[Name: Dragon Heat Mechanism·Steel Wing]

[Type: Weapon]

[Quality: Excellent]

[Special Effect 1: Jet Propelled Slash. The vector jet ducts behind the Great Sword's blade expel gas, propelling the sword and greatly enhancing slashing speed]

[Special Effect 2: Sword Shield Defensive Ability. Hold the Great Sword horizontally, using its thick blade as a shield against frontal attacks, moderately reducing damage from Flying Props]

[Consumption: None]

[Cooldown: None]

[Equipment Requirements: Strength Attribute greater or equal to 7, Physical Attributes greater or equal to 6]

[Note: With a full fuel supply, the Dragon Heat Mechanism·Steel Wing can unleash the Jet Propelled Slash up to three times. Refueling is required for subsequent uses]

[Note: Standard-issue equipment of the Special Affairs Bureau. If found, please return it promptly to the nearest Special Affairs Bureau office; a generous reward is guaranteed]

Months earlier, the equipment department had been continuously holding various seminars and meetings to discuss what kind of standard-issue weapons to mass produce and supply to the grassroots agents of the Mobile Detachment.

First and foremost, such weapons needed to be easily mass-produced and simple to operate. They also had to have low equipment requirement thresholds, short Special Effect cooldown times, minimal consumption, and be adaptable to various situations.

Countless research meetings and discussions were held, demanding immense effort from the researchers, before a product catalog was finally compiled.

This included the standard-issue Jet Propelled Great Sword.

The blueprint for this Great Sword originated from a script mission world. Its primary material was sourced from a unique beast bred by the Heterodox Academy, one capable of constantly spewing out metal. The manufacturing process, a collaborative effort between the Special Affairs Bureau's equipment department and the Engineering Institute of the Academy of Sciences, embodied the dedication of hundreds of professional teams.

Although Wei Linglan was still an external member of the Mobile Detachment, the organization held goodwill towards every player who actively defected, treating them all equally. Thus, after careful consideration, the organization decided to allocate her a Dragon Heat Mechanism·Steel Wing.

At that moment, Wei Linglan gripped the Great Sword and pressed the button on the inside of the handle without hesitation.

Four hexagonal vector ducts behind the Great Sword's blade instantly burst forth with ghostly blue flames. The high-pressure airflow generated by the massive volume of expelled gas propelled the Great Sword to slice diagonally forward.

This slash was so swift that not even the Ghost Bride could completely dodge it. The Great Sword's blade grazed her chin, and the flames from its tail jets burned a corner of her Crimson Robe to a charred black.

"Ah!!"

Seeing a corner of her bridal gown ruined, the Ghost Bride became furiously enraged. However, as Wei Linglan took several steps forward, the second slash of the Jet Propelled Great Sword followed.

For the second slash, Wei Linglan was no longer under the eaves of a street-side shop. Her parents and other onlookers were not nearby, allowing her to let loose and execute wide, sweeping slashes.

The slash was swift and fierce, like a crescent moon falling to earth.

The Ghost Bride's form drifted back several steps, evading the slash. Simultaneously, her boots barely touched the ground as she lunged forward, confronting the third slash head-on without evasion.

Wei Linglan's pupils contracted sharply. However, committed to her attack, she pressed the button again, her fingers turning white from the pressure!

Turning, another slash!

The full-moon slash tore through the thick fog, the ghostly blue flames erupting from the jet ducts warping the surrounding air.

Finally, blade and claw collided!

CLANG—

The sound of metal striking metal was deafening. The dizzy spectators huddled by the street involuntarily covered their ears, their faces flushing.

In the center of the battle zone, Wei Linglan maintained her sword-wielding pose, but the blade of her Great Sword was firmly gripped by the Ghost Bride's slender hand, preventing it from advancing any further.

The Ghost Bride's seemingly fearless charge was actually a feint. She had precisely gauged the duration of the jet propulsion during the first two slashes. At the very last moment of her advance, she had come to an abrupt halt, waiting for the jet's thrust to fade before effortlessly catching the Great Sword's blade, unharmed.

"The sword is not bad," the Ghost Bride said with a smile, still gripping the blade. Ignoring Wei Linglan's pale face, she wrenched the Great Sword away and casually tossed it onto the roof of the bridal sedan. Then, she turned her head, shook it, and said leisurely, "A pity its wielder isn't as capable."

In truth, even if she had been hit head-on by the Jet Propelled Slash, she could have avoided the attack by becoming intangible, sustaining at most minor injuries. After all, the Jet Propelled Great Sword was only consecrated; its effectiveness against Ghosts was not as potent as its physical force.

But her cherished Crimson Robe, which had accompanied her through countless years, could not possibly suffer damage again.

After her sword was taken, Wei Linglan still tried to struggle, but the Ghost Bride's spectral speed was too quick, and she flashed right in front of her.

"Wait a minute!" Li Ang, with a look of urgent concern, called out. He stopped Wei Linglan's parents from running out to save their daughter, and also halted the equally agitated Wang Congshan. He himself ran over from the side of the street, almost slipping and falling on his way there.

The Ghost Bride originally had no intention of bothering with mere mortals. But, inexplicably, her vision blurred, and her mind briefly drifted. In her ears, she seemed to hear... a chorus of chickens screeching rhythmically?

The illusion came swiftly and departed just as fast. During that moment of daze, Li Ang had already rushed in front of her, pulling Wei Linglan behind him.

Meanwhile, Miss Chai, who had been lying in the rubble, recovered some strength after a brief rest and strode swiftly to the roadside.

"What do you want, exactly?" Li Ang shielded Wei Linglan, staring at the Ghost Bride with a mixture of vigilance and panic. He tried to project an expression that said, 'I'm terrified, but my beloved is behind me.' "As long as it's within our power, we will cooperate!"

"Oh?" The Ghost Bride looked at Li Ang's nervous and frightened face and chuckled with amusement. "What I want is quite simple. If her gaze hadn't displeased me, I wouldn't have hurt her."

She paused, scrutinized Li Ang, and suddenly laughed. "Heh, you want to get out of here, right? Well, as long as you're willing to marry me, not only will I spare all of you, but I'll also ensure your safe departure from this place."

Wei Yueyan's eyebrows shot up in utter astonishment. "What did you say?!"

"I said, let him marry me," the Ghost Bride said with a light laugh. "I don't want his betrothal gifts, nor a marriage contract, nor even his company. All I need is for him to sincerely perform the wedding rituals with me and unveil my bridal headpiece. Then he can leave."

"Uh..." Li Ang hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean? Am I just a means to an end?"

"Dream on," Wei Yueyan said coldly. "She wants to borrow your lifespan."

"That's right." The Ghost Bride laughed softly. "You don't know where this place is, do you? Heh, this place... once you arrive, don't think about leaving easily. The living gradually become Ghosts, and Ghosts... slowly lose their minds, turning into something far more terrifying."

She pointed to the coffin where White Death lay still and casually continued, "If Monsters don't want to perish, they can only try to save themselves. They can either devour other Monsters to accumulate yin energy or delay the degeneration of their minds through various rituals."

The rituals, of course, referred to ceremonies like those of the Red and White Deaths.

"So, how about it? Marry me. I'll borrow fifty years of your lifespan, and in return, I promise to get you all out of here." The Ghost Bride turned her head, smiling at Li Ang. "Compared to a dead Ghost in a coffin, I still prefer living... people. You're quite handsome, by the way."

If not for the improper time and place, Li Ang really would have wanted to give her a thumbs-up for her insight.