Alone and Infinite.

Chapter 657 We've struck it rich! A terrifying windfall worth hundreds of millions!
This was the first time Li Xia had ever seen such a cold and desolate world.

The colors that make up the world are so monotonous, with metallic silver and black becoming the main colors of the world, and looking at it for a long time can even cause a kind of dizziness that makes people uncomfortable.

The earth reflected the sunlight, the dark silver alloy gleaming coldly after being exposed to the sun. The light fell on the mottled patterns on the ground, refracting into tiny, yet sharp-edged, spots of light.

Li Xia and the three little ones could hear a dull "thud" as they walked on the metallic stone slabs. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight, and looked beyond the undulating alloy hills in front of him to the distant outline of the continuous ruins—the edge of the former capital of the kingdom.

"This world is truly unbearable."

The three little ones already had sunglasses on their eyes. Just like how it's easy to get 'snow blindness' in icy and snowy conditions, this silvery-white world was even more extreme than ice and snow. Although it didn't affect them much, wearing sunglasses made them noticeably more comfortable.

"Meow!"

Black Charcoal nodded in agreement. Compared to the worlds he had experienced before, the Steel Continent was simply the other extreme.

The two worlds corrupted by the Old Gods—Demon Prison Star and Black Descendant Star—are gloomy and somber, as if filtered through a dark lens, with the air filled with twisted and corrupting power.

But people still exist in both worlds, and there are also distorted creatures.

There are no living beings in the conventional sense in this world, and it is frighteningly bright. The intense light reflection makes the brightness of the entire world reach an astonishing level.

"There should still be something moving around, but we don't know what it is."

Li Xia stopped and looked at the vast plain in front of him. This place used to be farmland, but it was no longer farmland in the conventional sense. Instead, it was a whole expanse of solidified, wave-like metallic "stubble" that stood silently in the wind, like a dead wave frozen in time.

"footprint?"

The three children looked at each other, bewildered by the unusually clear mark in the metallic dust at the edge of the wheat field.

No way, there are still living people in this world?!
"Let's move forward first; they shouldn't be the kind of living people we're thinking of."

There's still plenty of time. There's no rush to get to the location of the Garbage Collector and Hell Echoes. In Li Xia's view, getting familiar with the Steel Continent, at least having a basic understanding, is more advantageous than rashly flying towards the target.

Most importantly, this is a 'resource star' marked by the Hall of Fame, a reward for the world.

In other words, only when the Steel Continent is extremely rich in resources and relatively easy to obtain can it be called a resource star and a reward.

Wouldn't it be a waste not to take a proper turn around?
The one person and the three little ones continued walking forward. The metallic ground was scorching hot from the sun. Strangely, the air and clouds of this world had not been metallicized.

Even now, there is no sign of metallization. The small water droplet that Aowu used for testing is also clear and transparent.

Has metallization stopped?

Li Xia walked silently, and with each step, more and more things came into view.

Scattered along the road are various metallic remnants: plows half-buried in the alloy surface, their blades rusted and turning brownish-red; and the overturned wooden farmhouse frames, their beams and pillars completely assimilated, the original wood grain transformed into the texture of the alloy.

Occasionally, one can see metallized animal skeletons standing on the ground in various bizarre poses. Some remain intact, while others are just skeletons, gleaming with an eerie silvery-white luster, like some kind of grotesque metal animal sculptures, which are particularly unsettling.

The wind swept across this wasteland, without the rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects and birds, only the low "whooshing" sound of airflow passing through the gaps in the metal, mixed with the faint "clinking" sound of rusty fragments colliding, which only made the world seem more empty and desolate.

Li Xia stopped in his tracks, his gaze drawn to a dilapidated building not far away—a small medieval-style church, its spire mostly collapsed, leaving only half of the alloyed dome, its surface wrapped with rusted iron chains, the ends of which were attached to several metal statues.

The three little ones automatically spread out and entered battle mode.

"Black charcoal!"

The kitten then pressed its paws onto the ground with perfect understanding. Blinding electric light wrapped around its body, and the current spread forward like a spider web. The metal ground had excellent conductivity, so there was almost no loss. Under the control of the black charcoal, it rushed directly towards the abandoned church.

A glint flashed in the black charcoal's eyes, and it let out a soft meow. At the same time, the cat's paw pressing on the ground suddenly tightened, and the electric light suddenly increased several times.

