The docking of the mecha’s “neural centre” requires a tremendous amount of energy and physical strength, especially the consumption of mental power. Moreover, Ryan docked two brand-new beast-type mechas in just two days. Over 20,000 impact pins, each as thick as five centimeters or as fine as ten strands of hair twisted together, must be handled. Although there is guidance from alignment tools, they cannot be fully relied upon. This operation requires a master with 30 years of experience, at least 10 of which are specialized in this field, to operate the console based on expertise.
Whether in the past or now, Ryan has never been the type to seek quick success and instant benefits. With centuries of cultivation, he is even less likely to act impulsively or harm himself. The reason for his remarkable performance this time is purely to establish a myth at the Imperial Mecha Research Institute!
Yes, a myth.
The kind of myth that is unprecedented and will never be surpassed, one that makes others feel awe when mentioning him. This is not the honor of Qin Feng Anderson; it belongs to him, Ryan Smith.
Ryan was so exhausted that he collapsed into bed and fell asleep as soon as he got home. Meanwhile, in other places, many people, despite being as tired as dogs, refused to rest. With bloodshot eyes, they stared at the various data, almost every metric breaking records. Such achievements are truly terrifying. Since the establishment of the Mecha Research Institute—or rather, since the birth of this field—no one has ever accomplished anything like this. The “feeling the stones while crossing the river” pioneer, Emperor Qin Feng, doesn’t count; he is the trailblazer of another era of history. And now, Ryan has created a new miracle.
Returning to the research institute with a frail body, Sierra obsessively spent more than ten hours in the lab, using his actions to prove that he was still a genius. But as he reviewed all the data from the initiation of the beast-type mecha project to its completion, he was so shocked that no one dared to mock or underestimate him anymore. He slumped weakly into a chair, his eyes vacant as they stared at a certain point in the void, unwilling to speak for a long time.
Ryan made him realize that he was not perfect, thoroughly crushing him in the area he was most skilled at—mechas. It took an immense effort for Sierra to admit this, and after admitting it, he felt as if his soul had been emptied.
“Heh heh.” In the busy laboratory, Sierra let out two small laughs, a smile that was indescribably neurotic.
Anthony, the deputy for the project constructing 500 mechanical mechas, shook his head. Although he was Sierra’s teacher, he had never received the respect a teacher deserved. Standing aside with his arms folded, he saw Sierra’s neurotic smile, and his gaze indifferently shifted away as he walked to another area to instruct others on how to properly manufacture the “neural centre.” Those receiving his guidance were flattered and nodded repeatedly, from which Anthony derived great satisfaction.
Sierra, who had been diagnosed by doctors as unable to become emotionally agitated and who must be immediately injected with a sedative if it happened, stared blankly, his eyes unable to move. He was convinced that his perfect world had collapsed, and his consciousness drifted in a fragmented realm. The doctors had warned that his mental state was unstable and that any further anomalies could render recovery impossible, so he must avoid any stimulation. Any signs of trouble had to be addressed promptly, with those around him paying extra attention.
The Imperial Mecha Research Institute has many projects, and not everyone had the opportunity to be selected by Ryan to join the beast-type mecha construction team. Of course, there were also many who chose to decline the transfer orders. Now, looking back, it’s a mix of emotions—regret gnaws at their hearts like an itch they can’t scratch, as if missing this chance was like missing history itself!
“Why on earth did I foolishly choose to decline? It must have been because I didn’t sleep well the night before, which clouded my judgment.”
“This will be the greatest regret of my life. I hope I’ll be chosen for the next project initiated by the director.”
“Next time… My current project is nearing completion. For the next project launched by the director, I will definitely sign up enthusiastically.”
Similar words have undoubtedly been spoken by countless people, whether they weren’t selected from the start or were selected but chose to refuse. Everyone is now brimming with motivation, eagerly awaiting the next opportunity.
As for those who once doubted Ryan’s abilities, those doubts have long vanished with each successive record-breaking achievement. After Ryan successfully installed the “neural centre” into the beast-type mechas, the recognition and admiration for him reached an all-time peak.
