Chapter 160

The latter may indeed have some value, but it is clearly far from being comparable to the former two.

But something is better than nothing. Besides, I still have my own system, don't I?

Ai Yue didn't dwell too much on his disappointment. Ignoring the warnings from the armor system, he stepped forward and picked up a crystal.

According to the drone's report, the surface of these crystals even had a certain temperature, which is enough to prove that a considerable amount of special energy still remained inside them. Unfortunately, this special condition also prevented the drone from reading more valuable data and from speculating on the formation time of these crystals.

Based on the available data, these crystals appear to have just formed, but the dust covering their surfaces is at least tens of thousands of years old.

Ai Yue quickly lost interest in everything else, because after coming into contact with the crystal, the system finally gave him a notification—

"Unknown Energy Sample (Rare): 100% usable value".

"The crystals left behind after the explosion of some unknown energy contain samples of the decayed energy."

"Using this material, any research project related to the field of energy containment can be directly initiated."

"Optional project: After analyzing and proving its origin, higher-level related scientific research projects can be initiated."

Looking at the information in front of him, Ai Yue blinked and then fell into deep thought.

If he remembered correctly, this was only the second time he had found a material that the system could only display as "unknown." The last time he found a similar material was when he used the power of the Third Herrscher to separate Will Fragment of ??? from Honkai Energy Crystal, which came from an unknown entity.

If we consider it from this perspective, could we assume that the energy sample remaining in the crystal we see also comes from some similar entity?

But this time the situation is different. It's unclear whether it's because Ai Yue now possesses far more knowledge than before, or because the quality of this material is far inferior to the previous Will Fragment of ???, but the system has actually given a second option besides "direct use".

By analyzing this crystal, we can verify the source of its energy and thus initiate higher-level research projects.

The exact level of this higher-level Ai Yue is currently unknown, but using materials of this level to initiate energy containment projects would clearly be a loss.

It's important to understand that energy containment, or energy storage, is essentially the field of research that involves making batteries—all sorts of batteries. The Artificial Honkai Energy Crystal that Ai Yue invented earlier belong to this field.

Within the scope of the technology tree he can currently access, Artificial Honkai Energy Crystal are already a relatively advanced project. Moving up the technology tree, he will soon be able to reach the energy storage system of the Plasma Spark Tower.

If using this sample could directly initiate research on the Plasma Spark Tower, Ai Yue would not hesitate. But as it stands, it's just a fragment of the Plasma Spark Tower, which obviously doesn't satisfy Ai Yue.

In contrast, he was more concerned about the higher-level research projects mentioned by the system.

Feeling the slight warmth emanating from his palm, Ai Yue couldn't help but close his eyes and immerse himself once again in the vast starry sea that the system had presented to him.

Looking at that series of outrageous technologies that only existed in legends, Ai Yue couldn't help but feel excited.

Could this be an opportunity to get in touch with them?

31

Chapter Thirty-One: I think you don't understand at all.

Unfortunately, fantasy is just fantasy. Even with a cheat code, Ai Yue still has to move forward step by step to have a chance to touch those stars.

Therefore, he quickly reopened his eyes—of course, the main reason being that the system's strong radiation warning had become so sharp that it was starting to distort, proving that even his meticulously developed second-generation "Wuji Armor" could not be exposed to this special radiation for an extended period of time.

Such a ferocious radiation intensity is enough to prove how terrifying the energy contained within is. The thought that studying such energy samples could open up higher-level scientific research projects made Ai Yue want to go back to work as soon as possible.

He took out a box made entirely of second-generation Soulium and carefully placed the crystals inside, which barely managed to isolate them from the effects of radiation.

But his expression soon changed slightly, because the box containing these crystals could not be put into the artificial Imaginary Space.

To be precise, it's not that it can't be put in, but rather that once it's put in, the Imaginary Space Stabilization Device will start issuing an alarm that it's about to collapse, as if telling Ai Yue that even the second-generation Soulium cannot completely isolate the effects of radiation.

Most importantly, this radiation can actually interfere with Imaginary Space, something Ai Yue has never seen before.

"This is truly a technological explosion."

Ai Yue couldn't help but say with a self-deprecating laugh, "To research this thing, I'm afraid we'll have to upgrade the entire experimental system."

