No sooner had Beaufort hung up than another call came in.
It's Gopher Raquel.
Ten minutes later, after reporting his work, Raquel transferred 7,000 credits to Lancelot's account, the culmination of his work over the past few months.
Lancelot was quite satisfied with this senior and subordinate. He was easy to work with, brought considerable benefits, and was easy to use. If possible, he would mentor him more in the future.
I still have over 16,000 credits left, and I used nearly 1,000 of them at Totem World.
It's time to upgrade the Steel Feather Cloak.
And then there's Professor Sugela; I promised to go to the Steel Refining Academy for an academic conference together, and I can't go back on my word.
"Why are you back? And why are you in such a rush?"
With a sigh, Lancelot ate a meal prepared by his long-awaited robot butler, Christine, before leaving the villa and heading to the research institute.
Walking through the metal corridor, he occasionally brushed past familiar researchers. These people, who seemed aloof and mysterious to outsiders, were quite enthusiastic towards Lancelot, greeting him one after another.
We finally arrived at Professor Sugela ' laboratory. After iris verification, the mechanical valve was opened.
Sugela was engrossed in his experiment, wearing a mechanical device on his ear to enhance brain activity. This device acted as a natural soundproof wall, so much so that the old man didn't even notice Lancelot's arrival.
Lancelot didn't bother them and started tidying up the now very messy laboratory on his own.
The teacher wasn't a meticulous person; perhaps everyone has flaws. While gaining something, you also lose something else.
In this light, the price that Sugela paid was relatively minor.
After Lancelot finished tidying up the laboratory, Professor Sugela also completed the experiment. Upon seeing his most admired disciple, the old man, though he didn't say it, showed a deep joy in his eyes.
"Was it all right this time?" Sugela asked with a smile as he took the strong coffee the student handed him.
Lancelot stretched, a faint cracking sound echoing in his ears. "Not bad, I've made some progress."
"You didn't encounter any danger?"
"Dangers all avoid me," Lancelot grinned, having no intention of telling the old man about his harrowing experience.
Sugela probably believed him, because he didn't ask any more questions.
"You're back just in time. The academic seminar of the Divine Research Institute of the Steel Refining Academy is on May 14th. It will last for three days. You'll come with me."
May 14th in the Alliance calendar, seven days later.
Lancelot calculated the time and readily replied, "No problem."
Scientists seem to have a strong sense of time, at least Professor Sugela did. Despite not seeing him for several months, he showed no interest in chatting with Lancelot and had to get back to work after only a few words.
Seeing this, Lancelot quickly asked, "Teacher, do you have any alchemists among your friends who are skilled at forging Transcendent equipment?"
Sugela paused for a moment, then thought for a moment, "You have equipment to forge? Go find White; he knows a lot of people who are skilled in this field."
"Okay." Lancelot was just doing a preliminary check, and after getting the teacher's permission, he left the lab directly.
"Equipment forging?"
The large, fat man White, slowly stood up amidst the groaning of the chair as it sagged under his weight. "What type of equipment is it? Can I take a look at it first?"
Lancelot nodded and waved his hand. Hundreds of fish-scale-like metal plates flew out from his waist. Due to the repeated battles he had fought alongside, the equipment was severely damaged. The runes on many of the metal plates had been worn away, and some of them had almost turned into scrap metal, blackened and rotten. All of this had been corroded by the fire attacks of that Kaila People.
"It seems your experience on Planet Golden Bridge was quite exciting."
White looked at the nearly ruined Steel Feather Cloak and whistled carelessly.
"I almost died several times," Lancelot shrugged.
"The Alliance's valiant warriors deserve the best logistical support." White patted his belly, causing a wave of flesh to surge.
"How many credits have you prepared?" White asked, wanting to understand Lancelot's resources in order to determine the most cost-effective candidate.
"16,000 credits, and materials worth 7,000 credits. Here's the materials list." Lancelot said, handing over the communicator in his hand.
"Let me see!" White took the communicator and flipped through the pages with his thick, carrot-like fingers. After about a minute, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Not bad. Looks like you've had a great time on Planet Golden Bridge."
"You should understand that there aren't enough credits to go around."
