114. Method 112

The Book of Thresholds is known to possess the most stable and comprehensive portal artifacts.

The thick pages contain numerous portal marks from Demacia, Noxus, Shurima, Ionia, and Freljord.

In this scenario, by simply navigating the Monolith Core to perform calculations and write code, Yuan Chen can, to a certain extent, apply a portion of the portal's effects to the Hexgates.

It doesn't require damaging the pages of the Book of Thresholds itself; instead, it uses the Book of Thresholds as a prototype for new branching pathways.

"Highly feasible!" Jayce said excitedly, "However, we need to rewrite the energy circuit. With the current power supply suppressor... oh right! We need more modules!"

Jayce slapped his forehead excitedly, even temporarily forgetting his previous unpleasantness with Yuan Chen. His face was full of the excitement a researcher should have, and he said:

"We can build more flying gate coordinate towers on the existing foundation!"

"This is what the future job will be like."

Upon hearing Jayce's words, Yuan Chen shook his head. Just as he was about to leave, a sudden flash of lightning caught his eye.

It was a huge cable, but the connectors were clearly damaged, causing some energy to leak out.

"This was... intentional?"

"Intentionally?" Upon hearing this, Jayce was slightly taken aback. He looked in the direction Yuan Chen was pointing and immediately saw the cable with flickering electric arcs.

Jayce's face showed a hint of helplessness as he said, "Who did this on purpose...? This is Hex Crystal cable, just an older one. The purification process wasn't as advanced back then."

Why not replace it?

"It's expensive." Jayce shrugged, saying it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Hex Crystal, refined from raw stone, is almost as valuable as gold. Although the purification process at the time limited the outer shell, causing excessive energy fluctuations, reinforcing the outer shell was more appropriate than replacing the entire crystal core."

"Be careful not to touch it, it's dangerous for a mage... Just leave it there and don't move it, the Ferros Family's maintenance crew will be here soon."

In this day and age, the Ferros Family has long since lost its monopoly on Hex Crystal —but that's all it is, they've only lost their monopoly.

Whether in terms of purification or technological application, the Ferros Family ranks first among the four major families. This can be seen from the relationship between Jayce and Reggie Ferros.

Even for repairmen, if it's anything related to Hex Crystal, you can't go wrong with the Ferros Family.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen stared at the cable for a moment, then, under Jayce's puzzled gaze, he reached out his palm and placed it on the damaged area of the cable without hesitation.

Upon seeing this, Jayce's expression changed drastically. It should be understood that while the cable might appear harmless, at most flashing with a few arcs of electricity, in reality, any contact with it would cause a violent reaction due to the large amount of magical energy stored within the Hex Crystal.

Just as a regular mage might lose their Spellcasting ability for a short time due to a magical backlash when casting a reconnaissance spell, the riot caused by Hex Crystal could even leave lifelong aftereffects, such as mana blockage, longer casting times, and so on.

But before Jayce could say anything, Shimmer emanated from Yuan Chen's palm.

A moment later, the cable, which had been flickering with electric arcs, quickly stabilized. Through the notch in the cable's outer casing, Jayce could even confirm that the energy transmission speed within it had accelerated while stabilizing.

"What... did you do?"

Arriving beside Yuan Chen, Jayce stared in disbelief. Qiyana, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes thoughtfully after witnessing this scene, then asked:

"Temperance?"

"... Um."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen nodded and raised his palm again. There were now many tiny grains of sand and iron filings in his palm.

These iron filings together might only weigh a little over ten grams, which is negligible compared to the entire cable. However, these impurities caused a serious disruption to the cable's energy flow.

Although it may seem like a small amount, even this slight increase in the precipitation of impurities represents a breakthrough in Hextech Gemstone refining technology.

These impurities are like small bone fragments in a human knee; although small, they can directly affect the extension of the entire knee joint, causing a decrease in the energy rate of the entire cable.

Yuan Chen casually tossed the iron filings into a nearby trash can and glanced at his palm. For an ordinary person, their palm would have suffered at least moderate burns.

However, this intense heat and high temperature were only to a manageable degree for Yuan Chen —under the Dragon Blood Enhancement, Yuan Chen's palms only turned slightly pink.

After a moment of silence, Yuan Chen nodded thoughtfully.

Although it was just an experiment, it proved that the power of Temperance had a wider range of applications than Yuan Chen had imagined.

Purification, healing, harmony, balance... these are the effects of Upright Temperance.

