124 Invitation

Unaware of Noxus's plot against Ixialia, Yuan Chen began his final arrangements regarding Piltover and Zaun after taking the Dark Descendant weapon.

And so, Yuan Chen has now arrived at a secluded alleyway located in the middle level of Zaun Square.

This place is sparsely populated, situated on the edge of the dense fog of Spark Alley. A few steps further ahead, one would encounter highly toxic alchemical fumes. Naturally, the houses built here are rarely visited.

And it was this old house located in Spark Alley that Yuan Chen came to invite.

The house wasn't very big, and its style wasn't particularly outstanding. The place in front of the house felt rather ordinary.

After knocking on the door and waiting a moment, a slightly hoarse and heavy voice came from inside. "Who is it? What's the matter?"

"A scholar from Ixialia," Yuan Chen said calmly. "I'm planning to establish a workshop, but I lack a manager with sufficient ability and wisdom. I've heard there's an outstanding Hextech craftsman here, so I intend to hire you."

"You can leave now. I will never set foot in Piltover again."

"The workshop is located in Zaun."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, the man in the room seemed to fall silent as well.

It doesn't make a difference. After all, given the environment of Zaun, it's impossible for a normal person to come here to conduct scientific research.

The Chem-Baron was terrified that the guys from Piltover would infringe on his interests.

Therefore, apart from necessary collaborations, such as alchemy workshops or Hextech Gemstone refining that can generate considerable benefits, Piltover Enforcers are unable to effectively enforce the law even if they witness criminals entering Zaun.

The Zaun are happy to see criminals wreak havoc in Piltover. For them, seeing Piltover arrogant Upper City dwellers get their comeuppance is the greatest joy of the day, given their bitter lives.

The Chem-Baron also believed this was the best way to maintain Zaun's independence... since it wouldn't harm their interests anyway.

A series of gear-gear-like sounds came from behind the finely crafted iron gate, but it did not open. Inside, Viktor, through a silver dial and an iris lens, saw the street scene.

This device adjusts the light path using a set of reflecting lenses. Although it sounds simple, Viktor's modifications have given it a 360-degree field-of-view visual effect.

Seeing Yuan Chen standing calmly at the door, Viktor remained silent for a moment before shaking his head.

"Go back. I don't intend to accept any employment from anyone."

"You need energy," Yuan Chen said calmly. "Those Chem-Baron can give you money, but they can't give you enough resources. Even a highly concentrated alchemical solution is far inferior in quality to a Hextech Gemstone Crystal that has been refined through a special process."

"You need high-purity Hex Crystal, like the one Jayce had back then."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Viktor also fell silent.

Just as Yuan Chen said, his research progress has always been limited by the supply of energy.

While Zaun's alchemical solution can barely serve as an energy source, this man-made concoction is far inferior in quality to naturally formed energy crystals— Hex Crystal.

Even with the best possible improvements in technology and materials, Viktor was still unable to take that crucial step due to the lack of energy.

But after a long silence, Viktor still shook his head and said:

"I don't know how you found me... but give up, I have no interest in what you're saying, and I won't work for anyone."

Yuan Chen was not surprised by Viktor's words.

In Piltover's view, Jayce saved people's future and was called the Guardian of the Future.

However, in Viktor's view, Jayce's reckless destruction of the Crystal Central, which led to the deaths of those who could have been saved, precisely proved the inherent negative role of emotions in Viktor's Glorious Evolution.

To this end, Viktor had a large number of nerve glands in his body removed that caused mood swings.

This signifies that Viktor will steadfastly uphold his beliefs, and also that Viktor will be unbelievably stubborn in certain aspects...

Just like now, Yuan Chen could clearly provide the resources and energy that he desperately needed. However, considering that this might affect his own beliefs, Viktor still chose to refuse.

That's understandable... After all, after undergoing mechanical transformation, Viktor's lifespan is no longer limited by physiological limits. Just like Camille, Viktor can extend his lifespan in a similar way.

Considering that both individuals are experiencing a continuous decrease in biological tissue and a continuous increase in mechanical tissue, it is foreseeable that in the future, the combined biological tissue of both of them might not even be enough to cook a single dish.

Without the limitation of lifespan, the negative effects of temporary resource shortages were far less significant for Viktor than the infringement upon his ideals.

For someone whose heart is sealed by cement, simple communication is unlikely to be effective.

So Yuan Chen simply opened his palm.

Inside the house, just as Viktor turned to continue what he was doing, suddenly, accompanied by intense heat, the originally sealed iron door was easily slashed open by two red-hot sword blades.

The heavy iron gate failed to demonstrate its sturdiness; instead, it felt like a hot knife cutting through butter, quickly creating a large hole large enough for one person to pass through.

Entering the area, Yuan Chen controlled the Flying Dagger to restore the severed parts to their original positions. He then looked at Viktor, shrugging helplessly, and said:

"I originally intended to reason with you and appeal to your emotions. But such reasoning and appeals are probably useless against someone as hard-hearted as you... What are you doing?"

"A new round of enhanced testing."

Viktor spoke calmly, looking at Yuan Chen, his slightly pale face showing a hint of helplessness. "You don't seem like an unreasonable person, but healthy people always let their emotions override their reason... Your breaking in is the best proof of that."

"Aren't you angry?"

Looking at Viktor, Yuan Chen raised an eyebrow. "Or perhaps some kind of dissatisfaction?"

"Yes, but not much. These emotions are necessary, but only necessary, so I removed most of them to prevent them from affecting my sanity."

As he spoke, a third hand behind Viktor released a blazing light. It wasn't aimed at Yuan Chen, but rather it welded the cut iron door back together.

"Please leave, or I will use the necessary force."

Even threats uttered by Viktor sounded weak and powerless.

Without a god-like perspective, it's hard to connect such a gentle person with the perverted character in the game who just fires a laser and then sits there "hehehehe".