151: Chapter 151 Mech Workshop, First Test Machine

The dawn in Chaos Valley was no different from any other day.

Morning light cut diagonally through the gap in the eastern mountains, dyeing the outer wall of the fifteen-meter-tall silver-gray Mecha Workshop in a thin layer of gold.

The low-frequency hum of the Spiritual Qi Conversion Array was the eternal background tone of this area, mixed with the electronic pulse sounds of the production line in standby mode, weaving together in the morning air into a kind of breathing unique to the Heavenly Court's technological side.

Lin Ye stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the workshop's main control room.

Behind him, twenty-seven holographic screens were lit up simultaneously, each refreshing different data streams in real-time.

There was the remote technical support channel from the Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield, the fifth edition of the neural connection debugging manual just uploaded by Dr. Ailin last night, and the last batch of logistics tracking information for star iron sent by Zhao Wuji from Star Ring City—at this moment, that batch of 800 kilograms of Ore was crossing the outskirts of the Meteorite Belt at a cruising speed of 0.15 light-seconds per second, expected to arrive at Chaos Valley in 47 hours.

But Lin Ye's gaze was not on these twenty-seven screens.

He was looking at the six-axis fixed support in the center of the workshop, which was 9.7 meters high, 5.4 meters wide, and 3.8 meters deep.

On the support, a mecha skeleton, silver-blue throughout with a streamlined outline not yet covered by its full outer armor, rested at a 15-degree upward angle.

Its chest compartment was open, the energy core was not yet installed, and the fiber optic nerve bundles of the main control System hung down from the interface behind the neck, like the tentacles of a sleeping giant beast that had not yet awakened.

The right shoulder joint had completed final assembly, and the hydraulic servo motor emitted an extremely faint calibration pulse every 12 seconds while in standby mode.

The left elbow joint still exposed its precision transmission gear set, gleaming with a cold metallic luster in the morning light.

[chaos unit no. 1 · Final Assembly Progress]

[Current Completion: 91%]

[Remaining Work Time: approx. 11 hours]

[Modules to be Completed:]

[1. Energy Core Installation and Calibration (needs 3 hours)]

[2. Main Control System Neural Connection Binding (needs 2 hours)]

[3. Outer Armor Covering and Airtight Test (needs 4 hours)]

[4. Weapon System Mounting and Fire Control Calibration (needs 2 hours)]

[5. Full Machine Power-on Test Run (needs 30 minutes)]

[Estimated Offline Time: Today 20:00-22:00 (Chaos Valley local time)]

Footsteps sounded behind Lin Ye.

He did not look back.

"How many times has it been?" he asked.

Chen Hao walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

His right hand was wrapped in three layers of medical bandages from the wrist to the elbow joint—that was three days ago, when he was debugging the particle cannon capacitor bank and, due to fatigue, accidentally touched the high-voltage circuit, resulting in a third-degree electric burn on the back of his left hand.

Beneath the bandage was newly healed pink skin.

He did not answer Lin Ye's question.

Because he himself did not know how many times he had crawled out of the medical pod and returned to this workshop.

The 5th time?

The 7th time?

Or the 11th time?

He only knew that since the day the technical experts from the Eternal Star Domain arrived at Chaos Valley, the time he had spent in this workshop had already exceeded the sum of all his online time in the game pod over the past five months.

"Dr. Ailin said," Chen Hao began, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"The final simulation test of the energy core has passed."

"Stability is 97.3%, the energy output curve fluctuation range is ±2.1%, reaching the A-level standard for mass-produced machines."

He paused.

"Compared to the original design of the Starshine Type I, the battery life is 18% longer."

Lin Ye did not speak.

He just looked at that still-sleeping mecha skeleton, looking at its exposed joints, the unclosed chest compartment, and that bundle of fiber optic nerve bundles hanging from behind the neck.

47 days ago, they signed the agreement in the Eternal Star Domain to exchange five years of Spiritual Qi revenue from Chaos Valley for the blueprints.

47 days ago, he stood before the chief appraiser of the Star Ring Financial Group and placed the data crystal containing the full set of technical documents on the table.

