Chapter 588: Who is Ji Ming's most beloved daughter?

Seeing Machinery Moon suddenly start to fidget with this, Ji Ming's heart stirred, and he tentatively asked.

So what you mean is…

The tall silicon-based lifeform stepped forward, pointing at the sky.

The will of Sun-Moon cannot leave this planet. May I ask if you would be willing to go with me to Machinery Moon for a talk? I want to clarify some things with you alone.

Don't!

Before Ji Ming could speak, the little boss panicked and desperately tried to stop him from leaving Sun-Moon Star.

I don't know how long it has trained in Zu'an, but it's basically a pure keyboard pianist, the characters it types almost filling his field of view.

But after some thought, Ji Ming did not comply with it; instead, he spoke frankly.

I have a plan; if things go wrong, at worst I'll just quit the game.

But

Rest assured, I will definitely do what I promised you; Sun-Moon Star forever belongs to the Sun-Moon people, that's the bottom line.

Besides, you're a friend of my Mother Earth; I'm just an ordinary person in the upper realm—I can't possibly betray my own world.

Seeing Ji Ming make such guarantees, the little boss, no matter how anxious, could only choose to keep his mouth shut.

Alright

Ji Ming accepting Machinery Moon's invitation is certainly not… at least not just for the chance to closely observe the once pure white planet after being mechanized.

But rather, based on the Sun-Moon Secret History he reconstructed after extensive research, the Dark Flame Empire's rise ten thousand years ago owed at least half its credit to a USB drive silently left behind by Machinery Moon.

If used for output, one could obtain countless miraculous technologies from alien worlds; if used for input, one could store the wisdom of generations of ancestors within it and then bestow it upon a successor, gradually cultivating a terrifying Sage King.

Logically, as alien invaders and the puppet regime propped up by the invaded, the two should join forces, together overturn Sun-Moon and turn it into their own… free paradise.

However, aside from when the war just began, Machinery Moon hastily sent several mechanical beasts to land near the Dark Flame Imperial Capital, seemingly having negotiated something with the Dark Flame Imperial Court.

Afterward, throughout the entire war, whether the Dark Flame Allied Army swept all before it, or the Bright Alliance Army launched a strong counteroffensive, and finally the extremely tragic grand battle that took place in the underground fortress between the two sides.

Throughout, Machinery Moon had no role to speak of.

If it weren't for his formal descent centuries later, using his panicked flight to prove to the world the strength of the suddenly risen Elf Clan, everyone would have suspected he died at home.

What does all this indicate?

This shows that, as an indirect founder of the Dark Flame Empire, Machinery Moon actually broke ties with this bunch of super-obsessed fanatics!

Then, when the Magic Emperor stages a comeback, aiming to replicate the old story and launch another world war to seize victorious conquest,

Yet Machinery Moon suddenly, in a proper and courteous manner, actively came to find Ji Ming, wanting to arrange a private chat; the hidden meaning behind this is certainly worth deep thought.

Hmm, if that's the case, then I'll go with you, Machinery Moon—just don't disappoint me.

So after weighing the pros and cons, Ji Ming, who dislikes adventure, ultimately chose to gladly accept.

Machinery Moon's face immediately broke into a governor-like bright and optimistic smile, the blue light in its eyes glowing a bit stronger.

No problem! Thank you for your trust, Upper God Sir—let's set off right away!

But just as Ji Ming was wondering how he would be taken to heaven, waiting to see Machinery Moon's spaceship or manned rocket,

Don't underestimate my intelligence network—you like big, hard, iron, right?

With a faint clatter of metal scraping, the Cybertronian before him… actually…!

It instantly transformed into a mech with a heavy realistic design style, carrying several guns on its back and a huge shield mounted on its arms!

Most importantly, it obediently lowered two hydraulic-support legs, actively showing Ji Ming its cockpit full of mechanical inner workings!

Then it quite responsively lit up each button inside, finally activating the linked monitor to display a huge screen filled with countless data!

Ji Ming: …

Savior!

Savior!!!

Ji Ming! You damn excited-at-machinery attitude!!!!!

Perhaps it's indeed an ironclad rule that childhood sweethearts lose to heavenly arrivals; the little boss instantly flared up, even blurting out the hard truth.

