Wasteland Reborn (Seeking Follow-ups)

Deeper into the Crimson Bright Wasteland.

If the industrial zone was a wasteland ravaged by over-extraction, then this place was the forgotten fringe of that wasteland.

The terrain shifted from exposed rock strata and mine pits to a sparse, greenish jungle.

The air was thick with a strange, pungent odor—a mixture of rotting organic matter and rusting metal.

The sky was perpetually shrouded under the typical pollution clouds of Orian, casting the world in dim, murky light.

Deep within this jungle lay a hidden, abandoned outpost.

Judging by the remaining traces, it likely belonged to an exploration team from the Black Royal Family era over eighty years ago, or perhaps even earlier colonists.

Several low-lying, semi-buried prefabricated buildings had mostly collapsed, leaving behind only rusted metal frames.

A watchtower stood askew, looking as if it might topple at any moment.

The perimeter of the base should have once had a wall, but now only scattered concrete foundations remained.

Most importantly, for a hundred miles in every direction, there were no major armed factions, save for a few remote towns and small mining settlements that required days of trekking to reach.

It was far from Arlu City and separated from the industrial zone—now a den of chaos—by a vast expanse of wilderness, making it the perfect blind spot in a lawless no-man's-land.

This was the exact location the players had voted for as their initial base after days of dying, respawning, and extensive scouting.

At this moment, inside the ruins designated as No. 1 Respawn Point, streaks of white light flickered in succession.

The figures of players sprouted from every corner like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

"Ptooey! What is that smell?"

Soul of Cadia covered his nose the moment he logged on. "It's even more pungent than the sulfur stench in the industrial zone!"

"Be content, at least no one is whipping you here."

Tax Brother flexed the arms of his new body, feeling that the muscles of this new vessel seemed a bit firmer than before.

"Personnel check!"

The voice of Wang Zhong, Loyal to the Emperor Forever, rang out in the area channel. "All squads, report your numbers!"

"I repeat, this is our chosen main base and headquarters. It is temporarily safe, but maintain vigilance!"

The number of online players in each squad scrolled rapidly through the channel. Final tally: 5,000 players. Aside from 17 who had not logged on due to real-life reasons, everyone was present.

"Very good," Wang Zhong surveyed the dilapidated scene. "Brothers, behold our new home..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

In the top-left corner of every player's vision, a series of unprecedented system notification boxes popped up simultaneously!

[Major System Update Announcement]

To all esteemed pilots:

In view of your exceptional adaptability and resource acquisition efficiency during the early stages of Orian IV, system permissions have been unlocked in phases.

New functional modules are loading...

[Loading Complete]

New features are as follows:

1. Warband System

a Warband: Consume 1,000 Imperial Coin to establish a primary Warband.

Warbands possess independent names, emblems, internal channels, contribution records, and basic command hierarchies.

Warband Level: Starts at Skirmisher level; increases based on member count, overall strength, completion of game missions, or autonomous achievement of major legion milestones.

Level affects the maximum recruitment cap, unlocks more Warband features, and grants partial shop permissions.

Warband Warehouse: Shared storage space (initial 50 slots, expandable) used to store public Warband supplies.

Note: In the Mech Universe, sticking together for warmth is the first rule of survival. Of course, please treat your members well; loyal faith and shared interests are the best adhesives to keep a Warband from falling apart.

(Tip: The betrayal and liquidation sub-module is not yet open in the current version, so please feel free to form your groups.)

2. Body Modification and Enhancement Library (Genetic Sequence Development Path)

Basic Physique Enhancement Chain:

Type I (Bone Density/Muscle Efficiency): Price 100 coins.

Effect: Slightly increases load capacity, melee damage resistance, and stamina cap.

Type II (Metabolic Optimization/Neural Enhancement): Requires Type I completion ≥30% to unlock.

Price 500 coins.

Effect: Increases stamina recovery speed and slightly improves reaction speed.

