Lu Yin raised a hand, and his die appeared once again. It seemed that he should try to roll six pips more often, as each Possession gave him a chance of greatly improving his strength. In short, this was a shortcut to upgrading his personal strength.
The next day, after Lu Yin completed practicing the Finger Tap Technique, he felt Ban Jiu’s aura enter his domain, and he had Kayze allow the man in.
“Your Highness, are you free at this moment? If so, please follow this subject on a trip to the Technology Department,” Ban Jiu requested urgently.
Lu Yin grew curious. “What happened?”
“The first batch of androids has been completed and are ready for your inspection.” Ban Jiu was rather emotional.
Lu Yin’s eyes grew bright, and he stood up. “Let’s go.”
Right after Lu Yin left, Hai Qiqi arrived at his residence. She did not need to announce her arrival or departure from King Zishan’s palace, and she treated it as if it was her own home.
She went to the sitting room where Lu Yin had just been, and she saw the diary that Lu Yin had casually set on the table, obviously planning on reading it later. Hai Qiqi curiously opened it for a read.
***
The Technology Department’s locations were kept secret, and some of its divisions were even constructed underground. The android branch was one such division.
Ban Jiu had obtained the blueprints for the androids a long time ago, and they had been obtained by Lu Yin through rolling one pip on his die. The breakthrough in technological research had taken place four months ago, which was also the same time when Ban Jiu had promised Lu Yin that they would have fifty androids within half a year. However, in just four months, he had already produced twenty. The rest would be made on an assembly line, and they just needed enough materials to manufacture them. The production rate had become quite fast.
Lu Yin followed Ban Jiu underground and into the Technology Department to see twenty androids suspended within a liquid vat. They were entirely mechanical in nature, but he could feel that each one was brimming with strength.
Each android had enough rune lines to rival a peak Explorer’s, and if their strength was converted to power level, then each was equivalent to a powerhouse with a power level somewhere between 49,000 and 50,000.
“These androids were made with the best materials available in the eastern weaves, and their hardness degree has exceeded 50,000. They are naturally very tough, as they can endure attacks stronger than their own, and Spiritual Thread has also been incorporated into their construction. More importantly, as long as we have the proper materials, any part of an android’s body can be replaced and upgraded, which allows us to easily improve the androids’ power…” Ban Jiu excitedly rambled on about his creations.
Lu Yin gazed at the androids, as these things were the product of an advanced technological civilization. These twenty androids were the same as twenty peak Explorers.
He had spent six years to reach the realm of an Explorer, which showed how terrifying the technology before him was at this moment. So long as their technology was sufficiently advanced, they could directly produce such powerhouses.
“Do you have enough materials for now?” Lu Yin asked.
Ban Jiu excitedly replied, “With the establishment of the Great Eastern Alliance, this subject has reviewed all of the resources lists. We have enough materials to build 200 peak Explorer androids.”
“Only 200?” Lu Yin was rather unsatisfied, as he had gathered the resources of eight entire weaves in the eastern region of the Outerverse.
Ban Jiu reluctantly answered, “Your Highness, some of the materials needed are just too scarce, such as Spiritual Thread and polarium essence. The eastern weaves do not produce these materials, so we are still only able to acquire them from external sources. The main issue is that these materials are only available in restricted quantities.”
Lu Yin muttered, “I will think of a way to get the rarer materials. You just focus on upgrading the androids’ strength.”
This was exactly what Ban Jiu had wanted to hear, and he immediately acknowledged Lu Yin’s order.
“Where do you think will be the best place for these androids to be stationed?” Lu Yin asked.
Ban Jiu shook his head. “Your subject does not know.”
He was only in charge of manufacturing the androids. Arranging them was Lu Yin’s responsibility.
Lu Yin had originally planned on selling these androids, dividing them equally between Vastdearth Weave, Lars Weave, and the other allies. However, the battle on Sourcepeak Planet had caused Lars Weave to become panicked, and they had not yet completely sided with him. On the other hand, Grandtop Weave did not have that many enemies. Flaxen Weave had been easily swayed and was nothing to be worried about, but the ones that Lu Yin had to be vigilant of were Vastdearth Weave, Darkmist Weave, Adonis Weave, and Bard Weave. Out of these four weaves, Adonis Weave’s strength had been greatly reduced, so it no longer needed his concern.
Darkmist Weave was filled with dark powers, which rendered them unable to unite. Since Mafioso Planet and Shenwu Continent would eventually join the alliance, there was no need for him to be cautious of this weave either.
