MTLNOVEL Chapter 224:
Chapter 224: The Virtual Network Corporation:
When it comes to advanced combat capabilities, the rebel intelligent machines of the Federation undoubtedly have the upper hand.
Whether it’s the space-based orbital weapons or the hypersonic subspace fighters capable of traveling at several times the speed of sound, they all possess terrifying suppressive power.
However, in a war between machines, beyond the quality of frontline units, one factor stands out as even more crucial—quantity.
It was thanks to Ailei’s ability to mass-produce machines that Xu Xi had been able to sweep through multiple satellite cities, continuously enhancing his technological level.
BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM!
High in the sky, layers of sonic booms overlapped so densely that they blurred together. Even Xu Xi, encased in his heavy power armor, struggled to withstand the overwhelming force pressing down from above.
He saw the tide of machines surging forward, accompanied by the deafening roar of metal.
The replicated subspace fighters, now enhanced with mechanical energy, demonstrated performance that surpassed the original Federation models, becoming even more terrifying and powerful.
“No wonder they’re called the scourge of intelligent machines,” Xu Xi murmured.
“Such an overwhelming spectacle… It’s truly awe-inspiring.”
With that thought, he further increased his mechanical energy output.
The metallic wails echoed through the skies, and the fury of machines crushed the earth beneath. At this moment, an endless tide of machines engulfed everything.
The roar of the machines! The endless cycle!
Tens of thousands of machines roared and surged, converging into a singular will.
“Everything is for you, Master!” Ailei’s voice rang with unwavering devotion.
…
[Your forces are endless.]
[Each time a unit is destroyed, another takes its place, continuously filling the gaps.]
[With the replicated subspace fighters, you successfully disrupted the defenses of the Southern Main Base City, tearing through them with sheer numbers and absolute firepower.]
[A fleet of anti-gravity starships initiated bombing runs on your position, protected by an energy shield unlike anything you had encountered before. Conventional attacks were ineffective against it.]
[But that did not concern you.]
[The relentless barrage from your countless subspace fighters quickly drained and shattered the starship shields through sheer attack frequency.]
[Advance! Keep advancing! Relentless assault!]
[After two weeks of fierce battle, you finally conquered the Southern Main Base City, capturing numerous high-value machine wreckages.]
Cold machinery was the power to reshape the world.
Steel bodies were the ultimate force to crush flesh and blood.
When heavy alloy machines soared through the skies, and engines roared into the void, witnessing the tides of machines firsthand would leave anyone in awe.
Inside the Southern Main Base City, Xu Xi, clad in his power armor, walked step by step along the heavily damaged main roads, leaving deep imprints in the ground.
“Although I expected this…”
“The extent of the destruction to the main base is still shocking.”
“40%?”
“No… perhaps only 20% of the city is still intact.”
Lingering smoke filled the air, towering buildings leaned precariously, and rusted steel structures creaked under pressure—together, they painted a bleak, post-apocalyptic picture.
Xu Xi sighed.
Fortunately, his goal wasn’t the city itself.
All he wanted were the wrecked intelligent machines and salvageable materials.
As for the state of the city…
It wasn’t within his concerns.
After all, he had no intention of living here.
Xu Xi crouched down and scooped up a handful of debris. Blackened sand flowed through his fingers, revealing a dull silver glow underneath.
“Fragments of an electromagnetic railgun?”
“Once I finish absorbing the spoils from this battle, I will have basically devoured the entire Federation’s technology tree.”
“All that remains are the space-based weapons… which I have yet to truly engage with.”
“No rush, no rush.”
“Even if I had a space battleship right now, I wouldn’t have the time to study it properly.”
Tilting his hand, the fragments slid from his palm.
Xu Xi stood up, gazing toward the sky. The deep darkness of the void was tinged with the eerie crimson glow of distant fires, creating an abstract and unsettling scene.
It matched the apocalyptic wasteland perfectly.
A thick aura of despair permeated the air.
Just as Xu Xi was preparing to leave, a communication from Ailei stopped him in his tracks.
…
[You’ve always had a habit—after conquering a city, you instinctively conduct a thorough sweep.]
[It’s not that you expect to find hidden treasures.]
[It’s simply your habit to leave no resource untapped in the wasteland.]
[This time, you expected to find the usual scraps or redundant technology.]
[But your loyal maid informed you of something unexpected—she had discovered a hidden underground base.]
[Its defense systems were intact, energy facilities operational, and ventilation systems fully functional. In the barren wasteland, such order was the greatest abnormality.]
[Feeling uneasy, you rushed to the entrance of the discovered base as quickly as possible.]
Xu Xi’s armored boots clanged loudly against the steel floor, the sound echoing through the desolate surroundings.
Upon arriving, he saw the massive alloy doors, marked with an unfamiliar emblem. He frowned and muttered,
“Virtual Network Corporation?”
In the early years of the simulation, Xu Xi had studied extensive records to better understand the wasteland world and the old Federation.
It was once an era of dazzling technological brilliance.
Among countless high-tech corporations, Virtual Network Corporation was a dominant force, specializing in virtual network technology.
With their lifelike gaming experiences and highly immersive holographic communication, they had once captivated the entire Federation.
But now…
“Why is there a fully operational Virtual Network Corporation facility, long after the fall of the Federation?”
Curiosity stirred within him.
Xu Xi had a feeling that deep beneath the surface, buried within the base, something significant awaited discovery.
“Leave it to me,” Ailei said, understanding his intentions.
She redirected some of her computational power to a few large engineering machines, precisely breaking through the base’s entrance.
Soon, swarms of intelligent machines surrounded Xu Xi in a protective formation.
This was Ailei’s cautious nature—concerned that the base might pose hidden dangers.
“Good work, Ailei. Let’s go in.”
“As you wish, Master.”
Under Ailei’s control, agile reconnaissance units advanced ahead, clearing the way and scanning for potential threats.
Once the area was deemed safe, she signaled Xu Xi to proceed.
The underground base was brightly lit, its passageways wide and orderly, with neatly arranged staircases spiraling downward.
“This place is… surprisingly clean,” Xu Xi remarked in surprise.
Compared to the other Federation bases he had visited, the Virtual Network Corporation’s underground facility was far tidier.
It was a clear sign that the base had been undergoing continuous self-maintenance.
“Could someone still be living here?”
“Or maybe they implemented a non-AI management system, using simple primitive commands to avoid the risk of an intelligent machine rebellion.”
Xu Xi silently drew his electromagnetic pulse gun, unlocking its safety with a crisp click.