Type III (Organ Redundancy/Trauma Tolerance): Requires Type II completion ≥50% to unlock.

Price 1,500 coins.

Effect: Increases resistance to toxins, radiation, and low-oxygen environments; slightly improves survival rate for severe injuries.

Subsequent paths: Displayed as...

Sensory Enhancement Chain:

Type I (Visual/Auditory Acuity): Price 100 Coins. Effect: Slightly improves vision in dim environments and auditory range.

Subsequent paths:...

Neural Interface Chain (Prerequisite for mechanical augmentation):

Basic Neural Interface Implant: Price 500 Coins.

Effect: Allows for the installation and initial compatibility with the simplest mechanical prosthetics or exoskeleton interfaces.

Warning: Augmentation carries a risk of failure, which may lead to nerve damage or rejection reactions.

Note: This is the beginning of a mortal vessel ascending to the extraordinary.

Be aware that all augmentations require time to adapt and may slightly or significantly alter the appearance of the vessel.

Please choose your path of evolution with caution.

3. Psionic Awakening and Guidance (High Reward, High Risk)

Psionic Talent Detection: 100.

Can detect the current psionic potential rating of the vessel (E~S).

Psionic Awakening Ritual (Basic): Price 1000 Imperial Coins.

Effect: Activates latent psionic talent and grants rudimentary psionic perception.

Consequences of failure: Mild to severe mental trauma, with a very small probability of attracting the attention of the Warp (you know what that means).

Psionic Training Method (Basic Meditation): Price 500 Coins.

Effect: Provides the most superficial guidance for psionic control and growth.

Warning: Practicing psionics on your own in the Mecha Universe is equivalent to tap-dancing through a minefield with your eyes closed.

Note: Psionics is a key, but also a curse.

Power and risk coexist; knowledge dances with madness.

The system will provide guidance for activation and basic protection; subsequent paths require payment of Imperial Coins for protection, please... deliberate carefully.

(Huge red font warning: Psionicists without system training are the brightest torches in the darkness, and also the most delicious snacks.)

4. Shop System Expansion (New Categories)

New Category: [Xeno-Tech Style Equipment]

Example Items:

"High-Efficiency Solar Powered Armor (Light)"

(Note: Suspected to be from a civilization that worships solar efficiency to the extreme): Price 15000 Coins.

Provides basic protection; energy is nearly infinite under sunlight, but efficiency drops sharply in dim environments.

"Rail Rifle Prototype"

(Note: A special branch of kinetic weapons, emphasizing muzzle velocity and penetration): Price 5000 Coins.

Considerable power, excellent range, special ammunition must be purchased separately (50 Coins/magazine), high recoil.

"Phase Dagger"

(Note: Involves basic spatial cutting technology): Price 4200 Coins.

Significant armor-piercing effect in melee, highly effective against energy shields; structure is unstable, risk of self-destruction.

"General Purpose Engineering Mech"

(Note: Heavy industrial mech): Price 50000 Coins.

New Category: [Unknown Tech Tree]

Example Items:

"Warp Engine Principle Fragment (I)": Price 300000 Coins.

Description: A fragment of another hypothesis regarding faster-than-light travel.

Effect: ???

"Psionic-Mechanical Coupling Interface Theory Fragment (I)": Price 250000 Coins.

Description: A concept for combining psionics and machinery that differs from the route of the Cult of the Machine Thought.

Effect: ???

Large influx of items in existing categories: Added more models of laser weapons, kinetic weapons, various specifications of armor, engineering equipment, medical supplies, survival gear, etc.

New Service:

Vessel Reshaping: Costs 50 Coins to fine-tune the appearance of the vessel.

[Final Tip]: All new features and services require the consumption of Imperial Coins.

Imperial Coins can be obtained through material recycling, mission completion, rewards for specific actions, etc.

We wish all pilots a more spectacular journey of exploration on Aurelian IV.

Wang Zhong looked at that note, "Still calling this the Mecha Universe, huh! Prime Saint, you dev."