Eric sighed, a touch of helplessness in his voice. "Just think it over yourself."
He rose to his feet, gazing out at the bustling crowds through the window, his hands clasped behind his back. At least in the inner city of Dongwu, life thrived with vibrancy.
He paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face as the sky began to drizzle. March rains were frequent, lending a sense of narrative to the lively border city.
"We—"
Eric opened his mouth but paused again, seemingly reassured. "Don't worry about me. My old bones still carry some weight in this federation."
With that, he gradually faded from view, disappearing into the gentle rain.
Bai Yi stood momentarily stunned before a smile crept across his face. He took in the scene of Dongwu City, then rose and vanished.
The drizzle fell around him, yet he remained untouched by the droplets. The surrounding crowd paid little mind to the light rain, their only complaints being the mud staining their robes.
"It seems it's time to establish a sanitation department," he mused.
As he moved through the streets, Bai Yi reflected on his understanding of arcane arts, enhanced by the skill of Space Penetration, which had deepened his grasp of spatial dynamics. Arcane arts were not merely a system; they embodied the truths of existence.
This system would undoubtedly surpass both magecraft and alchemy in the future. Knowledge was the key to unlocking the extraordinary. A gold-level arcane master, lacking any comprehension of flame theory, could not conjure a fireball. Mastery of fireball art required an understanding of flames themselves.
With each step, Bai Yi covered remarkable distances, quickly reaching the East Gate of the Outer City.
The soldiers stationed there braved the rain, donning protective gear as they manned the city wall, their gazes unwavering as they scanned the horizon.
The whispering legion had already begun their knockout rounds, and those eliminated left in tears. High-paying jobs with abundant resources were hard to come by—gold-level weapons that couldn't be purchased outside were awarded for military achievements.
Yet, the original intent remained: only through continuous rotation could stronger soldiers be found.
"My lord," a deep voice echoed from another dimension, but the nearby soldiers remained unperturbed.
Bai Yi leaned in, asking softly, "How are things progressing?"
"I feel better than ever, but my lord, I yearn to break free from this sense of bondage. It makes me uneasy and poses a danger."
The voice carried a human-like displeasure, causing the city wall to tremble slightly. The soldiers nearby were accustomed to this vibration, their focus steadfast on the outside world.
"Just hold on a little longer. The time isn't right yet," Bai Yi replied calmly, squatting down to channel his spiritual strength into the wall, sensing its essence.
"Do as you will."
With that, the voice fell silent, as if nothing had transpired.
Bai Yi felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had attached the Mechanical God to the protective mecha at the eastern wall. This attachment proved to be even more extraordinary than he had anticipated; it was indeed a divine method.
For example:
[You have created a Constant Measuring Machine, earning +500 experience.]
[Name: Constant Measuring Machinery]
Level: SilverEffect: Strength 100, Agility 100, Endurance 100, Intelligence 100.Introduction: Silver represents testing equipment in its early stages. Defeating it signifies exceptional genius.
[You utilized the Mechanical God, gaining a Mechanical Family Member ×1.]
[Your highest attribute, Spirit: 800. Attached to a divine object at the silver level, increasing all family attributes by 50%, activating spiritual transformation.]
[Your family member receives the soul of the god, allowing them to develop consciousness and evolve into a mechanical life form.]
[Name: Constant Test Machinery]
Race: Mechanical Life FormTemplate: Attached to the Divine FamilyLevel: 37Personal Attributes: Strength 150, Agility 150, Endurance 150, Intelligence 150, Spirit 5, Charm 1, Luck 1Skills: Intermediate Fighting, Intermediate Elemental Magic, Intermediate AssassinExpertise: Mechanical God: You have evolved from a mere machine into a mechanical life form capable of growth through cultivation.
The soul of the god grants absolute loyalty, allowing for the awakening of creature expertise.
Evaluation: An incredible creation that can utilize magic to enhance its steel plating, advancing its capabilities to new heights.
This ability allowed the machine to evolve into a true mechanical life form with growth potential akin to that of living beings. It could adapt body parts and choose its training focus to strengthen specific attributes.
Bai Yi had conducted numerous tests. Alongside the two specialties he employed, this entity would also awaken one or more unique specialties of its own.
