68: Chapter 68 The Gift of the Ancient Saint Repeater

The air inside the laboratory seemed to change because of that pile of blue wreckage; despite the surrounding ruins and pollution, that pure, stable azure light radiated a comforting sense of order, like a lighthouse in a murky ocean.

Lin Qiming suppressed the urge to rush forward immediately. He first used "Abyss Gazer" to carefully scan the entire lab, confirming there were no other hidden threats (such as untriggered Imperial defense systems, unstable energy nodes, or more Necron wreckage). Then, he cautiously cleared away the rubble and metallic trash surrounding the repeater wreckage.

This wreckage was larger than any fragment he had obtained before, and its structure was far more complex. The base was a polygonal prism made of a material that was neither metal nor stone, feeling as warm and smooth as jade to the touch, with countless minute light paths flowing inside like blood vessels. The upper half was broken and missing, but judging by the remaining interfaces, it should have originally connected to some kind of antenna or focusing array. Even damaged to this extent, it was still slowly and spontaneously absorbing faint stray energy from the environment (perhaps leaking from Old One facilities) and emitting peaceful information-state fluctuations at a constant frequency—it was precisely these fluctuations that resonated strongly with the stc core.

“Hephaestus, analyze the function and status of this repeater, and evaluate the risks and benefits of absorption.” Lin Qiming asked in a low voice, his hand already unconsciously moving to the core at his chest.

[Deep scanning...] Hephaestus's voice carried a rare trace of fluctuation, [Target confirmed: Old One ‘Third Sanctuary’ Secondary Information Network Repeater (local unit), functions as regional energy stabilization and information flow forwarding/amplification. Damage level: Severe (75% physical structure missing, core logic circuits interrupted, energy cycle ruptured). However, due to its base material properties and the residual ‘self-consistent information-state field,’ it still retains a considerable reserve of pure Old One energy and some basic architectural information.]

[Absorption Risk Assessment: Low-Medium. The target is in a stable inert state with no active defense or rejection mechanisms. Energy flow purity is high, and the information flow consists mainly of structural data (blueprint fragments, basic protocols, energy management logic), with minimal contamination (Necron/Warp) attached. The primary risk lies in the large total volume of the information flow; your consciousness may need time to digest it, and the absorption process may trigger significant energy fluctuations, requiring caution regarding concealment in this area.]

[Estimated Absorption Benefits: Extremely High. Expected to significantly increase the stc core repair progress, substantially boost energy reserves, and potentially unlock new core functions or refine existing protocols (especially the Player Summoning Protocol and vessel blueprints).]

“The benefits outweigh the risks,” Lin Qiming made his judgment. “Begin. Hephaestus, assist in stabilizing the absorption process, prioritize extracting information and structural energy.”

He sat cross-legged before the repeater wreckage, his hands gently pressing against the warm base, closing his eyes as he actively guided the stc core to establish a connection with the wreckage.

In an instant, the resonance reached its peak!

It was no longer the "warm current" from before when absorbing fragments; it was as if an entire gentle ocean was pouring in! Vast, majestic, yet orderly azure energy surged into the stc core through his arms! Simultaneously, a massive, highly structured flow of information—no longer fragmented images or sounds, but complete, three-dimensional "concepts," "formulas," and "architectural models"—was branded directly into the depths of his consciousness!

He "saw" an incredibly magnificent three-dimensional network composed of light, with nodes like stars and connections like galaxies, where information flowed at conceptual speeds exceeding light. He "understood" (on a surface level) a certain underlying principle that bound material stability with information-state encoding. He "touched" the pursuit of order and creation by the Old One builders, something that transcended race and bordered on the "Heavenly Dao"...

The repair progress numbers began to jump wildly, like a runaway horse!

50.01% → 52% → 55% → 58% → ...

The energy reserve counter was also spinning rapidly!

25 ENU → 50 → 80 → 120 → ...

The progress bar for the [Player Summoning Protocol Framework] advanced at an unprecedented speed!

78% → 82% → 86% → 90%!

The unlocking progress for the [Vessel Generation Unit Blueprint] was also soaring!

55% → 65% → 75% → 85%!

Lin Qiming's consciousness was submerged in this ocean of knowledge, almost forgetting the passage of time. He could feel the stc core cheering, reshaping, and repairing broken paths, lighting up dark areas one by one. His body was also being washed by pure energy; his muscles, bones, and nerves were undergoing subtle and positive transformations. His health points were slowly recovering, and his exhaustion was swept away.

After an unknown amount of time, perhaps minutes or tens of minutes, the surging flow of energy and information finally began to weaken and subside. When the last bit of blue light from the repeater wreckage vanished into his palms, turning it completely into ordinary gray-white stone, the absorption ended.

Lin Qiming slowly opened his eyes, and an azure starlight seemed to flash briefly within them. The world became clearer in his perception, more... "structured." He could even vaguely "feel" the slow and powerful "information-state breathing" of the massive Old One facility deep beneath his feet, like a sleeping giant beast.

He immediately checked the core status.

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Identity Identification

Name: Lin Qiming

Level: D-Rank Mid-Stage (New!)

