After a break of over half a month, the Mecha Manufacturing Department finally resumed classes. Qi Ze sat in a corner, fiddling with a coin-sized piece of metal in his hand. On the podium, Mu Ran was giving an in-depth explanation of how to use mental power to turn this insulating metal into a conductor, or even a superconductor.
"All metals are conductors, a piece of common knowledge that was overturned after humanity settled in the Black Eye Galaxy. The metal you're holding is called Juxi, first discovered in the 548th year of the Interstellar Era. This was humanity's first encounter with a metal insulator. Because of the strong bond between its atoms and electrons, it's difficult to form metal ions and free electrons. Without free electrons, energy transmission cannot be achieved. Yet, it is precisely due to this that Juxi has extremely high hardness, making it a common material for manufacturing mecha components. However, as you know, the core of a mecha is the mental power control system. If the internal structure cannot conduct mental power, then the mecha is nothing more than a model, a mere decoration. Balancing the strength and conductivity of a mecha, this has been a significant challenge for all mecha manufacturers. After countless predecessors' research, we have finally found a solution that achieves both: using mental power to alter the internal structure of metals, so they do not lose their hardness but gain good conductivity."
Mu Ran was dressed in a white suit, his hair combed back, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose. He appeared gentle and refined, like a jade polished by the wind. He seemed to have emerged from the shadow of the Mu family's destruction, talking eloquently with a piece of metal in his hand.
"The level of mental power determines the future of a mecha manufacturer, this statement is incorrect." As he explained, he was inputting his mental power into the Juxi, "As you can see from the detector, I only input 1.7 en of mental power, and this piece of Juxi has changed from an insulator to a conductor, and its conductive resistance measurement approaches zero, and it has developed complete diamagnetism. In other words, it not only became a conductor but also a superconductor, sufficient for making the outer shell and core of a super-energy mecha."
He was touching upon the manufacturing techniques of super-energy mechas on the first day of class, which piqued the students' interest. They, who were already listening intently, stretched their necks, trying to get a good look at what was in his hand.
Amidst these people, Qi Ze appeared bored, making him more prominent. When it came to changing the form of matter, no one was more adept than the artifact artisans of the Qianyuan Continent. As Mu Ran spoke, the Juxi in Qi Ze's hand had already transformed from an insulator to a superconductor, and back to an insulator, repeating this process hundreds of times.
Mu Ran was unaware of this. He didn't even know that metal whose internal structure had been altered could be restored to its original state. The dissociation of metal atoms is irreversible, and this has become a generally known fact. Qi Ze's ability clearly exceeded the limits of his imagination.
He placed the Juxi in the scanner and continued, "1.7 en, mental power users above the C+ level can easily output this number. In other words, manufacturing the outer shell of a super-energy mecha is not that difficult."
A student raised his hand, "Professor, is there any trick to it?"
Everyone watched the podium with tense expressions, some even holding their breath. They had a premonition that after today, Mu Ran would lead them to a new world, onto a higher platform.
"There's only two words to the trickâinner sight. By seeing through the inherent structure of the metal, it's easy to change its form. Whether it's a high-level mental power user or a low-level one, as long as they grasp inner sight, they can change an insulator into a superconductor just like I did. What is inner sight?"
Mu Ran paused skillfully, stirring up all the students' emotions, before continuing. He shared all his insights in recent years and called a student to the stage, holding the student's wrist as he personally used mental power to guide him to see through the internal structure of the metal.
The student was so excited that his face turned red, and the other students were captivated by the explanation. By the time the class ended, Mu Ran had completely cleared his name and once again became an admired figure.
Meanwhile, Qi Ze, who had offended the Mu family, became the target of exclusion.
"I really don't know what he's thinking. Because of that personal grudge, he's daydreaming in Professor Mu's class. When we were doing experiments with Professor Mu, he left the Juxi on the table, not even touching it." After class, the female student sitting next to Qi Ze shook her head and whispered.
Her friend ridiculed, "This is the manufacturing technique of super-energy mechas. If he doesn't want to learn, there are plenty of others who do. We have one less competitor now. Stupidity can't be cured. If he's not willing to take medicine, others can't force him. Anyway, he won't live long. He can just muddle through the days."
As they spoke, they walked away, and many students shot disdainful glances at Qi Ze. How fortunate was it to be able to listen to Professor Mu's teachings in person? Yet there were people who didn't cherish it. With this kind of attitude, they would never make it in the future.
Mu Ran, however, didn't mind Qi Ze's attitude at all. He walked over with a file bag, his smile bright and gentle. "Could you understand the lesson? You transferred from the Arts Department, so your foundation is weaker than others. Don't hesitate to come to me if you don't understand anything. My communication number is on the teacher's introduction page, you can find it on the school network."
