Mecha Chapter 180: Growth

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Lhachril

 

125 stiffened, and although he didn’t turn around, it was clear that his ears were pricked up. 125 grumbled, “Hmm, why are you saying sorry to me? You’re my foster, not my subordinate exotic beast mecha. Besides, did you make a mistake?” 

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth twitched. This is what you learn from someone? This arrogant tone is already beginning to take on the style of Yuan Xi!

“Of course, I don’t think I’m wrong. After all, arriving here wasn’t my wish.” Luo XiaoLou smiled and stroked 125’s large head, “I just wanted to say, I’m sorry, I’m not the one you were waiting for. Your mission was for you to guard the awakened exotic beast, but I’m not. I’m just a human from a long time ago, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before that your mission wasn’t completed. But, I am happy to have met Yuan Xi, and you. Both you and Yuan Xi are very important to me, my dear.”

125 stiffened when it heard the first sentence, and then slowly relaxed when it heard the rest. It tried to keep its tone of pride as it said, “Yes, I didn’t complete the mission. And that’s a very fatal blow to an AI, and you don’t understand all that said. Even if it’s to make up for my Spiritual loss, you should continue to feed me.” Self-pity aside, 125 didn’t forget to address the issue of his homecoming.

“Ah, I am truly a failed exotic beast mecha! Not chosen to follow and protect my master, and all of his orders were not fulfilled. Even the upgrades my master arranged for me ultimately failed, perhaps he no longer wishes to see me.” 125 said in a soul-satisfying, sorrowful aria, his tail drooped low and his back a bleak one.

“Mn, indeed.” Luo XiaoLou sighed.

“Yeah, maybe I’ll be abandoned – what did you say?!” 125 was crying to exchange or gain sympathy points, but then reacted to Luo XiaoLou’s words and jumped up, eyes rounded, and shouted incredulously: “Oh my God, how could you treat a poor mecha so- so heartlessly- and even throw stones at it -“

“Yeah, you’re so pathetic that you didn’t finish the quest, isn’t that the truth? But I’m quite happy that you didn’t finish the upgrade, because I like your personality better. And you’ve helped me a lot, even if there were times when you made a mess, overall, it’s quite useful.” Luo XiaoLou said with a smile.

125 looked at him with its mouth wide open, seemingly a little unable to react. Two seconds later, its green face seemed to have a suspicious red color. It wiggled its tail and said apologetically, “Is- is that so? I also think I have quite a lot of advantages. Heck, you’re actually pretty good too, making me energy boxes, giving me presents, my cot, dolls and so many other shiny things – you’ll still give me things right?” 125 was about to fly by the seat of its pants!

At the same time, 125 found that even if he didn’t complete the task, it didn’t seem so bad. What if the former Luo XiaoLou didn’t give it anything and still wielded a whip to enslave it every day?

125 shuddered and decided to begrudgingly stay no matter what. It said in a righteous, negotiating tone, “Mn! Well, even if you’re not originally an exotic beast, since you’re dominating the important body of the exotic beast family anyway, you’re still my foster, and I’ll be watching you all the time! You’re responsible for feeding me, loving me, caring for me and all that.”

“…” Luo XiaoLou suddenly realized that maybe 125 didn’t need comforting at all.

Unraveling the heart knot with 125, who had been uncomfortable for the past few days, Luo XiaoLou slept without any worries. The next morning, when Yuan Xi returned, he saw Luo XiaoLou and 125 sleeping soundly, and felt relieved and jealous. At the same time, he sighed that he used to work out with the same intensity, but he never considered how wonderful it was to sleep.

No wonder his father didn’t want to work overtime no matter what.

Luo XiaoLou, who had been awakened by a rude maneuver, said in a daze, “Are you sure you don’t want to take a break? We still have extra energy stones.”

Yuan Xi huffed, took a glance at the collar of Luo XiaoLou’s conservative pajamas, licked his lips and said, “No, we’ll leave right away.”

When they went out, Li Jay and Xiao Qiao were planning to go out as well. Xiao Qiao was still dressed as a man, but because of her martial arts training, she was much stronger. Even her walk was no longer shrinking like when she first started dressing as a man.

Li Jay greeted them with a smile and said as if he thought of something, “Yuan Xi, we’re going to the innermost part of the Level 1 Energy Stone Area this afternoon, where the energy stones are concentrated. Do you want to come with us?” Li Jay was well-meaning. He felt that now that he and Xiao Qiao could obviously get more energy stones, he should more or less take care of his neighbor.

