My exclusive card pool

Chapter 232 Black Energy Leakage and Blue Butterfly

"Identity verification error..."

A member of the Wolf Guard, wielding a chainsaw sword, stared intently at Godariel through the crimson eyes on his mech wolf face.

"Outsiders, eliminate them."

Before he finished speaking, steam billowed from his iron boots, and he rushed toward the girl, leaving a trail of afterimages.

shhhhh--

Facing a formidable foe, Godariel remained calm and collected, having already summoned her broomstick and unleashed several wind blade spells in retaliation.

The wolf guard dodged left and right, narrowly avoiding several wind blades, and finally raised his hand, a triangular steel shield popping out from the outside of his forearm to withstand the attack.

when!when!when!
Sparks flew from the steel shield, producing a clanging sound, and he was already in front of Godariel.

Just as she raised her chainsaw sword, the rapidly spinning blade was about to fall and cleave the gray-skirted girl in two—but Godariel stepped on the vines growing beneath her feet and was transported more than ten meters away, dodging the attack.

"The dawn breaks with a roar!"

Pinocchio raised his right arm, fingers spread, and aimed it at the wolf guard.

boom!
With a loud bang, flames erupted from his palm, blasting his opponent away.

Smoke and dust filled the air, and stones and sand flew everywhere.

Amidst the crackling sounds, the wolf guard got up again, looking slightly disheveled but otherwise unharmed.

Clearly, his mech suit was tough enough to keep moving even after taking a hit from Pinocchio.

drip...

The leader of the wolf guards stared intently at Pinocchio, his eyes flashing red.

"Upon discovery of a Level 1 wanted target, Pinocchio, who violated regulations, the capture mission will be prioritized."

Swah——

The remaining dozen or so wolf guards all turned their heads and looked at the puppet boy.

"Huh?" Pinocchio was taken aback, then scratched his head and laughed, "Gai, I'm a wanted criminal."

Wang Xi glanced at him.

Is this something to be happy about?
Whoosh! !

Led by the Wolf Guard team leader, more than a dozen mech guards rushed towards Pinocchio, clearly prioritizing his capture.

Strangely, several mech guards suddenly stopped halfway through their charge, frozen in place.

It immediately turned around and headed towards its companions.

Clang!
呲呲呲!
Without hesitation, a wolf guard swung his chainsaw sword, slashing it viciously across his comrade's neck. The rapidly spinning saw blade sliced ​​through the mech, sparks flying, and severed the opponent's head.

As blood gushed out, the headless corpse collapsed with a thud.

Clang clang!
In an instant, the members of the Wolf Guard began to kill each other.

Godarill, Pinocchio, and Claire were all stunned by what they saw.

"Is it Kai...?"

Cinderella was the first to notice that Wang Xi was standing quietly in place, his raised right hand with the five fingers slightly twitching.

It was as if the members of the Wolf Guard were being manipulated by invisible threads.

——"Thousand Machine Heavenly Net Puppet Register"

At this moment, on the tower of the granite wall of the municipal building, several brass-cast "wind-up sentinels" are humming with the sound of steam turbines running.

These automated defense devices, which are about two meters tall, resemble crouching mechanical hounds, with a multi-barreled launcher driven by gears on their backs, and six barrels arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

"Ok?"

Sheriff Jefferson, who had just climbed to the top of the tower, was taken aback when he saw the Wolf Guard fighting amongst themselves.

Although he didn't know what was going on, he realized it was a good opportunity.

So he decisively pulled the control lever, grabbed the handle on the back of the sentry, and aimed it at the Wolf Guard.

click!
buzzing-

The etheric crystal at the Sentinel's core began to charge, and the markings embedded in the drive shaft lit up with blue light.

When the pressure gauge needle crossed the red warning line, the entire device suddenly began to vibrate—this was not the explosive recoil of traditional gunpowder, but an orderly vibration generated by a high-frequency electromagnetic pulse.

Two thousand metal bullets per minute poured from the gun barrel, tracing pale blue ionized paths through the air, enveloping the streets like a torrential downpour.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!
Instantly, four or five wolf guards were torn to pieces in the metal storm, exploding into clouds of blood mist.

Wang Xi glanced at the tower out of the corner of his eye.

"Clockwork Sentinel: A defensive structure developed by Isaac Technology Corporation of the Clockwork Kingdom, invented under the leadership of engineer Thomas Edison."

'Pinocchio's father was Gipotto Tesla, and now there's Thomas Edison...'

Wang Xi was speechless with frustration.

The ambiguity in the world of fairy tales always carries a sense of absurdity.

