Zero Element's Little Money

Chapter 26: Zero Element = Small Change

Overall, energy weapons and kinetic weapons naturally have their own strengths and weaknesses; mature fleets and mature commanders would never go to extremes. However, this is at the level of space fleet combat. If the perspective shifts to within the atmosphere or even to individual soldiers, the miniaturization of energy weapons has always been one of the challenges that has plagued all civilizations in the universe. Equipping heavy war chariots with phase ion cannons is the limit of what can be achieved currently.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be great for a single soldier to have a kinetic rifle, a blast gun, and a cutting laser?

What, you're talking about the lightsabers and light spears used by Bracers and Astral Knights that can cut through battleship armor and shields? Didn't I just say? Those things, which can only be crafted using focusing crystals from the "Zero Element," are completely in the realm of alchemy. Can something that cannot be mass-produced and widely used be called a weapon? At most, they are just decorative wreaths for transcendents to adorn their status.

However, these two blast guns, salvaged from a "large blast-off ball," are energy weapons that can be used by individual soldiers. Including the barrel, they are only about two meters long, weigh no more than ten kilograms, and don't require heavy ammunition; an adult can carry them and walk. As for their power... Yu Lian had "witnessed" it "back in the day." In any case, they are perfectly capable of beating Sandfolk and their Frankenstein Tanks.

"Go, Yu Lian cheered on Uncle Karl's retreating back with all his might. If you can repair that hive missile and laser cutting ray, I'll admit you're a super tech master who embodies the essence of heaven and earth."

So, such a talent is forced to make a living in the colonial guard? If this country doesn't fall, who will?

Yu Lian mused as he reached into the pile of "blast-off balls" and pulled out a thumb-sized, pale green crystal. He held it up and examined it under the light. The light passed through the crystal, seemingly reflecting a starry pattern within.

He expressed his satisfaction and casually handed it to Ina.

"No," the young lady shook her head.

"..." Why aren't you playing by the rules?

"Judging by your expression, it's something very precious, definitely much more precious than those two big guns. What kind of relationship do we have that you'd give me such an expensive gift?" Ina continued to shake her head.

"This is a weapon..."

"Oh." The Sergeant Major accepted the item without another word. Miss Belinda, who saw this from afar, was heartbroken, but unfortunately, no one paid attention to her. Only Doctor Banks patted her shoulder comfortingly before emotionlessly signaling her to get back to work.

Why are you still not playing by the rules? Yu Lian glanced at Ina and continued, "This is a Sentience Gem, a type of spiritual gem, and also a form of 'Element Zero.' If you take it to a transcendent item laboratory of a large corporation, it can be used as the main material to craft a transcendent equipment; of course, if you know a private craftsman, that's also an option. The former will charge you a price that will make you question your life, while the latter carries the risk of being ripped off. It all depends on your choice."

"I don't have money, and I grew up in a veterans' home. I don't know anyone in the underworld (meow)." The Sergeant Major put on a proud expression, as if she were a good girl with a sense of superiority in front of you shady characters, and handed the gem back.

What's there to be proud of?

"It has another use... Sensitives can sense its vibrations and absorb the Primal Energy within to strengthen themselves. Of course, if you have some talent, you can directly activate the Star Ring of 'Star Hunter.' The end of this path is the legendary 'Starfall Hand'."

"Starfall Hand?" Ina was a little intrigued. Although she didn't know what it was, it sounded very powerful.

"Yes, it's the ninth ring of Star Hunter, and the highest realm for psionics. As the name suggests, it can shoot down stars!" This is not a metaphor but a literal meaning. This is why psionics above the seventh ring can already be considered living gods. In fact, the power of high-level psionics, if placed in a "primitive civilization" that has not yet left its home planet, would indeed be like a true god who speaks with divine authority and whose words become reality.

However, the so-called "shooting down stars" is ultimately only semi-legendary.

In the vast Galaxy, with thousands of civilizations and trillions of intelligent lives, the birth of three to five ninth-ring psionics within a millennium can be considered a "golden age" for psionics. And the peak of the "Star Hunter" path, the Starfall Hand, has not appeared for over two thousand years.

Thinking of this, Yu Lian couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He originally... no, in the future, he was caught off guard by this suddenly activated large blast-off ball. But at that time, he was already a high-ring psionic. After fighting it for three hundred rounds, he finally managed to defeat it. All the spoils of war from it, the only thing of value (to Yu Lian at that time) was this Sentience Gem. He had originally intended to give this item to that young man, the most talented young sharpshooter after the "Witch of the Scorching Eye," Ina Sirica... However, the turbulent times were so cruel; they always devoured sparks of hope that never had time to grow.

Uh, wait? That spark of hope hasn't even been born yet. Her most admired idol, the legendary "Witch of the Scorching Eye," is right in front of her.

"How do I use it?" the idol of the yet-to-be-born spark of hope asked excitedly. "It's not like I have to swallow it, right?"

"Uh, you actually can swallow it..."

