G9 had long been phased out by the military, and its manufacturing technology was no longer a secret; it could be easily found with a quick online search. Qi Ze tossed the discarded parts into the smelting furnace and, while waiting for them to melt into liquid, he reviewed the detailed information on the G9. He believed that if one was going to do something, it should be done to the best of one's ability, and the Supreme Divine Creation never produced subpar goods. He would not sully the reputation of his sect.
The G9 is the first-generation mecha, its technology is far behind modern mechas. It's bulky, consumes a tremendous amount of energy, has a sluggish response time, and low defensive capabilities; it has very little to recommend it. This mecha that Wang Xuan brought back from Tu Ke was likely someone else's discarded trash. He comes from a poor background, and even if he saved up all his scholarships, it wouldn't be enough to purchase a new mecha, which is why he has to make do with this one. The G9's power converter uses compression catalysis technology. The energy it extracts per second is only one-fifth that of modern mechas, yet its size is more than twice as large. As a result, the power compartment alone occupies half of the mecha's upper body, leaving the other half for the cockpit. Weapons such as particle cannons, laser guns, and laser swords can only be installed on the shoulders or arms, which greatly limits its firepower.
Yan Junyu was well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of each generation of mechas. After a brief pause, he continued, "Modern mechas use the most advanced dissociation-type power converters, which directly decompose energy stones or liquids into elemental particles, increasing energy utilization efficiency to 70%, while the size and weight are only half that of compression converters. Imagine saving half the volume of the power compartment. How many more weapons could be installed? The biggest issue is that a single energy stone can support modern mechas for five hours of combat, while the G9 lasts for less than two hours, so its endurance is also poor."
Qi Ze seemed to have also reviewed the relevant information, and his brows gradually furrowed.
Yan Junyu changed the subject and smiled, "But weapons and performance cannot determine the strength of a mecha; the key lies in the person controlling it. Wang Xuan has a potential rating of SS, and his formidable mental strength completely compensates for the G9's sluggish response and bulky build. His superior predictive ability allows him to anticipate his opponents' moves and swiftly crush them with a thunderous attack. He and the G9 are the perfect team. You will understand after watching his combat videos."
As he finished speaking, Qi Ze's smartbrain emitted the rumble of an engine, and the G9, piloted by Wang Xuan, appeared on the screen. It performed a few evasive maneuvers to dodge the dense barrage of enemy fire, then delivered a decisive strike with a single sword thrust.
"Brilliant!" Qi Ze's crimson lips curved into a slight smile, clearly impressed by Wang Xuan's combat prowess.
Yan Junyu fell silent for a moment, unsure of his reasoning, he added, "Perhaps you should watch my combat videos. Although Wang Xuan is very talented, he is still far from a true soldier's level."
Qi Ze had now familiarized himself with the advantages and disadvantages of the G9 and learned Wang Xuan's preferred combat style. He then turned off his smartbrain and was ready to forge the parts. The intense heat from the smelting furnace, which was too much for an ordinary person to bear, made his half-naked body break out in a sheen of fine sweat. The sweat slowly coalesced and trickled down the lines of his muscles, leaving a shimmering sheen that seemed to coat his skin in a layer of light.
Yan Junyu averted his gaze, his expression inscrutable.
Qi Ze, however, relished the feeling of perspiration. He casually wiped his damp hair and grabbed a hammer and tongs, beginning to work with a clinking sound.
Wang Xuan's mental strength is very powerful, so even though he uses the oldest model of a mecha, his start-up speed is much faster than others. Every action is 0.01 seconds faster than others, and over the course of an entire battle, this speed adds up to more than just a few steps. And within every 0.01 second lies a hidden opportunity for victory. What's even more remarkable is his analytical and predictive abilities. Just as others form an idea, he predicts their next move and preemptively blocks their line of attack. Qi Ze muttered as he hammered away at the partially formed parts, "So his greatest advantage is speed, and I'm going to amplify this advantage so that he can keep winning."
Countless blue-green light dots converged on his hammer, gradually merging with the metallic part with each strike. Tiny sparks flew in all directions, dancing with the blue-green light in a beautiful scene that could only be witnessed by departed souls.
Yan Junyu's gaze, which he had averted, now fixed on the young man once again. His expression seemed frozen, both profound and enigmatic.
Qi Ze was a true artisan, completely absorbed in his work to the point of losing track of time. He would only stop to drink a bottle of nutrient solution when he couldn't bear his hunger any longer. He had asked Ouyang Ye to help him take an extended leave, and the registrar's office, assuming his internal injuries had yet to heal, didn't ask any more questions.
After a week of hard work, all the parts had been forged and were now laid out on the workbench. Qi Ze picked up a file and began to carve spiritual inscriptions and array formations, primarily focusing on speed and defense. After carving, he flattened the parts with a hammer, carved again, and repeated this process several times. The parts' surfaces appeared smooth, yet they were now covered with a dense network of runes. The parts that didn't require repair, having been immersed in energy fluid, had shed their rust and regained their original luster. The dents and scratches left by combat were pounded flat by Qi Ze's hammer. If one ignored the G9 logo, the mecha would appear to be an un-assembled, modern model.
