Chapter 127: Cutting-Edge Technology, Mechanical Beasts

Chapter 127: Cutting-Edge Technology, Mechanical Beasts

Lu Heng's eyes lit up as he noticed the presence of Source Essence on the Mechanical Tiger's energy core.

As expected, Source Essence did exist in this world.

Moreover, this particular form of Source Essence combined with a mechanical core was quite unique.

Currently, the Swordmaster's Source Essence fusion rate was at 37%. With the concentration of Source Essence in this mechanical core, reaching 100% fusion would only require the absorption of two to three mechanical cores.

Lu Heng reached out his palm towards the core of the Mechanical Tiger, but he paused halfway.

The core of this Mechanical Tiger was not completely damaged; it was still struggling to repair its broken mechanical shell.

However, its liquid metal shell had already been melted by the light lancer ray, and repairing it would require a tremendous amount of energy.

The reason Lu Heng didn't immediately take the Source Essence from the mechanical core was that he remembered from his previous life that some people had these mechanical guards by their side.

Indeed, this was not Lu Heng's first encounter with a similar liquid metal mechanical beast.

He had seen them numerous times in the Cyberworld he entered in his past life.

Moreover, this type of liquid metal mechanical beast was a very special kind of robot, straddling the line between military and civilian use.

It was a mechanical beast bred by the ruling class of the Sylax Civilization's capital star cluster.

This mechanical beast served multiple functions, including guard, combat, and even as a pet.

Due to its ability to function as a guard, this liquid metal mechanical beast possessed formidable combat strength, capable of rivaling even swarms of cybernetic guards.

Among the ruling class of the Sylax Civilization, there was a popular form of entertainment known as beast fighting, but with a twist—the beasts were mechanical.

Thus, these mechanical beasts could be considered the pinnacle of Sylax Civilization's cutting-edge technology.

It was akin to the F1 Formula racing in human civilization, where top automotive brands competed in a 'colosseum', showcasing the most advanced technologies, especially in engines.

The same was true for the Sylax Civilization's mechanical beast arena; each mechanical beast utilized the most advanced technologies, particularly in their mechanical cores.

Consequently, these mechanical beasts, though not classified as military robots, possessed combat capabilities on par with military-grade machines, making them a unique existence.

Mechanical beasts made from liquid metal materials were extremely rare, and Lu Heng was initially surprised to see one on this abandoned planet.

These creatures were typically only seen within the upper echelons of the Queen Star Cluster.

As for this Mechanical Tiger, it was likely left behind accidentally when the civilization system relocated.

Alternatively, it could have been brought by a member of the Sylax ruling class.

Lu Heng was now contemplating a problem he had encountered in his past life—he had seen human mutants with similar mechanical beasts.

In other words, humans could potentially acquire these mechanical beasts.

However, in his past life, no mutant had ever revealed how they obtained them.

The methods of acquiring such rare combat power were usually monopolized by major powers and were not easily leaked.

It was normal for ordinary mutants to be unaware of these secrets.

Lu Heng searched his mind for any information related to mechanical beasts, pondering if there was a way to tame this mechanical beast.

Mechanical beasts were used by the Sylax upper rulers for entertainment in beast fights and also served as pets and guards.

Therefore, when a mechanical beast was produced, its core would be bound to the owner who purchased it, and this binding could never be undone.

The number of owners bound to a mechanical beast could be plural, and typically, all members of the owner's family would be bound as well.

Once the information was bound, it could not be removed until the mechanical core was destroyed.

Adding new binding information required permission from the original binder.

In cases of conflicting commands from binders, the priority of permissions was determined by the order of binding.

In other words...

To acquire this mechanical beast, permission from the original owner was required to bind the new owner's information and then take the beast away.

Moreover, the original owner held higher permissions and could reclaim the beast at any time.

Currently...

This Mechanical Tiger had appeared on the abandoned planet and had become a member of the Rogue Servant faction.

This implied that its original owner was likely no longer around or was also a part of the Rogue Servant faction.

In either case, obtaining control over this Mechanical Tiger seemed highly unlikely.

Unless this Mechanical Tiger had never been bound to an owner, but that possibility was extremely low.

However, there was a special circumstance to consider.

Mechanical beasts themselves did not inherently possess Source Essence.

The Sylax Civilization did not have Source Essence technology, so their robots could not have Source Essence.

Therefore, the Source Essence on this Mechanical Tiger's core could only have been acquired after its creation.

Moreover, when Source Essence combined with a robot, it underwent a special transformation, causing the robot to develop a sentient consciousness, becoming a unique form of mechanical life.

Source Essence was such a wondrous substance.

Humans could gain Class Ranks by acquiring Source Essence.

Robots, on the other hand, could develop sentient consciousness.

However, the thinking ability of robots with sentient consciousness did not significantly improve; their intelligence level was still tied to their original mechanical core.

In other words, if an ordinary electronic watch gained Source Essence and developed sentient consciousness, it would not become more intelligent; it would remain a watch and not transform into something like a light brain.