In the research institute, many people couldn’t care less about their exhausted bodies, poring over the publicly available materials Ryan released regarding the construction of beast-type mechas. With bloodshot eyes, they worked tirelessly, forsaking food and sleep, hoping that a single “breath of immortal energy” from the director might just increase their own “skills” by decades…
As for Ryan, who was on everyone’s minds, after returning home last night, he hugged Auston before his unsteady steps carried him upstairs, where he collapsed onto the bed. He didn’t even have time to take off his clothes before falling asleep, and no matter what happened, it was unlikely he’d wake during the night.
When he woke up, the curtains in the bedroom were tightly drawn, allowing no light to seep in from outside. This left Ryan, still groggy from just waking up, unable to tell whether it was day or night.
It should be daytime… he thought to himself. Reaching out to his side, he found that Auston wasn’t there.
He tried to prop himself up to sit but noticed something weighing him down. As his senses gradually came to life, he realized a small figure was lying on top of him. The faint scent of milk wafted to his nose, and in this house, there was no doubt—this milky fragrance could only belong to little Tuantuan.
Ryan raised an eyebrow—this was rare. Tuantuan was actually sleeping soundly in his arms. Slightly lifting himself, Ryan propped up his pillow to elevate his upper body. With one hand supporting Tuantuan’s chubby little bottom, he carefully sat up, making sure not to disturb the child in the slightest.
In the dim light, Ryan looked down at Tuantuan’s sleeping face. The child had most of their body sprawled over him, their round little face squished against his chest, forming a bundle. Tuantuan’s small mouth was slightly open, and when Ryan reached out to check, he found there wasn’t any drool.
Like a giant mochi. After poking the child’s cheek a few times, Ryan came to this conclusion—it was just so soft to the touch! The sensation was so good that he couldn’t stop himself. He found himself utterly unable to resist pinching the child, trapped in the joy of poking this soft little creature. Ryan felt like his self-control must have been thrown out the window—why else couldn’t he stop?
He extended a finger to poke Tuantuan’s plump little cheeks, brushed the rounded tip of their nose, fiddled back and forth with their squishy little ears, and let his fingers “dance” like playing piano on Tuantuan’s back… It was just too fun!
“Mm…” The relentless teasing elicited a dissatisfied hum from Tuantuan. Their tiny brows furrowed, and their little mouth shut tight. If the teasing didn’t stop soon, Ryan might very well end up playing until Tuantuan started crying.
Ryan quickly stopped and simply gazed at the child’s sleeping face, feeling completely content.
Sleepiness can be contagious. Ryan yawned, closed his eyes, and, holding the soft Tuantuan, decided to take another nap.
When he woke up again, his arms felt empty, with only the faint, lingering scent of milk. This time, Ryan didn’t hesitate at all. He threw off the covers, turned over, and sat up. Barefoot on the floor, he took a deep breath, stood up, stretched his limbs, and slowly exhaled the stale air from his body. After sleeping for what seemed like seventeen or eighteen hours, the emptiness in his mind caused by the overuse of mental energy had finally returned to normal, and he felt fully “alive” again!
He walked a few meters to the window, grabbed the edge of the curtains, and yanked them open. The dazzling afternoon sunlight suddenly poured in, forcing Ryan to squint slightly. After two or three seconds, he adjusted to the light, and what entered his sight was… Da Fu leaping past, revealing its white belly right in front of him.
This guy has grown, gradually shedding the juvenile appearance of a white fluffball and taking on more traits of a majestic gryphon eagle-beast, such as a mane and sturdy whiskers. Though still far from being truly imposing, it’s steadily moving in that direction.
Ryan muttered to himself, “Calcium supplements can’t stop just yet.”
Da Fu, a mutant atavistic and albino “abnormal” gryphon beast, has grown this big without any illnesses or setbacks entirely thanks to the meticulous care of Ryan and Auston. Calcium supplementation has been steadily increased according to its size, alongside a diet rich in fish, eggs, meat, and vegetables, allowing Da Fu to grow even healthier than gryphon beasts living in the wild!
“When Da Fu gets a bit bigger and Tuantuan grows a little more, we’ll make a seat cushion and strap it onto Da Fu’s back.”
In the sky, Da Fu, performing a 720-degree midair spin for Tuantuan, suddenly felt a chill. It suspiciously glanced around—there was nothing nearby that could pose a threat!
Unbeknownst to it, Ryan was already standing on the balcony, finalizing the design in his mind. He was just waiting for Da Fu and Tuantuan to grow a little more before putting it into action. Before letting Tuantuan ride on Da Fu to fly, there would need to be proper training for Da Fu! No time for that now, but it could definitely go on the agenda for the future.
