Spinal Hub

Su Ming turned around and carefully examined the mechanic girl in front of him. Her complexion was much healthier than when they last parted. "You seem to be in good spirits. Have you controlled the problem with that alchemical component in your body?"

Zijin had already discovered her deception, knowing that she wasn't truly "soul-sealed by Yexiya," but rather that the alchemical components on her back had been repeatedly damaged by Yexiya during battle, causing them to break down and go out of control.

"The Spinal Hub component on my back has stabilized for now and hasn't deteriorated further." Beianqi's expression dimmed slightly. "But the top alchemists among the dwarves are helpless. They all say that the Spinal Hub structure is unprecedented and is densely intertwined with my spinal nerves, making it impossible to safely remove without causing serious damage."

The girl raised her hand and gently touched the necklace around her neck, whose design had been changed. "So now, I still need to rely on ' Zuyi's Blessing ' to continue repairing the damage to my body."

A hint of apology appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, this is such a valuable item; I was hoping to return it to you this time."

"The necklace isn't a problem." Su Ming frowned. "Even the dwarves' top alchemists can't solve it?"

"The ' Spinal Hub ' is the culmination of my teacher Howard's life's work," Beianqi explained. "Originally, my teacher designed it so that I could directly establish neural connections and control complex mecha combat units, greatly improving combat efficiency."

Huo De'er, an alchemist, also known as Bronze Swan Goose, was involved in the technical aspects of Zijin's birth. The permanent magic circle "Omniscient Vision" engraved on the scholar's eyes was also his design.

Beianqi's voice lowered, "But after the teacher's unexpected death, the detailed design drawings for this device were not completely preserved. And in this world, in the field of human alchemy and modification, as far as I know, there are only two people who can come close to the teacher's level."

"Which two?" Su Ming pressed.

"The first one is ' The Grand Puppeteer ' Bulenleifu. Although he has a terrible reputation, he is indeed a recognized authority in neural connections and human alchemy."

Upon hearing this, Su Ming sighed helplessly, "This one—has already been sent by your sister to see your teacher."

"What?!" Beianqi was shocked at first, then angrily lunged at Qiluo, pretending to grab her neck and shaking her. "Sister! Why did you kill her?! And didn't you claim you couldn't fight?! Such a Grand Puppeteer, how could you just send her away?!"

"Cough, I never intended to kill him," Qiluo explained somewhat awkwardly, her mane flying from the shaking. "I just accidentally annihilated his main soul through the fragment of his soul. And—" she curled her lip, a hint of disdain in her voice, "That kind of scum who leaves behind so much karma and debt is useless to ask for help from; you might even end up being controlled by him!"

****

"Who is the second one?" Su Ming continued to ask.

"That's even less hopeful." Beianqi released Qiluo and shook her head dejectedly. "The chief alchemist of the Temple of Light, known as the ' Fate Manipulator,' is said to have an eccentric temper, be arrogant, and spend most of his time in the most central sacred domain of the Radiant Holy City."

"A mechanic like me from the countryside, if I went there, I probably wouldn't even know which way the gates of the Sanctuary face, let alone see them."

After she finished speaking, she noticed that Su Ming did not show any disappointment. Instead, he looked at Qiluo beside him with a meaningful gaze that was both amused and knowing.

"I knew it!" Su Ming suddenly reached out and patted Qiluo's back hard, exclaiming with sudden realization, "That day in the snowfield, when you were chasing the Fate Manipulator, you were like you were on steroids, chasing him so desperately! So—it was all to catch a 'doctor' for Beianqi!" Su Ming's tone changed, and he said angrily, "And afterwards, you even dared to use that as an excuse to extort thirty pounds of braised chicken wings from me!"

Qiluo immediately raised her snow-white neck high, her mane gleaming in the sunlight, her smugness overflowing. "Hmph! That's the reward a wise sacred beast deserves!"

"You—you mean, the ' Fate Manipulator' —was captured alive?!" Beianqi, standing nearby, stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "That's the legendary Fate Manipulator!"

"Yes, an encounter." Su Ming nodded, confirming, "He's currently perfectly 'trapped' in our hands. You really have to thank your sister; that day, she flew so bravely to catch that guy! She even lost all her feathers!"

"I was so dashing and awe-inspiring that day! Why did you describe me as a moth fluttering around chasing the light?" Qiluo protested, pawing at Su Ming's description.

Beianqi cheered and pounced on Qiluo again, hugging her neck tightly, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Wow! I knew it! Sister, you love me the most!"

