erupted from the palms. The recoil was tremendous, nearly knocking Fang Tang off his feet.

All four attacks struck the wall, carving out an immense crater. The pit was damp, and sparks of electricity flickered within.

“This is just the simplest usage, and already the power is this overwhelming. If I used it at point-blank range, wouldn’t it blow someone up like a watermelon?”

Fang Tang’s eyes gleamed, and the four arms retracted swiftly, returning to their default two-meter length, dancing restlessly around him.

“Hm… looks like I can fly with these too?”

He concentrated, feeling the intelligent motherboard transmit a configuration. Mimicking the instructions, Fang Tang folded the lower two arms behind him, claws open like propulsion engines. The upper two folded halfway, jutting behind him like iron rods, claws angled for maneuvering and thrust.

Invisible jets of wind blasted from the lower claws, lifting Fang Tang’s body slowly at first, then faster and faster. As he rose into the air, the upper arms also vented air, pushing him forward in flight.

At first, he kept his speed in check. But with his formidable learning and adaptability, he gained speed and agility, flying ever more smoothly.

“Wahoo! Flying feels absolutely incredible!”

Fang Tang shouted in exhilaration, his hair whipping wildly as the rush of air buffeted his skin. Unfortunately, the cavern was too cramped to allow for unrestrained flight.

Once he’d adapted to the new ability, Fang Tang returned to his quarters.

“I feel a bit sorry for the flying creatures here—such a confined place, they could never unleash their full power.”

“These mechanical arms don’t just let me fly swiftly through the air; they move just as fast underwater. Add in Yueyue’s unmatched speed on land… I’ve really made it!”

He clenched his fists, the four arms swirling about him in excitement.

“What other abilities do these mechanical arms have?”

He manipulated them to lift himself, moving like Doctor Octopus, striding effortlessly across walls and ceilings alike. The arms possessed immense strength, easily tearing up swathes of earth; coupled with the engines in their centers, their destructive output was immense.

“Attack and agility are maxed out, but defense is lacking... They’re perfect counters for warrior-type cave creatures like Night Sentinels and Kobold Hounds, but not so effective against smaller ones—bats, bees, those are too tiny.”

“But that’s more than enough to dominate the caves. And the AKM I have isn’t just for show.”

Having analyzed the pros and cons of the mechanical arms and knowing which cave creatures they were best suited to face, Fang Tang finally ended his training.

“It’s time to continue exploring. If I run into another Night Owl, I won’t even need the Grand Xia Dragon Saber to crush it.”

He dressed, but the four mechanical arms tore through his shirt, emerging from within.

Fang Tang: “…”

“There’s just one downside—clothes get ruined.”

With the mechanical arms equipped, a protrusion jutted from his back—not as exaggerated as Doctor Octopus, just like an extra spine. Even so, it was impossible to carry anything on his back now. Annoying!

Fortunately, his Level 4 dwelling could be attached at his waist like a pouch. The Grand Xia Dragon Saber hung at his left, the ** attached to a wooden box, the explosive bow collapsed underneath the saber, the quiver hanging from his other leg. In one hand he gripped the AKM, in the other a pickaxe.

Yueyue perched on his shoulder, the little creature looking absolutely thrilled.

Fully armed!

He looked peculiar, to say the least.

“Eyes, time to get to work!”

Fang Tang called out, heading toward the cave ahead. He’d spotted this area last night—inside was a giant python, perfect for testing the might of his mechanical arms.

Now, he didn’t even need to walk; he let the mechanical arms carry him.

He broke open the entrance for the mechanical arms’ first battle and stepped into Cave 91.

Mr. Python 91 was resting comfortably on the ground. Upon seeing an intruder, the giant snake was incensed, its massive body coiling as it roared and lunged.

But Mr. Python 91 was seized by two unyielding mechanical arms, the claws piercing deep into its skin. A surge of electricity followed, giving the python a taste of electrocution.

Fang Tang folded his arms, looking down at the twitching python in disdain.

“That’s it? Once the overlord of the caves, with bulletproof skin, and this is all you’ve got? Come on, show me the spirit of a real cave tough guy!”

Unleashing his full power, Fang Tang landed and used the mechanical arms to literally tear the python apart.

But the overwhelming dominance of the mechanical arms over the python left Fang Tang unamused—he even felt a bit bored and drowsy.

So what if he had mechanical arms? Were cave creatures really this fragile?

Utterly disappointing!

When would cave creatures ever rise up?

He pocketed the blood-red pearl and the bronze chest, then glanced at the surrounding walls.

[Up ahead, our dear friend—the Night Sentinel, along with a silver chest and an Elemental Stone.]

“Well, well! Jackpot!”

Fang Tang raised his eyebrows and headed straight for Cave 92.

The Sentinel stood like a soulless machine, motionless until a threat entered its domain. Then its eyes would blaze with light.

When Fang Tang entered, the Night Sentinel moved. With the stride of a model, it stepped out with regal poise.

At this stage, the Night Sentinel was indeed the king among cave creatures—a power approaching that of ranked beings, perhaps even surpassing them in darkness.

Sadly, this Night Sentinel was not facing the old Fang Tang, but Fang Tang equipped with “weapons that should not exist in the caves.”

In short: Fang “Doctor Mechanica” Tang.

The Night Sentinel, devoid of emotion, was dulled during the day, its sense of danger muted. It could not perceive the threat posed by the mechanical arms.

Two snake-like arms shot out; the Night Sentinel caught them with ease. Had it possessed feelings, it would surely have sneered in contempt.

But it did not—Fang Tang did!

He shot the Sentinel a look as if to say, “Farewell.”

The third mechanical arm darted forward, piercing the Sentinel’s tough hide. Electricity surged. Its searchlight-like eyes dimmed rapidly; its massive head sagged helplessly.

Fang Tang proclaimed, “The king’s been toppled. Now tell me—who else is left?!”

In that moment, all the oppression and helplessness he’d felt when facing powerful cave creatures erupted—then quickly faded.

A fierce flame burned in his eyes.

He needed stronger opponents!

With a flourish, he claimed the Night Sentinel’s black-violet pearl, scavenged the Elemental Stone and the silver chest.

[Oh ho ho… Guess what we’ve found? It’s trivia time—better check your funds; we might be able to buy you that Sequence Talent you’ve been dreaming of.]

Fang Tang’s heart leapt. “A level two shop?”