Despair Fang's first attack was fruitless, and it immediately fell into a desperate situation.
It could only watch as Qi Yuan's right hand melted away the armor protecting the core before grabbing it with one hand.
By grabbing the core, Despair Fang's life and death were in his hands.
The moment his finger came into contact with the energy core, a familiar notification quietly appeared.
Qi Yuan's heart calmed down. It was just as he had expected.
The checkpoint in Despair Fang's body was not only its core weakness, but it could also activate a powerful Tier 4 ability — Mechanical Modification.
Although this ability was not a core Tier 4 ability, the abilities granted by the Talent Tree had never disappointed him, and this time was no exception.
This new Mechanical Modification ability did not modify mechanical creations, but rather, it modified the underlying logic of mechanical creations. What surprised Qi Yuan the most was that it could modify the underlying logic of mechanical creations while retaining their consciousness, making them listen to the orders of the modifier.
Seeing this ability, Qi Yuan immediately realized how powerful it was. Because of the Mechanical King's high attainments in mechanical control, his opponents did not dare to use mechanical creations in front of him. This Mechanical Modification ability had the same effect.
Qi Yuan chose to fuse it without hesitation. The Tier 4 Talent Point approached Despair Fang's core and instantly extracted a stream of Asterite energy from his body, turning it into a warm current that flowed into the Talent Tree, activating a brand new Tier 4 ability.
The extraction of Asterite this time was a little too ruthless!
Qi Yuan could clearly feel that the Asterite energy stored in his body had decreased by a large amount.
Through the powerful calculations of the data center, Qi Yuan easily calculated that the Talent Point this time had consumed an entire ton of Asterite energy.
Previously, when he stepped into Tier 4 and activated two core Tier 4 abilities, the Asterite energy in his body had been completely depleted. Qi Yuan did not expect that activating a non-core ability would require so much Asterite.
Even with Qi Yuan's wealth, he still felt his heart ache when he felt the energy from the star energy stones leave him.
As the Blazing Angel reached Grade 5, its consumption of Asterite also increased. In addition to the nurturing of the power of annihilation, it also consumed a large amount of Asterite. With a few bottomless pits here, no matter how much Asterite there was in his body, it would not last for long.
If it wasn't for the fact that Han Sen had collected a large number of star stones in the Black Steel Shelter, he might have been in a predicament where he had talent points but not enough star stones to light them up.
Although activating the new Tier 4 Skills required a large amount of Asterite's energy, Qi Yuan's heartache eased slightly when he thought about how powerful these Skills were.
One ton of Asterite energy in exchange for a powerful Tier 4 ability, even if it was not a core ability, it was still a profitable trade!
When the Talent Points lit up the Talent Tree, the three Silver Pythons of Despair froze on the spot. Even the red light in their eyes and the blazing white energy emitting from their bodies slowly dimmed.
With a thought, Qi Yuan activated the mechanical modification of the Teeth of Despair.
Despair Fang's body, which had been gradually losing its light, suddenly trembled. Then, the light became stronger once more.
Seeing this, Fu Qingqing inwardly cursed. She thought that Qi Yuan had fallen for Despair Fang's trick. Immediately, she raised Death Dance and charged at Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan's eyes flashed. He released his right hand, and the three Silver Pythons dove into the ground at the same time.
Fu Qingqing looked at the hole in the ground in astonishment.
"Despair Fang escaped?"
Qi Yuan nodded.
"I've already found its control center and almost destroyed it. Despair Fang must have sensed the danger and left."
Fu Qingqing looked at Qi Yuan suspiciously. She felt that something was wrong, but she could not put her finger on it.
Qi Yuan looked at the hole in silence. Although Fu Qingqing was trustworthy, some things still needed to be kept secret.
The Teeth of Despair had now become his spy in the Mechanical Kingdom!
His Machinery Modification was only at the Tier 4 level. As a Tier 5 Mechanical Body, Despair Fang should not have been so easily modified. However, as the core of Despair Fang was already under his control, and with the cooperation of the Spirit Fortress, the modification went very smoothly.
In just a few seconds, the Soul Fortress had cooperated with the modification, tampering with Despair Fang's underlying logic and implanting its own consciousness into its control center.
If there were no accidents, the Mechanical Kingdom that had been perfectly sealed off by spies would become a plug because of Despair Fang!