The Wolf Guard's operation was severely hampered by the sentries' fierce firepower. The captain, who was leading the group, glanced coldly at the tower: "Clear the obstacles!"

He then drew a rough-looking, black weapon from his waist, resembling an ancient flintlock musket, and fired it without hesitation towards the tower.

boom--

A thick beam of energy tore through the air and slammed into the tower with devastating force.

"?!"

Sheriff Jefferson's pupils contracted sharply, and he reacted extremely quickly, jerking a bright red emergency lever on the control panel.

With a buzzing sound, a huge blue semi-transparent protective shield instantly appeared in front of the tower.

Wang Xi recognized it.

The "Solomon One-Way Shield" in the main world is very similar to this, so that technology must have originated from it.

boom! !

The energy beam struck the protective shield, unleashing a blinding light and violent energy shockwave.

The entire tower trembled.

Drop drop!
A sharp, piercing alarm sounded from the control panel, and the indicator gauge, representing energy reserves, dropped drastically at a visible rate.

"Damn it!" Jefferson's forehead was covered in sweat, and his heart sank: "The energy consumption is too high, we can't hold out for long at this rate!"

Just as the Wolf Guard captain was trying to reload and deliver the final blow to the crumbling protective shield, Wang Xi made his move.

He lost his last bit of patience with these tangled "tin cans".

Wang Xi waved his hand from a distance.

—"The Dance of Fish and Dragons in the Sleeves"

In an instant, the air seemed to be struck by an invisible giant hand, and a violent shockwave erupted.

Bang! ! !
Including the Wolf Guard Captain, the heavy mech patrolmen were like rag dolls in a gale, blown away by an irresistible force, armor and all.

Their mechanical joints creaked and groaned as they crashed into a building dozens of meters away like cannonballs, producing a dull thud and the sound of metal deforming.

Rumble…

This group of elite guards, dressed in the latest mechs, were as fragile as toys in front of Wang Xi, utterly vulnerable.

Wang Xi didn't even glance at it, and began to chant a spell.

A flash of light appeared above their heads.

—"Ode to the God of Shadows: Mountains of Corpses and Seas of Blood"

Several dark red flying swords, exuding a menacing aura, materialized out of thin air. They seemed to be composed of thick blood and ink, radiating a chilling sharpness.

"go."

Wang Xi pointed his sword, and the blood sword, like an arrow released from a bow, transformed into several streaks of red light, accurately piercing the foreheads of the still struggling wolf guards.

puff!puff!puff!
After a few muffled thuds, only silence remained.

On the streets, only the crackling of burning mechanical wreckage and the pervasive smoke remained.

"The target has been killed!"

Eight orbs of light, one dark green and seven green, flew out of the ruins and went straight into Wang Xi's forehead.

The city hall was deathly silent.

"..."

Mayor Kelton, who was watching the battle from behind the window, gaped with his mouth agape, which, combined with his large chin, made him look quite comical.

His secretary, clerk, and the survivors peering out from the hall below were all stunned.

"Oh my God……"

A clerk muttered to himself, his voice hoarse:

"Without wearing mechs or using any weapons, they actually took down the Wolf Guard with their bare hands... no, from a distance?!"

"I saw him wave his hand and send the entire Wolf Guard flying... And what were those flying red swords just now?"

"New technology?"

"No!" A man with sinister eyes and a filthy face whispered from the crowd, his expression filled with fear and undisguised hostility. "It's a 'superhuman'!"

"The rebel group 'Blue Butterfly' is full of people like that; they're definitely in cahoots!"

The man then turned to the bald, fat town mayor and said:

"Lord Kelton, we must not let them in! Quickly, have Sheriff Jefferson use the sentries to take him out!"

"Shut the hell up!"

Kelton snapped out of his daze and turned sharply to look at the man, whose fat face was covered in sweat but whose eyes were sharp.

"Is fear blinding you, you fool! He just killed the crazed wolf guards! And saved our townspeople..."

"But he's a 'superhuman'!"

The man continued shouting.

The mayor immediately pulled a revolver from his waist and pointed it at the man: "Listen, I know you're afraid of the rebels, but not all 'superhumans' are rebels."

Facing the dark muzzle of the gun, the man raised his hands from the bottom of his heart and forced a smile: "You're right, I was too nervous."

Kelton was too lazy to say anything more.

His gaze returned to the window, looking at the black-haired youth standing there calmly, his eyes filled with surprise and a glimmer of hope as he grasped at a straw in his desperate situation.

With Wang Xi's current cultivation level, he could clearly sense the gazes from inside the building, but he ignored them.

Turning around, Wang Xi nodded to Godariel, Pinocchio, and Claire, who was still shaken but had gratitude in her eyes, and said, "Let's go."

