Chapter 198:

[You made multiple trips, successfully transporting the production machine’s components back to your underground laboratory]

[You attempted to assemble the production machine]

[Your methods were too rough, and the Machine Spirit seemed slightly displeased]

[Eventually, after some struggles, you managed to put the machine together, ensuring a stable source of sustenance in the wasteland]

[Energy was scarce, but fortunately, the machine came with solar panels. You found a secluded hollow where sunlight streamed down, perfectly meeting your needs]

[Due to the Machine Spirit’s displeasure, you had to endure a month of foul-tasting food]

[However, you did not mind. You understood that mere survival in such a world was already a blessing]

[Time passed, and your plans evolved]

[With your basic survival needs met, you turned your focus to enhancing your strength]

[Unlike previous simulations where you relied on self-cultivation to grow stronger, this time your situation was different—you had to continuously learn and operate various machines, using Mechanical Resonance to grasp their principles]

…

[Machine Spirit’s Delight, Mechanical Resonance—you established a connection with the mechanical arms and successfully understood their operation]

[You gradually found yourself controlling the mechanical arms with increasing ease]

[Machine Spirit’s Delight, Mechanical Resonance—long-term use of the production machine allowed you to comprehend its workings]

[The food and water it produced began to taste better]

[Your prolonged use of the Gauss twin guns greatly pleased the Gun Spirit]

[Your shooting accuracy improved significantly—nine out of ten shots hit the target, even without precise aiming]

[You slowly began to understand the design principles behind the Gauss twin guns]

…

[Second year of simulation—you are now 21 years old]

[You successfully survived another year in the AI-infested ruins, thanks mostly to your cautious approach]

[You became immersed in the pursuit of knowledge]

[It felt as if the universe itself was opening its doors to you]

[Living alone for so long did not make you feel lonely. The vast collection of technological artifacts in the underground lab kept you busy and fascinated]

[You realized that this might be the true joy of learning]

[Your talent was extraordinary. In just one year, you grew from a novice into a knowledgeable researcher]

[Aside from your growing knowledge, you discovered an unexpected surprise]

[The synergy of Machine Spirit’s Delight and Mechanical Resonance caused subtle changes in your body, enhancing your physical capabilities to rival those of genetically enhanced warriors]

[You found yourself able to enhance mechanical performance at will]

[This new and unique ability, which you named “Mechanical Power,” granted you significant advantages]

[A mysterious force seemed to be watching over you, amplifying your Mechanical Power tenfold. A sudden cold breeze sent shivers down your spine, as if something unseen was observing you]

…

[Third year of simulation—you are now 22 years old]

[Unbelievable—you are practically a superhuman]

[Your knowledge base is staggering, and you have comprehended most of the machines in the lab, with only a few complex ones still eluding you]

[“The power of the golden attributes is truly terrifying!”]

[You marveled at this simulation, filled with amazement]

[Knowledge is power—it dispels ignorance and reveals the true world to you]

[After long-term research and learning, you discovered that your current location is the Sixth Satellite City in the southern region of the federation]

[It was neither a major metropolis nor an important spaceport]

[You felt relieved. Had you ended up in a key city, you might have faced AI-controlled starships—an impossible challenge for a mere human]

[Could you win?]

[Your answer was clear: Certain death]

[You began utilizing your newfound knowledge to modify your underground lab, attempting to repair damaged systems such as water, electricity, lighting, and power armor]

[Your progress was steady, but during your work, you gradually realized an unavoidable truth]

[There are limits to human capabilities]

…

On the surface, the bright sunlight reflected off wandering metal monstrosities, making them gleam brilliantly.

Underground, in the dimly lit space, Xu Xi’s calloused hands carefully worked on the new circuits.

Between the gaps in the rubble, silence reigned.

Collapsed buildings formed chaotic barriers, blocking sunlight from reaching the underground.

The few places where light seeped in were occupied by solar panels, greedily absorbing every bit of energy. Some even stretched to the surface, silently collecting power.

Green moss slowly crept through the cracks in the ruins, providing Xu Xi with scarce fresh air.

“I hope this works; otherwise, my research efficiency will plummet,” Xu Xi muttered as he completed his final adjustment.

Clad in his worn clothes, he slowly stepped back.

A large, smooth mechanical structure stood before him.

Its silver-white exterior was covered with numerous slots and interwoven wires that flickered under his gaze.

“I alone have my limits.”

“Machine Spirit’s Delight and Mechanical Resonance can enhance my learning speed, but they can’t compensate for my human limitations.”

“I’m still just one person. There’s only so much I can do.”

“I can’t take on the countless AI threats by myself, nor can I process all the experimental data in my mind.”

Xu Xi’s eyes were filled with contemplation as he gazed at the silver-white machine.

With a cautious breath, he pressed the activation switch.

Scientific advancement—this vast and sacred tree of knowledge—was never meant to be tackled alone.

Xu Xi urgently needed assistance to manage the day-to-day tasks of his lab and provide combat support.

He had explored almost everything the lab had to offer.

To advance further, he needed to venture to the surface, to study and analyze the AI roaming the ruins.

Thus, he scavenged through the lab’s junk and found a severely damaged robot, hoping to use its core as an auxiliary AI.

“It’s a pity…”

“A lab of this caliber should have an advanced supercomputer.”

“But all I found were remnants of ordinary machines.”

Beep. Beep.

Xu Xi watched as the solar energy gradually activated the robot’s core.

To be cautious, he had removed all of its components beforehand.

Now, gripping his Gauss twin guns tightly, he remained on high alert, ready to react if the machine turned hostile.

With a click, Xu Xi quietly cocked his Gauss gun.

The machine whirred to life, and its long-dormant voice module crackled, producing an unpleasant, high-pitched sound.

“Household Autonomous Robot RTX-9090—initiating self-diagnostics…”