Chapter 554: Prototype Machine Reported Upward (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 554: Reporting the Prototype (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Inside the laboratory.

A spark of inspiration ignited in the mind of the Magnetic Pole Monarch, and as her Dao heart retreated slightly, design blueprints materialized rapidly within her ocular artifacts, flowing onto paper one after another with the rhythm of her movements.

Finally, gazing at the complete design for the Yin-artifact, particularly the strange patterns etched upon the shell of the Dharma-corpse, Magnetic Pole frowned slightly, thinking to herself: "Lately, for the sake of the God-Transformation Dharma-corpse experiments, I have designed quite a few test units."

"But why... do I always end up drawing such bizarre liveries and peculiar patterns?"

Magnetic Pole shook her head, struggling to recall the source of these inspirations, but found nothing, leaving her feeling increasingly perplexed.

...

Zhang Yu committed the design of his stocking-shaped magical treasure to memory, then extracted a portion of the inspiration to discuss with Ye Xingli.

After all, the requirement for replicating the Dao seed was that both parties must complete the design of an artifact together.

Zhang Yu reasoned that if he simply sent her the blueprints, it would become purely his own design; how could that fulfill the requirement for replicating the Dao seed?

Upon hearing Zhang Yu’s insights, Ye Xingli nodded repeatedly, her eyes brightening: "Your idea is excellent. Wait a moment, I need to record this."

As light flickered within her ocular artifacts, Ye Xingli added: "However, I don't have time to discuss your design right now; I must finish the blueprints I have on hand first."

After some exchange, Zhang Yu realized he had misunderstood her intentions.

"So, Senior Sister isn't designing a magical treasure or Dharma-corpse for herself... but rather an artifact product suitable for vocational students."

In Zhang Yu’s understanding, although Ye Xingli’s follower count had skyrocketed recently, her sales performance remained stagnant.

The reason was simple: the products from the Myriad Dharma University and the brands she promoted were too high-end, while her followers were too poor to afford them.

Ye Xingli sighed: "Fifty-three percent of my followers are vocational students, and thirty-five percent are from lower-tier schools. Their income is very low, and their willingness to purchase anything over one spirit coin is extremely poor."

"While I could find some low-end brands to promote, they lack differentiation and core competitiveness, and those companies don't offer us much in the way of incentives."

"I was thinking... could I design a product unique to my brand, one that is truly suitable for the impoverished?"

"But after pondering for days, something felt off."

As she spoke, Ye Xingli turned to look at Zhang Yu, smiling: "After our exchange just now, I suddenly understood."

"What I lack is communication—the exchange of relevant intelligence."

"I know too little about the circumstances of lower-tier and vocational students; how could I possibly design products they actually need?"

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred, and he spoke up: "I have quite a few connections in the vocational and lower-tier school circles. I can help you gather data to complete your design."

Ye Xingli: "Thank you, Zhang Yu."

However, after saying this, Ye Xingli paused and sent a message: [1 Spirit Coin]

Looking at the message, Zhang Yu thought to himself: "As expected, the Senior Sister who pays me feels the most sincere."

As for where to gather information on the poor, it was incredibly simple for Zhang Yu, as he knew far too many of them.

Zhang Yu posted a survey in his hometown group, and soon he was receiving all sorts of replies every day.

Some requested ocular artifacts that cost one spirit coin but performed on par with Heavenly Eyes.

Some hoped for mouths that lacked a sense of taste but could digest excrement rapidly.

Some wished for buttocks that eliminated the need for toilets by producing no waste at all.

Others wanted Dharma-corpses with feet that could turn into wheels and hands that could transform into various tools.

Still others hoped to don the skins of demon-kin or spirit beasts to protect their bodies from environmental hazards.

Zhang Yu scanned through them and realized that these requests were essentially stripping away humanity, as if they wanted to transform themselves from living people into animals or mere tools.

However, Zhang Yu did not rush to activate the power of "Heavenly Craftsmanship," as doing so would cause his Dao heart to retreat.

Moreover, neither he nor Magnetic Pole possessed enough understanding of the lowest strata of the university ecosystem; to activate the power of "Heavenly Craftsmanship" now would likely be a waste.

Zhang Yu intended to collect information for a while longer before activating the power to finalize the blueprints and then discuss them with Ye Xingli.

...

In the blink of an eye, another week passed.

It was now early February.

Inside Jin Jun’s laboratory.

With a surge of brilliant light, golden flames erupted from the prototype, and the entire machine began to hover slowly.

The laboratory erupted in cheers and applause.

Jin Jun watched the scene, nodding and smiling repeatedly.

"It is finally done."

It had been nearly two months since Jin Jun last completed a Level 5 prototype.

During this time, under immense pressure and constant financial drain, watching his expenses spiral out of control, he had finally completed the refinement of the Level 11 prototype today.