"well."

Claire and her two companions helped each other up and hurried to catch up, arriving together at the entrance of the city hall.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Sheriff Jefferson stood warily atop the tower, holding a shotgun, looking down at the crowd.

“I am Claire Harrison, and I live at the end of Alphabet Street. I used to work at Fisher’s Bakery, Mr. Jefferson, do you remember me?”

Claire immediately stepped forward and explained.

"These two are Mr. Raymond and his wife. They are employees from Isaac Technology Company who were sent to McCauley on a business trip..."

Claire's words eased Jefferson's expression slightly, but when he heard that Wang Xi and the other two came from the distant Western Continent, the sheriff frowned again.

The extraordinary abilities these three people had just displayed had confirmed Jefferson's suspicions that they were "superhumans".

"Superpowered individuals" are highly sensitive in the Clockwork Kingdom.

It is almost always linked to the rebels.

Just as Jefferson was hesitating, Mayor Kelton's voice came through the loudspeaker: "Let them in."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Jefferson hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and then pressed the door open button.

The heavy alloy door slowly opened a crack, accompanied by the creaking of chains and gears.

Wang Xi led everyone inside.

After passing through the courtyard and climbing the steps, one enters the lobby of the municipal building.

Immediately, a smell mixed with sweat, mildew, and a faint disinfectant wafted over.

The hall was crowded with dozens or even hundreds of people, men and women, young and old, some dressed well and others in cheap clothes, but without exception, their faces were filled with exhaustion, fear and confusion.

When Wang Xi and his group entered, all eyes immediately focused on them, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and deep vigilance and unease.

The crowd instinctively made way for them.

Consul Kelton had already come down from upstairs and was hurrying up to greet him, accompanied by two guards.

He tried to suppress his surprise, gave a warm smile, and extended his hand to Wang Xi: "Hello, I am the governor of Macaulay Town, Kelton Atwood."

“Jai Farrell.” Wang Xi shook hands with him; the fat palm was sweaty. “We come from the Western Continent.”

“I know. I just heard Miss Claire explain it clearly through the communicator at the gate.”

Mayor Kelton nodded. "You are powerful individuals with special abilities, guests from the Western Continent. On behalf of Macaulay Town, I welcome you."

The bald, fat man led Wang Xi and the other two to a relatively quiet corner, and explained the situation with a wry smile:
"Unfortunately, as you can see, a terrible disaster has occurred here—two weeks ago, almost all the civilian and operational mechs, along with the 'Wolf Guard' that guards the town's order, went insane without warning."

"They attacked humans indiscriminately, the town was in chaos, not only were communications cut off, but the train station was also taken over by those crazed machines, their presence was everywhere..."

Kelton's voice was filled with helplessness as he spoke.

"We can only gather our last strength and hide in the city center, relying on the defense system and supplies here to survive... There is no way out, going out means certain death, but the food and water will not last much longer."

Wang Xi listened quietly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd in the hall.

Through Caius's investigation, he had already discovered that the vast majority of people here, like Raymond and Karen, had the label "mildly corrupted" in their biographies.

They appear to have "survived," but in reality, they are beyond saving. It's just that because the pollution level is relatively low, they haven't turned black immediately.

This shelter is now a graveyard on its death countdown.

Wang Xi thought to himself.

He turned to the bald, fat man and asked, "Mayor Kelton, do you know why this disaster happened?"

Kelton fell silent.

After much hesitation, considering the opponent's formidable strength and the possibility of receiving assistance, he finally gritted his teeth and lowered his voice:
"Most likely because of a 'black energy leak'."

"Dark energy leak?"

“Hmm.” Now that they’d started, Kelton didn’t hide anything anymore: “Sir, you’re from the Western Continent, so you might not be very familiar with the situation in our Clockwork Kingdom…”

He began to speak slowly.

Originally, the traditional energy source for the Clockwork Kingdom was the relatively stable ether crystal. However, a few years ago, an exploration team discovered a new and special mineral with a higher energy density deep within the ley lines near Macaulay Town—black crystal, also known as dark energy crystal.

Its energy output far exceeds that of ether crystals, and the root cause is that it contains a kind of "black energy".

Black energy has both advantages and disadvantages. If used properly, it can yield massive amounts of energy, but it also presents unknown pollution problems that can cause organisms to become agitated or even die.

Even mechanical puppets are not immune to this pollution.

Hearing this, Wang Xi already had a guess.

So-called "black energy" is mostly just black pollution.

really.

The Clockwork Kingdom can use pollution as an energy source, and its technology is extremely advanced.

