Chapter 53: Chapter 51: I’m Not Yet Strong, But When I am, Things Will Change!_1

Translator: 549690339

[Talent: Undying Barehand]

[Effect: When your mecha shatters in combat, you can draw from its attributes and modules, permanently gaining the corresponding enhancements.]

[The enhancement multiplier will increase with the mecha’s quality, with a base of one.]

This was Jiang Chen’s talent effect and the reason he pursued high quality mechas—

With ordinary-quality mechas, even if they were damaged in combat, he could only absorb attributes at a single multiplier.

Without switching to a new mecha, the increase in combat power before and after an expanded armor wasn’t significant.

Only the defense became stronger.

But when the mecha’s quality was raised to Excellent, the absorption multiplier also increased to three!

In such cases, when the enemy finally shattered his mecha in battle, his strength didn’t decrease but rose instead, violently running rampant!

Not only that, high-quality mechas’ base attributes were naturally higher than those of lower quality.

Combined with multiple absorption…

The absorption efficiency of an Excellent-quality mecha seemed like three times.

But in reality, each time it was damaged was worth five or even six times that of an ordinary quality mecha!

Therefore, diligently strengthening mechas to push their attributes and quality to the peak of each rank was definitely not futile.

On the contrary, this was the most efficient and fastest way to grow.

Not thinking about strengthening mechas, but using the lowest quality mecha, constantly fighting and damaging it to accumulate attributes and rise in rank…

Who knows how much extra time would be needed to make up for such a gap.

“The known mecha qualities on Planet Blue Star include Ordinary, Fine, Excellent, Flawless, Perfect, Epic, Mythical…”

“If I could own a Mythical mecha, triggering my talent once would yield a sevenfold enhancement!”

“Trigger it twice, and everything’s supercharged!”

Jiang Chen gazed at the purple and white giant before him, his eyes growing ever softer.

Zero, your master will definitely invest all the resources in you guys, making you godlike mechas.

As for me, I might as well just be a passable internal fixture of a godlike mecha.

Although Jiang Chen remained silent, he couldn’t suppress his smile.

Senior Ruan was also relieved.

It seemed the mecha upgrade had gone very well; it must have reached Excellent quality and awakened an upgrade module.

Yet another top-tier mecha was born.

However, Ruan Mingyu had no intention of probing the mecha’s attributes.

That was each mecha pilot’s secret.

Even high rank mecha pilots who would share some blueprints and their paths…

…mostly shared outdated low-ranked blueprints that wouldn’t affect current mecha intelligence.

She saw that Jiang Chen had finally stopped checking the information and retracted the mecha back into the Abyss Rune.

Only then did she speak.

“Zero has completed the upgrade; next, it’s time to load modules and strengthen attributes.”

“However, I’ve been busy strengthening mechas lately and have expended a lot of energy.”

“I plan to rest for a couple of days to recover.”

“If you want to strengthen your mecha, I can introduce you to other high rank mecha pilots…”

But Jiang Chen shook his head.

“Thank you, Senior Ruan, but there’s no need to trouble yourself.”

“Since I reached 1st Rank, I’ve unlocked a new trait slot and plan to use a trait to communicate with the mecha soul…”

“With that, I can start learning about strengthening and forging knowledge and strengthen my mecha myself.”

Strengthening mechas, fusing materials, communicating with mecha souls…

These details often require hands-on experience to grasp more precisely.

Especially when not following the blueprints and creating a unique path for the mecha.

If one can’t precisely grasp the elements of the mecha, a reduction in potential is a minor issue, but deviating from the path during evolution is irreversible.

You can only continue down the wrong path.

Last time, Ruan Mingyu had discussed this issue with Jiang Chen.

“That’s even better.”

“But don’t rush to use the trait just yet.”

“There are many traits for communicating with the mecha soul, among them the most perfect is [Mechanical Soul] trait produced at the 6th layer of the abyss.”

