The journey back was uneventful.
This was because the method Bai Ye provided was naturally viable.
About two hours later, Bai Ye and his group appeared in an abandoned building in the slum.
Ji Ru Yue closed her eyes and felt for a moment, then opened them and said, "We're back."
Davis walked to the window and glanced out. "You don't need your detection abilities for this, do you? You can tell just by looking."
Looking out of the building, they could see people walking on the street and vendors setting up stalls.
A burly man walked by, carrying a large piece of mutated creature meat.
"Hmph!" Ji Ru Yue looked at Allen. "What do we do now?"
Allen pondered for a moment. "This matter requires careful consideration. I need to contact some people and discuss it with them. Also, I hope everyone can stay in the City of Ruins for now. As participants, you'll be needed to testify about what we saw in Laboratory No. 3."
Gonzalez patted his chest. "It's our duty."
Ji Ru Yue and Davis nodded. "We feel the same."
Allen looked at Bai Ye. "Bai Ye, I apologize that I couldn't help you more in that world. If you wish to leave, feel free to do so. We can handle what's coming. Moreover, the City of Ruins might be in for some trouble."
"It's fine," Bai Ye said with a smile. "Don't worry about me. You guys go ahead with your business. I'll be staying in the City of Ruins for the time being. Let me know if you need anything."
Allen nodded. "Alright!"
There were still follow-ups to this matter, but at least the first stage of the hidden quest was completed.
"You successfully led the Hunting Ground squad into the mirror world for exploration. Completion: 80%. Reward obtained: Universal Mechanical Chip."
Universal Mechanical Chip (Item) (Gold): A masterpiece rumored to be from the God of Mechanics, a chip that can be used in any mechanical product's chip slot.
Effect: Omnimechanical (Can be installed in any mechanical product's chip slot, producing different effects depending on the product.)
Unique (This chip cannot be repeatedly removed and installed.)
The moment Bai Ye saw this item, his first thought was that he was going to strike it rich. Then, he looked closer...
Damn it, it's an item!
It wasn't that items had no value, especially a gold-quality item.
However, there was a crucial phrase in the description of the Universal Mechanical Chip: "Can be installed in any mechanical product's chip slot."
Simply put, this thing was a component for an ultra-quality item.
Even at gold quality, its rank immediately dropped.
Everyone knew that if you could collect all the components of an ultra-quality item, it would be an item exceeding gold quality, just as the name "ultra-quality" implied.
But if you couldn't collect them all...
Just look at that damned incomplete copy of the Sunflower Manual. Bai Ye couldn't even be bothered to think about it; thinking too much would just bring tears.
As for the Universal Mechanical Chip, it still had value.
For instance, if Bai Ye found a mecha with eight components, and only the chip component was missing, he could use the Universal Mechanical Chip as a replacement.
Or if Bai Ye found an assembled mechanical armor that was only missing the chip, the Universal Mechanical Chip could also serve as a substitute.
In short, as long as it was a chip slot, whether it was a mecha, mechanical armor, robot, mechanical limb, or tank, it could be replaced.
At the same time, the God of Mechanics...
With such a grand title, Bai Ye felt that the effect produced by the Universal Mechanical Chip after installation might be better than the original chip, and the overall effect on the equipped mechanical item would also be improved.
However...
It was still the same problem: Bai Ye only had one chip. It was useless!
This was the type of item that would make Bai Ye cry tears of joy if he ever lacked a single chip, but it was useless for now.
But what if he lacked it someday?
So, Bai Ye felt it was still acceptable!
After putting the chip away, Bai Ye looked at his other gains, specifically the spoils from the forbidden zone.
First were Forbidden Zone Mission 1 and Forbidden Zone Mission 2.
Bai Ye was unable to obtain any crystallization abilities from either.
From Forbidden Zone Mission 1, Bai Ye received Gonzalez's energy-powered Vulcan Gatling gun, a black-quality future technology weapon.
Its effects were average; it lacked critical aspects for firearms like armor penetration, damage stacking, and explosive bullets.
However, it did have infinite ammo, which, combined with the Gatling gun's rate of fire...
It was not very useful in high-level combat, but it was genuinely effective for dealing with cannon fodder.
Then, from Forbidden Zone Mission 2, Bai Ye obtained Allen's twin short blades.
The full name of these items should be "Rectangular Light Saw Cutting Short Blades," also of black quality. Their effects were passable, with a flashy feature called magnetic attraction.
It was the move where Allen would simply flick his fingers, and the blades would fly out of their sheaths.
Theoretically, drawing a sword this way saved time, but...
Bai Ye had Steel Slime, and besides, wasn't directly controlling his sword even more powerful?
Of course, there were still highlights. The blades had laser serrations on both sides, causing secondary damage, and the cutting damage could shatter armor, which also increased attack power to a certain extent. Overall, it was a decent weapon.
But it held little significance for Bai Ye. Like the Gatling gun, it was meant for trading.
However, the red-quality weapon from Forbidden Zone Mission 3 finally became interesting.
No, it wasn't just a little interesting; it was enough to bring tears to Bai Ye's eyes.
Skywalker (Lightsaber) (Red): An energy lightsaber from a future technological civilization, lightweight and sharp, capable of slicing through high-hardness steel with ease.
Effect: Lightsaber Flash (Upon activation, there is a 10% chance to shred the target item. Cooldown: 180 minutes after each use.)
Swift Swordsman (When holding this weapon, speed increases by 25 points, and sword drawing speed increases by 100%.)
Light and Shadow (When holding this weapon, illusory light and shadow will appear during attacks to confuse the opponent.)
High Heat Accumulation (Lightsaber energy increases by 300%. Perform an aerial slash attack within 15 meters, unleashing a high-heat energy wave.)
This thing...
Bai Ye's evaluation was: the king of trash among lightsabers!
As a red-quality weapon, its effects were so bad!
Bai Ye felt it was the lowest tier of red-quality weapon standard.
A 10% chance to shatter an item, with a three-hour cooldown, was pure garbage.
The Light and Shadow effect was somewhat interesting, but it could only fool novices. Experts were usually not fooled by such flashy tricks. The High Heat Accumulation also had little significance. Wasn't his Thunderclap Purple Lightning and Blazing Phoenix Flying Fire, turned into lightning and fire through sword control, more powerful than this move?
The only overpowered aspect was Swift Swordsman!
A 100% increase in attack speed was truly terrifying. Combined with Light and Shadow, it might be somewhat interesting. In close combat, it would be explosive. Bai Ye believed the Skywalker was red-quality solely due to this effect.
However, precisely because it was red-quality, it was somewhat of a dud.
But, did it matter?
This was a lightsaber!
The romance of men!
...