"Finally, 30%," Li Ming looked at the numbers on the screen. For over half a month, he had significantly reduced even his usual rest time, nearly working day and night.
He approached the energy level detector again and punched it. Accompanied by a "beep beep," a number popped up—152D.
This, of course, was not his normal state, as the "Sword Wing Knight" and the "Melting Furnace Refining Method" inherently provided him with a 200% Power Amplification.
His normal energy level should be around 50D.
He swiped on the smart terminal: "After the development reaches 30% of the Thunderflame Fighting Ape Gene Seed, one can learn the Thunder Flame Fighting Fist, which inflates the arms several times their size by stimulating the gene seed, unleashing up to three times the strength, essentially two times Amplification."
The combat techniques learnable at low development progress were generally basic ones, but they were still decent. As the development rate decreased further, such methods could still significantly enhance his strength.
Glancing at the time, it was nearly twelve noon. Guessing that Ding Hui should be arriving soon, Li Ming simply stopped his training.
Exiting the door, the atmosphere of the laboratory was starkly different; the cold metal walls were adorned with red stickers everywhere.
This was due to the "Yuanqing" celebration on Blue Star, marking the end of the old calendar and the arrival of the new one—similar to celebrations in his previous life.
A couple of days ago, he had contacted Yang Peng and Old Yang and had chatted for a long time. He also sent a message to the cripple.
He did not know where Old Wu had run off to; he had not returned yet.
"Counting the time, it’s been half a year since I crossed over," Li Ming reflected inwardly. Though the lab seemed lively, he had encountered very few people along the way.
Luo Chuan had given everyone else time off; most had families and had gone home to be with their children.
Someone like Li Ruoning, however, had gone out to party.
Outside the laboratory, the ground was even more deserted except for a few security guards on rotating duty—almost no one else was in sight, but the security measures of the laboratory were heightened.
The corner’s sonar detectors and particle energy monitors operated nonstop, preventing unauthorized access.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, a relatively large transport vehicle quickly approached from afar. As it neared, the door opened and a figure jumped down—it was Ding Hui.
"Brother Ding, sorry to trouble you to bring things over on such a day," Li Ming said apologetically.
"No worries, I’ve got no one to accompany and nothing better to do," Ding Hui stated indifferently, patting the compartment as the gull-wing doors on both sides of the transport opened.
Inside were stacks of somewhat worn-out Mechanical Heavy Hammers, big and small, some even covered in rust, and even the ones in the best condition were smeared with grease.
The scent of engine oil mixed with the stench of metal corrosion hit them.
"Tell me, what do you need these scrapped things for?" Ding Hui asked as people began unloading, although only one driver had come along.
A few rotating security guards from the lab hurried over at Li Ming’s call, totaling four or five people.
Eventually, Ding Hui and Li Ming joined in as well.
"These materials are not bad; I’ll see if I can turn trash into treasure," Li Ming said, holding a hammer, a light flashing in his eyes—
[Heavy Pressure Hammer—Grade E: Standard mechanical heavy hammer, built-in heavy magnet, often used for adjusting detail in forge work.
Control Conditions: 600 metal energy
Control Effect: Power Amplification—50%
Control Ability—Heavy Pressure: Accumulate power for three seconds, obtain 150% Power Amplification.]
All the data was as expected.
Ding Hui was not surprised; these nearly scrapped items were of little value except for their raw materials.
When they sold them, it was by the ton.
"It’s the end of the year, just perfect for clearing out the stock, so I brought them all over, a total of 134 hammers," Ding Hui said after moving all the hammers into Li Ming’s workshop and clapping his hands.
It was already noon, and Li Ming invited him to eat before leaving, Ding Hui did not decline.
The two went to the cafeteria, where only one chef was on duty, so the meals were slower than usual.
Neither was in a hurry; they chatted while waiting, and Ding Hui mentioned something, "The special investigation team from Yitelan Civilization is almost here."
"The special investigation team? Is it to investigate the murder of Fu Zongchen and the killing of Youke?" He knew about this special investigation team since Luo Chuan had mentioned it a few days ago.
The death of Youke had not been widely publicized to this day. Fu Zengchen’s murder, though publicly blamed on the Torch by the higher-ups of Blue Star, was clearly a cover-up for the public.
The investigations into the deaths had not ceased for a moment during this period.
The Sela Civilization and Blue Star had even formed a joint investigation team, the specific members of which were confidential.
"Yes, those greenheads from Sela Civilization are making a fuss over the affair with Youke, and the upper echelons have already conceded a lot of benefits," Ding Hui nodded, scoffing:
"Recently, this issue suddenly exploded on the native network of Sela, causing a strong public reaction."
The Sela Civilization had kept Youke’s death under wraps, not even disclosing it domestically because the publicity could generate a reaction they might not be able to control themselves.
They were only interested in benefits, not in actually starting a war.
"The Torch did it," Li Ming said immediately.
"Who else if not them?" Ding Hui spat, "Wherever there’s Torch, there’s Yitelan Civilization involved. They won’t tolerate Torch causing trouble."
"However, due to the death of Fu Zengchen, the departure of this joint investigation team was significantly delayed."
"Oh?" Li Ming was puzzled.
"Prince Bai Jiang. Fu Zongchen was his man; not only is the man dead, but his armor was stolen too. He must have been furious, stuffing a lot of his people into the investigation team," Ding Hui explained, making a face: "It’s said that a high-profile person is coming. To appease their domestic public, the Sela royal family is reportedly sending a royal member."