This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 677 - 353: A Spaceship Sailing in the Eternal Abyss_2

Chapter 677: Chapter 353: A Spaceship Sailing in the Eternal Abyss_2

There are quite a few stalls, mostly run by Free Explorers, selling whatever they’ve acquired on the spot.

After disembarking from the spacecraft, Robbin took a deep breath of the air, which was slightly murky due to the gathering of various life forms. Though it had a hint of an unpleasant stench, it still put him in a cheerful mood.

He stretched his body, his bones cracking loudly as he twisted his head, "I thought I’d suffocate to death..."

Li Ming observed the surroundings. Robbin had done his homework before arriving: "Don’t bother with the shops on both sides. They’ve been here long-term, selling fixed items. The central stalls are the important ones—mostly run by Free Explorers."

"Of course, there are also plenty of people trying to pass off junk. You’ll need a sharp eye."

He appeared enthusiastic and had already retrieved the Skull, holding it in his hand. In the past, he had relied on the butler to score some rare finds, and this time, he was even more confident.

The first stall displayed many old and peculiar firearms, their origins unknown. Robbin fiddled with them for a while but quickly lost interest.

The two continued deeper into the market. With Li Ming’s current insight, most items could reveal their nature at just a glance.

Indeed, he discovered quite a few items, including remnants of A-level weapons. But their utility was limited, and Control was almost impossible due to neglect.

"This is an A-level weapon, though it’s damaged." The butler’s voice echoed in Robbin’s ears. He held a half-broken, earth-toned mechanical rifle in his hand.

Robbin’s eyes lit up with excitement. After some thought, he typed a few words on his smart terminal and showed them to Li Ming: "Does your mentor take on jobs to repair A-level weapons?"

Li Ming contemplated and then shook his head, saying, "My mentor doesn’t repair A-level weapons."

To repair a weapon, one must first achieve Control, then proceed with restoration. The cost in metal energy is hefty.

Robbin certainly couldn’t afford such a price, and Li Ming didn’t bother explaining further. He simply declined directly.

Robbin felt helpless but also understood. Boss Qinglong’s status was way beyond this kind of small business.

He wasn’t planning to ask Li Ming for help and waste a favor over this kind of trivial matter anyway.

"Who’d be selling abandoned spaceships..."

"Yeah, they’re so wrecked, yet they’re still trying to sell them."

Midway through their walk, they encountered a large crowd of life forms, bustling and pushing, seemingly observing something.

Judging from the components visible above the crowd, it appeared to be a spacecraft broken into two pieces.

Robbin slightly released some life energy, causing the crowd to panic and promptly clear a path for him.

In the center of the crowd indeed lay two pieces of a pitch-black spacecraft wreckage, split in the middle, hoisted by metal chains. It looked lifeless; the silver-gray armor layer had been forcibly shredded apart, exposing deep passageways and mechanical structures within.

"I’ve never seen this kind of spaceship structure," someone muttered, their face hidden behind a metallic analyzer, seemingly a Mechanic, speaking thoughtfully.

"This warship has no weapons but an exceptionally powerful shield system and armor layer."

"But it doesn’t belong to any known type of metal—or even metal at all."

"Moreover, the armor layer features evenly distributed particle generators, ensuring that the spaceship can wrap itself in special energy particles for a short period. But I don’t know what kind of energy it is."

"This design suggests that its owner greatly prioritized the defense of this ship. It’s specifically designed for missions in extremely hazardous environments."

"Extremely hazardous places?" The crowd exchanged glances and grew intrigued: "What kind of extremely hazardous places?"

Clap—clap—

The seller of the spacecraft clapped to draw everyone’s attention. With a single green horn on his head and scales covering his skin, he said, "Alright, everyone, I wasn’t lying—this spaceship’s material is exceptionally unique, almost immune to any energy."

"Immune to energy?"

Immediately, a life form stepped forward, raising a muscular arm covered in scales.

In the next instant, black flames and thick smoke enveloped half his body, transforming one hand into a giant black claw spewing dangerous flames.

He wielded the claw towards the two broken wreckages, unleashing flames that engulfed them. Moments later, the flames dissipated without leaving a single mark.

