noveldrama
Chapter 216:
Chapter 216:
[At the beginning of your journey, you were relentlessly pursued by intelligent machines, struggling with all your might just to find refuge in an underground laboratory.]
[But now, you are no longer the person you once were.]
[Leading a mechanical army and the invincible Ailei, who relies on you, you are determined to reclaim the glory that belongs to you.]
[Your plan is progressing smoothly.]
[With Ailei’s immense computational power and your enhanced control over machinery, your mechanical army possesses formidable combat strength, swiftly establishing solid strongholds and steadily advancing forward.]
[However, as the advance deepens, you encounter more powerful rebel machines, and gradually, the pressure mounts.]
[Endless waves of rebel machines emerge from all corners of the city.]
[Among them are even the heavily armed machines of the Federation military.]
[You decide to activate a backup plan, slowing down your offensive to gather materials in the occupied areas and set up production lines to manufacture new mechanical units on-site.]
Spring rain drizzled lightly, yet the chill was no less biting than winter.The wind and rain lashed against the ruins, but they could not extinguish the raging flames.
Every moment, every second, new explosions erupted, triggering towering infernos in succession.
“Warning, warning.”
“Unknown armed forces have invaded. Requesting Federation support. Coordinates are—”
A flashing red warning light flickered repeatedly in the rain.
It belonged to an autonomous combat machine, part of the Federation’s frontline forces, but now, its body was in critical condition, with armor completely destroyed.
Boom!
A figure clad in heavy, ominous black-gray power armor landed beside the machine, crushing its steel head underfoot.
Gripping an enormous high-frequency oscillation blade, the figure swung it in a 360-degree arc, the blade’s radiant glow slicing through a light-armored vehicle and several armed machines. Even the falling rain seemed to pause for a brief moment.
“As expected… my efficiency is too low…”
The power armor came to a halt, standing motionless as the spring rain drenched it, tiny droplets covering the surface.
Xu Xi looked down at his hands, his expression showing a hint of helplessness.
In his past simulations—whether practicing immortal cultivation, magic, or martial arts—he was always a one-man army, accustomed to overwhelming his enemies alone.
However, in this sci-fi simulation, amidst a torrent of machines and steel, his individual combat power was limited.
His efficiency on the battlefield…
Was far inferior to staying at the rear and amplifying his mechanical forces.
“Taking it easy for once feels unnatural,” Xu Xi muttered, stepping back.
Several transport robots swiftly approached, collecting the dismantled rebel machines and transporting them to the recycling center for disassembly and reproduction.
…
Back at the rear base, Ailei obediently brought Xu Xi his meal.
“Master, it’s time to eat.”
“Today’s rationed food cubes and purified water,” she said softly, her gentle voice dispelling the chill of the spring rain.
Unlike the hollow voices of witches, Ailei’s voice had gradually become more expressive since acquiring a physical body, with emotions that mimicked those of humans.
“Thank you, Ailei.”
Xu Xi removed his power armor and took the food from Ailei’s hands.
The brownish food cubes were as unpalatable as ever.
But now, Xu Xi could swallow them without a change in expression.
There’s nothing one can’t endure—time teaches acceptance, and, more importantly, there was no choice.
“Hopefully, after capturing the Sixth Satellite City, we can find some real food.”
Xu Xi sipped his purified water and forced down the dry food cubes.
“Ailei, how is the production line progressing?”
“Thanks to you, the situation is improving. The daily production rate has increased by 78%.”
Under the dim spring rain, Ailei extended an energy shield to shield Xu Xi from the drizzle and handed him a dry towel to wipe his hands.
“Master, you really don’t have to go into battle yourself. It’s too dangerous.”
“You can leave the power armor to me.”
Her voice was soft, filled with genuine concern. Her expression, with its subtle changes, was almost indistinguishable from that of a human.
“It’s fine, Ailei,” Xu Xi smiled. “My body is quite special; I’m not that easy to kill. I’m not lying.”
He was telling the truth, but his loyal mechanical companion found it hard to believe.
So once again, she tried to persuade him to stay out of the battlefield.
Xu Xi thought for a moment and finally agreed with Ailei’s suggestion.
After all, he had tested it himself—his battlefield efficiency was far inferior to his contributions from the rear.
[You realized the uniqueness of your situation.]
[Following Ailei’s suggestion, you stopped going to the battlefield and instead focused on researching newly captured intelligent machines.]
[With the expansion of territory, the continuation of war, and the accumulation of resources…]
[You have gained more in these few months than in the past few years.]
[Amidst the joy of the mechanical souls and the resonance of machine power…]
[The doors of truth open before you. As your understanding deepens, you can faintly hear the echoes of the machines, enhancing your affinity with them.]
[First month on the surface:]
[Your mechanical army and the rebel forces of the Sixth Satellite City are locked in a stalemate.
Your forces are numerous but lack decisive high-end combat power. The rebels, though powerful, lack your continuous reinforcements.]
[Second month on the surface:]
[You decipher the technology of the new intelligent machines and integrate it into your forces.]
[With the addition of new technology and enhanced power, your army gains the upper hand, gradually suppressing the rebels.]
[Third month on the surface:]
[Your mechanical forces have grown beyond count.]
[If you were alone, managing them would be impossible—but your loyal mechanical companion handles everything perfectly.]
[With the first chime of the machines, Ailei unleashed a mechanical storm.]
[With the second chime, Ailei launched an all-out assault.]
[With the third chime, Ailei conquered the Sixth Satellite City for you.]
Summer arrived.
As the scorching sun bore down, Xu Xi stood atop the tallest building in the Sixth Satellite City, bewildered by his sudden success.
Yes, he was now the master of the Sixth Satellite City.
It all happened so fast.
Ailei’s efficiency was staggering; the support she provided was invaluable.
“Ailei.”
“Yes, I am here.”
On the tallest tower of the city, the cold wind howled.
Xu Xi looked down at the vast urban landscape below, where his mechanical army filled the horizon. His expression was one of disbelief.
“Did you just say… we won?”
“Yes, Master.”
Her mechanical eyes, glowing with icy blue light, softened as they met Xu Xi’s gaze.