Now, only Vastdearth Weave and Bard Weave remained. When faced with just these two weaves, there was no need to expose his androids.
Lu Yin was busy pondering his options when his gadget suddenly beeped softly. Somebody was trying to contact him.
He glanced at his gadget and saw that the call was from an unknown number, but he accepted it anyway. “Who is this?”
“This is Wei Rong. Brother Lu, I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you.” This sentence caused Lu Yin to grow solemn, as he had not expected this person to reach out to him right now. He knew that Wei Rong would definitely contact him eventually, but not this soon.
“So it’s Brother Wei. I’ve also wanted to meet you,” Lu Yin responded calmly as he waved a hand and motioned for Ban Jiu to withdraw.
Wei Rong’s tone was relaxed. “Congratulations, Brother Lu, for harvesting the Outerverse Lockbreaker Society. I am reaching out to specially congratulate you.”
Lu Yin’s eyes brightened. “I also wanted to congratulate Brother Wei on receiving the support of a group of Lockbreakers. We were fated to miss each other during the battles on Sourcepeak Planet, which is a pity.”
“That’s right, a pity. I’ve heard of Brother Lu’s reputation many times before, and Brother Lu’s place in my eyes has been renewed after the battle on Sourcepeak Planet. In the Outerverse, there are very few who can go to the extents that Brother Lu has. Awesome!” Wei Rong praised.
His sincerity could be heard, as Lu Yin had used the path that Wei Rong had paved on Sourcepeak Planet to take away the entire Outerverse Lockbreaker Society, which was something that Wei Rong had not been able to do.
Lu Yin was not pleased by this praise, as he had only been able to achieve so much with Wang Wen’s help. “There’s no need to discuss past events. I wonder, does Brother Wei have any matters in mind for this call?”
“Eh, it’s actually nothing much. It’s always a big headache to have a troublesome younger sister. Does Brother Lu remember Wei Xin’er who participated in Executive Felynn’s entrance exam with you?”
Lu Yin thought about that time. “She’s your sister?”
“That’s right. That little brat, Xin’er, has enjoyed lockbreaking since she was young, and she was very happy that she passed the entrance exam this time. She wanted to stay on Sourcepeak Planet, but unfortunately, the Outerverse Lockbreaker Society was relocated to Frostwave Weave. This brat’s been kicking up a fuss that I have no other choice but to take her to Frostwave Weave’s Lockbreaker Society. After all, her tutor is Felynn, and having a tutor is definitely much better than groping about alone in the dark. What does Brother Lu think?”
“If Brother Wei wants to come to Frostwave Weave, then feel free to do so at any time. I can take Brother Wei on a tour.”
“Alright, then it’s settled. Brother Lu, I’ll see you on Zenyu Star.” Wei Rong laughed.
Lu Yin smiled. “See you on Zenyu Star.”
He disconnected from the call and looked back at the androids, as he had made a decision.
Wei Rong had roamed through more than half of the Outerverse, but he had never set foot in any of the eastern weaves. First, there was the question of safety, and second, there was the fact that he had never felt that the eastern weaves were worth his time. They had the fewest number of cultivators, and they also possessed no special resources. But now, he was arranging a special trip to Frostwave Weave, not only because of the Lockbreaker Society, but also because of the Great Eastern Alliance.
The scattered eastern weaves were clearly not worth his attention, but the unified Great Eastern Alliance was different. All of a sudden, a colossal creature had appeared to the east of his own weave.
The moment the Great Eastern Alliance was established was the moment it became Wei Rong’s enemy.
Lu Yin had not known what type of person Wei Rong was, but the events on Sourcepeak Planet had left a deep impression on him.
Even without Geoffrey, the Outerverse Lockbreaker Society was still an absolute monster, but despite that, it had still been toppled by Wei Rong, and he had even lured away a number of Lockbreakers. His methods were rather scary, and while his personal strength was not worthy of Lu Yin’s attention, his strategies were extraordinary.
It seemed as though he was planning to make a move against the Great Eastern Alliance, and Lu Yin realized that Wei Rong might even meddle with the upcoming Alliance Conference.
Lu Yin left the Technology Department and returned to King Zishan’s palace, and when he returned, he noticed Hai Qiqi through his domain. She was sitting alone in the sitting room with her head hanging down, and fresh tears occasionally fell from her eyes.
Lu Yin hurriedly headed to the sitting room and went over to her. He squatted down and looked at her reddened eyes. “Qiqi, what’s the matter? Who bullied you?”
