Upon being joyfully welcomed into the enormous structure by several scientists of the Shiling people, Su Han found himself within.
The vast building was heavily guarded, with numerous intelligent robots and various energy weapons concealed in the shadows. Su Han also detected high-energy reactions within the structure, indicating the presence of a powerful energy source. This could be a bomb, an engine for a large robot, or something similar.
Su Han was not overly surprised by these observations, as he expected as much.
Entering the research institute, Su Han discovered it was far more expansive than it appeared from the outside. The underground levels were also utilized, making the subterranean world beneath the planet the true grand realm.
The Shiling scientists led Su Han directly to a colossal laboratory, situated underground. Its visible area alone surpassed that of the institute's surface. This laboratory was spherical, with a bridge extending from the exterior to the very center of the hollow sphere.
After walking a short distance, the Shiling scientists took flight, soaring towards the center of the spherical laboratory. Su Han immediately recognized this flight as being enabled by some form of internal propulsion.
Returning to the present, Su Han followed the flying Shiling scientists across the suspended bridge to the core of the spherical laboratory.
Standing on this bridge, the bottom was several hundred meters below.
The entire interior of the laboratory was bathed in an intense light, illuminating the space with boundless radiance.
"Su Han, I am a Level 9 scientist of the Shiling Technological Civilization. Now, I must research your technology. Please, present your technology here!"
Su Han replied, "Simply presenting my technology would be rather dull. Do you have anything here that I can spar with?"
"Sparring, hmm, that is acceptable. In that case, let us deploy a robot to test you!"
Following this, a section of the laboratory wall liquified and opened, revealing a doorway. From this opening, a robot flew out.
A Shiling scientist stated, "Su Han, if you are unable to defeat this robot, immediately perform this gesture, and the robot will cease its actions."
Su Han raised his hand and launched a magical attack towards the robot.
Before the robot could react, it was obliterated.
Su Han casually remarked, "Too weak. Do you have anything stronger? Hmm, perhaps ten thousand times stronger?"
At this, the Shiling scientists were astonished by Su Han's prowess.
"Su Han, it appears the technology within you is truly advanced."
"Then let us deploy a more powerful robot!"
Another robot emerged, clearly more formidable than the first.
Su Han sensed the energy within this robot and commented, "Hmm, this robot is only a hundred times stronger than the previous one."
Su Han raised his hand again and unleashed another strike, vaporizing this robot as well.
Now, having sensed the energy within both robots, Su Han realized it was identical to the high-energy reaction he had detected earlier. It seemed the source of that potent energy was the power core of a robot, likely the most powerful one in this laboratory.
Su Han declared, "Hmm, you should deploy your most powerful robot. These robots cannot even withstand me for a single second."
Having spoken, Su Han's gaze shifted towards a particular direction, from which the high-energy signature emanated.
The Shiling scientists, now realizing Su Han had discovered their contingency, acknowledged, "Indeed, it appears we must retrieve that most powerful robot."
As their words faded, a section of the laboratory wall opened, and a robot composed entirely of energy slowly emerged.
This energy robot stood five meters tall, significantly larger than the previous, miniaturized material robot. Energy pulsed continuously across its frame, rippling like irregular waves, yet resembling waves of amplified power.
Su Han was surprised to realize this high-energy object was a pure energy robot. It seemed the claim of the universe's most advanced technological civilization was not mere bluster.
The Shiling scientists nearby, observing the energy robot, stated, "Our energy robot is exceptionally powerful, embodying the pinnacle of our Shiling Technological Civilization's advanced science. Su Han, if you cannot defeat it, surrender immediately."
Su Han leaped lightly off the platform and slowly ascended towards the energy robot. Maintaining a distance of a hundred meters from it, Su Han could more accurately sense the energy robot's capabilities. Its power was immense, utilizing Shiling Technological Civilization's technology. While Su Han had initially felt a sense of unfamiliarity with its energy signatures, at this hundred-meter range, he could now perceive the energy robot's true strength.
A Shiling scientist suspended on the bridge above announced, "Su Han, once you attack the energy robot, the battle can commence."
Su Han nodded and unleashed a standard magical attack.
The energy robot made no attempt to defend, and the spell struck it directly.
*Bang*
An explosion erupted.
The energy field on the robot's body fluctuated.
The Shiling scientists nearby were astonished.
"His attack actually managed to hit our energy robot."
"Our energy robot can absorb energy attacks and is immune to physical attacks. What kind of attack is he using?"
"Based on the data, that was an energy attack."
"Technology! The attack Su Han used is a different form of technology!"
The energy robot began to broadcast, "Unknown energy attack, target danger level high!"
The energy robot raised its arm, and streams of energy projectiles launched towards Su Han.
Su Han raised his hand, conjuring a magical barrier that deflected all the energy projectiles.
"While I can evade these, it is important to demonstrate my strength to the Shiling scientists present."
The energy robot, possessing exceptionally high intelligence, responded.
"Unknown energy barrier, target danger level elevated. Small energy rounds are ineffective. Large energy rounds would destroy this location. Switching to melee combat."
A two-meter-long energy sword materialized in the energy robot's hand.
Witnessing the deployment of the energy sword, the Shiling scientists exclaimed in surprise, "It's using an energy sword! But do not worry, the energy robot will aim for his arm. Our technology can reattach Su Han's arm."