Qi Ze was also an heir to a major sect, no stranger to schemes and machinations. He didn't naively believe that a single video could secure his safety. Back in his dorm, he immediately turned on the smelting furnace, ready to repair his protective artifact. In the past, in order to avenge his sect, he had unleashed all his magical treasures, killing dozens of Nascent Soul experts and three Soul Fusion stage powerhouses on the spot. This act had also resulted in his exile to the Black Eye Galaxy. The aftermath of the explosion had damaged his Tribulation Transcendence puppet and left his magical clothes in tatters. To fix them, he needed to find top-notch spiritual items.
With no authority, no wealth, and no connections, how could Qi Ze find such high-grade spiritual items? And thus, the repair project had been delayed until today.
He took out a long, buttoned robe from his Interspatial Button and laid it flat on the workbench, his eyes revealing a wistful expression. Across from him, Ouyang Ye asked softly, "Young Master Qi, is this also a defensive garment? Why is it torn?"
"Torn is torn, where are all these questions coming from?" Qi Ze didn't want to talk about the past, so he went to the adjacent warehouse to select materials, "Take all the Unicron whale horns out, I'm going to use them." He pointed at several black horns, each five to six meters long, stacked together.
Ouyang Ye took off his jacket and t-shirt and came in to act as labor. He seemed quite pleased with his physique, walking around in front of Young Master Qi and occasionally flexing his pectorals. Qi Ze silently turned his face away, urging, "Speed up, or I'll have the robot come in to carry them."
"I'll move them right away." Ouyang Ye was a little hurt, but he still grunted and moved the horns out. Don't be fooled by their diameter of less than half a meter; they were incredibly heavy, like being in a fifty times gravity room. The Unicron whales living in planet Lyra's oceans relied on the spikes that grew from their heads to break through layer upon layer of ice and cruise through the frigid seas. It was said that some scientists had tested the hardness of these spikes, and they could pierce through warship alloy steel plates without issue, even leaving marks on the outer shells of super-powered mechas, making them the strongest blades in the biological world.
As a result, Unicron whales became targets for many poachers, their numbers declining year by year, while the price of these horns climbed annually. It was hard enough to get one, let alone buy seven or eight like Young Master Qi had. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, they had no practical use.
Ouyang Ye felt like he was carrying star coins, no wonder they were so heavy.
"Young Master Qi, these spikes are too hard to process. It's said that only a specialized cutting machine from the Mu Research Institute can saw through them. See, poachers dig them out along with the Unicron whale's skull." He tapped on a piece of bone at the end of the horn.
"Sit and drink your drink, don't talk nonsense." Qi Ze pointed to a small round table and a small reclining chair. Lately, Ouyang Ye had grown increasingly fond of watching him forge, treating his workshop as a holiday destination. If not for his single-minded focus when forging, he would have been driven to distraction sooner or later.
Ouyang Ye made a zipping motion across his mouth and took out a few bottles of iced drinks from his Interspatial Button, gulping them down.
Qi Ze slowly traced the patterns on the horn, his expression tinged with regret. Although the spiritual energy was abundant, it didn't meet his requirements. He needed to repair this magical garment so that it could withstand at least three attacks from a Tribulation Transcendence ancestor; it was considered a sect treasure. The cloth used to make the garment was woven from phoenix feathers, nether dragon tendons, and qilin whiskers. These divine beasts were rare even in the Qianyuan continent, let alone in the Black Eye Galaxy, where Daoist magic didn't exist.
Qi Ze had no choice but to look for substitutes, finally finding Unicron whales not long ago. He took out his usual green cauldron, lit a fire seed from the smelting furnace, and with a gentle pinch of his fingertips, the heavy horns flew into the green cauldron, transforming into half-foot-long sticks.
This scene completely defied the laws of science, leaving Ouyang Ye staring in amazement. Thankfully, he had already gotten used to the shock that Young Master Qi brought him, only choking on some water before regaining his composure.