Qi Ze gave him a half-smile, not saying a word. No one knew better than him what happened to the Mu family's old residence. Such a violent explosion, what kind of intense murderous aura and dark negative energy was needed to trigger it? This once again confirmed what his father had once told him: the more harmless someone appears, the more wary one should be.
Mu Ran looked at the student information and said helplessly, "You're only eighteen? So young, still rebellious. How is the Juxi you're handling? Let me take a look."
He picked up the Juxi on the table and was unsurprised to find that it was still an insulator. He silently removed Qi Ze from the list of suspects. Just a carbon-based being with slightly higher mental power, how could he create such a terrifying thing?
"You want to find Junyu, right? I happen to have something I need to ask him. Shall we go together?" He invited the youth.
This time, Qi Ze responded. He took the Juxi, put it in his pocket, and said indifferently, "Let's go. He's in the maintenance depot."
The two walked in silence into the massive maintenance depot, searching through one high-level mecha after another, until they finally found Yan Junyu at station 67. He was discussing something with several colleagues, a silver-black T3 standing quietly by his side. The energy chamber cover was open, revealing the internal structure. There were some parts piled on the ground, indicating that something was wrong.
Mu Ran stared at the mecha for a while, his eyes flickering.
"Class over?" Hearing the familiar footsteps, Yan Junyu immediately stopped talking, smiling as he looked over.
"Ah, the class content was a bit boring. I'm considering skipping grades. Can you sign for me?" Qi Ze naturally extended his hand, passing the just-downloaded grade-skipping application to the other.
"You can skip grades after obtaining the mecha manufacturer's qualification certificate." Yan Junyu didn't think the youth's request was too unreasonable, instead, he ruffled his jet-black hair.
"I know. Depending on the level of the certificate I get, I can skip that many grades. Sign it first; whether I pass or not is my problem." Qi Ze stuffed an electronic pen into Yan Junyu's palm, then held his wrist, swiftly signing a few words on his own smartbrain screen.
Yan Junyu was very indulgent; not only did he obediently sign it, but he also pulled the person into his arms and rubbed him a few times. The youth was very petite, barely reaching his ears, with a slim waist and long legs. His body was supple, and hugging him was extremely comfortable. For a moment, he really didn't want to let go. But then he saw Mu Ran standing by the side and quickly snapped out of it.
"How is your work going?" he asked politely.
"The work is going well. I was always in the research institute before, and I didn't realize that teaching could be so interesting and so fulfilling." Mu Ran smiled gently, as if he had no resentment towards the Yan family's betrayal.
The few people standing behind Yan Junyu were his subordinates and friends. They had worked with Mu Ran several times and had always had a good impression of him. They had long recognized him as Yan Junyu's fiancé. Seeing the awkward atmosphere between the two, one of the subordinates stepped out to smooth things over. "Young Master Mu is so outstanding, he's good at anything he does. You haven't come for a long time. When Junyu's mecha broke down, no one could fix it. Look, we're all worried here."
"But isn't there still Master Yan Zhongkui?" When Mu Ran mentioned the person who stole his research results, he didn't show any resentment at all, which made Qi Ze look at him more closely. Instead, it was the subordinate who became embarrassed, looking up, looking down, at Young Master, not knowing how to answer.
Yan Junyu was silent for a moment and finally confessed, "He's busy sorting out the materials and doesn't have time to come." As for where those materials came from, that was something everyone knew well.
Mu Ran revealed a slightly embarrassed expression at the right moment, and his hands clenched tightly into fists. The man who was calm and collected a moment ago finally showed the deeply hidden vulnerability and helplessness at this point. He still couldn't get over the obstacle in his heart. The reason he could speak and laugh freely was that he was just submitting to the cruel reality. He was no longer the high and mighty Young Master of the Mu family, but a lone wanderer.
Several subordinates turned their heads away, filled with sympathy. Even if they were opposed to the Mu family, they couldn't dislike someone as gentle as Mu Ran. At this moment, they seemed to have forgotten how Mu Ran stole that emblem and caused the explosion that threatened the Imperial Star. As long as it didn't cause too serious consequences, Mu Ran, who had lost everything, could easily turn himself from a sinner to a victim. Moreover, he was an 4S-level mental power user. His personal value far exceeded the Mu family.
Yan Junyu originally thought it would be hard for him to face such a Mu Ran and to escape self-reproach and guilt. But now, when he saw Mu Ran's series of emotional changes, a somewhat eerie thought flashed through his mindâWhat a superb performance!
