https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-20-Discoveries-in-the-Flea-Market/12833196/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-22-The-Mechanical-Race-s-Grand-Gesture-and-the-Orange-Glory-Quality-Component/12833198/
Chapter 21: Cosmic Colossi and the Apocalyptic Mechanical Civilization
Chapter 21: Cosmic Colossi and the Apocalyptic Mechanical Civilization
In the fragmented star sea, within the Apocalyptic River System, lies the Fallen Whale Star Domain, a region dense with spatial rifts.
This star domain, known as a forbidden zone within the Apocalyptic Mechanical Civilization, has always been devoid of life.
Tens of thousands of years ago, the cosmic colossus known as the "Long-Finned Void Whale" clashed with the mechanical army led by the "Genesis" AI of the Apocalyptic Civilization. The battle was so intense that it altered the very fabric of the galaxy, but no one knows the final outcome. What is known is that the Void Whale Star Domain was subsequently renamed the Fallen Whale Star Domain, and the region became riddled with countless spatial rifts.
Over the millennia, any creature that dared to enter this star domain was eventually consumed by the rifts, reduced to mere dust and debris in the void.
On this day, a sudden intrusion by a mechanical fleet shattered the silence of the Fallen Whale Star Domain.
The fleet consisted of only a few dozen warships of varying sizes, all tightly circling a massive flagship, cautiously advancing.
The flagship was a massive, thousand-meter-long, two-hundred-meter-wide steel behemoth, covered in thick, greenish-brown armor. At the bow of the ship, a nearly hundred-meter-wide railgun silently emitted a terrifying aura of menace.
"Are you certain they fled into this star domain?"
In the main control room of the flagship, a silver-armored robot with a cold, mechanical voice sat at the control panel.
The energy fluctuations from the silver-armored robot were minimal, only at the first stage, making it seem insignificant compared to the second and third-stage robots standing behind it. However, its status was clearly far higher than theirs.
"According to the last radar detection, the signal did indeed disappear within this star domain."
"And..."
Before the robot could finish, a sharp alarm blared.
"Detected the fluctuation of an unknown spatial gate at coordinates xxxxx."
The red light in the silver-armored robot's eyes flickered for a few seconds before it issued an order.
"Go and investigate."
...
In the Multiverse Marketplace, with less than two hours left before the official end of the trading session, the activity remained as bustling as ever.
It wasn't just Song Chi who was profiting from the price differences; the alien races on the other side of the spatial gate were doing the same.
When they discovered that certain goods could fetch twice or even higher prices within the marketplace, the high-ranking aliens began dispatching their zero-stage underlings to sell these items in large quantities, reaping substantial profits.
These enthusiastic traders found 24 hours far too short and were unwilling to waste a single second.
Song Chi, of course, was more than happy to see this, as he could collect a 10% transaction tax on every trade. Over the past twenty hours, combined with the earnings from selling gene optimization serums, he had accumulated resources worth more than 3,000 strands of zero-stage floating land essence.
Compared to the 300 strands he had pieced together before the marketplace opened, his resources had multiplied tenfold.
...
As the trading in the marketplace grew even more intense, the sudden appearance of a figure was like a stone thrown into still water, causing an immediate hush.
Hundreds of diverse, multi-racial beings turned their heads to look at the new arrival.
While the marketplace was home to a wide variety of life forms, all of them were carbon-based, organic beings. However, the new entrant was a mechanical life form, entirely composed of metal components.
"Mechanical Race!"
An erudite alien immediately identified the mechanical life form.
Almost simultaneously, a wary look flashed across the eyes of the surrounding aliens.
The Mechanical Race was well-known throughout the fractured star sea, often labeled as fanatical and extreme. As a result, many civilizations and races in the star sea generally avoided them.
The red gaze of the mechanical being scanned the rules projected at the entrance of the market. Emitting a peak-zero aura, it stepped into the market, its red eyes sweeping over every alien present, as if searching for something.
This caused a slight stir among the aliens, but they ultimately acquiesced, allowing the mechanical being to thoroughly inspect the entire market space. Despite its domineering presence, it did not violate the market's rules. With the final trading time approaching, no one wanted to waste their precious time by provoking trouble.
During this process, a small interlude occurred in a corner unnoticed by the aliens. Song Chi, who had been wandering around aimlessly, suddenly transformed into a vendor, setting up a stall.
On his stall, apart from some life nuclei, the centerpiece was the Type 1 Floating Land Essence Core Fusion Body.
Before long, as expected, the mechanical being, having found no other targets, stopped in front of Song Chi's stall.
Pointing at the Type 1 Floating Land Essence Core Fusion Body, it emitted a cold, emotionless synthesized voice.
"How do you wish to trade this purple-quality curiosity?"
Song Chi, who had been anticipating this, immediately responded.
"The purple-level Floating Land Essence Core Fusion Body can only be exchanged for other types of curiosities. If you can provide a suitable curiosity that satisfies me, you can take this Floating Land Essence Core Fusion Body anytime."
After his words, the mechanical being did not respond but instead turned and quickly headed toward the market's entrance.
Song Chi's mind was filled with questions. He thought his offer wasn't unreasonable. Could it be that the Mechanical Civilization had made new breakthroughs in energy core technology and no longer valued purple-quality Floating Land Essence Cores?
Just as he was pondering, the mechanical being that had just left re-entered the market, accompanied by over twenty other peak-zero mechanical beings.
These twenty-plus mechanical beings formed a tight protective ring around the first one, maintaining a high level of vigilance.
Seeing this, Song Chi's mood instantly brightened, though his expression remained unchanged. He was elated inside.
The larger the entourage, the more valuable the curiosity they were likely to offer for the Floating Land Essence Core Fusion Body. This made him even more eager.
As for using the market's rule powers to forcibly take the item, Song Chi had indeed considered it. He knew that if he used the secret realm's rules, he would undoubtedly succeed. However, he ultimately suppressed the thought.
If he set such a precedent, the reputation of the All-Realm Market would collapse in no time.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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