She excitedly turned her head and shouted towards the cabin, "Chef! Hurry! Bring out that pot of braised pork! I'm going to treat my best sister in the world!"

Soon, a large, steaming earthenware pot was carried onto the deck. The rich aroma of meat, along with the smoky scent of charred fat, instantly filled the air, making one's mouth water.

However, Qiluo cautiously approached the food bowl, tentatively pressing the meat with her hoof until she saw the skin bouncy and trembling back and forth. Only then did she beam with joy, "You're my best little sister too!"

"... Sister, why did you press that?" Beianqi, very puzzled.

"If it's soft, it's not ginger," Qiluo replied, picking up the earthenware basin.

"How is that possible? Ginger and braised pork look very different!" Beianqi couldn't understand at all.

Qiluo remained silent, clearly recalling some sorrowful past events. Sadly, she raised the earthenware bowl and poured the contents into her mouth.

According to the "veterinarian" trainee's advice, the unicorn needs to maintain a light diet during this period. Under the strict requirements of Su Ming and Zijin, her daily meat consumption must not exceed one kilogram.

Qiluo, of course, refused to give in. As a result, the train was filled with the daily after-dinner activity of chasing and even binding the unicorn in order to protect the poor leftovers.

After Su Ming got busy, he assigned the canteen guard duties to the trainees in the training camp as a reward of points.

Initially, the results were good, but as the unicorn's "search, attack, and eat" skills improved, the guards failed several times, leading to a continuous escalation of the battle between the two sides.

On the deck, the ceramic bowl was empty in just a few seconds. Qiluo, facing the sea breeze, let out a long, satisfied sigh.

Su Ming's outstretched hand, attempting to stop him, remained suspended in mid-air in vain.

****

Because it required frequent changes of course, which was extremely inefficient for a sailing ship, the Ale was simply not fast enough.

Su Ming wasn't in a hurry and was happy to stay on the boat in peace and quiet, enjoying the sea view. After the sea breeze made him feel a little tired, he asked for a quiet cabin to rest.

It was four or five hours later when the fully loaded cargo ship, the Ale, finally slowly sailed into the bay in the correct location.

The scene here has changed dramatically: on the shore, the massive structure that originally belonged to the "Youth Civilization has been dismantled into pieces, as if carried away by ants. All the parts have been moved to the seaside and are continuing to move towards the ice.

On the shimmering sea cleared between the ice floes, the outline of a brand-new, enormous ship has emerged. The streamlined hull is basically complete, floating steadily on the water, its skeleton and scales exuding a power that is completely otherworldly.

The power system components salvaged from the "Doomsday Locomotive" have now been transferred and installed on this new ship. They will serve as the Pansy's auxiliary power system, providing electric power for the operation of all the ship's equipment.

As for the unnecessary and redundant equipment on the train, it was piled up on the shore and dismantled continuously. Although the alchemists from another world did not understand the technical principles of science and technology, they were still capable of identifying materials and classifying them by composition.

On the new ship, a large number of people were also working enthusiastically. Some continued to build the structure and carry out detailed work; others directed the undead servants to move and organize various supplies transported from the shore to the designated storage area on the ship.

The productivity of hundreds of necromancers working together is truly astonishing!

Younier was directing the crew along the ship's side, prioritizing the processing of materials to be used in the propulsion system. Seeing Su Ming and his group board the ship, she immediately went to report on the current progress of the project.

"Mr. Su, the main components of the boiler and the main materials for the propulsion steam turbine have been prepared according to the list and placed in the designated area of the lower deck. The remaining materials are still being moved."

Zijin remained suspended in the air, directing the entire operation. Upon seeing Su Ming Su Ming, she slowly descended to his side. She held up her hands, which were covered in wool gloves, brought them close to her lips, and gently breathed out a cloud of white mist.

"That's pretty slow," she said to Su Ming. "The main structure of the lower deck was completed ten minutes ago."

"We're just waiting for your progress," Su Ming replied.

"Chestnut Crow Scholar!" Beianqi stepped forward and bowed to Zijin.

Zijin nodded in acknowledgment, "Welcome back!"

"Now that everything is ready, let's begin," Su Ming said.

Beianqi immediately grabbed her toolbox excitedly, jumping for joy, "My wrench is itching to be used!"

****

The three entered the dimly lit lower deck. In the core area reserved for the power equipment, the necromancers responsible for building the ship's frame had precisely reserved three huge installation pits according to the blueprints.

On the foundation in the center of the pit, a large number of metal components have been piled up, resembling three small hills.