He knew that at this moment, he was qualified to apply for the military certification.

"But it is not enough." "The success rate of Level 11 is still too low; I need something more advanced."

With a hint of satisfaction, Jin Jun announced to all his assistants that they would take a half-day break so they could catch up on online classes and relax before returning to work.

He knew several assistants were facing final exams and were under heavy academic pressure; allowing them to study would effectively alleviate their stress.

But just two hours later, Jin Jun, who had been feeling triumphant, suddenly tensed up.

"What did you say?" Jin Jun looked at the message from a close friend and asked gravely: "Zhang Yu has already submitted his application for military certification?"

The friend, named Bei Wufeng, was the second-ranked top student in the Artifact Refining Department and a senior who had long assisted Jin Jun.

Upon hearing this news, Jin Jun’s first reaction was disbelief.

He felt he had poured in money and manpower, pushing speed, efficiency, and quality to the limit; it was unimaginable that Zhang Yu could also be participating in the assessment now.

"Did the prototype Zhang Yu refined exceed Level 11? Level 12? Level 13? Or what?"

Jin Jun shook his head: "How is that possible?"

Instinctively, Jin Jun did not want to believe it.

"Or is he trying to participate in the military certification just as he hits Level 11?"

Jin Jun didn't think Zhang Yu was a fool.

"The success rate would be far too low."

Swaying between these two possibilities, Jin Jun found himself hesitating about his next move.

"Should I participate in the assessment?"

After much deliberation, Jin Jun decided to gather intelligence first to investigate the situation on Zhang Yu’s side.

He skillfully summoned Su Yunni and explained the situation to her.

Su Yunni was slightly startled upon hearing this and hurriedly sent a message to Zi Yunzhen to inquire, but she received no reply for a long time.

Jin Jun urged: "Where is she? Go find her directly."

"As long as she is willing to reveal the specific situation on Zhang Yu’s side, money is no object; I can pay her."

...

At a construction site somewhere in the University City.

The meta-magnetic conduits were being excavated for reconstruction.

Similar operations had been unfolding across the campus for months, and Zi Yunzhen had long since grown accustomed to the sight.

Yet, gazing at the scene before her, she wore an expression of helpless resignation, her mind echoing with Zhang Yu’s instructions.

Zhang Yu had smiled faintly and said, "Little Zi, the laboratory work is finished. For the remainder of this month, your duties will be at the construction site."

"What?" Zi Yunzhen’s face was a mask of resistance. "The site? Boss, I... how could I possibly go to a place like that?"

"What is wrong with the site?" Zhang Yu replied. "I am your boss. I need you to assist at the site, so you shall go."

"I have secured several contracts for the Artifact Refining Department there; you are simply going to assist them."

"What? Do you no longer wish to have your name on the prototype project?"

Thinking of the Tianri Huangshen project held in his hands, and the prototype that stood a high chance of passing the review, Zi Yunzhen ultimately found herself at the site.

Ying Xin led her along, introducing the surroundings and the day’s tasks.

Just then, Fu Xinyao, standing not far off, caught sight of Zi Yunzhen, her eyes gleaming with sudden intrigue: "A student from the Artifact Refining Department? Finally!"

As a sleeper agent planted by Hehuan University within Wanfa University, Fu Xinyao had been quietly gathering intelligence on all fronts.

However, due to the labyrinthine access controls of the University City and the ravages of the economic crisis, Fu Xinyao had been forced into a long period of dormancy.

It had been a struggle to reconnect with the Civil Engineering department, eventually finding Su Yanyang, a student rumored to be close to Zhang Yu.

Yet, after deep interaction, Fu Xinyao had been horrified to discover herself growing increasingly lethargic, nearly tempted to join the Cult of the Two-Day Weekend.

Fortunately, she had overcome such thoughts with sheer willpower and returned to her work.

Now, watching Zi Yunzhen, Fu Xinyao mused that her intuition was correct; as the Civil Engineering department revived and projects launched, students from the Artifact Refining Department were inevitably being drawn into the fold.

On the other side, Zi Yunzhen had barely begun her work when she saw Su Yunni appear at the site.

"Su Yunni?" Zi Yunzhen asked curiously. "Why are you here?"

Su Yunni looked at Zi Yunzhen, whose frame was gaunt and whose dharma-shell exterior bore numerous signs of wear, and asked, "It seems you have been working quite a lot of overtime lately."

Zi Yunzhen smiled faintly. "After all, besides Zhang Yu, I am the only one left in the project group; the work is endless. But the opportunities to practice are frequent, and the progress I have made is immense."

Hearing this, a flash of envy crossed Su Yunni’s eyes; she had no such opportunities in Jin Jun’s project group, where the experts were so numerous that one had to fight for every task.

Su Yunni asked again, "Is the laboratory not busy today? What made you think of coming to the site?"

(End of chapter)