Chapter 554: Prototype Machine Report (Please Vote for the Month)
Inside the Laboratory.
Ciji Zhenjun’s mind surged with inspiration. As her Dao Heart slightly receded, the Design Diagram within her Eye Armor rapidly took shape, continuously being drawn with every motion of her body.
Finally, after reviewing the complete Yin Device Design Diagram—especially the peculiar patterns etched onto the Spirit Armor’s outer shell—Ciji couldn’t help but frown slightly. Her thoughts ran through her mind: "Lately, for the experiments on the Hua Shen Spirit Armor, I’ve designed countless prototype machines. But why… do I keep sketching such odd patterns, such strange decorations?"
She shook her head, trying to recall where these ideas came from, but nothing surfaced. A growing sense of unease settled in her chest.
…
Zhang Yu committed his own Stockings-shaped Spirit Artifact design to memory, then extracted part of the inspiration to share with Ye Xingli.
After all, her Dao Seed replication requirement demanded that they co-create a single Alchemy product.
Zhang Yu thought: If I just send her the full Design Diagram outright, it would be purely my own design. How could that fulfill the replication requirement?
When he shared his ideas, Ye Xingli nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up. “Your concept is solid. Wait a moment—I need to jot this down.”
A flurry of light danced within her Eye Armor as she added: “But right now, I don’t have time to discuss your design. I need to finish my current Design Diagram first.”
After their conversation, Zhang Yu realized he’d misjudged her intentions.
“So Senior Sister wasn’t designing Spirit Artifacts or Spirit Armor for herself… she’s actually aiming to create an Alchemy product suited for junior college students.”
From Zhang Yu’s understanding, even though Ye Xingli’s fanbase had exploded in size recently, her product promotion efforts had stalled. The root cause was simple: Wanfa University’s products were too high-end, while her fans were mostly poor—unable to afford anything over 1 Lingbi.
She sighed deeply. “Fifty-three percent of my fans are junior college students, thirty-five percent are lower school students. Their income is extremely low. Any product above 1 Lingbi? They barely have the will to buy it.”
“Sure, I could sell low-end brands, but that lacks uniqueness—no core competitiveness. And the companies offering us discounts aren’t generous.”
“So I’ve been wondering… can I design a product under my own name—something affordable, something that truly fits the lives of the poor?”
“But after days of thinking, I still felt something was off.”
She turned to Zhang Yu, smiling. “Now, after talking with you, I finally get it.”
“I was missing the conversation. The exchange of information.”
“I don’t truly understand the lives of lower school and junior college students. How could I design something they actually need?”
Zhang Yu’s eyes sparkled. “I have connections in the junior college and lower school circles. I can help you gather data and assist with the design.”
Ye Xingli: “Thank you, Zhang Yu.”
But after saying that, she paused, then sent another message:
[1 Lingbi]
Zhang Yu read it, silently thinking: “Just as I thought—this senior sister who pays me straight away feels far more genuine.”
As for where to collect information from the poor—this was effortless for Zhang Yu. He knew so many poor people.
He immediately posted a questionnaire in his hometown group chat. From that moment on, daily replies began pouring in.
- One person wanted a product priced at 1 Lingbi, with performance rivaling Tianyan Eye Armor.
- Another wished for a mouth that no longer had taste buds, capable of digesting feces and urine instantly.
- A third desired a body that didn’t need to defecate—no waste production at all.
- Another asked for legs turned into wheels, hands transformed into various tools.
- And one even wished to wear the skin of Demon Descendants or beast spirits, to shield their body from environmental harm.
Zhang Yu skimmed through the responses. Each request was increasingly unnatural—how to turn a human into something less than human, into an animal, into a machine.
But Zhang Yu didn’t rush to activate the TianGong Kaiwu power. Doing so would risk Dao Heart regression.
Neither he nor Ciji truly understood the underbelly of university life. Using the power now would be reckless—potentially wasteful.
Instead, he decided to gather more data first, then activate TianGong Kaiwu to finalize the Design Diagram, and finally present it to Ye Xingli for discussion.
…
A week and a half passed.
It was now early February.
Inside Jin Jun’s Laboratory.
Golden flames burst upward in waves, erupting from the Prototype Machine, filling the air with radiant light. The machine slowly began to float, hovering above the floor.
The entire Laboratory erupted in cheers and applause.
Jin Jun nodded with quiet satisfaction, smiling.
“It’s finally done.”