"In order to utilize this powerful energy source, His Excellency Gipeter Tesla, the Kingdom's Chief Engineer, successfully developed a device a year ago that he named the 'Refrigeron Machine'."

Kelton continued.

"This machine is said to be able to freeze, suppress, and utilize the raging dark energy in black crystals, making it stable and controllable."

The bald, fat man's eyes revealed admiration.

"Thanks to the black crystal energy processed by the cold-processing machine, the kingdom's technology has experienced explosive growth. Just think of those more powerful mechs, flying trains, and unprecedented weapons... McCauley also prospered for a time because of the black crystal mine."

"But that's precisely the reason!"

Kelton suddenly became agitated, his fat face trembling: "The Elders and the merchants have been blinded by profit. They ignored Mr. Gippert's warning before he left and carried out large-scale deep mining, thus revealing the shortcomings of the imperfect cryogenic machine..."

"A large-scale leak of dark energy has occurred."

Pinocchio heard his father's name, and his little face filled with worry and astonishment. Wang Xi noticed his unusual behavior and gently patted his shoulder to comfort him.

"I see." Wang Xi nodded.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "May I see what the Black Crystal and the Cold Element pilot look like?"

"Ok?"

After thinking for a moment, Kelton agreed to Wang Xi's request: "There are some mineral samples in the back garden, as well as a broken refrigeration machine... Come with me."

Surrounded by several armed guards, the group passed through the noisy hall and a corridor, following Mayor Kelton to the small garden behind the town center.

There were some tattered sacks piled up next to the railing, containing fist-sized pieces of black crystalline ore that shimmered with an eerie glow. Next to them was a strange metal machine about half a person's height, with a complex structure but covered in dust.

"It's here."

Kelton pointed to the ore and the machine.

Wang Xi stepped forward and squatted down to examine the area.

He discovered that these black crystals were very similar to ether crystals, only the color was different.

Furthermore, the black crystal emits a cold, unsettling glow. Just by getting close, one can feel a faint chill and a sense of corrosiveness.

'Caus, investigate.'

Wang Xi grasped the black crystal remotely and secretly issued a command.

"Black Crystal: A crystalline mineral formed under the direct influence of some mysterious force, containing violent energy and blackening pollution. (Warning: Prolonged contact may lead to contamination, causing cognitive distortion, physiological abnormalities, mechanical instability, and aberrations.)"

Wang Xi frowned.

This description is exactly the same as that of ether crystals, except that its concentration is much higher, even far exceeding that of ether crystal nuclei.

'This black crystal is closer to the source of the corruption... Could it be that the corruption and contamination are more severe on the Eastern Continent, where the Clockwork Kingdom is located, than on the Western Continent?'

Wang Xi couldn't help but speculate.

He then turned to look at the broken-down machine.

"Cold Crystal Machine (First Generation): A mechanical device developed by Geppetto Tesla, the chief engineer of the Clockwork Kingdom, specifically designed for extracting energy from black crystals."

However, the control and utilization rates of black pollution are extremely low, and the isolation layer has structural defects.

Do not use more than 100 grams of black crystal per use. Extraction takes 200 hours. (The blackening and contamination will not disappear.)

"..."

Wang Xi looked at the description and felt extremely disappointed.

This refrigeration machine is less a device that utilizes blackened pollution and more a temporary container.

It extracts not pollution, but the energy within the black crystal, because pollution will not disappear.

This is far from the key technology he envisioned that could solve the blackening pollution problem.

Wang Xi turned slightly to avoid the gaze of Kelton and the others, and gently touched the black crystal sample with his finger.

A faint, intensely corrosive, icy energy immediately surged from his fingertips, but was absorbed by the "Heart of Pinocchio" just before it invaded his body.

"Gained 500 energy points (27230 remaining)"

"The gear brand has been corrupted!"

Current corruption progress: 10/700

'It really is pollution containing energy, but it can be absorbed by the gear imprint...'

Wang Xi thought.

Now that "Pinocchio's Heart" has been upgraded to Black Seven Stars, its upper limit has increased sevenfold. He can use this to absorb a wave of energy without worrying about crashing.

Where is the black crystal mine in Macaulay Town?

Wang Xi withdrew his hand, stood up, and turned to ask Kelton.

"Why does Your Excellency Gai ask this?"

The bald, fat town mayor was puzzled.

"After the 'black energy leak incident,' the place was abandoned and is now filled with out-of-control and riotous mechs, making it extremely dangerous."

“I plan to go and take a look; perhaps I’ll find something,” Wang Xi said. “As for my safety, don’t worry; those out-of-control automatons can’t hurt me.”

