thefictionvixens Chapter 99 Möbius Wants to Go to the Spirit Pagoda
Chapter 99 Möbius Wants to Go to the Spirit Pagoda
Chapter 99 Möbius Wants to Go to the Spirit Pagoda
"Oh~"
Lu Xingchen drew out his words, a knowing glint in his eyes, and said, "So you've gone through all this trouble just to borrow money from me."
"That's right, I want to borrow money from you!"
The moment his thoughts were exposed, Black Tower felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and all his previous awkwardness and hesitation vanished.
She crossed her arms, raised her chin slightly, and her violet eyes shone with the confident light of a genius. Her tone was firm and unquestionable: "Don't worry, I won't let you suffer. Once I successfully develop the controllable puppet technology, I'll share the research results with you first. This is a sure-fire deal."
There's no way around it; even geniuses need to eat.
Black Tower was truly strapped for cash at the moment. Although Cocolia would occasionally give her some pocket money, that amount was just a drop in the ocean compared to the exorbitant costs of scientific research.
Just look at the cheap scrap metal and rough joint parts on the ground, and you'll know that her savings had long been emptied in order to gather these basic materials.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to create only 30-centimeter-tall dolls with large heads.
Looking at her self-righteous demeanor, Lu Xingchen was somewhat puzzled and asked, "But why did you specifically come to me? If I remember correctly, didn't Cocolia's mother arrange for you and Möbius to study at the Sky Navy Regiment's research institute? There are many talented people there; wouldn't it be easier to find a high-level investor there than to come to me?"
"Hmph~ I don't want to!"
Upon hearing this, Black Tower reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with anger.
She stood with her hands on her hips, tiptoeing, glaring at Lu Xingchen. Her face was tense, and her tone was full of disdain: "Do you think a child would take such an advanced idea seriously in front of a group of old fogies?"
She paused, then, considering a possibility, her delicate brows furrowed even more, and her voice turned colder: "Not to mention, if I really worked hard to develop the technology, those hypocritical researchers might just steal my results because I'm young and brazenly impersonate me! I won't suffer that kind of loss."
Actually, there was another reason she didn't say aloud—when the prototype of the controllable puppet first popped into her mind, the first person she thought of as a partner was Lu Xingchen.
As for the Sky Navy Legion's research institute, Black Tower hadn't even considered that possibility. Of course, she would never tell Lu Xingchen about this little secret.
"What you said makes sense."
Lu Xingchen nodded upon hearing this. "One should always be wary of others. Although it is rare for someone to steal another's academic achievements, it is not without precedent."
"Right!"
Seeing Lu Xingchen on his side, Hei Ta immediately raised his chin smugly, then changed the subject, his tone becoming more mysterious: "Besides, there's another reason why I asked you for help."
"What reason?" Lu Xingchen asked, intrigued.
Black Tower stepped forward, his violet eyes fixed on him as if examining a perfect tool, and asked, word by word, "You seemed to have told Cocolia's mother before that you were a blacksmith, right? What level are you now?"
"Level 5." Lu Xingchen didn't intend to hide anything and answered truthfully.
His soul power level is currently too low to reach the threshold of soul forging, so he can only stop at spirit forging.
"Level five? That's enough!"
Upon hearing this answer, Black Tower's eyes lit up as if she had discovered a new continent. She rubbed her hands excitedly, and her speech quickened: "Actually, besides the technology to control puppets, I have an even bigger goal—I want to try and see if I can give puppets true intelligence! To achieve this goal, I not only need a huge amount of funds, but also a large and stable source of high-grade metals."
"A thousand forgings imbue it with spirit, ten thousand forgings elevate it to a higher level."
Black Tower softly recited a golden rule of the forging world, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism: "If I could combine high-grade spirit-forged metals with my skills, I could definitely create a new kind of puppet, a puppet with true intelligence!"
The problem is, master blacksmiths are incredibly rare. Those master blacksmiths who can reach the level of spirit blacksmithing are all extremely busy.
The forging of the two-word battle armor requires them, the core components of the soul-guided cannonballs require them, and even the military's war machine cannot do without their work.
