As the last piece of the knowledge puzzle was completed, the world before our eyes seemed to undergo a subtle change, and our perception of space underwent a transformation.
Han Xiao looked up at the cup on the table. The edges and corners of the cup seemed to reveal all sorts of function formulas. After removing the superfluous appearance, only precise lines remained to outline the cup's spatial structure. He glanced around and found that all the items in the room were in the same situation. Everything existed in more than one form within the spatial structure.
After blinking, the sensation slowly dissipated, and normal vision returned.
"This must be a change brought about by [Hyperspace Thinking], which has elevated my spatial perception to a new level."
Han Xiao steadied himself. The feeling he had just experienced was like maintaining multiple perspectives simultaneously, both ascending and descending in dimensionality.
[Space-Time Theory] only provides one feat, but its effect is considerable, comprehensively enhancing mobility and control skills, and also increasing some mental resistance. The other two feats are important feats gained from learning all the knowledge.
Generally speaking, players cannot afford the expense of learning all the professional knowledge and it is difficult to learn them all. However, hardcore players are not ordinary people. In the later versions of the previous life, there were also Mechanic Class players who learned all the knowledge. Han Xiao was one of them. Therefore, he was familiar with the powerful effects of these two specializations. However, such hardcore players are extremely rare.
"With these two specializations, my strength has increased by a level, making me a fully-fledged advanced mechanic."
Han Xiao was delighted. He secretly estimated that the enhanced [Ultimate Knowledge Master] and the newly added [All-Round Mechanic] had elevated him to a higher level. His normal strength had reached the level after activating [Perfect Mechanical Sense] and stabilized at that level.
The higher your Mechanical Affinity, the greater the increase in the total bonus coefficient of Mechanical Sense- related specialties. Once you get your hands on [Perfect-Book-Beautiful Mechanical Sense], you'll be all set!
At that time, his Mechanic Class abilities will be only lacking in exclusive specialization compared to those of [Mechanic Emperor] Manison, and the difference will be minimal.
"Now that I have all the professional knowledge, all that's left is to upgrade it." Han Xiao's lips curled into a smile.
In the past, some players may have learned all the knowledge, but no one has ever leveled up all the knowledge to the maximum level. This is precisely Han Xiao's goal. To achieve this, a huge amount of experience is required. The experience accumulated in this version is far from enough, so he can only continue to work hard in the next version.
No one had accomplished this feat in his previous life, so Han Xiao didn't know if there would be any extra rewards for maxing out all his professional knowledge. In any case, with a huge player market, maxing out all his professional knowledge was the path he had to take, and it was definitely a sure thing.
There were an extra 500 free attribute points in the attribute panel. Han Xiao glanced at his own attributes. His intelligence had finally exceeded 10,000. Intelligence was the main attribute of the mechanic, which was related to the attributes of mechanical creations, the power of Mechanical Force bonuses, the efficiency of controlling machinery, and the output of mechanical damage. At present, he did not lack stamina. He was so tanky that even he couldn't stand it. Han Xiao continued with the idea of allocating all points to intelligence.
After reviewing his significantly increased attributes twice, Han Xiao closed the panel with satisfaction, ate two highly concentrated nutrition bars as a celebration, and then boarded his private spaceship to one of the headquarters' satellites. He found an unused large open-air training ground, opened the Secondary Dimension Army Box, and released all the mechanical lifeforms.
After years of accumulation, Han Xiao Han Xiao now commands over 100,000 mechanical lifeforms, with a dozen or so Apostle Weapon as commanders, all lined up in front of him.
In the vast square, all sorts of mechanical lifeforms stopped playing and looked at Han Xiao in unison. Those with legs knelt on one knee, while those without legs lowered their heads to show respect, creating a magnificent scene.
"Dominion."
"Get up, all of you." Han Xiao raised his hand, turned to look at Dark Emperor at the front, and said in a deep voice, "The time has come. The mechanical civilization plan I mentioned can be implemented now."
"I will not let the Dominion down." The mechanical features on Dark Emperor's face made a firm expression.
Han Xiao raised a finger, and a virtual screen appeared in the sky, displaying a star map of the Gaolu Star Cluster. The image quickly zoomed in and locked onto a planet in a star system, located within his territory.
"This planet will be your new home in the future. It has abundant mineral and metal resources. Dark Emperor, you will stay there with all the mechanical life forms to develop it. I will have the legion provide you with resource support. I only have one requirement for you: expand as much as possible and increase the population."
Because he wanted to develop a mechanical civilization, Han Xiao released all these mechanical lifeforms, so they didn't have to stay in the Secondary Dimension Army Box on standby for the time being.
The machines modified by [Life Creation] are now true living beings, no longer inanimate objects. Their bodies are filled with silicon-based nerve fibers, giving them independent thought and the ability to reproduce.
