No wonder they're a big spender, so extravagant!
Han Xiao was secretly delighted.
A cosmic-level civilization would naturally be generous in providing treatment to Beyond Grade A. Not counting Ultimate Knowledge, Basic Knowledge to cutting-edge knowledge is standard equipment, given to him with a wave of his hand. In his previous life, Han Xiao was in the Crimson Dynasty faction, where he had to constantly complete tasks and accumulate faction contribution points to exchange for knowledge, which was completely incomparable to his current situation.
After exchanging a few words and ending the call, Han Xiao went to the machine workshop. Not long after, the data was transmitted over.
He glanced at it and couldn't help but show a delighted expression.
He now possesses four cutting-edge areas of knowledge: [Controlled Annihilation Weapons] in the weaponry branch, [Exotic Energy] in the energy branch, [Quantum Matrix Mind Field] in the manipulation branch, and [Advanced Space Application] in the manipulation branch.
What Suy transmitted were the last five pieces of cutting-edge knowledge:
Armament Branches – [Cutting-Edge Material Science], [Super Composite Mechanical Architecture Technology]
Energy Branches – [Beyond-Visual-Range Energy Transmission], [Activation Theory]
Manipulating Branches -- [Space-Time Dimension Exploration]
"Now we're all set!" Han Xiao exclaimed excitedly.
Mastering the branches is the core job; learning level one advanced knowledge only requires 4 potential points, while the other two branches require 12 points each time.
Han Xiao accumulated a large number of potential points when advancing to Beyond Grade A level. Although it was not enough to max out all the knowledge points, it was enough to learn each one at level one.
Almost no player could afford to be so extravagant. In the later versions of the previous game, players could only selectively learn one or two cutting-edge knowledge branches, but Han Xiao was different.
He has a vast amount of experience to improve his skill level, and can accumulate several times more potential points than the player, making it not impossible for him to unlock the cutting-edge knowledge of all branches.
"Heber thought twenty days was short enough, hehe..."
Han Xiao chuckled inwardly.
Compared to other mechanics, my stats are my biggest advantage. I only need to invest potential points to quickly learn new knowledge, saving a lot of time. I can grow to the maximum extent in the limited time before the challenge, and then I will have more trump cards to deal with the Tyrant.
Without hesitation, Han Xiao invested his potential points and decided to learn these five cutting-edge areas of knowledge.
[Detected cutting-edge Mechanic Class knowledge - [Space-Time Dimension Exploration], would you like to invest 4 potential points in learning it?]
[In progress, please do not stop... 9%... 24%... 57%...]
[Learning successful! You have mastered [Space-Time Dimension Exploration]!]
[Detected cutting-edge knowledge in Mechanic Class - [Cutting-Edge Material Science], would you like to invest 12 potential points in its study?]
[Learning in progress, please do not stop...]
[Learning Successful! You have mastered [Cutting-Edge Material Science]!]
[Detected...]
With a massive influx of data into his brain, Han Xiao's intellectual capacity made this workload quite manageable.
Countless pieces of mechanical knowledge were disassembled, analyzed, and then reassembled into a set of memory data, which was stored in the memory palace.
Having invested 52 potential points, I have mastered all five cutting-edge knowledge areas. My name appears on the career knowledge tree on the panel, glowing orange. On the career knowledge tree, Basic Knowledge is displayed in white, advanced knowledge in green, high-end knowledge in purple, cutting-edge knowledge in orange, and the highest level of Ultimate Knowledge in bright gold.
At this point, several more prompts popped up on the panel.
[Prerequisites met, your skill [Quantum Non-Distance Transmission Channel] is activated!]
[Prerequisites have been met (hetushu. com. com), your skill [Secondary Dimension March] is now activated!]
[Prerequisites met, your skill [Mechanical Force - Royal Authority] is activated!]
The skill names of the three Mechanic Emperor changed from gray to normal green, indicating that they were unlocked, which made Han Xiao feel relieved.
The newly acquired knowledge fulfills all the prerequisites for these three skills, leaving only the last skill, [King's Army], unactivated. This skill requires not only [Activation Theory] but also a higher level of Ultimate Knowledge.
Since [King's Army] is a long-term development ability and won't be of much help in the duel in ten days, Han Xiao wasn't in a hurry and planned to find another opportunity to unlock it later.