No, no, you can't think like that. He warned himself and politely said, "If you encounter difficulties in the future, you can come to me."
"I have something I want to ask you," Mu Ran forced a smile that was more painful than crying and continued, "Can I hang under your name and be your mecha technician?"
Yan Junyu immediately looked at Qi Ze, his tone serious as if making a solemn oath, "I have my exclusive mecha technician, he's right by my side."
"I don't work with others." Qi Ze also spoke indifferently.
When he didn't speak, his presence was low, but when he spoke, his defiant character drew the attention of several subordinates. They showed dissatisfied expressions, apparently believing that their boss deserved the best mecha manufacturer, not to be delayed by this short-lived person.
Mu Ran smiled and explained, "No, not exclusive mecha technician, working under you, maintaining the mechas of your subordinates. With Master Yan Zhongkui around, you won't need me. Look, Qi Ze just started school, he doesn't know anything. If I work here, he can assist and observe from the side, learning experience, which will be very helpful for his future."
Since it was related to Qi Ze, Yan Junyu had to take it seriously, but he didn't make decisions on his own. Instead, he lowered his head and looked at the youth, asking softly, "Do you agree? If you agree, I agree. If you don't agree, I'll let him go."
He understood how difficult Mu Ran's current situation was, with a full set of skills but no powerful backer. Those who he once despised could now do whatever they wanted with him. What was an 4S-level mental power user? As long as he had the Mu family's blood in his body, the royal family would be wary and guard against him. Even if they destroyed him, they wouldn't let him rise again.
His public teaching of the core technology of super-energy mechas was, in the end, a kind of weakness, a kind of submission, a necessary means. Privately, Yan Junyu was more than willing to give him a hand, but if it would cause Qi Ze's dissatisfaction, he could only find another way. He didn't know when it started, but he had become so concerned about Qi Ze.
Mu Ran was extremely embarrassed, but he firmly stood in place, waiting for an answer.
Keeping him under his watch was better than letting him out. Qi Ze thought about it and nodded, "Fine, let him stay. But he can't touch your mecha. It belongs to me."
A hint of a smile appeared in Yan Junyu's deep eyes, and he nodded, "Fine, I won't let others take your job."
"Boss, he's just a freshman, he doesn't know anything. If your mecha breaks down, who will fix it? Look at this T3, how long has it been here? If no one repairs it, it will rust." A subordinate couldn't hold it in anymore and had to remind his love-struck boss.
"Buy a new one." Yan Junyu decisively ordered. At the end, he lightly patted the youth's shoulder and smiled, "Study hard, I'm waiting for you."
"It won't be long, just a few days." Qi Ze submitted the grade-skipping application and asked the academic affairs department to arrange the exam as soon as possible. During the half month of class suspension, he had already converted all the textbooks, reference books, and related papers into jade talismans and absorbed them thoroughly. At this point, he could integrate and apply the knowledge. As long as his mental power reached the standard, getting the certificate would be a sure thing.
"Who's so arrogant?" Yan Zhongkui sauntered in, saw Mu Ran, and hurriedly extended his hand to greet him. "Oh, Young Master Mu is here as well, nice to meet you. Just in time, I've finished reading your materials, and I have a few questions I wanted to discuss with you."
Stealing someone's research results, not only was he not ashamed, but meeting the actual person, he wanted to dig out more private goods. Yan Zhongkui's thick face gave Mu Ran a heavy blow. It turned out that his so-called resistance was just futile struggle in others' eyes. As long as they could seize all the existing interests, they would not hesitate to use any means.
Compared to the Yan family's ability to bend and stretch, the Mu family's level was too low. This belated realization allowed Mu Ran to undergo another growth. His face only slightly changed before he obediently followed Yan Zhongkui to the research institute, secretly vowing in his heart that these people would have to repay him a hundredfold for what they took from him.
Qi Ze looked at Yan Zhongkui's tall back, then at Yan Junyu's awkward expression, and tapped his own cheek with his finger, then gave a thumbs up. To be so shameless, the Yan family was indeed powerful.
Yan Junyu silently held his forehead, feeling that his family seemed to have become a symbol of "unscrupulousness" in Qi Ze's heart.
But he would never have thought that in Qi Ze's eyes, such methods could almost be described as "innocent". Taking someone's inheritance without eradicating all traces, they had a pretty big heart. If this was on the Qianyuan Continent, they would have been exterminated countless times already.
After staying in the maintenance depot for a while and familiarizing himself with various mecha models, Qi Ze checked the time. Seeing that it was about right, he took a flying car to the Shengtang Club. This was Li Yu's business, not very famous, but its security measures were very complete. In an emergency, you could escape through a secret passage. It was a good place to meet clients.
