Chapter 269: Outpost (Congratulations to Yu Tianxing Tianxing Wuxie, the Alliance Lord!)

"Besides biological Extraterrestrial Xieshen mechs, there are also psychomechs..."

"The concept of 'psychic energy' comes from the 'Psycho-Energy Clan' of the cosmos—they are purely spiritual beings... skilled in harnessing mental energy."

"After the Federation established diplomatic ties with the Psycho-Energy Clan, it obtained partial data on this and began research... Now, a new profession has emerged—the 'Psychic Warrior.'"

"The concept of psychomechs originated from a sacred relic of the Psycho-Energy Clan, capable of gathering vast amounts of mental energy... built directly within the 'Psycho-Space,' requiring no materials or energy—only mental and emotional power."

Xu Xu Sanyang smiled, his tone laden with implication: "Human emotions are equally rich—if collected, they become an immense energy source..."

"So... the creation of the virtual space also aimed to build a factory for psychomechs?"

Fang Xing immediately understood.

What else could better connect countless humans and gather emotional energy than a virtual network?

"It seems the water behind the Federation's Holographic Universe Corporation runs far deeper than anyone realizes..."

In Fang Xing's understanding, from the perspective of the cultivation world, what is called a 'psychomech' is essentially gathering the incense and faith of the masses to forge a 'deity,' then having a martial cultivator enter and command it, unleashing the power of a Martial God!

"Clever concept... but clearly unsuitable for me. This incense-deity path carries too many restrictions and hidden dangers..."

Fang Xing looked at Xu Xu Sanyang: "So, to become a psychomech engineer, I must join the Federation government and serve its citizens?"

"That's correct."

Xu Xu Sanyang nodded solemnly: "Not just any ordinary civil service position—it's one with severe restrictions... it all depends on whether you have the resolve."

"I'll think about it some more..."

Fang Xing sighed, having already dismissed both the tech mech and psychomech options in his mind.

Tech mechs are too complicated—better to break through to Martial God on my own.

Psychomechs have too many limitations.

The Extraterrestrial Xieshen mech, however, might still be worth exploring.

Fang Xing's first thought went to the long-dead 'Pale Mother' and that ' Extraterrestrial Xieshen offspring' from the Extraterrestrial Xieshen world.

These are prime resources for crafting a Extraterrestrial Xieshen mech.

"Alright, back to your doctoral studies—you're preparing for an assignment?" Xu Xu Sanyang took a sip of soda. "With your current realm, after certification as a Seventh-Domain professional, you're qualified to serve as the highest administrative officer of an ordinary planet... How about it? Should I help you arrange it? Go straight to Chick Hawk Star to launch your research and serve as planetary governor?"

"Chick Hawk Star..."

Fang Xing murmured, feeling a flicker of nostalgia, yet also a growing indifference.

It was the original owner's hometown—not his.

Moreover, those familiar classmates and friends—Liu Wei, Song Song Jingang, Gu Yun—were either missing or had long since left Chick Hawk Star.

Returning would hold little meaning.

"If you want to coast, go to a safe planet like Chick Hawk Star... If you need abundant resources, you must go to more dangerous places."

Xu Xu Sanyang said: "In this world, to gain something, you must sacrifice something. Generally, ambitious Jin Gang-level doctoral students choose planets near the frontlines—to accumulate battle merit and contributions, establish companies, gather resources, and launch specialized mech projects... Even initial designs consume enormous resources."

Fang Xing nodded thoughtfully: "I'll think it over. I'll count on your help when the time comes, Senior."

"I have great faith in you. The Federation needs talents like you and me to save it..."

Xu Xu Sanyang laughed heartily, almost crazily.

"Alright, the lunatic's having another episode... Wait, is this some kind of chuunibyou symptom?"

Fang Xing silently rolled his eyes and took his leave.

Inside the villa.

Fang Xing took out the quasi-third-rank Dao-comprehension cushion from the cultivation world and sat on it directly.

Now, when he contemplated the first image of the 'Will Inscription Map,' he felt a faint awakening.

"Will is formless... thus, the countless stars can be seen as coordinates... the most crucial step is to find the first coordinate point, then build the true 'Star Map' around it?"

Though this barely counted as Rumen, at least he now had a direction and concrete steps to follow.

"Indeed, talent matters most..."

Fang Xing patted the Dao-comprehension cushion beneath him: "Good thing I have a cheat... but this quasi-third-rank cushion's effect is only average. In the cultivation world, such Dao-comprehension artifacts are plentiful—I'll add them to my future collection targets..."

