Chapter 123: Multiple Layouts

"Trouble!" he cursed. "Who on earth had the audacity to murder Fu Zongchen?"

If Fu Zongchen hadn't died, smuggling wouldn't have been so difficult.

"By the way, regarding the Fireworks Apostle," the bearded man suddenly said, "I have an idea."

The Fire Master looked over and said, "Tell me about it."

"Why not let Li Ming take action and help us solve this problem." He said:

"Most of the officials who were trapped in Fu Zongchen's villa have now formed a small group. About ten days ago, someone organized a gathering. It seems Li Ming also went there. If he takes action, he should be able to solve this problem."

"No." The Fire Master flatly refused: "It's not time to bring him in yet."

The bearded man added, "We don't necessarily have to reveal our identities. Perhaps we can induce him to take action in other ways. It's time to give it a try."

The source of fire made him hesitate. Decadence is gradual. Li Ming is related to their big plan, and he will know it sooner or later.

"Now is not the time." The Fire Source still refused, "Think of other ways. If it really doesn't work, try to let him take action."

Everyone agreed and nodded.

………

In Xia Yuanlun's laboratory, the old professor's face turned pale and he gritted his teeth, "Chen Jinglong, you bastard, you are such a piece of shit!"

He cursed for a long time until there was a knock on the door. He calmed down and said cautiously after Ding Hui came in with his head lowered, "There's news from the Short Mountain Civilization. Lord Castellon will be visiting soon."

"Castellon!?" Xia Yuanlun's expression, which had just calmed down, turned even uglier. "Damn it! His son just got accepted into the Yitlan Huangzhong Mechanical College, and he's here to humiliate me again, damn copper-skinned dwarf!"

Ding Hui was helpless. He had met this Castellon more than once, and each time he was scolded and became depressed for a long time.

…

Three days later, in the training room, Li Ming lowered his head, breathed rapidly, and his arms trembled.

You can clearly see the taut blue veins throbbing.

Beneath the skin, one could faintly see the crimson light flowing through the blood vessels, while blue arcs of electricity burst forth from the surface of the skin.

"Ah--" An extremely suppressed growl came from his throat. His body seemed to have reached a certain limit, and blazing arcs of electricity exploded from his arms.

Then, the muscles in his arms expanded rapidly like balloons. His arms became nearly two meters long, and his palms were wide, containing explosive power.

It becomes thinner towards the shoulders, and the overall look is uncoordinated, but the strength is real.

Li Ming panted heavily, adjusted himself quickly, and thought in his heart -

"As the gene-seed level increases, the changes it presents become greater. When I fused the F-level gene-seed, even with my core abilities, it only triggered a slight arc of electricity, so the change wasn't that significant."

"But now, even with only 30% of the combat skills, the changes are already obvious."

When it reaches C level, gene liberation can be achieved, which is almost the same as gene distortion. As for higher levels, the burden on the body will probably be even greater.

The last time he saw a survey document, in the Silver Cluster alone, no less than 50,000 evolvers died from genetic distortion every year.

"Evolution?" He suddenly thought again.

"The gene sequence may not only be used to improve overall strength, but it may also be used to prevent the body from deformation through this combination." Li Ming had this realization.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and my arms shrank as I got used to it. I felt my arms were swollen and painful, so I simply stopped exercising.

Instead, he opened the smart terminal again, which contained a document about the qualification review and requirements for applying for a small laboratory.

He looked at each line one by one, pausing for a long time on the scope of research funding approval every six months.

…

"Teacher, teacher, where on earth have you been in such a complicated situation?"

In the office, Luo Chuan rubbed his brows. In the dialog box on the smart terminal, only his side had a series of messages, and Wu Yanqing did not respond at all.

He could vaguely feel the storm gathering around him and smell the scent of turmoil.

If something really happened, it would be difficult for him to protect Li Ming by himself.

He sighed, feeling inexplicably restless, and stood up and walked outside the laboratory building.

It had just rained two days ago and the air was very fresh. After taking two deep breaths, Luochuan felt refreshed.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, I saw a guy with shifty eyes, looking around, with a nervous and uneasy look on his face, carrying a large box on his back.

He suddenly became alert and dodged in front of the other person. Before the man could react, Luo Chuan grabbed the man's throat with one hand and lifted him up. He said in a cold tone: "Ten seconds, tell me your origins and purpose."

