Chapter 147 Mind Your Posture

"What? The Omniverse Path?"

The young man before him repeatedly brought surprises to Luke, and now he heard that the other party was actually of the extremely rare Omniverse Path type.

Luke wore a 'you've got to be kidding me' expression, repeatedly confirming this with Li Nanke, until he finally believed the fact.

An Omniverse Path transcendent had actually achieved such accomplishments in the physical path, possessing strength capable of defeating any peer-level physical path transcendent.

Even Luke, a containment team leader, when suppressing his own strength to the exact same level as his opponent's, was unable to secure victory in combat and quickly suffered defeat.

Since the other party possessed such high physical strength even as a researcher, if he could join the operations department for persistent training and improvement, his future achievements would simply be immeasurable... What a pity, why did it have to be the Omniverse Path?

He let out a deep, lingering sigh, his gaze extremely complex.

"The people in the personnel department were right; the research department is truly the place where you need to shine..." Luke paused, then continued, "What I said before about teaching you combat skills still stands. Whenever you want to train with me, you can come into the dream."

Li Nanke joked, "Team Leader, should I still go to the operations department to find you tomorrow?"

"You brat, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Luke laughed and cursed. "If you can convince the research department to let you go, then by all means come."

The Omniverse Path could absorb various pheromones to master multiple extraordinary powers, but its advancement potential was extremely limited. It lacked the possibility of becoming a top-tier transcendent, making even advancement to the intermediate rank exceptionally difficult.

To combat personnel, the Omniverse Path was a low-level jack-of-all-trades and a good-for-nothing without potential. Only the research department, which spent all day with taboo objects, would treat the Omniverse Path like a treasure.

However, Luke felt that the young man before him had exceptional talent in the physical path, and perhaps he could really overcome the difficulties and advance to the intermediate rank...

"Let me offer a word of unsolicited advice: with your talent in the Omniverse Path, you won't be able to avoid absorbing pheromones in the research department. If you have a choice, try to pick physical path pheromones as much as possible, and don't just absorb anything and everything indiscriminately."

Luke felt a deep sense of pity in his heart, but still couldn't help offering guidance to the young man before him: "The more miscellaneous the pheromones you absorb, the lower the possibility of advancing to the intermediate rank through the physical path. If you still want any room for advancement, you must avoid absorbing pheromones of other types."

"Thank you for the reminder, Team Leader. I will definitely keep it in mind," Li Nanke said solemnly.

Although Luke did not know that he was a fake Omniverse Path transcendent whose path of advancement would not be restricted by pheromone types, the other party's well-intentioned reminder made him express sincere gratitude.

Over the next few days, Li Nanke completely immersed himself in Luke's training.

Whether it was the strike leader's research into cold weapon forms or pure physical combat techniques, both benefited Li Nanke immensely.

The other party did not hold back any secrets just because he was a member of the research department, teaching him all the weapon combat and close-quarters combat techniques of the Control Bureau's operations department.

The actual combat techniques within the Control Bureau were fundamentally different from ordinary martial arts, emphasizing the most direct and ultimate subjugation and lethality against enemies, somewhat resembling actual combat techniques in the military.

Except that these techniques were specially developed for transcendents, and the designated enemies were also transcendents or extraordinary creatures.

Over the years, with the continuous progress and improvement of modern technology and the endless emergence of powerful transcendents, the combat techniques inherited within the Control Bureau were also constantly being perfected.

This could be called a compendium of actual combat that condensed modern technological techniques and the wisdom of top-tier transcendents.

"Clang!"

Sharp spear tips collided, sending sparks flying in all directions.

Two figures each leaped backward through the air, lowering the longspears in their hands.

Luke let out a long breath and said, "I've taught you all the relevant actual combat techniques. What remains is to thoroughly master these techniques and make them a part of your body."

Luke glanced at the weapon rack beside the training room; Li Nanke had already learned all the weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and halberds.

He accepted all kinds of commonly used cold weapon combat techniques and close-quarters combat techniques without refusal.

Li Nanke could endure a time dilation of over tenfold for dream training.

Ten days of training with Luke meant that not even a single day had passed in reality.

And when over a week passed in reality, Luke's inventory was almost exhausted by him.

"You really are diligent, training for over two months at a time. If this weren't a dream, even if you could hold out, I would be exhausted by you."

Luke truly admired Li Nanke.

Li Nanke was not a member of the operations department and had no mandatory requirement to participate in training; his learning was purely spontaneous.

Under such circumstances, training continuously for over two months with extreme self-discipline every single day, without the slightest slack or laziness, meant he simply loved combat training to his very bones... What a pity, why did it have to be the Omniverse Path?

"Team Leader Luke, thank you very much for your meticulous guidance during this time." Li Nanke didn't find the training tedious or boring; he poured his passion into combat training and learned many practical combat techniques.