It had been nearly two months since he last completed a Level 5 Prototype Machine.
During that time, he’d endured immense pressure, with endless financial strain. Costs had spiraled far beyond budget—but today, after relentless effort, he had finally refined an 11th-level Prototype Machine.
He knew now he had the qualifications to submit for Military License approval.
“But it’s still not enough.”
“The output power of this 11th-level machine is too low. I need something even stronger.”
With a hint of pride, Jin Jun announced a half-day break for all assistants. They could use the time to take online courses, relax, and return to work refreshed.
He knew several assistants were preparing for final exams. Letting them study a bit would help ease their academic stress.
But just two hours later, the moment of triumph vanished.
Jin Jun’s face turned grim.
“What?” he asked sharply, staring at a message from a close friend. “Zhang Yu has already submitted for Military License Review?”
His friend, Bei Wu Feng—ranked second in the Alchemy Department, and a long-time mentor and supporter—had delivered the news.
Jin Jun’s first reaction was disbelief.
He’d poured everything into accelerating speed, efficiency, and quality—maxing out resources, hiring more people, pushing every limit. How could Zhang Yu possibly be ready for review already?
“Did he refine a machine beyond Level 11? Level 12? 13? Or even higher?”
Jin Jun shook his head. “Impossible.”
He couldn’t bring himself to believe it.
“Or… is he just trying to submit at Level 11?”
He didn’t think Zhang Yu was foolish.
“That output power is far too weak.”
Caught between two possibilities, Jin Jun hesitated.
“Should I submit for review too?”
After deep thought, he decided to first gather intelligence—find out exactly what Zhang Yu had done.
He quickly summoned Su Yun Ni and explained the situation.
Su Yun Ni’s eyes widened in surprise. She immediately messaged Zi Wen Zhen—but received no reply.
Jin Jun pressed: “Where is she? Go find her yourself. If she’s willing to share what’s happening on Zhang Yu’s side, money isn’t a problem. I’ll pay whatever it takes.”
…
Somewhere in Wanfa University City, a construction site was being dug up for renovation.
Yuan Ci Channel was being excavated and rebuilt. Similar projects had been cropping up all over the city for months—Zi Wen Zhen had long grown accustomed to it.
But as she stared at the site, she still wore a look of resignation—her mind drifting back to Zhang Yu’s words.
Zhang Yu smiled gently. “The lab work is done. For the rest of this month, your next work assignment is here—on the construction site.”
“Huh?” Zi Wen Zhen grimaced. “The construction site? Boss, I… I can’t do that!”
“Why not?” Zhang Yu replied. “I’m your boss. I need you here. So you come.”
“I’ve taken on several Alchemy Department projects here. You’re helping the department, not just me.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t want your name on the Prototype Machine project?”
Thinking of the Tian Ri Huang Shen project in his hands—of the prototype that stood a strong chance of passing review—Zi Wen Zhen finally stepped forward.
Ying Xin guided her through the site, explaining the environment and today’s tasks.
Just then, Fu Xinyao from Hehuan University spotted her. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“An Alchemy Department student? Finally!”
As a hidden agent planted by Hehuan University within Wanfa University, Fu Xinyao had been quietly gathering intelligence. But due to the city’s complex access controls and the ongoing economic crisis, her efforts had stalled for months.
Now, finally reconnected with the Civil Engineering Department through a new lead, she’d found Su Yanyang—a Tu Mu student said to be close to Zhang Yu.
After deep discussion, Fu Xinyao had nearly succumbed to the temptation of the Double Rest Cult—her willpower barely holding her back.
But now, seeing Zi Wen Zhen, she realized her instincts were right: with the revival of Civil Engineering projects, Alchemy Department students were being drawn in.
Meanwhile, Zi Wen Zhen had only worked for a short while when Su Yun Ni suddenly appeared on-site.
“Su Yun Ni?” Zi Wen Zhen blinked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Su Yun Ni, observing Zi Wen Zhen’s thin frame and the worn, battle-scarred look of her Spirit Armor, asked: “You’ve been working overtime, haven’t you?”
Zi Wen Zhen smiled faintly. “Well, after Zhang Yu, I’m the only one left in the project team. Work piles up endlessly. But more work means more practice—and that means real progress.”
Su Yun Ni’s eyes flickered with envy. In Jin Jun’s project team, opportunities were rare—too many skilled people, everyone fighting for every task.
She asked again: “The lab isn’t busy today? Why did you come out here?”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