"My name is Liu Zeng, the eighth mercenary captain of the Kuta Security Company. I'm here to find Li Ming to make weapons for me."

Liu Zeng was a little flustered at first, but he quickly reacted and did not even resist, quickly reporting his origins.

"Looking for Li Ming to make weapons?" Luo Chuan frowned, opened the smart terminal with one hand and asked the guard. There was indeed such a person, and it was Li Ming who let him in.

After receiving the correct response, Luo Chuan put the man down without any apology on his face. Instead, he continued to question, "Why are you so timid?"

"It is said that this is Professor Wu Yanqing's laboratory. I have never been here, so I feel nervous." Liu Zeng smiled bitterly.

"Oh, that seems like a reasonable explanation." Luo Chuan sneered, "But your excuse is too lame. I remember that Kuta Security Company seemed to have a contract with Professor Xia's laboratory."

"The people in Professor Xia's lab are experts in this field. Why don't you go to them and instead go to Li Ming?"

Luo Chuan didn't see the panic of his plan being exposed on Liu Zeng's face. Instead, he looked a little strange: "Expert?"

"They used to be experts, but they haven't been since over a month ago."

"Hmm?" Luo Chuan frowned.

"Mr. Li Ming is the weapon expert, and his craftsmanship is impeccable." Liu Zeng said with a look of admiration:

"It's said that you don't even need to ask him for anything. Just give him your original weapon and he'll create the most suitable weapon based on your usage habits, without even needing a blueprint."

"Whether it's the length, width, weight, auxiliary functions, or even details you're not aware of, they're all handled perfectly. It's as if he understands the weapon himself, a true master mechanic."

"As for the instructors in Professor Xia's lab... they're certainly capable, but they also have bad tempers," Liu Zeng said, scratching his head.

"I heard from some of the older guys that when they were revising the design drawings, they didn't dare to make too many requests."

"For some places that you're not used to, you just have to grit your teeth and accept them, and then get used to them yourself."

Luochuan looked suspicious. He could understand if others praised Li Ming's amazing development speed and formidable strength.

But he never expected to hear such words from the person in front of him.

Machine weapons expert? Li Ming?

Li Ming had indeed been to Professor Xia's laboratory several times before. Luo Chuan originally thought that he was just there to learn and observe, but now it seems that it is not what he imagined.

"Are you sure you're talking about Li Ming?" Luo Chuan was still a little suspicious.

"Of course." Liu Zeng said firmly: "Zhao Lei from our company has a chainsaw knife made by Li Ming."

"Last time I took on a security mission, I was robbed by marauders on the way. I boarded the ship and fought them. I ran out of bullets, but I managed to kill the marauder leader with my chainsaw. My development progress is 20% higher than his!"

Luo Chuan's expression changed. This was too... bizarre.

Li Ming is really an expert in weapons. He didn't buy so many metal materials for fun.

"Okay, I got it. Come with me." Luo Chuan thought about it and decided to take Liu Zeng to find Li Ming personally.

After knocking on the studio door, Li Ming opened it and was stunned for a moment, "Senior Brother?"

"I met someone outside the lab. He said he was looking for you." Luo Chuan turned aside, revealing a slightly excited Liu Zeng.

"Oh, Liu Zeng, right? You know all my rules?" Li Ming said familiarly and let the two in.

"I understand." Liu Zeng nodded hurriedly, "The weapons originally used must be brought back, regardless of whether they are damaged or not."

"Here are the materials I brought. The labor fee will be deposited into your account."

"Well, come pick it up in three days, or I can send it to you." Li Ming took the weapon, looked at it, and threw it on the workbench.

Liu Zengze opened the box he brought and rummaged through the materials.

Luo Chuan witnessed the entire process, looked around, frowned slightly, and hesitated to speak. Finally, hesitantly said, "Junior brother, are you also working part-time on upgrading weapons?"

"Well, just take a few shots and use the business to supplement the family income." Li Ming glanced at him with a suggestive look.

Luo Chuan seemed not to have heard the following words, "Is your level really that high?"

"It's okay." Li Ming said.

"Not bad?" Liu Zeng, who was sifting through materials nearby, looked up. "You're too modest. Mr. Ding Hui told me when we introduced you that in a few years, even Professor Xia won't be as good as you."

"Don't listen to his nonsense." Li Ming added, feeling speechless. What kind of rumors did Ding Hui make up to promote him?

