The system is four years ahead of schedule, but Weird is still a cub.

"Just call me Consul."

Shen Ge waved his hand and then issued a new order:

"Kyle, Roca, tally the casualties, arrange for the fallen brothers... give them a proper burial. Their families will be provided with compensation by 'Iron Heart'."

“Hephaestus, Ellie, submit the preliminary analysis data of the ‘Reaper’ wreckage to me immediately. I need you to set up a new project team right away to apply the ‘Mechanical Infection’ technology to our ‘Raider’ series and ‘Iron Heart’ itself!”

As he spoke, Shen Ge tossed a bizarre, fist-sized mass of flesh and blood to Hephaestus, which terrified him.

I thought I was about to be corrupted by the strange energy, but when I received it, I found that my hand did not touch the strange flesh and blood remains, but was blocked by an invisible barrier.

"Alai, inform 'Iron Heart' to prepare for departure."

After everything was arranged, Shen Ge returned alone to the main laboratory of the research station, shielding himself from all external interference. He needed to digest the benefits brought by this "devouring" as soon as possible.

He brought up the system panel, which he hadn't looked at closely in a long time, and it was undergoing tremendous changes.

In addition to the changes in his basic attributes, he also gained three attribute enhancement points, but he hasn't decided which attribute to enhance yet.

In addition, after devouring the Reaper's complete heart and remains, the system's "devouring" also removed the Reaper's impurities and extracted the artificial characteristics of "mechanical contamination".

[“Mechanical Infection”: A bizarre, artificial characteristic (Sequence 3).]

A man-made, bizarre characteristic similar to "three heads and six arms"?
Needless to say, it was either the work of some eccentric organization from the old era or something created by those guys from the New God Cult. The identity of this "Reaper" became immediately clear.

[The host can consume supernatural energy to release nanoscale "biomechanical spores." These spores possess an extremely strong affinity for and ability to modify inorganic substances (especially metals), transforming ordinary metals into "living alloys" with biological activity and self-repair capabilities.]

[Derivative Ability – "Armed Spawning": Within the area covered by the "Living Alloy," the host can use their will to consume supernatural energy to create temporary weapons, armor, or tentacles. The complexity and strength of the construct are directly proportional to the amount of supernatural energy consumed.]

"A good trait." Shen Ge's lips curled up slightly. This ability was practically tailor-made for "Iron Heart".

If Shen Ge wanted to, he could arm a whole unit of magical armored warriors in no time.

Just as he closed the system panel, Hephaestus's communication request came in. In the holographic projection, the genius scientist's eyes were bloodshot, but his spirit was at its peak.

"Sir! The preliminary data analysis is in!"

Hephaestus waved his arms excitedly: "'The Reaper's' biological structure is simply a miracle! It's not just a simple patchwork of flesh and machinery, but rather a unified code at the genetic level. Every cell is both a biological unit and a microprocessor and energy converter. If... if we could reverse engineer this technology..."

"What do you mean?" Shen Ge asked.

“Then the ‘Iron Heart’ can truly ‘come alive’!” Hephaestus’s voice trembled with excitement.

survived?
Shaking sack!

Shen Ge suddenly had a bad feeling. He felt that if Hephaestus continued his research, the next man-made anomaly would be the "Iron Heart".

Hephaestus continued excitedly, "We no longer need to use pipes to transport energy; the metal of the hull itself can become an energy conductor. We no longer need repair robots to patch up damage; they can heal themselves like wounds. We can even 'grow' the turrets and armor we need on its 'skin' anytime, anywhere!"

This crazy idea coincides with the "mechanical contamination" characteristic that Shen Ge just acquired as an artificial entity, except...

Li Xiang, who was "realistic," had originally been inclined to research in this area, but Deng Yuqi managed to stop him.

Well, Shen Ge has created another one in this world.

However, it was Hephaestus who proposed the study of "mechanical contamination," and now that the other party has made some progress, it is somewhat unreasonable to extinguish it.