Keeping the Teeth of Despair by his side might be a powerful force, but to Qi Yuan, a Type 5 Divine Beast would not affect the outcome of the battle. It was more important to gather information about the Mech King Court.
"Time to go. Be careful of Despair Fang calling for reinforcements," Qi Yuan said.
Fu Qingqing nodded. The two quickly returned to the truck and rushed toward the frontline base.
A pitch-black metal tower came into view. Powerful energy waves undulated like a tide. The truck finally entered the safe zone of the frontline base.
"Please stop the truck for inspection!"
A mechanical and electronic voice suddenly sounded.
At the same time, Qi Yuan felt that around the metal tower, a few energy cannons filled with destructive power had quietly turned and aimed at the truck.
A fully-armed squad quickly approached.
Fu Qingqing stopped the truck, and the two walked down at the same time.
After confirming their identities through the iris comparison, Qi Yuan and Fu Qingqing were welcomed into the base at the same time. As for the truck, it still needed to undergo a more comprehensive inspection.
In this aspect, the frontline base had suffered a few losses from the Mechanical Kingdom.
Inside the tower, Ke Shoulin, who was wearing a combat suit, was looking at Fu Qingqing and Qi Yuan through the floor-to-ceiling window. His face was gloomy.
As soon as Qi Yuan left the shelter, he received a secret order from a few directors. They asked him to control himself and not do anything to Qi Yuan. At the same time, he had to ensure the safety of Qi Yuan and Fu Qingqing.
Even Molin, who had never interfered with this kind of thing, gave him a subtle warning. If Qi Yuan died in the frontline base, the lab would reconsider their cooperation.
Ke Shoulin knew why the superiors were so nervous. One was a Tier 4 researcher with a Leader's Badge, and the other was Mo Sheng's only student. If either of them died here, the Combat Division would have a hard time explaining.
"The Mechanical Kingdom is useless!" Ke Shoulin cursed.
Based on the habits of the Mech Dynasty, they would definitely kill Qi Yuan midway. Ke Shoulin, who knew how powerful the Mech Dynasty was, did not have much hope that the two of them would be able to reach the base safely. If the two of them died in the hands of the Mech Dynasty before they reached the base, neither the board of directors nor Mo Lin would be able to find an excuse to make things difficult for them. However, since the two of them had stepped into the frontline base, the combat division had to be responsible for their safety.
"Should we send a team of genetic warriors?" the adjutant asked quietly.
"No need." Ke Shoulin grunted.
"The Mechanical Kingdom has been defeated in the frontline. They can no longer threaten the base. As long as they stay in the base, they will not be in any danger."
"This time, the fleet was attacked, and we lost one-third of our resources and genetic warriors. I cannot waste genetic warriors on them."
Although Ke Shoulin said this, he knew that Duanmu Longxiang was in charge of the base. He had maintained a good relationship with Molin, so he would not let his guard down when it came to Qi Yuan's safety.
In addition, Mo Sheng had successfully reached Tier 7 and displayed great power. He could not let the two fall into danger.
Pang Jiuchuan, that old fox, had been in contact with Qi Yuan for a long time. He would definitely use this opportunity to draw Qi Yuan to his side.
Just as Ke Shoulin expected, when Qi Yuan entered the base, Pang Jiuchuan won.
Although Pang Jiuchuan's authority was not as high as Ke Shoulin's, he was more experienced. His personality was also gentler, so he had more friends.
After a night's rest, Pang Jiuchuan took the two to the top floor of the tower. He personally introduced the frontline base and the war situation.
"This frontline base has cost the shelter a lot of manpower and resources. It has enough firepower to kill a high-tier being. Your safety is guaranteed here.
If you need, I can send a team of genetic warriors to protect you, "Pang Jiuchuan said.
"No need." Qi Yuan smiled and shook his head.
"As long as it's not Slayer himself, we can handle it."
Pang Jiuchuan smiled.
Slayer was the strongest being in the Mech Dynasty. He was not only a Tier 7 Mechanic, but also the leader of the Mech Dynasty's Fort No.9.
If he managed to break into the base, it would mean the entire frontline base would collapse.
"Don't worry. With Minister Duanmu here, let alone Slayer, even a Tier 7 Mechanical Apostle won't be able to set foot in the base."
