Chapter 1 An Emperor's Temporary Military Base

In the Ancient Star Desert, a temporary military base of a certain crimson empire.

Han Xiao's fleet was stationed here, replenishing supplies and repairing armor.

Over the past few months, based on feedback from black market channels, he had swept through the restless gray forces in the Ancient Star Desert, establishing a reputation for ruthless deterrence. He successfully intimidated the remaining individuals, leading them to choose obedience rather than risk defying him, refraining from meddling with the virtual rebellion virus. The starfield environment had significantly improved.

The sweep was effective. While traveling, Han Xiao also tried to find the virus core, asking Harrison to use his Lucky Halo to select data convergence points of the virus multiple times.

However, this time, the Lucky Halo failed, unable to locate the virus core. Even the old Isy could not foresee its location. Han Xiao figured that the virus core might be another one of the Goddess of Luck's lovers, and her tastes were indeed quite varied.

He was responsible for eliminating unstable elements, while Manison focused on research and development. Both sides had made progress, and currently, the Intelligent Plague situation was temporarily under control.

"... I thought you could quickly create a three-piece antivirus set, but I didn't expect it to take several months. That's not up to your standards, Manison."

In the high-level lounge of the military base, Han Xiao was chatting with Manison's remote projection, munching on some kind of fruit seed that resembled melon seeds.

Manison shook his head, "Decoding the virus is not easy, and to prevent the virus from erupting, we have to avoid the trigger mechanism, so we must be cautious, which has delayed a lot of time."

Super-A grade virtual machinists can easily eliminate the virtual rebellion virus with their own abilities, but turning their own abilities into a universal tool is another matter entirely. It's like an ordinary person who can naturally run and jump, but asking him to create a robot that can also run and jump is definitely beyond his capabilities.

"What do the three Universal Civilizations plan to do now?"

"It's still the problem of the trigger mechanism. In order to ensure that the virus does not erupt, the infection rate of the virus cannot be allowed to plummet. So even with a firewall, it cannot be activated on a large scale for the time being. It needs to clear all current infection nodes before installation. It is also for this reason that although the three Universal Civilizations have tried their best to control it, the virtual rebellion virus has still infected most of the quantum network nodes in the Ancient Star Desert in recent months."

"If I remember correctly, large-scale antivirus measures will also trigger the mine, right?" Han Xiao asked.

"That's right." Manison nodded. "So the three Universal Civilizations require us to create a scanning tool that cannot be detected by virus information packets. They plan to use the scan to secretly lock all currently infected nodes, then precisely deploy the antivirus tools, clear all infected nodes at the same time, and then immediately go online to install the firewall to prevent repeated infections, so that even if the virus erupts, the losses can be minimized."

"This method is a bit troublesome, but it is safe."

Han Xiao had no objection to the approach of the three Universal Civilizations, which sounded quite reliable.

However, he had some doubts in his mind. Logically speaking, the three Universal Civilizations took the same steps in his previous life. With the firewall as a barrier, how did it eventually turn into a disaster for the entire universe?

Could it be because my sweep was so well done that it changed some unknown details? For example, someone was going to transport the virus out, but now I have stopped them?

Han Xiao secretly suppressed this doubt in his heart.

Manison didn't know what Han Xiao was thinking and continued to explain the plan of the three Universal Civilizations:

"So we now have two plans. One is this comprehensive antivirus program, and the other is to find the virus core. It is the control valve for most of the trigger mechanisms. As long as it is eliminated, the risk can be further reduced, and there is no need to worry about the antivirus causing a virus outbreak."

"You still have no clues about the virus core?"

"It's hidden too deep." Manison shook his head, not revealing too much information.

Han Xiao snorted softly. He felt that old Manison was not telling the truth, but it was useless to expose him. In this regard, the two were competitors, and no one would kindly share clues.

None of the Super-A grade machinists who came to help didn't want to obtain the virus core in order to analyze the complete virtual rebellion virus technology.

Now that the disaster had been brought under control and the dangerous moment had passed, the competition for the virus core gradually surfaced, and even the three Universal Civilizations had intentions to compete.

Han Xiao knew that he couldn't get any information by asking, so he simply skipped this topic and said, "Your research and development work has been completed. Are you planning to stay in the research and development department all the time?"

"No, I'm also going to go out and do some activities. On the one hand, I'm looking for clues to the virus core, and on the other hand, I plan to go to the Mechanical Holy Church to have a look."

