Chapter 1 Silver Spirits?

"Silver Spirits?"

In the mechanical modification room, Han Xiao received a message from Melos, his face surprised. He shut down the buzzing lathe, and the room quieted down, the hot, metallic, iron-like smell floating in the air.

He knew the background of the Silver Spirits, an advanced civilization race in the Star Sea. The Star Sea was a prosperous star region located within the sphere of influence of the Guanghui Federation, and it was home to many advanced civilizations, each living in peace and quiet. The environment was safe, completely different from the sinister Broken Star Ring.

The Silver Spirits had a long history, and this kind of cosmic noble race rarely came to the Broken Star Ring. Travel? Han Xiao really didn't know what was so good about the Broken Star Ring. In terms of scenery and environment, the Star Sea left the Broken Star Ring several blocks behind. In terms of danger, the Broken Star Ring left the Star Sea dozens of blocks behind. Could it be that this group of Silver Spirits came here specifically for excitement?

Now, their companion had been captured and enslaved. Sure enough, that was exciting enough.

The Silver Spirits had relatively weak reproductive capabilities, and their total number was not large. The degree of racial evolution was relatively high. For some forces, the genes of a highly evolved race were a treasure trove, containing the accumulated bloodline power of a long-lived race. There were many characteristics of so-called cosmic nobles, one of which was rarity. It was no wonder that the Silver Spirits could sell for a good price in the slave market, and it was no wonder that the scavengers took the risk.

"Black Star, the Silver Spirits are very generous. They are recruiting mercenaries on a large scale. This is a good opportunity to make money." Melos said in a deep voice. He had been idle for the past few days and was anxious to make money, so he notified Han Xiao as soon as possible.

Han Xiao shook his head. "The Silver Spirits are very rich, but we can't earn this money. Large mercenary groups like the Heavenly Ring Allied Forces will definitely compete for this opportunity. They are strong and well-funded. The Silver Spirits have recruited large armies, so it's not our turn."

"But we should at least give it a try. There's always a chance."

The mercenary industry was full of competition. The top large legions could get the best jobs, and their accumulated reputation put employers at ease. Missions like this one, which clearly offered generous rewards, were generally reserved for large legions. In fact, Melos knew that what Han Xiao said made sense, but he was unwilling to give up.

Han Xiao pondered. He didn't have this plot in his memory. According to the timeline, this sudden incident happened in Version 1.0, and the players in his previous life were still playing in the mud on the novice planet at this time, so it was normal that he hadn't encountered it. He hadn't heard of this incident later when he entered the Star Sea, which proved that it was a small disturbance that had been properly resolved, so it didn't have any other impact.

Han Xiao was more cautious about sudden events. After all, he was familiar with the plot. Whether to risk participating in an unknown plot required weighing the benefits and risks. He wasn't a timid person who was stuck in the past and afraid of changing the plot. He didn't lack the spirit of exploration and adventure, as well as the broad mind of a man who dared to take risks, but accumulating strength was the most important thing at the moment, and participating in familiar plots was the safest way. He didn't want to create any extra problems.

"Let me think about it," Han Xiao said.

"Okay, I'm on standby at any time." Melos nodded. After all, Han Xiao was the nominal leader of the mercenary group. Although he seemed to be the strongest combat force in the group, Melos was never arrogant because of his own strength.

After ending the communication, Han Xiao turned his head to look at the results of several days of work on the lathe. All the gunpowder firearms had been upgraded to electromagnetic kinetic energy weapons, including pistols, sniper rifles, assault rifles, and so on. The innovation of conventional weapons had a significant effect, and the attack power had obviously increased by a level. The conventional gunpowder firearms he manufactured were basically purple equipment, with an attack power between 80 and 140, while the electromagnetic kinetic energy weapons he now manufactured were green and blue equipment, but their power was at least 230 or more, and their range had increased three to five times.

The electromagnetic kinetic energy firearms had a different style from the gunpowder firearms. The barrel was a layer of coiled electromagnetic coils, and the outside was covered with a special conductive alloy receiver used to constrain the electromagnetic force field, which looked like a square rectangular box. Each time it fired, the receiver would retract backward and then immediately spring back to its original position. Because the basic bullet used was a magnetic needle bullet, there was no ejection process, the rate of fire greatly increased, and electromagnetic firearms were best at penetration.

On the side platform was a large silver-black scythe, nearly two meters long, like the Grim Reaper's scythe. Han Xiao held the scythe in one hand and slowly raised it horizontally. A force flowed from his palm into the handle of the scythe. The next moment, a burst of dazzling electric light spread out from the position he was holding, and the black handle was covered with lightning patterns.

The blade of the scythe lit up with dazzling blue electric light, rippling slightly, and emitted a buzzing sound of electricity. He waved it casually, throwing out a crescent-shaped blade light, and wisps of electric threads lingered on the trajectory of the swing, and a scorching aura emanated from the air. After waving it for a while, he twisted the end of the handle, and the meter-long blade suddenly broke into seven or eight fragments, which were connected to each other by thick electric snakes. Waving it again greatly expanded the range of attack, and the fragments could form different shapes to complete attacks from various angles. Han Xiao nodded in satisfaction, retracted his strength, and the black scythe shrunk section by section, finally turning into a black stick about forty centimeters long, with a foldable and portable function.