47 days ago, he told himself: Within three months, the Heavenly Court must have its own mecha.

At this moment.

The 47th day.

11 hours left.

"Boss."

Chen Hao's voice was softer.

"...I want to name it."

Lin Ye turned his face.

Chen Hao did not look at him.

His gaze fell on the mecha, on that right arm that had not yet been covered with outer armor, on the calibration pulse of the shoulder joint hydraulic servo motor every 12 seconds.

"chaos unit no. 1," he said.

"Chaos is the background color of the Heavenly Court."

"Unit No. 1 is the starting point."

"Mecha—"

He paused.

"...is a dream."

[System Prompt: Your faction member 'Chen Hao' has submitted a 'Mecha Naming' request]

[Proposed Name: chaos unit no. 1]

[Name Definition: Chaos—the source of the Heavenly Court's technological System; Unit No. 1—the first path, the first machine, the first step into the unknown; Mecha—mecha, opportunity, the spark of mechanical civilization]

[Confirm?]

Lin Ye looked at the System prompt.

Three seconds.

He reached out.

[Confirm]

[System Prompt: Mecha 'chaos unit no. 1' naming has been locked]

[This name will become the permanent code name for the Heavenly Court mecha sequence]

[You have obtained the achievement: 'Namer · First Machine']

[Achievement Reward: chaos unit no. 1 All Attributes +3% (Namer exclusive bonus)]

Chen Hao stood in place.

He did not cheer.

He did not jump.

He did not say 'thank you boss' three times in the voice channel out of excitement as he did five months ago when he first joined the Heavenly Court.

He just stood there.

Looking at the mecha.

For a long time.

Then he said softly:

"...11 hours."

"I've waited 47 days."

"It's not that much difference for 11 hours."

Day 48 · Morning · 07:13.

Mecha Workshop · Central Assembly Area.

Dr. Ailin Watson stood before the main console.

She was still wearing that silver-white scientific research uniform of the Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield, still wearing those rimless glasses, and still using her data-driven language without any emotional fluctuation to issue the final instruction for the final assembly stage.

"Energy core, load."

Three automatic transport robots lifted a silver-blue sphere with a diameter of 0.7 meters and a weight of 370 kilograms from the constant temperature storage cabin.

That was the power heart of chaos unit no. 1.

[Energy Core · Chaos Type I]

[Type: Mecha Power Source]

[Quality: Legendary (Experimental)]

[Description: A civilian authorized version of the latest generation 'Nebula' level energy core of the Seventh Scientific Research Fleet of the Eternal Star Domain, which has completed 23 localized improvements by Dr. Ailin's team during their stay in the Heavenly Court, compatible with the Big Dipper Star Field Spirit Stone energy System and the Eternal Star Domain antimatter auxiliary ignition technology.]

[Parameters:]

[Rated Power: 2,700 kW]

[Peak Power: 4,300 kW (Overload mode / time limit 180 seconds)]

[Energy Density: 47 MJ/kg]

[Battery Life: Standard combat 4.7 hours, low-power cruise 11.2 hours]

[Charging Method:]

[1. Eternal Star Domain standard energy interface (requires matching charging pile)]

[2. Big Dipper Star Field Spirit Stone conversion device (conversion efficiency 73%, requires external Spiritual Qi array)]

[3. Solar/Stellar radiation supplementation (extremely inefficient, only as an emergency plan)]

[Special Design:]

[1. Dual-mode ignition: Can be started using traditional electric energy, or the core can be ignited directly by the pilot with spiritual power (requires Cultivator exclusive)]

[2. Overload protection redundancy: When the core temperature exceeds the safety threshold, it automatically downclocks and releases the reserved spiritual energy shield]

[3. Pilot vital signs linkage: When the pilot's heart rate is lower than 30 beats/minute or higher than 180 beats/minute, the core automatically enters standby mode to prevent misoperation]

[Current Status: Awaiting Loading]

The robotic arms of the three transport robots synchronously raised 37 degrees, slowly sending the energy core into the open chest cavity of chaos unit no. 1.

0.3 meters.

0.2 meters.

0.1 meters.

"Click."

The core base lock and the fixing slot of the mecha chest compartment completed physical engagement.