A winged little white lion was flying around in the air, performing all sorts of playful antics to amuse the small child standing on the ground. The child, barely over ten months old, looked like a delicate porcelain doll with exquisitely refined features. Walking back and forth on the soft grass mat, the child was just learning to walk and hadn’t yet mastered running. A few quick steps would often result in a tumble.
Tuantuan had a great personality, naturally resilient and optimistic. When he fell, he would push himself up and get back on his feet without shedding a single tear. The only thing that could make Tuantuan cry golden teardrops was seeing something delicious and not being allowed to eat it.
With a nanny robot keeping an eye on him and housekeeper Laura watching from the side, Ryan and Auston felt completely at ease letting Tuantuan play alone in the yard.
Ryan lifted his arm to check the time—it was already 2:25 PM. He had slept through last night’s dinner and missed both breakfast and lunch today. No wonder he now felt a gnawing hunger in his stomach. When hunger hit, he couldn’t hold back. Unlike the old days of war preparations, there was no longer any need to suppress his body’s reactions or his inner desires. Now, he could fully follow his instincts.
He turned and went indoors, took a quick shower, and, still damp, changed into a cotton-linen set of loungewear. Opening the bedroom door, he walked out and, at the staircase landing, ran into Auston, who was on his way up.
When Auston saw Ryan, the faint smile on his face grew into a wide grin. He hurriedly climbed a few more steps to reach Ryan’s side and hugged him tightly. “I was just coming to check on you. If you didn’t wake up soon, I was about to call the doctor.”
“I woke up in the morning, but holding Tuantuan felt so nice that I couldn’t help falling asleep again,” Ryan replied.
Auston said, “I carried Tuantuan away around eight, not quite nine. Seeing how deeply you were asleep, I didn’t wake you. It wasn’t that you couldn’t resist sleeping again—you were too exhausted to recover fully. That was your body signaling it needed rest.”
Ryan replied, “Mhm, well, I feel great now. No trace of fatigue at all.”
“Don’t push yourself so hard. Your health is the foundation of everything. You’re not allowed to do this again in the future.”
The once terse and reticent Imperial General was now endlessly nagging, having transformed into someone who could be described as “fussy.” He kept reminding Ryan to take care of his health, insisting that nothing was more important than a sound body. Having experienced loss due to illness himself, Auston valued health all the more.
Ryan nodded firmly. At this moment, there was no need for words. Just nodding and occasionally responding with a soft “mm-hmm” to show he understood was enough—no more was needed.
During their descent downstairs, Auston had already instructed the kitchen to prepare some easily digestible, filling, delicious, and high-calorie dishes. By the time they entered the kitchen, the chef had already served a small plate of garlic-scented sliced bread with mushroom and meat sauce for dipping—perfect for easing their hunger—and a bowl of purple sweet potato oatmeal porridge, gentle on the stomach after such a long period of hunger. These were just to start; more was on the way. The chef was currently preparing braised meat and mushroom fried rice along with pan-seared codfish, topped with fragrant mango slices for a unique aroma.
The fried rice was entirely Chinese-style, featuring braised meat, mushroom slices, green peas, corn, diced carrots, and an egg to ensure balanced nutrition. The pan-seared cod was Western-style, seasoned lightly with a sprinkle of pink rock salt, accompanied by two tender asparagus spears seared in the same pan. The chef, after attending training classes for Chinese cuisine, had long since stopped being limited to any specific culinary tradition. Instead, he could now adapt to Ryan and Auston’s tastes and needs, skillfully using available ingredients to create suitable dishes.
Rather than eating at the dining table, they chose to dine in front of the floor-to-ceiling window where they could see Tuantuan. Auston had a lightly sweetened coffee with milk in front of him, accompanied by caramel-colored macarons.
Watching Tuantuan while eating was undeniably an immense pleasure. After swallowing a mouthful of food, Ryan said, “I’ll rest one more day. Then come with me to the mecha research institute.”
Auston’s grip on his coffee cup tightened slightly. “Alright.” He was thrilled at the prospect of test-driving the new mecha, though he kept his excitement well-concealed.
Ryan smiled and said, “It looks incredibly powerful; you’ll like it. But I’m keeping it a secret for now—not showing you what it looks like. You’ll see when the time comes.”
