Chapter 46: Chapter 44: The Pros and Cons of the Mechanical Element

Not long after, Zhou Weiping left with the Cultist from the Black Divine Teachings.

Watching the three robots transform back into cars and speed away, Li Qian finally turned his attention to Liu Changfeng.

Without hesitating, he immediately asked, "Captain Liu, those must be your Public Security Bureau’s standard-issue robots, right? Why haven’t you formed a contract with one? Isn’t the Mechanical Element supposed to be invincible among its peers?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Changfeng showed a faint smile and replied, "The Mechanical Element being invincible among its peers? That’s just an online rumor. In reality, it’s not nearly that exaggerated."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, the Mechanical Element is indeed one of the more outstanding combatants at its tier. I won’t deny that."

Changing the subject, he added, "However, the Mechanical Element has its own set of problems."

"The advantages of the Mechanical Element are very obvious: their skill sets are transparent, their combat power is immense, and you don’t have to worry about feeding costs." Gazing in the direction the three Public Security Bureau cars had gone, he said unhurriedly, "But the Mechanical Element also has two very serious flaws."

"Actually, you can’t really call them flaws. After all, no Pet Beast in this world is perfect. The two points I’m about to mention are less like flaws and more like characteristics of the Mechanical Element."

"First is the issue of the Mechanical Element’s Potential."

"In theory, the Mechanical Element has infinite Potential and can be upgraded and updated without limit. But that’s only in theory."

"In reality, a Mechanical Pet Beast’s upgrades are almost entirely dependent on mechanical modules. Let’s not even talk about core energy or chip modules; the cost to upgrade just a basic Flying module or weapon module is enough to make anyone balk."

"Furthermore, the major high-tech corporations of the Federation on the Ancestral Star periodically release next-generation mechanical modules. When a new module hits the market, you have to decide whether to keep up. If you do, your wallet can’t take it. If you don’t, your combat power falls behind."

"That’s why, besides being known for their outstanding combat power at their tier, the Mechanical Element has another nickname—the Rich Man’s Exclusive."

After listening to Liu Changfeng’s explanation, Li Qian’s face showed a look of sudden understanding, which was quickly followed by confusion. "Then what about that Mad Dragon No. 3 just now?"

"Don’t be fooled by the impressive combat power of those three Car Robots. Based on their current mechanical modules, they don’t have much Potential left."

This point from Liu Changfeng matched what Li Qian had seen.

From the information he had gathered using his Eye of True Sight, Zhou Weiping’s Mad Dragon No. 3 indeed didn’t have high Potential. It could barely reach Tier Three Commander.

At first, Li Qian had been a little confused.

’With so many Skills, Mad Dragon No. 3’s Potential should definitely be higher than Tier Three Commander.’

Now, after hearing Liu Changfeng’s explanation, he understood.

’So its current mechanical modules can only support it up to Tier Three Commander.’

"Besides that, the Mechanical Element is different from other elements. You can communicate with them via AI glasses or similar electronic devices, and there’s no language barrier. They can also transform into various vehicles, like cars, planes, and so on. Because of all this, most Mechanical Pet Beasts can unleash the vast majority of their combat power even without a contract."

"Of course, compared to a direct contract, their combat power will definitely be diminished somewhat."

"So, even though I haven’t contracted a Mechanical Pet Beast, I can always request support from one from headquarters when on a mission, or command one in battle."

"Compared to a direct contract, there’s a difference, but it’s not significant."

"What you saw with Mad Dragon No. 3 just now is the same situation."

"That guy, Zhou Weiping, he doesn’t actually have a contract with Mad Dragon No. 3."

Hearing this, Li Qian couldn’t help but nod slightly. He now had a general understanding of the Mechanical Element.

After giving Li Qian a moment to digest the information, Liu Changfeng raised a second finger and said, "Second, the other flaw."

"To unleash one hundred percent of a Mechanical Pet Beast’s Potential, the requirements for the Beast Master are also quite high."

"Otherwise, Beast Masters of the Mechanical Element wouldn’t be specially referred to as Mechanics."

At this, Li Qian’s curiosity was piqued. "What are the specific requirements?"

"To become a top-tier Mechanic, you must have extremely strong professional skills in both software and hardware."

Liu Changfeng continued to explain to Li Qian, "This is also why almost all Mechanics are Beast Masters with high intelligence and advanced education."

Li Qian understood. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’It seems not just anyone can walk the path of a Mechanic.’

’Unless, of course, you just casually form a contract without expecting much achievement.’

’But a Beast Master like that probably couldn’t be called a Mechanic anyway.’

After a moment of thought, Li Qian understood the key points.

’Mechanical Pet Beasts are products of high technology. To truly master them, you’d have to be proficient in both software and hardware—a high-tech expert, at the very least.’

Originally, Li Qian had planned to contract a Mechanical Pet Beast in the future.

After hearing Liu Changfeng’s explanation, he instantly felt that he needed to reconsider.

’Then again, not forming a contract, like with Mad Dragon No. 3, seems like a pretty good option too.’

Shaking his head to clear it of these thoughts, Li Qian brought the conversation back on track. Liu Changfeng had cleared up such a major doubt for him; he should give him some reassurance in return.

"Thank you, Captain Liu, for clearing up one of my doubts. By the way, regarding the Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon, you can rest assured. I will take this responsibility seriously."

He paused, thought for a moment, and gave a specific timeframe. "I’ll try to complete the evolution before July 1st."

"It’s nothing. You’ll learn all about these things soon enough once you get to Beast Taming University." Liu Changfeng chuckled. "As for the Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon, since I’ve entrusted it to you, I have one hundred percent trust and confidence in you."

The two chatted for a little while longer before Liu Changfeng left.

Li Qian didn’t try to make him stay.

After all, Liu Changfeng was the captain of a city-level Public Security Bureau’s special operations team. He was undoubtedly busy with work on a daily basis and didn’t have much time to waste here.

Once Liu Changfeng had gone, Li Qian immediately summoned his task panel to check it.

[Research Task: The Koi Carp’s Second Evolution Method]

[Current Task Progress: 87%]

"The progress went up by two percent!"

Li Qian muttered to himself and then began to recall what had happened. The two-percent increase seemed to have occurred right when he saw the Violent Salamander.

Things were urgent at the time, so he hadn’t checked it at all. Thinking back now, there had to be a connection.

Seeing the Violent Salamander.

The task progress increased.

’Could the Koi Carp’s second evolutionary form be the Violent Salamander?’

’They say the Violent Salamander’s Potential barely reaches Tier One Dominator. If that’s the case, is it even worth researching further?’

Shaking his head, Li Qian quickly dismissed the idea.

He was more inclined to believe that the Koi Carp’s second evolutionary form was a type of Salamander Pet Beast, not specifically the Violent Salamander.

’Otherwise, the task progress wouldn’t have increased by only two percent.’

’An increase of just two points could only mean that the two are likely related, not that they’re a direct match.’