[War Scythe · Electric Spear], a super-powered person's exclusive weapon with powerful power. This was a new mechanical creation of his own based on the latest combination of mechanical scythe blueprints, integrating the principles of electromagnetic burning gloves and magnetic chain fragmentation blades. It had its own attack methods and equipment skills, and its attack power was extremely considerable. This was a new main melee weapon that could keep up with his current strength level.

In addition, he added large attachments to the Teng Snake mech, a complete set of exoskeleton mounting armor, like a set of super-heavy knight armor. The outer armor was covered with a double layer of armor, and the body size reached more than three and a half meters, making the defense and output power stronger. This was a mounting equipment for tackling fortifications, and it could be stowed away when not in use.

Han Xiao didn't name this set of simple and crude exoskeleton armor, but it was equivalent to the Teng Snake mech having a new state. When equipped with the "Batwing" turbine aircraft, it was the [Teng Snake · Flight State], and when equipped with this set of exoskeleton armor, it was the [Teng Snake · Fortification State], enriching the functions of the mech.

Because the structure of the vehicle was too complicated, it had not been completed yet, but the blueprints had already been integrated. It was a useful amphibious vehicle, but its shape was very different from what Han Xiao had expected.

In short, it was a ball...

Just by initially using the two newly acquired advanced knowledge, Han Xiao had already benefited a lot and created new equipment with not insignificant effects, but in his opinion, this change was just icing on the cake and had not yet reached a subversive innovation. He was far from satisfied, because with his current level, he was qualified to obtain abilities that could be called a watershed in the early and mid-stages of the Mechanic class!

He was already level 95, a level that was only opened in Version 3.0—so the job transfer requirements were so difficult that he wanted to vomit. The ability Han Xiao wanted was the symbol of the rise of the Mechanic class in Version 3.0—instant assembly and super compression technology!

Only by obtaining this ability could the Mechanic class truly touch the threshold of becoming an army by oneself!

This was a sign of the Mechanic class passing through the early stage, and many Mechanic combat genres were based on compression technology.

Since items had real weight, portability was very important. Like Gedora's standard equipment, this ability could fold various large machines into palm-sized metal pieces, and the number of equipment carried by the Mechanic increased geometrically. No longer needing to carry a heavy equipment bag, they could go into battle lightly and unfold into a steel fortress at any time, setting off a metal storm, like scattering beans to become soldiers!

For example, the latest exoskeleton armor of the Teng Snake could be easily carried on the body after being compressed and folded, without taking up much space, and could be transformed into a fortification state at any time. Or, dozens of Ranger robots that could not be carried around could be folded up and used to gang up on opponents at any time.

The core knowledge of this ability included three types: [Second-Level Disassembly and Reassembly], [High-Density Material Compression Technology], and [Elementary Space Technology], all of which were advanced.

Unfortunately, these three important pieces of knowledge were rarely circulated on the market, and in the Broken Star Ring, they were strictly controlled by the major civilizations.

Han Xiao frowned and thought, "This ability is a necessary path for the growth of Mechanics. There is no market for it in the Broken Star Ring. The most obvious way is to join a large camp, earn contribution points, and finally exchange for these three types of knowledge. This is what most players did in their previous lives. There is another way, which is to leave the Broken Star Ring and try your luck in other star regions. More advanced civilizations don't value advanced knowledge so much, so maybe you can find a bargain, but the goods that appear on the market are random, so the opportunity is very slim..."

Scratching his chin, Grand Technician Han pondered, "The Silver Spirits are also a high-level race, and they must have these three types of knowledge. If I can get their employment, maybe I can persuade them to exchange the reward for knowledge, but the opportunity is not great..."

After thinking about it, Han Xiao decided to give it a try. Dreams must be had, in case they come true, so in his previous life, no matter the wind or rain, Grand Technician Han always persisted in buying lottery tickets, never missing a single issue. Even if he never won once, at least he could accumulate good luck.

He put away his equipment, paid the rent, and left the modification room. He came to the mercenary hall, which was crowded with people. There were more mercenaries than usual, probably attracted by the Silver Spirits' recruitment information, and they were holding the same idea of trying their luck.

Han Xiao opened the mercenary information and immediately saw the Silver Spirits' recruitment mission at the top. After opening it, he was hit head-on.

"Minimum credit requirement: 400"

400?! Our credit score is not even half that.

Han Xiao was speechless.

What's this called? Hope was stuffed back into its mother's womb before it was even born!

"Hey, Black Star!"

Just as he was about to leave, someone suddenly called him from the side. Han Xiao turned his head and saw a blue-skinned little dwarf wearing a robe running over breathlessly with his short legs that covered a hundred meters in thirty seconds.

Han Xiao stared for a while, slapped his head, and suddenly realized, "Hey, aren't you that who... Wait, don't remind me, I can remember, what's it called... Mud Spirit?"

"It's Ni Lan people!"

Mading's tone was indignant, and his steel nail-like hair elongated with a "pop" sound, turning from steel nails into steel needles. This was the Ni Lan people's expression of anger.

"What the hell..." The corners of Han Xiao's eyes twitched. If he didn't use the idiom "his hair stood on end in anger" to describe this scene, he would feel sorry for his race.