At the same instant, the fiber optic nerve bundle that had been hanging behind the neck of chaos unit no. 1 for 47 days—

Suddenly lit up.

It was not System power supply.

It was the first 'handshake' between the energy core and the mecha body.

The light was extremely faint, extremely light, like the first instant a newborn opens its eyes, casting an unfocused gaze upon the world.

[chaos unit no. 1 · Core Awakening]

[Energy Core Loading Completion: 100%]

[Core Initial Self-test: Passed]

[Energy Circuit Integrity: 97.3% (2 nodes awaiting optimization)]

[Neural Connection Port: Awaiting binding]

[Pilot: Awaiting confirmation]

Chen Hao stood under the mecha.

He tilted his head back, looking at the steel giant that had truly 'come alive' at this moment, looking at the silver-blue light pulsing at the frequency of once per second in the center of its chest compartment.

47 days.

11 hours.

3 minutes.

He stood here.

[09:47]

Outer armor covering complete.

The seventeenth and final piece of Starshine Alloy Type II Composite Armor was fitted to the outer side of the left lower leg of chaos unit no. 1 by the automatic assembly robotic arm with an accuracy of 0.02 millimeters.

The airtight tester emitted three short beeps.

[Airtightness: Passed]

[Armor Coverage: 100%]

[Total Machine Weight: 17.3 tons (including energy core / excluding pilot)]

[11:23]

Weapon System mounting.

The particle rifle was transported out of the constant temperature weapon depot, with a total length of 2.7 meters and a weight of 210 kilograms; the barrel coating was completed by Chen Hao himself three days ago.

He spent 11 hours learning the surface treatment process of the Eternal Star Domain, scrapped 3 test barrels, and the 4th one finally reached the 'qualified' standard recognized by Dr. Ailin.

[Particle Rifle · Chaos Custom Type]

[Type: Mecha Main Weapon]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Attack Power: +4,700-5,800]

[Ammo Type: High-energy particle beam]

[Ammo Capacity: 600 rounds (standard capacitor) / 1,200 rounds (extended capacitor / requires sacrificing some mobility)]

[Rate of Fire: 45 rounds/minute]

[Effective Range: 1,200 meters (standard atmosphere) / 2,700 meters (vacuum)]

[Special Effects:]

[1. Overload shooting: Press and hold the trigger for 1.5 seconds before releasing, damage of the next shot +80%, but barrel durability consumption +300%]

[2. Spiritual power amplification: When the pilot injects spiritual power into the weapon, the particle beam can temporarily add the attacker's main cultivation attribute (requires spiritual power value ≥ 500 points/shot)]

[3. Intelligent trajectory compensation: Automatically calculates target movement trajectory and gravity environment, hit rate +25%]

[Mounting Position: Right arm back]

[14:07]

Fire control System calibration.

Chen Hao rejected the automated calibration program.

He chose manual.

Because the automated program could only calibrate the hit rate to an 'excellent' 95%.

And he needed 100%.

He used his right hand, which had not yet fully recovered from the electric burn and still had a 5% error in fine finger movements, to input 237 parameters item by item on the touch screen.

When the 173rd parameter was entered, the middle finger of his right hand cramped.

He stopped, held his right middle finger with his left hand, stretched it in the opposite direction, and lasted for 47 seconds.

Then continued.

[Fire Control Calibration Completion: 100%]

[Comprehensive Hit Rate: 97.3% (automated) → 99.1% (manual optimization)]

[17:49]

Full machine power-on test run.

Before the main console, Dr. Ailin pushed up her glasses.

Her finger hovered 0.3 centimeters above the 'Start' button.

She did not press it.

She turned around and looked at Chen Hao.

"Pilot," she said.

"Board."

Chen Hao stood in place.

He tilted his head back and looked at the open cockpit of chaos unit no. 1—it was a narrow space with a diameter of 0.8 meters and a depth of 1.1 meters, located in the center of the mecha's chest cavity, tightly surrounded by the energy core, main control computer, neural connection interface, and 37 fiber optic cables of different colors.

He climbed up.

Not using the lifting platform.

Bare-handed.

