"I'm saying that's enough. Do you really plan to haul every modern convenience into this place? Qin Shi Huang's ambition was truly something else… whereas I seem to be far too conservative."
To remake an empire in the image of Qin Shi Huang—even in another world—the Dragon Emperor had no reason to refuse. After agreeing, he immediately began using Long Group's vast financial resources to acquire all sorts of supplies.
One could say that every resource a nation might need was being purchased by the Dragon Emperor. Fortunately, Long Group was a private enterprise, not a publicly traded company, and with Daniel's assistance, no great commotion was raised.
In comparison, what Daniel had brought to the Tang was nothing next to what the Dragon Emperor was transporting. With his shipments, within perhaps ten or twenty years the nation might well enter the Industrial Age.
The Dragon Emperor's cargo included not only the basic materials a nation required—food, seeds, books—but also a copious number of complete production lines. Among these were many modernized weapon manufacturing facilities, several rudimentary satellites, and even a supercomputer from Long Group. Along with a suite of modest AI systems, even a world two thousand years ago could launch satellites into orbit.
Soon after, rumors quickly spread throughout Xianyang that "the Immortal has resurrected Ying Zheng, the First Emperor."
In order to make the Dragon Emperor's arrival seem plausible, Daniel and the Dragon Emperor staged an elaborate spectacle in Xianyang. Using holographic projections, they simulated an Immortal resurrecting Ying Zheng in mid-air, with a black divine dragon looming over the entire city.
Although Daniel himself could have done such a display with his own power, why waste personal effort when technology could accomplish it instead?
"Just keep to your own experiments in this world," the Dragon Emperor said dismissively after the performance. "I have no need for your meddling in how to unify and govern an empire."
"Where exactly are we now? The quantum realm…it's changed."
Daniel was stunned as he surveyed his surroundings. Matters in the Mythical World were merely an interlude for him. After escorting the Dragon Emperor over, he'd begun exploring new worlds. Yet, to his surprise, when he finally entered a new dimensional realm, it wasn't another "world" at all—it was still within the quantum domain.
This quantum realm, however, differed greatly from the one he'd traversed before. Its most striking difference was the inhabitants. Previously, the creatures populating the quantum realm had been bizarre and varied—many of them dangerous. Now, though there were still many life forms, they all seemed to be different manifestations of the same species.
And then there was the environment. Earlier, the quantum realm resembled an endless void. Now, it appeared to be composed entirely of the ruins of countless buildings.
"Break Technique No. 4: White Thunder!"
Testing the waters, Daniel unleashed a bolt of lightning aimed at the nearest jet-black, flying creature. But almost immediately he regretted his decision—his strike had, it seemed, poked a hornet's nest. Almost instantly, a swarm of various black creatures surged toward him.
"That's just too many!" Daniel growled. "Break Technique No. 995: Dragon Revolving Destruction!"
All around him, the onslaught of black creatures was overwhelming. Daniel's frustration mounted, and with a sweeping motion of his right hand, he summoned five gigantic divine dragons. They charged in unison toward the horde. Though the black creatures were numerous, they were clearly not very strong—and the five-dragon assault quickly swept them away.
"Alright, you bunch—if you can't even hide when provoking me, then you deserve it!"
But soon, even more black creatures appeared in the distance—some in numbers far beyond that of ordinary ones. Daniel immediately pivoted and took off in the opposite direction.
He had assumed that, with his current power, a "human wave" tactic would no longer pose a threat. Yet this incident taught him that even his so-called "fearless against a horde" approach had its limits.
"Even if they're killed, no bodies remain… Is that some quirk of this quantum realm?"
Previously, out of sheer curiosity, Daniel had slain a few creatures in the quantum realm, only to study them briefly before giving up. Those beings could be transported out of the quantum realm, but once extracted they were just ordinary creatures. Many of the "dimensional invasions" were, in fact, creatures emerging from the sea of quantum particles. For instance, the monsters the Guardians of the Galaxy faced under the Sovi Empire were among them.
"This place is desolate…"
After evading the quantum creatures' relentless pursuit, Daniel pressed on. He wasn't sure how long he had wandered, but eventually he arrived at a world. However, upon entering, he was surprised to find it utterly uninhabited—a barren expanse of desolate land stretching as far as the eye could see.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique," Daniel muttered.
To quickly ascertain the nature of this world, he dispatched four shadow clones, sending each in a different direction to scout.
"Ah, there are humans after all…"
Before long, his clone that had ventured east reported back: it had discovered a human city—the only one he found during his journey. The city was encircled by a huge energy barrier.
"A city surrounded by a protective shield… Outside, everything seems relatively safe," his clone reported.
Hearing this, Daniel was quite surprised. In worlds with only one city, it was usually the end times scenario—reminiscent of the apocalyptic settings of the Resident Evil films. Yet not only him, even his clones hadn't detected any other living beings.
