Chapter 959: Aggressive Invasion (Revised)

Chapter 959: Overwhelming Invasion (Revised)

Minutes earlier, in the Godora Galaxy, upon a desolate and barren world.

A meteor streaked across the firmament, plummeting toward the earth; as its radiance dissipated, it revealed the figure of a mechanical shell, its eyes brimming with resplendent light—the very avatar bearing Manison's Sovereign Descent.

"This position should suffice."

Manison nodded, commanding the avatar to cross its legs and hover in midair. With a sweep of his hand, compressed spheres clattered to the ground, their mechanical structures rapidly unfolding to form a sprawling array of portable quantum network base stations.

The light in his eyes fluctuated, and in the next instant, Manison plunged into the quantum network's vista, scanning for nearby nodes.

Countless orbs of light flashed past his eyes. Swiftly, he locked onto the quantum network node of the Black Star Legion's headquarters. In his vision, it appeared as a dazzling, star-like radiance, extending countless luminous threads to connect with every branch and every terminal, forming an immensely complex and vast web of links.

Endless streams of information shuttled through these connecting lines, while layers of firewall shells rigorously shielded the data within.

This planet was neither too far nor too close to the Black Star Legion's headquarters. Normally, when remotely invading others' quantum network nodes, Manison relied on the virtual soul node-jumping granted by the Virtual Creator, which provided sufficient virtual range to cross star systems. However, facing Black Star, he had no intention of doing so.

As they were both mechanics of the same echelon, Manison could judge his foe by his own standards. He knew exactly what capabilities Black Star possessed; no one understood the Throne Mechanic better than he did.

If he merely used a virtual soul for a cross-star-system virtual invasion, Black Star could simply trap him for a moment with the Supreme Virtual, then ruthlessly obliterate the quantum network base stations in the area to sever the connection, leaving his virtual soul in a dire predicament.

Although Manison could resolve it, it would be quite troublesome and did not align with his original intentions.

Therefore, Manison preferred to spend some time having his avatar carry his own base stations to the Broken Star Ring. As the attacker, he chose to build his own retreat, acting with utmost caution.

"Next..."

With a mere thought from Manison, the Black Star Legion's quantum network node suddenly magnified in his vision.

...

Now.

"Encountering a virtual invasion?"

The words had barely left Philip's mouth when Han Xiao's brows furrowed, a myriad of speculations flashing through his mind.

After countless iterations of refinement and enhancement, Philip's firewall had become impregnable, boasting anti-tracking capabilities to boot. An ordinary intruder wouldn't even trigger the alarm before being counter-invaded by Philip.

Yet at this moment, Philip's avatar flickered unstably, a clear sign that the core data was under severe assault. To breach it within such a fleeting window meant the attacker was at least a Super-A-class virtual mechanic.

There were only a handful of Super-A-class virtual mechanics in the universe. Who in the cosmos had suddenly come to stab him in the back?

Han Xiao's mind sank as he plunged into the quantum network's vista, the upheavals in the virtual world immediately leaping before his eyes.

He was situated within the headquarters' network node, where firewalls stood like layers of protective shields. Yet now, endless streams of anomalous data were bombarding them, tearing through the defenses with devastating force and leaving the firewalls riddled with breaches.

Philip had already mobilized the data to defend according to contingency protocols, but the situation was grim.

The data streams unleashed by the enemy flowed like quicksilver, penetrating every nook and cranny. Philip struggled to cover every front, and defensive loopholes multiplied. Data probes had already pierced the core data circle through the fissures, massively disseminating viruses to batter Philip's core data, while injecting countless redundant packets to hinder his computational processes. Simultaneously, they unleashed numerous AI hunters to harvest database intelligence, striking from both within and without.

The Black Star Legion's headquarters housed Philip's primary intelligence, serving as the central hub of the entire legion's internal network and boasting the highest defensive strength. Should it fall, the entire legion's network would be seized, effectively decapitating their command structure.

The enemy's objective was precisely Philip's primary intelligence core data. Though shielded by multiple layers of defense mechanisms, the outer ring of the core data had already been breached.

"Such overwhelming virtual invasion intensity!"

Han Xiao was secretly alarmed, his mind racing as a profound sense of oppression washed over him from the enemy's data assault.

This sensation stirred a faint, chilling familiarity.

"This caliber of virtual assault... Manison, is it you?!"

Han Xiao's gaze hardened as he transmitted a message.

Beyond the firewall, streams of data suddenly coalesced, forming a virtual figure floating with hands clasped behind his back—it was Manison's virtual soul.

"Heh, greetings, Black Star."

"It truly is you. What is the meaning of this?" Han Xiao frowned.

Manison's expression remained placid as he replied coolly, "Such is the nature of the Super-A-class realm. Friend or foe hinges upon a single thought; there is no need for you to demand reasons."

As his words faded, the data stream assault surged with ferocious intensity. Countless defensive modules were rapidly cracked, and vast swaths of the firewall collapsed into ruin.