It's a pipe dream to expect these busy people to supply her with spirit-forging metals.
After all, the cost of a stable daily supply of spirit-forging metal is astronomical, and no faction would willingly pay for a child's "wild idea."
But Lu Xingchen was different. He was an acquaintance of hers and a level-five blacksmith, who could fully meet her needs.
With his help, we can save the trouble of asking around for investment and avoid the risk of our achievements being stolen. It's the best of both worlds.
Black Tower stepped forward again, his violet eyes filled with pleading, yet brimming with an air of undeniable authority: "What are you still hesitating for? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Cooperate with me, and I guarantee you won't lose out!"
Lu Xingchen looked at her exquisite face so close to his own, her violet eyes shining brightly, as if they held the entire starry sky.
He shook his head helplessly, but finally nodded: "Okay, it's just money and high-grade metals, isn't it?"
I promise you.
"real?!"
Upon hearing this, a radiant smile instantly bloomed on Black Tower's face, like ice and snow melting and spring flowers blooming.
That bright and dazzling smile seemed to illuminate the entire room filled with parts.
She leaned closer instinctively, her voice as soft as a feather brushing against her ear: "Thank you—"
"Huh? What did you say?" Lu Xingchen seemed not to have heard clearly, and turned his head slightly, looking at her with some confusion.
"It's nothing!"
As if burned, Heita took a step back abruptly, instantly wiping the smile from her face and reverting to her cold, stern expression. Her tone became businesslike: "Since it's settled, let's not delay any longer. I need to continue my research."
Now, it's time to get down to business.
Lu Xingchen immediately transferred ten million Federal Credits to Black Tower and promised to provide her with enough spirit-forging metal each month to forge at least one set of two-word battle armor.
Before he could finish speaking and say another word, Black Tower ruthlessly pushed him out the door, citing "don't disturb my experiment."
The door slammed shut, cutting off the light and shadow in the room.
"That guy's pretty decisive."
Lu Xingchen stood outside the door, shaking his head with a wry smile. Oh well, it was just some money and rare metals.
He also wanted to see just how far Black Tower's technology could go.
But just then, a sickeningly sweet voice suddenly echoed down the long, quiet corridor: "Brother Xingchen~ So you're here~ I've been looking for you for ages~"
The voice had a deliberately affected, soft tone, which was easily recognizable to others as a "squeaky voice," yet its timbre was clear and bright, like a mountain stream hitting jade, which was surprisingly pleasant to the ear.
But how should I put it?
The moment the sound entered his ears, Lu Xingchen's back stiffened slightly, as if he had been gently stung by an invisible electric current.
An inexplicable sense of unease instantly gripped my heart like fine vines.
Lu Xingchen turned his head helplessly, his gaze passing through the swaying light and shadow under the corridor, landing on the green figure that was walking briskly towards him.
The girl's skirt, like her hair, was an eye-catching dark green, and as she walked, the skirt fluttered like a butterfly with fluttering wings.
"Mebius————"
Lu Xingchen rubbed his forehead, his voice carrying an obvious hint of helplessness, "You don't need to pretend to be like this. Just say what's on your mind."
"Hey~ What are you saying, Brother Xingchen~"
Upon hearing this, Möbius immediately stopped, gently covering his lips with his slender white fingers, and let out a soft, bell-like laugh.
Her dark green vertical pupils, which were indistinguishable from those of a snake, were now slightly narrowed, like a small beast eyeing its prey, looking Lu Xingchen up and down with great interest, the curiosity in her eyes almost overflowing.
(Möbius diagram.)
"It's been a while since I last saw you, and Brother Xingchen smells even better!"
She trailed off her words, her tone carrying a hint of ambiguous warmth, then took two steps forward, put her hands behind her back, tilted her head slightly, and looked at him expectantly: "How about it, interested in taking a look around my room? Just the two of us~"
The green-haired, green-eyed girl had a petite figure and was clearly still a childlike loli. However, perhaps due to the influence of her martial spirit, her slightly swaying waist when she spoke revealed a unique charm.
"Forget it."