"That's true!" White tossed the communicator back. "With the resources you provided, I'm confident I can hire an alchemy master, although he's only at the initial stage, but he happens to be very skilled in forging metal weapons."
"Can the Steel Feather Cloak be upgraded to a three-star Legend?"
Generally speaking, the most common three-star Legend equipment is worth between 10,000 and 50,000 credits.
If you hire someone to forge it, the cost will be greatly reduced, but the prerequisite is that you can access the relevant connections.
"Legend quality from Samsung..." White frowned and pondered for a moment, "I can't guarantee it will work, but the success rate is at least over 60%."
Lancelot knew that the probability was already quite high, and even if it didn't reach Legend quality, a three-star Rare would be enough for him to use at this stage.
"I owe you one!" Lancelot said as he transferred the credits.
"You're welcome!" White replied casually, picked up the communicator on the table, and dialed a number.
A few minutes later, White hung up the phone.
"That master happens to have time; if all goes well, you'll receive your new equipment in ten days."
Beaufort's operation took place half a month later. During this period, Lancelot had no combat missions, and his Steel Feather Cloak was already almost ruined, so its enhancement to combat power was very limited, making little difference between having it and not having it.
"This is troublesome!" Lancelot patted White on the shoulder.
He didn't bother to investigate the alchemist behind White, which was very impolite, because that was White's connection, not his.
His connection is White, which is important.
Personal connections are the embodiment of interpersonal relationships, and interpersonal relationships inevitably involve everyone's taboos. If you misjudge and step into someone else's taboo, it can lead to a break at best, and an enmity at worst.
After leaving behind the materials, equipment, academic credits, and some specialty drinks from Planet Golden Bridge, Lancelot took his leave.
In the following days, he returned to the normal life that Holy Sword student should lead.
Classes, exercise—every day is a repetitive cycle between three points: the classroom, the villa, and the research institute.
Three days later, Ms. Saila returned the successfully promoted Insect King, Molecular Aggregation Insect that had reached the Immortal level. Its overall performance had more than doubled, and when it entered a camouflage state, it could even deceive some Legendary life forms that were not good at perception at close range.
The swarm's ability to devour energy has also been greatly enhanced, which undoubtedly further strengthens Lancelot's survivability.
Four days later, a dozen professors from the Holy Sword Academy Research Institute, escorted by several Sanctuary experts, headed to the Steel Refining Academy. These experts were all highly authoritative figures in the field of biology.
As the Alliance's research base, the Steel Refining Academy has an extremely futuristic and sci-fi style, with high-tech features almost everywhere.
The students of the Steel Refining Academy are also different from those of the Holy Sword.
The latter are often more serious, especially the older students. If you are not familiar with them, you can easily be intimidated by the solemn atmosphere surrounding them.
Steel Refinement, on the other hand, has a more relaxed and lively atmosphere where students' personalities are fully expressed, and strange costumes and outfits can be seen everywhere, as if a massive cosplay event is being held in a futuristic city.
However, these students should not be underestimated because of this; their research achievements are an important force driving the Alliance's technological progress.
To protect them, the Alliance specifically built three military bases near the academy, each garrisoned by a Demigod. The bases themselves are also war fortresses, with formidable armed forces sufficient to suppress top-tier powerhouses at the High-Rank Demigod.
Wearing sunglasses, Lancelot bid farewell to his teacher and strolled around the Steel Refining Academy.
He encountered many people who recognized him on the way, and some girls even asked to take photos with Lancelot.
"Unfortunately, there are too many classified places; they won't even let us in. Otherwise, we could have gotten a feel for the Alliance."
As the evening breeze blew by, Lancelot crossed his arms and looked helplessly at the building in front of him, where the words "Information Technology Innovation Center" came into view.
However, due to insufficient permissions, he was unable to access it.
As soon as he got close, he was locked onto by more than ten energy weapons. The deadly threat made him certain that even Legendary expert would be reduced to dust if targeted by a single barrage of fire.
"Never mind, let's do it later."
With his hands behind his head, Lancelot turned and left leisurely.
The next day.
After overcoming numerous obstacles, the group from the Holy Sword Academy arrived at the underground Divine Research Institute.
