Just as Li Xingkong was about to trace the source of the sound, he witnessed a scene that astonished him.
The massive warship that he had shattered was reassembled in an incredible way, as if its own Flesh and Blood were reborn. It reconstructed itself and solidified into the shape of an extremely large mechanical creature.
"Observation Target 9527, your actions have crossed the line regarding Mechanical Scourge. We hereby issue this warning: cease immediately, or you will be subject to the constraints of natural disasters."
This guy introduced himself right away, saving Li Xingkong of guessing.
Although this reconstructed giant robot is also made of metal, its internal technology is clearly far superior to that of the previous giant ship. Rather than being a resurrection, it is more like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
"Warning? Then tell me, where did I cross your line?"
To be honest, this was the first time Li Xingkong had met anyone from the Mechanical Scourge. He had only heard Baili Qiu mention them briefly before when the topic of servers came up.
"Unknown server type, tentatively named Sihali-1. Threatening the birth of a new civilization, threat level 0.13%. You have been added to the Civilization Wanted List as number 9527. Arrest is expected to be carried out 30,000 calendar years after the warning."
The AI speaking through the giant machine showed no emotion and seemed to have no intention of taking immediate action.
What does "9527" mean? 30,000 calendar years?
Seeing that this guy didn't seem to have any intention of making a move, Li Xingkong became interested. Perhaps this was the difference between intelligence and real life forms. They only followed logic in everything they did, without any emotional involvement.
If they say they'll take action at a certain time, they will never do so ahead of schedule.
"Based on your personal actions, the estimated threat level to civilization is currently 9527... Updated, now it's 9525."
"Due to the large number of high-threat life forms in the front row, please wait patiently for 30,000 calendar years. At that time, professional personnel will come to apprehend you. Please wait patiently, or cease your infringement of rights. We will periodically evaluate your bounty based on your subsequent performance."
As soon as he finished speaking, the enormous mechanical creature disintegrated once again after emitting a wave of energy, this time even more completely.
Although Li Xingkong's Divine Sense was constantly monitoring the situation, he couldn't discover how this so-called intelligence appeared or dissipated.
He could only detect a tiny flow of energy, but it quickly dissipated.
"What a strange civilization; even eliminating threats requires queuing."
Li Xingkong was no longer surprised; the universe was vast and full of wonders.
"This guy is actually quite strong."
The system popped up and, unusually, offered a word of praise.
"What do you mean? For you to praise me like that, I must have some skills?"
Li Xingkong looked at the dissipating ship and started talking to the system.
"How should I put it? Extremely ambitious."
The system gave it a very high rating.
"Although it's considered a second-tier civilization, this thing is already on its way to becoming a first-tier one. What it's eyeing is iron. Judging from its methods of application, its control over elements has reached a certain level. In a few million more years, it might just be able to achieve that."
"Millions of years..."
Li Xingkong was speechless. Was this still the time span he was familiar with? Why were they suddenly using tens of thousands of years?
"What else do you think? It takes a very long time for civilization to take its first step from nothing to something."
However, regardless of the timeframe, judging from what the system has said, what this Mechanical Scourge has its eye on is equally formidable.
If they can arbitrarily modify the properties of iron and fabricate its physical and chemical properties at will, then the balance of the entire Convention will likely be broken once again.
After all, as civilization develops to a certain point, iron is something that inevitably comes into contact with. If its properties are altered, then research results based on its original properties will become worthless.
"No, at first I thought that with so many civilizations, their technology trees should also be diverse and flourishing, but why do they seem to be developing in the same direction the further they go towards higher civilizations?"
Li Xingkong had barely begun to grasp the vastness of the world when this familiar development brought him back to the era of power struggles among small nations on Earth Star.
"It's true that the technology tree is flourishing in all directions, but this depends on the field. In terms of military power, the strongest known weapon in the entire Convention right now is the rules themselves. No matter what else you come up with, you can't defy the restrictions of the rules. This is currently the technology of the Zentradi."
"Even if you unleash a bomb, the Kingdom of Fixed Light will modify its speed of light to be lower than the speed of sound. Whether that thing will even work is another matter, but even if it does, you won't be able to launch it."
"But if we set aside military power and look at other directions, the number of things that have been developed is much greater."
Do you think these teleportation stations scattered throughout the Convention represent a manifestation of space reaching its ultimate limit?
The system explained in detail.
In cultivation, once you reach a certain level, you also have to come into contact with the rules. If you want to transcend the universe, you must first understand the universe. This is something you can't skip.
"Yes, it definitely counts."
Li Xingkong thought back and realized that this teleportation station had truly benefited the entire universe. Countless civilizations had been able to sneak out of their own little worlds and catch a glimpse of the vastness of the universe because of this one station.
"That settles it. Look at all these teleportation stations, do you know which civilization created them?"
When the system said that, Li Xingkong was genuinely stunned.
"I don't think I've ever heard of which company it belongs to."
"So, it's not that technology is converging, but rather that in a universe where strength is the foundation, if what you create can't fight, it's a complete negative benefit to your own civilization."
"And it's a good thing you didn't create a few Golden Core constructs. Judging from this guy's strength, he could control your constructs with just a glance."
"Hiss... Does that mean if I have to face them, my ' Scattering Beans to Create Soldiers will be useless?"
Li Xingkong was anything but modest, giving a fancy name to his method of repeatedly replicating things.
"Not only is it useless, you're also creating soldiers for them."
The system laughed.
"I originally thought that with this trick up my sleeve, I wouldn't be at a disadvantage against sheer numbers, but now it seems, emmmm, I was a bit too optimistic."
"You're overthinking it. There are plenty of Convention that rely on sheer numbers. If you want to take on multiple opponents, you should just focus on improving your cultivation."
Ultimately, cultivation level is still the most important thing.
If my current strength is so great that even the Mechanical Scourge wouldn't dare to point fingers at me, then this so-called infringement is nothing but a joke.