Finally, I've found a soft target.

The hiding place of the 'Spider' robots was actually their accompanying base station. By retracting their six limbs and burrowing inside, then covering the grimy hatch, they appeared from the outside like scattered pieces of scrap metal, difficult to spot with the naked eye.
But Xiao Bai had long memorized their hiding spots. He quickly ran over and threw a punch.
With the strength granted by 15 points of Power, overpowering these civilian robots was child's play. A single punch punched straight through one.
But Xiao Bai didn't rush to begin absorption. Instead, he sprinted to the other side and lunged at another 'Spider' attempting to escape, then activated electromagnetic interference to control it—
The moment they detected the attack, these 'Spiders' followed their preprogrammed protocols and attempted to flee for self-preservation.
Meanwhile, the Ghoul in the surveillance footage noticed its 'home' being stolen. It stopped its work, reversed direction, and popped a red police light from the top of its vehicle, which flashed incessantly. Its high-pitched speaker repeatedly squawked:
"Warning! You are damaging military facilities! Warning! You are damaging military facilities!"
Simultaneously, the armor plates on its back deforme d and unfolded, revealing a 16-tube rocket launcher with a larger caliber, along with a fire control radar. The digging claw underwent a series of transformations, becoming a fixed ramming horn on the vehicle's front. With a menacing aura, it charged back.
But when it returned to the maintenance station, all that remained on the ground was a pile of completely devoured debris.
Xiao Bai had already calculated the time it would take for the vehicle to make a round trip. He completed the absorption of three 'Spiders' before it returned, then hid far away in the scrap heap, evading detection scans and perfectly timing his escape.
He also took the opportunity to deploy the second unused surveillance camera nearby, using it to observe the enemy's every move.
The fire control radar and surveillance equipment on the Ghoul's back spun incessantly, trying to detect enemy movements, but found nothing. It was a rather awkward situation, reminiscent of a sword drawn in vain, searching in vain.
I t remained motionless in place for a long time, as if waiting for further instructions. Only after half an hour passed did it retract the rocket launcher on its back, 'tearfully' devour the remains of its companions on the ground, and return to its duties.
"Phew , just as I suspected. This graveyard is under some kind of signal blockade. My distress signal can't get through, and the ghouls can't contact the outside world to receive human commands. Without adjustments, they're forced to keep returning to eat junk."
"Now dealing with them should be straightforward."
Xiao Bai had already figured out how to counter these ghouls that could only operate according to their preprogrammed routines.
But for now, he decided to first review the gains from dismantling the three 'Spiders'.
Absorption Summary
- Mecha Energy: 30
- Recyclable Parts: 100
- Maintenance Mechanical Arm Components: 10
- Maintenance-Specific Computational Chips: 3
- Tier 1 Energy Storage Batteries: 3
At first glance, it didn't seem like anything particularly groundbreaking, but it was incredibly practical.
The basic Mecha Energy and Recyclable Parts went without saying—these were exactly what Xiao Bai needed most.
The Maintenance Mechanical Arm Components could be synthesized into a complete new model of Mechanical Arm. The Computational Chips could be combined with his existing main chip to form a chipset array. The Tier 1 Energy Storage Batteries could be directly equipped to increase his Mecha's energy capacity.
Xiao Bai hadn't anticipated that these three easy targets would yield such impressive results, giving him a pleasant surprise.
"Looks like these 'Autobots' may be weak, but they must have been upgraded for working in this harsh environment. They're far superior to the ones in the dormitory building."
"One step at a time. Let's start by assembling the mechanical arm."
A beam of green light shot from Xiao Bai's chest, swiftly printing out a slender mechanical arm. Focusing his gaze on it, a brief description appeared:
Original Formula Autonomous Multifunctional Mechanical Arm
Designed and crafted by Dr. Haruno, this is the culmination of his lifelong work. It can handle the majority of mechanical repair tasks and possesses basic modification capabilities.
A smaller line below added further explanation:
This is the final "thesis" of a perpetual underachiever who couldn't even graduate...
"This... is actually Senior Brother Haruno's final creation?"
Xiao Bai was familiar with the designer of this mechanical arm. He was also a student at Mecha Academy, though not in the Combat Department like Xiao Bai, but rather in the Research and Development division.
Even before Xiao Bai e ntered the Mecha Academy, this "Senior Brother" had already made a name for himself at a young age. The Maintenance Mechanical Arms he designed are still in use across various industries, making significant contributions to human technological development.
Even though more advanced and sophisticated mechanical arms have since been developed, their foundations still rely on his original design framework; they're merely iterative improvements built upon his groundwork.
Ironically, this brilliant young scholar wasn't approved for graduation by his mentor until after he collapsed from a heart attack, overworked in the lab. Only then did he receive his Doctorate.
His inventions were also only made public after his death, allowing the world to learn of this lost genius. People lamented the heavens' jealousy of such talent.
"Sigh... Even though you left two years before I entered the Academy, I'll carry on your legacy," Xiao Bai said, pondering where to mount this Senior Brother's legacy.
Generally, it should be mounted on the back. This maximizes the mechanical arm's flexibility and reach while minimally obstructing movement and preserving overall aesthetics. It even gives a nod to the pioneering spirit of early mecha engineers.
But Xiao Bai's back was already occupied by the 'coffin'...
The chest was taken up by the new engine, the abdomen housed the new 'graphics card', and further down was...
No, this won't work!
In the end, Xiao Bai settled for a compromise, dragging the icon representing the mechanical arm to the left shoulder position.
This arrangement slightly restricted the movement of his left arm, but it d idn't interfere with the mechanical arm's operation. Xiao Bai tested it out; it moved with remarkable fluidity, extending and rotating freely like a real hand. The 'hand' could even transform into various tools like spray guns, welding torches, and drills.
"Truly a masterpiece from Senior Brother. This is incredibly convenient! It was worth spending all 100 recyclable parts I just acquired."
"It's a pity this isn't the latest model. I remember the news mentioned that current Maintenance Mechanical Arms are moving towards a fusion of biology and mechanics..."
"It seems the Panel's combination function can't truly create something out of nothing. It can only produce the most advanced design based on available materials. Without those biomaterials, I can't assemble the true latest model."
"This is understandable. Even the most skilled chef couldn't possibly create Buddha Jumps Over the Wall using just a single piece of tofu."
After summarizing his thoughts, Xiao Bai carefully installed the three Dedicated Chips along his spine, forming a Chip Array.
As his processing power increased, the Panel completed its System Synchronization, granting him two new functions: 'Maintenance' and 'Processing'.
Finally, he could repair this dilapidated body!

Chapter end