Lu Xingchen shook his head decisively, looking at the girl's feigned naivety, and sighed helplessly: "Just say what you need to say directly, there's no need to beat around the bush. Given our relationship, I certainly won't refuse to help if it's something I can do."
"Tsk~ How boring~"
Upon hearing this, Mebius pouted, like a small animal whose disguise had been exposed, and his previous delicate demeanor vanished instantly.
She crossed her arms, her tone regaining some of its coolness: "I've recently become very interested in the research on soul beasts, and I'd like you to introduce me to the researchers at the Spirit Pagoda."
"An introduction?"
Lu Xingchen paused for a moment, seemingly surprised, then nodded slightly, his tone crisp and decisive, "No problem, you can just go to the Spirit Pagoda to report tomorrow. I'll let them know in advance."
"ha?"
This time, it was Möbius who was stunned. She blinked her dark green vertical pupils, her face full of disbelief, and subconsciously tilted her head, looking at him in confusion: "That's it?"
"Okay, that's settled." Lu Xingchen nodded, his tone flat.
Mebius was clearly still uneasy and pressed further, "You know someone in the Spirit Tower? And someone you can really talk to?"
"That's right."
Lu Xingchen nodded frankly, "As you know, I am a blacksmith, and my master is the president of the Blacksmith Association, so I naturally have some connections with the higher-ups of the Spirit Pagoda. Don't worry, there won't be any problems."
"...
Mebius remained silent for a moment, his dark green pupils shifting slightly as if he were pondering something.
Suddenly, she stepped forward, her slender fingers gently grasping Lu Xingchen's wrist. She lightly bit her lower lip, and a bright smile returned to her face: "Brother Xingchen, you've helped me so much, I really don't know how to repay you. Why don't you come sit in my room for a while, and let me properly repay you~"
As she spoke, she gently twisted her waist again, and her subtle, alluring charm was even more pronounced than before.
"This—this isn't right." Lu Xingchen subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, but Mebius held it tightly.
"What's wrong with it?"
Möbius blinked, a hint of teasing in his voice, "They invited you out of the blue, do you think Brother Star is afraid they'll eat you up?"
"Bang!"
Just as the two were struggling and locked in a stalemate, a deafening crash suddenly came from the room next door in the Black Tower, as if something heavy had slammed to the ground, instantly shattering the ambiguous atmosphere between them.
The corridor was quiet for a few seconds before the tightly closed door creaked open.
Black Tower stood expressionless in the doorway, her clothes still covered in metal shavings. She glanced at the two people outside and explained calmly, "Sorry, I didn't tidy up properly earlier, and a piece of forging metal fell to the ground, which is why it made that sound."
As she spoke, her gaze slowly moved down to the two hands clasped tightly together. Her tone was flat, yet carried an inexplicable chill: "Also, please don't do such shameless things in front of other people's doors. If you're going to do it, go somewhere else."
Before the two could respond, she slammed the door shut with a loud bang, leaving them staring at each other in the hallway, the atmosphere instantly becoming awkward.
"Alright, alright."
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lu Xingchen forcefully broke free from Mebius's hand, her tone somewhat urgent, "Mebius, I have other things to take care of. You can just go to the Spirit Tower to report tomorrow."
After saying that, he almost fled in panic, turning around and running quickly towards the other end of the corridor, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Ah~ It got away~"
Mebius watched Lu Xingchen's hasty retreat, clicked his tongue slightly, and spoke with a tone full of regret.
Then, she turned her gaze to the black tower's tightly closed door, a hint of displeasure flashing in her dark green pupils. After letting out a cold snort, she turned and walked briskly away from the corridor.
"That's really dangerous."
On the other side, Lu Xingchen, who had successfully escaped, breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps because he had once consumed his blood, he felt that Black Tower and Mebius were changing more and more.
"Is this the power of the subconscious?"
As the potion's sequence improves, those who have consumed his blood seem to be subtly influenced by him.
"Forget it, let nature take its course."
Lu Xingchen only thought about it for a moment before moving on to the topic. At least from the current perspective, the change was still favorable, so he naturally wouldn't interfere too much.
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