Indeed a treasure, a truly delightful one! Zhang Yuanqing showed no hesitation and didn't even glance at the attributes of the other items. He simply said, "I'll take the Armor of Thunder." Shaoen Med was momentarily surprised, then quickly deduced his intention. He replied calmly, "I'd advise you to reconsider. The Armor of Thunder offers only electromagnetic protection—though its defense is solid, its quality falls short of exceptional. It's here because it's a component of the Thunder God's set. However, you should know that assembling a complete set is harder than acquiring a rule-based item." Shaoen Med's words were well-intentioned, meant to gently highlight the relatively low return on investment for choosing the Armor of Thunder. In the past, Shaoen would have directly approved and left no room for hesitation. But now, he has grown more favorable toward Jùmáng, as he himself has benefited greatly from the latter's outstanding achievements. This young man has consistently delivered remarkable service—offering him a measure of goodwill is well deserved. Putting together a set isn't just difficult—it's nearly impossible. Zhang Yuanqing shrugged. "But if I can assemble the set, the return is even better than that of rule-based items. I'm a risk-taker, so I'm willing to go for it. Also, a set doesn't have to be fully complete to yield benefits—two or three items still carry set attributes. Maybe I'll eventually get the missing piece of the Thor's Set." Once Qu Meng said that, Xiong Meid didn't feel the need to press further. "Just sign here, and come back in half an hour," he said, pushing a form across the desk. The form stated that Qu Meng voluntarily waived cash and material rewards and would choose one item from among the six. Zhang Yuanqing didn't hesitate. He picked up the ballpoint pen from the penholder, checked "Armor of Thunder" in the item selection section, and signed his name, "Qu Meng." Then he put down the pen and left the office. As soon as they reached the door, a voice from behind announced, "This evening, a specialist sent by the Headquarters will arrive in Xin Yue County. Winny will return to the Maze Villa. In the evening, you're to join me for a reception." The specialist from the Heavenly Punishment Headquarters—Christine Gustav? Zhang Yuanqing's eyes sparkled: "Great!" Back at the office area of the Wu Xing Alliance's aid team, he listened attentively as Guan Ya and the others eagerly discussed the rewards and spoils they'd earned, while waiting for Shawn Mede's reply, his heart full of anticipation for the armor of Thunder that was soon to be his. "My mother has dinner reservations for me tonight, and she'd like to meet you," Guan Ya leaned in, speaking softly. "She'd like to get to know the renowned Juming personally." Given my mother's flair for the dramatic, I'm not sure that's going to happen... Zhang Yuanqing recalled the unusual love interests he'd encountered during his stargazing and celestial calculations, and shook his head immediately. "I'm tied up." Fu Xue didn't know that Juming was the son-in-law of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, a Of course, Zhang Yuanqing felt that his integrity was intact—he absolutely didn’t intend to develop anything with Fu Xue. Yet, since the celestial signs had issued an unusual "cherry blossom" warning, he should take the necessary precautions. Guan Ya frowned, saying, "She mentioned bringing a business partner along. This time, Fu Xue is here to discuss business. If the talks go well, that friend will become an investor, and her friend would like to get to know you." Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What is her friend’s background?" Guan Ya shook her head. "Then I’m not going," Zhang Yuanqing declared. "I’m not someone who can just chat with any random person." He declined, "I have an evening meeting with Shawn Mede to host Chriss Gustav." Compared to his mother-in-law and her friend, meeting Chriss was the real priority. She was one of the Magic King’s lovers, and possibly even holds the key to the Magic King’s treasure—so it was essential to make the connection. Thirty minutes later, Zhang Yuanqing went to Sean Med's office, where wind mages—whether they wore white or dark chocolate robes, whether they had golden hair and blue eyes or brown hair and high noses—each bowed respectfully and greeted him warmly as he passed. In the realm of spiritual travelers, strength is always revered. Hmm, this stimulation is a bit sharp and refreshing... Zhang Yuanqing opened his inventory, placed the lightning orb within to complete the bonding, then