"Without a clear picture, I better not jump to conclusions. I need to see this for myself," Daniel resolved. He then mounted his sword and took to the skies, flying eastward toward the city.
"That's a massive barrier. The technological prowess required to build a shield that covers an entire city… I've only ever seen something like this in Wakanda," Daniel remarked as he approached the barrier. He walked to its edge and began testing its strength, searching for a way to enter the city without alerting its inhabitants. Directly breaking the barrier was out of the question without knowing its origin.
"Hmm… this world isn't a planet at all—it has an edge. That's just bizarre," he observed as he probed the golden barrier.
While Daniel examined the barrier, the other three clones transmitted their findings: having flown nonstop, they reached the very edge of the world. This revelation shocked Daniel.
"It's not a planet—the sun, then? Never mind. Existence is existence."
After pondering briefly, Daniel decided not to press further on the matter. What exactly a "world" was—why it existed, or how—it was a mystery far beyond his current concerns.
"Finally inside… I didn't expect this barrier to be so formidable," Daniel whispered.
After considerable effort—and using a magical frequency analysis based on Kama Tai Ji's spells—Daniel managed to pry open a gap in the barrier. He then stepped through and entered the city.
Inside, it appeared to be deep into the night. Neon lights flickered incessantly, and few people roamed the streets. Yet Daniel's keen perception (his "Observational Aura") detected that about three blocks away, numerous individuals were active.
"Are these just a bunch of punk thugs?"
Curious to see what kind of city this was, Daniel hurried to the scene. He found a group of roughly thirteen or fourteen scruffy-looking thugs arranged in a fan shape, surrounding two figures.
Their clothing was wildly varied, though one thing was common: each wore a badge embroidered with a tiger's head on the chest. Some even had neon lights around the tiger emblem, flashing intermittently. This only made the tiger design stand out more—though beneath the flashing neon, its fierce visage was obscured.
"Boys, keep a close watch on her. This little runt is slippery," a female thug with a commanding air shouted as she swung a baseball bat, pointing at a petite girl sitting on a railing.
"Since this isn't online, we're many—there's no way she can escape," another thug remarked.
"Unbelievable—when the Snake-Eyed gang talked about it, I never imagined that the infamous hacker of the underworld, 'Horrifying Rabbit,' would turn out to be just a little runt," several of the thugs murmured in astonishment as they glanced at the small girl.
"Humph. Now, tell me—how much did you say my intelligence cost? I'm curious how much I'm worth," a figure in a black hood with rabbit ears (the "Rabbit-Eating" girl) spoke coolly.
Her eyes, however, remained fixed on a figure not far away—a person clad entirely in black, holding a black umbrella, his face obscured except for one strange red eye visible behind a white mask.
"Sorry, that's a trade secret. I can only say it isn't insignificant—but not exorbitant either," the figure known as "Snake-Eye" replied in a mechanical monotone.
"If you won't tell me, fine—I'm not about to pay to buy my own life anyway," the Rabbit-Eating girl replied, neither pressing for more details nor letting the matter rest.
"Thank you for understanding, Miss Brownie," Snake-Eye said as he turned to leave.
"Hmph—who's to say anyone understands you? This is all on account of the meat you provided today," the Rabbit-Eating girl snapped.
"Enough chatter. If Snake-Eye isn't leaving, then none of you shall be spared—attack him! I want every last one of you to be beaten down, to death!" Before she could finish, the thugs moved to attack.
"Are you talking about all of you?" the Rabbit-Eating girl finally shifted her gaze from Snake-Eye to the thugs.
"Now you see it—so you finally realize your mistake, begging for mercy? Let me tell you, it's too late," she said. At that moment, the female thug leading the mob signaled for them to stop.
"This doesn't look like begging at all. Your comprehension is truly impressive—but this scene… it feels familiar," one thug remarked.
Hiding aside, Daniel observed the scene with exasperation. Although the thugs outnumbered their foes, judging by the attitude of the two central figures it was clear they had no intention of taking these goons seriously.
"Hey, keep your voices down! You're making my ears hurt," the Rabbit-Eating girl said, scratching her ear. Then she continued in a calm tone, "Now, tell me—what is it you want? Speak clearly and slowly, understand?"
"Are you playing dumb with me?" one thug growled in protest.
"Did you really think that video our boss shot—the one about his Cyber Zen Fist technique that went viral on Vline—wouldn't get attention? Months ago, it barely got any views. Look at the video I made for our boss: it hit over a hundred thousand views in one night. Now our boss is famous. Honestly, shouldn't you settle my advertising fee?"
Those words left the thugs speechless. Before they could respond, the Rabbit-Eating girl continued, "Is your boss still in the hospital? How is he doing? If he's alright, then forget the ad fee—I might as well donate it as medical expenses."
"Your video was nothing but secret filming, piracy, malicious editing, and slander," the thug leader shouted, clearly outraged.
