CHAPTER 1176: CHAPTER 171: THE COLLAPSE OF THE HEAVENS, PART 3

Compared to the impoverished and educationally backward Western Star Domain, the economically developed Central Star Domain, with its numerous advanced educational institutions, can quickly find more suitable personnel. They possess better talents, greater strength, and are more numerous.

The holy song echoed in the venue, and a pale silver halo lit up from Ores, spreading across the field. Their mental consciousness gradually converged, resonating, and the chorus sounded like layers of blossoming silver lotus waves, continuously spreading.

At the same moment, in the corner of the Floral Crown Star Domain.

The dark silver giant humanoid weapon accelerated incessantly, slicing through the sky with a peculiar whistling sound. The four diamond-shaped flying wings on its back emitted a gradient red light, cutting through the atmosphere, endowing this massive weapon with unimaginable agility.

It performed rapid aerial spins, dashes, and dives, showcasing various high-difficulty combat maneuvers in an incredibly smooth and fluid manner. Eventually, this mecha swooped down to the ground, decelerating under the thrust from the jet ports in front of its shoulders, and landed slowly.

A half minute later, the back hatch of the mecha opened, and a young girl stepped out, removing the dark gold helmet, revealing her smooth long hair with a gentle shake.

Tilan stood on the protruding high-altitude bridge, glanced back at the now inactive mecha, then leaped down from the dozens of meters high platform, entering the building’s hall next to it.

Shortly after entering, she was surrounded by a group of researchers and medical staff, then sat on the examination table in the laboratory to undergo checks for various bodily data.

"All indicators are within the normal range." A few minutes later, she stood up, with personnel beside her reporting.

"You truly are a treasure bestowed by the Divine, Hecate." A nearby researcher with glasses set down the recording board.

"Alright, Professor Xia Mu, there’s no need for daily compliments." Tilan glanced around the laboratory, found the water dispenser in the corner, and took a sip.

"Is there any progress in the research?"

"So far, there’s some sign of progress, but a good integration of both companies’ technologies will still require a considerable amount of time." The professor adjusted his glasses. He appeared to be in his thirties and was the most top-tier researcher in the institute, currently part of Spiritual Sequence 7.

"Dark Silver exhibits great resistance to spatial distortion vibrations, allowing the mecha to traverse rapidly between spatial rifts, meaning it can continuously blink on the battlefield, initiating attacks and evading. This kind of ability is simply overwhelming for ordinary mecha."

"But the energy consumption must be sky-high, and ordinary mecha wouldn’t withstand several spatial traversals before falling apart." Tilan slightly criticized, realizing that while the current concept is impressive, its realization is not easy.

"During the experimental stage, we don’t need to consider costs too much, as long as the target effect is reached. Reducing costs for production line manufacturing is the company’s concern." Professor Xia Mu pulled out the pen from his collar, then pointed at the wall to project the current mecha blueprint data.

"Our institute aims to develop the most elite specialized ace mecha. If it were solely for obtaining higher kill data in war, there wouldn’t be any need for existence at all."

"As an ace mecha, its role is not to kill a few more ordinary enemies, but to achieve larger strategic goals, such as various surprise attacks, completing special missions in fierce battlefields, rescuing key individuals from crises, etc."

The two continued discussing quite a bit, occasionally joined by other researchers in the laboratory.

"I heard that currently, there are protests and demonstrations across the Central Star Domain, and you all seem to never be concerned." Tilan thought of the shocking news she recently learned.

"Oh, you’re talking about the Western Star Domain’s situation, huh? Indeed, we’re not very concerned; it’s too far away." Xia Mu took a sip of coffee, watching the data absent-mindedly as he replied.

"The defense system of the Floral Crown Star Domain is far stronger than the outside world speculates. There are no fewer than six ’God Simulators’ dormant in the fortress cities. Back in the day, they were used as weapons to ’slay gods.’ A single Sunlit Level Songstress is far from a threat here. In past civil wars, the losing side didn’t lack Sunshine-level Songstresses."

"However, like you said, the Federation indeed has significant problems at present. But I am merely a mecha researcher; caring about it won’t change anything. Those political issues are left to the big figures to worry about."

Tilan pondered this for a moment, then asked curiously, "If the Western Star Domain fleet were to reach the Central Star Region, would the Third Fleet of the Floral Crown Star Domain be deployed?"

"No." Xia Mu’s gaze remained unchanged as he answered almost instinctively.

"I know the military well; I’ve spent time in the Third Fleet before. They wouldn’t abandon the Floral Crown Star Domain. Here lies not only the Federation’s legacy secrets but also the body of Her Highness Emuralin, ’Cobalt Blue Tears,’ preserved in the deepest underground of the fortress city. As the Third Fleet that was reconstructed and empowered with spiritual faith by ’Cobalt Blue Tears,’ they wouldn’t abandon this place."

"If the day of the decisive battle truly arrives, the entire fortress city planet will act in unison with the Third Fleet. Additionally, the ultimate weapon within the fortress city would be activated. I’m not exactly sure what that is, but based on various rumors, it should be a legacy left by the Mechanical Council from the Transcender Era."

"I see..." Tilan looked at the projected star map on the wall screen.

"The Federation remains powerful indeed."

This power is both the cornerstone of stability and a shackle for reform. Even those high-level figures with vested interests find it difficult to shake the frame of this formidable political system. All they can do is act like parasites, clinging to this giant whale, gnawing at its flesh and corpse.