At exactly four o'clock, not a second longer, not a second shorter, Erebus knocked on the door.
"Come in." Qi Ze was wearing a hooded robe, his figure unidentifiable. His handsome face was covered by a barrier, and his voice was also handled accordingly.
Erebus controlled his wheelchair inside while respectfully handing over a gift box, his face unmasked, exposed to the light in full view.
"Li Ziqian." Qi Ze wasn't surprised. Modern medical technology was so advanced that as long as you kept the last breath, you could use cloning technology to make up the body. There was no need to use mechanical devices to repair it anymore. This was why there were very few disabled people in the empire.
After thinking about it, he felt that this dark god was most likely the young master of the Li family. For this reason, he even logged into the virtual network to see the young master of Li's mecha match. But the other party issued an announcement, saying there was an emergency at home and would indefinitely withdraw from the PK match. The timing was too coincidental.
The virtual world's Erebus, the real world's Li Ziqian, now smiled gently, "It's me. Master should have guessed it, right? After all, there aren't many half-dead people in the empire."
"I guessed it. You're more handsome in person than in your picture." Qi Ze spoke the truth.
Li Ziqian: "..." Master was too unique. He didn't know how to respond to this statement.
"Take off your clothes and let me see." Qi Ze slowly walked over, circling around Young Master Li twice.
To heal the rotting wound, one must first expose it, not hide it tightly. Li Ziqian wasn't lacking in the courage to dissect his wounds. The reason he lived in seclusion wasn't out of self-esteem or fear, but because he was just worried that the death qi in his body would affect his family.
But he remained motionless in his seat, his polite tone but very firm attitude, "Since I have already revealed my identity, shouldn't Master also prove himself? I'm not doubting Master's ability, I'm just used to being cautious. I hope Master will understand." Knowing that it was unlikely that Master was replaced by someone else, he still had to ask.
Qi Ze spread his palms and spoke indifferently, "Give me those three rings."
Li Ziqian hesitated, but still handed over the rings. If this person was a fraud, he was absolutely incapable of snatching the rings from his hands. If this person was the Master, then his resistance would be in vain.
Qi Ze closed his fingers and used the fusion power to wrap up the three rings. Black and white light continuously seeped out from between his fingers, illuminating the dim room. After a while, dazzling starlight floated out from the interlaced black and white light, some falling on the ground, some floating in the air, and some resting on Li Ziqian's hair.
This dreamlike scene impacted his eyes and shook his soul. He opened his mouth wide, his expression shocked.
Qi Ze kneaded the rings with his right hand and pinched the spell with his left hand. When no more starlight seeped out from between his fingers, he spread out his palm. The three rings had turned into one, with a black base and silver patterns, ancient and mysterious.
"I once said that as long as you pay enough, even if you want the stars in the sky, I can pick them for you." Qi Ze tossed the ring over and laughed lightly, "Three square meters of space, I'll sell it to you at half price. Ten years in the ring, one day outside."
Witnessing the manufacturing process of an artifact in person, Li Ziqian was full of shock. The Master's ability far exceeded his imagination, so casually and so effortlessly. If he exerted all his energy and carefully crafted an item, what kind of power would it have?
He caught the ring and trembled, "Thank you, Master, for your gift. I was impolite before, I hope Master won't blame me."
"Being cautious is good." Qi Ze tapped his knee with his fingertip and ordered, "Take off your clothes."
Li Ziqian's gaze lingered on this slender, fair fingertip for a few seconds, secretly pondering: Judging from the skin condition, the Master must be young. What kind of genius could reach the divine level in their youth? What kind of family could nurture such an outstanding person?
He hid all his expressions and stripped off his clothes in a few swift movements.
Qi Ze was somewhat dissatisfied and pointed to the lower half of his body, saying, "Take off your pants too."
Li Ziqian hesitated for a moment and silently took off his pants. A body that was once robust could now only be described as "ruined." His limbs were broken, and a large hole was dug out of his abdomen. A death qi condensed at the wound, not dissipating in the slightest even after twenty years, instead becoming more and more intense.
"There's demonic qi all over your body. Even if you use cloned cells to grow new limbs, you won't be able to attach them. They will still rot." Qi Ze bent down to examine for a long time, then injected a wisp of spiritual power, nodding his head, "Your idea is correct. To repair this body, relying on medical means is impossible. You need an artifact artisan. You probably don't know, your body has been completely eroded by demonic qi. You're not human right now, but a demon."
"What are you saying?" Li Ziqian could hardly believe his ears. How did he suddenly cease to be human?