I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Kowloon Walled City, 18th Street.

This should have been the busiest and most chaotic red-light district in the entire downtown area.

Countless gang members, bounty hunters, and illegal prosthetics dealers usually crammed into these narrow alleys like sardines.

But at the moment.

This place has become a... [dead city].

A ghastly green light emanated from every electronic sign, streetlight, and even the screen of a vending machine.

This kind of green is not a vibrant green.

Instead, it has a strange color tone, like that of a broken picture tube, with a dark, underworld filter.

"Sizzle sizzle..."

The air was filled with the static of electricity.

"ah!!!"

A piercing scream shattered the deathly silence.

A gang leader holding a laser pistol was slumped on the ground, his legs kicking wildly, as if he had seen something extremely terrifying.

In his augmented reality (AR) prosthetic eye.

At this moment, the alley is not empty.

Countless... [cyber ghosts] are crawling out from the walls, underground, and even the void.

Some of the ghosts had no heads, and data stream code was spraying from their necks.

Some ghosts have eight mechanical arms, each holding a blood-dripping hard drive.

There was also a long-haired female ghost in red (a holographic version of Sadako), slowly crawling out of his retinal screen.

"Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!"

"Where's my firewall? Why isn't my antivirus software working?!"

The junior leader broke down.

He fired wildly into the air.

But to outsiders, he just seemed to be dumping his waste into a pile of garbage cans.

……

"The effect is good."

At the other end of the alley.

Jiang Li was wearing the demon mask he had just bought, and holding a skewer of freshly grilled... [Data Brain Flower] (for Alice as a snack).

He looked around at the thugs who were terrified and ran away in panic.

"Alice, your special effects are really realistic."

Alice, nestled in Jiang Li's arms (though she was full, she still lingered in his arms and refused to get down), had a green glint in her eyes.

"This is not just special effects."

"I hacked into their... [visual neural interface]."

"Playing horror movies directly into their cerebral cortex..."

"By the way..."

Alice pointed to the people who were still firing indiscriminately.

"Their weapons systems have been locked down."

"They fired... blanks."

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

Er Gou next to him gave a thumbs up.

"Is this the legendary... 'brain-insertion-style haunting'?"

……

"Playing tricks!"

Just as everyone was preparing to cross this chaotic street.

A thunderous roar came from the top floor of the fortress.

Rumbling--

The entire steel structure of Kowloon Walled City shook.

Followed by.

An immense spiritual pressure (mixed with high-voltage electricity) filled with a violent aura descended from the sky.

"Where did this rogue cultivator come from?"

"Dare to cause trouble on my turf?"

"Do they really think Kowloon Walled City is deserted?!"

Accompanied by a roar.

A gigantic, steel-and-neon-tube... [Mechanical Black Dragon].

It winds down from the top of the tower.

That's not a real dragon.

It was a holographic projection, enveloping a figure flying at high speed.

"Bang!"

The figure crashed heavily onto the open ground in front of Jiang Li and the others.

The ground cracked instantly, and the surrounding pale green lights flickered a few times.

The smoke and dust cleared.

The true face of the visitor was revealed.

That was a... three-meter-tall, bear-like [cyborg giant].

He was shirtless, revealing muscles as hard as granite.

But what's most striking is his spine.

His entire spine was replaced with... [an exposed, blue-glowing mechanical keel].

The dragon bone extended to his shoulders, transforming into two shoulder cannons shaped like dragon heads.

Behind him, nine thick cables danced like dragon tails, connecting to the power grid of the surrounding buildings.

[Target: True Lord Nine Dragons (Real Name: Dragon Nine)]

[Identity: Leader of Kowloon Walled City / Underground Emperor.]

[Realm Level: Nascent Soul Stage Perfection (Half-Step to Deity Transformation)]

[Special Features: Nuclear-powered spine, connector to the Nine Dragons Thunder and Fire Array.]

……

"Oh?"

Jiang Li stopped and took a bite of the roasted pig brain in her hand.

"Is this what they call a local tyrant?"

"She has a rather unique appearance."

"It looks like... the voltage is a bit high."

Nine Dragons True Lord ignored Jiang Li's teasing.

His electronic eyes, modified with vertical pupils, were fixed on Alice in Jiang Li's arms.

"No wonder the internet in the city was down."

"So it was... that escaped Subject Zero."

The voice of the Nine Dragons True Lord sounded like the friction of metal.

"Kid."

"Put the girl in your arms down."

"Then cut off his own arms and get out of the city."

"I'll spare your life since you're a master chef."

"otherwise……"

sizzle-

The nine cables behind him suddenly lit up with a blinding blue light.

That's high-voltage electricity, reaching millions of volts.

"I'll turn you into... [coke]!"

……

"Tsk."

Jiang Li remained silent in the face of this threat.

Odin was the first to be annoyed.

"Playing with electricity?"

"Playing with electricity in front of this old man?"

Odin stepped forward, intending to pull out his Gungnir.

"Need not."

Jiang Li stopped Odin.