Amidst the crackling of electricity, a violent noise erupted from inside the chapel. The alloy walls emitted a piercing sound, as if something sharp was scraping against them.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

A heavy thud came from inside the church, causing the entire chapel to shake violently. Fragments of alloy from the dome fell in a flurry, and metal powder and dust filled the air.

Awoo's back arched.

"What is that?!"

As if in response, the next impact was even more ferocious.

"Boom—"

After a deafening roar, half of the alloy dome collapsed, and amidst the billowing smoke and dust, a tall, humanoid figure emerged, stepping through the metallic dust.

Li Xia narrowed his eyes, examining the humanoid monster that had crashed through the wall and emerged. It appeared to be about two meters tall, with a silvery-white body that gleamed with a cold metallic luster, and its body was covered with metal plates that resembled scales.

Its hands were replaced by sharp claws and strange, irregular metallic solidifications, making it look like one hand was a claw and the other a hammer.

Li Xia's forehead opened into vertical pupils, staring intently at the monster before him.

[Comparing the intelligence and mental attributes of both parties]

[Due to the difference in attributes between the two parties, you obtain 100% of the data.]

[Metal Resurrected Corpse]

[Category: Tier 4 - Metal Creature / Entangled in Resentment]

Physical Strength: 13

Health: 54% (decreasing)

【Strength: 58】

Dexterity: 40

【Intelligence: 9】

【Spirit: 11】

Physical Strength: 55

[Skills: Metal Creation, Metal Plague, Metal Poison, Resentment Form]

1. [Metallic Creations]

Its body is made of a special alloy, giving it extremely high physical strength, strong defense against physical attacks, and considerable resistance to energy damage.

However, agility is greatly reduced due to the metallic body.

Physical resistance: 75% (including blunt force)
Energy resistance: 60% (excluding electric systems)
2. [Metal Plague]

The metal resurrected corpses constantly emit a plague unique to metal, and wherever they go, everything within the plague's range is transformed into metal.

When the number of metal resurrected corpses exceeds 3, a resonance will be triggered, and the range of the metal plague will expand.

Metal Plague Range: 20 meters in radius. 3. [Metal Poison]

After being hit by the metal resurrection corpse, you will be injected with a composite metal toxin.

1. Lead poisoning: It forms metal blockages in the body, hindering the flow of qi and blood/energy. The toxins slowly accumulate in the meridians/blood vessels, causing a decrease in the recovery speed of health/energy. When it accumulates to a certain level, it will deduct health and reduce dexterity.

2. Mercury poisoning: It can penetrate the skin and directly erode nerve endings, interfering with the brain's judgment of the limbs.

The target's field of vision instantly displays metallic ghosting and light spots, causing errors in judging distance and angle. At the same time, the limbs experience brief, uncontrollable tremors, rendering precision-based skills ineffective.

3. Iron-Splitting Poison: Granular particles embedded in flesh, constantly tearing the muscle structure as the target's limbs move.

The wound from which the toxin is injected will instantly develop tiny metallic crystals. The wound cannot heal naturally, and the crystals will become embedded in the flesh and blood. Touching or moving the wound will cause sharp pain and cause it to enlarge.

Each time the target takes an active action (runs, jumps, attacks, uses a skill), the sharp metallic poison within their body tears apart the surrounding muscles, triggering internal damage.

4. [Grievance Style]

If the target has no real vital points, it can be killed directly if it is completely destroyed or its resentment is dispelled.

[Comment: When life ends, the soul also vibrates. When this force is strong enough, it will produce indescribable changes.]

If you believe that a mere ray of holy light or a simple prayer can purify such a monster, then please call upon your Lord to come to this hell and unleash His holy light.

Resurrected corpses? Metal plague?

Looking at the massive metal figure opposite him, Li Xia understood. No wonder the surface of this world was completely metallic, but there were no clouds in the sky, and there were even traces of rainwater washing over it.

So the entire Steel Continent became metallic because of the Metal Plague?

"Boom!"

The monster slammed its hands into the ground, its heavy fists creating a shallow crater in the metal floor. It then raised its head and let out a silent roar.

Despite the absence of sound, a faint sound wave reverberated, causing the surrounding metal debris to hum.

Black Charcoal's fur suddenly bristled, and its ears stood up.

Infrasound?
Li Xia took a few steps forward, and the air in front of him suddenly rippled slightly, but the invisible sound wave was completely blocked.

