As the door of the ML-07 Dream Simulation Pod slowly closed, Qin Zheng quickly entered a deep consciousness connection.
This was a universally used consciousness connection technology, allowing everyone to connect to virtual space through the simulation pod.
"Welcome back to Dreamworld—Jianghu Jiuyu."
When Qin Zheng regained his vision, he found himself in a dilapidated mecha warehouse.
A patch of ground was marked off by old iron walls, and in the center of the room stood a matte black humanoid mecha over eight meters tall.
The third-generation mecha of the Hundred Arms Series, BB3-01, a true third-generation model!
In reality, with Qin Zheng's financial resources, it was impossible to afford the mainstream third-generation mechas available on the market.
Even in the virtual Dreamworld, his finances were insufficient to support a third-generation mecha.
However, there were always some special third-generation mechas that, due to certain reasons, became unpopular even when on sale.
For example, the BB3-01 before him, designed and developed by the Empire's military industry, was a pure humanoid motion-capture type close-combat mecha intended for specific extreme environments.
This mecha had a slim build, lacking bulky external armor, with even the hydraulic rods and drive shafts at the joints exposed, making it look like a humanoid skeleton.
The head of the mecha featured an all-encompassing sensor mode, with sensors forming a horizontal line across the face, resembling a pair of black sunglasses, cold and mysterious.
The back had a row of six weapon mounts, symmetrically arranged like the spread tail feathers of a peacock.
This was the core design of the BB3-01—an external weapon rack capable of simultaneously mounting six different types of melee weapons.
The arms and legs had quick-release interfaces, allowing for rapid weapon switching during combat.
The fingers were specially reinforced, with a strong grip capable of flexibly manipulating any shape of cold weapon.
Such a specialized close-combat third-generation mecha had no practical value in this interstellar era filled with laser guns and abundant auxiliary shooting.
These mechas were generally collected as curiosities.
No one would take such a mecha to the battlefield, except for Qin Zheng!
Qin Zheng skillfully opened the battlefield matching interface, selected the 15-person battlefield Stormland, and clicked solo match.
This was another part of his daily routine in this world—playing virtual games!
When not on missions, Qin Zheng would enter Dreamworld every day.
He came in now for one thing only: to fight on the battlefield!
Because he discovered that by participating in virtual world battles, his Ancient Martial Arts System could also earn rewards.
The first victory of each day could earn a Battlefield Chest, which had a chance to contain ancient martial arts manuals!
The "Breathing Technique," "Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber," and "Grass Skimming Flight" that Qin Zheng currently mastered were all rewards he drew from Battlefield Chests.
"You have been matched to the Stormland battlefield, please select your combat mecha."
"BB3-01."
"Selection confirmed, loading..."
"Battlefield locked, deploying mecha..."
A stream of data flashed by, and Qin Zheng, piloting the BB3-01, appeared amidst a range of purple mountains.
Before he could take in his surroundings, an incredulous exclamation came from behind:
No Desire to Improve: "Damn! A 2B mecha! Am I seeing things?"
No Desire to Improve: "Unlucky, how did we match with a 2B?"
I Love My Home: "Bro, are you here to farm achievements? Is there an achievement for this mecha?"
As a pure cold weapon close-combat mecha with a humanoid motion-capture operation mode, the BB3-01 was the rarest of the rare.
Across countless star regions of the Empire and its vast population, it was rare to see anyone piloting this mecha.
Even if someone did, each appearance of this mecha was basically a disaster.
A few players tried using the BB3-01 for its cool appearance.
But after one use, they realized how difficult it was, earning titles like team killer, battlefield black hole, and enemy mole.
Qin Zheng was used to it and couldn't be bothered to explain. After all, no one knew anyone here, and after this match, they'd likely never meet again, so why care?
However, Qin Zheng's indifference didn't mean everyone else was unfazed.
A short mecha only four meters tall, the one who first exclaimed "2B mecha" when Qin Zheng entered, kept spamming the blue team's channel:
No Desire to Improve: "Damn it, piloting a 2B mecha, just feeding kills, how can you have the nerve to fight with that?"
No Desire to Improve: "This match is ruined, definitely no chance, all his fault." You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
No Desire to Improve: "Trash, even a first-gen Lancer would be better than this, this guy can't play the game..."
Qin Zheng silently clicked the report button, sending a triple report package his way.
Then he turned his head, scanning the other mechas present.
There were warrior-type mechas focused on charging into battle, Ironwall Mk III; more versatile Gardener Mk III; shield-generating Angel Mk III; and of course, the most mainstream, Qianji Mk III.
Qin Zheng looked around and quickly focused on a Qianji Mk III in the corner.
This Qianji Mk III had clearly undergone extensive modifications, with tactical modules far exceeding those on the other Qianji mechas present.
The long-range attack units on this Qianji included not just a high-explosive armor-piercing round launcher but also laser weapons, and Qin Zheng even spotted a small plasma cannon!
Such an attack configuration was incredibly lavish, and naturally, very expensive. Qin Zheng estimated the whole setup cost at least a million Star Coins.
Especially with its white and blue optical camouflage, the visual effect was absolutely dreamlike, a sure sign of wealth.
Spending such a fortune on a virtual world mecha was clearly not something an ordinary person could do.
Qin Zheng glanced at his ID: Youyou Luming.
Qin Zheng's guess was spot on; Zhou Ming was a battlefield streamer, ID: Youyou Luming, specializing in streaming multiplayer battles.
Zhou Ming used his meticulously tuned Qianji Mk III, and besides the firepower units Qin Zheng noticed, he had also installed three sets of ultra-high-definition cameras to clearly transmit the battlefield situation to his livestream.
At this moment, Zhou Ming's livestream chat was filled with amusement:
"Haha, someone actually uses a 2B mecha, streamer, is this your actor? But I must say, the entertainment value is off the charts!"
"Streamer, follow him and let us see how a humanoid motion-capture mecha operates. There's a steep slope in Stormland that's tricky; I bet that 2B mecha might crash on the way."
"But that short guy is a bit much, using a K-head mecha and barking like that, pot calling the kettle black."
"Exactly, foul-mouthed and no class, good thing the streamer was quick to report~"
"Didn't you say pot calling the kettle black? Why did Brother Ming report him? (dog head for safety!)"
"Exactly, you haven't seen Brother Ming lose it, when he starts roasting, that short guy's got nothing on him! (dog head)"