Though he could eventually break through with persistence, accelerating the process would be better.

"Next, I must certify as a Seventh-Domain professional, then decide on my doctoral research topic."

Leaning on the calming effect of the cushion, Fang Xing rapidly pondered.

A master's student merely assists; a doctoral student can lead an entire research project.

"Given my actual situation, I could directly choose a topic related to simplifying the Buddha Palm... That way, results come easily—but it'd be a bit unfair to Old Gu."

"And it'd be useless for my mech."

"Then... Extraterrestrial Xieshen studies? Or a mech-related topic?"

Doctoral students with ambitions to become Martial Saints usually choose topics tied to their own specialized mechs.

Even just proposing a concept or drafting a blueprint saves immense effort later.

"In terms of Extraterrestrial Xieshen studies, I've already surpassed the doctoral level—I could teach graduate students now..."

"I should launch a topic on Extraterrestrial Xieshen mechs, then produce some research outcomes..."

For Fang Xing, this was still an easy task—perhaps no one in the entire Federation had a greater advantage.

After all, he was the master of a sect!

Yes, the 'Gate of Emptiness' worshipped by his sect was exceptionally unique among the Outer Extraterrestrial Xieshen —among the Three Pillars, second only to the slumbering Creator.

Even if the Federation had infiltrated some Extraterrestrial Xieshen cult leaders, they likely had no undercover agent with my rank!

"When the time comes, I'll sell out the Creator Sect, then present research on the 'Tablet of Creation'—I'll surely establish ties with the Nine Swords Academy..."

The Nine Swords Academy's research into Outer Extraterrestrial Xieshen is the deepest.

Fang Xing could provide them with abundant material and data.

"With this connection... wouldn't it be reasonable to request support to develop the blueprint for my own Extraterrestrial Xieshen mech?"

The mech design blueprint!

This was the first step—and the most critical one.

Even in his past life, an engine blueprint could fill several rooms; a mech blueprint would be far larger.

It couldn't be done by Fang Xing alone.

Once the blueprint was finalized, things became simpler—just find sufficient materials and personnel, then get to work...

'Of course, this is just a backup plan...'

'If I break through too quickly, and my mech hasn't even begun construction before I reach Martial God... it's possible.'

'So clearly, Chick Hawk Star isn't suitable—I should choose a richer planet, one more likely to attract the attention of Extraterrestrial Xieshen...'

'Perfect—I can go into hiding. I have a feeling the Creator Sect is about to do something big...'

Fang Xing's gaze grew deep—he had made his decision.

As for using cultivation world resources to design Immortal-Martial mechs? Tempting, but he rejected it—completing a single mech involved too many variables.

To pioneer an entirely new path from scratch would require countless factories and research giants across the Federation.

Moreover, the first-generation Immortal-Martial mech would be the least mature, riddled with problems.

To do so, he'd have to expose the entire cultivation world to the Blue Star Federation, open up countless cultivation techniques and artifact-crafting arts... for Fang Xing, it would be exhausting and unrewarding.

The mech was merely a decorative tool for his martial path.

Having it was fine; not having it didn't matter.

He'd just use the Federation's existing system as a temporary bridge—barely sufficient.

As for the future?

When he surpassed Martial God, why would he need a mech at all?

Half a month later.

Dragonfang Star System, Dragonfang Star.

Near Dragonfang Star lay a wormhole, making it the hub of the Dragonfang Star System.

Though not part of the frontier star systems, Dragonfang Star handled part of the Federation's logistical duties, making it one of the primary targets for attacks from the Numerical Void by Outer Extraterrestrial Xieshen —battles frequently erupted on many planets.

On this day,

A blue spacecraft emerged from the wormhole.

"Little Blue, full-screen mode!"

Fang Xing sat in a soft chair, holding a drink.

"Yes, Master!"

Little Blue cheerfully responded; the instruments and dials before him instantly vanished.

In their place appeared a vast expanse of cosmic starlight.

A silver planet stood silently, surrounded by an eight-armed dragon with human limbs—its face grotesque, its head radiating solemn authority, its eight arms spread wide, guarding the silver Dragonfang Star at its center.

"Group-Mech, Supermassive Mech—Eight-Armed Dragonbeast!"

Fang Xing gazed at the Eight-Armed Dragonbeast mech, gripping the Dragonfang Star as if holding a dragon pearl, and his mind filled with vast intelligence.

He had deliberately gathered this before departure.

