Honkai Impact 3rd: Starting with Hand-Crafted Black Tech to Save the Pre-Civilization

So, Ai Yue simply determined which research projects they should be allocated to before putting them back.

Amidst Ai Yue's anxious and prolonged wait, the plane finally landed back at the Moth to Fire base. As soon as it touched down, Ai Yue couldn't wait to rush back to his laboratory.

The reason he hadn't directly used the Third Herrscher's Honkai Energy sample on the plane was twofold: firstly, to prevent anyone from noticing anything unusual, and secondly, to ensure he could select the research projects he needed to activate in a safe and stable environment.

However, upon returning to the laboratory, Ai Yue found someone already waiting for him.

"Ah, you're back so quickly, Ai Yue." Elysia sat obediently on a laboratory chair. Seeing the person she was waiting for arrive, she greeted him with a smile, "As expected, even the difficult challenge posed by Vill-V couldn't stump you."

"Elysia?" Ai Yue set his bag aside. "What are you doing here?"

"Vill-V has already handed over the Artificial Intelligence project to you, and I'm here to deliver the documents." Elysia smiled helplessly. "This wasn't supposed to be my responsibility, but right now, I'm the only one who's familiar with you and also free."

"I see." Ai Yue nodded and walked over to the refrigerator. "Would you like something to drink? Juice or soda?"

"Do you have peach juice?" Elysia asked curiously. She then watched as Ai Yue, as if he had prepared it beforehand, took out the corresponding drink. "Thank you."

"Speaking of Kevin's birthday party," Ai Yue took a bottle of soda for himself but didn't open it, just held it in his hand. "You mentioned before that you'd arrange for me to meet the other attendees. When are you planning to hold it?"

"Oh? You seem quite concerned about this," Elysia narrowed her eyes slightly, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Could it be that you really like Kevin?"

"Not exactly." Ai Yue shook his head, the man's eventual fate flashing through his mind. "How should I put it? I've heard a lot about him, and I really admire him."

"Then you'll definitely have a lot in common with Mobius." Elysia smiled and thought for a moment. "Hmm, let me see... when everyone is free... How about dinner the day after tomorrow?"

"No problem." Ai Yue nodded. "In the cafeteria?"

"Of course not. How can we discuss surprises in the cafeteria? It's too easy for word to get out!" Elysia gave a mysterious smile. "Just follow my arrangements then."

As she spoke, she finished her peach juice, casually tossed the bottle into the trash can, and then stood up to bid Ai Yue farewell.

Ai Yue, however, stood quietly to the side until Elysia had left, then he locked the door.

He then suddenly rushed to the trash can, pulled out the bottle Elysia had used for her juice, and like a pervert, repeatedly rubbed the inside and outside of the rim, unwilling to miss any detail.

However, a moment later, Ai Yue, with a disappointed expression, threw the bottle back into the trash can. "Damn it, why isn't there any saliva?"

Chapter Thirty-Two: Mobius, You've Done Too Much Wrong

In Ai Yue's eyes, Elysia was special.

Because of her extremely unique identity, the materials from Elysia were very likely to be "rare" quality items, similar to the Herrscher's Honkai Energy samples.

But precisely because of her identity, Ai Yue couldn't directly ask her for hair, nails, or other things to verify his guess.

After all, putting himself in her shoes, as someone with secrets of his own, Ai Yue could understand her desire not to have her identity exposed. Since he couldn't share the system's secrets with others, he naturally couldn't force someone to do something that might reveal their identity.

Therefore, he decided to ask Mobius. After all, Mobius was the one who performed Elysia's fusion warrior surgery, and given Mobius's personality, Ai Yue suspected she definitely had Elysia's genomic samples on hand.

Of course, the most crucial matter needed to be handled first—

Ai Yue refocused his attention on the "Honkai Thunder Crystal." He took the precious material out of its protective case and placed it directly into the system.

Third Herrscher, Herrscher of Thunder.

Her authority was electromagnetic manipulation—an extremely powerful ability.

What kind of surprise would it bring him?

The next second, a technological tree, like a galaxy, gradually enlarged in his vision until a small area of it came into clear view before Ai Yue.

It was a star cluster formed by dozens of stars, with one largest and most conspicuous star, along with over a dozen planets orbiting it, and finally, dozens of satellites each orbiting a planet in a group.

Although the entire star cluster was largely in a dim, inactive state, only on the edge of the cluster did one satellite shimmer with light – it was the "Spacetime Fracture Technology" that Ai Yue had completed last time.

And as the Honkai Thunder Crystal was completely absorbed by the system, a planet not far from Spacetime Fracture Technology, along with all the satellites around it, began to flicker intermittently.

"Material used, related project activated."

"Please select the research project you wish to activate."

Ai Yue quickly scanned the options, several project names flashing before his eyes:

"Room-Temperature Superconductor," "Wireless Power Transmission Technology," "Anti-EMP Electromagnetic Shield Technology," "Electromagnetic Wave Quantum Communication Technology"...