Qi Ze performed a spell, channeling his fusion power into the green cauldron. The originally incredibly hard horns slowly bent, softened, and shrunk, ultimately turning into a blob of black goo. Qi Ze kept changing spells, one after another, embedding spirit words into the goo, changing its color from pure black to a blend of black and gold, with faint spirit light emanating from within, looking quite mystical.
Ouyang Ye wanted to wait for the spirit liquid to be finished, to see what it would become, but after sitting for an entire night, he didn't see it. He had to return to his bedroom to wash up and sleep. After sleeping for a few hours and waking up, Young Master Qi was still sitting in front of the green cauldron, performing spells with his slender fingertips moving rapidly, weaving a series of afterimages. Ouyang Ye watched intently for a long time, finding it more and more profound, until it was time for class, only then did he reluctantly leave, not forgetting to set up an automatic feeding program for the robot butler, to prevent Young Master Qi from starving himself.
When he returned from class, Young Master Qi was still performing spells, the nutrient solution on the table untouched. This went on for nine days until the raging furnace fire finally went out, and the basement temperature returned to normal.
Qi Ze opened his eyes, a streak of spirit light quickly flashing through his pupils, a manifestation of his improved cultivation. He guided the black-gold goo to his palm, bit his fingertip to let a drop of blood fall, and then placed it in a basin of water he had already prepared. The basin was filled with dark red liquid, with the faint aroma of sandalwood and a fishy smell spreading. If a Qianyuan continent cultivator had been present, they would immediately recognize this as the blood of a Black Abyss Dragon. A ferocious Black Abyss Dragon was taken, and after being tormented for forty-nine days, its blood was released, merging the malice and resentment into one to create a medium that could soften various spiritual materials. This demonstrated that Supreme Divine Creation Sect didn't follow a righteous path; on the contrary, many of their methods were somewhat sinister.
The moment the black goo hit the water basin, it made a hissing sound, then slowly spread out, floating on the surface. Upon closer inspection, it wasn't goo at all, but a ball of extremely fine thread, becoming orderly under the influence of malice and resentment.
Qi Ze stared at it for a moment, his left hand swiftly plunging into the water basin, accurately pinching out a thread end. Then, with a single stroke of his fingers, he threaded it through the silver needle he held in his right hand. Lastly, he smoothly picked up the magical garment on the table, starting to mend it from the damaged parts, his movements practiced and graceful.
Ouyang Ye, who had just returned, saw this scene and his heart pounded. Rather than calling Young Master Qi a crafter, he was an artist. Every move he made carried a mysterious ancient rhythm, incomprehensible yet utterly captivating.
Ouyang Ye tiptoed over, sitting silently beside him, his hands supporting his cheeks, watching intently. After about two hours, the damaged area was finally mended, though the color was somewhat dull. Qi Ze was drenched in sweat; repairing such a top-grade magical artifact exceeded his capabilities. Even using second-rate materials was extremely taxing on his spirit, and the effectiveness couldn't compare to its former glory. But it was enough in the Black Eye Galaxy.
"Hurry up and replenish some nutrients." Ouyang Ye stuffed a bottle of nutrient solution into his mouth.
Qi Ze immediately bit the bottle cap and drank two gulps.
"Is this defensive garment very powerful? You look almost exhausted."
"It used to be powerful, but it ended up ruined in my hands. But it's okay, I'll always find better materials to fix it." Not only this magical garment, but Qi Ze would also try to repair that puppet. If materials were hard to find, he would expand his search. If a year didn't work, two years; if two years didn't work, three years. As long as he didn't perish, he would never give up.
Ouyang Ye didn't ask how powerful this garment was, seeing that Young Master Qi didn't even have the strength to lift his wrist. He hurriedly took the nutrient solution and fed it to him like a small baby, then skillfully carried him on his shoulder, taking him back to the bedroom, not forgetting to bring the magical garment along.
