Spirit Energy Bomb

Back in the studio, Qin Ye began testing the power of the Spirit Energy Bomb.

After placing it on the workbench, the four mechanical arms at the corners of the table automatically began operating according to their programmed settings, rapidly moving around the Spirit Energy Bomb crystal.

The virtual screen hovering in the upper-right corner appeared, displaying fluctuating energy-intensity readings.

According to the energy feedback data, the Spirit Energy Bomb's power rating was only 10.92, far from the tremendous power the Green Spirit Clan merchant had described.

However, an initial test was not enough to prove anything. He immediately took the Spirit Energy Bomb out and headed for the hazardous-materials disposal facility in D Zone.

After entering the sealed room through identity verification, he placed the Spirit Energy Bomb in the center of the disposal chamber, then went to the partitioned area and observed its explosive power through the transparent glass.

When he pressed the green rune in his hand, the energy shield inside the disposal chamber activated, and dazzling white light instantly obscured his vision.

Boom!

After the ground shook briefly, everything fell silent.

Data on the energy fluctuations produced by the explosion appeared on the transparent glass of the disposal chamber, displaying a value of 1,228.

Its power had increased more than a hundredfold compared with the initial test.

This discovery immediately excited Qin Ye.

When he had bought it, the Green Spirit Clan merchant had said that making Spirit Energy Bombs was extremely simple. As long as one mastered the production technique, one could use Energy Crystals to make a Spirit Energy Bomb in a short time whenever necessary on the battlefield.

In recent years, more and more alien forces had descended, among them no shortage of unfriendly invading forces.

This kind of technology, which could be used in actual combat, was exactly what he needed.

Qin Ye immediately left the disposal chamber and found the Green Spirit Clan merchant, who was still setting up a stall and selling various items.

When he said that he wanted to buy the technology, the Green Spirit Clan merchant held up one finger. A shrill voice came from the translator hanging around his neck:

"100,000 Earth Coins."

"Why don't you just rob me?"

"Given our relationship, I can give you a thirty percent discount when you buy Spirit Energy Bombs, but buying the technology is a different matter. Charging you 100,000 Earth Coins for this technology isn't expensive. I know you have the authority to handle technology purchases under one million. This amount of money is no problem for you at all."

"How do you know my technology procurement limit?" Qin Ye immediately widened his eyes.

The Green Spirit Clan merchant seemed to realize that he had said something he shouldn't have and immediately chose to keep his mouth shut.

"Have you planted spies inside the Human Federation?" Qin Ye continued probing.

"Absolutely impossible. My Green Spirit Clan is on good terms with humanity. This is intelligence we bought outside."

"Where did you buy it?"

"No comment. Our Green Spirit Clan values honesty above all else... So, are you still buying this technology?"

Realizing that he could not get any useful information from the Green Spirit Clan merchant, Qin Ye stopped pressing him and nodded.

"I'll buy it, but the price has to come down."

After some haggling, Qin Ye ultimately bought the technology for making Spirit Energy Bombs for 70,000 Earth Coins.

After returning to the studio with the green information sphere containing the sealed technology, Qin Ye eagerly began his testing experiment.

The production technique was actually very simple. He only needed to use consciousness inscription to alter the internal structure of the Spirit Energy Bomb, then leave behind a strand of consciousness as the explosive fuse.

However, Qin Ye soon encountered a difficult problem during testing.

He used the Consciousness Amplifier during the consciousness-inscription process, but halfway through, he became dizzy and could not continue.

"Damn it!"

Qin Ye suddenly realized a major problem.

The Green Spirit Clan could make Spirit Energy Bombs with ease, but humans' mental strength might not be enough to do the same.

This technology looked simple and practical, but it was limited to assembly-line production in military factories. Human soldiers could not casually create Spirit Energy Bombs through consciousness inscription the way the Green Spirit Clan could.

Qin Ye's expression immediately turned bitter.

The 70,000 Earth Coins had already been spent. There was absolutely no possibility of getting a refund.

At this point, he had two choices: use his own savings to make up for the procurement mistake, or submit a procurement report to his superiors explaining his error.

When it came to choosing, Qin Ye decisively chose to use his own savings to cover the shortfall in the purchase funds.

If a problem could be solved with money, he would never trouble his superiors.

His family had not given him much support in his career. The only thing he did not need to worry about was not having enough money to spend.

Sitting dejectedly in the studio, Qin Ye sighed.

In his eyes, this Spirit Energy Bomb technology was completely useless, far less practical than he had imagined.

For assembly-line production, the Human Federation had better options.

He glanced up at the time hanging on the wall. Realizing that the resurrection cooldown had ended, he immediately stood and walked toward the game pod.

Just then, a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind.

The Dark Land created by the Moon Eclipse Clan was a game with one-hundred-percent realism. In theory, the spirit-energy materials inside should be no different from those in reality. The problem of humanity's weak mental strength would not be a problem in the game.

That was because monster forms could significantly increase his mental strength.

For example, Bone Fire and the Eagle Head Demon were both monster forms with mental strength several times greater than that of humans.

So, could this technology be applied to the game?

"I'll give it a try!"

With an idea in mind, Qin Ye immediately decided to enter the game and conduct a practical test.

After logging into the game, he appeared at the resurrection point in Emperor's Tomb Village. Qin Ye glanced at his balance, which showed that he still had 232 points of Sacrificial Power.

Of those, 200 points of Sacrificial Power had been purchased with Credit Coins.

He summoned the shop interface and began searching for Energy Stones.

After entering the three characters for "Energy Stone" in the search bar, the page automatically switched to the relevant product page.

After comparing them, Qin Ye chose the cheapest Level 1 Energy Stone as his test item. Each one cost 30 points of Sacrificial Power, and he bought five at once.

After the purchase succeeded, the products automatically entered the private-space inventory.

Taking one out, Qin Ye found an uninhabited open area in Emperor's Tomb Village and began testing.

The inscription process required the infusion of powerful mental strength. His human form clearly could not accomplish this, so he decisively switched to the Eagle Head Demon form.

He extended his consciousness outside his body, and under his perception, the particle structure inside the spirit stone became clearly visible.

Following the energy-particle arrangement provided by the Green Spirit Clan, he rearranged the structure.

Several minutes later.

Boom!

Accompanied by a deafening explosion, the unstable structure caused the Level 1 spirit stone to rupture instantly. Qin Ye's vision went black, and a game notification appeared in his mind:

[Challenger Notice: You have entered the death resurrection cooldown!]

[Challenger Notice: Damage was inflicted on the environment of Emperor's Tomb Village. 13 points of Sacrificial Power have been automatically deducted for the required repairs.]

Qin Ye: ...

Watching the gradually darkening screen, Qin Ye's resentment toward the resurrection-cooldown setting erupted once more.

After finally waiting for the cooldown to end, he had been forcibly logged out less than five minutes after entering the game.

"Damn the Moon Eclipse Clan! What a lousy game!"

While cursing inwardly, Qin Ye looked forward to his next login even more.

Because he had confirmed his suspicion.

The game Dark Land really could perfectly simulate reality. The Green Spirit Clan's Spirit Energy Bomb technology could indeed be applied in the game.

As for this accidental explosion, it was purely the result of his insufficient proficiency. He could improve it in the future.

(End of Chapter)