Escaping from the Space wasn't actually difficult—after all, the Lamp Genie, as one of its kind, could do it at any time.
But escaping wasn't urgent just yet, because Qin Ming still had things to do—such as pushing all his abilities to the limit.
In other words, milk the cow dry before leaving. Once he left with the Lamp Genie to start from scratch, he wouldn't get to enjoy any more of the meat here. He'd be stuck gnawing on tree bark and swallowing dry gruel.
So before he left, he had to fatten himself up as much as possible.
After returning, Qin Ming's Killing Intent Wave ability had fully integrated, and he didn't hesitate to upgrade Homing Wave Fist to S-grade.
Once that was done, he started hoarding points on a large scale—flipping items, trading resources, all to prepare for his grand escape.
And this escape wouldn't be a solo act. He planned to take along everyone he could.
Like the soldiers from the Knights of the Round Table world, the troops from the Metal Slug world, oh—and of course, the people from the King of Fighters world couldn't be left behind.
Then there was gear, resources, and all sorts of miscellaneous items from various spaces—he needed to stash away as much as he could.
Qin Ming had a lot on his plate, and he wouldn't be able to leave anytime soon.
More importantly, he had to tread carefully during this period—because if the Nightmare Space caught wind of anything suspicious, based on how it had treated other spaces, Qin Ming was pretty sure he'd be a dead man.
…..
Several months passed in the blink of an eye. After successfully merging the S-grade Homing Wave Fist, Qin Ming upgraded his Blood Manipulation skill to SS-grade.
And today, he had just embarked on another round of missions.
This time's mission world was: Street Fighter!
[Mission World: Street Fighter]
[Participants: 100]
[Mission Difficulty: A-Level]
[Main Objective: Kill one martial artist]
[Main Objective Reward: 10,000 points, 10 free attribute points]
[Failure Penalty: Deduct 2,000 points]
[Optional Objective: Reach 500+ favorability with a story martial artist]
[Optional Objective Reward: 10,000 points, 10 free attribute points]
[World Description: The art of Ki Manipulation has spread far and wide. Those who train in Ki are known as Martial Artists. The stories of these warriors… have only just begun.]
As a blur passed before his eyes, Qin Ming had already entered the world of Street Fighter.
This time, his identity was that of a minorly famous martial artist.
Glancing around at his surroundings and realizing he was in Japan, Qin Ming frowned, shoved one hand into his pocket, and began striding forward. At the same time, he pulled a small golden oil lamp from his coat.
The Lamp Genie—or more accurately, the God of Imagination—possessed extremely powerful abilities. And even within Nightmare Space, she could still use them.
However, due to the limited amount of energy she could currently store in her body, her powers had rules and had to comply with the Nightmare Space's system.
In each world, Qin Ming could make one wish, and it would definitely come true.
As for how it came true… that, she couldn't guarantee.
For example, if Qin Ming wished for a meteorite, it might literally fall from the sky and smash into him… or it might just happen to be transported inside a passing police van.
Either way, the meteorite would appear—but whether he could actually obtain it… that was on him.
If he wished for the world to be destroyed, it would be the same. Maybe he'd see it on the news: "The world will end in X years," or maybe he'd trigger a "world destruction ending" in a video game.
The Lamp Genie's power would always help Qin Ming fulfill his wish—within the scope of her abilities—using all kinds of methods.
But if the energy wasn't sufficient, the way it was fulfilled could be laughably half-assed.
However, once the energy was enough… if Qin Ming wished for the world to be destroyed, then the world would be destroyed. Even something like a Big Bang? She could make that happen.
The Lamp Genie's power could only be used once per world, so Qin Ming never used it recklessly.
He quickly stowed away the lamp and hailed a taxi heading toward the suburbs—an uninhabited, desolate direction.
But Qin Ming knew that somewhere out here lived a true master—someone who had nearly killed him with a single punch in a previous encounter.
The head of the Ansatsuken school: Gouken!
Currently, his internal power had increased from just one S-rank ability to four, with one already upgraded to SS-rank.
Qin Ming had even mastered Killing Intent Wave, so he felt it was necessary to pay Gouken a visit.
After all, didn't that old man say he could help Qin Ming restrain his evil impulses and prevent being corrupted by power?
If that was true, then Qin Ming wanted to see him again—because if he could help him control these powers, that would be ideal.
But if he couldn't… then Qin Ming felt they definitely needed to have a little chat about the time he nearly got killed with one punch.
…..
He arrived in the suburbs and followed the address Gouken had once given him, striding forward with purpose.
After circling around a couple times, he finally arrived in front of a wooden courtyard.
He knocked lightly on the wooden gate. Seeing no response, Qin Ming frowned and abruptly shoved it open.
Peering into the silent courtyard, Qin Ming scanned the area, then stepped inside.
His heavy footsteps echoed through the space. After passing the front yard and just entering the central courtyard—suddenly, he heard a rush of wind near his ear.
Eyes narrowing, Qin Ming reacted without hesitation and flicked his hand in a wide arc.
With a burst of energy, a small blood sphere imbued with Killing Intent Wave shot out, arcing through the air to meet an incoming Hadoken from the side.
Boom!
The two energy blasts collided mid-air, knocking the Hadoken away, while Qin Ming's blood sphere continued forward—
—slamming straight into the chest of the attacker and sending the dumbfounded man flying several meters, smashing through wooden boards and embedding him into the wall.
Seeing this, a man in a white training robe—Ryu—furrowed his brow. Without thinking, he gathered energy with both hands, forming a sphere of radiant blue ki.
Ansatsuken Ultimate Technique—Vacuum Hadoken!
Sensing the terrifying power in that energy ball, Qin Ming's pupils contracted. His face finally grew serious as he cupped both hands at his waist.
With Killing Intent surging, a spinning mass of crimson energy condensed rapidly in his palms.
Secret Technique—Killing Intent Wave Fist!
Boom!!
Two energy cannons fired at the same time—hurtling directly at one another!
But just before impact, Qin Ming's attack suddenly split in mid-air into two smaller Wave Fists, curving around the Vacuum Hadoken in a sudden arc.
In the next moment, before the stunned Ryu could react, both crimson blasts smashed into him directly!
BOOM—!
Caught completely off guard by the unexpected split-and-dodge tactic, Ryu was blown back over ten meters, crashing through a wall and vanishing in the rubble.
But hey, this is the Street Fighter world—everyone here is built like a tank. That burly frame wasn't just for show.
Despite taking a full-on direct hit from a finisher, Ryu struggled to his feet the next second. He wasn't dead. Hell, he wasn't even seriously injured!
He tore off the tattered remnants of his shirt, glared at Qin Ming, and gritted his teeth.
Then he roared with rage.
Raising both hands—Power Surge! Five consecutive Hadokens!
Qin Ming instantly responded by mirroring the stance—Power Surge! Five consecutive Killing Intent Wave Fists!
The energy blasts clashed mid-air—exploding in waves of shockwaves in every direction!
Before the dust even cleared, Ryu had already leapt forward, spinning into the air with a blinding Tatsumaki Senpukyaku—
—the Ansatsuken Hurricane Kick, aimed straight at Qin Ming's face!
But waiting for him was… Qin Ming's one-handed charged heavy strike, launched at full power!
Modified Skill—Bloodlight Fist!
(End of Chapter)