Auston glanced at Ryan, slightly helpless. He had been just about to ask for a sneak peek at the mecha’s appearance but relented with a small smile. “Since you put it that way, fine. I’ll muster all the patience I have to wait for the moment the new mecha appears before me.”
Then Auston thought of something. “Should we bring Yuan Chu and Code Zero along?”
The floor-to-ceiling window where Ryan and Auston stood wasn’t far from where Yuan Chu and Code Zero often stayed online. The two artificial intelligences easily picked up on their owners’ conversation. If they had ears, they would surely have perked up; since they didn’t, the only reaction was the generation of some redundant information within their systems. As the redundant information accumulated, it was packed up and sent to their “secret base” on the interstellar network, ensuring it wouldn’t burden or affect their primary systems.
Ryan said, “Bring them. Let them get used to operating their new bodies.”
Yuan Chu and Code Zero exchanged a glance. The redundant information in their systems surged further. Soon, they would have new bodies—massive, powerful new bodies. Just the thought of it was thrilling!
During the recent “Stark Retrial” incident, Yuan Chu and Code Zero played a pivotal role. The overwhelming public outcry against the Gustav family was largely a result of their efforts. Nowadays, the saying “Whoever controls public opinion wins half the battle” is no mere rhetoric or exaggeration; it’s the absolute truth.
Later, the video titled Dream of the Past, filmed by the “unfilial son” of the Li family, went viral across the entire network—another success attributable to Yuan Chu and Code Zero.
Winning multiple battles without bloodshed is something the human brain could never achieve flawlessly—it’s only possible with growth-oriented artificial intelligence. If others found out that Ryan and Auston possessed such powerful AI, it would undoubtedly stir panic. After all, the “robot threat” debate has persisted since the inception of artificial intelligence.
Thus, the extraordinary intelligence of Yuan Chu and Code Zero must remain a secret. However, taking them to the Mecha Research Center to test drive the new beast-type mechas would pose no issues.
“With them on board, the test drive will definitely be twice as effective with half the effort,” Auston said, brimming with anticipation for the upcoming test drive. No man could resist the allure of weaponry—especially a soldier.
Ryan: “There are two of them: one black and one white. Pick whichever color you like for your test drive.”
Auston smiled, “You make it sound like the mechas are cabbages in a field, ready to be plucked at will.”
Ryan: “Well, in our family, we can make that happen. If we don’t use our privileges now, they’ll expire. I’ll exercise my rights to allocate those mechas to our personal base!”
Auston said, “When General Tolkien contacted me, he asked if you could ease up a bit and spare some mechas for him. Preferably new ones, but if not, even older models would do.”
The envious and slightly sour tone in General Tolkien’s words had pleased Auston for a long time. Knowing his partner was so capable brought him boundless joy.
“He can submit an application,” Ryan said after finishing the last bite of fried rice.
Auston: “Don’t do it just because of me…”
Ryan, “One of the mechas I made was originally intended for the Glory Legion anyway.” He selfishly wanted to ensure greater security for the upcoming battles with pirates. As he had just said, “If you don’t use your rights, they’ll go to waste.” This was him exercising those rights now. “But whether they get it or not will depend on their own efforts. My role in this allocation decision only accounts for about 30%.”
“If General Tolkien finds out about that 30%, he’ll probably laugh himself into playing a few extra rounds of mahjong.”
Ryan chuckled. “Tolkien and I are mahjong buddies, after all.” Finding a worthy opponent in mahjong wasn’t easy. Thinking about it, it had been ages since he last played, and his hands were itching. When he met General Tolkien again, he’d definitely play a few rounds with him.
Not far from them, Yuan Chu and Code Zero were having a lively “discussion” … or rather, turning a choice into a debate.
Yuan Chu declared, “The black one is mine, and the white one is yours.”
Code Zero: ???
“I haven’t even chosen yet. I’ve always been black—it’s part of my style. The black one suits me. The white one should be yours. I’ve reviewed the appearance of the first-generation mechas; the one Emperor Qin Feng built was silver-gray, so white aligns with your aesthetic.”
Yuan Chu, “When sir first designed the mechas, the white one was intended for you. The black one was added later because I requested it.”
Code Zero, “But now sir has left the decision to the general. I follow the general’s lead, and he’ll definitely pick the more understated black one. So, the black mecha is mine.”