It could be said that any technology appearing here, once developed, would be enough to advance human science by a significant leap. After repeated consideration, Ai Yue finally had his target.

"Pseudo Herrscher Authority - Molecular Dissolution Technology."

Unlike other research projects based on the study of electromagnetic forces, this project was not about researching the influence of Herrscher authority on electromagnetic forces. Instead, it was an exploration targeting the Third Herrscher's authority itself.

By simulating the Herrscher authority, it would utilize Honkai Energy to affect the electrons within molecules, thereby breaking the chemical bonds between atoms and causing the molecules to disintegrate.

Because it simulated the effect of Herrscher authority, this technology could, under extreme conditions, even temporarily prevent molecular recombination, thus causing an object to instantly collapse.

This technology could not only be used in weapon development but also in scientific research such as the development of new substances, making it a very practical technology.

At the same time, this was also the offensive method Ai Yue currently needed.

Therefore, Ai Yue no longer hesitated and directly activated the research for Molecular Dissolution Technology. In the blink of an eye, the other stars returned to their dim state, with only the star representing "Molecular Dissolution Technology" shining brighter and brighter, eventually opening a new interface before Ai Yue.

"Pseudo Herrscher Authority - Molecular Dissolution Technology: Total Progress: 12.5%"

"Basic Principle Analysis: 50%"

"Basic Structure Design: 0%"

"Basic Material Screening: 0%"

"Prototype Framework Construction: 0%"

Seeing the familiar interface appear before him, Ai Yue couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Alright, now I just need to slowly grind out the time."

The system's deduction speed for research projects had a fixed base value. It wasn't as if Ai Yue could immediately convert materials into progress by simply throwing them in. However, his own understanding of the project would provide a bonus to the system's conversion speed. The more he understood about the project, the faster the conversion would be.

Therefore, for projects like Pseudo Herrscher Authority, which were like castles in the air with no clear direction for Ai Yue, he could only rely on the system's initial conversion speed to grind away bit by bit.

Although it was a bit slow, completing the project would take about 48 hours.

"This is too slow," Ai Yue sighed. "Oh well, I'll do something else for now."

After several knowledge infusions for different projects, Ai Yue was no longer the useless person who couldn't do research without the system.

However, just as he was about to start working himself, a knock sounded at the door.

Ai Yue walked over and opened the door, finding a group of members from the Logistics Department standing outside. Behind them was a parked van.

"You're Dr. Ai Yue, right?" the leading member of the Logistics Department asked politely. "We're from the Logistics Department. We're here to replace your laboratory equipment under orders from above."

Replace equipment?

Ai Yue asked a few confused questions before realizing what this was about.

Simply put, Vill-V's project transfer request had been approved. However, since Ai Yue's current laboratory lacked the equipment to research artificial intelligence, Dr. Mobius had submitted a request for the Logistics Department to replace the specialized equipment in Ai Yue's laboratory.

"Replacing the equipment will take about half a day," the Logistics Department member said to Ai Yue, clearly experienced with such tasks. "You can take this time to look around and relax. We'll notify you when we're done."

Ai Yue thought about it. There was nothing in his laboratory that couldn't be seen, and staying there would be pointless. He nodded and walked out decisively.

I wonder if Pardofelis took seriously my request to inquire about "Hua".

To avoid drawing attention, Ai Yue wouldn't directly ask Pardofelis to search for a soldier named Hua. At this time, she was likely just an ordinary soldier, and it would be difficult for him to explain why he was looking for her.

So, he had only asked Pardofelis to keep an eye out for other people from Shenzhou in Moth to Fire under the guise of looking for fellow townsfolk.

After all, as far as he knew, the headquarters of Moth to Fire was too far from Shenzhou, so most Shenzhou people were concentrated in the Asian Branch. Very few actually came to the headquarters of Moth to Fire.

Unless there was a special reason, Hua probably wouldn't have appeared here.

"Fellow townsfolk?"

During lunch, Ai Yue and Pardofelis were eating in the cafeteria. When Ai Yue brought this up, Pardofelis suddenly remembered something. "Mmmph, mmmph mmmph mmmph!"

Ai Yue sighed helplessly. "Swallow your food before you speak."

"Cough, cough, I almost forgot to tell you," Pardofelis said after taking a sip of soup, narrowly avoiding choking. "I asked around, and yes, there is! I heard it's someone with gray hair, very good-looking, and they're in the Fifth Research Institute!"

The Fifth Research Institute?

Ai Yue's expression turned strange. Hua's identity was that of a soldier. Unless she was injured, she wouldn't be in the Fifth Research Institute, which led the medical projects.

But in his memory, there was another Shenzhou person with gray hair and good looks who worked there.

However, had this person already come to Moth to Fire at this time?

Ai Yue fell into thought.

I need to find a time to "accidentally" meet them and get on their good side. That way, it'll be easier to get my hands on the research results from the Fifth Research Institute later.

