Finally, there's hope!

Though this world is also called Earth, its size, tectonic plates, political structures, and cultural practices differ greatly from Xiao Bai's previous Earth.
Yet s trangely, their histories and cultural developments share many similarities. Both have experienced vibrant historical events, produced Ancestral Masters like Gauss and Newton, and nurtured their share of madmen, such as failed art students turned lunatics.
Until over fifty years ago, when the enigmatic Abyss Paradise suddenly descended, the historical trajectories of the two worlds diverged completely.
In this world, humanity has nominally abandoned conflict, forming the Earth Federation to jointly develop and explore Abyss Paradise.
As mecha technology was unearthed from the Paradise, the world entered an era of mecha fever. This led to the emergence of various factions and power groups, all revolving around the Paradise and mecha.
The most crucial of these is the officially sanctioned Mecha Alliance, with the Defense Force as its largest armed branch. Their primary responsibility is to handle the various disasters brought about by the Paradise, such as Abyss purging and repelling invasions.
In addition to these official entities, there are also semi-official organizations like the Paradise Investigation Group, the Prometheus Society, and the Future Evolution Society.
Naturally, there were also criminal organizations and terrorists, such as the notorious "Children of the Abyss" and the fearsome "Funeral Rangers."
On the ever-changing stage of Paradise, there was never a shortage of soil to nurture evil...
However, Xiao Bai, still a student who hadn't yet left the ivory tower, knew little about such matters beyond what he'd read in the news. He couldn't even discern the origins of the murderer.
For now, all he could do was survive and keep getting stronger.
Dynamic Perception System component 2 acquired.
Medical Bay component 3 acquired.
Magnetic Shield component 1 acquired.
Hearing the three consecutive notifications, Xiao Bai felt a surge of joy.
"Has the drop rate suddenly increased? It must be because of the enhanced processing power. Stronger processing power can identify more rewards."
Although he'd only obtain ed components that couldn't be used directly, that wasn't a problem. Once he collected enough components, the system would automatically assemble them into brand-new, fully functional modules—better than picking up second-hand, half-used finished products.
Keep going!
Xiao Bai shuffled toward the tallest pile of wreckage, opening every 'Blind Box' he encountered along the way.
The mecha wreckage piled nearby was clearly of higher quality than the outer layers, and the acquired components were increasingly military-grade.
Power Engine Component acquired x3
Hive Rocket Launcher Component acquired x2
Emergency Ejection System acquired x1
"Huh? There's even something this good here?"
Xiao Bai noticed the last notification.
This "Emergency Ejection System" wasn't a simple ejection seat, but a spatial teleportation device created using Paradise Technology. It could transport a person out of the "Paradise" and back to the real world.
"If I can assemble this, I can leave this graveyard! It's like having a final escape route!"
Xiao Bai felt a surge of confidence, his footsteps becoming lighter.
Soon, he had assembled the most crucial piece of equipment he needed.
Sufficient components collected to assemble Type 6 "Resuscitation" Medical Bay.
"Huh? Isn't 'Resuscitation' the most advanced med ical bay right now? The news just reported about it two months ago—how it can revive someone even if only their brain remains intact! It can operate in all kinds of harsh environments, even more miraculous than the old military doctor on the utility pole!"
"But the price was exorbitant, and the waitlist was months long. How am I actually using it now?"
"We're finally saved!"
Xiao Bai quickly opened the interface and began assembling the latest model of the Medical Bay.
The familiar green light shot out from the chest of the Training Mecha, scanning the empty space before him. The Medical Bay's structure materialized layer by layer, like high-speed 3D printing, until a pristine silver-white unit stood complete.
"This rapid fabrication is truly miraculous. Even professional factories couldn't produce it this efficiently, right? But... why does it look like a coffin? A cyberpunk version, no less?"
Xiao Bai muttered under his breath, then checked the Medical Bay's operating procedure.
First, he pulled out a thick black power cable and plugged it into his lower back to supply energy to the Medical Bay.
After activating it with the control panel, he opened the Training Mecha and carefully transferred his Physical Body into the Medical Bay, selecting a full-body treatment program.
The Medical Bay slowly closed its "coffin lid," and several mechanical arms extended from within to fit an oxygen mask over the physical body's face. After conducting a thorough full-body examination, it displayed a countdown of 720 hours.
"A full month to be completely healed? Did I get beaten into a 2D anime character?"
Xiao Bai glanced at the injury report generated by the Medical Bay.
Well, it's not too bad. Apart from my entire body being shattered into over 3,000 fragments, all my organs being destroyed, and my brain reduced to mush, I don't have any other injuries.
"To survive such severe injuries, I must have an incredibly strong will to live! Truly worthy of being me!"
"Now it's time to gather more energy and recyclable parts. Just assembling this coffin drained all my reserves in the Storage Space."
As Xiao Bai spoke, he glanced through the lid at his calm, sleeping face and couldn't help but 'smile'.
"True to my eighteen-year-old self, untouched by the ravages of the construction site, still the cheerful, athletic, and slightly flat-chested young man I always was."
He didn't dare leave the Medical Bay behind, fearing that the steel 'ghoul' might swallow it whole if he ventured too far. He tried to store the Medical Bay in his Storage Space, but it refused to accept living organisms.
Xiao Bai had no choice but to strap the coffin-like Medical Bay, which was even larger than the Training Mecha, to his back and activate the "lockdown" function.
Several rivets shot out from the Medical Bay's base, piercing the Mecha's back and securing it firmly in place.
It didn't hurt—the Mecha felt nothing—but the added weight severely compromised his speed and balance, forcing him to stagger as he walked.
"This Training Mecha platform is far too weak. But since my soul is locked inside, I have no choice but to trudge forward under this burden."
"Hurry and give me a power engine already!"
Recyclable Part acquired: 1
Damn it!
Xiao Bai, resembling a grave digger in a mecha graveyard, slowly trudged toward the tallest pile of scrap, his coffin-like burden strapped to his back.
After an indeterminate amount of time, he spotted an unusual piece of wreckage.
It was a massive Recycling Robot, completely motionless.
Its exterior appeared relatively intact, save for a thick layer of dust. The robot's movements were frozen mid-action, its enormous clamshell bucket jammed against its chest as if it had choked on its meal.
"If I could just absorb this..."
Xiao Bai cautiously approached, each step deliberate as he kept his eyes fixed on the self-defense weapons.
Only after confirming the creature was no longer moving did he dare to move more boldly.
Just as he was about to feast, a faint tremor ran through the greasy mud beneath his feet.
A massive, metallic-skinned worm burst through the soil ahead, its head blooming open with a mechanical, grinding roar.
"Is this... a Metal Worm?"

Chapter end