Open the basic exchange page.

The first thing that appears before me is a heap of mechanical parts.

These are basically materials needed for mechanical type production.

Additionally,

scrolling further down reveals a number of finished artifacts.

Such as flame thrusters, portable hand cannons, stun batons, firearms, electromagnetic shields, vibration sticks, potions, and the like.

Lords from other types can all use these.

However, what surprises Lin You the most is at the bottom of the interface.

There are actually various modern transportation tools available for exchange.

[Vehicle: Battle Axe VR Titanium Steel Motorcycle]

[Speed: 450 km/h]

[Introduction: A lightweight ride made of titanium steel, equipped with the latest K1 propulsion engine, full of power, can only be used within the Mechanical Empire.]

[Exchange requirements: 20,000 Magic Energy, 200 Mechanical Core (Ordinary)]

...

[Vehicle: Phantom GT]

[Speed: 600 km/h]

[Introduction: The latest "Phantom" series hovercar, easy to operate, moves like an illusion, can only be used within the Mechanical Empire.]

[Exchange requirements: 50,000 Magic Energy, 500 Mechanical Core (Ordinary), 5 Mechanical Core (Leader)]

...

What surprises Lin You is not the appearance of such items here.

After all, it’s called the Mechanical Empire, so the appearance of such mechanical products is not surprising.

But it’s because of the exchange requirements above.

Besides ordinary mechanical cores, leader-level mechanical cores are also needed.

It seems the more precious the item, the higher the level of mechanical core needed.

Even such a simple ride requires a leader-level core.

It makes one wonder.

What level would the exchange requirements for higher-level treasures reach?

It’s likely that a lord core is needed.

Then,

he continued to scroll down, searching the area, and finally exchanged for two items that were currently quite useful.

[Artifact: Terrain Detector]

[Effect: Continuously detects the terrain within a 5-kilometer range and marks building and street information.]

[Exchange requirements: 5,000 Magic Energy, 25 Mechanical Core (Ordinary)]

...

[Consumable: Electromagnetic Pulse Interference Device]

[Level: Tier Eight]

[Effect: Upon activation, generates a powerful electromagnetic pulse that disrupts all mechanical operations within a 10-meter range, lasting 5 seconds, ineffective on species.]

[Exchange requirements: 2,000 Magic Energy, 10 Mechanical Core (Ordinary)]

...

No choice.

This Mechanical Empire is simply too vast.

From the outside, it didn’t seem like much.

But after entering, it’s evident that it’s far larger and more intricate than imagined.

Moreover, with the towering buildings, it’s easy to lose direction within.

This terrain detector would undoubtedly help him avoid many detours and reach the control center quickly.

After all, the skies are filled with patrolling mechanical demons and anti-aircraft artillery, making flying almost impossible; he can only rely on traveling by ground.

As for the electromagnetic pulse interference device, it can help him avoid unnecessary battles, so he exchanged five for backup.

After storing the items safely and making some simple preparations,

Lin You set out, leaving the safe zone under the watchful eyes of other lords, continuing deeper into the Empire.

The safe zone is located on the outermost area of the Mechanical Empire.

According to Lin You’s estimate, it’s at least several hundred kilometers from here to the control center, and he can only advance in the general direction while exploring.

As he ventures further,

the mechanical demons he encounters along the way become more numerous.

The Chaos Level has risen from the original S-level to SS-level, with strength further enhanced.

Tanks and war mechas of various shapes can be seen roaming the streets, all out of control.

However, in the eyes of Lin You, they are merely mobile mechanical cores.

"Hmm?"

"What’s that?"

Suddenly, while clearing demons along the way, Lin You’s gaze is drawn to a figure that suddenly appeared at an inconspicuous corner of the street.

It is a sphere hovering above the ground, different from other mechanical demons.

Why different?

Because although it’s mechanical,

it’s not glowing with the red light that signifies being out of control.

Moreover, its body is very worn-out, looking like an old machine that hasn’t been maintained for a long time, wandering the street corner.

A pair of eyes emitting data-like blue light scans the surroundings.

Seemingly searching for something.

"Hold on!"

Lin You immediately halts the team, instructing them to set up camp and defend the spot.

He then slowly approaches the dark street corner with Lingxi.

No other choice.

Compared to the surrounding mechanical demons,

this non-out-of-control mechanical sphere is simply too peculiar to ignore.

Could it be...

A hidden task?

Lin You secretly wonders, his eyes becoming progressively brighter.

But at this moment,

the mechanical sphere seems to have realized something; it suddenly changes direction and flies directly into a nearby alley, disappearing in an instant.

"Quick, chase it!"

Lin You is startled and immediately recalls all plants to the territory, leaving only Lingxi and the relatively small Mushroom Demon King by his side, pursuing swiftly.

Soon after,

he also rushes into the alley, still able to vaguely see the mechanical sphere swiftly moving ahead as if heading somewhere.

Not daring to be careless, he hurriedly follows.

Fortunately, the mechanical sphere’s speed isn’t fast.

Probably due to its old-fashioned design, its flying speed is only equivalent to an ordinary Tier Seven Demon.

For Lin You, who is already Tier Eight, it’s not much of a challenge.

But in order not to alert the enemy, he still didn’t rush up directly.

Instead, he kept a distance behind while observing the surroundings.

Compared to the bustling streets outside with neon lights and extravagance.

