Mecha Types

Combat mechs are the largest category, with several major types based on appearance.

One type is based on mechanical forms, like turret mechs. Another is classified by animalistic shapes: lions, wolves, tigers, leopards, bears, and also birds of prey like eagles, owls, cranes, and doves. This category has the most mechs. Then there's a more special type: humanoid mechs. These are usually top-tier, often custom-made. Don't bother with these if you're broke.

Mechs are also divided into light, medium, and heavy types. Light mechs even have an ultralight subcategory – the robots you and I are piloting. These are ultralight mechs. Equipped with weapons, they can fight, but they're better suited for fighting within a fortress than out in the wild. Their combat power is significantly lower than that of true mechs.

As for heavy mechs, there are also super-heavy mechs. Those colossal machines are generally slow-moving but possess incredibly fierce defense and firepower. They're typically used to stabilize a formation, acting like a small mobile fortress. They're extremely expensive, consuming vast amounts of materials and energy, and not something ordinary factions can manage.

Zhang Hao asked curiously, "How much do they cost? And what's the currency here called?"

"It used to be called Credit Points, later Blue Star Coins."

"A super-heavy mech varies in price. The cheapest ones cost over a billion, requiring at least twelve operators."

Zhang Hao pondered and then asked, "What's the annual income of an ordinary family in Blue Star Coins?"

"One to three million, for a very common family. Middle-class families earn three to five million annually. In this era, Blue Star families typically consist of four to five people."

"That's a pretty good income!"

Mifeng said, "It's much better than your hometown. Humans live quite comfortably on Blue Star in this era, thanks to the great technological advancements and interstellar expansion. Resources are relatively abundant, so it's not surprising they live well."

Zhang Hao said, "I don't quite understand. How can resources acquired here be sent back? We have a bridgehead, but they don't."

"They have Space Elevators and large interstellar cargo ships. Only the premium goods are shipped back; ordinary resources are consumed locally. Where do you think these mech bases and fortresses come from?"

"Every large base has such an elevator. Only we don't."

Zhang Hao asked curiously, "How many bases do we have on the Killing Planet?"

"Eight!"

"Three ground bases with large fortresses, four underground fortress bases, and one hidden base. All have short-range teleportation gates for rapid deployment of mech groups. Here, we're considered a major force, but operating in the shadows. Only one of our large bases is open to the public; the others are all secret."

"On the Killing Planet, the state's elite holds the largest sphere of influence and the most large bases. Next are the bases owned by super-rich individuals, followed by countless medium and small bases. Some small bases are formed by surrounding an area with three super-heavy mechs and building a fortress in the middle. If there's trouble, they just drive the super-heavy mechs away, leaving the fortress to attract enemies."

Zhang Hao marveled, eight bases! He hadn't expected Mifeng to command such a vast power.

"Great God, how much money do you have in this world?"

"I don't know!"

Huh? Zhang Hao was surprised. "You don't even know how much money you have?"

Mifeng continued, "I really don't know. I haven't checked since I got back, but it should be at least over ten trillion Blue Star Coins."

Whoa!

That much money!

As Zhang Hao marveled, he felt genuine admiration. This guy was a super money-making machine. Back in his hometown, he was already exceptionally good at making money, using financial schemes to get rich quickly and ruthlessly, faster than stealing.

"Right, at least ten trillion Blue Star Coins! You're my partner, seven for me, three for you!"

Holy crap!

Zhang Hao was startled. So that's what kind of partner this was. Anything Mifeng owned, he got thirty percent. Originally, Mifeng's proposal was a nine-one split, but Zhang Hao's nonsensical talk ended up securing him a three-seven split. He'd made an incredible profit.

In a civilized world, to survive, develop, and acquire resources, money is indispensable! Technological advancement is also essential.

Zhang Hao owning thirty percent of Mifeng's fortune was terrifying, considering Mifeng held several bridgeheads.

Mifeng said, "You'll establish your own bridgehead one day. Collect more resources. On the Killing Planet, our most important resource is Soul Crystals. With Soul Crystals, you'll have soul vehicles."

"Soul Crystals are exclusively produced on the Killing Planet. They can only be obtained from slain crystalline lifeforms."

"The virtual network occasionally sells Soul Crystals. People here make them into high-end accessories that have a soul-calming effect, but they don't know their true purpose. So, in the virtual network, whenever you see any Soul Crystal accessories, buy them at all costs!"

"If you can't buy them, steal them, rob them, cheat, or trick your way to get them!"

"These Soul Crystal accessories are super treasures in this world, sold by the gram. A gram of low-grade Soul Crystal Stone costs hundreds of thousands of Blue Star Coins. It's hard for anyone who isn't an elite or a super-rich person to keep them."

"No matter how many Soul Crystals or Soul Crystal Stones you have, it's never enough. Do you know about nanobots? Their foundation is Soul Crystal Stone. The reason the body's defense system doesn't attack them after entering the body is because Soul Crystals can deceive the body."

Zhang Hao listened intently, knowing Mifeng was imparting crucial knowledge.

"Once intelligent machines possess Soul Crystals or Soul Crystal Stones, they can gain a certain level of intelligence, becoming vastly superior to regular intelligent machines. Therefore, the Killing Planet is a super treasure trove."

"Additionally, the Killing Planet has many rare elements, which are also essential materials for manufacturing high-end machines. Beneath the Killing Planet, we have numerous excavating machines searching for various mineral deposits. Surface ores are actually harder to mine. Orbiting the Killing Planet are countless satellites; in the early days, surface and shallow ores were largely depleted."

"Many bases are built on these mineral deposits. When you establish your own bridgehead, you must collect vast amounts of resources. A main bridgehead is everything to you."

Zhang Hao's soul was in turmoil. Of course, he was excited. To establish his own bridgehead, controlled by him, would be incredible!

"Is it really possible? Can I truly have my own bridgehead?"

"Of course. With my help, it's no problem!"

Zhang Hao suddenly understood why Mifeng wanted to help him. Once he established his own bridgehead, he would be completely separated from Mifeng, no longer a partner, and the seven-three profit split would be void.

Zhang Hao didn't hide his thoughts and asked, "If I establish a bridgehead, will our partnership end?"

"Yes! It must end."

"But we can form an alliance! An alliance is more suitable than a partnership!"

Zhang Hao remained calm, with no intention of acting impulsively. At the very least, he needed to acquire knowledge in all aspects and the ability to survive and thrive. Otherwise, even establishing a bridgehead would be useless.