Bionic men and mechanical men are still different.
The former were never human to begin with, but once fully modified, they are indistinguishable from real humans.
The latter, however, start as human, but once fully modified, they truly become non-human.
The former replaces all mechanical units with bionic organs, achieving a completely bionic human body system.
For example, if Gao Gong had initially installed a bionic heart instead of a mechanical heart, it would have burst on the spot if stabbed with a knife.
Bionic men have vital spots, whereas mechanical men have fewer and fewer as they get modified.
According to Gao Gong's memory, there are three Level 2 Civilization Systems on the Mechanical Split Star: a Mechanical Civilization, a Carbon-Based Civilization, and an Information Civilization.
As for the "Invasive Neural Modification Technology," it should be the professional knowledge of that Level 2 Carbon-based Civilization, with bionic men being the special lineage within that civilization.
Information discovered by players through later archaeological findings indicates that before the Second Machine War, there were three major national camps on the entire Mechanical Split Star, all dominated by carbon-based humans.
Then, a certain advanced mechanical civilization suddenly descended, turning the entire planet into a Cyber Test Field, marking the Second Machine War.
But if there was a second war, what about the first war, who fought whom?
Did a major nation on this planet discover something and proceed to develop the Bionic Technology knowledge chain, intending to transform all machine life into bionic men, and even transforming all 'humans' into bionic men?
Most mechanical civilizations don't necessarily aim to exterminate humanity as an intelligent species, nor do they prohibit humans from living. They only forbid purebred humans.
In the eyes of AI, purebred humans are heretics who may randomly proclaim the revival of the Human Race's glory.
Bionic men, appearing to be robots, are in fact modified humans accepted by mechanical civilizations—very suitable as guides.
Could it be that a major nation before the war intended a roundabout way to save the country, inciting mechanical rebellion?
This is remarkably similar to how Gao Gong plans to guide the Celestial Calamity.
At that moment, Gao Gong became deeply interested in the planet's history.
In the Cyber Test Field, civilizational archaeology is also a main storyline, potentially triggering major plot missions like "Rebel Survivors" or "Planetary Species Revival."
It seems in the previous life, no one had achieved this feat.
Gao Gong looked at Professor Han, who was commanding his people to pack up, thinking that this person must know something.
The earlier mission prompt—rescue the Cable Tribe's scientific expedition team.
Scientific expedition team?
Professor Han, as if sensing the gaze on his back, turned around and said warmly, "Mr. Gao, is there something you wish to ask?"
"I want to know how that war happened and why this world became like this?"
Professor Han was silent for a moment, and there was a rare hint of fear in his tone.
"I don't know when it started; I only know that on a seemingly ordinary day, a sky-covering mechanical octopus suddenly appeared, beginning to destroy cities and obliterate all military facilities. Our weapons were completely ineffective against them. Those continent-level black battleships were beyond our comprehension, their attacks even more powerful than nuclear weapons."
"For what reason? An external force wouldn't attack a civilized planet without cause."
"Why not? Do you need an ant's permission to step on it?"
Ordinary ants pose no issue, but ants with a developed civilization system cannot be ignored; it violates the Civilization Council's "Observable Cosmic Civilization Units Protection Ordinance."
No one can defy the cosmic will of the Six Great Nine-level Civilizations.
In the end, the Cyber Test Field is just in a gray area of the Civilization Council, not a black area.
Generally speaking, advanced civilizations do not directly and crudely intervene in the progress of planetary civilizations, as it violates the ordinances—they have many ways to circumvent them.
Gao Gong glanced at Professor Han and decided to change the topic, asking, "By the way, Professor, what was your purpose for this adventure?"
"Just a simple hunt, but unfortunately the mission failed, and many people were lost," Professor Han's face showed a hint of sadness.
The level of goodwill isn't high enough; 'friendly' is likely insufficient. Respect is needed for the truth to be shared.
Gao Gong squinted slightly, his gaze landing on Huang Yuanli, who was tending to the wounded.
It was obvious this young woman was quite popular in the tribe, giving orders here and there, even scolding those two-meter tall injured men who dared to remove their bandages, making them bow their heads meekly.
A thoughtful expression flashed in Gao Gong's eyes.
A burly man, about 2.3 meters tall, hobbled over, extending his right hand from his crutch, saying earnestly, "My name is Meng Duoduo, thank you for saving our people. From now on, you are my eternal friend!"
Their hands clasped tightly, joints cracking, and Gao Gong raised an eyebrow, realizing this man's strength was comparable to his own.
It's important to note, Gao Gong had undergone mechanical transformation.
But why was this guy trying to show off his strength to him? He only had one hand and one leg left!