His work boots stepped on the hydraulic guard plate of the mecha's knee joint, making a dull metallic echo.

His right hand grabbed the handrail at the edge of the cockpit, his left hand supported the hatch shaft, and he used his waist and abdomen strength to 'stuff' himself in.

47 days.

He had imagined this moment countless times.

When it truly happened, his mind went blank.

[System Prompt: Pilot boarding detected]

[Verifying identity...]

[Pilot ID: Chen Hao]

[Affiliated Faction: Heavenly Court]

[Mecha Piloting Qualification: Elementary (Theoretical)]

[Neural Connection Permission: Not activated]

[Perform initial neural connection binding?]

[Warning: Initial neural connection has certain risks, including but not limited to:]

[1. Neural Shock Syndrome (probability 7%) — Symptoms: dizziness, nausea, temporary sensory disorder, usually relieved within 30 minutes]

[2. Mirror Tactile Backlash (probability 3%) — When the mecha is hit, the pilot feels pain in the corresponding part, requires 72 hours of adaptive training to eliminate]

[3. Spirit Sea Overload (probability 0.7%) — Only occurs in Cultivator pilots; excessive immersion may lead to difficulty in actively detaching when synchronization rate > 90%]

[4. Connection Failure (probability 1.2%) — Poor contact at the neural connection port, requires readjustment of seat position]

[Continue?]

Chen Hao did not look at the System prompt.

He placed his hands on the control spheres on both sides of the cockpit.

His thumbs pressed the circular groove in the center of the sphere top.

That was the neural connection interface.

The metal surface was cold, and when it made contact with the skin of the web of his hand that had been electrically burned 47 hours ago, it caused a fine layer of goosebumps.

He did not let go.

[Confirm]

[Neural Connection · Startup]

[Synchronization Rate: 0%... 7%... 13%...]

Chen Hao's field of vision split into three at the same instant.

The upper left corner was the real-time image from the mecha's external camera—the steel structure of the workshop dome, the side profile of Dr. Ailin standing before the main console, and the back of Lin Ye standing before the floor-to-ceiling window.

The upper right corner was the System data stream—energy core output power, joint hydraulic pressure, weapon System standby status, and surrounding environmental threat scanning.

Right in the center—were his own hands.

Not the two hands in the cockpit gripping the control spheres.

They were the hands of chaos unit no. 1.

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

He lowered his head.

What he saw was a 47-degree downward-tilting view from the mecha's chest cockpit, the mechanical arms covered in silver-blue alloy armor, and the 2.7-meter-long particle rifle on the back of the right arm.

He clenched his fist.

The mecha clenched its fist.

The hydraulic servo motors emitted an extremely low, extremely restrained hum.

[Synchronization Rate: 47%... 62%... 78%...]

---

"Chen Hao."

Lin Ye's voice came through the team channel.

It didn't come from above his head.

It came from "within."

From the chaos unit no. 1's communication System, via the neural connection interface, it entered directly into the depths of his consciousness.

"Take a step forward."

---

Chen Hao wanted to answer "Okay."

But he couldn't make a sound.

His vocal cords were in spasm, his lungs were contracting, and his heart was pumping blood frantically at a rate of 137 beats per minute.

He didn't speak.

He just—

[Synchronization Rate: 83%]

[Left Leg Hydraulic System · Activated]

[Knee Joint Bent 15 Degrees]

[Magnetic Sole Anchors · 50% Adsorption]

[Lifting]

[Moving Forward]

[Stepping Down]

Boom—

The left foot of the chaos unit no. 1 landed 0.3 meters in front of the white line marked "Trial Run Area" in the center of the Mecha Workshop.

The first time.

47 days.

This one step.

---

[Synchronization Rate: 89%]

[Right Leg Hydraulic System · Activated]

[Knee Joint Bent 12 Degrees]

[Magnetic Sole Anchors · 60% Adsorption]

[Lifting]

[Moving Forward]

[Stepping Down]

Boom—

The right foot of the chaos unit no. 1 landed 0.7 meters in front of the left foot.

Distance between feet: standard stride.

