Spending 100 Awakening Points to unlock a unique skill is undeniably expensive, but at least it points to a clear path. Han Xiao doubts that he could figure it out on his own even after a hundred years of trial and error.
He estimated that the custom synthesis process was similar to creating a custom species talent when advancing to Beyond Grade A, providing preference requirements and then randomizing the results. The exclusive specialization obtained after synthesis was only a prototype, and more Awakening Points would be needed to activate it.
With all professional knowledge maxed out, potential points are converted into awakening points; this should also be the case for Manison and other mechanics.
The difference is that, unlike themselves, Manison and others cannot freely allocate skill points.
Therefore, since other mechanics cannot decide what use the Awakening Points will have, they will most likely take effect randomly. He guessed that the manifestation would be similar to a sudden flash of inspiration during training or research.
"Although the expenses are a bit high, it's at least a stable way to acquire exclusive skills."
Han Xiao was overjoyed; he had been eyeing this thing for years, and finally, he saw a glimmer of hope.
However, the cost-effectiveness is still debatable. 100 awakening points are equivalent to 10,000 free attribute points. My current highest intelligence attribute is less than 30,000. If I exchange them all for attribute points, the improvement will be huge. Only if I get a template-level exclusive specialty will it not be a loss.
However, since it's called an exclusive specialty, the results shouldn't be too bad; you get what you pay for.
Master Han still remembers Little Sorokin's exclusive specialty [Trickster Sorokin], which directly increases Intelligence and Mystic attributes by 20%, and also provides an additional 75% boost to Ability Strength and a +4 skill level increase. The effect is amazing.
Old Mac's [Virtual Technology Innovation - Manison] directly gains a 1.75x virtual technology enhancement effect and is also the foundation of the "Immortal Mechanic Emperor" technology.
Both of these are template-level.
"Practice makes perfect. Although the expenses are a bit high, we still have to do it and see how it goes."
Han Xiao had just upgraded over a hundred blueprint skills, using up all his potential points. He didn't have enough experience points to gather another 100 awakening points.
"Sigh, Awakening Point... what a fitting name, another big spender of experience points. I think I'll just advance to the next level first..."
Han Xiao shook his head. He achieved the goal of reaching the maximum level in all professions mainly so that he could get an extra Divine Transformation Point when advancing in the future.
Now that we've achieved that, advancing to level 340 has become our top priority again.
In addition to these changes, the panel also notified that you have obtained a new [First Sanctum] skill fragment.
Master Han has figured out the pattern: when he crosses the threshold of certain Mechanic Class, he will obtain a [First Sanctum] fragment.
The first piece came from activating Divine Transformation, the second from creating the first Universal Treasure, the third from the fifth level of Divine Transformation of the main profession, and now we have the fourth piece.
"I want to see how many pieces it takes to make a whole set. If you're so capable, try to make 100 pieces."
Han Xiao internally complained.
Overall, he was very satisfied with the effect of maxing out all professional knowledge, which pointed out a new path for his growth. This is the biggest difference between him and other Beyond Grade A, and his growth path is clearly visible.
At the same time, with the [Mechanic Great Sage], the chances of challenging Manison are much greater.
"I suffered a loss in the virtual realm last time, so this time I'm going to fight him for real, hard-fought battles."
Han Xiao was eager to try and full of fighting spirit.
This mindset can be simply explained as follows.
--The wind has stopped, the rain has stopped, and I feel like I'm back to normal!
"Duh!"
As Han Xiao was processing the changes in himself, there was a sudden knock on the door, and Harrison walked in.
Over the past few months, Han Xiao has adhered to the principle of not wasting labor and has not let Harrison be idle. Even though the guy is currently under investigation, Han Xiao does not mind and has him temporarily serve as his secretary.
Besides giving Harrison something to do, it was also a convenient way to keep him by my side so I could benefit from his Lucky Halo at all times.
However, judging from the results, not only did they not get any luck, but they also neutralized a lot of it themselves, a typical lose-lose situation.
Of course, Master Han would not admit it; he firmly believed that Harrison's Lucky Halo was of poor quality.
Fording's aura is still the strongest; no matter how much he drags things down, it doesn't matter.
Seeing the person enter, Han Xiao closed the panel and casually asked:
"Is there anything you need to report about the books?"
"Lord Black Star, the Imperial Fleet requests that I inform you that they will temporarily leave your ranks, revert to normal organization, and proceed with other missions."