The surrounding crowd exclaimed in awe. The individual was a B-level life form, yet he couldn’t leave even a trace on the wreckage, a testament to its incredible toughness.

Li Ming’s expression turned odd, and he glanced over at Robbin: "Doesn’t that material seem familiar?"

"That looks like the smaller exploration ships from Terrax..." Robbin typed a short message on his smart terminal.

Li Ming’s brows furrowed slightly.

"Please move aside..." A commotion arose from behind them as soldiers clad in deep blue combat armor forced a path through the crowd.

"Those are people from Eternal Brilliance Federation’s subordinate laboratory..."

The displaced crowd grumbled but fell silent upon realizing the soldiers’ affiliation.

"Gentlemen..." The leader of the soldiers, proud and head held high, released a field of distortion, enveloping the two pieces of wreckage.

After a brief negotiation, the distortion field retreated. The soldiers began moving the wreckage, evidently satisfied with the agreed transaction, while the seller beamed happily.

"Could it be a spaceship that navigated the Eternal Abyss?" someone in the crowd suddenly speculated. The speaker, an elderly Adventurer, looked apprehensive: "It’s said that there was once an immensely powerful civilization in the Dimension World—they often explored the Eternal Abyss."

"Eternal Abyss..." Li Ming murmured, while the Glory Federation representatives departed quickly, taking their newfound goods.

The seller, however, was jubilant: "Alright folks, you may not recognize the treasures, but others do. I still have plenty of good stuff, come and check it out."

The remark proved persuasive, drawing many from the crowd to examine his wares. Li Ming also glanced around curiously and soon discovered something valuable.

[Energy Guardian—Special Type: An emblem of glory from a powerful life form.]

Control Conditions: Five million metal energy

Control Effect—Professional Promotion: Upgradeable to Gun Master profession.]

He held a refined emblem depicting a figure wielding a massive energy cannon, a Career Promotion-type Controlled Object.

"Sharp eye..." The seller praised, giving a thumbs-up. "This is one of the few things I found on that spaceship."

Robbin retorted bluntly: "You’ve said that line at least a dozen times just now."

The seller looked embarrassed. Noting Robbin’s high Life Level—at least a B-grade life form—he whispered, "I was lying about the others, but this one is true."

"Taking it." Li Ming pocketed the emblem and paid five million Star Coins.

Robbin squeezed the Skull in his hand. The butler’s voice chimed, "I can’t tell what’s special about it—it’s just not a common emblem."

"Blind as ever," Robbin muttered, doubting Li Ming would buy something useless.

Butler: "..."

After wandering for another half day, Li Ming indeed encountered many oddities while gathering information about the Metal Element Dimension World.

Such worlds are exceedingly rare, being the most valuable type of Element Dimension World, with their coordinates fetching high prices.

After another few hours with little to show for their effort, the two lost interest.

Returning to their flying device, they navigated toward the residential area, booked a hotel, and, after a half-day of back-and-forth, finally moved up the queue.

"It’s only because access to this place requires certain prerequisites; otherwise, the whole dimension would be overcrowded." Robbin reflected on the dense array of flying devices around them.

Their flying device was guided by an intelligent system to its dock, levitating in mid-air due to their status as flight-capable life forms—otherwise, they’d have to endure a longer wait.

As they exited the cabin door, they were greeted by a mountain-like Dominion Holy Image, radiating overwhelming pressure. Robbin found himself stunned and unable to regain composure for a while.

"Please follow the instructions and line up at the nearest available queue." A patrolling broadcast robot announced repeatedly.

Li Ming glanced at the scene indifferently and turned, saying, "Let’s go."

"Go?" Robbin was baffled, only then noticing that each queue was segmented by floating gates with shimmering blue light.

"Damn, they even check for Mimic Masks." Someone cursed under their breath before turning away as well, realizing they weren’t alone in their predicament.

This area belonged to Order Civilization territory, and for various reasons, many concealed their identities here.

"Mimic Mask inspection?" Robbin felt a chill and didn’t hesitate, following Li Ming back onto the spacecraft, frustrated like everyone else.