Hai Qiqi looked up at Lu Yin and pursed her lips. A single tear dripped down and fell onto his hand as she hazily pleaded, “Can you rescue the Fireplume Tribe?”
Lu Yin was bewildered. “What’s the Fireplume Tribe?”
Hai Qiqi passed the dairy over to Lu Yin.
Lu Yin took it from her. “I picked this up by accident. Did you read it?”
Hai Qiqi nodded. “Rescue the Fireplume Tribe.”
Lu Yin was astonished, as it seemed that Hai Qiqi had been crying because of the diary. He was curious, so he sat down and flipped it back to the first page.
‘Today is the happiest day for our Fireplume Tribe, as the nightmare that has plagued us for many years has finally ended. We invited our hero, who’s outstanding and tall, to celebrate. He towers in the heavens just like a guardian angel. We cheer for him, pray for him, and as the Fireplume Tribe’s princess, I, Ellen Gale, will personally pray and sing for him. He likes our songs! Though to be fair, who in the universe doesn’t? Our Fireplume Tribe is more gifted in music than even the Souldream Tribe, and our songs can cleanse one’s soul…
‘We’ve left our home to follow him. He wants to take us to a place where we’ll never be oppressed again. He tells us that he wants our songs to spread throughout the universe and to guide people to be better. I like him, and I may possibly even love him…
‘This planet is truly beautiful, and the place where I’m staying is really beautiful as well. We’ll stop here for now, as he wants to hear us sing. He truly enjoys listening to us sing. I’m really happy…
‘He’s been injured! The doctor says that our heart’s blood is required to heal him. Our Fireplume Tribe is willing to offer our blood, as it will only require a bit from each person to gather enough. We are all willing to offer him our all…’
…
‘I’m a little tired. We’ve continuously played and sung for him every day for a month. Our throats have become hoarse, and we also offer blood from our hearts daily, so our bodies have become frail. I’ve told him this, but he still wants us to sing. So many of our sisters are so tired…’
…
‘Today, a child died! She died right in front of us, and she was killed by him! He says that evil blood flowed in that child and that she would have affected the others. I begged for mercy, as the child’s expression was pure and clean, and I could feel her innocence. He even thought that my pleas were nothing more than a game. In the end, my pleas were ignored, and the child still died. I’m beginning to feel that he’s a little scary…’
…
‘I’m afraid! During this time, he’s killed many of us. One time, the blood even splashed into my eyes, causing the world I saw to turn red. I’ve tried begging him, and I’ve tried using our songs to try to guide him. However, nothing seems to work…
‘Five sisters have gone missing, and I don’t know where they went. I don’t even know whether or not they’re still alive. The way he looks at me scares me—it feels like a king looking at ants. He forces me to sing and pray, and all my sisters have become frightened. I want to leave, since he’s changed from what he was like in the beginning. He’s changed. Or, it’s possible that he hasn’t changed and that he was actually like this all along…’
…
‘No matter how beautiful the lie of our environment may appear to be, it cannot conceal the truth that we are living in hell. Our Fireplume Tribe’s songs are able to guide people to goodness, but they cannot guide him. He is a true demon, and he’s killed thousands of our sisters. I don’t know why, as we have been very obedient to him. Why does he have to kill us? All I see anymore is red…’
Lu Yin directly flipped to the end of the diary, as the middle of the book was a lengthy section describing all the changes Ellen Gale had undergone.
‘I’ve truly gotten lost, as the feelings that I held for him when I first saw him still haven’t vanished. Even if he’s a demon, I still like him. He’s killed so many people—many, many people, including my tribe members. However, the time that we’ve spent together has been too long, and he has imprinted himself onto my heart. Alright, I will face my heart head on…
‘White and black both exist in the universe, just like in his hair. But there’s also a trace of grey, and this grey might be the source of evil. I don’t want to die, as I want to guide him to goodness. But it seems that I must use my life as the price to cleanse his soul. I have stabbed my eyes, as I don’t want to see his evil face anymore. I will use the remainder of my life to sing, and ferry him to goodness…
‘I’m not fated to be with him in this life, but I’m willing to use the remainder of my life as the price to atone for his crimes, and also as a form of repentance for him. From this day forward, I will never stop singing, not even if I lose my voice. Not even if I turn to bones! I will sing and pray for him until my last moment, and I will draw out his goodness.
‘This is my swan song,
‘-Ellen Gale’