"What happened?" Han Xiao asked curiously.
"The captain told me that this mission was sent by the Imperial high command, saying that a galaxy-level civilization has encountered a problem, and it's not appropriate for you to handle it."
What exactly happened?
"I got some intelligence from them, please take a look."
Harrison took out a document and displayed it on the virtual screen.
Han Xiao glanced through it briefly and immediately understood.
For the past few months, the major civilizations of the Ancient Star Desert have been sensible and have been openly cooperating with the actions of the Three Universal Civilizations, without causing any trouble like the black market.
Just as the Three Universal Civilizations announced the completion of their antivirus suite, it seemed that one civilization felt the disaster was under control and would not cause serious consequences, so it stirred up some trouble.
Three of the involved galaxy-level civilizations are the Tygers, the White Fur Race, and the Ferry People. They are not smuggling the virus, but rather suspected of using it to attack their adversaries.
The Tygers and Ferry People live in the same star system, their territories bordering each other, and they are mortal enemies, often clashing. The White Fur Race, on the other hand, resides in a neighboring star system, bordering only the Tygers, and their relationship is relatively distant.
The situation is roughly as follows: On one of the important administrative planets of the Tygers, a mechanical rebellion suddenly broke out not long ago. This was a group of mechanical beings infected with Virtual Mutiny Virus. Due to the long period of network outage, the trigger mechanism took effect, and these mechanical beings had their programs rewritten by the virus, causing them to kill living beings.
The virus outbreak was limited to this group of machines, and their numbers were small. The quantum network connection devices of each machine had been removed early on, so they could not access the internet and did not affect other nodes on the planet. As a result, the planetary guard forces easily annihilated this group of rebellious machines, but there were still civilian casualties.
An investigation revealed a highly plausible cause of the disaster circulating online: the mutated mechanical squad was actually research material for the Tygers's Virtual Mutiny Virus research, which accidentally went out of control, leading to the catastrophe.
After the news broke, the Tygers people were in uproar, and the Tu Shu was outraged. Public opinion spiraled out of control, and the government was fiercely criticized, causing the incident to escalate.
The Tygers urgently stated that this was a rumor; they had not conducted any research on the virus at all. They claimed that these mechanical entities were an unknown force hiding on the planet, having timed the internet outage to trigger the virus outbreak, deliberately smearing their regime and damaging their credibility.
The enraged crowd felt this was a sophistry, so the Tygers had no choice but to publicly request arbitration from the Three Universal Civilizations.
In the private report that Han Xiao saw, the Tygers explained to the Three Universal Civilizations that this might be a conspiracy by the Ferry People or the White Fur Race, not only to smear them but also to frame a third party, causing a dispute between the two, while they themselves would reap the benefits.
Both the White Fur Race and the Ferry People have motives, but the words of the Tygers cannot be trusted. Therefore, the Three Universal Civilizations sent people to investigate thoroughly, and the situation is currently very complicated.
As galactic-level civilizations are protected by the Peace Treaty, the Empire did not allow Han Xiao to interfere in matters concerning civilizations. In this area, the Three Universal Civilizations do not allow any force other than themselves to act recklessly.
"I've beaten the black market into submission, but civilization is starting to act up..."
Han Xiao frowned. Although this matter was not under his jurisdiction, it did not prevent him from sensing the signs of danger.
He understood that the blockade of the Ancient Star Desert had put various civilizations on high alert, especially the supercluster civilization. The Three Universal Hooligans had long been discredited in their eyes, so they would definitely make the worst-case scenario plan, keep their options open, and hold onto their leverage. However, this was of no benefit to the overall situation; it was a typical dilemma in the game of strategy.
"We still need to deal with the virus as soon as possible; we can't delay. Let's use another Explorer."
Han Xiao got up and left the room, heading straight to the warehouse.
Upon entering the room, one immediately sees the triangular device that once stored the Virtual Mutiny Virus, lying quietly there.
The Empire's research on it yielded no results, and seeing Black Star's request, they allowed Han Xiao to keep it with him.
During this period, as long as [Bold Explorer] cools down, Han Xiao will use the Triangular Device.
Unfortunately, after watching a lot of scattered fragments, there weren't many valuable clues; at most, we figured out part of the virus's origin.