It was strange; those heavy horns, and there were seven or eight of them, could only weave into a half-meter square piece of cloth, and its weight had also become extremely light. The principle behind this was incomprehensible, not only to Ouyang Ye, this academic failure, but even the most famous scientists in the empire couldn't figure it out. But the word "science" on Young Master Qi was meant to be defied, and Ouyang Ye wouldn't bother pondering it. He tucked him into bed and asked hopefully, "Why don't I give you a bath?"
"What bath, a body cleansing spell will do the trick." Qi Ze performed a spell, and his body immediately became dry and refreshed. Then, he struggled to sit up, getting ready to cultivate.
Ouyang Ye warned himself not to show a disappointed expression, then reluctantly left, glancing back every three steps.
The next day, Qi Ze wore the magical garment underneath his clothes to watch Wang Xuan's match. Ouyang Ye carried the Wind Forest and Fire Sea, walking back and forth around him, reporting all the events that had happened over the past nine days in detail. The Mu family ultimately failed to stop the leak of the source code, and the mechas they sold to the military became the best research materials. Even the operating systems of the six super-powered mechas stored in the six major families were deciphered.
The Royal Family and the Senate had allocated a huge sum to support these projects. Perhaps before long, the various major families could set up their own military factories. With more military factories, competition would naturally intensify, improving and perfecting mecha manufacturing technology, thus growing stronger. In the long run, this would be extremely beneficial for national security.
"Of course, the Mu family has been on the altar for so long, inevitably gathering a bunch of brainwashed fans around them. Recently, they've taken over your personal webpage and threatened to retaliate against you." Ouyang Ye grinned savagely, mocking, "These people are mental, you don't need to pay them any attention."
Qi Ze had his hands in his pockets, his attitude relaxed. He didn't take the Mu family's retaliation seriously at all. If they had the ability, they could find a few Soul Fusion stage powehouses to ambush him, but if not, it would be a waste of their effort. According to the empire's standards, a Fusion stage powerhouse was at least level 5S or higher. Such a person couldn't be called human but rather a god.
In Qi Ze's eyes, Mu Feixing, hailed as the god of mechas by the empire, was just a slightly capable mortal. Once he improved his cultivation, he would show the people of this world what forging was and what it meant to be a god.
A flame named "ambition" burned in his heart, and his yearning for pure spiritual energy became even more urgent. He opened his smartbrain and searched for news about energy stones on the shopping website, but found that without a stack of star coins and a mecha manufacturing qualification certificate, he couldn't even access the shop.
"Where do I get this certificate?" He looked at Ouyang Ye.
"Of course, you take the exam in the department. I've heard it's quite difficult." Thinking of that jade slate, Young Master Ouyang waved his hand. "But it's nothing to you. As long as you think your level has reached it, you can take the exam anytime. A student can only take the exam three times in a lifetime. If they fail three times, they can never become a mecha manufacturer in this life. That's a rule set by the Mu family. To consolidate the Mu family's monopoly, they constantly raised the threshold for mecha manufacturers. Over the years, the mecha manufacturing department had become a one-man show for the Mu family."
Ouyang Ye pursed his lips, his tone full of disdain. "I heard that the Mu surnamed instructors in the mecha manufacturing department are jointly resisting you and have even spread the word that whoever takes you as a student will be kicked out of the Imperial Academy. Mu Ran is the most likely person to create a super-powered mecha, and he holds important information left by Master Mu Feixing. Just based on this, the other families wouldn't completely oppose the Mu family. The Mu family, used to their glory, would never have imagined that there was a more powerful artificer in the world than Mu Feixing. With your strength, Young Master Qi, do you need anyone to teach you?"
Qi Ze was a little disappointed, "Is that so? It's a pity. I originally wanted to learn your mecha manufacturing techniques here, especially for super-powered mechas." After a moment's thought, he felt at ease. "It's fine, I can learn by stealth."