The Rabbit-Eating girl ignored the outburst and turned her gaze toward Snake-Eye. "You seem to enjoy the show," she remarked.
"Heh, who knows? Until we meet again, little bunny—bless you," Snake-Eye said coolly as he turned to leave.
"Wait—don't rush off. If you're going to watch, you must watch until the very end," the Rabbit-Eating girl declared. With that, she leaped from the railing and strode directly toward the thugs.
"Hey, Big Sister—does that really work? I heard she used to be in the Tai Xu Sect," one of the thugs stammered as he grew timid.
"Who's afraid? Tai Xu Sect? Have you ever seen a tiger that's afraid of a rabbit? If you speak out, the others will laugh you to death," retorted the thug leader confidently.
"Have you never seen a rabbit that eats tigers?" the Rabbit-Eating girl said, her hands beginning to shimmer with light. In a dazzling display, two automatic pistols materialized in her hands. This sudden appearance stunned the surrounding thugs.
Without delay, she opened fire. The twin pistols erupted in a rapid burst, sending several thugs sprawling. Their bodies convulsed as if struck by electric current, though none died outright.
"Come on—let's kill that little runt already," the thug leader bellowed as he charged toward the Rabbit-Eating girl.
"Boss, is that really okay? I heard she used to be with the Tai Xu Sect," one subordinate hesitated.
"Bullshit. What's wrong with the Tai Xu Sect? Besides, have you ever seen a tiger afraid of a rabbit? If they were to speak out, they wouldn't be laughed at," the leader snapped.
"Have you never seen a rabbit that eats tigers?" the Rabbit-Eating girl repeated confidently.
Her words caused her hooded figure—her ears of black rabbit fur perched atop—to emit a soft glow. Then, as if by magic, twin automatic pistols materialized in her hands once more. This time, her rapid-fire assault sent several thugs crashing down again, their bodies trembling from the electric shocks.
"Enough! Let's kill every last one of you!" the thug leader roared, and his gang surged forward.
"Your words mean nothing. Snake-Eye, if you won't leave, then no one will be spared—attack! I want every single one of you taken down!" she shouted, but the thug leader's bellow cut her off.
"Doesn't look like you're begging now. Your grasp of the situation is spot on. Yet this scene… it feels familiar," one thug murmured.
Observing all this from a distance, Daniel couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. Although the thugs outnumbered their targets, judging from the demeanors of the two central figures it was clear they didn't take the thugs seriously at all.
"Don't be so loud, or you'll give me a headache," the Rabbit-Eating girl admonished, scratching her ear again. Then she added, "Now, tell me clearly—what do you want? Speak slowly, and make sure I understand."
"Are you playing dumb with me?" one thug growled.
"Didn't you record that video of our boss and post it online on Vline?" the female leader shouted, pointing accusingly at the Rabbit-Eating girl. "Your boss's video—of his Cyber Zen Fist technique—has been up for months and barely got any views. Now look at mine—it racked up over a hundred thousand views in one night! Our boss is famous now. Honestly, shouldn't you settle my ad fee already?"
Her words left the thugs silent.
"No need to elaborate. I'm not about to spend money to buy back my own life," the Rabbit-Eating girl replied coolly, and did not press the matter further.
"Thanks for understanding, Miss Brownie," Snake-Eye said before turning to leave.
"Wait a minute—don't go yet. I want to see this show through to the end," the Rabbit-Eating girl insisted as she jumped down from the railing and strode purposefully toward the thugs.
"Boss, is that alright? I heard she was once with the Tai Xu Sect," one thug asked nervously as the Rabbit-Eating girl advanced.
"Who gives a damn about the Tai Xu Sect? Besides, have you ever seen a tiger that's afraid of a rabbit? If you were to speak out, you'd be laughed out of the underworld," the thug leader retorted.
"Have you never heard of a rabbit that eats tigers?" she said, her hands now glowing brightly as two gleaming, black automatic pistols materialized. This display sent shockwaves through the mob.
Without hesitation, she opened fire—rapid bursts from both guns sent several thugs sprawling to the ground, though none died outright; their bodies only convulsed in painful spasms.
"Alright, let's finish off that runt," the thug leader roared, charging at her with his own weapon.
"Tai Xu Sect—Brownie, you're in trouble now, aren't you?" the leader called out.
"Damn it," Brownie retorted, her eyes narrowing as she observed the commotion. "Who said you can't run? Have you never seen a tiger that's not afraid of a rabbit? Speak up and you'll be laughed out of the sect!"
"Have you never heard of a tiger-eating rabbit?" Brownie said, and as her hands shimmered with radiant light, she summoned two automatic pistols in a flash.
In that moment, she launched a fierce counterattack with her twin pistols. The barrage sent several thugs reeling.
Just then, the mob leader—seeing her attack—barked, "Get 'em, kill that little runt!" and led the charge.
"Tai Xu Sect, Brownie—so this is what the world looks like, huh?" the mob leader jeered.
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