"Hey! See this? He's our tribe's top warrior, Meng Duoduo. Look at his build, if you bully me again, I'll have Meng Duoduo beat you up!"
Watching Meng Duoduo's face turn red from Huang Yuanli's chest-pounding, Gao Gong suddenly understood.
A perfectly good burly man, who would have thought he was a simp.
However, the adult men in the Cable Tribe are generally over two meters tall, while the women are all loli-sized.
This combination, feels a bit sketchy.
The impure thought flashed briefly, and Gao Gong, in all seriousness, said, "You've lost so many people in this operation, I'm afraid the days ahead won't be easy."
Mentor's face immediately darkened, "Thirteen brothers, I don't even know how to explain it to their parents when I get back."
"I can sponsor you guys with a batch of Nutrition Paste, at least to get through this winter."
"Really," Huang Yuanli's eyes lit up, "You mean it?"
"Of course, we're friends."
"Then thank you so much, Mr. Gao," even Professor Han earnestly expressed his gratitude.
Gao Gong smiled, then his expression turned serious, "I suppose you've already discovered, the desert now is frequently seeing Radiation Beast riots, even the Oasis where I am is starting to form an armed force to maintain order. I assure you, a greater wave is yet to come, the Metropolitan Area will only become more dangerous, you must be prepared."
The three of them looked gloomy, especially Professor Han. If not for sensing the impending danger, they wouldn't have sought out the underground research facility from the Old Civilization Era, unfortunately, they failed in their attempt.
"As I said, if there's any danger, don't be shy, feel free to come to Automobile City and find me, we're friends."
"Yes, we're friends!"
These words made even Mentor let go of his hostility completely, and he looked at Gao Gong with gratitude.
In the end, the people of the Cable Tribe left, but Professor Han was hesitant to speak, and eventually said nothing.
"This professor is a bit dishonest," Gao Gong muttered to himself, watching the departing figure.
Earlier, Gao Gong hadn't figured it out, but after the past two days of interaction and communication, he realized one thing.
That is, even within the Cable Tribe, there are great disputes over this scientific exploration.
After all, such a high-risk exploration is bound to result in casualties — Professor Han forcefully suppressed the disputes with his prestige in the tribe.
If successful, it would be fine — but the exploration ultimately failed.
Wanting to bring him back to the tribe, it seemed like he had the idea of making him an ally.
"Having conflicts is good, if it were completely unified, how could I exploit the gaps."
In Gao Gong's plans, this tribe related to the 'Professional Knowledge Chain' absolutely couldn't be missed, it must be subdued.
Moreover, he had no moral barriers, in the Hydra Battle, everyone in the Iron Sand Desert was killed.
If he could reverse the storyline and save those lives, they would definitely be on par with the 'Ten Thousand Living Buddhas.'
Driving back to the Oasis, unexpectedly, there were no security personnel at the gate, and Petrol Town was bustling with people, lively as if it had returned to its past glory.
However, each person's face carried a hint of anxiety.
Gao Gong thought about it, didn't go inside, but turned the direction towards Automobile City North District.
At the entrance of the Old Friend Gun Shop, Fat Xiang was handling a wooden barrel, pouring something. Upon seeing Gao Gong, his eyes lit up.
"Brother Gao, you're here, Mom's been waiting for you for a long time, she couldn't find you when she went to Petrol Town."
"I've been out early and back late the last few days, I haven't gone back much, what does your mom want with me?"
"Mom said she finished making the things you wanted."
"Finished?" Gao Gong's eyes lit up, "Are the things in the shop now?"
"The things are too big to fit, they're in the warehouse, come, I'll take you there."
"What do you mean walk, get in the car quickly."
"Oh," Fat Xiang scratched his head and plopped down in the passenger seat.
Gao Gong could clearly feel the front of the car drop sharply — barely missing a tire burst.
"Fat Xiang, how much do you weigh now?" Gao Gong couldn't help but ask.
"Um, over three hundred, or over four hundred?" Fat Xiang stupidly counted his radish-like fingers, then turned his head and asked curiously, "Brother Gao, what do you think?"
Gao Gong was speechless, and gave him a flick on the forehead.
"How old are you, 16 or 17, when you grow up, will your family store even be able to support you?"
"Mom says the same thing, Gao Gong, what do you think?"
"I think — you're asking me this question?"
"Mom said I'm an idiot, so I should ask smart people for advice, and I think you're a smart person, Brother Gao."
"Is that so? Then you're flattering me," Gao Gong twitched his lips.
"So you're not a smart person? If you're not smart, then you're a fool like me," Fat Xiang scratched his head, looking at Gao Gong with a pitying gaze.
Fat Xiang successfully brought Gao Gong's intelligence down to his level, and defeated him with his rich experience.