Ouyang Ye liked Qi Ze's "unbound by trifles" character. Just as he was about to ask how to learn by stealth, a robust student suddenly rushed out from the side, throwing a fireball without a word. Ouyang Ye was about to counterattack when the fireball was shattered by a bolt of lightning. The splattered sparks didn't touch Young Master Qi, blocked by a thin layer of red light.
"Are you alright?" Yan Junyu threw another bolt of lightning, knocking out the student who had attacked for no reason, leaving him to be taken away by security.
"I'm fine." Qi Ze pulled out a thin student from the crowd, speaking firmly. "You incited him to kill me?"
"What makes you think it was me? I have nothing to do with him." The student's cheeks flushed red, his expression angry.
"Whether there is a connection or not, the military will find out with an investigation. I will accuse you of attempted murder." This was a society ruled by law. On the surface, Qi Ze still had to abide by the rules here. Spirit light flickered in his eyes as he scanned the student from head to toe, and he naturally saw that the fire elemental energy covering his body was from the same source as the previous assailant.
How could they not be related?
"The mecha manufacturing department? Are you speaking up for the Mu family?" He stared at the student's nameplate and sneered. "I've never met a student as stupid as you. Do you know what the decline of the Mu family means to you? It means that you don't have to work hard for nine years, only to end up as a small clerk checking part quality rates at the Mu Research Institute after graduation; it means that even if you don't carry the Mu name, you have the opportunity to learn advanced source code, to improve, utilize, and even recreate it; it means that you have the same opportunities as the Mu family. One day, the names of the top mecha manufacturers in the empire might also be yours, not just a string of Mu's."
He looked around and found that the mecha manufacturing students listened particularly attentively, even the murderer struggling hard slowly calmed down, so he continued, "The Royal Family and the Senate have just signed the Anti-Monopoly Bill and issued a declaration to break down the technical barriers. This is progress of the times, development of society, an unstoppable tide. Do you know how many mecha manufacturing masters have devoted their entire lives to deciphering the Mu family's source code? And yet you think it's all a mistake that you can learn it without any effort? Frankly, anyone with this thought is a complete idiot that grew up eating shit, it would be an insult to my intelligence to argue with them." After speaking, he threw the person in his hand away like a piece of trash.
The mecha manufacturing students whistled and cheered wildly. Most of them were Mu Feixing's fans, but they only admired Master Mu personally, their feelings towards the Mu family weren't very positive. Anyone who had worked hard for eight or nine years, only to learn nothing in the end and could only serve as a mechanic for mecha warriors or work as a janitor for the Mu family's conglomerate would feel a significant gap.
And now, the once inaccessible Mu family's source code would appear in textbooks in the future, for all students to learn. What kind of progress was this? Those who attacked Qi Ze, even attempting to kill him, had how dark and narrow-minded were their intentions?
Putting family interests above those of the empire and the people, the image of glory the Mu family established had long become murky. As long as one was reasonable, they wouldn't stand up for them. As Qi Ze said, this person was just an idiot that grew up eating shit, with no value of existence.
"Take him to the military, sentence him to death!" The fallen student was kicked repeatedly by the onlookers, several of whom were his roommates who were close to him, making him somewhat unable to accept it. But he had also come to his senses; if he had followed a different mentor, he would have learned much more and had a brighter future. He wouldn't have become the enemy of everyone, like he was now. He regretted it bitterly, but it was too late. He could only confess to the military with the security guards.
Qi Ze nodded to the students who supported him, then left unhurriedly. When they entered the arena, Wang Xuan and his roommate were chatting outside. Hearing familiar footsteps, he looked back, bowed respectfully to Yan Junyu, and then took a deep look at Qi Ze.
This was the first time he had abandoned the "weak carbon creature" setting, looking at the other party on equal terms. It was also the first time he realized that, whether in terms of bearing or ability, Qi Ze was extraordinary. He often walked ahead of Ouyang Ye, his back straight and posture relaxed. This was definitely not the behavior of an accessory. Even in front of Instructor Yan, he was relaxed and casual.