Since it couldn't be put inside, Ai Yue had no choice but to hand the box over to the drones, asking them to deliver it to the research base first, and also to send a message to Su to remind him to prepare a room specifically for this dangerous thing.

As he was pondering whether to upgrade the Soulium recipe while climbing the crater, Pardofelis found him. "Brother Yue! I finally found a gem!"

Upon hearing this, Ai Yue couldn't help but shudder—having just witnessed something so outrageous, he was now extremely sensitive to Pardofelis's question, "What gemstone? What's its radiation level?"

He was genuinely afraid that Pardofelis would stand in front of him holding something that could cause the armor system to emit a sharp, explosive sound.

"Uh, there shouldn't be any radiation, right?"

Hearing Ai Yue's anxious question, Pardofelis looked at the crystal-clear green crystal in her hand and said, "The Canned Food told me this is peridot, a very precious gemstone!"

Canned Food was the name she gave to her armored AI.

"Oh, peridot, then it's alright."

Hearing this, Ai Yue finally felt relieved. Looking at the crystal that Pardofelis was showing off in front of him, he couldn't help but nod. "This purity and size are indeed quite rare."

Although he said that, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

The peridot in Pardofelis's hand weighs at least one kilogram, which translates to at least 5,000 carats, making it an incredibly large piece.

Moreover, aside from its exaggerated size, it is a pure grass green color, without any brown or other impurities, and its purity is as high as glass. If a skilled jeweler were to cut it, its price could double.

Well, if the price is increased tenfold, it could probably buy the lid of the Soulium box that Ai Yue used to store the energy samples...

If this were an energy sample, it would be quite nice, wouldn't it?

However, Ai Yue would not say anything discouraging to dampen Pardofelis's spirits, so he simply praised her highly.

Pardofelis was clearly pleased to hear this, and then she put the peridot into Ai Yue's hand. "Then it's yours, Brother Yue."

"Huh?"

Ai Yue was completely taken aback by Pardofelis's tactic. "Give it to me? Why?"

"Well, how should I put it..."

Pardofelis instinctively wanted to scratch her head, but she couldn't because of the armor, so she could only look around awkwardly. "Brother Yue, you've always taken such good care of me, of course I want to repay you."

Pardofelis is indeed a happy person every day; her simple and innocent personality means she rarely encounters any troubles.

Even if it exists, it will soon disappear—however, even someone like Pardofelis has some lingering worries.

For example, how can one express their feelings?

No, it's not enough to just express it; the other person has to accept it. If you simply express it but it can't be accepted, then it's better not to say it at all.

The action at hand is the first step in Pardofelis's plan—after all, putting herself in others' shoes, she felt happy to receive a gift, and Ai Yue must feel the same way.

Then, when the time is right, then...

"There's no need for that. Do we really need to use that kind of formality between us?"

Ai Yue shook his head and stuffed the peridot back into Pardofelis's arms. "Besides, you've already given me something very precious."

For Ai Yue, even if all the peridot on the moon were placed in front of him, he would still choose those few unknown energy samples. And without Pardofelis, even if the drone's exploration eventually found this place, it would probably take a long time.

For Ai Yue, this was the best gift he had ever received.

"Huh?"

Pardofelis was taken aback. "What precious thing?"

Pardofelis naturally didn't know about the energy sample; all she could think of was the lucky coin. But judging from Ai Yue's tone, he was clearly not talking about the lucky coin.

"I can't tell you now, but you'll definitely find out later."

Ai Yue smiled, not intending to tell Pardofelis about it. "So, you should keep this gem to yourself. You dug it up yourself."

After saying that, he didn't wait for Pardofelis's reaction and walked directly towards the research base. "Alright, let's go back first."

Pardofelis stopped dwelling on it and just looked at Ai Yue's back, muttering softly, "That's why I wanted to give it to you, Brother Yue, you big idiot."

For a long time, Pardofelis didn't own anything that truly belonged to her, because almost everything she had ever possessed was stolen.

Although it was a struggle for survival, it could not cover up the fact that she was stealing. Pardofelis did not care about these things before, but after meeting Ai Yue, she gradually changed.

However, Pardofelis was not discouraged by the rejection of her gift. After only a few seconds, she rallied and began to think of other ideas.