Three days later, the final step of imbuing the parts with spirit was completed. Qi Ze rubbed his slightly red eyes and spoke into the communicator, "Ouyang Ye, tell Wang Xuan to come and pick up the mecha."
"Fixed?" Ouyang Ye sounded surprised.
"Fixed, and I'm about to assemble it."
"Then I'll have him come right away." The call ended, and the person hurried to turn around.
Qi Ze picked up a towel and casually wiped the sweat from his chest and abdomen, then swept his hair back. He looked exhausted, but his body had become more slender and supple. Each muscle, with its smooth lines, was brimming with elemental power, ready to unleash a dazzling radiance in the cramped and dimly lit basement.
In the process of forging the mecha, he had also been forging himself. Yan Junyu gazed at the young man with a complex expression. It was undeniable that the focused and dedicated young man was utterly captivating, not just because of his mysterious techniques, but also because of his passion and dedication to his craft.
A person who was willing to dedicate their entire life to a single cause was undoubtedly worthy of respect.
Seeing that the young man was about to assemble the parts, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Although I am willing to trust in your skills, you should buy a testing instrument and thoroughly check the precision and durability of these parts. Handcrafted parts can't compare to machine precision, and there will inevitably be some errors."
Even a genius like Mu Ran would repeatedly test and modify each part after forging it, often requiring five or six adjustments to achieve perfection. Qi Ze, however, had never used a measuring instrument from beginning to end, relying solely on the impressions in his mind for the forging process.
A holographic blueprint, a pair of handsâthe process could only be described as "rudimentary." Yan Junyu looked around the empty basement and then thought of Mu Ran's research institute, filled with all sorts of sophisticated instruments, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
Qi Ze's brain and eyes served as the best measuring instruments, leaving no room for error. He laid out the components in neat categories on the ground, arranging them in the shape of a scattered humanoid, and then took a wrench to begin the assembly. An hour later, someone rang the doorbell from outside. It was likely Ouyang Ye and Wang Xuan.
"Darling, where's the Master?" Ouyang Ye winked at Qi Ze, while Wang Xuan looked around, seemingly searching for the Master's figure.
"He just left. This is Senior's mecha." Qi Ze handed over the Interspatial Button.
"Fixed?" Wang Xuan asked anxiously.
"Fixed. The space here is cramped, not very convenient. Why don't you take it to the training field and give it a test run. If there are any issues, we can contact the Master to have a look." Qi Ze said sincerely, "Thank you, Senior, for saving me last time."
"No need to thank me, you guys also helped me a lot!" Wang Xuan grinned, revealing eight gleaming white teeth.
"What are we waiting for, let's go, go to the training field and test out this mecha's performance." Ouyang Ye couldn't wait any longer. He wanted to gauge Young Master Qi's level of craftsmanship through this mecha.
The three of them left the basement one after another, with Yan Junyu following the young man, his heart filled with anticipation. He had witnessed the mecha's transformation from dilapidated to brand new, watched as countless light dots merged into mysterious runes hidden beneath the thick metal plates, and the power they could unleash was something he had been eager to understand.
The Martial Combat Tournament and the Mecha Tournament were fast approaching. In recent days, there had been a significant increase in people applying to use the training field, often having to wait for several hours before their turn. Wang Xuan, being a righteous person with formidable abilities, had good social standing within the Mecha Combat Department. As soon as he arrived, several junior students greeted him with smiles and offered to give up their spots.
Wang Xuan gratefully declined, traded spots with his roommate, and waited another half hour before finally entering the training field.
"Is the mecha fixed?" his two roommates asked, coming along to check the situation.
"Fixed, let's fight later to see how it performs." Wang Xuan said as he opened the Interspatial Button, then recoiled in shock a few steps back. "Fuck! Is this damn thing my G9? There's no mistake?" His two roommates simultaneously covered their eyes, feeling as though they were about to be blinded by the mecha's radiance.
Ouyang Ye had seen the previous G9, and comparing it to the current one, his mouth was agape wide enough to fit an egg. "Payment! For fixing it like this, payment is required! Wang Xuan hit the jackpot!" This was far beyond his imagination.
When Wang Xuan had brought the G9 over, it was already in a state of disrepair, with the once uniformly black coating peeling off in patches, exposing rust spots underneath. Scratches, bullet holes, and dents from intense battles were everywhere, and every movement produced a creaking sound, clearly indicating that it was on the brink of being written off. Now, the black coating had been entirely scraped off, revealing the original silver-gray metal color. The rust spots, scratches, bullet holes, and dents had all vanished, replaced by a streamlined, smooth outer shell.
Bathed in the dazzling sunlight, this G9, much bulkier than modern mechas, gave off a grand and awe-inspiring feeling. It stood there quietly, like a warrior poised to strike.