"Just swallow it directly?"

I feel like I've heard this somewhere before. If I told her to first have a glass of Alliance-produced Saint Sovereign red wine, then smoke a Green Bay Torpedo, hum a melodious Miel Yang tune, dance an elegant Empire court dance, and maybe even the rousing war dances of the Wookiees and Ewoks, and finally play a game of Star Cards, it would probably be incredibly annoying, right?

Most importantly, it feels extremely ominous.

"You don't need anything, just swallow it."

Ina glanced at Yu Lian, confirmed that he wasn't joking, and then casually popped the shiny thing, which looked radioactive no matter how you looked at it, into her mouth as if she were eating candy.

"..." Although I know this is your decisive character, being too decisive will make everyone feel lost.

In short, even though it's a gem, it truly melts in your mouth and delights your taste buds when consumed by a destined Sensitive. Ina smacked her lips, seeming a little unsatisfied.

"Is that it?"

"You should feel something else soon. For example, you might feel hot, restless, feel like you're filled up, or even injected... I already said it varies from person to person. Experience it yourself, I'm very optimistic about you anyway."

Yu Lian was actually looking forward to seeing if Ina would have red, green, yellow, or black energy surge out. But this young lady merely showed a thoughtful expression, her eyes slowly became unfocused, and she entered a state of meditation, commonly known as zoning out. This made Yu Lian feel utterly bored. If it were someone else, he might have carefully observed and guarded them, but she was the "Witch of the Scorching Eye." Could she go berserk while breaking through the first ring?

Therefore, Yu Lian left Ina to digest the power and, after "many days," re-entered the familiar hall. Except for a few who stayed behind to watch the war chariots, the spoils, and Ina, everyone else hurried to follow.

Compared to the rather imposing statue at the entrance, the main body of this ruin was less conspicuous. Everyone had expected to see a grand and solemn underground palace, but it turned out to be merely a hall about twenty meters long and wide, and no more than five or six meters high. The branch hall of the Star Rose Bank in Tulon Port was more majestic than this. A starry pattern hung from the ceiling, which was the only decoration; the wall tiles on both sides were likely made of metal, bare and devoid of anything; the hall was divided into several areas, with many unknown instruments scattered around. On the front wall, there was an instrument resembling an operation console, but there were no buttons visible, nor any crude and intuitive circuit control panels.

"This is... a laboratory? Or perhaps a workshop?" However, Uncle Karl, who had just entered the hall, was stunned for a moment, and then a look of longing and reminiscence appeared on his face. He didn't understand or know how to use any of the instruments here, but as a self-taught tech master, he felt a sense of kinship for the first time, as if he had connected with his peers from countless millions of years ago.

Or perhaps, he was just reminiscing about the career he had dedicated his entire life to in his early years?

"These facilities are antiques, Youyou, don't touch them!" Yu Lian shouted loudly.

The big black Sergeant flinched and quickly retracted his hand.

"If you break one, your merit will be discounted when it's reported, and you might even be disciplined!" Yu Lian said.

"Merit? You're going to report it?" Doctor Banks asked.

"We can't take anything from here. It's better to wait until this matter is concluded, report it to the Governor's Mansion, and exchange it for some merit and bonus. The Commonwealth government has clearly priced rewards for discoverers of Enlightener ruins. Believe me, I will argue for our rights, and no one will embezzle everyone's contributions."

Everyone nodded stiffly. If Yu Lian hadn't already had considerable prestige among these people, some might have voiced their objections. Anyone with a normal IQ would know that the proceeds from handing it over to the public and selling it privately are two different things. Although none of these Guard Team Minions could find a reliable way to sell it, they couldn't help but overthink it!

There are countless stories throughout the universe about a down-on-his-luck scavenger in a remote star system who dug up an Enlightener relic while digging for mud on an asteroid, sold it to a kind passing collector, and thus reached the pinnacle of his life.

The reality of human nature! Yu Lian thought. However, precisely because it is real, there is nothing to be disappointed about. Besides, he was already prepared.

Thus, under everyone's gaze, Yu Lian walked directly to the central console, reached behind it, and picked up a box. He opened it, and the silver light that immediately bloomed attracted everyone's attention. Yu Lian took the opportunity to reach into a gap in the console and slip a small chip into his pocket.

His movements were quick and subtle; even the nurse who had been secretly watching him didn't notice.

"This is Nether Silver, also known as Mithril. It's a type of active metal," Yu Lian explained to everyone.

The Alliance explorer named Nether was the discoverer of this substance, but the term from mythology was the best choice for naming it.

"Of course, it's also a form of Zero Element!"

Everyone's breathing immediately grew heavy.

They had no idea how much Element Zero existed in the universe, nor its various forms and uses, but the simple common knowledge that "Element Zero equals money, lots and lots of money" was certainly something they knew.

Speaking of which, if I named one of the heroines Lucy Belencaster or Lucy Lingge, would old readers consider it a point of disgust?