"With the Quantum Non-Distance Transmission Channel, my mechanical legions can fight remotely, enjoying the Mechanical Force boost without my personal arrival. In this way, my mechanical legions will have the ability to launch expeditions independently. Furthermore, Secondary Dimension March can eliminate the need for barracks-crate warp tactics, greatly increasing support speed and carrying capacity. Finally, the Mechanical Force: Royal Authority will provide my main body with even greater power..."
Han Xiao was very satisfied.
The Mechanic Emperor's skills are incredibly powerful, but he has gained even more abilities than that.
As knowledge structures change, people's methods of using machinery and Mechanical Force are also improved, and professional knowledge brings new skills.
[You have mastered the skill [Activated Mechanical Force]!]
[You have mastered the skill [Advanced Mechanical Generation]!]
[You have mastered the skill [Cutting-Edge Material Refinement]!]
You have mastered the skill [Legendary Enhancement Modification]!
[You have mastered the skill [Mechanical Fusion - Imbued]!]
Han Xiao raised his hand and released Mechanical Force, which condensed in his palm. The color of the Mechanical Force changed, with light gold flakes mixed in with the blue of lightning, presenting a blue-gold color, which was very gorgeous.
This is the effect of [Activated Mechanical Force]. This skill originates from [Activation Theory] and is a passive ability. The base effect is +150% Mechanical Affinity, which increases to +280% at max level. The description says that it gives Mechanical Force the activation property, thus changing the appearance of Mechanical Force. Mechanical Force becomes blue and gold lightning, which complements the name of the Mechanic Emperor... Perhaps there is an amplification effect from the energy light and shadow aura, making it look much better than before.
[Advanced Mechanical Generation] is an advanced version of [Basic Mechanical Generation], which greatly increases the speed of mechanical manufacturing. As long as there are enough raw materials, materials can be quickly turned into parts through Mechanical Force, and then assembled into machines according to blueprints. It can be said that even if you don't bring any machines, as long as there is unscathed metal around, you will not lack weapons.
Another function of this skill is to enhance the effect of [Scrap Modification]. Originally, it could only restore damaged machinery a maximum of four times, but now the limit has been increased to eight times. The reduction in mechanical performance each time has been reduced from 20% to 10%, doubling the endurance.
[Cutting-Edge Material Refinement] and [Legendary Enhancement Modification] are both advanced stages of the Mechanic's basic skills, enhancing their ability to synthesize new materials and enhance machinery.
The last one, [Mechanical Fusion·Bestowal], is similar to [King's Army], both originating from the cutting-edge knowledge of [Activation Theory], and is also a skill for training troops.
The effect is to grant a mechanical soldier the ability to devour other machines, disassemble targets, load the enemy's armor and equipment onto itself, and repair hardware or enhance performance on its own... On a larger scale, this is the evolutionary and growth model of mechanical life.
However, the two skills do not overlap. [King's Army] is based on the Activated Mechanical Force within the machine's body, cultivating energy, while [Mechanical Fusion·Bestowal] is a fusion and enhancement of external hardware. Simply put, [King's Army] is equivalent to increasing the mech soldier's "spirit bonus," while [Mechanical Fusion·Bestowal] increases the mech soldier's "physical strength" and "basic attributes."
The two complement each other, and working together is the normal path for mechanical soldiers to grow into mechanical life.
"These skills are important means for me to improve my combat power at this stage..." Han Xiao thought to himself.
Because of the experience penalty of over ten months from the Evolution Cube, Han Xiao didn't plan to waste extra experience to increase his overall level. Instead, he decided to use all his experience to improve his skill levels, increasing his chances of defeating the Tyrant.
After carefully reviewing the new skills and maxing out most of them, Han Xiao closed the panel.
With these new cutting-edge technologies applicable to the mechanical legion and just over ten days remaining, their combat capabilities can be further enhanced in the short term, reaching a new peak.
At this time, the fleet and the Dragon Calm were on their way, so Han Xiao handed over all the affairs to the officers and immersed himself in the machine workshop, burying himself in building machinery. Everyone else knew that he was preparing for war, and even Ames did not come to disturb his seclusion.
More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the challenge arrived as scheduled.
The Desolate Universe Belt beyond the West Wind Star System has become incredibly bustling, long since transformed into a boundless ocean of spaceships.
After a twenty-day journey, countless spaceships arrived from various nearby areas, layer upon layer, densely packed, seemingly endless.
In various star regions, star clusters, galaxies, and planets, the number of people watching the broadcasts through interstellar media is countless times greater than the number of on-site audiences; the total number is astronomical and impossible to count.
This battlefield has become a stage for everyone to watch.
