The Crimson Bright Wasteland, deeper in.
If the industrial district was an overmined wasteland, then this was the forgotten edge of the wasteland.
The terrain shifted from exposed rock and mining pits to a sparse jungle tinged with green.
A strange smell, a faint mix of decaying vegetation and rusting metal, hung in the air.
The sky was perpetually shrouded in Orian's typical layer of polluted clouds, leaving the light dim.
Deep in this jungle lay a hidden, abandoned outpost.
Judging by the traces left behind, it might have belonged to an exploration team from the Black Royal Family era, over eighty years ago, or to even earlier colonists.
Several low prefabricated buildings, half-buried in the ground, had mostly collapsed, leaving only their rusted metal frames.
A watchtower leaned at an angle, as if it might topple at any moment.
There should once have been a wall around the base, but now only a few scattered concrete foundations remained.
Most importantly, within a hundred miles of this place, there were no major armed forces—only a few remote towns and small mining settlements, each several days' trek away.
It lay far from Arlu City, with a vast wasteland separating it from the industrial district that had become a Chaos nest. It was the perfect blind spot in a no-man's-land.
After days of dying and respawning and conducting investigations from every angle, the players had voted to make this their starting base.
At that moment, beams of white light flashed one after another through the ruins they had named No. 1 Respawn Point.
The players appeared in every corner, springing up like mushrooms after a rain.
"Blegh! What's that smell?"
The moment Soul of Cadia logged in, he covered his nose. "It's even more pungent than the sulfur stink in the industrial district!"
"Be grateful. At least nobody's whipping you here."
Tax Brother flexed the arms of his new body. He felt that the muscles in this new vessel were just a little sturdier than before.
"Sound off!"
Wang Zhong's voice rang out over the regional channel. "All squads, report your numbers!"
"Let me repeat: this is the main base and headquarters we've chosen. It's safe for now, but stay alert!"
The online headcounts of each squad quickly scrolled through the channel. The final tally: 5,000 players. Seventeen were still offline for real-life reasons; everyone else was present.
"Good." Wang Zhong surveyed the ruined surroundings. "Brothers, take a look at our new home..."
He didn't get to finish.
A series of unprecedented system notifications appeared simultaneously in the upper-left corner of every player's vision!
``` [Major System Update Announcement]
To all respected pilots:
In recognition of your outstanding adaptability and resource-gathering efficiency during the early stages on Orian IV, system permissions have been partially unlocked.
Loading new feature modules...
[Loading complete]
The following features have been added:
1. Chapter System
· Create a Chapter: Spend 1,000 Imperial Coins to create a basic Chapter.
A Chapter has its own name, emblem, internal channel, contribution records, and basic command hierarchy.
Chapter rank: Starting at Militia rank, it can be raised through member count, overall strength, completing game missions, or independently achieving major military accomplishments.
Rank affects the maximum number of recruitable members, unlocks additional Chapter features, and grants access to certain shop privileges.
Chapter storage: Shared storage space (50 slots to start, expandable) for holding public Chapter supplies.
Note: In a universe of mechs, banding together for warmth is the first rule of survival. Of course, treat your fellow Chapter members well. Faithful allegiance and mutual interest are the best glue for keeping a Chapter together.
(Hint: Betrayal and retribution submodules are not yet available in the current version. Feel free to form your Chapters.)
2. Body Modification Enhancement Library (Genetic Sequence Development)
Basic physique enhancement chain:
Type I (bone density/muscle efficiency): Price: 100 coins.
Effect: Slightly increases carrying capacity, resistance to melee damage, and maximum stamina.
Type II (metabolic optimization/neural enhancement): Unlocked when Type I reaches at least 30% completion.
Price: 500 coins.
Effect: Increases stamina recovery speed and slightly improves reaction speed.
Type III (organ redundancy/trauma tolerance): Unlocked when Type II reaches at least 50% completion.