"The one stationed here should be Wu Sheng Zhou Zhou Yehua... Group-Mech mechs require multiple mech engineers to operate jointly, with him commanding the dragon's head, while each of the eight arms is assisted by at least one Jin Gang martial cultivator or Seventh-Domain mech engineer... One Wu Sheng, eight Jin Gangs, operating the 'Eight-Armed Dragonbeast'—their combined power likely reaches the pinnacle of Ninth Domain... No wonder this is the system's core—its defense is formidable, far stronger than Chick Hawk Star."

Of course, it still couldn't compare to Blue Star—nor should it.

One was merely a star system capital; the other was the heart of the Blue Star Federation.

At least, during his many years living on Blue Star, Fang Xing had never encountered any Numerical Void attacks.

Hmm, except for that incident with the Moon God disaster.

"Master, we've received a cosmic communication. The Evil Dragon Star System's authorities require us to follow the designated flight path, along with a code of conduct…"

Xiao Lan reported.

Minor legal differences between star systems are perfectly normal.

"Follow it!"

This trivial matter is easily handled by Xiao Lan, the artificial intelligence—no need for Fang Xing to worry.

At this moment, Fang Xing set down his juice and picked up an authorization document.

"Establishing my exclusive mecha research project on White Bird Star… while also assuming some defense duties?"

Fang Xing pulled up the data on White Bird Star.

As a logistics planet, White Bird Star differed from the educational planet Eagle Nest Star—here, the chancellor didn't decide everything; instead, power was divided among the military logistics production director, the Prevention Bureau, and the Public Security Bureau.

Moreover, the heads of these three power institutions on the planet were likely all at the Jin Gang realm.

According to Xu Xu Sanyang's arrangement, Fang Xing held the title of Federal Security Advisor to facilitate his work here—and to quietly pursue his own private agenda.

Ph. D. students from Blue Star University were always dispatched with specific missions—establishing companies, gathering resources, and so on…

"On White Bird Star, there is a special resource—the Antis Bird. Its blood contains a unique component that can be extracted into an inhibitory factor, suppressing the regenerative abilities of the Evil God's followers, making it ideal for manufacturing various munitions targeting Evil God affiliates… Additionally, it is also one of the raw materials for the armor plates of Evil God Mechas…"

Fang Xing had studied extensive data on Evil God Mechas—he knew well that the armor plates weren't primarily for defense, but likely served to restrain the regeneration of the Evil God's tissues within.

"The Antis Bird, as a federally protected species, has extraordinarily demanding habitat requirements… all cultivation and cloning attempts elsewhere have failed. It is judged that White Bird Star possesses certain 'Cosmic Secret Realm' characteristics…"

"Moreover, White Bird Star is relatively safe… to launch a surprise attack here, the Evil Gods or alien armies would need to first breach the Evil Dragon Star System, where the wormhole lies—or descend directly from the Imaginary Space—but the Federation's Imaginary Space Defense Force is no joke…"

"Thus, overall, it's still relatively safe…"

After an indeterminate amount of time, a white planet appeared in Fang Xing's field of view.

It bore two wing-like stellar coronae, resembling a white bird about to take flight.

Along its orbital path, numerous fortresses were densely clustered.

"Master, we've sent the authentication code… they've confirmed and granted landing permission!"

Xiao Lan chirped happily: "The Military Industry Director 'Dai Wei' would like to invite you to dinner tonight…"

"He's the local power broker—we should at least give him face. Accept."

Fang Xing nodded.

…

Meanwhile.

On White Bird Star, a vast and imposing mechanical factory.

Inside the office.

Dai Wei was a middle-aged white man in his forties, with a head of crimson curls.

"Federal Security Advisor, Ph. D. candidate from Blue Star University… another golden child."

He glanced at Fang Xing's dossier and sighed: "Why does a martial artist come here to do scientific research? And wants to cultivate Evil God-suppressing materials? This interdisciplinary leap is too extreme."

Opposite Dai Wei stood a young woman in Public Security Bureau uniform, her expression grave: "She's a big shot from Blue Star, connected to the Xu family… as for the research results? They can always be transferred. Maybe she's just here to polish her resume…"

"True… just follow protocol. Alright, tell the staff to prepare the banquet."

Dai Wei dismissed it casually.

"We should prepare properly—after all, a Jin Gang Ph. D. from Blue Star University will surely begin assembling a mecha… even with deep-pocketed backing, it's no small sum."

The young Public Security Bureau woman sighed.

In her youth, she too had dreamed of this—but her school wasn't top-tier, let alone elite; she had no access to external resource channels.

Now that this powerful figure with deep connections had arrived, her faction, as the established interest group, would have to cede some of its privileges.

(End of Chapter)