Technological Crystallization of the Lost Civilization

"So this thing not only enhances my reflexes, but it can also control my organs and adjust my senses like vision, hearing, and pain? It's like gaining even greater control over my own body. That's pretty amazing."
"The energy cost isn't much either, just a bit of chitin and energy. Sounds good to me."
The green light on Xiao Bai's chest began to flicker again, eventually forming a 'potion bottle' containing a pale blue liquid. Soaked within the liquid was a nerve bundle roughly the size of a fingernail.
He converted the bottle into an 'icon' and, using a 'drag-and-drop' motion, implanted it into his physical body at the back of his head.
"This is the convenience of the Panel," Xiao Bai mused. "It completely bypasses what would otherwise be a dangerous and complex neurosurgical procedure. The thought of performing brain surgery on myself was... daunting..."
After implanting the nerve bundle, Xiao Bai placed his physical body back into the cultivation pod and checked its current physiological functions.
Everything seemed normal, with no adverse reactions. His body was resting peacefully, showing no signs of discomfort.
However, since the nerve bundle was still in an 'embryonic' state, it needed further development before it could replace his physical body's primitive nervous system. For now, he could only wait and observe.
"Should be fine, right? If it doesn't work, I'll try the Motion-Sensing Factor again."
According to the databases Xiao Bai recovered, the Motion-Sensing Factor can be simply understood as a gene-enhancing agent that allows users to control additional limbs, such as a 'third hand' or 'fourth leg'.
The pilots of Civilization 1 used this factor, combined with the Omnidirectional Central Control Cube, to control large mecha with precision, like an extension of their own body.
The factor itself is a highly purified gene, retaining only the valuable parts while discarding dangerous fragments that could cause mutations. This makes it a safe and side-effect-free method of genetic modification.
In addition to the Motion-Sensing Factor, Civilization 1 also researched the Self-Healing Factor, High-Speed Factor, Intelligence Factor, and others, all aimed at enhancing the capabilities of their citizens.
"So, if I want to safely utilize the genes of the Blade Tyrant and Metal Worm, I need to find a way to extract the factors. That way, I can evolve into a 'Spider-Man' instead of a 'Lizardman' or 'Sandman'—those tragic monstrosities."
"I'll have to keep s tudying biology. Otherwise, I won't be able to understand the data in these databases... But come to think of it, why would the fighter mecha of Civilization 1 be equipped with these technical documents? I really can't figure out how these aliens think..."
After his brief complaint, Xiao Bai returned to the task at hand:
"Medium-sized anti-gravity engine, assemble!"
Amidst the flickering green light, a spherical object resembling the Terror Turtle's engine gradually materialized.
Like a basketball in size, it had an eight-segment structure, resembling a peeled orange. Inside, a slowly rotating white energy field pulsed.
Both its unscientific appearance and structural materials indicated it belonged to the same system as the Terror Turtle.
However, it lacked the Terror Turtle's devouring and evolutionary capabilities. Instead, it provided conventional propulsion with an additional anti-gravity effect.
This not only effectively reduced the Mecha's weight but also enabled gravity-based suspension and propulsion, while also handling posture adjustments and automatic balance maintenance.
A larger version could even switch operati on modes, generating a 'gravity field' within a certain range around the Mecha. This field could directly crush small targets with gravity, slow down high-speed targets, or reduce the weight burden on nearby friendly forces—a truly cutting-edge technology.
It was precisely this engine, combined with large-scale electromagnetic shields, that allowed such large Mecha to move swiftly and invincibly, rather than lumbering around as easy targets.
"Though we don't know the ultimate fate of Civilization 1, their technology is truly complete and well-structured, unlike humanity, which is still in the 'archaeological' stage."
As Xiao Bai spoke, he used a gaze-based interface to feed the new engine into the Terror Turtle.
The Terror Turtle's appearance immediately changed. Eight curved plates materialized around its main body, hovering and slowly rotating. Strands of white energy could be seen swirling in the gaps between them.
The Power rating in it s performance parameters increased to 800, not a remarkable improvement, but it now granted the Terror Turtle anti-gravity capabilities. By overloading its operation, it could even generate a similar gravity field within a three-meter radius around itself.
The range was limited, and sustained overloading was impossible, but Xiao Bai's philosophy had always been to first determine "if it's possible," before worrying about "how practical it is."
"In the combat records Lao Luo gave me, there was a small, insect-like Demonic Beast that could rapidly corrode a mech's armor with strong acid. It looked terrifying, but now with the gravity field, we don't have to worry about it. We can just crush them."
As he spoke, Xiao Bai synthesized all the remaining Anti-Gravity Engine Components in his inventory into fifteen miniature versions.
The appearance and structure remained the same, but scaled down to the size of a tennis ball. Naturally, the power and anti-gravity effect were significantly reduced.
Xiao Bai planned to use five sets to create a "miniature" version of his Floating Cannon. The remaining ten sets would be used to assemble his next critical defensive gear:
Holy Shield: A crystallization of technology from a lost civilization, consisting of ten defensive drones equipped with anti-gravity engines. This defensive array can be combined into a handheld shield to repel close-range attacks or separated into drones to form an electromagnetic protective matrix.
The smaller text below looked rather peculiar:
"Only those beloved by my Lord shall be granted sanctity and protection."
Xiao Bai opened the database, searching for more information while muttering:
"This thing is definitely powerful—being a 'crystallization of technology' and all that—but the name and that additional text are just... weird."
"How come something from such an advanced civilization always carries such a strong religious undertone? Did their science hit a dead end and they had to turn to theology?"
As he spoke, he switched to wielding a massive shield, fifteen meters long, capable of completely covering his mech.
The shield was a slender, triangular shape with smooth, flowing lines and a mirror-like surface, entirely crafted from Mirror Alloy. Yet, aided by the anti-gravity engine, it felt surprisingly light, as delicate as a cicada's wing.
Its exact size and shape could be freely adjusted, flexibly adapting to various machine types.
With a mere thought, Xiao Bai contracted the shield into the desired size and shape.
He then activa ted the electromagnetic matrix function. The shield automatically disassembled into ten dart-shaped drones that hovered around him, forming a powerful electromagnetic force field. Visible strands of electricity crisscrossed, weaving into a spherical shape.
This force field could withstand the majority of projectile and energy weapon attacks, providing comprehensive, omnidirectional protection.
Within a certain range, it could also generate strong electromagnetic interference, disrupting enemy electronic systems while leaving his own completely unaffected.
Equipped with gravity suspension, these drones also boasted high structural integrity, making them suitable for close-quarters combat as a "Floating Cannon" variant.
It was both dazzling and cutting-edge technology.
But after a brief test, Xiao Bai promptly recalled the dart drones and reassembled them into the shield's original form.
The energy consumption is outrageous. Use with caution, use with caution...

Chapter end