In the cool Underground Cave, Ronan suddenly spoke. "Dean Wan, you know that the 'Relay Station' incorporates some functional sections from spacecraft."
Dean Wan Ta gave a soft "Mm."
Ronan continued, "If those functional sections were miniaturized... with blueprints, technology, and tools like the 'Materialization Imprint Plate,' how long would it take you to build an interstellar spacecraft by hand?"
The question was somewhat absurd, but Wan Ta could more or less understand it. After considering it seriously, he said, "With the technological reserves in place, the rest would simply test craftsmanship and resources. All I can say is that I'm confident I could make one, but it might take thirty years. Fifty, perhaps."
The key to this exchange was not how long it would take, but whether it could be done at all.
Ronan was considering why Liang Lu, who possessed a tool like the "Veil of Silence" and could travel between the "Inner and Outer Earth," had chosen to remain here and fight desperately alongside Li Wei and the others.
He thought of the Broken Flying Ship pressed against the edge of the "Sun Wheel Absolute Prison." It was most likely Liang Lu's vehicle. It was possible that he had been limited by his transport—able to come but not leave. But a Grand Normal of the Creationism School should not be constrained by external objects.
Dean Wan's response was fairly strong evidence.
Ronan also considered whether the theories and cultivation methods of the "Creationism School" did not support simple spirit-body travel. Then there was the Reclamation Corps stationed outside. All they knew how to do to the "Outer Earth" was throw nuclear bombs at it, but whether they had other means for dealing with Liang Lu remained unclear.
After the test was complete, Ronan had Snake Tongue return.