"The Mechanical Holy Church?" Han Xiao raised his eyebrows.

He didn't forget that the two had a conflict of interest in this regard. Manison had been occupying the position of the Main God, wanting to monopolize most of the faith in order to maintain the bonus of the [Mechanical Holy Church Key].

To this end, Manison took the initiative more than ten years ago, causing Han Xiao to suffer a small loss.

At that time, he chose to use the soul talent of the Huaxia people—shelving disputes to avoid conflict, and developing in a low-key manner, which allowed them to continue to get along.

"What, do you have any ideas?" Manison's tone was mocking.

"Hmph, can't I?" Han Xiao squinted.

"Compared to more than ten years ago, you have made progress, but it's still too early for you to challenge me again." Manison said lightly, "Don't covet my things. Our relationship is pretty good now. Keep the current state. This is good for you. Don't blame me for not reminding you. I don't want to see you have any form of contact with the Mechanical Holy Church."

After saying that, the green remote projection disappeared, and Manison cut off the call.

Han Xiao's face darkened, and he was secretly annoyed.

This guy's face is like a dog's. He turns his face as soon as he says it.

Also, when did the Mechanical Holy Church become your property?

Shameless!

"Speaking of which, it's been more than ten years since I last fought with him..."

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

He opened the panel and glanced at the huge amount of experience he had accumulated, and he was certain.

The Black Star Cup had been held continuously, providing him with additional experience income in the past few months, and the accumulation was now very considerable. He calculated it roughly and found that it was enough for him to rise from level 320 to between 335 and 337.

With such a huge amount of experience, as long as he took out a part of it, he could max out his potential points and upgrade all his professional knowledge to the maximum level.

"After developing for so long, I feel like I can fight Manison again..."

Han Xiao avoided conflict more than ten years ago in order to develop in a low-key manner and accumulate strength. Now that he had achieved remarkable results, his restless thoughts once again occupied the high ground.

The competition for the Mechanical Holy Church was one aspect, but for the current Han Xiao, another reason was the main reason.

—I'm not convinced, I just want to fight old Manison!

We endured the last time because we were inferior. A gentleman takes revenge ten years late!

In the past, others came to bully my Phillip, but now we have some capital, and it's our turn to take the initiative to challenge and have a fight with old Manison to see the difference in strength now.

Due to the existence of the Super-A grade Association, the level of strength of both parties will also affect the right to speak. Although Manison's term is still long, he can also make some preliminary preparations for the next election.

At the same time, because of the Development Federation, he doesn't need to worry about Manison's retaliation—as the president, old Manison has to set an example and cannot engage in private activities, otherwise he would be violating the original intention of the Development Federation.

Although Manison helped him during the Hela rescue operation, it was mutually beneficial, but one thing is one thing. Han Xiao doesn't accept the method of giving a stick and then a carrot. Merits and demerits cannot be offset. He can find another opportunity to repay old Manison's previous help in the future.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind. Han Xiao opened the skill list, selected a batch of blueprint skills, and invested experience to upgrade them to the maximum level. The panel kept popping up prompts.

[One of your skills has reached the maximum level, you have gained 1 potential point]

…

[One of your skills has reached the maximum level, you have gained 1 potential point]

Currently, Han Xiao only lacked three ultimate knowledges that were not at the maximum level. [Ultimate Mechanical Engineering] was lv3, [Mechanical Life Spark] was lv4, and [Endless Material Science] was lv2. The potential point requirement was a total of 144 points. Even if he had some potential point inventory, he still needed to max out more than a hundred skills.

The number of maximum level skills on his body was increasing, and the skill upgrade cost was also increasing. Even low-level blueprints had to spend a lot of experience, but it was not as exaggerated as the character level-up cost—which meant that players could take advantage of loopholes, but they couldn't go too far. They still had to put in a lot of effort to get more potential points.

Experience was draining crazily and soon burned more than half of it. The remaining experience was only enough to reach level 326, and Han Xiao barely gathered 144 potential points.

Although leveling up would also give potential points, he didn't want to wait any longer. He had a large field of leeks, and the experience was constantly flowing in. Fine calculations were not something he needed to do.

Besides, Han Xiao was also very curious whether the potential points would still be useful when all the knowledge was at the maximum level.

Looking at the huge sum of 144 potential points, Han Xiao took a deep breath and invested all of them in the last three ultimate knowledges.

[[Ultimate Mechanical Engineering] has been upgraded to lv5 maximum level!]