After Lu Heng recalled all the information about the Mechanical Beast, he realized there was no way to tame this Mechanical Tiger.

At that moment, the Mechanical Tiger's core sent out a distress signal.

Lu Heng crouched down and asked, "If I manage to repair you, can I bind and become your owner?"

The Mechanical Tiger's core gave a negative response.

Upon seeing the rejection, Lu Heng confirmed one thing—this Mechanical Beast already had an owner.

He wasn't sure if the owner was dead or not on this planet.

Since that was the case, Lu Heng thought it better to absorb the Source Essence, so he extended his palm, preparing to acquire it.

The Source Essence had already fused with the Mechanical Tiger's core, and if taken away, the core would lose its energy support and be completely damaged.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the mechanical core, a hidden mission suddenly triggered.

【Hidden Mission Triggered: Mechanical Heart】

【Content: You have discovered a mechanical core with a collective consciousness, and it is sending out a distress signal. By consuming 600 points of Divine Energy, you can help it repair its metal limbs.】

【Reward: Trust of Mechanical Beast 101】

Upon seeing the hidden mission, Lu Heng's first reaction was to determine if it was a "Traitor Mission."

Because "Traitor Missions" also appeared as "Hidden Missions."

After reading the mission content, it didn't seem like a "Traitor Mission."

The reward was not enticing at all.

What about the "Traitor Missions" that appeared in the Evil God's Graveyard? They directly granted Divine Blessings, skyrocketing one's combat power.

This hidden mission only offered the trust of Mechanical Beast 101.

Moreover, it required consuming 600 points of Divine Energy to help it repair its metal limbs, and the cost seemed disproportionate to the gain.

This hidden mission had little appeal, with no apparent lucrative rewards.

Indeed, it held no allure for other mutants.

Yet, Lu Heng felt there was something to uncover with this hidden mission.

Firstly, this Mechanical Tiger was a product of the Sylax Civilization's cutting-edge technology, and in the Rogue Servant faction, similar advanced robots should be scarce.

In other words, this Mechanical Tiger's rank within the Collective Consciousness was at least that of a "Soldier Bee," second only to the "Queen Bee."

Additionally, this Mechanical Tiger possessed a collective consciousness, meaning it could think.

Gaining its trust could lead it to bring the three of them into the Rogue Servants' base.

From the start, Lu Heng's goal was to join the Rogue Servants faction, and by saving this Mechanical Tiger, he could complete this main quest.

Furthermore, this Mechanical Tiger held a relatively high rank within the Rogue Servants, and through it, he could gain access to the faction's advanced units.

It was only the second day on the Abyssal Battlefield, and already, on the second day, he could reach the advanced units of one faction, which would be advantageous for controlling the future situation.

600 points of Divine Energy was indeed a lot, but by utilizing this trust well, he could accomplish things other mutants couldn't.

Understanding this, Lu Heng no longer hesitated and chose to consume 600 points of Divine Energy to help the Mechanical Tiger repair its limbs.

Divine Energy sparkled as it was released, enveloping the Mechanical Tiger's core.

At that moment, Lin Zeyu walked over and said, "The battlefield cleanup is done. I collected 36 undamaged batteries. Hmm...what's going on here?"

He saw the Mechanical Tiger, which had been melted into a pool of iron by the Prism Armor, suddenly re-coalesce and stand up again.

According to previous information, before joining a faction, one would be hunted down by both sides.

So, as soon as the Mechanical Tiger stood up, Lin Zeyu gripped his gun warily.

However, after the Mechanical Tiger stood up again, it bowed its body towards Lu Heng in gratitude.

"I'm here to help you. Take me to your base," Lu Heng stated his request directly.

"Please follow me," the Mechanical Tiger said, turning and heading towards the Eco Island Bridge.

Lu Heng waved for the other two to hurry and follow, and they trailed behind the Mechanical Tiger, crossing the bridge together.

After crossing the bridge, they arrived on the Eco Island.

Below the bridge, there were twenty to thirty repair robots working on the escaped service robots.

Some robots had holes shot through them by machine guns but were not completely damaged and managed to escape back to the island.

Upon reaching the island, they saw that most of the robots were service robots.

Apparently, this island was the headquarters of the Rogue Servants.

No wonder the Rogue Servants could hold out under the Central System's suppression—they had occupied an entire island.

Since the planet's main civilization had been taken away, the industrial system was gone, and strategic-level weapons had either been taken away or destroyed.

Therefore, there were no missiles or similar weapons to destroy the island.

The two factions had been pulling at each other on both ends of this sea bridge for over a decade.

After Lu Heng understood the situation on Eco Island, he said, "Take me to see your Queen Bee, or should I say, the Overmind?"

"I need to apply to my superiors," the Mechanical Tiger replied, then paused for half a second before continuing, "My superiors have rejected your request for an audience and stated that they will not meet with you until you join the faction and make a significant contribution."

Lu Heng and Su Muyu exchanged a glance and said, "Then we'll join the faction now."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end