Thus, he resolved to eliminate all tested gods and finally attach the divine essence to the city's protective mecha. Although only 10% of the mecha had been enhanced, a level 84 mechanical life form would significantly bolster the security of Tobu City.
No longer would this be a mere guard mecha vulnerable to third-level legends; it had transformed into a genuine fourth-level legend.
The most crucial aspect? It had the potential to grow!
As long as it existed, Tobu City would be fortified like a golden fortress.
This was why Bai Yi felt confident in allowing Sabo to initiate reforms despite the looming third crisis.
In this timeline, a fourth-level legend represented the pinnacle of power within the ancient god hierarchy. As long as Bai Yi remained within the city, ancient gods would not dare to encroach.
Moreover, the perfection of this fourth-level legend exceeded his expectations.
For instance, it possessed a specialty Bai Yi envied:
[Energy Adaptation: The energy within the body can seamlessly switch among all known attributes, launching a 100% restraining effect on enemies.]
Every attribute could be perfectly countered. He couldn't fathom the possibility of Dongwu City facing defeat.
What surprised Bai Yi, however, was that the highest authority over the city's protective mecha should rest with the lord of the border city. This divine entity had a prerequisite—absolute control over the machine.
Initially, everything had gone smoothly when he activated the city lord's authority, successfully attaching the divine essence. However, after 186-A obtained its soul, it revealed to Bai Yi that two forces bound its energy core, its current heart.
One emanated from the capital, while the other was elusive, yet undeniably present.
The threat posed by these two bindings was immense, capable of directly destroying its energy core and instilling a profound sense of crisis.
Bai Yi speculated on the nature of these bindings. Legendary powers may not betray machines, but the lord of the border city could be a different matter. These forces must have been established within the border city, requiring certain assurances.
The lord of the border city wielded this formidable power, yet the council could easily dismantle it.
Fortunately, 186-A now possessed the ability to break free from these constraints, but the time was not yet ripe.
The council had not informed the border city lord of this binding, possibly to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Bai Yi had no intention of seceding from the federation, so the bindings remained, ensuring a harmonious relationship between the border city and the capital.
Once he reached legendary status, everything would be resolved.
As Bai Yi surveyed the city, he reflected on the developments of the past two months.
He was particularly interested in 186-A due to its energy management. With energy now its core, Bai Yi had evaluated the current absorption rates of 186-A.
Its capacity to absorb ambient magic had increased more than a hundredfold.
In practical terms, it could restore 89% of its energy in 3,100 natural days. After upgrades, it could fully recharge in just 30 days.
With the aid of a hundred magic conversion devices, 186-A, now imbued with divine essence, would begin charging from zero and could reach full capacity in 15 days without additional resources.
This was an astonishing figure, enhancing its resilience over 200 times.
It surpassed even the resilience of some true legendary beings.
Coupled with other energy minerals, the recharge time could be further reduced, and with the Energy Adaptationspecialty, energy of any attribute could be harnessed effectively.
Currently, the data suggested it could recover 100% of its energy in three days, enabling it to unleash legendary sixth-order trial skills.
This was undeniably powerful. Once Bai Yi could produce a new series of protective mechas, 186-A would be upgraded, reaching its peak combat potential.
For now, 186-A's primary task remained: to protect Dongwu City.
Bai Yi would refrain from summoning it unless absolutely necessary.
He instructed AI Zero to retain the data as he returned to the city lord's house. The remaining two white epidemics had yet to find suitable partners.
Due to the need for Absolute Control, fully transformed mechanical reformers had been excluded from the list of potential candidates.
For others, they would wait until a suitable machine was found for divine attachment. If that failed, Bai Yi could always attach to the newly transformed Barrett or the beehive.
After contemplating this, Bai Yi retrieved the manufacturing method for divine evil and began his studies.
After the third crisis, his soul would undergo a transformation, allowing it to grow anew.
At that point, it would be time to convert the attributes of the dark side into divine attributes.
Of course, achieving this required exceptional skills, including the transformation methods for divine bones and the estimation of the evil heart of divinity.
Thus, Bai Yi's research focus would shift back to transformation.
He also intended to use his remaining three special skill points to facilitate the dark side's evolution into divine evil.