---

[Synchronization Rate: 91%]

[Dual Arm Hydraulic Systems · Synchronously Activated]

[Shoulder Joint Abduction 7 Degrees]

[Elbow Joint Bent 3 Degrees]

[Wrist Joint—]

Chen Hao's right index finger gently lifted 0.5 millimeters on the surface of the control ball.

The right index finger of the chaos unit no. 1 lifted synchronously.

0.5 millimeters.

[Synchronization Rate: 93%]

---

Dr. Ailin stood before the main control console.

On her data lens, 237 real-time monitoring parameters of the chaos unit no. 1 were refreshing at a rate of 47 times per second.

Energy core output stable.

Joint hydraulic pressure normal.

Neural connection synchronization rate rising steadily.

She pushed up her glasses.

She didn't speak.

---

[Synchronization Rate: 97%]

---

Chen Hao's vision began to blur.

It wasn't tears.

It was the typical reaction of the pilot's visual System beginning to deeply couple with the mecha's optical sensors after the neural connection synchronization rate exceeded 95%.

The "world" he saw was no longer the workshop's dome, the main control console, or the floor-to-ceiling windows.

It was the world as "seen" by the mecha.

720-degree panoramic view.

Thermal imaging overlay.

Automatic target-locking frames.

Ballistic trajectory prediction lines.

Friend-or-foe identification tags.

And—

Floating over the silhouette standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window was a green ID tag:

[Lin Ye · Night Emperor · Heavenly Court]

---

[Synchronization Rate: 99%]

[Warning: Synchronization rate about to exceed threshold]

[Suggestion: For the first connection, keep the synchronization rate below 85% to reduce the load on the mental sea]

[Current Synchronization Rate: 99.3%]

[99.7%]

[100%]

---

Buzz—

At that same instant, Chen Hao's consciousness—with the main control computer of the chaos unit no. 1—

Completely fused.

He wasn't "controlling" the mecha.

He was the mecha.

He lowered his head.

He saw his own silver-blue armored chest plate.

He raised his hand.

He felt every micro-adjustment pulse of the hydraulic servo motors.

He breathed.

He heard the rhythmic pulsation of the energy core every 1.7 seconds.

He—

[System Prompt: Congratulations on completing your first neural connection binding]

[Binding Result: Success]

[Final Synchronization Rate: 100% (Perfect)]

[Neural Connection Affinity Rating between Pilot Chen Hao and Mecha "chaos unit no. 1": S]

[Only 0.3% of mecha pilots server-wide reach S-Rank on their first connection]

[You have obtained the achievement: "Natural Mecha Master"]

---

[chaos unit no. 1 · Full Attributes]

[Type: Siji-Class General-Purpose Mecha / Heavenly Court's First Unit]

[Rank: Level 55 (Growable)]

[Pilot: Chen Hao (Bound)]

[Height: 9.7 meters]

[Weight: 17.3 tons]

[Power Core: Chaos Type I Energy Core]

[Core Power: 2,700 kW (Standard) / 4,300 kW (Overload/180 seconds)]

[Endurance: 4.7 hours (Standard Combat) / 11.2 hours (Low-power Cruise)]

[Attack Power: 8,000-9,700]

[Defense Power: 12,000-13,400]

[Mobility:]

[Maximum Ground Speed: 73 km/h (Charge)]

[Jump Height: 7.3 meters (Standard Gravity) / 22 meters (Below 0.5G)]

[Steering Response: 0.3 seconds]

[Weapon Systems:]

[1. Particle Rifle · Chaos Custom Model—Attack +4,700-5,800, Range 1,200 meters]

[2. High-frequency Vibration Blade ×2—Attack +3,200-4,100, Armor Piercing +30%, mounted on the outer sides of both calves]

[3. Shoulder Missile Pods ×2 (Expandable)—Currently not mounted]

[Armor System:]

[1. Starshine Alloy Type II Composite Armor—Physical Damage Reduction 47%, Energy Damage Reduction 31%]

[2. Energy Shield Generator—Can withstand 12,000 points of damage, recharges automatically after cooling down]

[3. Emergency Escape Pod—Ejects automatically when mecha damage rate > 70%]

[Special Systems:]

[1. Neural Connection Interface (S-Rank Affinity)—Pilot Reaction Speed +30%, Mecha Control Latency -0.1 seconds]

[2. Spiritual Power Amplification Circuit—The pilot can inject spiritual power into the mecha to temporarily increase any attribute at an amplification ratio of 1:1.7]

[3. Combat Recording Module—Automatically records 360-degree footage around the mecha for playback, analysis, and tactical review]

[Current Status: Trial Run]

[Cumulative Run Time: 3 minutes 47 seconds]

---

Chen Hao didn't see those attributes.