However, Ji Ming merely replied softly: 'Shh, can you bear to break this tranquility?'

Then he walked toward the mech that Machinery Moon had transformed into, and together they shot up from the ground, breaking through the atmosphere with their steel bodies as a lone warrior.

Ji Ming! If you don't go back, I'll tell AdaiEr and the others that the reason you haven't responded is because you've been treating them like your daughters!

Not listening, huh? You believe I'll privately send your collection to Buluowa?

I'm giving you one last chance!

The little boss refused to relent, hurling insults and nitpicking all the way in his field of view.

Until Machinery Moon reached the dissipating layer of Sun-Moon's atmosphere, its influence as the planet's will gradually waned, whereupon it let out a defeated-sounding remark.

Alright I believe you, goodbye!

Then it disconnected.

…Pfft,

Ji Ming had been holding it in all along, but seeing this he still failed the challenge and couldn't help but laugh.

And seeing the Upper God suddenly laugh, Machinery Moon's mechanical synthesized voice also came from the speaker above his head.

I noticed your Sun-Moon blessing has disappeared—was it just saying goodbye to you?

After glancing at the game system, contaminated by contact with his higher-dimensional existence yet still running normally, and the ever-lit 【Exit Game】 button, Ji Ming shrugged.

Probably; it's always chattering.

Machinery Moon didn't chat; instead, it began altering its flight posture and direction, running all nozzles at maximum power, speeding toward that distant white blur in deep space.

Unlike the Moon, as a satellite completely overhauled by silicon-based life and fully covered in metal, Machinery Moon looks much brighter, like a mirror.

But now, as Ji Ming rode a space-capable mech to its upper atmosphere for close observation, he discovered that Machinery Moon's surface was actually not as smooth as he imagined.

Quite the opposite, its surface is actually covered with various pipelines, gun emplacements, missile launch bays, and other structures and towers of unknown purpose.

And it is not static either; countless transport vehicles, wheeled mechanical dogs, and huge mechanical arms are almost continuously operating within it.

If one must find a neat and quiet place, it would probably be those photovoltaic pastures everywhere, constantly absorbing and converting solar radiation energy.

If this were a movie or a game CG shot, Ji Ming would surely marvel at the behind-the-scenes team's superb technique.

But all this is an objective fact, and it is precisely this beautiful white that has kept a magic civilization, just a step away from chasing dreams across the star sea, trapped in its own cradle for over a hundred thousand years, nearly extinguishing itself in endless internal consumption and strife.

""

However, there wasn't much time for Ji Ming to lament; Machine Moon's execution efficiency was high, and this mecha quickly landed on a launch and landing pad, stable enough to be called silky smooth.

Machine Moon is a hive mind; everything on this planet is actually an extension of its will.

So when the cockpit reopened, there outside was a mechanical attendant whose form was closer to a human's and more likable, waiting.

Upper God, please!

And after he stepped out of the cockpit, this mecha over ten meters tall automatically moved toward the nearby maintenance station, beginning maintenance under the encirclement of several mechanical arms.

Ji Ming paid particular attention; the few similar maintenance stations nearby were all empty, estimating that such a formidable Machine Moon comparable to a level ninety powerhouse wouldn't have many left.

The attendant naturally noticed Ji Ming's gaze and slightly bowed.

"It would be my honor if you like it, but regrettably, even though I have tried to be frugal and even attempted to cobble together, only three Void-Shattering Rippers can be activated; therefore, to ensure this unit's safety, I cannot relinquish any of them before receiving your promise."

This is roughly what Ji Ming guessed; since even Yang Moon, with more cards and greater leeway, inevitably entered a dark age after over a hundred thousand years of consumption, how much more so for Machine Moon, hanging alone in the heavens with only a tiny satellite as its foothold?

He could even boldly assume that this vast empty area, with only one Void-Shattering Ripper and a few transport vehicles docked, was probably an extremely luxurious armory back then.

But Machine Moon's latter remark is worth pondering: not being able to relinquish without a promise... this is clearly using the Void-Shattering Ripper as bait, painting a big pie for him!