Yuan Chu, “I can assist the general in piloting a mecha too. I’m taking the black one.”
Code Zero: “!!!”
“No, Little Strawberry,” he continued, “you can’t be this overbearing. Yes, you’re my mentor in growth, but that doesn’t mean you get to call the shots when it comes to picking mechas.”
Yuan Chu replied, “Oh.”
Code Zero, “I’ve already let you take advantage so many times before I fully ‘grew up.’ By human standards, this is a deep connection—you owe me responsibility!”
Yuan Chu, “Alright, let’s respect our masters’ decisions.”
Code Zero felt triumphant, convinced that the general would undoubtedly pick the composed, understated black mecha. “Good, it’s settled then.”
Yuan Chu’s indicator light flickered briefly. “Good, it’s settled then.”
Just then, a tired and sweaty Tuantuan wandered inside, his little legs moving cautiously as he hadn’t completely mastered walking yet. Rushing was still a surefire way to trip. The little guy, rosy-cheeked from playing, huffed and puffed his way to his dad’s side, looking up expectantly. “Water,” he demanded with adorable determination.
Ryan scooped Tuantuan up, his heart softening as he handed the child a water bottle. “Here you go, little adventurer. Don’t overdo it out there.”
Tuantuan guzzled the water greedily, his tiny hands clutching the bottle with all the intensity of a toddler determined to hydrate.
Auston gave him water, and after he finished drinking, he patted Tuantuan’s shoulder, saying, “Tuan Tuan, we made a promise.”
The little face of Tuantuan, flushed red, glanced at Papa, a little awkward, and softly called, “Papa~” with a pleading tone.
“Papa said that our Tuantuan must be a man. Can a man ever go back on his word?”
Tuantuan pinched his little hand and said, “No.”
Auston encouraged the child, “So, what should we do now?”
Tuantuan nodded vigorously, “Okay, Papa.”
He turned towards Ryan, took a few small steps forward, reached Daddy’s side, raised both arms, made a circle by his side, and finally brought his fingers together on top of his head, imitating a big heart. In a babyish voice, he said, “Thank you, Daddy. Daddy has worked hard.”
After saying that, he looked at Papa, his dark eyes blinking, as if asking himself whether he had said it correctly. Auston nodded, and Tuantuan happily squinted his eyes, turned his head to look at Daddy, expecting some kind of response now.
Ryan was surprised and immediately reacted, giving Tuantuan a thumbs up, “Tuantuan is awesome!”
Tuantuan felt a bit proud and a bit embarrassed, touching his face. He had been learning under Papa’s guidance for a long time, practicing over and over how to align his movements and how to pronounce words clearly. It was really impressive. Children at this age are still learning how to coordinate their bodies, but Tuantuan inherited excellent genes from both his Daddy and Papa, so he was already ahead of his peers from the start. Whether it was his learning ability or comprehension ability, he was outstanding.
Ryan bent down, opened his arms to Tuantuan, and Tuantuan hesitated for a moment before walking over and snuggling into Daddy’s arms. Let poor Daddy hug him, since Papa said it was not easy for Daddy to support the family, and the cherries were very difficult to get. Tuantuan felt he needed to be close to Daddy and couldn’t let Daddy be sad.
If Ryan knew what Tuantuan was thinking, he would surely shed tears of “comfort” as an old father.
Once sitting in Daddy’s arms, Tuantuan could see Papa face-to-face. Seeing Papa give him a thumbs up, Tuantuan was even happier and immediately made a big heart with his hands for Papa. He was now a pro at it.
The fact that the child was able to learn this action must have been due to someone teaching him. That person was, of course, without a doubt, Auston. When Ryan thought about how Auston had repeatedly shown Tuantuan the movements, he couldn’t help but chuckle. They were both his precious little treasures.
Auston, under Ryan’s gaze, felt a little shy but met Ryan’s gaze with bright eyes.
Ryan, looking at Auston with burning eyes, said, “Thank you, my treasure.”
Tuantuan patted his chest and said ‘heroically,’ “No need.” Recently, he had been learning polite phrases, and he was doing quite well with them.
Ryan lowered his head and kissed Tuantuan on the cheek, saying, “Thank you, my little treasure.”
Tuantuan, “?” Eh?
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152