"Color, style, and... functionality." Si Yao kept it brief. "I'm planning to... upgrade it."
"Upgrade?" Lena looked at him in confusion. "How? It's already finished. What else do you want to change?"
Si Yao didn't answer. He simply waved a hand casually toward the Dark Alloy Armor Su Xiao Li was wearing.
[Colorless Realm Divine Power: Unfold]!
In an instant, an invisible domain stripped of all color and sound enveloped Su Xiao Li!
Then Si Yao's thoughts sank into the Seed of Delusion.
"Using the existing Dark Alloy Armor as the base, perform a Directed Modification."
"1. Design and color scheme: Change the primary color to white and gold, matching the 'Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox' form, and incorporate aesthetics inspired by the Fox Demon."
"2. Material Reinforcement: Infuse it with the 'Concept Indestructible' property of [Jingang Realm Divine Power], greatly enhancing its physical and Energy Resistance."
"3. Upgrade the Protection Program: Install a 'Energy Annihilation' Defense Algorithm against Stellar Energy attacks, and add a basic Mental Shock Immunity Module."
"Assess the cost."
[Ding! Plan confirmed. True Point cost: 500,000]
"Execute."
Under Lena's astonished gaze, the Dark Alloy Armor enveloped by the Colorless Realm began to change in a way that was Visible to the Naked Eye!
The armor's original black metal surface seemed to fill with flowing light. Its heavy color quickly faded, transforming into a pure and luxurious white and gold.
The armor's lines grew softer and smoother. Exquisite patterns resembling clouds and fox tails appeared on its Shoulder Armor, chest plate, and leg guards.
The entire modification was completed within a few breaths, silently and soundlessly inside the domain!
When the Colorless Realm Divine Power dissipated, Lena saw a completely new suit of armor, perfectly suited to Su Xiao Li's temperament and Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox form. It was like a work of art!
Lena was utterly dumbfounded.
What the hell kind of sorcery was that?!
Lena couldn't help asking, "H-How did you do that?!"
"Just a simple Material Concept Reconstruction," Si Yao replied calmly. "Given the state of your era's development, you should reach this level of technology soon. In fact... some people have probably already mastered it."
Lena's expression turned extremely strange.
Material Concept Reconstruction? What kind of theory was that? How had she never heard of it? Was she behind the times? Or... was the entire Lieyang Civilization behind the times?
While she was deep in self-doubt, Su Xiao Li beside her could no longer contain her excitement. She cheered and threw herself at Si Yao, trying to give him a big hug.
But as soon as she wrapped her arms around him, Si Yao grabbed her by the tail without changing his expression and tossed her back in the direction of the Backyard.
"Keep training."
Watching the strangely warm, yet somewhat rough, way Si Yao and Su Xiao Li interacted, Lena's expression grew even more peculiar.
This guy had seemed ice-cold when they first met, but now that she knew him... he actually seemed like a pretty decent person.
But there was something else Lena was more curious about. She looked at Si Yao and asked, "Why have you invested so much in Su Xiao Li? Is there... something special about her?"
"Because I want to," Si Yao replied calmly.
Lena was momentarily at a loss for words.
All right, that was a powerful reason. She couldn't argue with it.
She changed the subject and looked Si Yao over curiously. "What about you? Do you have armor?"
"Yes," Si Yao answered. "But it was damaged. I'm still repairing it."
"Damaged?" Lena grew even more curious. "What does it look like?"
Si Yao waved a hand, and a Holographic Projection appeared in front of him.
It was a design for a suit of armor that was entirely black and gave off a faint glow. Its sleek, sharp lines were full of power, with dark gold patterns decorating its details like solidified lava.
Most unusual of all, the armor's design wasn't fixed. It could switch seamlessly between a humanoid form and a far more menacing one, complete with dragon wings and bone spikes on the shoulders and back. It was clearly a perfect fit for his human and Black Dragon forms.
The instant Lena saw the armor design, the Seed of Delusion's notification sounded in Si Yao's mind, right on cue.
[Ding!] [Your lie convinced Lena. The existence of the "Black Dragon Armor" has been anchored by Cognitive Anchoring!] [The manifestation progress of the "Black Dragon Armor" has increased to 10%!] [True Points gained: 10,000]
For a moment, Si Yao looked at the Sun Goddess, who had been utterly taken in by the promise he'd casually made up, and found her more and more adorable.
