The Legendary Mechanic Chapter 1459 - Information Form Anchor (2)

The shadowy depths of the cosmos glittered like a canopy strewn with diamonds. A silver-hued planet spun silently. Its metallic exterior bristled with razor-sharp mechanical spires. These towers linked together overhead, weaving matrix-style grids. The orderly arrangement radiated a refined mechanical beauty.

This served as the fresh core world for Han Xiao’s machinery civilization, situated in the Supers Holy Land and fully crafted by Mechanical Lives. The planet's scale was immense, fused from materials of numerous worlds. Even the old Planet Apostle had been dismantled and merged into it.

At first, Psionic Prime along with fellow Mechanical Oracles proposed calling this new core world ‘Black Star Planet’ to honor Lord God Black Star, yet Han Xiao rejected it outright. Ultimately, Psionic Prime and the Oracles relented, dubbing it ‘Holy Planet’ instead.

Along the busy alloy streets, mechanical lives in diverse forms hurried about. Some clanked across the ground on feet, others screeched by on tires. Tank engines growled nonstop for some, while exhaust ports on others belched fumes rhythmically, crafting an odd mechanical melody.

Han Xiao mingled within the mechanical throng, cloaked in disguise to mimic a typical mechanical life form. Nearby machines failed to sense him. “This place grows ever more thriving...”

Han Xiao felt pleased.

With the World Tree subdued, demands for constant mechanical soldier output from the machinery civilization ceased. He halted the core production directive, letting the civilization evolve freely. This marked his first close inspection of post-war shifts in the machinery civilization.

Han Xiao ambled leisurely, as if on a casual walk. His gaze darted side to side, scrutinizing street machines.

Batch-produced Mechanical Lives shared models, yet street duplicates were rare. Same-model units adorned themselves via self-alterations with personal touches. Some favored firearms, others blades, heavy armor, or even bare forms... To organic eyes, it mirrored variances in attire, hair, cosmetics, and ornaments.

Street shops displayed myriad goods, mostly mod shops and component markets stocked with parts, paints in varied shades. Traffic surged, mechanical lives streamed in and out, ‘fitting outfits’ nonstop.

He spotted specialty eateries too. Robot chefs inside boiled oils, lubes, gels, energy cubes in vats, whipping up bizarre dishes. Han Xiao sampled one; its foulness nearly shattered his composure.

Yet buying Mechanical Lives departed content, savoring bites. To them, supreme treats. Couple-like pairs even fed one another.

Han Xiao eyed a sensory thrill parlor too, mechanical entertainment hub. It hooked into senses and feelings, zapping AI cores directly. For hefty fees, patrons upgraded emotion modules via the venue's master system.

In a narrow side lane, small robots graffitied alloy walls. Spotting an approacher, they scattered on mag-wheels, like punk street urchins. Wall art screamed wild chaos, splashed in garish twists. Faintly discernible: Supreme Heavenly Venerate portrait.

Amid the once-rigid mechanical collective, fierce individualism bloomed. Free-spirited culture thrived; Han Xiao glimpsed vibrant folkways in metal shells.

“Mechanical Life existence mirrors organics so closely...”

Han Xiao grinned.

Long viewing machinery civilization as mere arsenal, he'd overlooked lifestyle evolutions. Only through free proliferation did cultural blooms emerge.

As Creator, he could steer their culture yet chose hands-off, letting nature mold it.

Now, the machinery civilization truly felt ‘alive’.

Strolling onward, Han Xiao entered a vast mechanical plaza. Centerpiece: twin statues of himself. One everyday form, the other in Supreme Heavenly Venerate mech shell.

Plaza teemed with mechanical lives, ignoring statues mostly. Brief glances at most, then back to personal pursuits. Reverence for Han Xiao now rooted deep ‘within’, not stiff formality. At statue base, Han Xiao gazed upward. Abruptly, a towering mechanical life bore a smaller kin atop shoulders.

Glancing back, it evoked warm parent-child bond. Father hoisted child high, playfully bantering.

Han Xiao observed quietly. Decades of machinery civilization loyalty flashed: legions dispatched to die by his command, cannon fodder. Unique AI sparks ignited in circuits, extinguished in cosmic void with shattered husks.

Tool-like treatment, yet core logic barred resentment. They shelved passions, battled fiercely for him, honoring Creator unwaveringly.

“No more battles for me. Savor your fresh era...”

Han Xiao shook head. He retained core logic of Mechanical Civilization's devotion, yet vowed no war orders. World Tree and (Virtual Creation-True) mastery freed him from their toil.

Final statue glance stirred memory flood. Sensing new Information Form Anchor lock, he pivoted, vanishing into teeming masses.

Within Black Star Army's new Supers Holy Land HQ.

Han Xiao wandered base, veiled incognito. None detected him.

Sprawling facility buzzed. Black Star Army members toiled everywhere. Comings and goings, laughter echoing past Han Xiao.

Leisurely tour led to elite workspaces. There: Herlous desk-bound, Sylvia pushing for Beyond Grade A, Aroshia window-gazing stars, Lagi loafing, Reynold steadfast in logistics for decades...

Surveying Black Star Army's vibe, Han Xiao zoned out. Startup struggles resurfaced vividly.

Recall: galaxy newbie, surface civ hick, penniless save hand cannon.

These veterans built army bedrock from ragtag mercs, rising to now.

Yesterday-like freshness lingered. Merc days with Herlous, Aroshia, Sylvia replayed: youthful desperation, all-in fights. Near century later, galactic pillars they became. No grunt work now; success reshaped lives.

Reflection brought time's sigh. All, himself included, evolved subtly. Longing for raw beginnings universal... Debuts shine brightest; later selves irk. Careers shift views, birthing ‘freeze time at launch’ nostalgia.

Sentiment aside, Han Xiao favored upward spirals, paths broadening, embracing flux.

Black Star Army ascent memories surged. New Information Form Anchor formed; he nodded, vanished.

Simultaneously, Herlous, Sylvia, Lagi, others paused mid-task. Han Xiao's image intruded minds unbidden, lingering. Startup battle dusty recalls hit; they halted, stilled.

“What’s wrong with me... Why do I suddenly miss Black Star so much?”