After tossing in the crystals, Zhuxing formed her hand into a knife shape at a 45-degree angle.
Then—
Smack! Smack! Smack!
She struck the machine three times in quick succession.
The machine finally started up.
Clearly, a unique machine requires a unique activation method.
Dongfang Qiqing watched the startup process and couldn't help wanting to complain.
For some reason, this machine felt extremely unreliable.
After several minutes of waiting—
And a series of clunking mechanical noises—
The machine suddenly began spitting out Light Cones one after another.
The Light Cones didn't fall to the ground.
Zhuxing swept her hand forward and caught them.
Five Light Cones began orbiting around her.
The first Light Cone maintained a steady rotation speed.
The others gradually accelerated.
Faster.
And faster.
Until—
At the exact same moment—
They collided with the first one.
Zhuxing then tossed the previously removed Light Cone:
"Shared Assistant of the Geniuses."
The Light Cone spun once in place.
Then it flew back toward the corridor.
It returned precisely to the spot Zhuxing had removed it from.
Settling back into its original position.
Zhuxing handed the newly engraved five-star Light Cone to Dongfang Qiqing.
"Qiqing-jie, this is for you~"
Dongfang Qiqing's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, little Zhuxing~"
Credits could buy most things in the universe.
But five-star Light Cones were not among them.
They were simply too rare.
Anyone capable of obtaining them didn't lack credits—and certainly wouldn't sell them.
Zhuxing waved goodbye to Clara.
"Clara-jie, we won't bother you anymore."
Clara smiled gently.
"Alright. Goodbye, Zhuxing."
Zhuxing turned to Dongfang Qiqing.
"Let's go, Qiqing-jie."
"Once we pass through the Luminous Corridor, we'll reach the Warp Nexus."
"That place is pretty spectacular too."
Meanwhile…
Lin Yi was currently chatting with several friendly geniuses.
He had already roughly explained everything that happened during this trip.
He also invited them to meet up sometime.
After all—
He was extremely interested in those golden chains and the black-and-white vortex energy.
One person's thinking had limits.
But many minds together could produce better ideas.
However—
Just after Lin Yi finished describing the situation in the group chat—
Stephen was the first to message him.
Chat with Stephen
Lin Yi:
Stephen, I'm really sorry.
The Phase Walker I promised to lend you earlier… I'm afraid I'll have to break that promise.
Lin Yi:
It broke during this trip.
For now, it's unusable.
Stephen Lloyd:
I know… I saw it in the group chat earlier.
Lin Yi:
I'm really sorry.
( ✘_✘ )↯
Stephen Lloyd:
It's fine.
It was an accident, not because you didn't want to lend it.
Stephen Lloyd:
So when do you plan to repair it?
Lin Yi:
Probably not anytime soon.
Sometimes destruction is necessary before improvement.
Lin Yi:
Honestly, the damage might be a good thing.
If it hadn't broken, I might never have decided to completely overhaul it.
Lin Yi:
You know it has plenty of flaws.
For example, it can't perform high-precision operations.
Lin Yi:
This time, I want to fix everything in one go.
Stephen Lloyd:
I see…
Stephen Lloyd:
Then could you lend me the broken Phase Walker first?
I want to study it and create something similar…
Something better suited to me.
Stephen Lloyd:
…
Stephen Lloyd:
If you come up with a repair plan later, you can take it back anytime.
Lin Yi:
Of course you can.
Stephen, you rarely ask for anything—how could I refuse?
Lin Yi:
Besides, it's good for me too.
Your research might give me ideas for the repair process.
Lin Yi:
I'll look for my old fixed-point spatial delivery device.
Then I'll send it over immediately.
Same coordinates as before?
Stephen Lloyd:
Yes…
Stephen Lloyd:
Then… thank you.
👍 JPG
Stephen rarely made requests.
Naturally, Lin Yi wouldn't refuse.
Stephen seemed completely uninterested in displaying his genius.
He preferred living like an ordinary person.
Most of his time—almost two-thirds of it—was spent helping at his adoptive father's fruit shop.
The only thing Lin Yi had ever seen him truly interested in—
Was video games.
Other than that, Stephen showed little interest in anything.
Even so—
He was undeniably a true genius.
Lin Yi was very curious what Stephen might develop by studying the Phase Walker.
With Stephen's talent—
He would surely produce something surprising.
But just as Lin Yi finished chatting with Stephen—
Another message arrived.
Ruan Mei.
Chat with Ruan Mei
Ruan Mei:
Are you there, dear?
Lin Yi:
You're here because of the group chat earlier, right?
Ruan Mei:
Yes.
You mentioned that you collected a blood sample from Robin, the one who became the incarnation of the Harmonic Choir Dominicus…
Lin Yi:
You want it?
😏 JPG
Ruan Mei:
Yes.
The timing of the blood sample is very special.
Ruan Mei:
She had just shed the divine authority of that incarnation.
Standing at the threshold between Emanator and mortal.
Ruan Mei:
Such a sample would greatly benefit my research.
Lin Yi:
Not only did I collect blood.
I also pulled two feathers.
🎣 Straight-hook fishing JPG
Ruan Mei:
…
Ruan Mei:
A wing sample from that moment would indeed be even better.
Ruan Mei:
You've been tempting me with words long enough.
So let's be direct.
What do you want, dear?
Ruan Mei:
We know each other well enough.
There's no need for tedious probing.
Lin Yi:
Then I'll keep it short.
The Life Garden in the Space City has encountered a bit of a… problem.
Lin Yi:
Handling it alone might be troublesome.
I'd like you to come help.
Lin Yi:
Half of the samples will be yours.
Ruan Mei:
I don't mind making the trip.
If even a genius—especially one deeply versed in life engineering—finds it troublesome…
Ruan Mei:
Then that "problem" must be quite interesting.
Lin Yi:
I only dabble in life engineering.
Compared to you, it's nothing.
That's why I need your help.
Ruan Mei:
Unfortunately, I'm currently occupied.
Lin Yi:
No problem.
As long as you agree.
Lin Yi:
I also have plenty of trivial matters to deal with.
Just tell me when you're free.
Lin Yi:
I'll send the samples to you first.
Where should I deliver them this time?
Ruan Mei initiated location sharing
Ruan Mei sent relative spatial coordinates
Ruan Mei:
Send them here.
Ruan Mei:
I have things to attend to.
Until next time, dear~
🐱 Mochi-cat waving JPG
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