Could it truly be because of the Mechanical Cult...

A flash of resolve crossed Han Xiao's eyes. Steadying his mind, he immediately assumed direct control of Philip.

Manison held the initiative as the aggressor, leaving Han Xiao to adopt a purely defensive stance and weather the onslaught. His sole objective was to halt Manison's invasion and safeguard Philip's primary intelligence.

Unleashing his virtual technology to its fullest, he focused entirely on fortifying the firewall, patching the breaches, and eradicating every invading virus.

Philip's data transformed into an army in Han Xiao's hands, surging with heightened computational efficiency. Waves of hostile anomalous data were annihilated, dissolving into nothingness.

Defending home turf carried its own perils, yet offered distinct advantages. The firewalls and security protocols honed over years of maintenance granted a substantial boon to his virtual defenses.

Yet Han Xiao had merely stemmed the tide for the moment; the resistance remained grueling. This was his first time engaging a Super-A-class mechanic of equal echelon within the virtual realm.

In experience, he fell short of Manison's vast reserves; in virtual technology, he lacked his profound depth; in affinity, he was no match either. Manison possessed countless years of accumulation, leaving Han Xiao comprehensively outmatched in mechanical prowess.

The Mechanical Nation's virtual technology was a force that even the Shining Bastion Federation dreaded. It was terrifyingly potent, requiring no cunning stratagems; a straightforward, overwhelming crush forward was enough to leave Han Xiao stretched thin and scrambling to cope.

"This is rather troublesome..."

Han Xiao's mind raced at breakneck speed, yet he could find no opening for a counterattack. Indeed, every Super-A-class virtual technique in existence today was merely discarded scraps from Manison's repertoire.

As mechanics of the same lineage, any virtual technique that Han Xiao himself feared not would be utterly futile against Manison.

"A truly formidable mechanic, wholly deserving of his renown."

Only by confronting Manison directly could one truly fathom the depth of his terror.

Han Xiao tirelessly patched the firewall, yet Manison's assault came in relentless, unending waves. Every instant, countless newly reinforced defensive modules were shattered by Manison's colossal computing power, granting no moment to breathe.

The sheer volume of information exchanged between the two in a single second was enough to overwhelm the minds of countless ordinary mortals!

Though the breaches were sealed, the firewall's overall thickness was steadily eroding. Nevertheless, as a Throne Mechanic, Han Xiao could hold the line for the time being.

The viruses injected into the core data circle were swiftly purged by Han Xiao, and Philip's virtual avatar gradually stabilized.

As his mind computed at breakneck speed and monitored the battlefield, Han Xiao's expression grew solemn.

"We cannot sustain this much longer. Philip, deactivate all secondary sub-intelligence services and concentrate all computational power."

"Understood, bzzt!"

In the next instant, a vast majority of the countless connecting lines extending from the Black Star Legion's headquarters quantum network node snapped and severed.

Philip reclaimed a massive surge of computational power and redirected it to the central battlefield, immediately causing a significant deceleration in Manison's invasive advance.

The tug-of-war between the two was akin to a ruthless violation; the frontal invasion of the firewall was like a thug tearing at the victim's garments, while the victim desperately clung to them, refusing to yield.

"Finally getting serious," Manison smiled faintly. "I have been waiting for you."

At those words, a dire premonition instantly gripped Han Xiao.

Bzzt!

In the next instant, countless redundant data packets materialized out of thin air and detonated within Philip's core data circle, instantly throwing his meticulous program arrays into chaos.

"Data deep dive," Han Xiao muttered, his brows knitting tightly as the realization struck him.

That cunning foe had laid an ambush long before assaulting the central hub. Bypassing the weaker firewalls of various branch nodes, he had implanted data packets akin to remote-detonated bombs. The moment the central hub faced a crisis and recalled its computational power, these lurking, disguised packets would surge through the connecting lines directly into the core, entirely bypassing the central defense mechanisms—just like a Trojan horse.

Pitting deliberate intent against unawares, Han Xiao was left with no choice. It was an inescapable stratagem; withhold the computational power, and the central hub would fall to Manison; recall it, and he would spring the trap.

Philip's virtual projection instantly blurred, his speech fracturing into a stutter as his vocal tone was stretched agonizingly long.

"Hehe, ehe, hehe, whimper... I'm feeling so strange, boo-hoo, mmm..."

Han Xiao immediately opened Philip's core program. At this moment, a fifth of the modules in Philip's computational logic chain had already been infected, turning the crimson hue of a viral invasion, and it was still spreading relentlessly.

"The core logic chain has been compromised. This is rather troublesome..."

Han Xiao had a headache. Just now, clearing the peripheral viruses could be done with broad, sweeping strokes, but with the intelligent core logic infected, the difficulty of excising it was akin to performing precise surgery, requiring a considerable amount of computational power.

Gritting his teeth, Han Xiao had no choice but to split his focus, performing surgery on Philip to excise the anomalous data on one hand, while resisting Manison's frontal invasion on the other.

