Chapter 39: Qiao Zhe: Has a Pie Fallen from the Sky?

The Annihilation Summoner secretly dispatched a vast number of psychic parasites to destroy the Earth and humanity. Some of these parasites made contact with Klaus, the traitor from the Alchemy Star, and fused with him. Unbeknownst to Fujimiya, a psychic parasite had already infiltrated his mind, transforming into the “monster” in his heart and amplifying his negative thoughts.

The root Annihilation Summoner sent many invading monsters to Earth—creatures so bizarre that a moment’s carelessness could lead to disaster. At times, only science could reveal the method to defeat these foes; yet sometimes, even science failed to decipher their mysteries. Relying solely on brute force might mean falling into the Summoner’s trap. Perhaps this was why the Light of Earth chose Imon and Fujimiya—two of the world’s leading scientists.

Sadly, Fujimiya had already been misled.

On the other side, at the Takayama residence, Qiao Zhe had barely returned to his room when someone knocked at his door before he could even lie down. Opening the door, he found Takayama Yui standing there with several bags in hand. “Qiao Zhe, these are from Aunt Zhongmei; she bought them for you.”

Before Qiao Zhe could respond, Takayama Yui handed him the bags. Patting Qiao Zhe’s shoulder with the air of a seasoned mentor, she said, “Young men can’t just wear the same set of clothes every day. Since you’re Imon’s friend, consider these a welcome gift from us.”

Her approach left Qiao Zhe no chance to refuse; he could only offer a helpless expression. “Thank you. I’ll make sure to look after Imon.”

“No need for that. Qiao Zhe, it’s getting late, so I won’t keep you any longer,” Takayama Yui replied with a smile, turning and leaving with the satisfaction of having completed his wife’s errand—no chores for him tonight.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard Qiao Zhe’s voice behind him: “Uncle Takayama, you should really take care of your health—try eating some pig kidneys or something for nourishment.”

Takayama Yui stumbled, turned back with a stern face, and said, “Grown-up matters are none of your concern, kid!”

With that, he hurried off, though he kept Qiao Zhe’s advice in mind, planning to try it out in secret the next day.

Watching Takayama Yui leave, Qiao Zhe closed the door and looked at the bags in his hands. Inside were several shirts and pants of various styles. In a separate bag lay a white coat, similar in style to the black one he currently wore.

Truthfully, once one could transform into light, it hardly mattered whether the clothes changed—there would never be dust or stains. During transformation, the clothes would become particles of light along with the body, and after reverting, they’d return to normal.

But since he’d accepted the gifts, there was no harm in occasionally wearing the white coat.

Glancing at the clock, he saw it was nearly ten o’clock. Without hesitation, Qiao Zhe climbed into bed.

A well-balanced person values eight hours of sleep; among hand-enthusiasts, this is widely agreed upon. Once his body relaxed, Qiao Zhe’s consciousness seamlessly entered the subspace.

He strode toward the portal to the training field.

“Though I’ve gained a new form, I’m still not strong enough. I can’t even suppress my own dark aura. Pathetic, truly pathetic!”

The scene shifted smoothly.

The ground that had been destroyed during his previous battle with Mephilas was now perfectly restored, as if refreshed upon re-entering the training ground.

The AI’s prompt sounded:

[Scanning information...]

[Basic competency met; more skill electives unlocked.]

[Choose the skill you wish to practice from the following options.]

Puzzled, Qiao Zhe saw a transparent virtual screen appear before him, making selection easier.

“I can select skills now?”

Apparently, his new form had convinced the AI that Qiao Zhe’s overall power was sufficient to choose his own training path.

Scanning the virtual screen, he was greeted by a long list of options:

[Ultra Psychokinesis, Particle Feather, Metallium Ray, Stream Ray, Phase Shift Wave, Y Light Blade, Circular Shield...]

So many skills had become available at once that Qiao Zhe felt overwhelmed, as if he were being showered with windfalls falling from the sky—immersed in an ocean of abilities, free to learn whatever he desired.

Never before had so many skills appeared at once; he was almost at a loss.

Wait—was this a final feast?

With that thought, he asked, “Will I be able to enter the training ground again in the future?”

[You can enter at any time.]

Relieved by the AI’s answer, Qiao Zhe’s worries vanished. It wasn’t a last feast after all.

He focused on the virtual screen and immediately zeroed in on Ultra Psychokinesis.

This was a truly versatile skill—many of Ultraman’s abilities depended on it. The homing Eightfold Light Wheel, for example, used Ultra Psychokinesis in combination with energy to give the attack automatic tracking.

Not only that, Ultra Psychokinesis had countless applications—its possibilities seemed limited only by imagination.

The more Qiao Zhe studied it, the more delighted he became. Perhaps, by mastering this, many of his ideas could come to fruition.

After selecting Ultra Psychokinesis, he browsed for other suitable skills. He couldn’t learn them all at once; he needed to prioritize.

Particle Feather: a small, crescent-shaped light projectile that could quickly disrupt enemies or interrupt their skills at crucial moments.

Circular Shield: the wave-patterned round shield used by Nexus, adjustable in size according to the amount of energy supplied—extremely sturdy, impervious to ordinary beams. Not a “kryptonite” shield; even if it broke, Ultraman wouldn’t die.

Phase Shift Wave: a domain-type beam skill, pulling enemies into the user’s own field.

Having chosen four skills, Qiao Zhe reviewed their principles and confirmed his selection on the virtual screen.

[Simulation training objectives: Phase Shift Wave, Ultra Psychokinesis, Particle Feather Mini Light Blade, Circular Shield.]

[Countdown begins: 30...29...28...]

Aside from Ultra Psychokinesis, the other three were normally deployed by Nexus with specialized armaments, but understanding the principles meant light energy could achieve the same effects.

The thirty-second countdown ended quickly, and the virtual screen before Qiao Zhe vanished.

Not far away, a figure gradually materialized.

“An Ultraman?”

Though only a silhouette, Qiao Zhe recognized the form instantly—it was unmistakably Ultraman.

He was still wondering which one it might be when he noticed the opponent’s overly extravagant chest muscles.

“Wait—a female Ultraman?”

As the figure fully took shape, a female Ultraman appeared in the training ground—her body clad mostly in gray, accentuated by golden stripes, her physique curvaceous, and two small horns on her head.

The Dark Giant, Warrior of Love and Hate—Camilla!

Qiao Zhe: “...”

How did I end up with Tiga’s ex-girlfriend here?