After Yuan Xi left that day, he heard that Eva was scolded by her grandfather and several elders for the first time, and sent to her uncle’s house in District B in tears. In fact, the Yi family had the intention of inviting Yuan Xi again, and while Li Jay repeatedly tried, Yuan Xi had no intention at all, so the Yi family gave up.

Xiao Qiao also said on the side, “Yes, Brother Yuan, why don’t you come with us? That way we can work together even faster.”

Yuan Xi was clearly tempted, as with more people Luo XiaoLou would also be safer. But thinking of Li Suo’s advice last night, he hesitated for two seconds and said, “I have something to do in the next few days, so after a week, I’ll go with you guys.”

Li Jay promptly responded, “That’s fine, I’ll come over and call you guys then.”

The two groups separated at the gate, and Yuan Xi and Luo XiaoLou found an unoccupied Level 1 energy stone area as they had planned. This time, Luo XiaoLou had specifically observed Yuan Xi’s movements while combing through the green cesium, and he felt that the reason Yuan Xi had rejected Li Jay and the others was probably that now was his learning phase.

As expected, Yuan Xi changed his quick and stern style from the previous days. His movements were slower and stranger when he solved a guardian beast, and Luo XiaoLou couldn’t even understand why Yuan Xi was doing that. But Luo XiaoLou soon discovered that although Yuan Xi’s movements were slow, the fierce guardian beasts were not even close to touching Yuan Xi. In anger, they kept growling.

Yuan Xi circled around the guardian beasts with the same expression, occasionally dealing serious damage to them with a single blow. Luo XiaoLou could no longer see Yuan Xi’s movements, but from the increasingly miserable cries of the guardian beasts he was using to practice, he could tell that Yuan Xi was improving!

Luo XiaoLou, who was sitting in the corner combing through the green cesium, was deeply shocked. Back when he made the energy box and various parts, he also made the same parts over and over again to improve his proficiency, but he could have sworn that his rate of improvement was definitely not as fast as Yuan Xi’s!

An SSS rank is just too OP! Even though his physique was quite a bit weaker now, Luo XiaoLou could still see the superb talent.

Even though he grumbled, at the same time, Luo XiaoLou was happy, he could see that Li Suo was quite powerful, or at least he was very good at ancient martial arts. They soon wouldn’t have to maintain only a subsistence lifestyle. Yuan Xi’s goal was District A to search for Yuan Che. District A collected a fourth-grade energy stone every day, and that was the equivalent of thirty first-grade energy stones. Even if he had that ability, District A couldn’t enter without a guarantor.

Seeing Yuan Xi, and thinking about his progress, Luo XiaoLou lowered his head and couldn’t help but speed up his movements.

By the time he left for the evening, Yuan Xi had gained six Level 1 Energy Stones, and Luo XiaoLou had combed through three Green Cesiums.

The next day, Yuan Xi stayed out again at night and found an empty place to practice during the day. He noticed that Yuan Xi’s movements were different from yesterday, which meant that Yuan Xi was training a new method and still had the same six energy stones as usual.

After three days, Yuan Xi no longer stayed up all night, but would come back every night to sleep half the night. But at that time, Luo XiaoLou had already gone to bed and Yuan Xi was moved so lightly, Luo XiaoLou barely knew when Yuan Xi would return.

Luo XiaoLou was secretly surprised that every day for six days, Yuan Xi practiced something different. It also meant each set of movements Yuan Xi had basically mastered in one day. Seeing the deepening smile on old man Suo’s face, Luo XiaoLou knew how fast Yuan Xi had improved.

On the sixth day, Luo XiaoLou finished fixing the two pieces of green cesium, and it wasn’t even noon yet, so it was clear that he had exceeded his quota. Bringing 125 and the Snake Vine with him would hardly be too dangerous.

It was noon time and there were many people.

Luo XiaoLou slipped outside and asked 125, “Can my Spiritual Power fix that ship now?”

125 was paying attention to Luo XiaoLou’s progress every day, much more attentive than to Yuan Xi. It shook its head, “Not nearly enough even if you can recover your Source of Consciousness.”

Luo XiaoLou was also starting to get a headache. He was going to talk to Yuan Xi tonight and use a few energy stones. Otherwise, his progress was really too slow. But Luo XiaoLou was distressed just thinking about it. The energy stones he had used couldn’t be used again, but they were the ones Yuan Xi had fought hard to get, and they would be of even greater use in the future.

Luo XiaoLou didn’t notice, but he bumped into someone. 125 was collecting a sample and also didn’t notice. Luo XiaoLou looked up sharply and prepared to apologize, but couldn’t help but blurt out when he saw the handsome young man dressed in white in front of him, “Ling Xiao?”