In his vision, there was only that silhouette standing before the floor-to-ceiling window.

He spoke.

This time, the sound finally squeezed out of his throat.

Hoarse.

Broken.

But he heard it himself.

"...Boss."

"I've stood up."

---

Lin Ye stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

He didn't turn around.

But his hand gripping the sword hilt, the moment he heard those words—

Loosened.

After a long time.

He said softly:

"I see it."

---

[20:00]

chaos unit no. 1 · First Full Combat Test.

The testing ground was located on the east side of the workshop, covering 7,000 square meters, with the floor paved with alloy reinforced plates capable of withstanding 50-ton impacts.

Test Item One: Static Weapon Calibration.

The particle rifle fired 37 consecutive shots, all landing within a 0.3-meter radius of the bullseye.

[Hit Rate: 100%]

Test Item Two: Mobility Test.

A 400-meter obstacle course, including sharp turns, high and low platforms, and simulated meteorite craters.

Completion Time: 47 seconds.

[Rating: S]

Test Item Three: Armor Impact Resistance Test.

Using a 50mm caliber live-fire cannon, three shots were fired at the mecha's main torso armor from a distance of 100 meters.

[Armor Damage: 0.3mm surface scratch]

[Structural Integrity: 100%]

Test Item Four: Pilot Limit Load Test.

Chen Hao maintained a synchronization rate above 95% inside the cockpit, continuously performing combat maneuvers for 47 minutes.

At the 47th minute, his heart rate reached 162 beats per minute, and the neural connection synchronization rate fluctuated by 0.3% for the first time.

He didn't stop.

At the 52nd minute, Dr. Ailin forcibly terminated the test.

[Pilot Status: Moderate Fatigue]

[Mecha Status: 23% energy core remaining, right shoulder joint hydraulic oil temperature +17°C (normal range)]

[Test Conclusion: Ready for combat deployment]

---

[23:47]

The chaos unit no. 1 returned to the central assembly area of the workshop.

Chen Hao crawled out of the cockpit.

The moment his legs touched the ground, they went weak, and he stumbled a step forward.

A hand steadied him.

Lin Ye.

Chen Hao looked up.

His eyes were bloodshot, his right hand was still trembling slightly, and his back had been soaked with sweat and dried three times over; now his work clothes clung to his skin like a tight second shell.

But he managed a smile.

The smile was light, faint, and even a bit unsightly—because he hadn't shaved in three days, hadn't slept a full night in 47 hours, and had only drunk two bottles of nutrient solutions since yesterday morning.

But he smiled.

"Boss."

He said.

"Did I pass?"

---

Lin Ye looked at him.

Three seconds.

"You passed 47 days ago," Lin Ye said.

"Today was just about letting everyone know."

---

[System Prompt: Your faction member "Chen Hao" has completed the "First Mecha Master" achievement]

[Achievement Name: Heavenly Court's First Unit]

[Achievement Description: Become the first Mecha Master of the Heavenly Court to complete neural connection binding and successfully pass full combat testing while piloting a Heavenly Court custom-built mecha]

[Achievement Rewards:]

[1. Exclusive Title "Heavenly Court's Chief Mecha Master"—All attributes +10%, reaction speed +15% during mecha operation]

[2. Permanent binding bonus for mecha "chaos unit no. 1" and pilot "Chen Hao"—Synchronization rate cap +3%, energy core endurance +8%]

[3. Unlocked faction building "Mecha Pilot Training Camp"—Allows for mass training of Elementary Mecha Masters]

[4. Unlocked faction technology "Neural Connection Optimization Scheme"—Pilot synchronization rate threshold for all Heavenly Court custom-built mechas -5%]

---

Chen Hao stood in place.