Anyway, one day, I'll definitely make Brother Yue...

32

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Little Glutton.

"Doctor Ai Yue, what was that thing you sent back?"

When Ai Yue and Pardofelis returned to the research base, Su was already waiting at the door. As soon as Ai Yue stepped out of the isolation room, he couldn't wait to ask, "Where exactly were these unusual radiation readings discovered?"

"We'll discuss the specifics later,"

Ai Yue winked at him, "Is it all taken care of?"

"It's been dealt with for now."

Su saw Pardofelis behind Ai Yue and nodded with a look of realization, "Then I'll wait for you."

Clearly, Su also realized that the fewer people who knew about this, the better.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Pardofelis was a step behind Ai Yue, so she didn't hear their conversation. She only saw Su's back as he turned and left. "Did Brother Su need something from you?"

"Yes, it's something academic."

Ai Yue said without changing his expression, "Pardo, you should rest for a while. If you want to go out and play again, remember to go and check on how Aponia and the others are doing."

"Then I'll go now."

Upon hearing this, Pardofelis walked outside. "I'd also like to see the ruins of an ancient civilization... Brother Yue, do you think it would be quite valuable if we found any artifacts inside?"

Upon hearing this, Ai Yue couldn't help but show an expression that said, "I knew you were thinking about this kind of thing."

After Pardofelis walked away, Ai Yue headed deeper into the research base. Su had just sent him the room where the unknown energy samples were placed, and Su and Mobius were waiting there.

As soon as Ai Yue entered the room, he saw Mobius sitting dejectedly in a pool of dark green substance—judging from the scene before him, she seemed to have died once already.

Rather than saying she was sitting on the ground, it would be more accurate to say that her lower body had not yet fully recovered from the blackish-green substance.

"I tried to persuade her, but it was no use."

Seeing Ai Yue's helpless expression, Su couldn't help but sigh, "Dr. Mobius, you can't just try things that Doctor Ai Yue has explicitly forbidden, just because you have such a special ability, can you?"

"What does it matter? I won't die anyway. It's the most reasonable thing for me to try, right?"

Mobius stood up again, his face still showing an indifferent expression. "Besides, if it really can threaten my life, it might actually be a good thing."

After successfully fusing her spirit and body, Mobius's immortality has reached a whole new level. In the past, if she did not receive a sufficient supply of energy after death, she might have been unable to be resurrected or her resurrection might have been incomplete. But now, due to the characteristics of spiritual power, even if two-thirds of her body is evaporated by some kind of attack, she can still be resurrected completely.

Ai Yue even suspected that even if only one percent of her remains, she could slowly recover to a complete state. Such terrifying vitality could be said to surpass all life forms known in human history.

However, Ai Yue was more concerned about something else at the moment.

Even someone like Mobius was killed by radiation from an energy sample?

"I wasn't killed, but it made me feel terrible, so I reassembled myself to get rid of that feeling."

Hearing Ai Yue's question, Mobius waved his hand, "But you're really something, you can just pick up such weird stuff so easily."

Ai Yue shrugged. "It was Pardo who found it."

"Oh, that makes sense then."

Mobius had heard of Pardofelis's abilities and immediately understood. "So, what exactly is this thing?"

"I don't know either."

Ai Yue shook his head. "But as it stands, it is very likely to be closer to the essence of 'Honkai' than anything else we have come across about Honkai."

Upon hearing this, both Sue and Mobius couldn't help but show serious expressions.

"If that's the case, then I suggest raising the alert level for this special crystal to the highest level."

Su said, "If possible, it would be best to place it in a place far away from human civilization to avoid problems that could cause huge disasters."

"I agree."

Mobius, unusually, did not disagree with Sue, but nodded in agreement, saying, "However, this actually reduces the number of options available."

"The moon, and Australia, right?"

Ai Yue smiled and said, "That's what I think too. So the most urgent thing is to find a way to safely contain it. As it stands, none of the radiation isolation methods known to mankind can completely isolate it from the outside world."

Even the second-generation Soulium has now become a huge radioactive contaminant. Su had installed a ten-centimeter-thick lead box outside, but it has already shown signs of failure not long after.

"The research base also has a room constructed with lead plates one meter thick, which should be sufficient for the time being."