retrieved it again. The familiar numbness and pricking sensation returned once more—no immunity, even as the owner. [Lightning will numb the body.] This is the cost of the Lightning Armor. While it offers excellent electromagnetic protection, the owner is effectively half-disabled. Even physically robust melee professionals feel its effects. Only lightning-resistant spellcasters with full attribute points in lightning resistance can use it without any burden. With a mere thought, the lightning orb transformed into a bright blue Lightning Armor. The upper garment instantly turned to ash, and a strong wave of numbness and sharp pain surged through him. Shawn Med, seated behind the desk, lightly tapped his finger, sending a gust of wind slicing toward Zhang Yuanqing. The Lightning Armor immediately projected a semi-transparent electromagnetic shield, deflecting Shawn’s casual, exploratory gesture. "The electromagnetic defense of the Armor of Thunder can withstand a single attack from a Level 7 Dominator. Two attacks are its limit; three will surely breach it," said Sean Med. "Each time the energy is depleted, it takes three hours to recharge fully. During intense combat, the fully charged energy lasts only up to ten minutes. If the energy is not used, it can sustain the equipment for about fifteen days through the inventory." Sean then added, "You'll have to pay for the electricity yourself—Heaven's Judgment doesn't cover it." Hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing felt a sudden jolt. This attitude clearly indicated that the power consumption of the Armor of Thunder was exceptionally high—so high that Heaven's Judgment was unwilling to reimburse electricity costs. Additionally, the Thunder Armguards grow stronger with each charge. Both items require regular charging. If the long-stored Thunder Seal, resting in the inventory, is also included, the total number of items requiring continuous charging reaches three, resulting in an extremely demanding power consumption. I can have Wenyi assist with charging, and when fighting a lightning mage, their attacks can be absorbed by the item and converted into electrical energy—quite manageable. Zhang Yuanqing’s first instinct is always to take advantage of free services whenever possible, never spending extra. Zhang Yuanqing, clad in robes inscribed with Yin and Yang symbols, leapt out of the sea, standing upon the ocean using his water manipulation abilities, and then donned his arm guards and breastplate once more. "Hmph, this thing can only be used as a ranged attack—it's not suitable for actual combat..." With the renewed sensations of electric numbness and sharp pain, he drew a deep breath. After adjusting for a few seconds, Zhang Yuanqing raised his right hand, which was fitted with arm guards, palm open and angled slightly toward the sea, activating the electromagnetic cannon. "Fizz... fizz..." Electric arcs flashed around him, forming a bright blue orb. Then, the electric light surged toward his right arm, compressing and compressing continuously. A deep, resonant "hum" followed, and a bright blue beam of one-meter diameter erupted, piercing into the ocean. Instantly, hundreds of tons of seawater vaporized, the sound of boiling water roaring like thunder, enveloping a radius of hundreds of meters. The steam filled the air, making every breath scorching. Zhang Yuanqing's right arm, now weak and lifeless, had severely carbonized and required the aid of equipment to recover quickly. Yet compared to the power displayed by the electromagnetic cannon, the painful carbonization of his right arm was nothing. He had now mastered another master-tier skill—one capable of directly eliminating even physically frail masters. Powerful, with strong penetration and long range, this was a divine technique enabling remote defense and counterattacks. With just these two items, he had already assembled such a formidable electromagnetic cannon. Imagine what it would be like with the full set? He already possessed four master-tier items capable of defeating masters: the Purple-Gold Set, the Form-and-Spirit-Annihilating Blade, the Chaotic Oil Painting, and the Thunder God Set. With proper utilization, he could completely eliminate masters. Once he himself ascended to master status, the functions of the Qing Di Belt and the Yajima Mirror would fully unfold, making him utterly unassailable. His body would wear the Purple-Gold Set, while his secondary form would don the Thunder God Set. When one of these sets' durations expired, he would switch to the Sacred Heaven Set. Even an ordinary seventh-tier master would find it impossible to match him, and against an eighth-tier master, he could certainly hold his own. After the initial joy, Zhang Yuanqing looked at the dimmed armor and arm guards and suddenly sighed, "The battery's out..."