As the Minister of Combat, Duanmu Longxiang was an experienced Apocalypse ability user. He was the anchor of the entire frontline base.
The elevator slowed down, and the door opened. Pang Jiuchuan led the two out of the elevator to a fully enclosed workshop.
"Although the annihilation weapon helped us take back the initiative on the battlefield, before that, the Mech King Court's machines caused us a lot of trouble. They infiltrated the base several times and caused a lot of damage. Even the base's sky defense system was affected. Many parts were destroyed."
"Originally, we applied to the shelter for maintenance researchers and replacement parts, but we didn't expect the convoy to be attacked in the wilderness. Most of the replacement parts for the Sky System were lost in the wilderness."
"Fortunately, you arrived safely. Otherwise, our Sky Defense System would have been destroyed."
"This is the workshop Minister Duanmu has prepared for you. He hopes you can help us fix the Sky Defense System."
Qi Yuan looked around. There were many broken parts and energy cores in the room. There were no signs of damage on the outside, but the problem lay within.
This reminded Qi Yuan of the spider machines that the convoy encountered. The Sky Defense System was strong, but the Mech Dynasty relied on their advanced technology to find the weak points of the system.
"I can give it a try. As long as it's not too damaged, I should be able to fix it," Qi Yuan said.
"On behalf of the 1,329 soldiers, I would like to thank you!" Pang Jiuchuan said seriously.
Although the appearance of the annihilation weapon had broken through the Mech Dynasty's blockade, it didn't mean that the Mech Dynasty would lose. In fact, on the battlefield, the Mech Dynasty was still evenly matched with the base. Once the Mech Dynasty went all out, they would still be able to close in on the base.
The Sky Defense System was very useful on the battlefield, and it was as useful as a high-tier elite's.
"If you need anything, just tell me. We'll do our best to fulfill your request," Pang Jiuchuan said.
Qi Yuan did not hesitate. Because of the strength of the Mech Dynasty, the shelter did not hesitate to support the frontline base.
"Give me a list of the damaged parts and materials," Qi Yuan said.
"It's all ready."
Pang Jiuchuan turned on the holographic screen and projected the list.
"There are many machines that require cultivation, but the base has a few mechanics. They can share the burden of the work. The parts that they cannot repair are all on this list."
"The materials list has been updated, too. All the supplies that the convoy delivered have been included."
Qi Yuan looked at the list and was shocked. Gene Serums, Energy Suits, Energy Cores, Energy Weapons, and precious materials were all there. At the end of the list, Qi Yuan even saw Asterite.
There were forty tons of Asterite, and Qi Yuan could not help but stare at it for a few more seconds.
What Qi Yuan did not know was that the frontline base had only applied for ten tons of star energy stones this time. After he had suggested going to the frontline base, Chief Mo Lin had personally changed the ten tons of star energy stones to forty tons.
Qi Yuan thought for a while, and then listed out the parts of the Sky Defense System on the repair list. Then, he picked out a batch of materials.
"Send these things over. Also, I need ten tons of Asterite!"
"I'll arrange it right away," Pang Jiuchuan said.
Pang Jiuchuan did not hesitate at all about Qi Yuan's request. A level four researcher willing to come to the frontline was already the biggest surprise.
Every level four researcher was the treasure of the Biological and Mechanical Research Laboratory. After all these years, Qi Yuan was the first level four researcher to come to the frontline.
Qi Yuan brought a batch of saplings from the Tree of Oblivion from the laboratory. They were not lost in the wilderness. Instead, they arrived safely at the frontline base and were placed in the room below.
To show respect to Qi Yuan, the frontline base did not use these saplings even though they needed the power of Oblivion. Therefore, they were still in Qi Yuan's hands.
With the saplings and the Asterite, there would be an endless supply of Oblivion. If the changes in the logic of the Teeth of Despair could be hidden from the Slayer, then the power of Oblivion might even be the death knell of Mech Kingdom No.9 battle fort!
The Mech Kingdom's research on machinery was far ahead of the Black Steel Shelter, but in front of the talent tree, the Mech Kingdom was nothing. Qi Yuan believed that the Mech Kingdom's technology would not be able to detect the changes in the Teeth of Despair.