Meanwhile, his physical body remaining in reality was not idle either; he quickly pulled over the Mechanical Throne and plopped down onto it, instantly feeling a significant enhancement in his own Mechanical Sense.

"Why not try disconnecting from the network?" Manison asked with a faint, enigmatic smile.

You wretched old man, full of malicious schemes, as if I don't know what you're plotting... Han Xiao snorted coldly.

Having already breached the central node, Manison must have left a backdoor; disconnecting the network would be useless. With a single move of his virtual soul, he could still remain right here.

Moreover, a seasoned veteran like Manison would never fail to bring a dedicated base station as a fallback.

"Thank goodness I chose the Virtual Specialization back then. If I had picked one of the other two branches, my life's savings accumulated over many years might have just been handed over to someone else." In this dire situation, Han Xiao couldn't help but find humor in his misery, forcing a touch of optimism.

The current situation was far from favorable. Although he could barely hold off Manison's invasion by going all out, he was relegated to passive defense, only able to slow down the pace of the invasion without completely halting his advance. It was like drinking poison to quench thirst, a slow and agonizing death.

"Do you truly intend to make an enemy of the Empire?" Han Xiao couldn't help but shout.

Manison dismissed it with indifference, chuckling lightly.

"You should be asking... is the Empire willing to make an enemy of me?"

Hearing this, Han Xiao knew Manison was determined to teach him a lesson, so he simply stopped speaking and secretly pondered means of counterattack.

Trace the source of the data?

It sounded good in theory, but setting aside whether he could even win, a virtual mechanic of Manison's caliber would certainly use a spoofed address when launching an invasion, making it impossible to pinpoint his location.

Han Xiao did have the ability to crack it, but right now, just preventing Manison from stripping him bare was already a struggle. He had no spare computational power to counterattack, let alone trace the connection to strike back.

Tactical base swap?

I'm afraid before I even find Manison's lair, my own crystal would already be smashed to pieces.

Call for reinforcements?

Hmm... this might be the only way. On his own, he couldn't stop Manison's virtual invasion.

After all, Manison was different from Heber. The title of the Mechanical Nation was not just empty boasting.

With no other choice, Han Xiao had to contact Maximroll, an Imperial ally and mechanic he was somewhat acquainted with, and send a plea for help... Although Maximroll was not a Virtual Specialization, he could at least intervene in a Super-A virtual battle, and his presence would alleviate a great deal of pressure.

Manison narrowed his eyes, intercepting a massive amount of distress signals, but Han Xiao still managed to slip one through the cracks and send it out.

Seeing this, Manison remained unfazed.

"Heh, who did you call for help? Maximroll or Seboldin? It couldn't be Kant, could it?"

"Mind your own damn business," Han Xiao snorted.

"Anyway, we have plenty of time. The more, the merrier, it's quite amusing." Manison smiled indifferently; he didn't care much about Han Xiao calling for reinforcements.

Calling for help simply meant that Black Star was no match for him, and his objective was already more than half achieved. Besides, in terms of virtual invasion, no mechanic in the entire explored universe could defeat him.

He knew Han Xiao was a mechanic who had forged his own unique path, so he had no interest in attacking weaknesses with his own; naturally, he would use his most proficient abilities against Han Xiao.

However, Manison did not underestimate Han Xiao. Facing a mechanic of the same tier, he would not be careless. He was prepared for a patient, protracted battle and had no intention of finishing off Black Star in a short while... even if Black Star's Mechanical Sense seemed unbelievably weak in his eyes.

Just then, a glowing figure appeared outside the firewall.

"Black Star, it seems you need a little help."

A familiar voice rang out.

Han Xiao looked up, his eyebrows raising. This abruptly appearing figure was none other than the AI lifeform Ristda, who hadn't bothered him in a long time.

Seeing this, a thought crossed Han Xiao's mind.

The virtual world was the home turf of AI lifeforms; if he could get his help...

However, when Han Xiao glanced over, he found Manison completely unfazed.

Manison merely cast a faint glance at Ristda, clearly remembering the very fellow he had let go.

"Oh, it's you."

"Mechanical Nation!" Ristda faced Manison. Although his tone was as indifferent as ever, Han Xiao could sense the pent-up anger within him.

The next moment, Ristda unleashed a stream of data, launching an attack on Manison's virtual soul.

Manison, however, turned a blind eye and stood his ground. The data streams simply slid past him, completely ineffective.

"Since you're here, let me introduce you to an old friend."

Manison tilted his head. Streams of data separated from his body, forming another figure beside him.

This figure was also glowing, radiating a golden hue. Complex logical data could be seen flowing across its surface. It was another AI lifeform, its face bearing only a pair of eyeless sockets burning with azure flames.

AI lifeforms had their own unique way of recognizing appearances. The instant he saw this figure, Ristda froze in shock.

"Ancestor?!"

At that exact same moment, Han Xiao's interface began to stir.