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

Kowloon Walled City is located 3,000 meters underground.

This is an abyss from which sunlight can never reach, and an industrial graveyard abandoned by the upper city.

The air was thick with the smells of engine oil, ozone, and a kind of adrenaline rush... [anxiety].

The enormous [ring particle accelerator] pipe, like a giant steel python coiled in the darkness, stretches for tens of kilometers, forming this insane racetrack—the [Dead Loop].

On this track, gravity is chaotic, and space is distorted.

The only rule is: **Speed**.

Or: [death].

……

"Boom boom boom—"

The deafening roar of engines echoed through the massive underground cavity.

Hundreds of race cars, each with a unique design and completely modified beyond recognition, were like a pack of hungry beasts, restless and eager on the starting line.

Some of the cars were equipped with jet engines, leaving long trails of blue flames behind them.

Some cars don't even have wheels; they float in mid-air using anti-gravity magnetic levitation.

Some vehicles... were simply coffins mounted on four wheels (this was the "Corpse Driving Sect" convoy).

And among these tanks filled with heavy metal style and an aura of death.

There was one car that looked particularly... [unusual].

It looks like a monster pieced together from a pile of garbage.

The chassis was a dilapidated delivery shuttle.

The outer shell is a golden fragment of the God King's Armor, complete with embossed details.

A golden Gatling gun was mounted on the front of the vehicle.

The most outrageous thing is its hood—there's no cover there, only a lush, neon-lit... [tree].

The tree's tendrils coiled around the car body like blood vessels, and the pink bud at its tip spun around like a radar.

Five large characters were crookedly painted in red on the car body:

DeepBlue Delivery.

……

"puff--"

On the track next to it, a rider on a heavy motorcycle painted with a skull pattern couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He is a "ghost fire boy" with a mohawk and half of his head made of transparent glass.

"Hey! You over there!"

"Are you here to deliver food or to be funny?"

"Was this car just salvaged from a garbage dump?"

"Planting trees on an engine? Are you trying to achieve photosynthetic propulsion? Hahahaha!"

The surrounding drivers burst into laughter.

In the underground racing world, although there is freedom in modification styles, this kind of "rustic" and "eco-friendly" modification is the first time I've seen it.

……

in the driver's seat.

Jiang Li was wearing sunglasses (also goggles he'd borrowed from Xun Leizi), one hand on the steering wheel, the other...

He was holding a thermos.

"Laugh."

Jiang Li calmly took a sip of goji berry water.

"Young people these days only know how to pursue a cool appearance."

"They simply don't understand the true value of biotechnology."

In the passenger seat.

Alice's data cable is already connected to the console.

Her eyes were filled with green data streams as she conducted a pre-match self-check.

"Engine (Tree Spirit) status... 98% activity."

Hunger level... 80%.

"Warning: It's... [drooling]."

Jiang Li glanced at the hood.

really.

The tentacles of that electronic demon tree were writhing restlessly.

Those tendrils quietly reached out toward the heavy motorcycle next to them that was mocking them.

sizzle-

The whiskers gently touched the motorcycle's exhaust pipe.

"Slurp."

A faint blue arc of electricity was drawn towards it.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

The boy with the will-o'-the-wisp suddenly noticed his watch face flicker.

"Why is the power out?"

"fine."

Jiang Li peeked out, revealing a set of white teeth.

"My child is young and doesn't understand. He thinks your car is so cool and wants to touch it."

"Keep your junk in check!"

The boy with the spurt slammed on the gas, cursing, and pulled away.

……

Just then.

A giant holographic projection lit up above the track.

A holographic image of a bunny girl dressed in extremely revealing clothing is waving a flag.

The countdown starts.

【3】

【2】

【1】

【RACE START!!!】

boom----!!!

The starting line instantly turned into hell.

Hundreds of race cars launched simultaneously.

The high-temperature airflow from the exhaust flame instantly made it impossible for the audience in the back to open their eyes.

"Charge!"

"For the Wind and Fire Wheels!"

"For the prize money!"

