Chapter 291: Chapter 287: Mechanical Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual Awakening — it was one of the important indicators that distinguished the Mechanical Engineering Department from Rune Puppets and Meeh Armors.

Unlike the spirits of Equipment System pets that emerged slowly over time, the Mechanical Engineering Department could perform a special and exclusive Spiritual Awakening, transforming cold, lifeless machines into sentient beings. However, the Federation had always held exclusive control over this Spiritual Awakening method. Everything from war machines to civilian tools went through the Spiritual Awakening ritual under the supervision of a dedicated Federation agency.

Now, had Shuck also acquired the ability to perform Spiritual Awakening?

Shuck released the sweeping robot and said, “I’m not very skilled yet, but I think I’ve got it.”

Having received confirmation from Shuck, Bai Qi’s eyes lit up.

A machine, once having undergone Spiritual Awakening, showed a drastic difference in combat power and potential compared to its pre-awakening state. Now that Shuck had acquired this ability, could he not build an entire iron battalion for Bai Qi?

Would he once again become the man behind the Machinery Emperor?

Hum, why did this development seem familiar, and why did he have a bad feeling about it?

Just as Bai Qi was about to gloat, Shuck timely poured cold water on his excitement, “But this form of awakening consumes my Mechanical Spark. I can’t use it consecutively, or else it will harm my Origin.”

Just as he expected, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Bai Qi sighed, looked at the sweeping robot in front of him, and said, “In that case, we must carefully select the candidates for awakening. We mustn’t waste it.”

“But it’s surprising that the Mechanical Spark is the source of awakening. It’s strange that this information never leaked out over all these years?”

The Mechanical Spark was a Seven Stage technology, and there were quite a few mechanical creations that had ignited the spark. If the spark had this capability, someone would’ve discovered it by accident.

The research has started, but Beast Master, if possible, you should collect as many Seven Stage technologies as you can. It would be very helpful in deciphering it.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Bai Qi sighed. Professor Chu was the only possible source of Seven Stage mechanical technology, but Professor Chu insisted that Bai Qi had to develop a core proprietary technology of the Mechanical Engineering Department in exchange.

Although the Spirit-Control Orb had used Runes, Professor Chu considered its mechanical appearance and its revolutionary significance, no longer nitpicking with Bai Qi. As for the Rune Mechanical Armour, while Professor Chu acknowledged them as mechanical creations, he classified them under a lower category of Rune Mechanical Structure’s proprietary technology, making them ineligible for exchange.

Therefore, his only option now was to develop Flesh Fusion technology. “Shuck, take a sample from the junction between flesh and metal. Delta, we need to speed up the research.”

After days of intensive learning, he had a basic grasp of biology. As for Delta, he was on the verge of becoming an expert.

He had no choice. When Delta couldn’t understand certain phenomena, he evolved into the corresponding form, gaining firsthand experience before continuing his studies.

In this regard, Bai Qi could only say that theory combined with practice could reveal the truth—yes, the kind of practice where one becomes the sample. Bloop bloop.

(Ok, Delta recently came up with some new research directions and wants to discuss them with Master.)

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

(We can try cultivating Shuck Beta’s… and then….)

“Hmm, makes sense. Let’s go try it.”

Having said that, Bai Qi, Delta, and Husky made a beeline for the Biology

Building, entirely oblivious to the hesitant worm grass behind them.

“Weren’t you supposed to give me private tutoring just now?”

Worm grass watched Bai Qi, who had completely forgotten about him, with frustration and confusion.

Wasn’t it said that the more recent the contracted pet, the more attention the

Beast Master pays to it? Why did it feel the opposite in his case?

Creak creak.

(Epsilon, please project another opponent in my dreamland, resembling me.)

“Ok, I’ll get right to it.”

Seeing Alpha’s arrival, worm grass immediately put on a fawning attitude.

After getting Alpha’s consent, he dragged him into the dreamland.

“It seems like if we keep this memory body, it will suffice.”

Looking at the memory body fighting back and forth with Alpha, worm grass thought of a way to become stronger — he quietly observed Alpha’s movements, slowly perfecting the portrayal of Alpha.

Could he scare a lot of people by recreating this image in the dreamland?

Gusu City.

Wuhou Dojo.

The chill of late autumn didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Spirit Controllers rushing to the Wuhou Dojo. Even though the dojo was already packed, Spirit Controllers from both Gusu city and its surrounding cities were still arriving to watch the matches.

The first Spirit Controller competition in Federation history might not have the grandeur of Beast Master fights, but for the Spirit Controllers, this competition would be more thrilling than any Beast Master fight.

Perhaps only the talentless ones could understand this sentiment.

“I didn’t expect that temporarily borrowing the breeding center’s venue for a live broadcast would almost not be enough.”

Zhuge Xu, looking at the sea of people below him, was complaining verbally, but the smile on his face betrayed his true feelings.

