213. Your Machines Are Endless, My Players Are Undying
Swish!
The circular ring appeared to rotate slowly, yet it struck in an instant. Any close-in ammunition intercepting it merely trembled upon contact, as though it wasn't part of this world but a phantom.
The autopilot units' AI brain immediately connected to the network, running calculations at high speed:
"No energy signature detected, yet it possesses an offensive marker—Directive: Scatter outward."
The autopilot units calmly sprang into motion, promptly dispersing, and not one citizen was touched by the ring.
The ring drifted toward the open space on the ground where the autopilot units had evacuated. In the next instant, the space in its center vanished into thin air, forcing all of the autopilot units to slam into each other.
[Inbuilt Omega Energy•Gravity: Wall of Gravity]
Dragon City Dungeon pressed both hands downward. Because the space had been erased, the autopilot units collided violently in one spot. In moments, they were flattened against the ground, bursting into flames. Sustained gravitational force continued to press them until they were crushed onto the steel earth—visually turning them two-dimensional.
[You have killed "Autopilot Unit" lv.85. Over-level kill—special item damage contributed over 99%, partial EXP deducted…]
[You have killed "Mechanical Engineer" lv.89. Over-level kill—special item damage contributed over 99%, partial EXP deducted…]
[You have killed "Herald Unit" lv.80. Over-level kill—special item damage contributed over 99%, partial EXP deducted…]
...
The influx of EXP had Dragon City Dungeon swallowing hard.
In fact, he'd done practically nothing—just point the Omega Energy crosshair at the target and mentally fire.
Talk about a mindless operation: the entire process was internally coordinated by the exosuit. He merely had to provide a bit of neural signal.
[Over-level kill reward: Your template has advanced to—Advanced Descender]
[Over-level kill reward: Your template has advanced to—Elite Descender]
[You have earned the achievement: "Invincible Mowing" …]
A flood of messages poured in with all sorts of rewards, so many that he had to turn off notifications.
Gazing at the burning wrecks of the machines, Dragon City Dungeon was stunned.
Just a day ago, they'd been battling goblins for territory—fighting to the death in underground caverns.
Now, in this main quest that had only been active a few hours, they'd begun to trample creatures mostly in Gamma-tier or even Delta-tier.
This power… going back to Azure Star would be a total stomp!
"Whoa, Guild Leader, this is nuts! Even using a low-level alt to farm noobs wouldn't be this overpowered!" Xi'ouxi from the guild floated over via Gravity, casually blasting a plasma battery emplacement on a distant peak into oblivion.
"Seriously strong! I'm starting to think just a few of us wearing these exosuits back on Azure Star could wipe out the Four Nations," someone chimed in.
Dragon City Dungeon raised his exoskeletal hand, eyeing the red-and-black crystal embedded in it. He clenched his fist:
"This… is the confidence Li Aozi gave us!"
The players flooded the battlefield in droves, wielding exoskeletal soldiers to unleash unrestrained attacks on these monsters—totally unlike the tough times when they were colonizing the wilderness.
The Mechanical citizens were formidable, an organized army endlessly pouring out firepower. Even if you destroyed some of them, they'd coldly march forward again.
But Li Aozi's exosuits were stronger!
Each soldier was effectively at the peak of Delta-tier. Even if the Mechanical side outnumbered them tens of thousands to one with unlimited fire coverage, the players could still skirmish, slaughter, and push forward.
It felt indescribably satisfying.
Each exoskeletal soldier bore Li Aozi's genetic sequence; Omega Energy casting was assisted with no startup time. Even players brand-new to Omega Energies could easily slaughter mech units once they donned these suits.
Not long ago, they'd sweated blood conquering goblin dens. Today, with a single command from Li Aozi, they received these powerful exosuits.
The players understood these suits were only hastily rushed out.
If Li Aozi felt more generous and crafted some specially prepared exosuits…
The players were all deeply tempted.
Even if these exosuits turned out to be storyline-only, the thrill of mowing through enemies was irresistible.
"Oh, my darling wife Li Aozi! You're forever my idol!"
"Shut up, he's my wife!"
"Stop fighting—Li Aozi is communal property! This is totally an exclusive perk for the Yanxia server!"
"Speaking of which, remember that post flaming Li Aozi a while back?"
"You mean "Li Aozi the Scammer! The Darkest Day in Gaming History!"? Right—I recall it. The OP accused him of 'using his looks to trick players into spending.'"
"What a joke! Check out my Bioplasma Cannon! The power, the tier—no other server gets that, right?"
Laughing and chatting, the players piloted their exoskeletons, harnessing Omega Energy to maneuver across the battlefield. Their movements were agile like fierce leopards amid the chaos, weaving around, slaying foes at will.
Such a feeling was unprecedented!
Until now, "Star Abyss" emphasized authentic roleplay and immersion. Scenes of unstoppable, fully-geared protagonists unleashing epic visual carnage—this was a total 180 from their usual impression.
Gravity pinned machines in place; Remaining Moon toyed with the barrage; Bloodline crashed in with overwhelming might.
Clearing their minds and firing at will—this joy brought genuine smiles to these tired, overworked, late-night-gaming players.
All former grievances—frustrations during the game, hardships building their settlement—
Gone without a trace!
Thanks to Cumin Powder's recruitment of professional players, the exosuits truly shone in the hands of those with swift reflexes, keen senses, and solid teamwork.
Li Aozi, too, was freed from micromanagement. The players' initiative and combat ability were genuinely fierce.
As machines, the mechanical side felt no fear or joy in combat.
Players did.
Not only would they fight while smiling, they'd compete to see who racked up more kills.
Mimicking Remaining Moon, Li Aozi's move of deploying exoskeletal soldiers was an unexpected bonus, yielding remarkable effects. In mere minutes, the players had already taken out two factories.
Unfortunately…
Li Aozi gazed over the steel earth that spanned endless mountains—factories still continuously churning out new fodder.
The sheer numbers were staggering—enough to overwhelm a Delta-tier exosuit with cumulative damage. If not for the players' ability to revive, this battle would be unwinnable.
It would take at least 72 hours to fully obliterate the Mechanical Council and stop [Mechanical Society] Marshgurgon's body from descending.
The players… were still too few.
"Keep it up, piglets—Descenders. Sooner or later, Coulomb Torque will take notice."
Li Aozi made up his mind. He set up tactics and waited for the fish to bite.
He wasn't worried Coulomb Torque would hide. If it did, Li Aozi would flatten this mountain himself, or the players would keep demolishing everything until they reached the Council's gates.
But once it emerged… Li Aozi had already taken out two councilors. If he could defeat Coulomb Torque as well, the Council would collapse on its own.
It was a transparent ploy.
If Coulomb Torque tried to kill the players, Li Aozi would intercept.
If it wanted to target Li Aozi, the players would keep advancing.
Either way, Coulomb Torque had to face Li Aozi. If it couldn't instantly kill him, the outcome was assured.
Li Aozi couldn't necessarily overpower or destroy Councilor Coulomb Torque, but as long as he achieved his aims, that was enough.
If only another Zeta-tier stepped in…
"Remaining Moon-senpai, though you died in frustration, your experience sure is handy!"