The seminar was held in an extremely spacious meeting hall, and the host was an old man with a withered appearance who looked like he didn't have much time left, wearing a white lab coat.
Professor Bai Ge'er, the Alliance's top scientist, enjoys the highest level 20 stipend. According to his teacher Sugela, he is a great and insane genius.
It was he who led the team to develop the [Divine Control Chip], successfully realizing the dehumanization of gods. It was also he who facilitated the birth of the first artificial divinity, making the entire Alliance's top leadership cheer with joy. It was also he who, imitating the model of the Northern Spirit Empire, promoted the [Divine Apostle] project, making it possible for the Alliance to quickly and mass-produce Transcendent powerhouses.
Such a person seems to deserve all the praise he could receive.
Because once his research is fully completed, the Crimson Alliance will truly rise to prominence.
However, Lancelot, sitting in the audience, knew that this research was doomed to failure, with absolutely no chance of success.
Because gods cannot be controlled by mortals. Bai Ge'er and the Alliance simply do not understand the greatness of the gods. Those who rashly peek into the Divine Realm will inevitably be devoured by the power of the gods.
Perhaps the Alliance has some trump cards he doesn't know about, but facing a self-aware god, even if the other party is just a false god, it's still enough for ignorant humans to pay the price.
Logo once encountered Divine Apostle during Martial Arts Tournament and left behind a seed, which was to prepare for the divine backlash against the Alliance.
Watching the nearly frenzied, gesticulating Bai Ge'er on stage, Lancelot seemed to foresee the end of this top scientist.
In fact, the first time he met this person, he warned him to be careful of the backlash from the gods.
Lancelot also had deep feelings for the Crimson Alliance, and if he could, he wouldn't want the Alliance to pay a huge price for this failed plan.
Unfortunately, Lancelot's well-intentioned reminder was ignored by Bai Ge'er, who didn't even say a word, only leaving a seemingly gentle but actually contemptuous look before brushing past Lancelot.
Recalling the scene just now, Lancelot shook his head helplessly.
Sugela turned to his student, "Are you still angry about what happened earlier?"
"No!"
"I am worried about the Fate of the Alliance. The price of peeking at the gods may be unprecedentedly terrible," Lancelot sighed.
"I understand what you're saying, and you're not the only scientist with this idea, but it's useless. Do you know why?"
Before Lancelot could speak, Sugela answered on his own, "Because, it's not allowed from above."
"Those old folks whose lifespans are nearing their end, who lack Transcendent talent, and who are too afraid to use gene-enhancing drugs, crave the power of the gods more than anyone else."
"Divine Apostle?" Lancelot suddenly realized. "So that's how it is! By God of Faith, one receives Divine Power power and becomes Transcendent being, thus extending one's lifespan!"
"No wonder, no wonder so many people oppose this plan, yet it's still being forcefully pushed forward!"
At that moment, after his teacher's guidance, Lancelot finally understood.
It turns out that it wasn't the Alliance that was foolish, but rather human greed and selfishness, as well as the fear of death.
The Crimson Alliance is Federation state ruled by humans and Blood Clan.
The latter have no worries about lifespan; even the most ordinary Blood Clan can live for thousands of years by drinking fresh blood.
However, human lifespan is finite.
Even with genetic modification, lifespan remains short.
However, the Alliance's higher-ups consist of a large number of ordinary humans.
After all, in a technologically advanced civilization, the most important quality for the top leadership is management ability, while individual combat strength is secondary.
But can these ordinary people in high positions easily relinquish the sweetness and fragrance of power?
Cannot!
Therefore, they went to great lengths to prolong their lives.
The Divine Research Institute was born under these circumstances.
What kind of mass-produced Transcendent combat power?
It's just an excuse used to appeal to outsiders.
The real purpose is to prolong the lives of these high-ranking humans.
That's why other countries haven't taken action against this plan.
Because the leaders of various countries have long understood everything.
They're even waiting for the Alliance to play with fire and get burned.
Damn it!!!
Lancelot clenched his fists, feeling incredibly angry that the entire Alliance had been put in danger because of the selfish desires of a small group of people.