... 2:00 p.m. Tongtian's Master arrived at Catherine's wellness spa, wearing a baseball cap and mask. In the luxurious private room reserved for the manager, he found Catherine. The graceful woman with gray short hair was now bathing, lounging lazily against the pool wall, the steam rising from the water also gilding a warm glow on her skin. Yet Catherine closed her eyes, her brow furrowed—not enjoying the bath at all—her mood clearly troubled. Facing away from the room's door, she spoke firmly, "We've lost. We've lost completely. With this battle, the leaders of the Free Alliance are now forced to step down. The cocktail has reported the full details of the engagement, and once again, Juming's strength has exceeded our expectations. Losing to such a formidable opponent isn't your fault." "We've lost. That's it." “Zhang Yuanqing said coldly, ‘In the wars between factions, saints are merely frontline soldiers—unable to sway the outcome. Even if the Order faction wins, how significant is it when a single finger press can extinguish an entire group of saints?’ Katherine shook her head. ‘Saints are the hope of the future, especially the peak saints, who serve as commanders of the reserve forces. Each year, in the killing raids, some peak saints rise to become commanders. ‘Our war against the Order faction will not end soon. If it continues for several years…’ She sighed. ‘Within a few years, there will be a clear gap in the number of commanders between the Order and the Chaotic factions. Currently, the Free Faction has two options: either to deploy its saints to the New Covenant Province to continue the struggle against the Order faction, or to send its own commanders into the field, escalating the conflict.’ "The war among the saints has already eroded confidence at the upper levels. Of course, we could break protocol and dispatch a Sovereign to assassinate Gengma, but then the Sovereigns of the lawful faction would surely follow suit—better to escalate the war and reduce the number of fallen saints." Moreover, the Sovereigns killing Gengma is now standard battlefield conduct—it's not unbecoming of valor at all. Zhang Yuanqing sighed, recalling the early warning in his celestial observation and divination. In the coming period, he would become the first target of retaliation from the evil faction. Fortunately, the arrival of the Thunder Armor has granted him a new weapon—women like Catherine, who merely display their grace, would be reduced to ashes by a single electromagnetic cannon blast. As he thought this, his gaze settled on the slender, fair neck and full, graceful shoulders of his opponent, remembering the passionate delight of that night, and quietly set aside his earlier intention. Such a demoness should be beaten senseless. Sitting on a wicker chair by the bath, Zhang Yuanqing said coldly, "What is it you want from me?" Hearing Katharine’s opening remarks just now, it didn’t sound like she was scolding him—more like she was seeking an outlet for her own frustrations, just like the male executives in TV dramas who treat women as mere playthings. Now, he himself has become Katharine’s plaything. Zhang Yuanqing would never allow someone to treat him merely as a means for venting. Katharine turned to him with a smile that radiated charm, and gestured with her finger: “Come here!” Being used as a venting tool isn’t entirely out of the question… Zhang Yuanqing hesitated for two seconds before quickly rising and stepping forward. “Splash!” Katharine pulled him into the pool, her warm lips pressing firmly against his, and soon his long sleeves, trousers, and underwear floated above the water. Katharine was pressed against the pool wall. The water splashed with rhythmic intensity—sometimes vigorous, sometimes gentle. After about half an hour, immersed in delight, Katharine opened her dazed, beautiful eyes, surprised: “You didn’t last as long as last time.” Last time, he’d been on a medication regimen! The Celestial Master gave a cold snort and began his second round of efforts. Half an hour later, though Catherine still wasn't satisfied with the duration, the pace of her flat presses had improved noticeably compared to the previous time. She rested her pointed chin against his shoulder and smiled dazedly, "That's enough! I came to see you today not for pleasure." Zhang Yuanqing paused, a sense of unease rising within him.