"The situation on the island doesn't look promising."

The Infinite came to a stop as the team members disembarked, spreading out to observe the direction where the Ringstar Orbital Bridge extended inland.

"Are these people trying to flee to the mainland?" Shu Qin stood atop the vehicle, watching the dense trail of bodies stretching into the distance.

"They were probably heading for Dawn City," Chen Sixuan said. "This route would get them to Yongcheng Port within a day. Going east would mean crossing tens of thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean—even with the offshore bases and Republican Archipelago along the way, the danger level would be much higher."

"But these trains clearly came from Yongcheng Port." KIKI looked puzzled. "Could the route be blocked? Did something happen to the ocean segment?"

"Very likely."

Lu Xingchen descended from the sky wreathed in flames, his expression serious. "I scouted the surrounding airspace—no signs of living humans. This place feels like a dead city."

He turned to Lin Xian. "Brother Lin, we should check the island's exit routes in advance."

Lin Xian nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."

"Rumor has it many train convoys already advanced to Haiyan Island via the ocean segment," Qian Dele remarked from his perch on the vehicle roof, observing the jam-packed trains ahead. "This port area has abundant supplies, and with the sea separating it, land convoys couldn't reach here. Logically, besides local survivors and the Ringstar Orbital train teams, there shouldn't be many survivors left. While train armor is sturdy and space ample, they have numerous limitations too. Without mechanical ability users like you all with telekinetic powers, this would be a real headache."

"Look, these trains all met their end here."

Swish!

A grappling hook swung through the air as Xiao Qing and A Bai returned from inspecting the abandoned train roofs. "We checked—the deaths were mainly due to mutations. Doesn't seem like large abnormal entity attacks, though we can't confirm whether it was human aberrations or ability-wielding rioters."

A Bai nodded in agreement. "I detected no spiritual fluctuations or monster presence in this entire area, including the sea."

"Good."

Lin Xian immediately issued orders to Viola. "Viola, lead the drones on a reconnaissance mission to the eastern estuary. Maintain stealth mode and deploy relay communication devices along the way."

[Viola acknowledges.]

The elegant ballet robot leaped into action like the Phantom of the Opera, moving with astonishing agility along the tracks. Hundreds of drones maintained perfect formation as they accompanied her under her control.

Lin Xian checked the time.

17:20

He surveyed the blocked orbital bridge ahead. "Nightfall approaches. Let's dock in the Yanxi coastal urban area for the night and await Viola's reconnaissance report before making further plans."

"Captain Lin." Ning Jing approached. "Should we split into teams to investigate? It would help us identify potential threats in advance."

Lin Xian's expression turned serious. "I was just considering that." Read full story at nοvelfire.net

Turning to the group, he announced, "As an elite squad, we'll divide into teams of three to four members each. This will improve efficiency for both reconnaissance and combat operations."

"Excellent idea," Lu Xingchen said with a smile. "Let Captain Lin handle the assignments."

Shu Qin nodded toward Miao Lu. "Sister Ning's team—A Bai and Xiao Qing, you're already familiar with each other. A Bai's offensive capabilities are strong, Xiao Qing is agile, and with you leading them, I feel reassured."

"Mmm." Miao Lu nodded.

"First team: Miao Lu, A Bai, Xiao Qing—Miao Lu as team leader."

"Second team: Lu Xingchen, Lin Xian, Ning Jing, Lü Chang. You all have strong mobility but lack long-range capabilities—Lü Chang can compensate for that."

"For the third team, I suggest Queen Monica lead with Dalou, Shasha, and Takahashi Ryunosuke. Monica excels at reconnaissance with wide ability coverage, Dalou can handle frontal combat, Shasha provides firepower support, and Ryunosuke handles air defense."

"As for the Infinite, Teacher Chen, Miao Lu, and Xiao Yuan will remain to defend it using the train's firepower. Director Ding and Xiaotian won't be venturing out, so they'll rely on your protection."

Chen Sixuan nodded. "Understood."

"Wait—what about me?" KIKI interjected.

Lin Xian replied, "You, Shiori, and I will form a team. Shiori can assist with reconnaissance, and together we can handle various situations."

"Brother Lin!"

Lu Xingchen landed dramatically, brimming with enthusiasm. "Have you forgotten about me?"

Lin Xian responded, "You want to join a team too?"

"Of course!" Lu Xingchen glanced around, noticing everyone's eyes on him. "Though I enjoy sunbathing, humanity's survival is every individual's responsibility. As the Fire God incarnate, it's only right I contribute."

"Yes yes yes!" Mo Xiaotian peeked out from the train door. "Master, I'll go with you too."