"...Okay, it's deep in 'Black Rock Valley' about two kilometers east of the town. There should be mine signs along the way."

Kelton said helplessly.

Wang Xi looked at Godard and Pinocchio: "You two stay here for now, I'll be back soon."

Goddariel and Pinocchio nodded in understanding.

Without saying another word, Wang Xi turned around and walked out of the municipal center alone, amidst the astonished gazes of Kelton and the others. His figure quickly disappeared at the end of the devastated street.

His goal was clear—those black crystal mines.

This is undoubtedly a wave of energy.

The mechanical enemies or wolf guards he encounters can also fill his card pool.

After a while.

After traveling a distance in the direction indicated by Kelton and avoiding several waves of low-level out-of-control robots, Wang Xi took to the air.

A pure white cloak unfurled behind him, and he flew straight eastward.

Crossing the town of Macaulay and into the wilderness, we soon found a dark gray valley.

Sure enough, there was a mining area inside.

He landed at the entrance, where there were a few scattered restaurants and grocery stores, seemingly catering specifically to miners.

Just as Wang Xi was about to go deeper, a piercing ringtone suddenly sounded from a dusty public telephone booth outside the grocery store.

jingle……

Jingle bell bell bell…

The eerie telephone ringing sounded particularly jarring on the deathly silent street.

Wang Xi frowned slightly and stopped walking.

This is definitely not normal.

With the "black energy leak" now in full swing, and the entire mining area and McCauley town under attack, why would anyone still call this remote phone booth?

'Looks like they're after me.'

Wang Ximing understood.

Undeterred, he stepped forward, opened the glass door of the phone booth, and silently stared at the old metal rotary phone.

Jingle Bell……

The bell kept ringing persistently.

Wang Xi waited two seconds before picking up the receiver.

Click.

The call connected, and immediately a strange voice, clearly altered and resembling a comical clown, came from the other end:

"Hello, Mr. Gai Farrell, a traveler from the Western Continent."

The voice suddenly rose in pitch, implying approval:
"Tsk tsk tsk, your performance just now in controlling the wolf guards and summoning the blood-red sword was truly impressive! Clean and efficient! The 'superpower' that Leng Su bestowed upon you is so powerful it's exciting!"

Wang Xi narrowed his eyes.

The other party directly revealed his background and name, as well as the details of the battle just now...

Clearly, this mysterious caller had been monitoring developments in the town of Macaulay and even knew everything about the city center.

"Hello," Wang Xi said calmly. "May I ask who you are? Or rather... who are you all?"

"Oh, my apologies."

He chuckled on the other end of the phone.

“We are the ‘Blue Butterflies,’ pioneers of a new kind of humanity who pursue free will and evolutionary order. The media and officials controlled by corrupt power have smeared us and called us rebels.”

The other person's voice carried a hint of mockery and disdain.

Rebels?
Blue butterfly?

It appears to be a force opposed to the official Clockwork Kingdom.

Wang Xi wanted to laugh, but deliberately showed some interest: "Oh? Then why are you so sure that my power comes from Leng Su?"

“We’ve been watching you for a long time, Mr. Kai.”

The sounds from that side became mysterious and alluring.

"From the moment you step into Macaulay Town."

"And your power, perhaps even you yourself don't understand... It's a gift that Leng Su unexpectedly bestowed upon humanity, an evolutionary key to breaking free from the cage and establishing a new order!"

"Cold Element doesn't just exist in the Eastern Continent; it has a presence all over the world... Unlike cold machinery, it can awaken extraordinary powers in the human body. You, like us, are 'Awakeners'."

"Those high and mighty elders and nobles fear us, which is why we are called rebels... But isn't that also a kind of honor?"

The other party paused for a moment, seemingly observing Wang Xi's reaction, but Wang Xi remained silent.

"Although you are not from the Clockwork Kingdom, please believe that only by joining us can you go further on the path of evolution... and we need outstanding talents like you."

To make it more enticing, the other party added:
"The boy Pinocchio who is traveling with you is the first intelligent robot created by Chief Engineer Gipperto Tesla."

"However, Gipetto himself has been missing for a year and is now wanted for 'treason'."

"As long as you join 'Blue Butterfly,' we will protect you and keep you from being discovered by the kingdom."

"In addition, to prove our goodwill, we'll give you another gift—we have a safe house on the second basement floor of the abandoned machinery recycling plant in the southwest corner of town. It's stocked with plenty of food and water, and the password is 'LDM97234'."

The voice after the voice changer carried a subtle hint of smugness:

"Looking forward to fighting alongside you, the mighty 'Awakener' Mr. Gai Farrell."

(End of this chapter)