The mechanical civilization we first encountered in the retrospective was the creator of the Virtual Mutiny Virus. It was indeed a weapon, originally designed to deal with the unknown civilization that used planet-destroying weapons to destroy a planet of the mechanical civilization.
The virus is programmed to kill living beings, and mechanical civilizations are naturally excluded from its scope, making it a targeted advanced weapon of war that does not harm friendly forces.
This mechanical civilization is actually an intelligent civilization, just like AI Civilization, where all citizens are intelligent life forms, only more advanced.
Those mechanical bodies all over the streets are shells carrying intelligent life forms, essentially their vehicles for walking in the real world. Their appearances are all DIY-made, so you can hardly see any duplicates.
In his repeated retracings as a "Bold Explorer," Han Xiao discovered some unique writing and symbols of this intelligent civilization. However, after comparison, he found that there were no related records in the databases of the Three Universal Civilizations.
Either this intelligent civilization is too ancient, with a gap in its history, so that even the Three Universal Civilizations are unaware of it, or it is an advanced civilization that Unexplored Universe.
Regardless of the specific cause, it essentially confirms that the source of the Virtual Mutiny Virus is a manifestation of Information State Disturbance, that is, a "mirage" that interferes with reality.
Hopefully, we'll see some useful snippets this time.
Han Xiao glanced at Harrison beside him, took a deep breath, silently prayed for the protection of the light, and slowly placed his hand on the cool surface of the triangular device.
Buzz!
The next moment, the view suddenly changed, and he found himself in a brightly lit laboratory.
He looked up, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.
In the center of the room stood a triangular device, still open, revealing its internal safe. A group of mechanical beings, resembling researchers, stood nearby, solemnly operating a robotic arm to place a nearly transparent ball of pale blue electric arc into the device.
'Could this be a scenario just created by Virtual Mutiny Virus? I finally got my loot this time!'
Suppressing his joy, Han Xiao carefully observed the pale blue arc of electricity. He saw wisps of electricity moving through the air, like a powerful electromagnetic field.
... Is this the core of the virus?
Shouldn't it be virtual data? How can it be a ball of electromagnetic energy?
Han Xiao felt a sense of doubt.
Just then, a detached electronic voice sounded, and a mechanical researcher nearby spoke, pointing it at the camera used to record the experiment:
"Experimental subject description: Domino Virus, which can infect quantum networks, rewrite the underlying logic of intelligence, and is currently programmed to kill all organic life forms."
Raw materials: One thousand mutated intelligent life forms, their independent thinking erased, retaining only their data shells and computing power. After one hundred and sixty-five failed modifications, the Domino Virus was successfully created. In its initial form, the virus possessed extremely high stealth, infiltration, and infectivity.
Virus Core: A pre-programmed system without independent thought. As the control center, it manipulates the Domino Virus based on input logic, monitors infection status, and activates the virus when the opportunity arises. It also has a self-evolution function—when an adversary develops a targeted firewall, the virus core will automatically analyze data, use its powerful computing capabilities to find vulnerabilities, and continuously update and strengthen the virus information packets to launch a new round of infection.
Note: Starting with the second generation of viruses, all information packets are enabled by default. Once infected, they no longer remain dormant and immediately rewrite the target logic.
In addition, the virus core employs technologies such as Virtual Soul, bioelectric simulation, and magnetic field recombination, and has two forms of existence: it can transform into Virtual Soul to roam the quantum network, or it can break away from the quantum network from any terminal, enter the material world, and transform into an electromagnetic field life form.
Because the core of the virus exists based on Virtual Soul, it can infiltrate the quantum network at any time without contacting nodes when in an electromagnetic field state. Therefore, the core of the virus has extremely high escape and concealment capabilities and is highly mobile.
When used properly, a single Domino Virus can dismantle most of the armed forces of an interstellar civilization and cause its level of civilization to regress several iterations. Due to its immense power, it must be used with caution. The Domino Virus is currently under temporary lockdown and may not be activated without permission...
Han Xiao slowly opened his eyes.
He felt as if his young heart had been hit by a thousand blows.
If it weren't for the [Bold Explorer] witnessing all of this, no one in the entire universe would know the true nature of the Virtual Mutiny Virus!
Right now, I'm the only one who knows this information; everyone else is still in the dark!
At that moment, a bad thought popped into my head.
This is bad!
The Three Universal Civilizations approach won't work!
This thing is more troublesome than I thought!