Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

Chinese Martial God?

Is this the God of War himself, or another "Torchbearer"?

A hint of doubt arose in Yang Xian's heart.

"Isn't the God of War of China already dead?" he asked tentatively.

The golden light flickered. "I'm already dead? Let me think..."

Upon hearing this repetitive sentence structure, Yang Xian's cheek twitched slightly.

He felt like he was communicating with a robot.

The person in front of me who calls himself the "God of War of China" is even more of a bot than the system itself!

After a moment, the figure responded:

"Yes, I am indeed dead."

"What remains here is merely a lingering regret of mine."

"You used the power I left behind, which is why you were able to see me in the final moments before your consciousness faded."

The final moments before consciousness faded?

Yang Xian's heart skipped a beat: "Does that mean I'm already dead?"

The golden figure did not answer directly, but spoke slowly.

"Let me think..."

Yang Xian: "..."

elder brother!

Can you please stop thinking about it and just give me a straight answer?

Fortunately, this time, the other party did not keep Yang Xian waiting for too long.

"Every bit of power that humanity acquires comes at an equal price!"

"You're no exception!"

"But it seems someone has already paid the price for you!"

Have you paid?

Yang Xian was shocked and immediately asked, "What do you mean? Who paid for me?!"

However, the golden light began to dim rapidly, and no matter how Yang Xian called out, he received no response.

His consciousness, as if pulled downwards by an invisible hand, plunged into deeper darkness.

……

……

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

After an unknown amount of time, Yang Xian's consciousness struggled to rise from the chaos.

He didn't feel the chill of death, but rather the wind pressure brought by the high-speed movement.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself not on the original mountaintop, but in a cold, hard embrace.

A streamlined, golden mech was holding him, its thrusters blasting blue flames as they flew at high speed above the clouds.

The golden mecha seemed to sense his awakening, lowered its head slightly, and a processed mechanical female voice sounded.

"woke up?"

Yang Xian clutched his throbbing head, his mind filled with the last words the God of War had spoken.

Has someone already paid the price for me?

Who paid?

Unable to figure it out, Yang Xian simply gave up thinking about the problem for the time being.

Anyway, the good news is that I'm finally not going to die!

He steadied himself and looked up at the head of the golden mecha: "Who are you? Where are we going?"

"My name is Liu Qin..." The mecha's electronic eye flashed.

"He is the chief researcher at the Star City Mecha Research Institute."

"As for our destination... do you see that city over there?"

"Those are the eleven human cities of China..."

"Star City!"

Star City?

Yang Xian looked in the direction the other person was pointing.

The first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the sea of ​​clouds and fell upon a giant city brimming with a futuristic feel.

In stark contrast to the style of Southsea City, Star City's architecture is full of a rugged, technological style.

Countless skyscrapers rise from the ground, light trails shuttle between them, and various small aircraft fly in an orderly manner on fixed routes, forming a well-ordered picture.

The most eye-catching feature is the giant mech located in the very center of the city.

The mechanical creation was predominantly white with black accents and a few other colors.

Even just sitting there quietly gives people an indescribable sense of oppression.

If it were to stand up completely, it would probably be comparable to a mountain peak.

"What is that?" Yang Xian was shocked by the sight before him.

Liu Qin's answer carried a hint of awe and pride:

"That was a work that the God of War casually left behind ten years ago."

"It is the guardian of our Star City, and also the ultimate goal of our Mech Research Institute."

"We call it... 'Star'."

Left behind by the God of War?

Yang Xian thought of the somewhat dazed golden figure in his dream.

But my subconscious feeling was that it shouldn't be him.

This Gundam was probably created by the "Torchbearer" of Star City ten years ago.

"Um?"

Just then, Yang Xian noticed a pretty figure sitting quietly on top of the giant mecha.

She was a girl with long pink hair.

Her legs dangled in the air, swaying gently, seemingly idly admiring the sunrise in the distance.

The next moment, the girl seemed to notice him too, and turned her head slightly to look in his direction.

Despite the great distance between them, their eyes met.

But soon, Liu Qin piloted the mecha down at high speed, and Yang Xian quickly disappeared from the girl's sight.

The pink-haired girl slowly stood up, her golden eyes gazing towards the city gate.

She murmured softly, her ethereal soliloquy dissipating in the wind.

"Was that person...able to see me?"

"There seems to be a lingering aura of 'the flame' within him..."

------

"We've arrived!"

Liu Qin, with Yang Xian by her side, landed in front of the city gate of Star City.

Several researchers dressed in the same uniform immediately came forward and bowed to Liu Qin.

"Chief Liu, you're back!"

"And this is...?"

One of them turned his gaze to Yang Xian.

"A distinguished guest!" Liu Qin replied casually, gently placing Yang Xian on the ground.

Yang Xian landed steadily and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Who was that girl just now?"

"What girl?" Liu Qin turned around, her voice tinged with doubt.

Yang Xian was taken aback, but still spoke up: "Just now, on the top of that big machine, there was a girl with pink hair."

This is clearly a living, breathing person!

How could Senior Liu, a seventh-realm martial artist, not have noticed?

"The head of 'Star' is a restricted area; no one except a few core members of the research institute is allowed to go up there."

Liu Qin shook her head, then walked towards the city gate: "Come on, follow me."

Upon hearing this answer, Yang Xian frowned.

Was I hallucinating?

Was it because I was too exhausted after a major battle and hadn't recovered?

Or is it because after using "Torchfire," he became neurotic, just like that God of War?

"Something's not right!" Yang Xian blinked and immediately realized something was amiss.

"Why did I come to Star City?"

"Mengyun and the others are still in Nanhai City, waiting for me to return..."