At this moment, no Beyond Grade A individuals have arrived yet, and everyone is eagerly anticipating and excitedly awaiting the arrival of the main character.
The fleets of the War Realm and the Section Zero remained in a standoff. Krent and Amethyst, the backers of both sides, also dispatched official fleets to the scene to maintain stability. The atmosphere was tense, and the Secret War showed signs of escalating into a formal civilized war at any moment. However, the official forces of both sides exercised great restraint and tacitly avoided conflict.
"There are too many people..."
On a Star Diamond-Class Flagship, Laifer looked out the porthole at the endless array of ships watching. Even with his high position and extensive experience, he couldn't help but feel nervous in the face of such a breathtaking sight.
There are probably trillions of spectators here!
"If things get chaotic later, we won't be able to maintain order." Laifer said worriedly, turning to the ship's communicator and asking, "How long until Black Star arrives?"
"A message just came from the Black Star Army headquarters; they say Lord Black Star's troops are almost here."
Laifer's palms were sweating as he couldn't help but imagine all sorts of things that might happen. He had brought the Amethyst Fleet here not only to help Han Xiao, but also to provide support to Black Star if necessary.
Having finally secured Beyond Grade A ally, Amethyst was determined never to give up. If the situation turned unfavorable, Amethyst was willing to risk a full-scale war to lend a helping hand—after all, the Secret War had reached a stalemate, Amethyst wasn't afraid to overturn the table—and the power to act according to circumstances lay in the hands of Laifer and several senior officers, so Laifer felt heavy-hearted and very solemn.
Meanwhile, at Section Zero's position, the Black Star Army fleet was stationed in the most conspicuous location, with hundreds of thousands of warships looming overhead. Two to three million players were on some of these warships, their eyes fixed on the scene outside the portholes.
"The war is about to begin today..."
Frenzied Saber couldn't help but clench his fist.
He glanced around; the faces of the many players around him were filled with expressions of curiosity, anticipation, nervousness, excitement, and exhilaration.
This grand event is unprecedented in scale, representing the largest event in the three versions of Galaxy, and no player wants to miss it.
Meanwhile, in the War Realm, there was also a group of players present, numbering over a thousand, who were the "defectors" led by Summer Night Blossoms —that's what the legion players on the forums called them.
Looking at the Black Star Army fleet confronting each other in the distance, Summer Night Blossoms felt a mix of emotions.
I was once one of them...
In Summer Night Blossoms's view, the showdown between the War Realm and the Black Star Army's old man might be the last chance to confirm her conjecture.
The Mercenary Alliance also sent people to watch the battle, occupying a VIP seat with a good view.
"This is an unprecedented spectacle! How many years has it been since the Shattered Star Ring witnessed such a grand scene?"
In the private chat channel of the Mercenary Alliance leaders, Gurega couldn't help but sigh. He was the leader of the Sky Ring Army and a high-ranking member of the Mercenary Alliance Council.
"I recall the last time Beyond Grade A character publicly challenged someone was 276 years ago, when Austin sparred with a powerful figure from the previous generation of the Shattered Star Ring?" another legion commander mused.
"More than two hundred years ago, tsk, back then I was an officer in the Elven Royal Court's guerrilla force." Youyu casually tossed a piece of dried meat from an unknown creature into his mouth, chewing as he mumbled.
"I bet you didn't have this weird habit two hundred years ago." Gurega couldn't help but glance at the jerky in Youyu's hand.
"What quirk? I'm a gourmet." Youyu rolled her eyes.
Gurega shook his head, ignoring her, and said, "Now that Black Star has become Beyond Grade A, regardless of the outcome of this battle, I must invite him to serve as the chief director of the Mercenary Alliance. By working under his name, everyone will have more opportunities for development."
All the legion commanders nodded in agreement; no one raised any objections.
The Mercenary Alliance is a well-known large force in the Shattered Star Ring. Black Star Army was one of its founders, and no one minds Black Star becoming the nominal leader of the Mercenary Alliance. On the contrary, the Mercenary Alliance has a brighter future by leveraging the title of Beyond Grade A.
There were also many cooperative forces at the scene, such as the Mercenary Alliance, to support Han Xiao, including the Star Beast Organization and various conglomerates.
Just then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, a blue vortex-like portal suddenly appeared in the center of the empty battlefield, and it was rapidly expanding.
"It's finally here!"
Whoosh--
At that moment, all the onlookers present became agitated.
The excitement that everyone had been holding back was instantly ignited!!