Qin Zheng looked at the system interface before him:
· Host: Qin Zheng, Tier 1
· Martial Experience: 52
· Strength: 12
· Agility: 8
· Root Bone: 9
· Star Energy: (Not Activated)
· Inner Art: Breathing Technique ★ (Level 3: 890/10000)
· Technique: Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber ★ (Level 2: 240/4000)
· Lightness Skill: Grass Skimming Flight ★ (Level 1: 523/1000)
Qin Zheng sighed, unsure how to express his frustration. He had clearly transmigrated into a sci-fi world of interstellar mechas, so why had he awakened such an Ancient Martial Arts System?
Apart from the yet-to-be-activated Star Energy, which had a hint of interstellar travel flavor, the rest... best left unmentioned.
In the three months since arriving here, Qin Zheng had figured out the system's function: as long as he completed tasks recognized by the system, he could earn martial experience rewards, thereby enhancing his martial arts levels and becoming stronger.
At this moment, as the transport ship slowly landed on the ground, the system officially displayed the mission panel for this time:
[YT-117 Mining Planet Reconnaissance Mission]
[Three days ago, a flying probe from the Balin Third Legion encountered unknown interference and crashed unexpectedly. The BL-3-79 Squad under the Third Legion was ordered to proceed to the crash site to investigate and recover the probe.]
[Mission Difficulty: D3]
[Pre-battle Options: Please choose one of the following three options for enhancement]
[1. Unlimited Firepower: Obtain a Bedrock Mk I Standard Light Armor-Piercing Assault Rifle, double ammo capacity, mission reward reduced by 50% upon completion]
[2. Nothing Happens: Good luck]
[3. Active Training: Unable to use firearm-type weapons in battle, mission reward increased by 80% upon completion]
Qin Zheng's gaze calmly swept over the three mission options, and without hesitation, he chose the third: Active Training!
He hadn't planned on using a gun anyway, nor did he know how to. Not only was he himself unskilled, but this humanoid motion-capture mecha couldn't use one either!
A quick look at will leave you more fulfilled.
Qin Zheng's PS-01 hadn't even loaded a ballistic system; shooting would rely solely on his own aim!
In this interstellar era, who shoots without the aid of a ballistic system? Relying purely on eyesight and motion capture for shooting accuracy was a despairing thought.
Forget double magazines; even tenfold magazines wouldn't be as useful to Qin Zheng as a single Ship-Cleaving Blade.
He controlled the PS-01 to take a massive Ship-Cleaving Blade from the equipment box, strapping the long blade onto the mecha's back. The blade fit the mecha perfectly, clearly an antique from a bygone era.
Just then, Zhu Fugui, piloting the Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02, stood behind Qin Zheng, witnessing the blade's rusted surface and the indelible dark red stains. He couldn't help but swallow nervously, sending a message over the communication channel:
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02: This iron-boned buddy, could he really be that skilled? That Ship-Cleaving Blade gives me the creeps.
Worker Ant WY-01: Definitely, the quartermaster isn't a fool. Without some real skills, there's no way they'd assign him a mission with that mecha.
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-04: Or maybe he's just got connections?
Worker Ant WY-01: Your connections would pilot this mecha? What kind of connections are worse off than me!
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-04: Pfft, poor relatives...
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02: How about we make a bet? Let's see if this buddy can reach the observation point with the main force.
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-04: I'll bet 100 Star Coins he won't make it!
Worker Ant WY-01: I don't believe it! I'll put down 100, betting Iron-boned Zheng will make it.
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02: Anyone else want to join in?
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-03: 100, won't make it.
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-02: I'm the blue engineering mech, 100, won't make it.
Bedrock PS-01: 100, will make it.
After Qin Zheng's message appeared, the communication channel went silent for a moment before the chubby one stepped in to smooth things over.
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02: Alright, buddy, I've noted it down. I'm betting on you too, 100.
Qianji QJ-05 (Commander): Cannon fodder, prepare to move out!
The scattered group beside the transport ship watched as four Qianji Mk III mechas disembarked from the transport ship.
Qin Zheng carefully observed the four mechas in the distance. Apart from the lead one equipped with several attack-type modification modules, the other three were rather standard.
An egg-shaped independent cockpit, 2.5 meters high, 2 meters in diameter, with standard upper limb equipment: small machine gun, armor-piercing cannon, tactical support pack, and rectangular alloy shield. The lower limbs were fitted with three track-type leg modules, adaptable to the complex terrain of the mining planet, ensuring stable movement.
Though Qin Zheng had the Ancient Martial Arts System, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy looking at the mechas before him. A basic set cost 1.5 million Star Coins, and with his current financial situation, it would take at least 10 years of missions without spending a dime to save up.
"Move out! Everyone, follow!"
The commander's voice came through the channel, somewhat lazy, as the tracks of the four Qianji Mk III mechas rolled, driving out of the transport ship's landing zone.
The other eight mechas of various shapes followed in a chaotic manner, without any formation, looking like a disorganized mess.
Qin Zheng sighed, unable to expect too much. After all, they were merely considered cannon fodder, though perhaps the four Qianji Mk III mechas had their own formation internally.
Qin Zheng's guess was correct; the BL-3-79 Squad indeed had its own formation.
Not only a formation, but they also had their own communication system for internal exchanges.
QJ3-12: "Captain, can that old relic make it? A humanoid motion-capture mecha, 175 kilometers to go, not counting the mountain paths... Is this guy a joke?"
QJ3-27: "How about we speed up and burn him out? Haha, I think it would be pretty amusing."
QJ3-05 (Commander): "Energy isn't free, you know? Just enjoy the show. There's not much profit in this trip anyway, spending extra energy to speed up would be a waste."
QJ3-27: "True, alright then, forget it..."
Qin Zheng was unaware of the discussions about him. At this moment, he stood on the control platform inside the mecha, operating the Breathing Technique.
With Qin Zheng's breathing, the Breathing Technique continued to absorb the surrounding cosmic energy, channeling it into his body.
On the mecha's operation interface before Qin Zheng, the human-machine synchronization rate began to rise from 37%:
45%... 52%, 63%... 78%!
The towering Bedrock Mecha slowly began to move. Although there was still some delay, under Qin Zheng's control, the mecha's movements became less rigid, and its stride grew more coordinated.
Grass Skimming Flight, though only Level 1, was a genuine ancient martial arts lightness skill, particularly suited for long-distance travel and rapid movement.
Qin Zheng lightly tapped the alloy surface of the control platform with his foot, and the alloy feet of the PS-01 mecha leaped and maneuvered with the terrain's undulations. With the roar of the mecha, the 6-meter-tall machine suddenly shot forward!
The essence of motion capture wasn't for Qin Zheng to physically drive the mecha but to capture his movements so the mecha could execute tactical maneuvers.
And when it came to movement, what could be more coordinated than the ancient martial arts accumulated over millennia in China?
Under the astonished gazes of those around, the PS-01 mecha, like a streak of light, swiftly traversed the dim surface of the mining planet, moving with an indescribable grace and fluidity.