All the cars darted off like mad dogs.

There was only one car...

Still in the same place.

……

"Buzz...buzz..."

The engine (Demon Tree) of the Deep Blue Treant emitted a lazy vibration.

It didn't exert its power immediately.

Instead, it swayed its leaves slowly, like someone who hadn't woken up yet.

Speed: 20km/h.

At that speed, even an old lady on the roadside could overtake it.

"Boss! Get moving!"

Er Gou in the back seat was so anxious he was jumping up and down.

"They've all disappeared!"

"We're still crawling!"

"Don't rush."

Jiang Li remained completely calm.

He put down his thermos.

He pulled a... [portable stove] out of his backpack.

It is fixed on the dial.

Then, they took out a small pot.

"Xun Leizi said that the power source of this car is this tree."

"And this tree..."

Jiang Li glanced at the lazy, demonic tree.

"It's a foodie."

"When it comes to getting foodies to work, you have to give them a little something sweet first."

"Simply feeding them electricity won't work."

"We need to feed them some... [something juicy]."

……

Jiang Li lit the fire.

On a "race car" traveling at 20 kilometers per hour, the process begins... [oil refining].

That's right, he's preparing biofuel.

He took out the [Magma Cream] that he had left over from the Nether.

And there was also that half-bag of [Flame Powder].

And... a few [high-energy compressed capsicum extract].

"For the bio-engine."

"The best stimulant is—[spicy]."

"Sizzle—"

Red magma paste melted in the pot.

Sprinkle in the flame powder.

Add capsaicin extract.

A potent, dark red "devil pepper oil" churned in the pot.

This flavor is too strong.

Even Alice next to her couldn't help but sneeze (the system's exhaust fans were on full blast).

"alright."

Jiang Li picked up the pot.

"Sweetie, dinner's ready."

He pressed a red button on the console—[Feeding Mouth].

The demonic tree on the hood seemed to have smelled some unparalleled delicacy.

The pink flower bud opened instantly, revealing a "mouth" covered with barbs.

Jiang Li poured the pot of boiling hot "chili oil," hot enough to burn through steel plates, directly into that person's mouth.

……

"Glug."

The entire car fell silent for a second.

then.

"boom!!!!!"

That electronic demon tree... [got its temper flared up].

Its originally emerald green leaves instantly turned crimson.

It was as if it had been set on fire.

All its tentacles stiffened, emitting a piercing shriek.

【hot!!!!】

【So spicy!!!】

[I need to run!!! I need to find water!!!]

The demon tree has gone mad.

It unleashed not only bioenergy, but also a torrent of electrical energy and data streams.

The entire chassis of the vehicle emitted creaking sounds as if it were about to collapse under the strain.

The four wheels instantly turned into wheels of fire.

"Hold on tight!"

Jiang Li suddenly turned the steering wheel.

"Launch launch!"

swoosh————

At this moment, the Deep Blue Treant transformed into a streak of red lightning.

It accelerated from 0 to 500 km/h in just 0.1 seconds.

The terrifying force of the push-back pressed Er Gou firmly into the leather seat, his face contorted by the wind.

"Woof woof woof woof—(Help!)"

……

Ahead of the track.

First tier.

The boy with the will-o'-the-wisp was riding his heavy motorcycle, far ahead of the others.

He glanced back at the empty space behind him and whistled triumphantly.

"Pshaw, that delivery bike is probably still collecting dust at the starting line."

"This championship is mine!"

however.

Just as he was preparing to go around a sharp bend.

In his rearview mirror.

Suddenly, a... [red storm] appeared.

Within that storm, one could vaguely see a burning tree and a grinning dog's face.

"What is that...?"

Before he could even see it clearly...

"call--"

A gust of wind swept by.

The dilapidated delivery vehicle flew right over his head at a speed that completely defied the laws of physics.

Yes, it flew over.

Because of its incredible speed, coupled with the demon tree's tentacles frantically gripping the ground (like spiders), the car was running right up the tunnel ceiling!

"Holy crap?!"