He looked at the Nine Dragons True Lord, who was crackling with electricity and exuded a menacing aura.

Not only was there no fear, but there was also no fear.

instead……

I sniffed.

"Um?"

"This smell..."

Jiang Li's gaze turned strange.

He stared at the glowing spine of the Nine Dragons True Lord.

"I'm talking about the big guy."

"Have you been experiencing a burning sensation along your spine lately?"

"and……"

"Every night around midnight, I feel a... [electric shock] sensation in my lower abdomen?"

"In fact, your cultivation level has been stuck at the Nascent Soul stage for a long time, why don't you dare to break through?"

……

The Nine Dragons True Lord, who was still gathering his strength, suddenly froze.

A crack appeared in his fierce expression.

"you……"

How did you know?

This is his biggest secret!

In pursuit of ultimate power, he forcibly transplanted this [nuclear-powered keel].

Although he gained powerful lightning abilities.

However, the side effects are also extremely strong.

The waste heat from the nuclear power plant cannot be dissipated, causing his meridians to be in a state of "overheating" for many years.

Moreover, the voltage is unstable, and it could spontaneously explode at any time.

Therefore, he dared not attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Once a breakthrough is achieved, it will trigger a heavenly tribulation, which is like playing with fire and exploding into fireworks.

……

"I am the cook."

"Also... a doctor."

Jiang Li casually tossed the leftover skewers into the nearby trash can.

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes observation, listening, questioning, and palpation.

"Your forehead looks dark, and you smell burnt."

"This is a typical case of... excessive internal heat."

"In other words... [overclocking]."

Jiang Li clapped his hands.

"If I don't take action..."

"In less than three days."

"Your spine will melt."

"At that time, you shouldn't call yourself the Nine Dragons True Lord anymore."

"Let's rename it... [Kowloon Nuclear Explosion]."

Nine Dragons True Lord's expression changed.

It became extremely ugly.

Because Jiang Li was absolutely right!

His personal doctor just gave him a critical condition notice yesterday, saying that his coolant could no longer control the core temperature.

"you……"

Nine Dragons True Lord slightly reduced the electric light emanating from his body.

His tone carried a hint of doubt, but also a hint of hope.

"Can you cure it?"

"Even the experts at Taiqing Biotechnology couldn't cure it, how could you?"

……

"expert?"

Jiang Li chuckled.

"Experts will only tell you to replace parts."

"And me..."

"I will only let you... [eat]."

Jiang Li took out a... [clay pot] from his backpack.

That's right, it's the most ordinary kind of earthenware pot, even the kind that crumbles a bit.

"Since your problem is 'unstable voltage' and 'excessive internal heat'."

"Then we'll need to use ingredients that are [insulated] and [nourishing]."

"Perfect."

"I have a... something I just pulled out of the sewers... no, I just pulled out of the deep sea, something really good."

Jiang Li flipped his wrist.

A strange fish, resembling a snake, entirely black, yet crackling with purple electric arcs, appeared in his hand.

[Ingredient: Deep-sea thunderstorm electric eel (mutated version)]

[Rank: High-grade Earth Rank]

[Description: Living in deep-sea thunderstorm zones, it is naturally able to absorb and store lightning. Its flesh is delicious and possesses extremely strong electrical conductivity and voltage stabilization properties.]

"This thing is the best voltage regulator."

"And then add..."

Jiang Li took out another bag of rice.

That's not ordinary rice.

That is... [Insulating Rice] (specially treated, non-conductive, and moisture-locking).

"Today, I'll treat you to a dish..."

"【Stable Voltage Eel Claypot Rice】"

……

"Claypot rice...?"

Nine Dragons True Lord was dumbfounded.

The henchmen around who dared not approach were also dumbfounded.

This art style is off!

Just moments ago, there was a tense gang shootout.

How did it suddenly turn into... "Midnight Diner"?

Jiang Li didn't care what others thought.

He set up a stove right in the middle of the road.

The lightsaber is drawn.

brush brush --

The thunderstorm electric eel was cut into neat segments.

Each segment was pulsating, releasing a faint electric arc.

"Marinate!"

Add Abyss Soy Sauce, Flaming Ginger Slices, and a tiny bit of... [Cooling Liquid] (Edible Grade).

"Put it in the pot!"

Heat the clay pot and pour in the oil.

Shila-

The eel pieces curled up instantly when they were put into the pot.

The layers of oil burst open under the high temperature, releasing an insanely caramelized aroma.

"Spread the rice!"

The washed rice was placed under the eel, where it absorbed the fish oil and broth.

"Put the lid on!"

"Fire!"

call--

Jiang Li directly borrowed one of the cables from the Nine Dragons True Lord.

"Could I borrow a light... oh no, I mean, could I borrow some electricity?"

High-voltage current is introduced into the heating coil at the bottom of the pot.

The temperature inside the casserole dish soared instantly.

"Glug glug—"

That was the sound of the soup boiling.

It was also the sound of everyone's heart racing.

