Chapter 21: The Star-Devouring Behemoth and the Mechanical Civilization of the Apocalypse

Fragmented Star Sea, Apocalypse Galaxy, Fallen Whale Star Region, Dense Void Rift Zone.

As a notorious forbidden zone within the dominion of the Apocalypse Mechanical Civilization, this star region had always been scarcely visited.

Tens of thousands of years ago, the dominant star beast of this region, the Celestial Fin Void Whale, clashed fiercely with the mechanical legion led by the “Genesis” intelligent core of the Apocalypse Civilization.

The battle dyed the star river in strange hues, yet no living being knew the final outcome. All that was known was that thereafter, the Void Whale Star Region was renamed the Fallen Whale Star Region by the Apocalypse Civilization, and the area became riddled with countless spatial rifts.

For countless years, any creature daring to enter recklessly would be swallowed by these rifts, ultimately reduced to mere fragments of dust swept away by the void's fierce winds.

One day, a mechanical fleet suddenly breached the silence of this star region.

The fleet was modest in size—several dozen warships of varying scales tightly encircled a massive flagship, advancing cautiously.

The flagship at the center was clad entirely in a thick, teal-brown armor, covering a steel behemoth over a thousand meters long and more than two hundred meters wide. At its prow, a railgun nearly a hundred meters in diameter silently radiated an imposing aura of deterrence.

“Are we sure the target fled into this star region?”

In the control room of the ironclad giant, a silver-armored robot seated before the command console spoke coldly.

The energy radiating from this silver robot was weak, only first-tier—almost insignificant compared to the towering second- and third-tier robots standing behind it. Yet, inexplicably, its status was evidently far above theirs.

“According to the latest radar scans, before the target’s signal disappeared, it was indeed within this star region.”

“Moreover—”

Before finishing, an urgent alert sounded.

“Detected a fluctuation emitted by an unknown spatial gate, coordinates xxxxx.”

Red light flickered unpredictably in the silver robot’s eyes. After a few seconds, it issued an order.

“Let’s go check it out.”

...

Celestial Market, with less than two hours remaining before the official end of this trading session, yet the bustle showed no sign of abating.

Not only was Song Chi seizing the chance to profit from price differences, but the star-sea alien races on the other side of the spatial gate were doing the same.

After discovering that certain goods sold within the market could easily fetch double or even higher prices, these high-tier aliens began dispatching large numbers of their zeroth-tier subordinates to frantically sell these materials, each earning a hefty fortune.

Driven by insatiable enthusiasm, they felt twenty-four hours was far too short, unwilling to waste a single moment.

Song Chi naturally welcomed this, for every batch sold earned him a 10% transaction tax. After more than twenty hours, combined with the profits from selling gene optimization drugs, the total value of resources he had accumulated surpassed three thousand strands of zeroth-tier floating land essence.

Compared to the roughly three hundred strands he had gathered before opening the market—piecemeal and sparse—this was a solid tenfold increase.

...

As the market grew ever more lively, the sudden appearance of a figure struck like a stone cast into water, silencing the once boisterous crowd.

Several hundred beings of diverse forms and races turned their heads in unison to face the newcomer.

While the market was always filled with many species, all were invariably carbon-based lifeforms with flesh and blood. But now, entering was a mechanical lifeform composed entirely of metallic components.

“Machine race!”

An experienced alien was the first to identify the mechanical being.

Immediately, vigilance flickered almost simultaneously in the eyes of the gathered aliens.

The machine race was no stranger in the Fragmented Star Sea; they were often branded as fanatical and extreme. Consequently, many civilizations and species held a wary distance from them.

The red gaze swept over the market’s entrance protection field. This mechanical being, exuding the peak aura of zeroth-tier, stepped into the market. Its glowing red eyes scanned everyone present, as if searching for something.

Sensing this, a stir arose among the aliens but eventually settled, allowing the machine race to survey the market space thoroughly.

Though imposing, the mechanical visitor had not violated any market rules. To maximize their last trading hours and earn more resources, no one wished to provoke unnecessary conflict and waste precious time.

Amid this, unnoticed by the crowd, a small incident quietly unfolded in a corner. Song Chi, who had been meandering as a consumer, had somehow transformed into a stallholder.

...

At his stall, alongside some primordial life nuclei, prominently displayed at the center was a Type-① floating land essence core fusion artifact.

Before long, the mechanical being, having failed to find its target, unsurprisingly stopped before Song Chi’s stall.

Pointing at the Type-① floating land essence core fusion artifact, a cold synthetic voice devoid of emotion issued from within.

“How do you trade this purple-grade relic?”

Hearing this, Song Chi, who had long anticipated such a moment, promptly replied.

“A purple-grade floating land essence core fusion artifact is only exchanged for other types of relics. As long as you present a suitable relic that satisfies me, this floating land essence core fusion artifact is yours anytime.”

After he finished, the mechanical being said nothing in response, instead turning swiftly toward the market’s entrance.

Song Chi’s mind filled with question marks. His answer seemed reasonable; could it be that the Apocalypse Mechanical Civilization’s energy core technology had advanced, making them disdain purple-grade relics?

Just as he pondered, the mechanical being reentered the market, now accompanied by more than twenty zeroth-tier mechanical beings.

These newcomers formed a tight guard around the first mechanical being, their vigilance extremely high.

Seeing this, Song Chi’s mood brightened instantly. Though his expression remained unchanged, joy bloomed within.

The larger their entourage, the higher the value of the relics they intended to trade for the floating land essence core fusion artifact; otherwise, they would not be so cautious. This only heightened his anticipation.

As for the thought of using the Celestial Market’s law enforcement power to seize the relics by force—honestly, Song Chi had entertained the idea. He knew well that if he truly wielded the market’s secret laws, failure was impossible. Yet ultimately, he suppressed the urge.

Once such a precedent was set, the Celestial Market’s reputation would collapse—only a matter of time.