The boy with the will-o'-the-wisp was so frightened that his hand trembled.

The car and its occupants crashed into the guardrail.

……

"Overtaking successful."

Alice calmly reported the data.

Current ranking: 50th.

"Ahead... We've entered the [garbled text area]."

The dead loop track is called a dead loop not only because it is a closed loop.

Also because it passes through the Kowloon Walled City's "Data Waste Disposal Centre".

On that section of the track.

The line between reality and virtuality is blurred.

Various data obstacles will randomly appear on the track.

For example, a firewall that suddenly appears, a giant Tetris block, or a void fault.

……

In front.

Dozens of race cars are carefully slowing down.

Because a row of huge, red error pop-ups (ERROR 404) suddenly appeared on the road ahead.

These pop-ups are physical; hitting them is like hitting a wall.

"Slow down! Slow down!"

"Go around it!"

The drivers all turned their steering wheels.

But Jiang Li did not slow down.

In his eyes, there was only the finish line.

Alice.

"That's your territory."

"clear."

Alice's view of the code flow rate suddenly increased dramatically.

She placed her hand on the control panel.

"Connect... to the engine (Demon Tree)."

"Activate... [Data Consumption Mode]."

"Buzz—"

The demonic tree at the front of the vehicle suddenly stretched out its tentacles, piercing into the void ahead.

It not only consumes electricity and spicy food, it also consumes... [Bug].

An error pop-up that is a fatal obstacle for others.

As for this demonic tree...

That is... [potato chips].

"Snap! Snap!"

Accompanied by a tooth-grinding chewing sound.

The speeding chariot crashed directly into the row of red pop-up windows.

But at the moment of impact.

Those pop-ups... [shattered].

It was instantly decomposed and absorbed by the tentacles of the demon tree.

Not only did it not hinder speed, but it actually...

[Successfully devoured!]

[Gain speed buff!]

[Speed ​​increased by 30%!]

"boom!"

The Treant accelerated again.

It's like a bulldozer, eating and blasting away along the way.

Wherever it went, all obstacles were devoured.

"Thank you!"

"This takeout is pretty good!"

Jiang Li waved to the stunned drivers behind him.

Go ahead and go.

……

soon.

They surged into the leading group.

At this point, only two opponents remained blocking their way.

One was a black hearse belonging to the "Binary God Cult".

The vehicle had no wheels; it was entirely supported by a cloud of black data mist, and several cultists sat on the roof chanting incantations.

another.

It is an extremely futuristic, streamlined silver supercar.

That's a professional racing car from [Upper District - Speed ​​Sect].

The driver was an elite rider wearing a full-face helmet.

"These two are not easy to deal with."

Xunleizi (who was also squeezed into the back seat as a technical consultant) said nervously.

"The cult's vehicles have the ability to 'transform,' rendering them immune to physical impact."

"The Speed ​​Clan's cars have 'photon engines,' making them faster in a straight line than ours."

"Etherealization?"

Jiang Li glanced at the black hearse.

"In my kitchen."

There's nothing you can't touch.

"Ergou! Take the helm!"

"Odin! Prepare your weapons!"

"Okay!"

Jiang Li handed the steering wheel to Er Gou (although Er Gou was a dog, his reaction speed was extremely fast).

He and Odin climbed onto the sunroof of the car.

Odin set up that golden Gatling gun.

Jiang Li then took out... [Deep Sea Magnetic Sharpening Stone].

"Since we can't bump into it."

"Then I'll...suck you in!"

Jiang Li activates [Magneto Mode].

A magnetic field bursts forth.

Although the cult's vehicle is digitized, it still has a core carrier (server).

"Buzz—"

The black hearse suddenly began to shake violently.

"What's going on? The gravitational parameters are abnormal!"

The cultists on the roof of the car were terrified.

Come here!

Jiang Li suddenly pulled.

The hearse moved uncontrollably toward the Tree Demon.

"Master! Please help it pass on to a better realm!"

"Namo Gatling Bodhisattva!"

