Chapter 18: Nightingale’s Hope (Part 2)

"Leiting, catch, and swap in this energy core!" Lin Fan commanded coldly, as the core shimmering with blue light flew rapidly toward Leiting.

Leiting caught it with an agile hand, but simply lowered its head mechanically, its voice flat and devoid of emotion:

"Apologies, Master, I cannot replace my own core."

Lin Fan suddenly thought of something, the corner of his mouth hooked upward, and he quickly dialed Zhang Tie and Zhang Ming.

"Hey, what are you two doing?"

Zhang Tie's voice on the other end of the phone was lazy: "Boss, we've finished upgrading the luxury cars for the three ladies, and we're just lying down resting now."

"What kind of resting is that? Get up, to the underground parking lot! There's something I need you to do."

"Yes, Boss!" the two replied in unison.

Within a few minutes, the gate of the underground parking lot opened again, and Zhang Tie and Zhang Ming walked in together.

The two were wearing white research uniforms and looked much more professional, though they still faintly emitted the mixed scent of engine oil and gasoline.

"Boss, did you need us for something?" Zhang Tie asked warmly.

"Come here and help Leiting replace its energy core."

"What?" Zhang Tie and Zhang Ming were stunned almost simultaneously.

"We aren't experts; what if we mess it up?" Zhang Ming appeared somewhat worried.

"Don't worry about that, just do as I say." Lin Fan commanded coldly, clearly not intending to waste time on explanations.

Zhang Tie and Zhang Ming exchanged glances. Although they were full of doubts, since the boss had given the order, they dared not say anything more. They quickly walked up to Leiting and began to carefully examine the energy core shimmering with blue light.

"Alright, Boss!" Zhang Tie replied, and immediately began to work.

In the past days, they had long witnessed this boss's extraordinary abilities and superior intelligence.

When modifying the starfire c9, whether it was solving tricky problems or leading the team through Breakthroughs, the boss was always able to rely on his keen insight and decisive judgment to lead them out of predicaments.

Therefore, they believed in every instruction and decision of the boss without doubt and were willing to follow him without reservation.

Zhang Ming took out tools from the side, preparing to assist.

The two worked with tacit understanding. Although they hadn't done this kind of thing before, relying on their zero-error operation and the perfect operating steps provided by Lin Fan, they finished it very quickly.

Lin Fan stood to the side with his hands in his pockets, his eyes full of approval. These two were definitely national treasure-level; their hands-on ability was just too strong.

If given detailed blueprints and design concepts, they could probably even hand-craft an aircraft carrier for you.

As Zhang Tie completed the final action, the command from phone 000 was sent at the same moment, successfully lifting the master control chip's restrictions on Leiting.

A bright light suddenly flashed, and Leiting's body trembled slightly, as if a machine that had been asleep for a long time had finally been awakened.

Immediately after, its eyes snapped open, and a trace of human emotional fluctuation flashed through its originally dead pupils.

That cold, mechanical tone gradually disappeared, replaced by a voice with warmth, like a life that had just recovered after a long period of silence.

"Master…" Leiting's voice was low and powerful, carrying a sense of long-lost clarity, "I… I can feel the change."

"That's right, Leiting. Remember, you are no longer that cold-blooded machine; you are my comrade-in-arms."

Lin Fan said encouragingly, though his heart ached; absolute control was gone just like that, but now he could only keep up the facade.

Leiting silently felt its own changes; the oppressive feeling of being bound gradually dissipated, replaced by a long-lost sense of relief and calm.

It took a deep breath, raised its head, and with a complex emotion in its eyes, said: "I… can finally think freely. I can finally act freely. Thank you, Boss."

"This is what you deserve. No one should be bound." Lin Fan continued to keep up the facade.

Just at this moment, Xiao Du's voice rang in Lin Fan's ear again:

"Congratulations, Young Master, Clue Two: The Deprived Freedom. Completion: 0.1%."

Xiao Du's voice was as soft and cute as ever, but to Lin Fan, it sounded like a butcher's knife.

"0.1%" meant that to complete it, he had to give freedom to at least 1,000 people like Leiting.

Each one of these was a Peak combat force, and losing absolute control over them like this made Lin Fan's heart ache uncontrollably.

He endured the heartache, turned to look at Leiting, and instructed.

"Leiting, the freedom you have just regained is only the beginning; we will face even greater challenges. Remember, all of this has just begun."

Leiting nodded firmly: "Understood, Boss. I am ready to fight alongside you at any time."

In the Hell Arena, the lights were dim, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere.

Nightingale lay lazily on the sofa, the liquid in her red wine glass gently swirling between her slender fingers. Her alluring red lips parted slightly, exhaling a voice like a wisp of smoke: "Lin Fan, you truly did not disappoint me."

Her eyes were as deep as obsidian, carrying a hint of hidden amusement.

She pressed an inconspicuous button beside the sofa, and then, the entire underground space seemed to begin to tremble, with a low rumble coming from between the walls.

It was a factory hidden beneath the deep sea, designed specifically for manufacturing mechanical warriors.

Following her action, the startup programs in the factory were activated one by one.

The sleeping machines began to operate again, mechanical arms traced precise trajectories in the air, and the sound of metal echoed through the empty workshop.

Thousands of mechanical warriors were gradually created from the massive manufacturing pods. Each machine was full of precise design, equipped with lethal weapons and defense Systems, like an Incarnation of death.

Nightingale leaned back gently on the sofa, seemingly completely unconcerned about the power of these mechanical warriors; her eyes were filled with confidence.

"These are prepared for you, Lin Fan." She whispered, her voice low and full of provocation, "If you can survive, perhaps I will give you some more interesting challenges."

She raised her hand, gently stroking the rim of her red wine glass, a charming smile appearing on her face.

These mechanical warriors before her, while powerful, could not replace her true goal, the challenge.

She wanted to test Lin Fan's limits, to see how far he could go, how much he could endure, and whether he was worth it.

"Lin Fan," she murmured, "if you can break through all of this, I will personally send you to the very top, to become my partner, or… submit beneath my skirt."

The third floor of the main building was Lin Fan's private Domain.

The design here was luxurious yet elegant; the master bedroom was spacious and bright, and from the open-air balcony, one could overlook the entire Star-Moon Manor.

On one side of the balcony, there was a natural hot spring pool, with steam rising from the water, emitting a soothing warmth.

Inside the hot spring pool, Princess Hu Qinlan, Yin Miaoxue, and Princess Jin Xuan were leisurely soaking in the hot spring.

Princess Hu Qinlan's emerald green long dress had long been placed aside; at this moment, she was only draped in a translucent thin gauze bathrobe, revealing her skin, which was as gentle and moist as lake water.

A few strands of her hair were tied up, while the rest draped over her shoulders, with slightly damp locks clinging to her neck, adding a touch of charm.

She gently raised her eyes, softly conversing with Yin Miaoxue beside her.