This alley was obviously much more worn and old.

The buildings were corroded and riddled with holes.

Through the sunlight shining in from outside, one could faintly see signs like "Club," "Massage," "Night Venue."

It seems this was once a place where people came for leisure.

But now it’s all closed, with only soulless greeting robots twitching slightly outside, seemingly not far from being scrapped.

Continuing to move forward all the way.

They quickly followed the mechanical sphere through the alley and arrived at a container shipping terminal.

This terminal seemed to be a place for storing supplies, with large vehicles loaded with goods parked everywhere.

But what Lin You couldn’t have imagined was.

Aside from containers and vehicles, there were also many towering War Mechas roaming the terminal, blocking his path.

Yet the mechanical sphere continued flying into the terminal as if no one was there.

Just as he was about to pursue it, a War Mecha’s scanning red beam had already swept over him.

"Intruder detected, initiating annihilation protocol!"

The synthesized mechanical voice suddenly sounded.

The War Mecha suddenly drew an electric saw and machine gun from its body, charging towards him with booming footsteps.

[Name: Annihilation Mecha M1 Model (Leader)]

[Race: Mechanical]

[Level: Tier Eight (SS-level)]

[Power: 2500 (+2250)]

[Constitution: 2500 (+2250)]

[Agility: 2500 (+2250)]

[Spirit: 2500 (+2250)]

[Skills: Tracking Missile, Electric Saw Cutting, Overload]

[Chaos: All Attributes Increased by 90%]

[Introduction: The most original Annihilation Mecha, with formidable combat power, once served as the backbone defensive force of the Mechanical Empire.]

Goodness.

A full-attribute Leader Demon!

This single one is on par with an ordinary Tier Nine Soldier, and the terminal is filled with them, a typical Tier Eight Lord would likely have to avoid it.

What on earth is hidden inside this terminal?

To warrant such a heavy guard of Leader Demons, making Lin You increasingly curious.

But there was no time for him to think.

Hundreds of Annihilation Mechas nearby were already drawn by the commotion, swarming from all directions.

In an instant, the entire terminal was thrown into chaos.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Sparks erupted, and a volley of Tracking Missiles shot from the backs of the Annihilation Mechas.

Trailing long tails of flames, they locked directly onto Lin You’s position.

Several Mechas leading the charge raised their electric saws high.

With a resonating buzz, they slashed down towards Lin You.

"Retreat!"

Lin You made a quick decision, abandoning the chase of the sphere, and withdrew with Lingxi and the Mushroom Demon King.

Simultaneously, activating the Power of Rule, he gathered several Turtle Shield Mirror Walls in front of him.

"Boom!"

The air shook violently.

Under the enhancement of three Divine Fragments, the Mirror Walls were shattered with a "crack" sound, destroyed by missiles and electric saws, turning into countless fragments.

The skills of Leader Demons were indeed far stronger than ordinary Demons.

Lin You dared not be careless, with a thought, bright lights flashed, and the Plant Legion was summoned, clashing madly with the advancing Annihilation Mechas outside the alley.

Though the Leader-level Demons were powerful, they weren’t yet at a level to pose a threat to him.

So soon, the situation gradually stabilized, advancing towards the interior of the terminal.

But just then.

The Annihilation Mechas suddenly emitted massive electrical surges, forming a terrifying electric net around their bodies.

Their aura sharply intensified as well.

Overload Skill!

Lin You couldn’t help but be startled.

Overload Skill is considered the signature skill for Mechanical Types.

Just like the Undead Summoning for Undead Types or egg-laying for Insect Types, it provides a tremendous boost to Mechanical Types.

Its effect is simple and brutal.

Basically, it doubles the attributes!

Once the effect ends, it enters a period of overload, unable to fight during that time.

But even so.

A doubled attribute Annihilation Mecha becomes extremely terrifying, reaching the level of a same-tier Lord Demon.

And there’s over a hundred of them!

In the blink of an eye, the situation shifted.

Lin You’s Plant Legion, bombarded by hundreds of Annihilation Mechas, began to suffer heavy casualties.

Even those species with Symbiotic Moss support were riddled with wounds from electric saws and shells, retreating step by step.

"Heaven-Devouring!"

Facing such a formidable offensive, Lin You dared not hold back.

With a shout, Heaven-Devouring and the Life Elemental Spirit activated their skills simultaneously.

The next second, two shields deployed, enveloping all the remaining plants.

The Elf Masters in the team also began desperately healing, swiftly repairing the plants’ injuries.

After five seconds passed, the Guardian Barrier shattered.

All the plants had shields form over them as well.

However, Lin You didn’t immediately launch a counterattack, but instead held his ground, using the lingering effect of his skills to withstand the torrents of artillery fire.

Because the best way to deal with Mechanical Overload skills is to drag it out!

As long as they wait for the effect to end, all the mechanical units will be paralyzed, making it much easier to pick them off individually than to engage in a direct confrontation now.

It’s also the method to minimize casualties.

Fortunately, his quick reaction earlier meant that only the Reproduction Species and Immortal Flowers were lost.

Some main bodies suffered severe injuries.

But with the doubling Healing effect of the Life Curtain, they were nursed back to health by the Elf Master unit.

"Boom!"

Another round of collective bombardment rained down.

The shield over the plants finally shattered, disintegrating into fragments that scattered into the air.

And the overloaded state only lasted 15 seconds!