Ling Xiao, who was frowning after the collision, was slightly moved when he saw Luo XiaoLou, and he took an unnoticeable step back, then asked, “You know me?”

Luo XiaoLou just remembered that he shouldn’t know Ling Xiao at all, and was busy nervously backtracking, “Of course – no, in fact, I’ve heard of your great name. A person of your status and fame like you- even if I’m from District D, I’ve heard of you.”

Ling Xiao took a glance at Luo XiaoLou and 125 who quickly ran behind Luo XiaoLou and said after two seconds of silence, “Your pet looks good.”

“Ah, it’s actually a robot – made using mechanical principles.” Luo XiaoLou added with a guilty conscience. After all, there were no robots that could move here.

125 knowingly put on the standard state of a dull-eyed, rigidly moving robot.

Ling Xiao suspiciously took another look at 125. If he remembered correctly just now, the robot had shown a very nasty smile. But that cleverness just now was not visible at all, as if he was delusional.

A drop of sweat slowly appeared on 125’s forehead. Under that suspicious gaze, it could not hold on any longer.

Luo XiaoLou quietly stepped over to block 125, intending to quickly end the conversation with Ling Xiao, “Ah, what are you busy with? I won’t hold you up.”

Ling Xiao’s cool gaze turned to Luo XiaoLou, took a few measurements, and asked, “You know how to repair equipment?”

“I understand a little.” Luo XiaoLou said hesitantly. He was at least considered a mecha maker. Repairing simple things shouldn’t be a problem. Not to mention the fact that this man had given him and Yuan Xi a helping hand, so a little help was in order.

“Alright then, help me, see if you can repair it.” Ling Xiao said, handing over the sword in his hand. If by luck, this person who took the initiative to greet him could repair it, then he wouldn’t have to make a special trip back to District A. It would save him a lot of time.

Luo XiaoLou was surprised to find that what Ling Xiao handed him was the sword that had made him extremely curious last time. But now, that beautiful sword no longer had the dazzling blue flames burning on it. Although it was still sharp, it felt like something was missing.

“What’s wrong with it?” Luo XiaoLou swallowed his saliva as he touched the sword that was glowing green and cold, and asked Ling Xiao, standing to the side.

If Yuan Xi had such a sword, he would be very happy…

While thinking about it, a blue stone was held in front of Luo XiaoLou, “This, it was obtained while killing the Guardian Beast.”

While Luo XiaoLou and Ling Xiao were standing there talking, people started to gather around. After all, it was rare for people in the Tier 1 Energy Stone Region to see such a powerful expert staying. Now when they saw the blue stone that Ling Xiao took out, many of them sucked in their breath, “Level 5 Energy Stone! Icy chill!”

Luo XiaoLou was also stunned. Is this an energy stone too? The energy stone which possessed a name was something he had never seen before. He strongly resisted the urge to touch the two of them.

Luo XiaoLou set the energy stone into the grooved part in the middle of the sword. Ling Xiao looked fascinated, but didn’t say anything.

The people around couldn’t help but whisper in seven different voices.

“It doesn’t matter if he can’t fix it. He’s only from District D.”

“Yeah, who doesn’t need tools to fix an energy sword?”

“Is he out to be funny?”

Luo XiaoLou didn’t hear those people’s voices at all. He was engrossed in the sword in his hand. The moment the energy stone was installed, the sword in his hand, as if it possessed a life, slightly trembled, even the heavy feeling just now disappeared. It gave him the urge to love it and want to pick it up and wield it.

Finally, Luo XiaoLou forced himself to steady his mind and used all of his Spiritual Power to begin adjusting the connection between the Energy Stone and the sword. The energy stone moved at a visible speed without Luo XiaoLou touching it with his hands.

There was a strange silence in the surroundings. Only the people who couldn’t see from the periphery were still laughing. Ling Xiao’s gaze on Luo XiaoLou, on the other hand, grew deeper and deeper.

As the energy stone began to move, Luo XiaoLou felt a cold and comfortable sensation surge into his body along with Spiritual Power. He felt a jolt of energy, and the Spiritual Power that had been consumed quite a bit in the morning suddenly refilled quickly.

Soon, the damaged grooves of the sword began to slowly melt away and formed a properly sized hole again, and the blue energy stone was firmly fixed in the middle of the sword.

Ling Xiao was relieved and was about to express his gratitude and ask Luo XiaoLou to return the sword to him, when he noticed that the sword held in Luo XiaoLou’s hand suddenly erupted with a fierce blue flame, even more powerful than the one he had ignited with the special instrument.