"Shoo!" Lu Xingchen shot him a look, making the boy retreat immediately.

"Very well." Lin Xian smiled. "Which team would you like to join?"

Lu Xingchen scanned the group before asking with heroic flair, "Brother Lin, which team faces the most danger?"

"Tch." Xiao Qing couldn't help rolling her eyes at his words.

"Excellent! Then I'll join the first team!" Lu Xingchen declared solemnly in response to Xiao Qing's sarcasm.

Xiao Qing immediately frowned at him, but Lu Xingchen simply crossed his arms and turned away with an air of superiority, clearly provoking her intentionally.

Lin Xian chuckled. "Alright, you'll join Sister Ning's team."

"Oh, one more thing." Lin Xian addressed everyone. "As a mechanical ability user, I've prepared equipment for our elite squads."

He raised his hand, and a massive mechanical gate opened in the sky. Dozens of uniquely designed, energy-pulsing super suits descended, landing before the team.

Everyone's expressions changed—these were priceless stellar-grade power armors representing humanity's pinnacle of technology. Each featured micro cold fusion cores, fully enclosed life support systems, and flight propulsion. Their defensive materials were top-tier, offering incredible ballistic and pressure resistance.

"Wow, you made all these?" KIKI looked astonished. "Customized for each person?"

"Essentially." Lin Xian nodded. "I modified them based on each member's abilities and needs. I've been working on these since leaving Dawn City."

"Quite the investment," Ning Jing remarked, amazed.

"Truly befitting a mechanical ability user," Qian Dele added.

"Let me briefly introduce them."

"A Bai, this set is for you." Lin Xian presented a specially modified black power armor. "Designed for your laser eyes—you can activate them without removing the suit. It offers F-grade defense and mobility while enhancing your sensory perception. With practice, you'll be able to operate independently more often."

"Huh?" A Bai stared at the armor in surprise before comprehension dawned. His face lit up with excitement. "This is... incredible. Yes, I... I can be much more helpful now." He nervously glanced at the others, steeling himself before adding, "I'll pull my weight."

Nodding repeatedly, A Bai slowly removed his sunglasses. His pale eyes fixed on the dark armor as his breathing grew heavier.

"Xiao Qing, this Phantom-01 model for you. While defense is average, its mobility is exceptional—I added four extreme propulsion units that should suit your style."

"Thanks. I never did like cumbersome restraints."

Xiao Qing's typically cold expression softened with gratitude as she accepted the sleek armor, walking past Fire Bro without hesitation.

"Ning Jing, this Executor X1 is modified from the X0 base model with reinforced arm armor and buffers to accommodate your strength."

Ning Jing's eyes sparkled. "Excellent. Just my style."

"Hey Lin Xian, equipping the whole team, are you?" Qian Dele crouched on the roof curiously. "Got one for me?"

"Of course."

Lin Xian nodded. "I made sets for everyone except Ryunosuke."

He turned to the quiet figure at the back. "You already have Takahashi Shinji's custom design, so I didn't prepare another. But I can handle repairs or upgrades if needed."

Ryunosuke nodded in appreciation.

"Qian Dele, you'll team with Shu Qin and Lü Chang." Lin Xian continued, "Your speed demanded the nano-tech Starry Sky T1 armor—extremely flexible though slightly lower energy output. Still handles all terrains."

He presented two suits to Qian Dele and Lü Chang. "Lü Chang, you'll use the Starry Sky T1 too. Upgraded your chain devices to plasma beam emitters—powerful, so be careful."

"Amazing!" Lü Chang's eyes shone. "Thanks, Captain Lin."

Qian Dele grinned at his armor. "Got climate control and fragrance systems?"

"Naturally."

"Perfect!" He accepted it gleefully.

"Shu Qin, Teacher Chen, Miao Lu, Xiao Yuan, and KIKI—yours are standard Executor X0 models, though modified. Shu Qin's has enhanced mobility, defense, and multi-weapon systems. Teacher Chen and Miao Lu's focus on enemy detection. Xiao Yuan's includes Infinite's fire control module since you'll be protecting Director Ding aboard the train—you and Shasha will handle its weapons while Teacher Chen and Miao Lu snipe. No need for field reconnaissance unless necessary."

Chen Sixuan nodded. "Quite thorough planning."

"Teacher Chen, your Meteor-3 needed replacing anyway."

Lin Xian snapped his fingers. Two drones carried over a massive silver sniper rifle—almost two meters long, more resembling a naval gun than a firearm.