Lena stayed at Si Yao's place for a while longer. By evening, after happily cadging a meal, she left in high spirits and returned to the Juxia.
Watching her go, Si Yao even felt a little expectant. How much of the "classified" information she'd learned here today would be "intercepted" by the Angels and Demons monitoring her, and how much unexpected profit would it bring him?
As dusk settled, Su Xiao Li was still locked inside the Mimic Training Space, sparring with the ever-obliging punching bag, Suo Dun.
Si Yao, meanwhile, went alone to the seaside in Juxia City. He walked slowly along the shore, clearing his head.
After all, the Human Civilization's orderly world before him would only last a few more days.
The Taotie forces were on their way, and Morgana's Demons would eventually descend once more.
As Si Yao walked along the coast, he ran into a familiar figure coming toward him.
Du Qiangwei.
"Si Yao?" Qiangwei looked surprised to run into him there.
Si Yao nodded. Seeing how troubled she looked, he asked, "Why aren't you on the Juxia? What are you doing here?"
Qiangwei seemed reluctant to bring it up. She hesitated for a long time, as if unsure whether she should say anything, but finally spoke. "It's... about Ge Xiaolun. Something's wrong with his wings... and none of us can do anything about it. So... I wanted to ask if you had a way to help."
Si Yao hadn't planned on getting involved in this kind of troublesome matter.
But seeing Qiangwei's rare, pleading, helpless gaze, he felt a slight stir in his heart and changed his mind.
"Go find Su Xiao Li," Si Yao said calmly. "Have her take a look at Ge Xiaolun, and the problem will be solved."
Qiangwei was taken aback. Though she didn't understand why, she didn't doubt him at all. If Si Yao said there was a way, then there definitely was.
"Okay, thank you." She nodded, relieved of a heavy burden.
At the same time, she couldn't help asking, "Did you... see anything?"
Si Yao stopped, but didn't turn around. He simply gazed toward the brightly lit Tianhe City.
"It's almost here."
"..."
The two walked side by side along the beach beneath the night sky for a while. The sea breeze carried a salty scent, and for once, the atmosphere was peaceful.
Then Lena's somewhat anxious call came through, breaking the quiet.
Qiangwei spoke briefly with Lena on the other end. It seemed something urgent had come up on the Juxia. After ending the call, she glanced at Si Yao and nodded in farewell.
The next moment, a streamlined black suit of armor quickly formed over her body. The micro-thrusters on her back propelled her into the air, and she flew off in a graceful arc toward the enormous steel silhouette far out over the sea.
Si Yao watched her leave, then continued walking along the shore alone.
He hadn't gone far when someone stepped out of the shadows beside him, looking languid and carefree, and stopped directly in his path.
"Hey, handsome. Out here all alone?"
She was a tall woman wearing a black trench coat. Her long hair fell casually around her shoulders, fluttering gently in the sea breeze. Her features were astonishingly beautiful, though her light makeup made her look much more ordinary. She had a wild, free-spirited beauty.
It was Morgana—or rather, Liang Bing, without her Queenly exterior.
Si Yao didn't stop. He simply gave a soft "Mm" and started to walk around her.
"Hey, don't be so cold." Liang Bing followed right alongside him, relentless. Her voice held a teasing, flirtatious note. "The night scenery by the sea is so beautiful. It'd be such a waste to enjoy it alone. Do me a favor and take a walk with me?"
Si Yao glanced at her but still said nothing.
Liang Bing didn't seem to mind his coldness and continued on her own. "Come to think of it, I just arrived in this place called Earth, so I don't know it very well yet. You look so trustworthy—clearly a good guy. Why not... be my tour guide?"
As she spoke, she even winked at Si Yao, deliberately turning on her charm.
Si Yao finally stopped.
He turned to look at the Demon Queen, who was trying hard to play the role of "sexy beauty who just happened to meet a handsome stranger," and felt rather speechless.
Seeing him stop, Liang Bing assumed her charms had worked and prepared to continue her act.
But Si Yao's next words left her completely dumbfounded.
"Should I call you Morgana, or... Liang Bing?"
Before you continue