214: Past and new crises

“It's me, Teacher.”

Zhang Huaiyuan showed a slightly respectful smile.

He showed no arrogance despite his current status.

“It really is you... Good kid, I haven't seen you for just a day, and you've changed so much I almost don't recognize you!”

The Star Mechanic's eyes widened in surprise. He walked around Zhang Huaiyuan once, clicking his tongue in wonder.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, his expression panicked, and he quickly pulled Zhang Huaiyuan:

“Run! Those bastards from Wild Wolf are untrustworthy. Not only did they refuse to pay for the modifications, but they also tried to kill me.”

“Teacher Vidi, there's no need to run now. Your apprentice has made a name for himself. They should be the ones who are afraid.”

Zhang Huaiyuan stood still, chuckled softly, and quickly summarized what had happened afterward.

Vidi was instantly dumbstruck.

It took him a long while to recover, and he said incredulously:

“You mean I died once, and you resurrected me? Wait, little... *cough*, Zhang Huaiyuan, how did you become so powerful?”

“That's a long story...”

Just as Zhang Huaiyuan was about to speak, he frowned, glanced toward the space outside the world, hesitated, and then handed over a new communication terminal, saying apologetically:

“Teacher, there are still some problems unresolved, so this isn't the time for catching up. Statue of Liberty, could you look after my teacher for me?”

“Of course, Your Excellency. Please go ahead and handle your business.”

The light screen on her right wrist lit up, and the Statue of Liberty responded readily.

“Thank you. Teacher, if you need anything, just tell her directly.”

“If there's a need... uh, I mean, it's fine. Just go handle your business; don't worry about me.”

Vidi spoke subconsciously, but immediately remembered that the other party was no longer the down-and-out apprentice he once was, and he quickly corrected himself with mixed feelings.

“Mhm.”

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded, his form dispersed, and he vanished from the spot.

“Ahem... well...”

Vidi spoke somewhat nervously.

Although Zhang Huaiyuan's transformation was immense, they still shared the bond of master and apprentice.

Now that he had left, Vidi couldn't remain composed when facing this legendary intelligence, said to be on par with a main computer.

“Teacher Vidi, I am the Statue of Liberty.”

The communication device lit up, and a slightly gentle voice came through:

“Please wait here for a moment. I am dispatching a starship to receive you. It is estimated to arrive in 23 minutes and 11 seconds.”

“Uh... it's fine, it's fine. This... Your Excellency Goddess, I can't accept you calling me Teacher...”

Vidi clearly hadn't fully recovered from the series of shocks, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly in alarm.

This whole thing was too surreal... He was just an apprentice-level Star Mechanic living hand-to-mouth, and now he was being told that an apprentice he casually saved had become the world's number one and even resurrected him!

Now, even this legendary intelligent lifeform was calling him Teacher?

This felt like an emperor suddenly running up to a beggar and saying, “You are my long-lost father!”

“Teacher Vidi, there is no need to be nervous. Since you are His Excellency Zhang Huaiyuan's teacher, you are naturally my teacher too.”

The Statue of Liberty, rarely comforting someone other than Zhang Huaiyuan, said:

“Speaking of which, His Excellency has also prepared a gift for you.”

“What gift?”

Seeing how easy the other party was to talk to, the tension in Vidi's heart eased slightly, and he asked out of curiosity.

“The 'Wild Wolf' mercenary group that tried to kill you and steal your goods is currently imprisoned in the Third Prison of the Star Dome Empire. His Excellency specifically instructed that they be left for you to deal with.”

Hearing this, Vidi's eyes immediately lit up. The desire for revenge instantly overwhelmed his nervousness, and he blurted out:

“That kid is thoughtful.”

But after saying it, he immediately glanced anxiously at his wrist.

Seeing that the Statue of Liberty did not get angry, he felt a little relieved.

“Teacher Vidi, I have an impudent request.”

At this moment, the light screen on the wrist flickered slightly and said, “Could you tell me about the time His Excellency first arrived at Blackstone Star?”

“Why not?”

Vidi smiled. For him, this was just a memory from the past year, so he immediately recounted:

“Back then, I happened to need an apprentice to help me with chores, and I was short on money. As you know, on Blackstone Star, the Mine Slaves transported in every year are the cheapest, so I decided to try my luck.”

“And with just one look, I picked that kid!”

“Oh? Why?”

The Statue of Liberty asked curiously.

(A myriad of answers flashed in her core, such as “wisdom,” “handsomeness,” “refinement”...) Vidi showed a strange smile:

“That kid couldn't even speak the Empire's common language back then; he was just babbling nonsense. When a guard soldier kicked him to the ground, he secretly flipped the soldier the middle finger. Tsk, he really wasn't afraid of death.”

“Of course, the most important thing was that he was cheap! That kid was scrawny and looked like he had no strength at all. The guards were afraid he'd kick the bucket a few days after entering the mine, so they sold him to me for half price.”

“As expected... even when down on his luck, His Excellency was extraordinary and shone the brightest. He was even able to figure out a way to save himself.”

The Statue of Liberty's tone carried a hint of longing.

“Uh...”

Vidi was stunned. He looked at the continuously flickering communication device and, for the first time, felt somewhat disillusioned with this legendary existence... Why did this intelligent lifeform sound like someone obsessed with love!

...Meanwhile, outside the world.

Zhang Huaiyuan watched helplessly as a streak of light quickly flew away.

He had just sensed an anomaly outside the heavens, launched a sneak attack, and used “Mutual Destruction” to kill an Elder.

But he hadn't expected the other one to be so cowardly, fleeing immediately.

Outside the world, the ability “Game of Gods” cannot be activated, making it impossible to hold back a level 3 rules powerhouse.

“This is bad.”

Zhang Huaiyuan furrowed his brows tightly.

He had just reviewed some information found in the storage items of the Xuanjian Sect powerhouses.

Venerable Xuan Jian's threat before his demise was not a joke.

Slave Worlds are at the very bottom layer of the All Heavens and Myriad Realms.

They are usually purchased by various high-level world powers for conducting experiments and trials, while those with slightly better luck are bought by high-level entities to be guided and cultivated into a form they prefer, serving as a private garden.

Consequently, organizations such as the “World of Destiny Trading Association” mentioned by Venerable Xuan Jian have appeared.

They are responsible for transforming the world into the buyer's desired state and dealing with any “safety hazards” that arise.

If news of the Xuanjian Sect being counter-killed gets out, they will definitely move to cleanse the entire world, whether due to contractual terms or self-interest.

Even with the “Game of Gods” ability, it would be difficult to resist such a behemoth at that time.

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression darkened, and after long contemplation, he still couldn't think of a good countermeasure.

“I didn't expect you could actually rely on your own strength to escape Slave World No. 00736 and even create this level of technological weapon.”

Just then, a voice filled with surprise suddenly rang out...