The barrier between humans and gods has never been a simple protection.

"Meow!"

Li Xia turned to look at Heitan, who was eager to volunteer, and nodded.

"Sizzle sizzle"

A sharp scraping sound rang out, and the resurrected corpse charged towards them on all fours. Xiao Hei's ears were tilted back, but his eyes were full of confidence, and streaks of electricity shot rapidly from his feet.

To Li Xia and Ao Wu's astonishment, the resurrected corpse suddenly collapsed to the ground, unable to even struggle.

The black charcoal floated directly in mid-air, its eyes shining as if countless bolts of lightning were flowing within them, before flying a short distance forward.

It landed in front of the resurrected corpse. The huge metal monster trembled incessantly but could not make any move. The small black body combined with the resurrected corpse, as if the monster was prostrating itself in respect.

The kitten stretched out a paw and pressed it directly onto the head of the resurrected corpse. In an instant, scorching lightning flashed across the bodies of both the cat and the corpse.

The resurrected corpse's silvery-white body initially emitted a dazzling light, which then quickly turned into a dark red.

Amidst the horrified gazes of the howling man, the dark red color instantly transformed into gold, eventually melting into a massive molten metal that boiled and churned in the hands of the charcoal-clad man, ultimately forming metal ingots.

"Meow!"

Black Charcoal raised its claws high, "Done!"
Aowu and Li Xia exchanged a glance, both realizing what the other was thinking.

Who knows, this world might just be a kitten's domain!

"Meow!"

The kitten darted back, waving its paws excitedly, while Li Xia and Aowu listened and nodded.

It is probably because it discovered that alloys throughout the world contain a large amount of iron, and that there are a large number of "magnetic domains" (tiny magnets) inside, which can generate extremely strong magnetic moment coupling when an electric current is applied.

In other words, it is completely within the kitten's comfort zone. It already possesses the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and with its innate talent of 'electromagnetic control', it can be said that it is a god in this world!
It was at this moment that Li Xia and the two little ones truly experienced what it means for knowledge to be power!
A brain armed with knowledge can unleash its full potential. Just like Enel, if he had attended high school, he wouldn't have been so easily trapped in the Faraday cage, nor would he have developed some flashy but useless abilities.

As for why this feeling doesn't involve Xiaotian.

Hey, Silly Dog is still watching Paw Patrol. When Silly Dog no longer finds Paw Patrol interesting and stops imitating Paw Patrol's heroic deeds, then we can start teaching him first-grade elementary school material.

"Ok, Ok!"

Awoo nodded repeatedly, "This schooling wasn't a waste of time!"

Li Xia, however, was more interested in the metal ingots made from molten charcoal. He stepped forward, ignoring the lingering dark red heat, and took the metal ingot in his hand. The thousands of degrees of heat felt like warm stone in his hand, and even somewhat comfortable.

Rare Alloy Ingot

Category: Rare Metals

【Function: Can be used for forging; possesses excellent physical properties and conductivity】

[Introduction: Also known as "Starfall Resentment Ingot", it is a rare alloy ingot unique to the Steel Continent, formed only in the remnants of a century-old war within 5 kilometers of the Steel Source.]

Blacksmiths would willingly part with large sums of money for it.

Li Xia weighed the alloy ingot in his hand; it was very heavy and had a substantial feel to it. A smile gradually appeared on his face. As expected of a resource planet, the stuff here is really good!
Without even a thought, there are probably trillions of tons of such metal at the source of steel, and the area within a five-kilometer radius is full of it!
Even if the apostles cleared their personal space, how much could they take with them? Two tons? Three tons? Five tons? Six tons?

If it's a bit more, tens of tons, hundreds of tons!

Compared to trillions of tons, it's like a drop in the ocean!
Besides, it's impossible to empty a personal warehouse; there are quite a few odds and ends stored inside!
Moreover, melting alloys into ingots is no simple task. Even the melting equipment in the palace is quite large, so using simple methods would be inefficient.

"Whoa! How much space can we free up in our team's warehouse?"

Li Xia suddenly asked a question, and Xiao Long was taken aback, blurting out:

"Approximately 9,300 cubic meters!"

More than nine thousand three hundred!
This alloy has a density that is slightly lower than that of gold.
To be conservative, he can transport 15 tons!

Damn, 15 tons!

I'm rich!!

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

I'm off to gather material for a solo update!

(End of this chapter)