The reproduction of mechanical life is not done by clanging, but by asexual reproduction. Two or more mechanical life forms extract their own spark genetic code and pass it on to mass-produced or carefully assembled native mechanical bodies, "hatching" newborns. After a long period of energy supply, the spark of the newborns is strengthened, allowing them to grow into complete mechanical life forms.
Mechanical life forms created through this method of reproduction essentially share the life energy of the first-generation progenitor mechanical life form. Naturally, the purity and fundamental attributes of their "bloodline" are far inferior to those of the first-generation mechanical life form. Furthermore, the first-generation mechanical life form, having completed reproduction, will enter a period of weakness due to the enormous depletion of its vital energy...
However, the advantage is that newborns can be mass-produced without Han Xiao having to painstakingly transform them. Production efficiency increases by millions or tens of millions of times. Even the worst mechanical life form has much higher growth potential than mechanical soldiers. This is also the original intention of developing mechanical civilization—to form a super-large-scale arsenal.
The city of Manison possessed a well-developed mechanical civilization that served as its military base, ensuring a continuous supply of soldiers.
With these 100,000 progenitor mechanical lifeforms, as long as I let them develop for a few years, I will be able to have a new legion of mechanical lifeforms... Han Xiao pondered to himself.
All the mechanical lifeforms looked up at the virtual screen, at the 3D projection of the planet, and a commotion arose.
"I won't let you down." Dark Emperor withdrew his gaze, mimicking a solemn tone.
"Well, recommend another outstanding person, and I'll grant him a spot as Apostle Weapon." Han Xiao smiled.
The two newly acquired specializations gave him a +3 bonus to his mechanical skill level, which means he has three more slots for [Apostle Creation], allowing him to create new Apostle Weapon. Letting Dark Emperor choose one of them is also a way to help him consolidate his leadership position.
Han Xiao wouldn't keep a close eye on the development of mechanical civilization indefinitely, so he needed Dark Emperor to manage it on his behalf. The more secure his position as the representative, the smoother the development of mechanical civilization would be.
Upon hearing this, Dark Emperor raised his spear, pointed it back, and said in a deep voice, "Heaven Suppressing Flag, come out."
Han Xiao looked in the direction the spear was pointing and saw a tall mechanical life form shrouded in heavy outer armor emerge from the crowd. It was as if it was wearing battle armor. It was covered with various weapons and had six arms: one pair on its shoulders, one pair on its back, and one pair on its waist. A giant alloy battle shield was magnetically attached to its back, like a huge black flag.
"He is the most skilled and valiant warrior among his people, having defeated hundreds of his own and seized various weapons. He is also adept at commanding armies and is exceptionally talented. I humbly request Your Dominion to grant him the qualification of an apostle," said Dark Emperor.
Han Xiao glanced at the Heaven Suppressing Flag. All of this guy's mechanical equipment were spoils of war obtained after defeating his opponents, which he then installed on himself.
These mechanical lifeforms have high growth potential. With the blessing of [Mechanical Fusion·Gift], they are able to modify their own hardware structure. Many mechanical lifeforms are now no longer limited to the mechanical models they were before awakening.
"You are qualified to become my apostle. Make good use of this power." Han Xiao raised his palm, and a ball of brilliant golden Mechanical Force appeared in his palm, like a thundercloud.
With a flick of his wrist, the Mechanical Force shot into Heaven Suppressing Flag's body, transforming his form and creating a new apostle.
Han Xiao ignored the transformation process of the Heaven Suppressing Flag, turned to look at Dark Emperor, and said, "I'm temporarily handing over the command of the mechanical lifeforms to you. First, do me a favor."
Planet Black Spirit.
After being modified by the Evolution Cube several years ago, the Black Spirit Race is now more intelligent and agile, possessing visual senses. They have gradually become accustomed to living on the ground and no longer live in their nests. Under the highly efficient command of the Psychic Network, they have built stone cities.
The largest stone city belongs to the Germinal Tribe. In the center of the city stands a tall stone statue, carved with the image of Black Star. At this moment, atop the statue sits a metal cylinder, which is the Evolutionary Totem.
The continuous Evolution Energy radiated outwards, and for species with room for evolution, the totem had an excellent effect, condensing the evolutionary process of the Black Spirit Race hundreds or thousands of times. The appearance of the Black Spirit Race today is somewhat different from that of a few years ago. The proportion of their body covered by their carapace has shrunk again, and their insect and beast characteristics have decreased significantly. Furthermore, some of the Black Spirit Race have gradually shed their crawling habits and stood upright. Although their backs are still hunched, they have already taken on the rudiments of upright creatures.
The freed forelimbs gradually took on the function of hands, and they began to learn to use tools.
To date, Han Xiao has not advanced the civilization process of the Black Spirit Race. Instead, he has focused on improving the Black Spirit Race's own qualities. In his view, it would be more effective to help the Black Spirit Race develop once the species itself is perfected.