"You are indeed a rare and good student." Luke rubbed his bald head, making no attempt to hide the admiration in his gaze. "The real-world me doesn't know what happens in the dream; otherwise, the two of us might have been able to share a good drink."

Luke smiled and patted Li Nanke's shoulder. "Keep up the hard work. If you need help with anything in reality, feel free to come find me with this dream data disk."

Li Nanke felt a secret wave of gratitude. Although Team Leader Luke initially looked like a fierce, bald man, upon actual interaction, he proved to be gentle and approachable—a truly fine teacher.

"By the way, I heard you say that Bastian also gave you an operations department sparring dream disk?"

"Yes, I've been training this whole time and haven't synced that dream disk yet."

Luke thought for a moment and said, "That's a public dream disk used by the Control Bureau's operations department to simulate real combat. The transcendents within it don't just come from our Redemption City branch."

"If you want to increase your actual combat experience and fight other types of transcendents, you can sync that dream disk."

"However, due to the dream's influence on the mind, the synchronization rate for simulated combat will be slightly lower than what we have now, and the degree of restoration for extraordinary powers will decrease accordingly..."

Li Nanke nodded, bid farewell to Luke, and exited the dream.

At this moment, he was in the research department's study room. The research team's long vacation had long since ended, and they had begun the next research project on a taboo object.

However, the taboo object being studied this time possessed no pheromones of its own, and Li Nanke's Omniverse Path talent could not be of any help, so Director Frank chased him off to the study room for further cultivation to continue studying advanced knowledge.

He closed his eyes and entered the Deep Dream World of the Great Other Shore.

The four pieces of equipment listed in the trading house had already been sold, and after deducting a 10% handling fee, he obtained nearly six hundred points of currency.

The currency could be used to enhance weapons, upgrade Pinocchio, or participate in the lottery.

Li Nanke's idea was to buy a piece of high-tier armor.

While unlocking the Deep Dream features, he had also unlocked the reincarnation features of the Great Other Shore, and the next taboo dream might randomly encounter other nightmares.

Therefore, Li Nanke needed to undergo combat training in reality, or even enter public dreams to fight containment personnel, to increase his actual combat experience against other transcendents.

After all, upon entering the Great Other Shore, most of his situations involved fighting monsters, and he actually lacked experience fighting transcendents.

Against those bizarre extraordinary abilities, without relevant preparations, he might suffer a heavy loss.

At times like this, a sturdy piece of armor became exceptionally important.

Since he had already sold the low-quality 'dynamic protective armor', he currently lacked a primary piece of armor, similar to a cuirass or combat suit.

The equipment and items in the trading house were all kinds of miscellaneous things. Because his nightmare authority was not high, most of what he browsed were low-grade goods, and high-quality, excellent equipment only popped up occasionally.

Li Nanke searched through the armor for sale, discovering that the equipment he could afford was of too low quality, while the equipment with higher quality ratings had exorbitant prices, and the money in his pocket simply wasn't enough.

【Silver Cloth of Crater】

【Type: Armor/Set】

【Quality: Precious】

【Rating: 47/100】

【Details: The Silver Cloth possesses excellent protective capabilities and comes in twenty-four styles, with the appearance and functions of each Silver Cloth differing. The Crater Silver Cloth has the effect of amplifying water elements, making it suitable for elemental-type transcendent types, and can provide excellent protection while greatly enhancing the wearer's water element control.】

【Trading Price: 1250】

【...】

【Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor】

【Type: Armor/Set】

【Quality: Rare+】

【Rating: 39/100】

【Details: Formally named the Mark 4 Mjolnir Combat Armor, it is a super-tech armor weighing half a ton and powered by a nuclear-powered backpack. The armor shell is made of high-strength new composite materials. While resisting physical damage, it can also weaken a certain amount of energy damage. Inside the armor is a motion-enhancement system composed of liquid active metal, which can provide a certain strength amplification for the wearer.】

【Trading Price: 765】

【The selling prices of precious-quality armor are basically above one thousand, and the prices of full sets are even higher.】 Li Nanke continuously browsed the items for sale in the trading house.

The armor named 'Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor' was not bad and could be regarded as an upgraded version of the 'dynamic protective armor', except that the money in his pocket was still a bit short, and if he wanted to buy it, he would have to sell some more equipment and items.

Li Nanke checked his inventory. Aside from some worthless little trinkets, the remaining equipment was basically used at an extremely high rate.

Only one 'Alchemical Star-Shattering Gauntlet' was rarely used, but he had already given this weapon to Pinocchio.

Li Nanke had the Bloody Warhammer and also occupied the Thunder Judgment Greatsword. The puppet boy lacked a powerful weapon and could use the gauntlets just right.

【Should I use alchemy to make some extra cash?】

Recently, the research department had been running normally. Although it was a nine-to-five job, because there was a taboo object inside the laboratory, the security level had risen by several levels, making it very easy to be discovered if one wanted to use official vehicles for private purposes at night.