[[Mechanical Life Spark] has been upgraded to lv5 maximum level!]

[[Endless Material Science] has been upgraded to lv5 maximum level!]

[All 60 of your professional knowledges have reached the maximum level!]

[You have obtained [First Sanctuary] skill fragment x1]

[You have obtained the specialty [Mechanical Grand Scholar]!]

[[Mechanical Grand Scholar]: Your total mechanical affinity bonus coefficient +1.25x, your mechanical skills level +3 (can exceed the upper limit), your manufacturing, strengthening, and repair ability +40%, your virtual technology effect +60%, your mechanical creations basic attributes +15%, mechanical production speed +120%, your intelligence attribute +3000 - "In the field of mechanics, you are an all-knowing grand scholar"]

[The potential points you currently have and will obtain in the future will be converted into "Awakening Points" at a 1:1 ratio]

[Use i: 1 Awakening Point can be converted into 100 free attribute points (irreversible)]

[Use 2: 1 Awakening Point can increase a maxed-out skill by 1 level (irreversible)]

[Use 3: Increases the awakening progress of exclusive specialties. The increase of each Awakening Point depends on the level of the exclusive specialty (irreversible). And using 100 Awakening Points can activate the prototype of an exclusive specialty (custom specialty tendency)]

[Use 4: Improve the quality of blueprints. The increase of each Awakening Point depends on the blueprint level and basic quality (irreversible)]

[Use v: Promote blueprint research and development progress. The increase of each Awakening Point depends on the blueprint level and quality (irreversible)]

[Your [Ultimate Mechanical Engineering] has reached the maximum level, your skill [Inspiration Creation] has been activated!]

"Ho!"

Han Xiao looked surprised.

As expected of the new specialty brought about by the maximum level of all professional knowledge, [Mechanical Grand Scholar] not only has comprehensive bonuses, but the increase is also very considerable. The increase in combat power is probably at the same level as [Perfect Mechanical Sense], which can probably increase his overall combat power by about 10%.

Speaking of which, I wonder if the suffixes of the knowledge mastery specialties of the five professions are all "Grand Scholar"...

Magic Grand Scholar? Sounds normal.

Psionic Grand Scholar? This is a bit weird...

Esper Grand Scholar? emmmm...

Martial Arts Grand Scholar? Forget it, it would be more appropriate to call it Muscle Grand Scholar.

The appearance of the specialty was still within Han Xiao's expectations, but the change in potential points gave him a surprise. No player in his previous life had achieved the achievement of reaching the maximum level of all professional knowledge, and this was his first time.

With all professional knowledge maxed out, potential becomes awakening.

He carefully browsed the introduction and became more and more excited. Compared to the monotonous uses of potential points, Awakening Points were more useful.

Converting free attributes and increasing the skill limit was very practical, which didn't require analysis. He valued the other three functions more.

Improving the quality of blueprints, this thing seemed to be able to stably produce golden blueprints.

For example, taking a low-level pistol blueprint and constantly investing Awakening Points, the technical level of the blueprint would automatically increase. If enough Awakening Points were invested, perhaps this blueprint could be transformed into a golden blueprint!

And the type of blueprint would not change much. From an ordinary elementary gunpowder technology pistol, it would eventually only evolve into a high-energy portable planet-destroying weapon, inheriting the same lineage.

On the other hand, Awakening Points could also increase the blueprint research and development progress, which perfectly cooperated with [Inspiration Creation].

[Inspiration Creation] had been gathering dust in the panel. The prerequisite for activation was that [Ultimate Mechanical Engineering] had to be at the maximum level. The effect of this skill was to consume experience, arbitrarily combine an unlimited number of blueprints, and randomly synthesize one or more improved or integrated blueprints. At the same time, advanced settings could be performed to select the tendency of the synthesized blueprints, such as attack, defense, or control.

This skill was more stable than Free Creation. It would definitely produce goods, and it was the only way for players in his previous life to spontaneously create golden blueprints. However, the probability of obtaining the finished product in one fell swoop was extremely low. In most cases, they only obtained the prototype or inspiration fragments of the golden blueprint, which could be used to improve the progress of the awakening point.

And the last use of Awakening Points was the one that Mechanic Han valued the most, which was that it could be used to synthesize exclusive specialties!

Han Xiao's eyes flashed and muttered to himself:

"The exclusive specialties of old Manison, Sorokin, and those people might have come from this."