……

Ten minutes later.

An extremely powerful fragrance instantly dispelled the eerie, ghostly aura surrounding them.

Even the holographic ghosts created by Alice seemed somewhat insignificant in the face of this lively atmosphere.

"alright."

Jiang Li lifted the pot lid.

boom!

A golden plume of steam shot into the sky.

A golden thunder dragon could be vaguely seen circling in the steam.

In the pot.

The rice is golden and crispy, and the eel pieces are oily and glossy.

The most amazing thing is...

Between each grain of rice, tiny arcs of electricity danced, yet they were firmly locked inside the pot, preventing any overflow.

"Come."

Jiang Li placed the casserole in front of the three-meter-tall giant.

"Eat it."

"I guarantee you... stable voltage and reduced core temperature."

……

Nine Dragons True Lord looked at the small earthenware pot that looked like a teacup to him.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently.

He hasn't eaten normal food for decades.

Since his body was modified, he can only drink high-energy nutrient solution and engine oil.

Taste? That's something for the weak.

But today.

This fragrance, however, directly awakened his long-dormant human instincts.

"Gurgle."

He stretched out his huge mechanical hand and carefully picked up the casserole.

No spoon is needed.

Pour it directly into your mouth.

"Hiss—ha—"

The piping hot rice and eel enter the mouth.

His esophagus was not burned.

instead……

Those currents flowed down his esophagus and instantly spread throughout his body.

Something magic happened.

This external electric current did not clash with the violent lightning within his body.

Instead, it's like a breath of fresh air, or rather... a lubricant.

They guided the chaotic high-voltage currents within his body, making them orderly and stable.

The persistent high temperature along my spine miraculously... came down!

"Ugh!!!"

The electronic eyes of the Nine Dragons True Lord suddenly widened.

The red warning light (overheat alarm) instantly turned into a green normal light.

[System notification: Core temperature has dropped by 30%...]

Voltage fluctuation rate: reduced from 50% to 0.1%...

[Meridians overload: Relieved.]

"Cool!!!"

Nine Dragons True Lord couldn't help but roar.

This time, it was no longer the previous violent roar.

Instead, it was... a long, satisfying howl.

The chaotic sparks flying around his body disappeared.

Although he was still the same cyborg monster, his aura had become deep and restrained.

It was like a volcano that could erupt at any moment, suddenly turning into... a nuclear power plant.

Absolutely guaranteed.

……

"when!"

Nine Dragons True Lord threw the empty casserole on the ground (it didn't break because there was a carpet on the ground... no, it was because he controlled his strength).

He looked at Jiang Li.

His eyes had completely changed.

It was the kind of look one gives when looking at a miracle doctor, a savior, or even a second parent.

"thump!"

This underground emperor of Kowloon Walled City, in front of all his underlings.

Kneel on one knee.

He clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to Jiang Li.

"Thank you so much, Master, for saving my life!"

"I, Long Jiu... give up!"

"From this day forward, you are a distinguished guest of Kowloon Walled City!"

"Anyone who dares to touch you is touching me, Long Jiu!"

"That means shaking up the entire Kowloon Walled City!"

……

The thugs around him were completely dumbfounded.

Does this work too?

A bowl of rice was enough to bribe the boss?

Is this still the same ruthless Nine Dragons True Lord who kills without blinking an eye?

Jiang Li remained calm.

He sheathed the lightsaber in his hand back at his waist.

Get up.

"I don't like people kneeling before me."

"Now that we're friends..."

Jiang Li pointed to the green street behind him that Alice had turned into.

"Could you find me a quieter place?"

"besides……"

"I need some... [special materials]."

"I want to stay here with you..."

"Open a shop."

"Open a hotel specifically for you 'cyber patients'... to treat your illnesses."

……

Upon hearing this, the Nine Dragons True Lord's eyes lit up.

Open a shop?

If this were opened in the walled city, wouldn't we be able to eat it every day?

"no problem!"

"Leave this to me!"

Long Jiu patted his chest (making a clanging metallic sound).

"The best location! The best shop!"

"I'll make room for you on the best floor of the eighteenth floor... the [Holographic Dream of the Red Chamber]!"

"besides……"

Long Jiu took off a pendant shaped like a dragon tooth from his neck.

This is a high-level encrypted USB drive.

"This is the walled city's... [highest level key]."

"It's also a... [passport] to the underground black market."

"With this, you can roam freely throughout the entire lower town!"

Jiang Li took the dragon tooth.

Laughed.

"Then...it's a pleasure to work with you."

……

That night.

The green light in Kowloon Walled City finally dissipated.

But a new legend began to circulate in the shadows of the lower town.

That legendary...

There was a cook wearing a demon mask.

He can turn data into sashimi.

Electric eels can be made into medicinal cuisine.

He can not only cure your prosthetic rejection reaction.

It can also... heal your... long-numbed "cyber heart".

This small shop is called [Deep Blue Midnight Diner].

It's about to become the entire Neon Sky Domain...

The biggest variable.