Shen Ge also wanted to see if, if they continued to study in the direction of Hephaestus, they could really create a "man-made Ghost King" like the New God Cult.
“Well… alright then.” Shen Ge didn’t want to dampen Hephaestus’s enthusiasm, so he continued, “Then you can start the ‘Iron Heart Living Body’ transformation project. I’ll give you the highest level of authority and all the resources you need… Oh, you’re already the chief researcher, so you have the highest level of authority. So you can do whatever you want, or rather, just do what you think is best and don’t mess up ‘Iron Heart’.”

"Yes! Praise be to Omnesia!" Hephaestus bowed fervently and was about to cut off the communication to devote himself to his research.

……

Half a day later, on a newly cleared flat area on the Root Continent.

All members of "Iron Heart" gathered here, having taken off their combat and research uniforms and changed into simple black clothing.

In the center of the flat land, two coffins stood silently, woven by the roots of the [Root of the World]. The two raider warriors who perished in the crash could not even have their remains found; their belongings were placed in the coffins instead.

There were no lengthy eulogies, nor any mournful wails. In this precarious world, death has long been a commonplace occurrence.

If it weren't for the appearance of Shen Ge and "Iron Heart", the deaths of these two heroes wouldn't even have been able to receive a complete ceremony.

After the ceremony, everyone returned to the "Iron Heart".

Hephaestus then began to modify the "Iron Heart".

The transformation lasted for two months. If the previous "Iron Heart" was a cobbled-together "scrap metal" sea fortress, it has now been transformed into a steel behemoth.

The entire city's outer shell is covered by a layer of dark gold "living alloy".

Within the gaps of the alloy, the verdant vines of the [Root of the World] extend like nerve veins, shimmering softly in the sunlight.

The enormous "Eden" ecological capsule was moved to the top of the city, forming a huge dome. Its internal energy cycle has been perfectly integrated with the entire city.

The "Raiders" legion has also undergone a radical transformation.

The brand-new "Raider-III" mech has been officially put into service.

Its shape is more streamlined, and the armor surface is covered with a bio-coating that can simulate ambient light, perfectly balancing defense and stealth.

Its core power source was developed by Ellie's team and is provided by the "Type III Bio-Battery" that incorporates the "Reaper" energy conversion technology, which increases the battery life by a full five times.

Most importantly, each Predator III has established a deep neural link with Hermes, the master AI of Ironheart.

The pilot can not only obtain real-time information about the entire battlefield, but can also hand over some of the machine's control to "Hermes" for assistance in a short period of time, thus achieving theoretical "human-machine integration" combat.

This suggestion came from Shen Ge, because he knew very well that human attention spans were far shorter than those of artificial intelligence. This was his way of interacting with Xiao Qi, who had saved him many times at crucial moments. Speaking of Xiao Qi, it's that time of year again—1096 days of missing her…

In front of Xiaoqi, "Hermes" was like a newborn.

If Shen Ge can find Xiao Qi, then the technological level of "Iron Heart" can double again in a short period of time.

On this day, the revitalized "Iron Heart" set sail once again after bidding farewell to the "Caregivers".

Inside the central command hall, Shen Ge summoned all the core members.

The reason they gathered here this time is to attempt to crack Ark Zero after the upgrade of "Iron Heart".

Sitting at the head of the table, Shen Ge turned his gaze to the chief researcher of Iron Heart: "Hephaestus, the computing power of 'Hermes' is now vastly different from what it used to be. Have you reached any new conclusions regarding 'Ark Zero' and that hibernation pod?"

"Yes, my lord."

Hephaestus pushed up his glasses, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement: "After absorbing the core data of the 'Reaper,' Hermes' biological parallel computing power has increased three hundredfold. Through billions of simulations of the hibernation chamber's energy cycle model, we have finally found a theoretically feasible awakening scheme."

He pulled up a complex energy structure diagram.

“Our previous thinking was wrong. This hibernation pod is not a ‘cage’, but may even be a protective device for that woman.”

"In other words, what we saw and the 'truth' back then may have been just the old man's fabrication. We cannot verify the truth behind it, but at least we can prove that the old man and the woman were not in harmony, and according to the old man, they did belong to different 'camps'."

