Jing Zhixiao sat alone on the bed, head hanging low, an atmosphere of dejection permeating the entire room.

Professional-level tuning, top-tier takeoff—performance worthy of being a model for all Eternal Sect disciples. Yet the result was an ill-fated crash on the maiden flight.

Was it his fault?

No.

He had already tried his hardest to operate it, already tried his hardest to control it.

But due to maintenance issues, the machine malfunctioned, and there was truly no way to turn the situation around. So in that moment, the only option was self-destruction, taking numerous enemies down with him.

Jing Zhixiao had done everything he was capable of doing, demonstrating that even when a pilot encounters special circumstances, he could remain calm and utilize maximum means to gain benefits for his side.

“Sigh.”

Mao Xiaodao walked over and patted his shoulder, saying, “I understand, Senior Brother.”

“No!”

Jing Zhixiao raised his head, tears streaming down like rain as he shouted, “None of you understand me! None of you understand!”

At that moment, he cried like a child.

Jun Changxiao had not blamed him for the crash.

However.

Jing Zhixiao blamed himself.

The Sect Master gave me an opportunity, yet I repaid him with a crash. I cannot accept this, I find it impossible to accept!

Within the entire sect, when it came to operating mechas, Jing Zhixiao claiming first place was well-deserved, and he himself thought so too. Thus this setback dealt him a devastating blow.

The more prideful a person is, the less they can accept mistakes.

Whether he could obtain the Sect Master’s forgiveness didn’t matter—the key point was that he could not forgive himself. This was the most unbearable aspect.

In the following period.

Jing Zhixiao continued cleaning the latrines while perpetually dejected.

In the past, after finishing his work, he would continue simulating mecha piloting, fantasizing about cruising through the cosmic starry sky, representing the Eternal Sect, representing justice and battling evil legions.

Now.

He lived in self-blame and regret.

As a good friend, Mao Xiaodao tried repeatedly to console him to no avail and could only stand at a distance, helplessly shaking his head and sighing.

Jun Changxiao was also secretly observing but did not step forward to persuade him.

Why had he suddenly ordered Jing Zhixiao into battle? Because he had long noticed this disciple’s passion for mechas.

He had never summoned him, always leaving him to sweep toilets—this was actually a test.

Those who accomplish great things must first have their will tested and their sinews and bones labored.

“Ding! Disciple so-and-so completed such-and-such task, obtaining 100 Prestige Points.”

“Ding! Sect Prestige Points: 20,000.”

Returning to his study, Jun Changxiao’s ear received the notification sound of disciples completing tasks, then he skillfully pulled up the System Shop.

“So.”

The System seized the opportunity to say, “Whether Host can battle the Demon Emperor still depends on the shop!”

“…”

Jun Changxiao rolled his eyes and began refreshing.

“Hm?”

After the first refresh, in the second row, third slot, appeared an item called ‘Xiaotian Demon Slayer.’

He clicked on the description.

Item: Xiaotian Demon Slayer.

Description: One of the Xiaotian model mechas created in a world primarily featuring mechas.

Function: The Xiaotian model has seven mechas total, of which Demon Slayer is the main combat and slaughter model.

Advantages: Both combat power and defensive power are top-tier standards.

Disadvantages: Extremely high energy consumption.

Price: 20,000 Prestige Points.

Grade: Using mainstream mecha world standards as the evaluation criterion, Xiaotian Demon Slayer can be classified as a T0 tier mecha.

Jun Changxiao said speechlessly, “So the shop really does have mechas!”

“Naturally.”

The System said, “There are only things Host cannot imagine, not things Host cannot refresh.”

“Using mainstream mecha world standards…” Jun Changxiao shook his head, saying, “The universe system I’m in isn’t mecha-based either. Who knows if a T0 tier mecha is strong or not.”

He had no intention of buying it—what if its performance wasn’t as good as the third-generation Dark Destroyer? That would be terrible.

“Buy it.”

The System explained, “Host has already advanced to the Celestial Secret Realm. The Prestige items in the shop definitely won’t be inferior.”

Jun Changxiao wavered.

Just at that moment, he saw Jing Zhixiao carrying a shovel, walking past as if he had lost his soul. His heart made a decision: “For the sake of this disciple, what does spending twenty thousand matter?”

…

“Thud!”

Jing Zhixiao returned to his room, lying weakly on the bed. The scene of himself being ejected and the mecha exploding surfaced, and his eyes unconsciously moistened.

I’m incompetent!

I’m useless!

I’ve let down the Sect Master, let down my fellow disciples!

“Senior Brother!”

Just as he was blaming himself, Mao Xiaodao rushed in, panting heavily, “The Sect Master wants you to go to the Great Hall. I’m afraid…”

“Sigh.”

Jing Zhixiao got up, straightened his collar, and said, “What must come will come.”

Having said that, he headed toward the Great Hall as if going to his execution.

“Step.”

Shortly after, Jing Zhixiao stood in the hall, his face full of tragic determination.

“Zhixiao…”

“This disciple is at fault and willing to accept punishment!”

Jun Changxiao had just started speaking when Jing Zhixiao proactively admitted guilt.

