Chapter 21: The Prototype of the "Bumblebee" Mech

Due to limitations in tools and technology, the bee was quite rough—strictly speaking, it couldn't really be called a bee, but more like a hard-shelled bug.

The bug was entirely black, with eight mechanical legs folded underneath its body. At the abdomen, there was a special slot reserved for placing a crystal.

Lin Binbin remembered that the crystal White Ape used still had some energy left, so he smashed it with a hammer, preparing to insert it into the bug's body for a test.

"Third, hurry up and put it in to test it!"

With the urgent call, the three boys' eyes shone with anticipation.

Click—

The crystal was placed inside.

The three boys just stared eagerly.

After waiting nearly five minutes, the mechanical bee showed no reaction. Lin Binbin's pupils flickered with a hint of doubt.

"Strange, could it be that the energy is insufficient?"

Saying that, he brought up the panel for inspection.

[Ding, no formed mech detected, please rescan.]

[Nothing much to say, just a bunch of scattered scrap metal. Although the maker's effort is clear, obviously this workmanship isn't quite up to par.]

After reviewing, Lin Binbin roughly made up his mind.

Although Lin Xiao's blueprints were usable, Lin Binbin couldn't delegate the actual manufacturing work to others.

"Big brother, can I see the blueprints for the mech bee?"

"Here." Lin Xiao quickly spread out the blueprints.

Once confirmed, Lin Binbin's gaze fell on the blueprints.

[Ding, congratulations on obtaining blueprint: Mechanical Mutant Bee (Rare)]

[Quality: Blue]

[Basic Skill: Remote Tracking (up to 10km)]

[Attribute Bonus: Speed +20]

[Length: 6mm]

[Rare Blueprint Bonus: One random mech skill draw, drawing skill, please wait...]

[Skill locked: Precision Pierce]

[Precision Pierce: Attack +5, can use tail stinger for one close-range attack, with added poison effect.]

[I turned a page in history, every crooked line shouting 'moral decay'... oh, wrong script. This is a rare blueprint. Don't know what kind of damn luck you've had, kid, hope you won't suffer backlash...]

I'm freaking out!!! A rare blueprint.

He actually got a rare blueprint!!

Lin Binbin took several deep breaths, looking at Lin Xiao with a spark of excitement in his eyes.

The gaze was so intense it seemed to pierce through people. Seeing this, Lin Xiao shoved the blueprint into Lin Binbin's arms and almost instinctively took a few steps back.

"Third, calm down. Let's talk it through. I'm old enough to say that over-the-top enthusiasm isn't suitable, and we're all guys here, hugging and cuddling is inappropriate."

Clearly, the last bout of enthusiasm left a big impression on Lin Xiao's fragile heart.

"..." Lin Binbin felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed his nose. "Bro, I just wanted to ask if you had any extra materials. I want to try again."

Lin Xiao sighed with relief. "Wait here, I'll get them for you."

Knowing he was about to build a new mech, Lin Binbin planned to summon White Ape back from the recruitment spot.

Who knew, just as he stepped out of the forge, he saw White Ape's head spinning wildly on the ground.

Because of the high speed, a few fallen leaves were caught up, forming a small whirlwind.

"Damn, how did the head fall off?"

"White Ape, stop!"

Hearing the order, White Ape froze.

Lin Binbin quickly ran over and picked up the head, reattaching it to the body. Before he could react, electric crackling noises sparked in his ears.

Then White Ape's mechanical eyes flickered and went dark.

"Hiss..." Lin Binbin sucked in a cold breath. This was the first time this had happened. He patted White Ape's head, checked the connection point, but found no problems.

"Not enough stamina. Let's finish your brother's mech first, then we'll repair you."

Lin Binbin called Cheng Mo over, planning to carry the iron lump back together.

The two sweated profusely, and when they looked back at their progress...

They had only moved it three meters.

"I'm done. Third, you gotta let me catch my breath first." Cheng Mo's sweat flowed like a waterfall and he collapsed on the ground, motionless.

Lin Binbin was in a similar state, breathing heavily while looking at the dead White Ape.

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have exercised this morning. Now I'm too exhausted to even repair it."

Suddenly, he slapped his forehead.

How could he have forgotten the storage pouch?

If he disassembled White Ape's arms and wheels, he could fit the parts inside the pouch, and then reassemble everything back at the forge.

So Lin Binbin got up, quickly took off the storage pouch hanging from his belt. This storage pouch given by the Teng family was basic but could hold up to ten cubic meters.

Cheng Mo looked confused.

"Third, what's up? Aren't we carrying it anymore?"

"No, I just thought of a more convenient way."

Cheng Mo's confusion deepened, then he saw Lin Binbin smile mysteriously and quickly begin disassembling the mech. After dismantling the entire mech, Lin Binbin lightly touched the broken parts and they swiftly vanished with a whoosh.

Cheng Mo's eyes widened in disbelief and he jumped up.

"This is..."

"A storage pouch. I tricked it out at the Teng's store when I sold spirit beast meat last time."

Cheng Mo instantly showed a look of envy. He'd heard of storage pouches before but this was his first time seeing one.

Seeing his reaction, Lin Binbin smiled. "Don't rush. Once the new mech is done, I'll take you to register as a Spirit Beast Master. Then we'll head down the mountain to grab ten or so storage pouches, and maybe hit up that restaurant you keep talking about."

Hearing the restaurant, Cheng Mo perked up and grinned foolishly. "Third, just tell me what to do and I'll do it. Whatever you say."

For the next three days, Lin Binbin stayed locked in the furnace room, while Lin Xiao and Cheng Mo took turns smelting. Lin Binbin handled cutting and assembly. After one hundred and thirty failed attempts, it was finally completed.

[Type: Flying mech]

[Quality: Blue]

[Basic stats: Attack 5, Speed 20]

[Attribute bonuses: Agility +6, Poison +3 (30% success rate)]

[Length: 6mm]

[Weight: 0.01 lbs]

[Energy: Crystal core]

[Combat consumption: 1 energy per minute]

[Additional abilities: Remote tracking (up to 10km), Precision pierce]

Looking at his masterpiece, Lin Binbin nodded with satisfaction.

After inserting the crushed crystal, a silver light flashed before the mechanical bee precisely landed on Lin Binbin's arm.

"Hm, speed's fast enough. From now on, you shall be called Bumblebee..."