All of this would have to wait until the third crisis had passed.
As time slowly passed, news spread that Dongwu City would grant household registrations to its residents. Although Sabo did not directly announce improvements in civilian treatment or the abolition of resource blockades, his various orders had begun to circulate.
Plans were underway to construct houses and pave roads in the outer city, establish numerous vocational schools, and expand educational facilities in the inner city. Even entertainment venues that had previously been deemed inappropriate for the outer city were being built.
While there was no official explanation for these actions, their implications were becoming clear.
Criticism surfaced online, but due to Bai Yi's popularity and the protective aura surrounding his genius, this negativity had yet to escalate and remained manageable.
The key now was to establish new laws to implement a tax in other cities, set up workshops, reduce working hours for residents, and increase civilian incomes.
Ordinary people were under considerable pressure, and education was their most accessible relief.
Once they turned sixteen without entering the ranks of extraordinary civilians, they would be forced to toil for meager copper coins, leading to a lifetime of exhaustion and apathy.
Thus, the strategy of empowering the populace through higher wages, reduced work hours, and diverse job opportunities would enhance their security and dignity.
With more free time, ordinary citizens would have the chance to study and even take on part-time work to afford extraordinary knowledge.
Yet, this progress invited challenges for Tobu City.
Raising wages and shortening hours meant increased expenditure, which would not please capital owners.
A stronger populace equated to higher costs, leading to growing dissatisfaction among the wealthy.
Establishing new laws would threaten the privileges of the extraordinary, leading to discontent among them.
Moreover, the increase in low-level extraordinary individuals might dilute their value, erasing hidden benefits and competitiveness.
This was the true obstacle.
Bai Yi foresaw the potential downfall of the extraordinary in Dongwu City, yet he remained unfazed.
There was no need for these extraordinary beings to fight. With the current legions and officials in Dongwu City, they could depart.
Bai Yi had discussed strategies with Sabo, with AI Zero assisting in crafting a swift and efficient approach.
When Tobu City truly flourished, he believed that those with vested interests would fall silent.
As time passed, the outer urban area underwent rapid transformation, with simple yet warm homes springing up.
The construction department and law enforcement teams expanded at an impressive rate, and many players participated in the development. It was no exaggeration to say that the outer urban area was changing daily.
About half a month later, while reading, Bai Yi was suddenly startled, his expression relaxing as a pair of cold hands covered his eyes.
A teasing voice rang in his ear: "Guess who I am?"
Bai Yi thought for a moment and replied, "Xiaohong?"
"Hmm?"
"Little Green?"
"..."
"Could it be—"
Pop!
Diane playfully slapped Bai Yi's head, then cupped his face with both hands, her expression fierce. "What have you been hiding from me?"
Bai Yi, grinning, replied, "Ah, it's you, Xiao'an! I hardly recognized you after so long!"
"Who are Xiaohong and Xiaolu?" Diane demanded, her tone fierce. "I couldn't make it to your birthday. I planned to celebrate your 20th with you, but I didn't expect you to..."
Bai Yi paused, realizing he was born on March 1st. He had completely forgotten about his own birthday.
Feeling the strength of her hands on his face, a pang of guilt pricked at him.
Quickly, he raised three fingers. "I was just joking! I'll make it up to you!"
"I don't believe you. Tell me, who are Xiaohong and Xiaolu? Are they elves? From the Little Red Flame Tribe, right? The Little Green Life Tribe? How could you do this to me?"
Bai Yi thought to himself: This girl would make a fantastic law enforcement officer with her associative abilities.
"Come on, it was just a joke! I can sense your presence even in the middle of a gold-level battle."
Diane stopped rubbing his face and stepped back, studying Bai Yi's expression. "Really?"
Bai Yi shrugged in mock surrender. "Absolutely! Didn't you check with Ms. Elena? Surely you asked her to report my whereabouts. You're not as gullible as you pretend to be."
The suspicion in Diane's eyes faded, replaced by her usual exuberance. She perched on the armrest of the mechanical seat, pinching his cheek playfully. "How many times have I told you? I'm not stupid!"
After a moment of embarrassment, she added, "Though it's a bit late—happy birthday, Bai Bai."
(End of this chapter)