Traveler of the River of Time and Space

Chapter 659 28: Wasteland Ascension

Beidou.

As one of the few remaining seeds of civilization from the old era, Beidou still retains a relatively complete industrial system.

Unlike the internal strife among various factions of the Academy, Beidou almost became united like a tightly knit rope after the catastrophe, reclaiming the lost territory through generations' sacrifices and dedication. However, Beidou has its own shortcomings, primarily inheriting the heavy industry of the past, whereas the Academy has inherited most of the cutting-edge technology from before the catastrophe.

Heavy industry has its advantages too. Once a complete industrial system is utilized in this Wasteland Era, its explosive productivity is quite astonishing.

During these years.

With Beidou at its core, people's footprints gradually spread throughout the Tigris-Euphrates River Valley and expanded towards the original Huaxia territory, having reclaimed more than two-thirds of the lost land. The powerful heavy industry and complete industrial system enabled Beidou to quickly complete the second phase of military reform. The outdated individual equipment gradually became obsolete, and a large number of Exoskeleton Power Armors were produced. Relying on these armors equipped with miniature nuclear fusion batteries, even militia units are continuously reclaiming their homeland.

Inside a heavily guarded military base.

Beidou's leaders were seated here, their expressions extremely grave, gazing at the vast data flashing in front of them.

"This is all the intelligence we currently have."

A middle-aged man with a square face and resolute features stood up and said, "The Voice of Earth is suspected to be the source of all these events. Our dispatched team is doing their utmost to retrieve those records."

The strange whispers originated from the sounds of humans.

This is a massive problem because most people unknowingly listen to this murmuring whisper.

"They provided us with a Void Battery that almost possesses endless energy," a figure in a white coat slowly said, "But the technological barriers of this item have far exceeded our current technological level."

Even if some STC standard construction templates were replicated, significantly advancing Beidou's technological level, some interstellar era technologies still seem like fantasy to them.

Merely the technological gap between standard interstellar armor and nuclear fusion-powered armor spans several eras.

Just breaking through materials science technology would take Beidou decades of effort.

"Time waits for no one," the leader said in a deep voice, "The Mechanical Ascension project must be initiated. Humanity cannot wait that long."

The first generation of Mechanical Ascension was not a complete transformation. Bionic technology would be first applied to those injured in combat. Currently, a part of the civilian population is also starting to embrace Mechanical Ascension, mainly focusing on those with congenital physical deformities or those who have lost limbs due to work.

"Artificial lungs have already been produced."

"The first batch of artificial lungs has been applied to workers who have worked in high-pollution areas for years."

"Currently, the efficiency of artificial lungs can reach over one hundred and fifty percent of normal human lungs."

"They can filter out most toxic gases."

The researchers in the meeting room began reporting the recent scientific breakthroughs. Operating the computer before him, he said, "The first generation of bionic limbs will take about three more months before mass production."

"Compared to previous mechanical arms, the efficiency of bionic arms has increased by two hundred percent and can assist with an integrated personal micro-terminal."

"The Bionic Heart requires breakthroughs in materials science, and the current research progress is rather slow."

"According to the current pace of research, within about two years, over eighty percent of the human body parts can be replaced with bionic organs."

"The first batch of special forces injured in combat has completely switched to new bionic limbs."

A meeting deciding humanity's future lasted an entire day.

The people of their generation had virtually no choice. Born amid severe nuclear radiation pollution, many had congenital deformities. Countless individuals dedicated their whole lives during the reclamation process. Over the decades, the number of soldiers injured due to combat was immeasurable. To recover high-value resources, many workers entered high-pollution areas, most of whom had died, while those who lived had severe radiation sickness, and without relying on bionic technology, simply standing was difficult.

But these people are Beidou's most valuable assets. They are the most steadfast warriors, the hardest-working laborers, the most fearless knights, the true unsung heroes.

Flesh is weak; Mechanical Ascension.

Only through Mechanical Ascension can they reclaim everything in a short time and reshape the entire world's ecological environment.

With one generation's sacrifice, exchange for a beautiful life for future offspring.

Academy's former site.

Su Ziyu slowly opened the heavy gate in front of him. Relying on the personal terminal from the interstellar era, most of the Wasteland's technology posed no challenge to him, and he navigated here unimpeded.

Under the dim, flashing lights, a man's figure appeared ahead.

A Doctor.

Because Su Ziyu severely damaged some factions within the Academy back then, A Doctor managed to rise and become the strongest faction in the Academy. He seemed to have anticipated Su Ziyu's arrival long ago, calmly stood up, and said, "I've been waiting for you."

Beside him stood an old acquaintance, Leon, but his appearance had dramatically changed, with his exposed skin showing a metallic sheen.

Su Ziyu had divided the interstellar era technology into two portions: one given to Beidou, and the other in A Doctor's hands.

To save the Wasteland in the shortest possible time, Su Ziyu must draw on everyone's strength. Otherwise, when celestial bodies align, the Wasteland's pollution will erupt, and by then, it will be too late.

"Did it succeed?" Su Ziyu stared into Leon's eyes.

This was a complete synthetic being; most of his bodily components had been replaced with bionic organs. A Doctor had mastered Earth's most advanced consciousness uploading technology, and only he could break through the first technological barrier of Mechanical Ascension in a short time.

"Yes. Very successful." A Doctor's expression was very calm.

The Wasteland's pollution is indeed similar to the situation in the Distant Realm; ancient entities came here, causing the eerie mind whispers to erupt.

The root of all this touches on the mysteries of the Space-Time Hub, but before dealing with that, Su Ziyu must ensure that they hold on.

"This is a list of cultist organizations serving Evil Gods."

Su Ziyu gently raised a hand, and a list appeared in front of A Doctor. He said in a deep voice, "I need you to resolve them within six months."

"Prevent the further outbreak of mental pollution."

A Doctor extended a silver-glowing hand, took the list before him, and with a glint of killing intent in his calm eyes, slowly said, "It won't take that long, three months will do."

Perhaps the Academy's bionic army has already been created.

"That would be better." Su Ziyu slowly said, "There's a saying in the East, 'To eliminate external troubles, internal issues must first be resolved.'"

"Some rubbish does need a thorough cleanup."

The pollution in the Wasteland World is not the most severe. Be it the edge world or the final doomsday in the space-time drift, their conditions are much graver than here, but the Wasteland's technology level is insufficient. Coupled with the lack of significant supernatural power, the first wave of insane mind whispers caused the outbreak of nuclear war, dragging the Wasteland Plane directly into the apocalypse.

Other worlds are also being infiltrated by this indiscernible evil, such as the gradually fading realms, but they have not yet entered the apocalypse era so quickly.

The current issues in the Wasteland must be resolved urgently.

Because Su Ziyu has more important tasks ahead; they must find a way to root out the issues.

That is to isolate the pollution from the Distant Realm, preventing indescribable ancient entities from entering other Crystal Wall Element worlds. Once the Distant Realm is isolated from the cosmos, the next step is just to clean everything up.

.........