“It not only offers perfect mecha soul communication effects but also allows for a temporary fusion with the mecha soul, enhancing the mecha’s prowess…”

“However, the abyss carbon copy that produces it is very challenging, with a low drop rate and high demand, often out of stock…”

“I’ll ask for you. If the alliance doesn’t have any in stock, you’ll need to find someone to run the copy for it.”

“Thank you, Senior Ruan!”

Jiang Chen immediately agreed.

Since he was going to communicate with the mecha soul, naturally, he’d choose the best effect trait!

As for hiring a 6th Rank mecha pilot to explore the abyss and acquire the trait for a fee…

As long as you have the capability to clear high-difficulty abysses, you can acquire rare materials and barter with them.

After all, high rank mecha pilots also need to build new mechas.

Premium modules never go out of style!

There’s also the time required to acquire the trait…

Jiang Chen isn’t in a big rush.

If the 0th Rank is the newbie phase that can be speedrun in two days,

Then after breaking through to the 1st Rank, the world of a mecha pilot has completely opened up to him.

Next, there are so many things Jiang Chen can do.

Learn to strengthen, learn forging, move and establish a personal base, open a shop in Xuntian City, cultivate the second mecha, improve attributes, challenge Hell difficulty, abyss carbon copies…

“Strive, sediment!”

“I’m not yet powerful, but when I am, changes will come!”

Senior Ruan quickly inquired through remote communication.

Learning that there’s no [Mechanical Soul] trait available within the alliance, but someone had put up a trade offer on the international trading platform.

However, after contacting the seller, the person quoted an exorbitant price.

Requesting a specific 7th Rank premium module in exchange.

You must understand, the deeper layers of Age-Old Shadow become increasingly difficult.

Moreover, the number of high rank mecha pilots is far lower than that of low-ranked mecha pilots.

Therefore, the price of materials produced by high-difficulty abysses remains exceedingly high.

Even though the [Mechanical Soul] trait is quite precious, its value is nowhere near that of a specific 7th Rank premium module.

Senior Ruan directly shut off the communication and said to Jiang Chen.

“This person’s asking price is too outrageous, I should help you look for a 6th Rank mecha pilot instead.”

“If you get the drop yourself, it might take an extra two days, but the price could be halved.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Chen nodded, then asked curiously.

“If a 6th Rank mecha pilot can get the drop, why is he asking for so much?”

Ruan Mingyu laughed.

“Because that’s how everyone operates.”

“You see, the reason mecha pilot organizations exist is to support and help each other—”

“I help you grind high-level abysses, you help me with the low-level ones, and then we trade at relatively reasonable prices.”

“This in itself is a rule.”

“Mecha pilots from other organizations naturally don’t benefit from such rules.”

“It’s better with other organization’s mecha pilots since they can find help internally.”

“But for those who don’t want to join any organizations, if they want to trade, they must pay this premium…”

“This person was just like that, he never intended to do business with us but aimed to sell to independent pilots.”

Well, is this how independent mecha pilots are used?

Like free piglets?

Jiang Chen almost couldn’t hold back a snort.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many independent mecha pilots, so their ability to absorb materials is limited.

The prices of most modules and materials on the international trading platform are only about 10 to 20 percent higher than those within the alliance.

It mainly serves as a trading platform for members of various organizations.

Otherwise, if the price difference were really high…

Jiang Chen would also want to dive into the murky waters and play a bit dirty.

Can’t help it, he’s broke!

Ruan Mingyu contacted a 6th Rank mecha pilot for Jiang Chen, negotiated a commission price, and then went to rest.

Jiang Chen then headed to the alliance trade store.

In the rank advancement trials, he had obtained quite a few materials and modules, reaping a rich harvest.

At this point, he kept part of the rare modules and materials.

He dumped all the common, generally valued materials and modules into the warehouse, selling them all with one click.

Ding!

It was as if the sound of coins clinking echoed in Jiang Chen’s ears.

“…All together, the modules, materials, and items amount to three hundred and twenty-six thousand six hundred contribution points.”

“Please check your receipt.”

A large amount of contribution points hit his account, and his wallet instantly bulked up!