Class Status: Heir of the Old One Legacy (Apprentice)

Race: Human (Information-state affinity significantly enhanced, body undergoing preliminary energy saturation)

Physical Condition: Good (HP 98/98)

Rank Evaluation

Level Tier: D-Rank Mid-Stage (Energy Level 178 ona)

Combat Power: 188 (Substantial leap in comprehensive capabilities)

Vitality Status: Excellent

Energy Reserves: 205 ENU (Full!)

Corruption Level: 0% (Stable, information-state resistance increased)

Basic Ability Set

[Strength/Load]: D (Evaluation: Now you can consider picking up a small machine tool to use as a shield.)

[Agility/Evasion]: D (Evaluation: You might still need luck to dodge a Scarab's Gauss ray, but you're confident in dodging its charge.)

[Constitution/Vitality]: D (Evaluation: More health, faster recovery; upgraded from "might need a finishing blow" to "might need several finishing blows.")

[Comprehension/Learning]: D+ (Core) (Evaluation: The speed at which your brain digests Old One knowledge would make an Adeptus Mechanicus Magus question their life and initiate a purification protocol.)

[Perception/Psionic]: D (Evaluation: Information State Perception range extended to a 10-meter radius, clarity improved, can vaguely perceive energy flow trends.)

[Social/Trading]: E+ (Evaluation: Your strength has skyrocketed, but dealing with people is still not your forte—unless the other party is an old fox willing to trade intelligence.)

[Luck/Fate]: ?? (Evaluation: Finding a large Old One Repeater right next to a Necron lair, this luck can be categorized as "being forcibly kissed by fate.")

Talent Ability Branches

[Exclusive Grade · Core Mechanism]

[STC Core Symbiote] (Repair progress 68.3%): Evaluation: Leapt from a "portable workstation" to a "small server room loaded with professional software and partial server data"! Self-repair rate increased.

[Fine Grade · Combat/Growth Qualitative Change]

[Combat Prediction (Basic)]: Evaluation: After the battle with the Necron, the quality of the prediction experience pack has significantly improved.

[Information State Perception (Faint) Lv2]: Evaluation: Upgraded from "low-prescription glasses" to "high-definition blue-light blocking glasses," you can see more "textures" now.

[Common Grade · Quantitative Accumulation]

[Basic Manufacturing (Proficient)]: Evaluation: Craftsmanship sublimated due to deeper understanding, probability of creating high-quality items increased.

[Trap Master (Basic)]: Evaluation: The art of trapping others awaits practice in more complex environments.

[Basic Mechanical Identification]: Evaluation: Knowledge base and database further integrated.

Skill Tree (Due to rank breakthrough and knowledge infusion, all proficiencies generally increased by 5%-15%)

Core Asset Status

[Old One stc core (Repairing - Active)]

Repair Progress: 68.3% (Major leap!)

Energy Reserves: 205/300 ENU (Substantially full)

Core Protocol Progress:

Player Summoning Protocol Framework: 90%! (Nearing completion!)

Vessel Generation Unit Blueprint: 85%! (About to unlock!)

New/Enhanced Functions:

Information State Perception enhancement (Range and clarity improved).

Energy conversion efficiency improved (Old One energy absorption conversion rate +20%).

Basic Information-State Interference Capability (Prototype): Can perform weak interference on simple technological creations with fragile information-state structures within a very small range (e.g., temporarily stabilizing broken circuits, slightly misleading simple sensors, etc.). High consumption, low success rate.

Core Database Expansion: Unlocked more Old One basic science overviews and facility maintenance log fragments.

Assistant Evaluation: “A perfect ‘recharge’ and ‘system upgrade.’ Your core has never been so close to more than half of its complete state. The player descent has entered the countdown phase, and the vessel blueprints are within reach. But please remember, growth in power means greater responsibility, and... a more conspicuous ‘target.’ You have just lit a lighthouse; in the darkness, a lighthouse can guide the way, but it can also attract moths and... predators.”

Pending Projects (Multiple items lit up)

Class Path: Repair progress exceeds 50%, initial class selection/confirmation can officially be performed. (Hint: Recommended to be done in a safe environment.)

Sub-class Direction: Selection range greatly expanded, including [Information-State Engineer] (Rare), [Old One Tech Archaeologist] (Rare), etc.

Life Form Evolution: Information-state affinity becomes a clear evolution branch, with preliminary option previews appearing.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Current Combat Rating: A top-tier powerhouse in the Hive Bottom area, a source of trouble with special reconnaissance, manufacturing, and information-state capabilities.

Growth Potential Assessment: Extremely High (Core achieved breakthrough progress, key protocols nearing completion).

Survival Status: Peak personal condition, abundant resources, but the current location is extremely dangerous and may attract attention due to absorption fluctuations.

Core Tasks: Safely evacuate the quarantine zone; prepare for class selection; complete the final part of the Player Summoning Protocol; deal with various factions potentially attracted by the fluctuations.

System Summary: From a sewer rat to a workshop technician, then a secret-peeker, and now, you have stepped halfway across the threshold of a “Legacy Heir.” The stc core repair progress of 68.3% means that what you hold is no longer a scattered spark, but a bonfire sufficient to ignite the wasteland. Player protocol at 90%—the curtain of the Fourth Calamity is about to rise. Vessel blueprint at 85%—what kind of shells will you prepare for those “players”? The choice is before you, the path is laid out. But remember, the Warhammer universe is never kind to hope; your bonfire will surely attract countless hands trying to extinguish or seize it. Stand firm, Heir, the true storm has only just begun.

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