The Black Spirit Race's racial characteristic is a network of mental communication, which enhances communication efficiency and knowledge dissemination. Their racial potential leans towards the mind, and their totems subtly enhance the mental power of the entire race.
The Black Spirit Race also has a strong reproductive capacity. After more than ten years of reproduction, they have given birth to several generations of newborns, resulting in a significant increase in their population.
At this very moment, in the center of the Germinal Tribe, a large group of juvenile Black Spirit Race were playing around an adult, who was none other than the Germinal Tribe's leader.
The current leader of the Germinal Tribe wears a rough animal skin robe and holds a simple scepter made of Whispering Stone. This attire is completely different from that of the other Black Spirit Race, most of whom do not wear clothes.
Several years ago, after being modified by the Evolution Cube, a very small number of mutants were born in the Black Spirit Race. These mutants could independently build telepathic communication networks, replacing the Whispering Stone as servers. As a result, these mutants gained a very high status within the clan and were revered as "Sages".
The leader of the Germinal Tribe is the most powerful mutant among them, possessing Psychic Network capable of accommodating the most individuals. He is also the spokesperson for the "Black Star God," and is thus known by his tribe as the "Great Sage."
"Great Sage, why do we worship the Black Star God?" A group of young children chattered amongst themselves in the Psychic Network around the leader of the Germinal Tribe.
The leader of the Germinal Tribe paused, wielding his scepter, and earnestly began his fervent advocacy for future generations, proclaiming, "The Black Star God brought us the gospel of evolution, the spark of civilization; he is an omnipotent and great being."
"I don't believe it. I think the Great Sage is more powerful than the Black Star God." A group of children laughed.
"Hmph, you know nothing of power." The leader of the Germinal Tribe pointed his scepter at a warship floating in the sky. "See that? That thing is called a spaceship. It's what brought us from our distant homeland. On our own, it would take us ten million years to get back. But the Black Star God's spaceships can fill the entire sky and tear apart solid earth in an instant. That is the power of a god."
"Hometown? Isn't this our hometown?"
"Alas, our homeland has long been taken away. If it weren't for the Black Star God leading us away, perhaps we would already be..."
The leader of the Germinal Tribe sighed and shook his head.
Just then, hundreds of Enderman appeared in the azure sky, all of them spaceships, slowly coming to a stop above the Germinal Tribe. This immediately caused a stir among the Black Spirit Race, with many clansmen gathering in the square, looking up at the descending warships.
The hatch opened, Dark Emperor flew out, landing in front of the leader of the Germinal Tribe. The surrounding Black Spirit Race dispersed, but they were not nervous.
In their eyes, these metallic creatures were all servants of the Black Star God.
"I am the chief apostle under the Dominion, and Black Star has ordered me to take you away from this planet."
The leader of the Germinal Tribe stood up and spoke haltingly using his still-developing vocal cords.
Where is Black Star God taking us?
"New Home."
With substantial investment from conglomerates, the Black Star Army had ample funds to procure engineering equipment and prepare for the construction of its forces. The process proceeded smoothly without any major setbacks.
After nearly a month of preparation, and with the attention of the entire universe, the Legion's construction force finally set off, carrying manpower and resources, to build its territory in the Shattered World.
Lagi, Reynold, Sylvia, and Melos directed the construction work. Han Xiao, who was going to the Empire to avoid trouble, was only responsible for remote supervision. He had already left the blueprints for the construction site and did not need to be present in person.
On the very day the Black Star Army's construction force set off, Han Xiao arrived at the stargate leading to the Central Galaxy, accompanied only by Aurora and a group of guards.
On one hand, Han Xiao wanted to avoid the limelight. On the other hand, he also planned to visit the Empire's various Beyond Grade A allies, since he would be dealing with them for many years to come, so it was a good opportunity to strengthen their relationships.
At the same time, he also planned to meet all the famous figures of the empire who would one day have names and identities in his memory.
With decades of version updates, the empire's mid-level power structure will undergo a refresh and iteration. The days of cooperation with the empire are long, so a long-term perspective is necessary. For the sake of the future, it's essential to cultivate good relationships with future powerful figures and make long-term plans for future influence.
Han Xiao glanced at Fording and the others, then turned to look at Aurora in the driver's seat and nodded.
Let's go.
Upon Aurora swiped her finger across the control screen, and the spaceship moved accordingly, slowly entering the stargate.
Meanwhile, Ames and Hila's vehicle arrived at the stargate at the edge of the Shattered Star Ring.
Looking back at the direction of the Shattered Star Ring, Hila felt a mix of emotions.
She had a premonition that she probably wouldn't be able to return for a very long time.
Beyond Grade A...
Just then, a slender hand rested on her shoulder. Hila looked up and saw Ames smiling gently at her.
Let's go.
"Phew... Got it."
Hila cleared her mind of distractions, pushed the control stick, and the spaceship disappeared into the stargate vortex.