"This Night Hunter combines Takahashi Shinji's Silent Hunter anti-air design with plasma constraints—I made adjustments. More powerful than pulse cannons—basically a handheld railgun, but energy-based so no recoil."

"But..." Chen Sixuan stared at the behemoth. "This is a gun?"

"Technically." Lin Xian pondered. "Weighs 213kg—hefty, but the power armor will handle it easily."

"Very well." She smiled slightly. "Then I'll use this to protect you... all of you."

"Wow! These armors are so cool! Xiao Yuan, look—Captain Lin got us some too!" Miao Lu's excitement was palpable as she admired the suits.

Xiao Yuan responded earnestly, "Thank you, Captain Lin. We'll defend the Infinite with our lives!"

"213kg?! That's artillery!" Shasha's eyes widened. "What about me, Brother Lin?"

Lin Xian regarded the weapon-loving young girl. "You? You'll operate this for firepower support."

Snap!

The Black Star Forge produced an extraordinary aircraft—a floating arsenal with three thrusters and an open cockpit. Shasha could connect via her armor to control multiple cannons and twin plasma pulse rifles—essentially a mobile flying artillery platform.

"What is that? A mech?" Shu Qin and others looked perplexed at the bizarre contraption.

"Technically a semi-mech," Lin Xian explained. "Mechs lack mobility, power armor lacks firepower—this combines both. Shasha can wear armor while operating this external weapons platform for aerial mobility and... exceptional firepower."

Shasha's eyes sparkled. "I can fly this thing?!"

"Lin Xian, what model is this? Never seen anything like it."

"It's based on Silent City's floating bomber prototype," Ryunosuke interjected quietly. "Shinji adapted it from Xinghua's high-altitude drone bomber blueprints. Originally meant to be AI-controlled, but we worried aerial activity might attract trouble, so drones replaced it."

"What?!"

"A bomber?!" Luo Yang gasped. "That's a bomber mech?"

"Essentially." Lin Xian cleared his throat. "Shinji's blueprints had many interesting designs. This seemed perfect for Shasha's style, so I built one. Hope you—"

"I! LOVE! IT!"

Shasha screamed, rushing to hug Lin Xian before scrambling onto the bomber mech to examine it excitedly.

Lin Xian sighed in relief at her reaction.

"Hey!"

KIKI flew over, arms crossed. "Why do they get custom upgrades and Shasha gets a bomber, while I'm stuck with standard issue?"

"You don't engage in close combat—your armor is mainly defensive." Lin Xian smiled. "All suits have special frequency modules, and I upgraded the blood crystal communicators for 20km daytime range with relay capabilities. That's the main thing."

"But..." KIKI puffed her cheeks. "Lin! Xian!"

"Relax, I prepared this for you."

Lin Xian snapped his fingers again. The Black Star Forge produced a black spherical drone that unfolded like a porcupine with countless razor-thin blue electric blades glowing faintly as they charged.

"This modified Hummingbird drone carries 2000 VK electric blades and follows you. Best part—when tired, you can rest on it." He pointed as a seat emerged from the sphere's top.

A tiny control device flew to KIKI. "Wear this to operate the Hummingbird. Later, it'll attach to your armor."

KIKI nearly laughed—the "receiver" was clearly modeled after her favorite purple headphones. She put it on, smiling slyly. "Alright, this'll do. Thanks~"

Lin Xian turned to the others. "Dalou's already equipped. Luo Yang, Director Ding, and Fire Bro get standard stellar nano-armor. Luo Yang's tremor vision needs no special settings, so his is unmodified."

"No problem, Captain Lin! This armor is perfect as is!!" Luo Yang was ecstatic.

"Monica." Lin Xian addressed the queenly figure in tactical wear. "Yours is nano-tech too—average mobility and defense with basic weapons."

"And this is how you treat me?" Monica smiled coyly.

"However, it features adaptive adjustments and DIY exterior lighting—you can customize colors and interior comfort. Noticed you always wear special undersuits, so I accommodated that preference."

Monica's gaze sharpened before curving into a satisfied smile. "Thoughtful features. My thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Lin Xian."

Chen Sixuan suddenly called out. He turned to see her gesturing toward shy Shiori at the back. "Nothing for Shiori?"

"Of course." Lin Xian replied. "Shinji entrusted Shiori and Ryunosuke to me—I wouldn't neglect them. Ryunosuke's already equipped, and Shiori..."

"It's fine, I have armor like Ryunosuke... no need for special treatment," Shiori said timidly.

"Different situation—your abilities require more protection, especially at sea. So I prepared this."

Lin Xian turned as an unusually cute-looking armor floated over...