However, in terms of weapons alone, as long as he is given metal energy and mother ore, A-level weapons can be created.

Well... not necessarily. To reach level A, some conditions may be required as assistance, such as special energy.

But being able to create B-level weapons is a bit shocking, so now he only takes on some D-level weapons, slowly builds up his reputation, and then creates C-level weapons after a while.

"Professor Xia is not as good as you?" Luo Chuan swallowed hard, feeling more and more magical.

Professor Xia is a master mechanical craftsman and is well-known throughout the entire Blue Star. Many C-level life forms and even B-level life forms come to him to make weapons suitable for them.

Now, does it mean that Li Ming will be able to surpass Professor Xia in a few years?

He subconsciously suspected that it was marketing. Li Ming might indeed have talent, but it was not to the point of being so amazing.

Liu Zeng pulled out the materials and left with his tattered box.

"Don't you work? I'm quite curious." Luo Chuan looked at Li Ming.

"Senior brother, I have a quirk. I can't have anyone watching me while I'm working," Li Ming explained.

"Oh." Luo Chuan did not doubt it and felt emotional. When he was about to leave, he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye.

That is...

He stopped and walked hesitantly to the other side, where there was a tall mecha. The angular alloy blocks were covered with ochre lines, which were full of rich beauty, making people feel as if they were looking at a mountain.

Luo Chuan looked at the mecha and vaguely felt something. His eyes condensed slightly and his palm suddenly blasted out. There was a muffled bang, and the surface of the mecha remained motionless, but the wind and waves were turbulent.

"Senior Brother?" Li Ming walked over quickly, with a look of surprise on his face.

Luo Chuan asked him, "What is this?"

"The Tank Guard mecha, I polished it bit by bit when I had nothing to do. Several rooms of Flame Blue Alloy are all on it." Li Ming explained.

"Flame Blue Alloy." Luo Chuan suddenly realized, and then his expression became more and more puzzled. He looked around, "Is this where you built this mecha?"

"Yes." Li Ming nodded as a matter of course. "It's mainly because refining the Flame Blue Alloy takes too much time. Fortunately, the electromagnetic furnace matrix and the tungsten alloy high-speed forging table are quite good."

"And that photon hammer that Ding Hui brought me. Without it, I wouldn't be able to hammer the final refined fusion metal."

Exposing this mecha is, on the one hand, to explain the whereabouts of the Flame Blue Alloy, and on the other hand, to meet the application requirements of the small laboratory of the University of Science and Technology.

Luochuan's throat rolled as he looked around at the "simple" environment.

Can this be used to make a mecha?

He really wanted to open Li Ming's brain and see what it looked like.

The alloy on the surface of this mecha can even block his attacks. Although it is not at full strength, it is still amazing enough. The defense level has reached C level.

He now has some belief that in a few years, Li Ming will surpass Professor Xia in weapon manufacturing.

"Junior brother." Luo Chuan suddenly said, "Senior brother treated you well before, didn't he?"

"Brother, just say it directly if you have something to say." Li Ming's eyes instantly became alert.

Luo Chuan smiled and said, "In the future, when you have the ability, remember to help me forge a weapon."

"No problem, it's a small matter." Li Ming assured.

Just as he was sending Luochuan to the door, the lights in the room flickered, and with a buzzing sound, the entire corridor darkened.

Luo Chuan's expression suddenly darkened. He protected Li Ming with his right hand and looked around vigilantly.

However, within two seconds, the lights in the entire laboratory came on again.

I opened the smart terminal and the security captain had sent a message to explain.

"The monitoring system crashed, causing the security system to restart?" Luo Chuan's face turned grim. "After a few days of vacation, have you lost all your skills?"

He cursed a few words, told Li Ming to be careful, and then left with a gloomy look.

Li Ming agreed, closed the door, opened the smart terminal, took a look, and grinned: "The virus finally got in. The firewall is really good. It took me so long."

This outage was not accidental. During the annual leave some time ago, when there were few people in the laboratory, Li Ming had been trying to find a way to hack into the security system.

Fortunately, he had a high level of technical skills and was able to use internal operations and subsystems to bury multiple spore-forming viruses, so he succeeded.

"I've been curious about Old Wu's underground laboratory for a long time."

The genetically purified particles in his body are related to many secrets, but he himself knows very little and always feels uneasy.

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(End of this chapter)