"Brother Yue? Why aren't you eating?" Pardofelis noticed Ai Yue's expression. "Don't research your projects while eating! You'll get old really fast!"

"You've learned these things now too," Ai Yue came back to his senses and smiled. "How is it? Are you getting used to soldier's life?"

Pardofelis had never complained to him about the training, but Ai Yue knew that such a life was a significant challenge for her.

"It's okay," Pardofelis's tone became a little heavy when this topic came up, no longer as lively as before. "The instructors are quite good to us, and my squad mates are also nice, it's just..."

"It's just what?" Ai Yue pressed. "Pardo, is there something you can't even tell me?"

"No," Pardofelis hesitated, then finally said, "It's just that we're about to finish training and become real soldiers."

"Feeling uneasy?" Ai Yue nodded, understanding Pardofelis's emotions. "I told you, it's okay to back out if you want to. Your Brother Yue just took on a big project, enough to support ten of you."

"It's not unease, it's just..." Pardofelis shook her head, her expression a little strange. "How should I put it, it's a strange feeling."

"Many of my teammates, their experiences are actually... quite tragic. The Honkai has made many people suffer greatly," Pardofelis struggled to organize her words, trying to express her inner feelings. "Compared to them, I feel like my life is too happy, so happy that I feel... uh, ashamed?"

Ai Yue remained silent, just listening quietly.

"Sometimes I wonder, was it a good thing or a bad thing to follow Brother Yue to Moth to Fire?" Pardofelis unconsciously poked at the food on her plate. "If I hadn't come here, if I hadn't known so many things, I probably could have lived carefree days, basking in the sun and stealing things, just living day by day."

"But when I think that while I'm so leisurely, there are so many people in the world who can't even do something as simple as bask in the sun, I feel a little sad," Pardofelis looked up at Ai Yue. "Brother Yue, do you think if I could become very powerful, as powerful as Sister Sakura and the others, then I could help more people live happy lives?"

Ai Yue looked at her, then suddenly reached out and ruffled Pardofelis's hair into a bird's nest. "No."

"Huh?" Pardofelis was stunned.

In her imagination, Ai Yue should have said "Yes," and then she would have expressed her determination, and the conversation would have proceeded smoothly. However, Ai Yue's answer was the complete opposite, leaving her completely flustered.

"I don't know what your instructor taught you, or if you met Mobius and heard some nonsense from her, but the power of an individual is very limited in the face of the disaster currently facing human civilization," Ai Yue continued. "Saving the world is not your responsibility, it's mine. Your responsibility is to protect yourself, and on that premise, help out where you can, understand?"

"Oh... oh." Pardofelis nodded as if she understood but didn't, then suddenly realized, "How did you know it was Mobius..."

She covered her mouth halfway through her sentence, clearly realizing she had slipped up.

"How could someone like you, who spends all day eating and basking in the sun, start thinking about these things?" Ai Yue gave her a look. "You must have been bewitched by a demon."

"What are you talking about, what are you talking about!" Pardofelis tried to make her gaze firm. "I'm not the person I used to be! The current me..."

"No matter what, I'm still your brother," Ai Yue interrupted her. "Did you forget what you promised me?"

"No," Pardofelis nodded honestly. "I understand, I'll take care of myself."

"That's right," Ai Yue nodded with satisfaction. "After the training period ends, remember to find me at the laboratory. I have something good for you."

After lunch, the two parted ways again. Ai Yue walked aimlessly through the streets, pondering Pardofelis's words in his mind.

He was actually a little surprised by what Pardofelis had said.

Given her personality, even if she were persuaded by Mobius, she shouldn't have easily changed her original mindset of just slacking off and getting by. But Ai Yue could feel that the words she spoke today were indeed the result of her own contemplation.

In other words, life in Moth to Fire had indeed changed Pardofelis, and the reason she joined Moth to Fire early was because of him.

Ai Yue couldn't see the future and didn't know if this change was good or bad, but he stubbornly hoped that Pardofelis would become a fusion warrior a little later.

If things had reached the point where even his own cat had to go to the front lines, wouldn't that mean he, the savior, was too incompetent?

Also, about another matter...

Recalling what he heard from Pardofelis about the Shenzhou people from the Fifth Research Institute, Ai Yue couldn't help but frown.

He was somewhat familiar with the person named "Su." He was an old friend of Kevin's and a doctor who researched how to overcome Honkai disease.

Most importantly, according to the original storyline, the Eighth Herrscher descended not long after he joined Moth to Fire.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Explode It On Him

Two days later, the First Research Institute.

Klein was, as usual, dealing with stacks of documents. Seeing Ai Yue swaggering in, he weakly greeted him, "Doctor Ai Yue, what brings you here?"

"Where's Mobius?" Ai Yue scanned the surroundings and went to the room he had used before, but he didn't see the green figure. "I need to talk to her about something."