After returning home, Ian selectively ignored the complaints of his wives - they were very upset about not being able to go on vacation to the universe.
We can't blame him. Who made them choose to ignore him for work? So, Ian confidently plunged into work to "escape" family disputes.
He came to the Mage Tower of the Flamel couple and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the construction of [Uranus Project]-that is, Floating City.
This is Arcane Empire's most important strategic project at present, bar none.
Once completed, Ian will truly have the trump card to deter the powerful Ninth Tier (Milky Way level). As for whether it can fight against Tenth Tier (cosmic level), it is theoretically possible, but it is only theoretical.
After arriving at the tower, Ian found that earth-shaking changes had taken place here.
All old Wandlore enchantments and Dragon Tongue Magic enchantments have been wiped clean.
Instead, there is a brand new [Core Inscription] technology. This technology packages all enchantment arrays into a separate Subspace.
Doing so will not only allow the energy to run more smoothly, but also greatly reduce the risk of the enchantment core being physically destroyed during combat.
Floating City has two Core Inscription systems:
The first core: Responsible for the daily operation and tactical control of the city. Including anti-gravity systems, defensive shields, environment and atmosphere control, faster-than-light navigation, energy distribution networks, and weapon systems.
The second core: is responsible for the complex enchantments required for cross-universe travel.
Ian and Nikolai·Flamel are mainly responsible for the construction of the second core. After several weeks of hard work day and night, this part was finally completed.
Next is the defense system.
Floating City's shield must take into account two things: it must be able to withstand enemy attacks, and it must also protect the residents of the city from the Void environment.
As we all know, Void Energy is extremely destructive, so this link is crucial.
To this end, Ian adopts double insurance:
The first layer is physical defense, a dome made of Magic Gold. This is the only metal currently known that can effectively isolate the corrosion of Void.
The second level is conceptual defense, which is [Void Shield] specially developed by Ian to deal with "Truth".
After the dual defense system was built, Ian drove the prototype Floating City into Void for a field test. After discovering and repairing several minor loopholes, the defense system was declared perfect.
Next comes the energy core.
Although Philosopher's Stone is still the main energy source, Ian knows very well that "eggs cannot be put in the same basket". The universe is so big that it is full of wonders, and there may be "no magic" rules in some areas.
Therefore, backup energy is necessary.
Using the technological reserves of the Empire, Ian created an artificial star as a secondary energy source. With [Energy Conversion Enchantment], free conversion between heat energy and magic power can be achieved.
But this still cannot satisfy Ian's persecuted paranoia-like caution. He also stuffed Floating City with a lot of messy energy systems: nuclear energy, electrical energy, tectonic energy, spiritual energy, and even Cosmic Energy.
Unfortunately, the research on Cosmic Energy has not yet been completely broken through, and the efficiency of this part is not ideal.
Finally, comes the highlight - the weapon system.
This time, Ian came to Rowena·Ravenclaw.
"How is the progress of Void Cannon?" Ian asked.
Although Floating City is equipped with technological weapons such as high-energy lasers, electromagnetic rail guns, nuclear bombs, space-based weapons, and gravity bombs, as well as magic weapons such as Fiendfyre Cannon, time bombs, Dimensional Collapse Cannon, and Elemental Riot Cannon.
But in terms of destructive power, none can compare with Void Cannon.
"The new design has encountered many bottlenecks." Rowena said with a frown.
"What's the problem?"
"Void Energy is too overbearing. After firing a few times, the barrel itself will be corroded." Rowena explained, "My previous design used Magic Gold as the shell, but when I found a way to concentrate Void Energy, Magic Gold couldn't hold it anymore."
Rowena called up a set of experimental data and continued, "I tried putting Void Energy into a Subspace and then launched it. As a result, even the Subspace itself was swallowed up by it."
Ian frowned after hearing this.
At present, Empire's space technology mainly includes two categories:
One is to use [Undetectable Extension Charm] to expand the existing space, and then peel it off or bind it to an object (such as a space ring).
The second is to use "Father's" technology to cut out an independent piece of Subspace from the space-time continuum, making it exist in the gap between reality and unreality.
But no matter which method is used, once a high concentration of Void Energy is injected, the spatial structure will collapse instantly.
"What about the research on creating new ores with Void Energy? Just like we did with Philosopher's Stone and Magic Gold." Ian asked.
"It's still in progress. Water from afar cannot quench the thirst of the nearer."
Ian's brain was running rapidly, trying to find a way to break the situation.
"What if... we directly use Void Energy to build that Subspace?" Ian suddenly had an idea.
"Huh?" Rowena was stunned for a moment, then fell into deep thought, "Void Energy contains a variety of attributes, and space-time is one of them. If we can strip away other destructive attributes and only extract the space-time attribute, it is indeed possible to use it to build an extremely stable containment space..."
"No, there is no need to peel it off." Ian interrupted her, "Use those destructive attributes to strengthen the space barrier and fight fire with fire."
With a clear direction, Rowena immediately launched a new round of design.
When Void Cannon was finally finalized, Rowena also hit the threshold for promotion to Fifth Tier and had to break through in retreat. The remaining finishing work was completed by the couple Ian and Flamel.
One year later, Arcane Calendar 41.
Uranus Project, completely completed.
Ian is suspended high in the sky, overlooking the masterpiece that belongs to him below.
The huge Floating City is divided into multiple areas according to functions:
In the center is the towering research tower group, which is the brain of wisdom. Next to it is the Golem factory area, which produces War Machine day and night. The clone factory area is next to the legion training camp, which continuously transports soldiers to the Empire. There are also fleet manufacturing areas, civilian living areas, Grand Library, etc.
The city was designed as a "civilization restarter" for the Arcane Empire.
Even if the earth is destroyed, even if Empire's homeland falls, as long as this Floating City remains, the fire of Arcanist Civilization will never go out, and it can rebuild its glory from scratch at any time.
Looking at this magnificent fortress, Ian is full of unprecedented confidence in the future interstellar Warpath.
Also excited are Nikolai·Flamel.
This old man who has lived for six hundred years has already guessed his identity - he may be just a clone or projection of a powerful existence. But he doesn't care and has never thought about rebellion.
But he has one obsession: to make something that is the achievement of the person who created Philosopher's Stone.
In his eyes, this Floating City is comparable to or even surpasses Philosopher's Stone.
"Suddenly I want to kill Herpo..."
Ian murmured to himself. With this Floating City, even if Herpo returns to its heyday, he is confident that he can crush it.
However, he quickly suppressed this idea.
"No, it's better to stick to the original plan."
Ian looked into the distance with a cold smile on his lips.
"It's time to put an end to the grudge between Him and me."
"Herpo, are you ready to receive the 'legacy' I have prepared for you?"