He looked at the System prompts, at the four [Achievement Reward] entries, and at the seven words: "Heavenly Court's Chief Mecha Master."

He didn't speak.

He just raised his right hand—the one that had just healed from electric shock burns, that had cramped during fire control calibration, and that had gripped the control ball for 2,820 seconds during the 47-minute limit load test—

He held it before his eyes.

Turned it over.

Turned it back.

He looked at it for a long time.

Then he lowered his hand.

"...Tomorrow," he said.

"The second batch of mecha skeletons enters the final assembly line the day after tomorrow."

"I need 3 assistant engineers, 2 testers specialized in weapon Systems, and 1 energy core maintenance technician."

"And—"

He paused.

"Give the chaos unit no. 1 a name."

"Engrave it on the left shoulder armor."

---

Lin Ye looked at him.

"What should it say?"

Chen Hao thought for a moment.

"...Hao."

His own name.

Not "Heavenly Court's Chief Mecha Master."

Not "Pilot of Unit One."

Just a single "Hao."

The sun high in the sky, illuminating all things.

When his father gave him this name, he probably never imagined that one day, this name would be engraved on the shoulder of a 9.7-meter-tall steel beast.

Engraved on the left shoulder that would be the first to face the enemy during every charge.

---

Lin Ye nodded.

"It will be engraved tomorrow."

---

Day 49 · Dawn.

The morning light of Chaos Valley still slanted in through the gap in the eastern mountains.

The silver-gray exterior walls of the Mecha Workshop were still dyed with a thin layer of gold.

The low-frequency hum of the Spirit Gathering Conversion Array remained the eternal background noise of this area.

But today, above that background, a new sound was added.

It wasn't the electronic pulses of the production line in standby mode.

It wasn't the soft sound of servo motors during assembly arm calibration.

It was footsteps.

Metallic, heavy footsteps that pulsed once every 1.7 seconds.

The chaos unit no. 1 stood in the center of the testing ground on the east side of the workshop.

On its left shoulder armor, a new line of characters had been engraved.

Not Hanzi.

It was a symbol Chen Hao had designed himself—

An abstract, rising sun.

Engraved below it was: [Hao · Heavenly Court's First Unit]

It stood there.

With its back to the dawn.

Facing north.

In the direction of the Mecha Workshop's Phase II expansion project.

Toward the planned site for the Mecha Pilot Training Camp.

Toward the future—where countless mechas would rise from this land, engraved with different names, controlled by different pilots, and heading to different battlefields.

But for now.

There was only it.

The first one.

chaos unit no. 1.

---

Chen Hao stood at the workshop entrance.

He didn't board the mecha.

He just stood there, looking at that mecha, looking at the sun symbol on its left shoulder that shimmered with a cold metallic luster in the morning light.

47 days ago, he had signed his name on the technology transfer agreement for the Eternal Star Domain as the technical lead for the Heavenly Court mecha project.

47 days ago, he thought he would be excited, proud, and moved to tears the moment the mecha rolled off the line.

Now.

He was just calm.

Because he knew this was just the starting point.

The first batch of mechas.

The first Mecha Master.

The first production line.

The first outpost.

The first Ancient Road.

This road was still very long.

---

Lin Ye walked up from behind him.

And stood side by side with him.

Neither of them spoke.

They just looked at the mecha, at the sun on its shoulder, and at its silent silhouette facing north, waiting for its first expedition.

After a long time.

Lin Ye spoke.

Not to Chen Hao.

But to the mecha.

"Welcome,"

He said softly.

"Back to the unit."

---

[System Prompt: Heavenly Court Mecha Sequence officially activated]

[Sequence 001: chaos unit no. 1]

[Pilot: Chen Hao]

[Service Status: Commissioned]

[Current Station: Chaos Valley · Mecha Workshop]

[Next Phase Goal: Ancient Star Road · First Pass · Combat Test]

---

The morning light grew brighter.

A layer of flowing gold was plated onto the silver-blue armor of the chaos unit no. 1.

It stood there.

Waiting.

---

[Chapter 151 · End]