It is also the only part that was not contaminated by Oshirresh.

With this in mind, Yuan Chen nodded to Jayce beside him and said, "Let's end our discussion here for today. As for future cooperation, I will have detailed discussions with Camille... and with the Ferros Family."

Upon hearing this, although he still had some doubts, Jayce nodded and instructed the apprentice craftsman beside him to see the guest out.

As she left, Qiyana glanced back at Jayce's weapon workshop from inside the car, then looked at Yuan Chen.

"You value that so-called Hexgates a lot?"

"Hmm." Yuan Chen nodded and said, "A major technology that can change the landscape of Runeterra. Once its development is complete, Piltover will become a true world port."

Upon hearing this, Qiyana narrowed her eyes, then said decisively, "Then why not just take it? With Ixialia's power, it won't be difficult."

Faced with Qiyana's assertiveness and trust in his words, Yuan Chen was somewhat moved, but still said, "It's not that easy."

"How so?"

"Ixialia is not a monolithic entity." Yuan Chen shook his head.

"Ixialia's isolation lasted for over three thousand years. During this time, even though scholars were able to maintain overall progress through internal debate, it inevitably gave rise to conservatives."

"Your nine sisters are not dead, especially Sane, Noda, and the other top five Alai sisters, they are all waiting for you to make a mistake."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Qiyana's eyes twitched slightly.

"They... are really in the way."

"Don't make it sound so dangerous." Hearing Qiyana's words, Yuan Chen knew very well that this girl was once again unable to suppress her dissatisfaction with her older sisters.

Although Ixialia be on the surface stable and improving, many problems will follow with the opening of the country.

During the long three thousand years of isolation, the conservative forces within Ixialia had become deeply entrenched and influenced everyone... Even the most radical Yuentar only learned about the Outside World after experiencing the Vidalion Loom.

In this situation, the common people of Ixialia knew nothing about the outside world.

The founding of a nation is a gradual process, just like it is now, with reforms... or rather, the founding faction is engaged in a fierce debate with the conservatives, while the neutrals remain on the sidelines.

Because they did not believe that Alai, who had not yet become the King Yuen and was merely qualified to inherit the throne, could bear the fate of an empire.

This cannot be swayed by a few words of speech; anyone who challenges tradition often ends up in a miserable state.

The reason why Yuan Chen and Qiyana wanted to leave Ixialia was also because the debate between the reformers and the conservatives had reached a stalemate, and neither side could convince the other.

Yuan Chen could gain the trust of the Ixialia being identified as Ionia. However, Ionia is special, naturally separated from the Valoran Continent and Shurima by vast oceans.

Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish, not to mention that Piltover itself is filled with the shadow of Noxus... It hasn't even opened its borders yet, it's just an attempt at cultural exchange with the outside world, and it has already triggered a war.

King Yuen always believed that contact with outsiders would bring disease, chaos, and war.

It's still with Noxus, the largest country in Valoran.

Regardless of what King Yuen thinks, Qiyana's sisters, the traditional nobles of Ixialia, the conservatives of Yuentar, and the neutrals who are unsure of what to do will all seize this opportunity and make their choices.

Qiyana currently appears to be the most likely heir to the throne of King Yuen, enjoying great success and popularity.

However, Qiyana, who is extremely conservative, Ixialia assertive, competitive, and conspicuous, did not gain everyone's approval.

Leaving aside the staunch conservatives and the hesitant neutrals, even the masters within the reformist faction had their reservations about Qiyana's personality.

They hoped to open their country, promote exchanges with the outside world, and advance their own culture. However, this did not mean they would endorse Qiyana's domineering style...

In a sense, with her abilities, ambition, ruthlessness, and cold-bloodedness... Noxus is the place that truly suits Qiyana.

"You can't make mistakes, and you especially can't make mistakes for me," Yuan Chen said calmly. "Countless eyes are watching."

"Qiyana won't make mistakes!" Qiyana, driven by her stubbornness, was clearly unwilling to accept this.

"It's not just you."

Yuan Chen looked down at the city of Zaun beneath the Piltover Arch.

"I can't... force and violence can solve problems, but they can't solve the root of the problem."

"That's just because they're not strong enough!" Qiyana disagreed.

After a moment of silence, Yuan Chen said:

"You're right. But if we only consider power, brutality, and authority, then the ruler of this world wouldn't be you, but Uzul."