Da da da da da————

Odin (in place of the monk) pulled the trigger.

Golden bullets of Buddha's light rained down on the hearse at close range.

"Sizzle sizzle—"

The fog of data was dispersed by the Buddha's light.

The hearse was revealed to be a dilapidated vehicle.

then.

boom!

The fuel tank (or energy core) was blown up.

A fireball exploded on the track.

……

"There's one more."

Jiang Li looked at the silver supercar at the front.

That was the final obstacle.

The other party had obviously also discovered that Jiang Li was a madman.

"Hmph, trash from the lower city."

The rear of the silver supercar suddenly opened.

Two huge jet nozzles were exposed.

"Let me show you... the technology of the Upper City!"

"[Nitrogen Boost - Faster-Than-Light Mode]!"

boom!

Two blue beams of light shot out.

The silver supercar's speed instantly doubled, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

"Too fast!"

Er Gou shouted.

"We can't catch up! I want to use nitrous oxide too! But we don't have any!"

"Who said there isn't?"

Jiang Li glanced at the pot of chili oil, which was almost empty.

"We've run out of conventional fuel."

"But we also have... [unconventional fuel]."

Jiang Li turned his head and looked at Odin sitting in the back seat.

"Old Ao."

"Can I borrow something from you?"

"What?"

"I'll borrow your... [divine power]."

Jiang Li picked up the empty pot.

"Spit a mouthful of lightning into this pot with all your might..."

Odin paused for a moment.

"You mean...?"

"That's right."

A crazed glint flashed in Jiang Li's eyes.

"Chili oil is just an appetizer."

"I want to give this tree a taste..."

"The taste of [Thunder Gaba]!"

"puff!"

Odin was equally decisive.

He opened his mouth and spat out a golden bolt of divine lightning into the pot.

That was the divine power of the God-King, extremely pure.

Jiang Li added a little bit of [Data Koi Sashimi] (as a fuse).

"mix!"

"injection!"

The pot of "thunder fuel," shimmering with golden and blue light, was poured into the feeding port.

……

"Boom!!!"

This time.

The Tree Demon didn't call out.

Because it can no longer make a sound.

That demonic tree... has evolved.

Stimulated by divine thunder.

Its tentacles instantly swelled and turned into golden vines.

Wings had somehow sprouted from both sides of the vehicle.

Wings made of vines and glossy leaves.

"take off!!!!"

Jiang Li roared.

The Deep Blue Treant will no longer fly close to the ground.

It really did take flight.

In the narrow underground tunnel, close to the ceiling, it was like a golden lightning bolt.

speed?

The dial has already exceeded its limit.

That is a realm that surpasses the speed of sound, and even approaches the speed of light.

"Whoosh—"

The driver of the silver supercar ahead suddenly felt a darkness descend upon him.

He raised his head.

I saw a monster vehicle with wings, spewing golden fire, and bearing the words "Deep Blue Delivery".

It ran over his head... [crushed] him.

……

"end!"

"The champion is—"

"[Deep Blue Delivery Team]!!!"

When the Treant crossed the finish line and smashed the holographic checkered flag.

The entire underground racetrack was in an uproar.

All the spectators stood up and cheered wildly for that seemingly rustic yet incredibly fast name.

"We won!"

Er Gou slumped in his seat, foaming at the mouth.

"I'm quitting... I want to go back to the countryside..."

The vehicle slowly came to a stop.

The demon tree, having exhausted its energy (or perhaps overeaten), withered instantly and turned into a dead tree.

Jiang Li pushed open the car door and got out.

Although my hair was messed up and my clothes were wrinkled.

But he still maintained the demeanor of a master chef.

He walked onto the podium.

There, there was a pair...

A bronze wheel with an ancient design, burning with an inextinguishable Samadhi fire.

【Wind and Fire Wheels】.

"Nezha's components... are in hand."

Jiang Li picked up the Wind and Fire Wheels.

I could feel the untamed will within it, a will that wanted to break free from all constraints.

"Don't rush."

"I'll get you... spinning again very soon."