In the labs of the Techno-Faction base, cold lighting reflected on the silvery-white walls, creating a chilling atmosphere. Dozens of researchers busied themselves before holographic screens, data streams flickering incessantly. The atmosphere was so tense that even the air seemed frozen. Several cyborg monks stood in the center, staring at the screen projection with icy gazes.

A technician shouted in a panic, "Report! Contact has been lost with two AI mechas in the Chaos Zone. The final combat footage has been transmitted back."

The holographic projection unfolded, showing a chaotic battle scene—Zero, piloting a Qi-training-level basic mecha, faced off against a Jindan-level AI mecha. The moment the dagger slashed across, precisely piercing the shield, the entire laboratory fell silent.

A high-ranking official in a black robe stared at the screen with a frown and asked in a cold voice, "A basic mecha broke through the Jindan-level shield? This is simply ridiculous!"

Another researcher quickly pulled up the operational data, his tone unable to conceal his shock. "This 'Zero' has almost no loss in psychic energy output, and its accuracy is so high that even our AI model cannot simulate it."

The scene froze at the moment when Zero quickly dodged and cut the shield, and the senior executives looked at each other in confusion.

An elderly researcher pointed at the projection. "This is currently the closest case to perfect operation, even surpassing the top threshold we set for AI."

A young researcher hesitantly suggested, "It might not just be a technical issue. Zero might possess some special physique that allows him to maximize the mecha's performance."

The cyborg monk beside him sneered, his mechanical arms making metallic clanking sounds. "A lowly monk? Don't be ridiculous! How could these inferior humans possibly be stronger than our AI?"

The older researcher pushed his glasses up and retorted coldly, "Then explain how he defeated the top AI mecha?"

The semi-mechanized monk shut his mouth and stopped talking, but there was a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.

The black-robed leader tapped the table, interrupting all arguments. His voice was low and cold. "Whoever he is, the facts are clear. This 'Zero' could very well be the breakthrough we need."

He paused, his tone emphasizing, "Contact the intelligence team. I want all the information on this person. His mecha, his psychic powers, even his every move. Find out everything for me."

The older researcher nodded slightly, a faint sneer on his face. "Perhaps, he can show us new possibilities for the evolution of mechas."

The semi-mechanized monk snorted inwardly: "Hmph, an ordinary monk wants to be the breakthrough point? It's ridiculous. Let's wait until we catch him!"

The lab bustled once again, but the atmosphere grew even more tense. Zero looked unremarkable on the projected image, yet every frame filled those present with a subtle sense of unease. It was like an undiscovered spiritual stone—once the mystery was solved, it might bring not only answers, but also subversion.

The normally solemn atmosphere in the Dharma Hall seemed weighed down by a heavy stone. The elder's voice was intermittent, and his eyes were filled with weariness and anxiety. The disciples below were no longer as focused as usual, whispering in groups of three or four. The atmosphere was indescribably oppressive.

Xiang Fan lowered his head to bury himself in the scroll, seemingly copying carefully, but in reality, his ears were perked up, catching the movements around him. He glanced at Chu Yang beside him and saw Chu Yang sitting with his legs crossed, mumbling to himself.

"Hey, Xiaofan, you don't know yet, do you?" Chu Yang glanced at him, his voice low, but his eyes full of excitement, "The Baixing Sect sent a genius here, and it's almost made our sect lose face!"

Xiang Fan stopped writing and looked up at him: "Genius? What kind of genius? Don't we have senior brothers and sisters in the Foundation Establishment stage guarding us?"

Chu Yang smacked his lips, looking somewhat disdainful. "Something called Ye Tiandi? They say he's a super monster, his cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, soaring from Qi training all the way to foundation building, faster than a rocket! I heard he can even control mechas. In one day, he beat up our third and fourth generation brothers and sisters, even Senior Sister Lu's own personal mecha."

When Xiang Fan heard the words "Senior Sister Lu", his brows furrowed sharply, and the pen in his hand almost slipped: "Senior Sister Lu also lost?"

Chu Yang slammed his hand on the table, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction. "That's right! Not only is his mecha powerful, but he can also crush our Foundation Establishment brothers with just his cultivation. Emperor Ye Tian is not giving our Lingxiao Sect any face!"

Xiang Fan looked at Chu Yang, his heart agitated. Senior Sister Lu Qingli's gentle smile surfaced in his mind. That face that always made people feel at ease was in no way associated with the word "failure." But even Senior Sister Lu lost... Just how powerful was Emperor Ye Tian?

The elder on the podium paused his lecture, looked around, his face filled with tired resignation. He cleared his throat and spoke in a stern voice, "Do you think the path to immortality requires only vigilance against heavenly tribulations and inner demons? The rise of the technocratic faction has become a major threat to our monastic tradition."

He paused, his gaze piercing, "Emperor Ye Tian of the Hundred Star Sect, who used technology to enter the Dao, broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage in just one year. It's undeniable that such efficiency is beyond the reach of cultivators like me. Today, he challenged my Lingxiao Sect on behalf of the Hundred Star Sect, and won consecutive victories. This is truly a great shame!"

The disciples below were whispering to each other.

"Is the tech faction really that powerful?"

"Aren't they using some crooked methods? How come even Senior Sister Lu lost?"

"Yeah, is this still cultivation? This is cheating!"

The elder knocked on the podium and shouted sternly, "No more nonsense! Although the technological faction's methods are biased, their efficiency and threat are too great to be underestimated. We should take today's humiliation as a lesson. Only by diligently practicing can we live up to the sect!"

Xiang Fan lowered his head, listening to the discussions around him, and more questions began to arise in his mind: "Is the technological faction... really that powerful? Could it be that their mechas and magic have surpassed the cultivation of immortals itself?" He secretly glanced at the elder and saw that the other party had a solemn expression. Thinking back to the "Emperor Ye Tian" mentioned by Chu Yang, his heart sank.

Chu Yang continued to mutter while lying on the table, "How could our Lingxiao Sect have such bad luck to encounter such a fellow? Tsk, this Ye Tiandi is quite cruel. After hearing that he was rejected by the sect, he was so angry that he came to destroy the place directly. These brothers and sisters are really miserable. They were beaten without even a chance to fight back."

Xiang Fan listened to Chu Yang's ramblings, a complex wave of emotions welling up in his heart. He clenched his pen tightly, a trace of bitterness rising in his heart: "He was rejected by the sect, so this is his revenge? What did those brothers and sisters do wrong?"

The moment the pen tip pierced the paper, Xiang Fan snapped back to his senses. Looking at the hole he'd made in the book, a wry smile crossed his face. He lowered his head and continued transcribing, but couldn't help but wonder silently in his heart: Ye Tiandi, what kind of story is hidden behind this name?