Price: 1,500 coins.
Effect: Increases resistance to toxins, radiation, and low-oxygen environments, and slightly improves survival odds after sustaining serious injuries.
Later paths: Displayed as...
Perception enhancement chain:
Type I (improved eyesight/hearing): Price: 100 coins. Effect: Slightly improves vision in dim environments and expands hearing range.
Later paths: ...
Neural interface chain (prerequisite for mechanical modification):
Basic neural interface implantation: Price: 500 coins.
Effect: Allows installation and basic compatibility with the simplest mechanical prosthetics or exoskeleton interfaces.
Warning: Modification carries a risk of failure, which may cause neural damage or rejection.
Note: This is the first step for a mortal body on the path to transcendence.
Take note: All modifications require time to adjust to and may cause minor or even significant changes to your vessel's appearance.
Choose your path of evolution with care.
3. Psychic Awakening and Guidance (High Reward, High Risk)
Psychic aptitude test: 100 coins.
Tests the vessel's current psychic potential rating (E–S).
Psychic awakening ritual (basic): Price: 1,000 Imperial Coins.
Effect: Awakens latent psychic talent and grants the most basic level of psychic perception.
Failure consequences: Mild to severe mental shock, with a very small chance of attracting the attention of the Warp (you know what that means).
Psychic training method (basic meditation): Price: 500 coins.
Effect: Provides the most rudimentary guidance on psychic control and development.
Warning: Exploring psychic cultivation on your own in a universe of mechs is like tap-dancing blindfolded in a minefield.
Note: Psychic power is both a key and a curse.
Power and peril coexist; knowledge and madness dance together.
The system will provide guidance for getting started and the most basic protective measures. Further progress requires protection purchased with Imperial Coins, so please... choose carefully.
(Giant red warning text: An untrained Psyker is the most conspicuous torch in the darkness—and the tastiest snack.)
4. Shop System Expansion (New Categories)
New category: [Xenos Technology-Style Equipment]
Sample items:
"High-Efficiency Solar-Powered Armour (Light)"
(Label: Believed to originate from a civilization that takes the pursuit of solar efficiency to an extreme): Price: 15,000 coins.
Provides basic protection. Its energy supply is virtually unlimited in sunlight, but its efficiency drops sharply in dim environments.
"Experimental Rail Rifle"
(Label: A special branch of kinetic weaponry, emphasizing muzzle velocity and penetration): Price: 5,000 coins.
Considerable firepower and excellent range. Its special ammunition must be purchased separately (50 coins/magazine). Heavy recoil.
"Phase Dagger"
(Label: Involves basic spatial-slicing technology): Price: 4,200 coins.
Significant armor-piercing effect in close combat, and especially effective against energy shields. Unstable construction; risk of self-destruction.
"General-Purpose Engineering Mech"
(Label: Heavy industrial mech): Price: 50,000 coins.
New category: [Unknown Technology Trees]
Sample items:
"Warp Drive Principle Fragment (I)": Price: 300,000 coins.
Description: A fragment outlining another theory of faster-than-light travel.
Effect: ???
"Psychic-Mechanical Coupling Interface Theory Fragment (I)": Price: 250,000 coins.
Description: An approach to combining psychic power and machinery that differs from the Cult of the Machine Thought's.
Effect: ???
Large quantities of items have been added to the existing categories: more models of laser weapons and ballistic weapons, armor in different specifications, engineer equipment, medical supplies, survival supplies, and more.
New services:
Vessel Reshaping: For 50 coins, you can make minor adjustments to your vessel's appearance.
[Final Reminder]: All new features and services require Imperial Coins.
Imperial Coins can be obtained through material recycling, mission completion, rewards for specific actions, and other means.
May your pioneering journey on Aurelian IV be even more exciting.
Wang Zhong looked at the note. "They're still calling this a universe of mechs! Prime Saint, you damn developer."
Before you continue