Collapse Iron: The Five Heroes of the Clouds Won't Let Me Go

Huaiyan familiarly introduced Cheng Xiao to Luosigumu, and then his round mechanical eyes looked over.

"A pillar of strength, or rather, in terms of age among the Xianzhou people, Mr. Cheng Xiao is an outstanding junior of Xianzhou."

"You flatter me. It's just an exaggeration from an elder. Mr. Screws is the real genius."

"Heh, I've heard the name 'genius' far too often. It's meaningless to me personally now. Logically, we should cut to the chase and get to the point."

Huaiyan gestured: "Please!"

Upon arriving at the Heaven-Mending Hall, where Huaiyan is the principal, the group entered a huge conference room with a virtual projection in the center.

(The Palace of Mending Heaven: the site of the academy affiliated with the Bureau of Works of the Ming Dynasty, an architectural structure from the era of the Bureau of Mending Heaven.)

Huaiyan took out a specially made container, inside which was a lifelike golden star core.

"Everyone, this is the true form of the star core. It is extremely corrosive. I spent a long time researching it before I was able to create a container that could temporarily seal it. And it is still constantly eroding the inner shell of the container."

Screwgoom began to explain: "Everyone, I also obtained a star core from the Interstellar Peace Corporation, which is currently located on Screwgoom."

"The origin of the star core is still difficult to investigate, but I have published a document on its characteristics through interstellar broadcasting. Therefore, I came to Xianzhou mainly to extend an invitation."

"Conclusion: If someone from Zhuming Industrial Development Company can participate in the collaborative work on the Star Core Research, the company will increase its investment in the Immortal Boat Alliance."

Apart from the Xuling Immortal Boat, everyone else sent people to listen in. Luosigumu valued Zhu Ming the most because of his superior skill in mechanical ingenuity.

Screw Gumu has too much to do. The Star Core project has already taken up a lot of his time. He has provided the general direction and the initial work, so he will deliver the next research to the company or the Immortal Boat Alliance little by little.

Huaiyan strongly agreed with the plan proposed by Screw Gum, as the star core posed a great threat to the universe; otherwise, it wouldn't be called the "cancer of all worlds."

"Zhu Ming is naturally willing to cooperate, and we can discuss the details of the cooperation separately."

Screw Gum nodded:

"I am very grateful that the Fairy Boat Alliance has contributed to the cause of world peace. I am delighted."

"Then let me recount the new discovery of the stellar core. The conclusion is: the stellar core has the ability to assimilate destiny."

"Logic: When I place the Destiny Artifact and the Star Core together, the Star Core will develop the same properties. The power of its core will feed back and intensify the original Destiny Energy, enhancing, absorbing, and even promoting it."

"Conclusion: The stellar nucleus acts like an asexual catalyst, undergoing a specific transformation upon encountering something with special properties, which is quite amazing."

Screw Gumu finished explaining the special properties of the star core in a fluent, logical, and methodical manner. The envoys from various immortal ships took notes, preparing to store them in the database.

Cheng Xiao noticed that Luo Sigumu kept casting glances at him, but he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.

Huaiyan smiled and said, "That's all I have to say. You can all go back now. This was mainly to give you a briefing so that you can take good notes when you get back."

Things didn't happen so quickly, but it makes sense. Even geniuses can't fully analyze things like star cores, so there's no point in these people getting involved.

The reason for the deliberate gathering was probably to give Luo Sigu Mu the impression that "Xian Zhou attaches great importance to this."

"Mr. Cheng Xiao, please wait a moment. Would you mind having a private conversation with me?"

The others left one after another, but Cheng Xiao was called away by someone else.

Although somewhat doubtful, the opportunity to get closer to Screw Gum was certainly not to be missed.

A glint flashed in Huaiyan's eyes, and he said, "Since Mr. Screw Gum needs private space, I'll go to the Forging Palace first to see the craftsmen's skills."

After everyone left, Screw Gum took out a gear under Cheng Xiao's puzzled gaze.

It has intricate patterns, resembling semiconductor chips, or like the seal engraving used in Yuzhao.

(Yu Zhao is essentially a crystal computer, and its structure is engraved.)