【Let's see. If all else fails, I'll just have to wrong Pinocchio by selling the gauntlets, and by then, the hammer and the greatsword can be swapped between us...】

Li Nanke left the Great Other Shore, preparing to sync the public dream for simulated combat, when his communicator suddenly rang.

Pulling it out to look, it was a call from Minian.

【Tsk, could this young lady be here to urge me to work?】

More than ten days had passed since absorbing the last taboo object, and Minian had told him to rest well, no longer mentioning the twin taboo objects during that time.

Right now, she estimated she was getting a bit impatient and wanted Li Nanke to clock in and work.

However, he was not yet ready to enter the next taboo dream so quickly, thinking of dragging it out for a while longer.

As soon as he answered the communicator, Minian's rather excited voice came through the earpiece:

"Mr. Li, hello. Is it convenient to talk right now?"

"Mm, go ahead."

"Last time you discovered the hidden characteristics of the driving blue crystal and also detailed where I should start researching this taboo object." Minian's speaking speed was fast, her tone elated and joyful, "During this time, my family's research team restarted the research on the driving blue crystal and, following the clues you mentioned, discovered technical information of high value within it."

"Mr. Li, are you free this weekend? I know a very great restaurant, and I want to thank you in person for such an important matter."

Li Nanke raised an eyebrow. Minian wasn't here to urge him to work; instead, she was thanking him for last time.

"I'm free... but there's no time like the present. How about tonight? My treat, and coincidentally I have some things I'd like to tell you as well."

"Ah?"

"What, is it inconvenient?"

"No, no, very convenient. Then tonight it is."

Minian hung up the communicator and muttered softly, "He really is decisive and swift."

"Ms. Rosalyn, look, it's not that I want to cancel tonight's banquet; it's simply that Mr. Li's side is more important." She blinked at the elderly head maid beside her, speaking somewhat playfully, "So, please inform my father and have him ask someone else instead."

Head maid Rosalyn sighed helplessly, seemingly having no way to deal with Minian: "Understood, I will report this to the master. Miss, do you need me to accompany you tonight?"

"Of course... no... need." Minian said very seriously, pronouncing each word distinctly.

...

Pattering raindrops dotted the night, neon lights stretching colorful reflections across the damp street surface, the air filled with slightly chilly, humid moisture.

The restaurant was hidden deep within the winding, twisting alleys of Development District D, its neon sign half-bright and half-dim, and through the windows one could glimpse bustling diners inside, lively and extraordinary.

A stretched black flying vehicle jetting blue flames slowly landed in front of the alley, attracting the attention of passing pedestrians.

In the slum-like Development District D, high-end flying vehicles like this were rarely seen.

Minian took the umbrella handed to her by the head maid and stepped out of the car. Her delicate black high heels stepped into a puddle, muddy droplets splashing up to stain her hem.

She smiled at the frowning Rosalyn and said, "Alright, you guys head back first, and come pick me up later."

"Remember to mind your deportment, Miss."

After the head maid reminded her, the flying vehicle rose into the air and disappeared into the neon rainy night.

Seeing the flying vehicle leave, Minian broke into a smile, holding the umbrella with one hand and lifting her hem with the other, softly humming a cheerful melody as she stepped into the alley.

In the gloomy alley, a tattered vagrant leaned against the wall, his exposed, dirty forearms covered in needle marks and scabs, with two empty needles scattered at his feet.

Black high heels passed by him, bringing a gust of fragrance while splashing tiny water droplets, and the woman's soft humming made him suddenly raise his head, his numb gaze tinged with a trace of madness.

Extremely excited in spirit, he licked his chapped lips and recklessly reached out to grab her.

Just as his hand was about to touch the hem of her skirt, the woman suddenly turned around, gently waving a fair finger and saying, "You can't do that."

Looking into the beautiful woman's eyes, the vagrant was struck by lightning. His frantic expression abruptly froze, becoming extremely vacant, and he slowly pulled back his hand like a machine, sitting back down by the wall in a daze.

Ignoring the minor episode that had just occurred, Minian arrived in front of the unpretentious restaurant.

She immediately spotted the heavy black motorcycle parked at the restaurant's entrance. The bike had a low-slung body and rugged lines, looking both fierce and cool.

An invisible plasma shield surrounded the motorcycle's body, blocking the damp rainwater and forcing several eager onlookers with longing eyes who wanted to step forward and touch it to only look and not touch.

Minian couldn't help lingering her gaze, and it took a great deal of effort for her to look away from the heavy motorcycle.

"Mind your deportment... Minian."

She muttered to herself, taking a step into the restaurant.

The chime of the glass door opening attracted the amazed gazes of the diners. Looking at the packed restaurant, Minian twitched her delicate nose and caught the alluring aroma of the dishes.

"The food here should be quite good. It seems I've discovered another treasure restaurant..."

Guided by the waiter, she stepped into a private room and met the genius researcher of the Omniverse Path—Mr. Li Nanke.