"Therefore, I can deduce that the woman is not a 'traitor,' but rather that her faction wanted to protect her, which is why they created this hibernation pod. Our previous attempts to forcibly break into it or inject energy into it were all judged as attacks by the hibernation pod's defense mechanism."

"Even if it was opened, it was impossible to wake her up normally. Every cell in her body was vibrating in sync with the life support system of the hibernation pod at a unique frequency. This was confirmed after we put her back into the hibernation pod and then monitored her comprehensively."

Shen Ge nodded upon hearing this. Very good. The conclusion he reached was similar to what Li Xiang had discussed when talking about a certain project. In any case, no one else could understand it at all.

"So what do you plan to do?" Shen Ge asked bluntly.

Hephaestus replied, "Resonance awakens."

“We need to create an external energy field that perfectly replicates the resonant frequency of the unique ‘biomechanical’ hybrid energy within her body. When the two frequencies are completely synchronized, the hibernation chamber’s defense mechanism will temporarily fail, and we will be able to ‘shake’ her awake from her slumber without harming her.”

Ellie frowned and said, "How can we capture and simulate this frequency? The slightest deviation could have disastrous consequences."

"That's the key!"

Hephaestus pointed to two dots on the screen: "We couldn't do it before because we lacked two things. First, 'bioenergy' comparable to the Forerunner technology; second, 'mechanical logic' that can precisely control energy output."

His eyes gleamed with confidence: "But now, we have the pure life essence provided by the [Root of the World], and we have also mastered the 'Reaper's' biomechanical technology that fuses at the genetic level. We now possess all the materials to create this key!"

“Very good.” Shen Ge nodded, clearly satisfied with the answer Hephaestus had given.

Perhaps if things continue this way, he might actually find a way to activate Ark Zero, and then he might have the chance to return to "reality" before he even reaches the far north to find the dream fragments.

……

"The injection of life essence is stable, and the energy flow is maintained at a safe threshold."

"'Reaper' bio-module is operating normally, and frequency simulation has been started."

"Hermes is conducting the final round of data verification... Verification complete! Error rate less than one in a billion!"

Hephaestus took a deep breath, looked at Shen Ge who was quietly observing from the side, and said seriously, "My lord, everything is ready."

Shen Ge nodded: "Let's begin."

As Hephaestus pressed the start button, the [Resonance Generator] emitted a deep hum. An invisible energy field spread out, enveloping the entire hibernation pod.

The light in the laboratory began to become unstable, and countless tiny sounds seemed to echo in the air.

On the surface of the hibernation chamber, the ancient silver patterns flickered on and off under the stimulation of the energy field, and the frequency of their flickering was being captured and synchronized by "Hermes" little by little.

Time ticked by, and everyone's hearts were in their throats.

"Frequency synchronization rate...70%!"

"85%!"

"99%!"

"Beep——!"

The moment the synchronization rate reaches 100%, a crisp unlocking sound rings out.

Then, the smooth metal surface inside the hibernation pod unfolded, revealing more than a dozen "syringes," which simultaneously injected some kind of drug into the woman's body.

Shen Ge's eerie eyes detected strange energy fluctuations in those potions, indicating that they were likely some kind of strange energy potions.

Just as Hephaestus had guessed, the woman showed no signs of waking up after they had "violently" opened the hibernation pod.

It turns out that there was something in the hibernation pod that could wake her up.

Strangely, after the entire potion of supernatural energy was injected into the woman's body, she still did not wake up. Instead, all the data on the instrument screens instantly went to zero and were replaced by a chaotic, undecipherable jumble of characters.

Hermes' biological core sounded a piercing alarm; its computational logic was being assaulted by a higher-level information flow!

"What's going on?" Hephaestus exclaimed in shock.

"Step back!" Shen Ge shouted, taking a step forward and blocking everyone's way.

Only the invisible barrier formed by the ghostly domain, separating the hibernation pod from the woman lying inside, was able to block the terrifying ghostly energy from encroaching upon them. (End of Chapter)