The more he observed, the more distinct and unique Qi Ze's image became. A full S cross-subject score showed he had a high IQ. He had brought the Mu family to their knees by himself, indicating he was no amateur; such a person would sooner or later achieve something. Wang Xuan retracted his gaze and said solemnly, "Qi Ze, do you have a bound pilot? If I win the match, I'll also report to the Imperial Academy in October. How about you being my exclusive mecha manufacturer?"
Whoa, daring to snatch a golden thigh in front of him! Suicidal! Ouyang Ye immediately blocked Young Master Qi, flexing his fists.
Yan Junyu said seemingly amicably, "You don't need to worry about such matters. Qi Ze's studies are under my responsibility. Go in, the draw is about to start."
Wang Xuan was pushed a few steps by the instructor, almost falling. He barely stabilized his body and said again, "Speaking of which, I haven't thanked Qi Ze yet. If it weren't for him making the dictionary public, the empire wouldn't have passed the Anti-Monopoly Bill. I heard that after the bill is enacted, fighter mechas will be drastically reduced in price. A poor guy like me can save up star coins for two years and buy a performance mecha like the T12 or T13. If this had been in the past, I wouldn't even have dared to think about it."
His roommate chimed in, "Yeah, not only will mechas be cheaper, but parts will also follow suit. In the past, I heard that people in the Federation could buy a custom mecha for only 100,000 to 200,000 and envied them to death, but now it doesn't matter. I've said it long ago, the Mu family is a cancer in the empire. If we don't eliminate them, the empire's mecha manufacturing industry will never develop in the long term. Even though the empire's military strength ranks above the Federation, if we calculate it seriously, the mid-to-high-end mechas of the Federation are much more powerful than ours, not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality, because they don't have so-called 'technical barriers.' Once a model of mecha is improved, a mecha manufacturer will post the source code online for everyone to refer to. By sparring with each other like this, the technology becomes more perfect and advanced. If the empire didn't have six super-powered mechas, it would have been annihilated by the Federation's huge mecha army long ago. On their side, it is said that even mercenaries have a mecha each, unlike us, if we damage one, we have to go through layers of reports, and it takes half a month to approve before giving us another one."
His words seemed to infect the people around him, everyone shook their heads and sighed, their gratitude for Qi Ze growing even deeper. Qi Ze's test paper had been screenshot and was said to be kept as a permanent memorial. This was a tragedy caused by a test paper, but the word "tragic" was only from the perspective of the Mu family; others were jubilant, spreading the news.
As the young patriarch of the Yan family, Yan Junyu felt it even more deeply. It wasn't that they didn't want to supply mechas to the warriors in time, but the cost of a mecha was too high, and the legion simply couldn't afford it. To be frank, which of the old military-political families in Imperial Star didn't want to take down the Mu family? But after planning for hundreds of years, no one had succeeded. They would never have thought that this thorn in their heart would be effortlessly removed by a teenager.
Grandpa had been in a daze for eight or nine days, smiling with his eyes closed, as if he had won the lottery. He no longer urged him to get engaged to Mu Ran, instead, he kept saying he was still young, not in a hurry. Thinking about it, Yan Junyu shook his head and smiled, feeling relaxed.
Qi Ze wasn't very interested in the Mu family's plight, listening for a few minutes before tossing it to the back of his mind. He pointed to G9 and instructed, "You have to work hard, I've bet on you to win completely."
Wang Xuan didn't know why, but he was somewhat flattered and hurriedly said he would try his best. Yan Junyu, however, approached the teenager and whispered into his ear, "You're betting on such a low odds, not your style."
Qi Ze brought up his personal account, baring his white teeth, his expression full of provocation. "See, I've just taken fifty billion from your Yan family. This Young Master doesn't give a damn about such small change, just betting for fun." When he was broke, he was stingy to the extreme; when he had money, he loved to splurge. It was a bad habit left over from being a little tyrant in the sect.
This Young Master? This was indeed an intriguing title. Yan Junyu looked at him deeply, pondering.