Chapter 43: The First Human to Don Armor

Xu Bing’s body, enveloped in the halo, slowly began to float above the ground. As starlight gathered overhead, countless brilliant rays descended, showering her figure with shimmering light. In the astonished gazes of Xu Bancheng and Liu Changfeng, these celestial lights swiftly condensed, transforming into pieces of metal that gleamed like silver. With the sound of mechanisms clicking into place, the metallic fragments locked directly onto every inch of Xu Bing’s body.

Suspended in midair, her body rotated uncontrollably. Her right hand extended, guided by the swirling silver light, which shaped itself into metal segments fastening along her arm. As her hand clenched tightly, a silvery gauntlet materialized, its knuckle joints extending sharp barbs. Along the sides of those barbs, blood grooves appeared. A punch from such a fist would draw more than a few ounces of blood, if not prove fatal.

Her body continued to spin. Her left hand reached out, likewise wrapped in silver radiance, forming metal plates that secured themselves to her arm. When her legs straightened, the silver glow enveloped them, transforming into knee guards and boots.

At this point, the halo of the galaxy above her head slowly condensed into a silvery battle helmet, adorned with a droplet-shaped emblem—a mark of the aquatic armor transformation.

But it wasn’t over yet. The moment the helmet formed, silver light spiraled around both her arms. Xu Bing’s hands crossed involuntarily, and the silver gleam spread, giving rise to a long halberd in her grasp, its blade shimmering with cold brilliance.

Behind her, a resounding “bang” signaled the emergence of a crimson cape, coalescing into existence.

The armor transformation was complete.

Now, Xu Bing stood as an ancient female general, wielding the legendary Fangtian Halberd. Clad in silver armor, crowned with a silver helmet, draped in a blood-red cape, she held the mighty halberd with an air of commanding presence. Both her elder brother and Liu Changfeng stared, their eyes wide with shock.

“Who would have guessed this woman harbored dreams of being a general!” Lin Qiu, himself now armored, immediately recognized the scene. The post-transformation attire was not his to control; it manifested as the partner’s most cherished wish made real. Xu Bing’s martial garb was reminiscent of Hua Mulan herself from ancient times.

Of course, in the future, all human armor transformations would yield clothing with exceptional defenses, regardless of style. The weapon in hand could morph into anything not overly extravagant—a handgun, a rocket launcher, anything imaginable. Even laser weapons could be formed. Naturally, the type of weapon would determine the amount of energy consumed by the contracted beast.

Perhaps only cold weapons retained their value best—so long as they had a sharp edge, they could kill with minimal expenditure. But one should not underestimate cold weapons; as evolution progressed and bodies were genetically enhanced, practitioners could acquire internal energy akin to ancient martial arts. Infusing this energy into their weapons would make attacks tangible, a possibility not to be dismissed.

But that was for the future. The first human to undergo armor transformation was, ironically, a so-called failure, not yet unlocked for genetic evolution. The system had already noted that even with gene enhancement, this “failure” would not achieve much. Lin Qiu, dreading the task of improving her constitution, felt his mood sour with the thought.

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Armor transformation meant protecting the body and enhancing abilities.

“This…” Xu Bing stared at the silvery Fangtian Halberd in her hand, gazing at its red tassel, utterly dazed. Wasn’t this what she had always dreamed of? How had it become reality? Could she truly be the reincarnation of an immortal?

“Reincarnation, my foot—pay the damages!” Lin Qiu’s resentful voice echoed in her mind.

“Who… Who’s speaking in my head?!” Xu Bing, startled, spun around abruptly. Her body moved several meters in a streak of silvery light, swift as the wind and lightning. The speed made the two men below jump in alarm once more.

“I say, Xu Bancheng, this looks pretty impressive. Did you miss something?” Liu Changfeng’s eyes brimmed with envy and jealousy, his tone filled with lingering regret.

Xu Bancheng’s expression shifted slightly, then he smirked coldly. “I, Xu Bancheng, accept only the best—better to have nothing than settle for less! And I believe my future partner will be among the strongest of all creatures.”

“You arrogant fool!” Liu Changfeng shook his head and sighed. “What a chance! Why did this guy turn me down?”

“What are you babbling about? I am the armor you wear!” Lin Qiu interjected. “The Fangtian Halberd in your hand is made from my teeth. Enough nonsense—compensate me for my losses!”

Lin Qiu rattled off the explanation rapidly.

“Ah, so you’re that little dolphin?!” Xu Bing, understanding at last, flushed with excitement.

“You idiot, is this woman brain-dead? I’m talking compensation and she’s changing the subject!” Lin Qiu fumed inwardly, his irritation growing.

“Bingbing, come down!” Liu Changfeng beckoned, his face wearing a lewd grin. “Let your brother Feng feel that armor—it’s just too cool!”

He reached for her armor, but a flash of silver stopped him in his tracks. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple. At his neck glinted the sharp blade of the Fangtian Halberd. If he so much as moved, his cute head would no longer be attached!

“Bingbing, a misunderstanding—a huge misunderstanding!” Liu Changfeng, teeth chattering, raised his hands trembling. “Blades are blind—careful not to fire by accident!”

“Silence!” Xu Bing’s face was cold, her brows carrying an air of heroic grace. With a slight arch, her expression sharpened with a hint of edge.

Liu Changfeng: “…”

“Behave, or I’ll cut your head off!” Xu Bing’s voice was icy, living up to her name. With a flick of her wrist, the blade left a thin line on his neck.

“Hiss… That hurts, girl! I’m bleeding!” Liu Changfeng inhaled sharply, wincing with every breath. Even a minor scratch from this weapon was agonizing, making him question his very existence. He kept gasping and howling.

Xu Bancheng’s face darkened. “Put down your weapon!”

“Brother!” All the bravado drained from Xu Bing’s face, replaced by a hint of fear.

“You coward, what’s there to fear? You’re an armored warrior now—hit him!” Lin Qiu urged, having already taken offense at being underestimated.