After the successful conclusion of the first Spirit Controller Battle Competition, their Wuhou Dojo and Wuhou Corporation would definitely be famous throughout the Federation. Combining this with the final mysterious prize would undoubtedly stoke the enthusiasm for the competition.

Of course, even if the final result fell short of his expectations, Zhuge Xu did not care.

Federation-designated military manufacturers, the exclusive producers of Rune Mechanical Armor, and a third of the Federation’s Spirit Control Orb sale points…

With all these in place, this contest could only be considered a mere icing on the cake.

“Looking at that smile, your mouth is almost stretching back to your heels. It’s a good thing Xia Yi isn’t here, or else you’d have enraged him to death.”

President Qin looked at Zhuge Xu’s behavior speechlessly, feeling compelled to tease him.

Xia’s Group may have acquired the production rights for the Spirit Control Orb and would certainly earn monstrous profits. However, if they knew that the Rune Mechanical Armor, a product perfectly complementing the Spirit Control Orb, had been acquired by the Wuhou Corporation, Xia Yi might have heartily vomited blood.

“It’s not my fault. After all, I was the one who agreed to easily let go of the production rights for the Spirit Control Orb. The Rune Mechanical Armor was just an unexpected bonus.”

Zhuge Xu expressed with pretentious helplessness, but inside, he was brimming with joy.

Originally, Wuhou Corporation had not achieved much in the field of machinery and did not attract any notable Machinery Masters. However, due to Bai Qi, Professor Chu, the most senior professor from the Star Mechanics Academy’s Mechanical Engineering Department, personally led his team to establish a research group in their corporation. Thus, Wuhou Corporation had initially obtained its qualification to enter the machinery manufacturing industry.

And all of this, too, was a blessing from Bai Qi.

He was undoubtedly the lucky star of the Zhuge family.

“By the way, why hasn’t Bai Qi arrived yet? After all, he’s the inventor of the Spirit Control Orb. If he doesn’t show up, this competition will lose its luster.” Zhuge Xu looked behind President Qin but did not see Bai Qi’s figure.

“I’ve already had Luo Xiang call him. This good-for-nothing boy actually dared to be late again, it seems praising him was a mistake.”

President Qin heaved a frustrated sigh.

“There’s no need. I saw Master Luo returning just now, so he must have gotten in touch with Bai Qi.”

Yi Yu walked in from outside the door, looking at the irritable-looking

President Qin, and laughed. “I suppose Bai Qi will arrive before the final battle.”

“I hope so.”

Seeing Yi Yu’s arrival, President Qin put away his displeasure, exchanged glances with Zhuge Xu, and said, “In that case, let’s start according to the program.”

“Indeed, quite a few Spirit Controllers are participating today. We must hurry.” Zhuge Xu nodded his head, then began directing different department staff to their positions, and President Qin also notified the Beast Masters of the association one by one to make preparations.

To organize such a large-scale event involving the entire Gusu City, it was impossible to rely solely on the Beast Masters in the Wuhou Dojo. As a result, the Wuhou Dojo only provided the venue, while the judging and other matters were primarily handled by the Beast Masters in the association.

While everyone else was bustling about, Bai Qi was still engrossed in his research.

“Failed again. As expected, the feasibility of cultivating Schuck’s Beta mechanical cells is somewhat low.”

Bai Qi looked regretfully at the static cells in the culture dish and heaved a deep sigh.

After his discussion with Delta, they planned to try cultivating the Husky’s cells to act as a fusion agent to help connect machinery and flesh.

However, for some reason, the Husky’s cells lost their ability to divide after leaving the body and slowly degenerated into metal, unable to serve as a fusion agent.

Blub, blub.

(It seems Delta still needs to study for a while longer.)

Delta also seemed a bit regretful, but he was soon replaced by determination, unaffected by failure.

“There’s no need to rush. After researching for so long, we still have no leads. Perhaps our direction is flawed from the start. Let’s take a break for now.” Bai Qi patted Delta and said, “For now, focus on researching the fusion issue of the Ancestral Beast and the Ancient Species. After all, this directly involves you, the research might be more relaxed.”

Blub, blub.

(Delta understands.)

Delta nodded and continued his research. Meanwhile, Bai Qi suddenly remembered something. Looking at Schuck, who was analyzing data on the side, he asked, “Schuck, what time is it now?”

Upon hearing this, Schuck paused before saying, “Almost three days have passed since you started your research. According to the schedule, it’s time for you to appear at the Spirit Controller Battle Competition.”

“Oh my goodness, I completely forgot about that!”

Hearing this, Bai Qi’s face changed. He immediately pulled Delta and ran outside, while complaining to Schuck.

“Schuck, why didn’t you remind me?”

“According to the record, I’ve reminded you ten times, but you ignored them all. I suggest canceling the alarm settings next time and opting for electric shock reminders.”

“Be honest, are you being controlled by Beta right now…