However, Ji Ming did not immediately respond, but followed him silently to a nearby reception room that appeared to have just been cleaned and renovated.

"Esteemed Upper God, I have specially collected some special resources that should suit your taste; please enjoy."

Following the etiquette displayed by the players, this cold observer poured Ji Ming a cup... wow, it's actually tea!

Besides the hot tea, there was also a robot with a more feminine figure, presumably playing a maid, bringing some pastries Ji Ming was very familiar with, as well as... well, a small cake whose cream had already begun to dry.

Probably to liven the atmosphere, Machine Moon somewhat stiffly opened a hell-themed joke of its own.

"Funny to say, although over a hundred thousand years have passed, you are actually the first distinguished guest this unit has received after drifting into this universe."

"——If we don't count the barbaric, crude, and bloodthirsty Yang Moon People from eighty thousand years ago."

Ji Ming pondered briefly, recalling that what he referred to was likely that absolute madman, the God Slayer.

It's no wonder Machine Moon still remembers that guy to this day; after all, he was arguably the strongest Yang Moon Person in history.

Single-handedly slaughtering nearly all the Thus we will have Cultivation: Zhen Shen of Yang Moon Star, and nearly tearing apart the prime Machine Moon on the spot—an invincible existence.

Considering that even at his death he kept growing stronger, he would likely be a dominant figure even if placed in the Superhero Universe.

Haha.

After politely laughing twice to indicate he understood, Ji Ming was not polite either.

Eating and drinking, he thoroughly enjoyed the service of the mechanical attendant, experiencing the feeling of having afternoon tea in Guanghan Palace.

And Machine Moon was also very patient, waiting until Ji Ming had eaten and drunk his fill before letting the attendant and maid clean the table, after which a more formal-looking negotiation robot entered.

"May I ask..."

"Rest assured, since you treat me with courtesy, I will naturally treat you with courtesy as well."

Ji Ming glanced at him and gave a slight smile.

"Although I cannot guarantee that our relationship will ease after this negotiation, I can guarantee that during this negotiation I will hold no prejudice against you."

"That's enough, thank you."

Machine Moon said no more, controlling the ceiling's projection device to cast its image into the air above the table before Ji Ming.

"Then, please allow me to tell you my story."

Like time flowing backward, its mechanically constructed outer skin was slowly peeled apart, deciphered, and reassembled into a magnificent interstellar fleet.

Yang Moon was not the first civilization in this universe, nor was Machine Moon the first extraterrestrial invader.

Since even on such an ordinary, unremarkable small planet, a protracted war of magic versus machinery lasting over a hundred thousand years could erupt.

If one expands one's gaze to this entire horizontally infinite, vertically infinite multiverse with several dimensions, weighty existences are naturally countless.

And among them, the outstanding ones can stir up a dark turmoil capable of affecting several universes with just a flick of a finger, producing an extremely terrifying cosmic disaster.

For regardless of whether their stance is objectively good or evil, they will produce a profound and unknown terrible influence on everything they contact.

Thus, in the shared narrative of countless multiverse-level mighty civilizations, these great horrors possess an ancient collective designation—【Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations】.

And in a universe infinitely distant from Yang Moon Star, there once arose a technological civilization with an extremely strong expansionist drive, entirely risen from slaughter.

Following the creed of "Only I am supreme, my clan above all," they indiscriminately slaughtered all civilizations in that universe, then developed technology capable of crossing into other parallel universes, launching a grand interstellar invasion.

But unfortunately, although their conduct is more extreme than even the most savvy Paradox players, they lack a control panel to wipe their own foolish actions.

Thus, after slaughtering several weak parallel universes, they finally got what they deserved, attracting a joint strangling by several equally capable interstellar-traveling powerful civilizations.

Then came a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering, extraordinarily lively parallel universe melee, with flames spreading from stellar flashes to the edges of black holes, even wearing down the Great Dao.

But in the end, evil did not prevail over good; under a righteous encirclement by over ten civilizations, even other multiverses participating, that mad civilization was directly driven back to its own universe.

But since they are madmen, how could they possibly resign themselves to defeat?

Therefore, when facing imminent extermination, this group of talents actually conceived an even more mad idea—unite as one, mechanical ascension!