"Mr. Cheng Xiao, this is a gift I'm giving you as a token of my friendship. This gear is part of my body structure; by possessing it, you will be a friend of all omnics."

"Mr. Screws, this is far too valuable. Why are you giving me this?"

Screw Gumu's face was expressionless, but Cheng Xiao could sense that he was smiling.

"Haha, Mr. Cheng Xiao, just call me Screw Gumu, no need for formalities. The logic is: I have my reasons for giving you this gift."

"You probably didn't even realize it yourself. Conclusion: You bear the mark of an omnic, or more precisely, the mark of an omnic creation from my time."

"Rest assured, this mark represents the recognition of the omnics. After the era of the omnic crisis, too many people no longer trust inorganic life. To receive this recognition shows that you are worthy of my friendship."

A million question marks popped into Cheng Xiao's mind: "You mean me? I didn't do anything!"

"Haha, please don't refuse. My judgment is correct. Conclusion: This mark comes from a good deed that you yourself never cared about."

Screw Gum gracefully removed his top hat, expressing his approval.

"Really? Well... alright, I'll gladly accept."

After Cheng Xiao accepted the gift, Luo Sigumu asked again:

"Judging from your facial expression, you didn't seem to realize anything during the conversation just now. Conclusion: Cheng Xiao, have you ever been in contact with the Star Core?"

Cheng Xiao couldn't help but admire Luo Si Gu Mu's keen observation skills once again, but since the two had established a connection, it wouldn't hurt to reveal some information.

"That's right, I did get one before, but I dealt with it."

"Oh? Question: How did you handle it?"

"I cannot go into details about that at the moment, but I can offer my assistance if you require it."

"I understand, that's your personal secret. Special abilities are never lacking. So, have you conducted any research on the star core?"

Cheng Xiao nodded, then broke through Luo Sigu's train of thought with a question.

"Screw Gum, have you ever considered that the Star Core is a creation of [Harmony]?"

Screw Gum's eyes flickered a few times.

"An interesting conjecture, with a logical basis: Some people previously believed that the sudden appearance of the star core was a manifestation of the will of the universe."

"But based on your thinking, considering the assimilation characteristics and the split-boundary phenomenon, this is a very likely conjecture."

Screw Gum raised his head and fell silent for about a minute.

"What's wrong, Screw Gum?"

"Sorry, but to state the conclusion first: I have made 380 deductions based on your ideas, and the results have been very encouraging. You have reignited my interest in the Star Core, and I am constantly generating new ideas."

"Conclusion: If the star nucleus is indeed a creation of 'Harmony,' then it can be used to discover a corner of 'Harmony,' the ultimate concept of the star sea, and the multiple star gods. These all intrigue me."

"As expected, my exploration of humanity was correct. Logically speaking, according to you, this is called 'fate,' and our meeting may also be preordained. Although most geniuses do not believe in these things, I, as an android, believe in the mysteries of this organic world."

"My friend marked by the omnic has opened up new ideas for me. Hehe, it's a pleasure to be your friend, Chengxiao."

Cheng Xiao scratched his head. Was it really that exaggerated? He was just explaining the original settings of the Star Core later.

————Joyful Mini-Theater————

Jing Yuan held the array blade, with a majestic aura behind him.

Before her stood Jingliu, his eyes bloodshot and lifeless, his blade icy cold.

"Master... no, Jingliu! You should have entered the Ten Kings' Division and entered Nirvana! Why did you still come to this? Why do you still wield the sword!"

The memories of laughing with his master, being scolded by his master, and countless other things flooded Jingyuan's mind.

The mirror flows silently, yet its sharp edge is fully revealed, no longer restrained.

A tear rolled down Jingyuan's cheek.

"Master... let me use this move to repay your kindness in teaching me!"

The enormous golden spirit swung its blade, and by the time Jing Yuan looked at the flattened area in front of him, Jing Liu was nowhere to be seen.

Was he dead? Or vanished? We have no way of knowing.

"Uncle-Master... if you were still here... wouldn't everything be different...?"

"Kyungwon really...misses you."

(Next episode: The Great Black Tower has its eye on us!)