“This Seat…”

“This disciple has failed the Sect Master’s regard, failed the expectations of fellow disciples. I accept any punishment, no matter how severe!”

“Actually…”

“This disciple knows…”

“Bang—”

Jun Changxiao punched Jing Zhixiao flying, roaring, “Can you not interrupt!”

“Pff!” Lying on the ground outside, Jing Zhixiao spewed white foam and said with difficulty, “I… can…”

…

“Beep beep beep!”

“Beep beep beep!”

Alarm sounds rang out inside the Eternal Vessel as light dots gradually appeared on the starry sky map.

“Sect Master!”

Shangguan Xinyao transmitted, “We’ve discovered the Demon Emperor’s fleet again.”

“Whoosh!”

Jun Changxiao appeared in the cockpit, then sat in the chair with his ten fingers interlaced, saying, “Continue plundering!”

…

Outside a certain plane.

Twenty starship warships hovered.

The Demon Emperor’s subordinates might not have received real-time intelligence yet and still didn’t know the sixth and seventh fleets had been completely annihilated, so their attention remained focused on the task of suppressing the plane.

“Are you certain you won’t submit?”

The voice of the Number Eight Fleet Captain echoed through the starry sky.

“The Demon Emperor brings disaster to the universe and treats lives as worthless. Sooner or later, he will receive his retribution!” The powerful cultivator defending his homeland roared furiously.

The plane he was protecting was merely second-tier and absolutely couldn’t withstand a single blow before the Demon Emperor’s iron ships, so he had long since abandoned hope.

Speaking of which.

Since they couldn’t win.

Why not choose surrender?

Because for a plane and a race to choose submission without resistance was ultimately no different from genocide.

Bloodline spirit and dignity.

Required someone to defend them.

In turbulent times, in wartime, there were always those ancestors unwilling to become conquered subjects who stood up for their homeland and shed their blood.

“Retribution?”

The Fleet Captain laughed, “What the great Demon Emperor does is aimed at bringing prosperity to the universe. His achievements will be passed down for eternity!”

“And you people who obstruct this grand trend will all repent in the netherworld for your ignorance!”

“Kill!”

“Whoosh whoosh!”

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

Fully armed Demon soldiers charged forward, their numbers as dense as a swarm of locusts.

“Whoosh—”

Suddenly, space violently trembled, stirring up rippling waves.

In the starry sky closest to the plane, a warship suddenly appeared out of nowhere with the three characters ‘Eternal Vessel’ carved on it.

“Crack!”

The ship’s hold opened.

Jun Changxiao slowly appeared.

He sat in a chair, legs crossed, shaking a wine glass filled with plain water, and said, “This Hongying Realm—this Seat is protecting it.”

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

As he spoke, high-level members and disciples led by Liu Sinan flew out, forming a battle array before Hongying Realm, simultaneously erupting with Half-Step Celestial Secret Realm cultivation.

“In this day and age, there are still people playing hero?” The Fleet Captain sneered coldly, “Seeking death.”

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

Tens of thousands of Demon soldiers charged forward.

But just after moving for a short while, they all instinctively stopped, their gazes showing astonishment.

“This…”

The Fleet Captain slowly stood up, saying in disbelief, “What… is that?”

In their field of view, a mecha with a body seemingly forged from steel was being dragged by several chains, slowly descending from the bottom hold of the Eternal Vessel.

This object’s build was dozens of zhang tall, like a great mountain.

The Dark Destroyer, manufactured by Old Man Taixuan, used high-grade ore as material, but its styling remained relatively close to ancient designs.

However, this mecha slowly making its entrance—every component, every minute detail—displayed an extremely high sense of technology, even shining with brilliant luster in the pitch-black universe.

The left shoulder was carved with “Slay,” the right shoulder carved with “Demon.”

At the chest, it was like a male lion roaring with open jaws.

On the back hung a blade sheath full of mechanical sense, the exposed hilt still presenting an extremely high technological aesthetic.

“Energy replenishment twenty percent… thirty percent… forty percent… one hundred percent!”

A sweet lady’s voice issued reminders from the internal cockpit. Only then did Jing Zhixiao put down the operation manual, put on the specialized neural helmet, and begin manipulating various buttons.

“Snap!”

“Snap!”

The four chains released and retracted. The mecha hovered steadily in the starry sky.

Jing Zhixiao first exhaled, then placed one hand on the control stick, his expression solemn as he said, “Demon Slayer pilot Jing Zhixiao, requesting permission to sortie!”

“Granted.”

Jun Changxiao said.

“Whoosh—”

Before the words had even finished falling, violent energy howled forth, blowing his black hair into disarray, nearly deforming his face.

Li Qingyang and the others looked over in astonishment and saw that Xiaotian Demon Slayer was already standing behind a certain warship, in a stance with legs apart and hands gripping a blade, the mechanically aesthetic blade flashing with radiance.

“Crack!”

The sound of shattering rang out.

A starship warship no less impressive than the Eternal Vessel slowly split into two halves before everyone’s eyes, then exploded with a thunderous boom. The firelight illuminated Xiaotian Demon Slayer’s back, clearly revealing the newly carved number—sixty-six!

“Holy crap!”

Su Xiaomo gaped, exclaiming in shock, “Is it really that powerful!?”

—