Some time ago, with Yun Xingze’s assistance, the Research Institute successfully developed the first-generation psychic amplifier, increasing the amplification coefficient to around 1.5. However, progress had since been stuck at this bottleneck.
To their surprise, they discovered that Yun Xingze had casually developed an amplifier with a coefficient of 2.61, and inadvertently mentioned to everyone that this was actually “outdated” technology.
Now, he was preparing to develop an amplifier with a coefficient above 4.1, which seemed like pure fantasy to the researchers at the institute.
Moreover, Yun Xingze was also planning to invent a new type of mecha simultaneously.
Despite their astonishment, no one doubted his capabilities.
“This is just too unbelievable,” Ming Xiao remarked with admiration as he watched Yun Xingze’s retreating figure. “We’re all military academy students, so why am I only fit to be a research assistant?”
Ming Xiao was a top student at Noah Military Academy, having achieved numerous accomplishments in mecha theory research. He had even published papers as a freshman, making him one of the academy’s brightest stars.
But compared to Yun Xingze, he was completely outshone.
“Ming Xiao, you’re already outstanding,” Jin Xuan patted his shoulder encouragingly. “As long as you don’t compare yourself to Yun Xingze.”
The others nodded in agreement, as Yun Xingze’s level of skill was truly beyond their comprehension.
“Still, I’m really curious,” Cheng Yuan frowned slightly, his eyes filled with confusion. “Where did Yun Xingze even learn all this knowledge?”
Cheng Yuan’s question left everyone equally puzzled.
When Jin Xuan curiously asked Yun Xingze the same question, his response was that he had been secretly studying mecha-related knowledge since childhood due to his interest in them.
This answer only deepened everyone’s admiration for Yun Xingze, cementing his reputation as a once-in-a-century genius.
In truth, all these technologies were ones Yun Xingze had developed in his previous life.
Now, he was merely recreating them while striving to improve upon his original designs.
To facilitate Yun Xingze’s research, Cheng Yuan assigned him the largest laboratory and told him, “You’re free to use all the resources in the institute, including every researcher—myself included.”
Cheng Yuan had seen Yun Xingze’s “discarded drafts” and understood his true value.
With Cheng Yuan’s support, Yun Xingze’s research plans quickly took shape.
Previously, he had only had You Jin assisting him, but now with an entire team at his disposal, efficiency naturally improved.
Although the researchers were involved in the development process, most of the time they simply followed Yun Xingze’s instructions, unable to grasp many of the technical details.
Why was this inflection point necessary? Why shorten the connection in the next step?
Yun Xingze didn’t explain or perhaps, even if he did, they wouldn’t understand.
For now, Yun Xingze had no intention of disclosing the technology behind the new mecha or the 4.1x amplifier.
He planned to use these two inventions to fulfill his own objectives.
However, to thank Director Cheng Yuan for his help, Yun Xingze decided to gift the 2.61x psychic amplification technology to the institute.
“Really?!” Cheng Yuan’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. “You’re giving us this technology for free?!”
Jin Xuan gasped in shock, covering her mouth before rushing to Yun Xingze’s side, almost as if she wanted to kneel and kowtow to him: “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful! Xingze, you’re practically the living Bodhisattva of our research institute. ”
“Actually, I thought you’d be able to deduce the technical pathway from those discarded drafts and the black box’s functions,” Yun Xingze said awkwardly, looking at Jin Xuan. “This technology really isn’t that difficult. With some effort, you could’ve developed it using your previous model.”
The room fell silent.
You Jin opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing.
He didn’t know how to explain to this genius that it wasn’t for lack of trying even when all the top experts in the institute gathered together, they still couldn’t unravel the mysteries hidden in those discarded drafts.
Though Yun Xingze called them outdated “scrap papers,” to You Jin, everything beyond the annotated sections might as well have been written in an alien language.
“Xingze, we’ll try our best,” Ming Xiao said, barely containing his excitement, “to understand what you’ve written. ”
Yun Xingze generously sent all his previous research results to Jin Xuan’s light computer.
While Yun Xingze considered these merely practice exercises, the research institute treated them like priceless treasures.
The moment Jin Xuan opened the files, she began devouring Yun Xingze’s research notes with ravenous intensity.
After just one page, she experienced a sudden epiphany.
“So that’s how it works.” Jin Xuan stared blankly at the screen, realizing that decades of her own research couldn’t compare to a single paragraph in these notes. “This is incredible.”
Cheng Yuan, watching from the side, soon became equally engrossed in the powerful technical framework Yun Xingze had constructed, marveling at how his understanding of mecha technology far surpassed their era.
Only then did they understand why that small black box Yun Xingze invented possessed such extraordinary capabilities.
For the Imperial Mecha Research Institute, this day would go down in history.
While Cheng Yuan, Jin Xuan and others were ecstatic, Yun Xingze remained completely unfazed.
He’d already drafted a development plan that would allow him to complete the new mecha before the NCLM finals. A timeline others wouldn’t dare imagine.
By the time he finished the preliminary plan, night had fallen. Yun Xingze stretched at his workstation before deciding to return to the team’s hotel.
When he checked his private terminal, he found messages from the entire Star Ocean team.
Apparently, the hospital had notified them about his return to Noah Star.
Among all the messages, Luo Wenchuan’s were the most numerous; quite out of character for his usual cold, aloof persona, and nothing like the terrifying antagonist from the original story.
[Yun Xingze: I’m awake. Should return to Noah Star soon.]
[Luo Wenchuan: How’s your condition.]
[Luo Wenchuan: What time returning.]
[Luo Wenchuan: Your location.]
[…]
Though the messages came in rapid succession, each maintained Luo Wenchuan’s signature brevity; never more than five characters per message, always ending with a period.
It almost seemed like…
A tsundere chatterbox.
As contradictory as that description sounded, it was exactly how Yun Xingze perceived the situation.
Yun Xingze boarded the aircraft provided by the research institute, curling his lips as he replied to Luo Wenchuan: [I’m already on Noah Star, heading back to the hotel now.] The moment he sent the message, Luo Wenchuan’s response came: [I’ll pick you up.]
[No refusals allowed.]
Yun Xingze had originally planned to have the aircraft take him straight to the hotel, but those four words suddenly brought back the memory of Luo Wenchuan coming to his dorm to pick him up for the competition that day.
So, Yun Xingze instructed the pilot to drop him off at a park still some distance from the hotel.
Then, he typed out a message and sent it to Luo Wenchuan: [Then meet me at XX Park.] Luo Wenchuan replied instantly:
[Wait for me.]
[Be there soon.]
A small flame of anticipation flickered in Yun Xingze’s heart as he gazed out at the night scenery outside the window, though he had no mind to appreciate it.
All he wanted was to see Luo Wenchuan as soon as possible.
But as the aircraft drew closer to the park, that little flame in Yun Xingze’s heart gradually dimmed.
Or rather, the flame still burned, but it was dampened by another emotion.
Unconsciously, Yun Xingze reached up and slowly traced the scar on the right side of his neck.
Back then, before the engagement banquet, Yun Xingze had already resolved to remove his gland, yet he couldn’t help thinking of Luo Wenchuan.
He asked himself, if he removed the gland, would Luo Wenchuan be heartbroken?
He knew the answer was yes.
But he still chose to pick up the laser scalpel and fight for his own fate.
Now, Yun Xingze had lost his gland and become a Beta, his body no longer producing pheromones, while Luo Wenchuan was the royal heir.
At this thought, a shadow of gloom flickered through Yun Xingze’s eyes.
Yun Xingze knew Luo Wenchuan wouldn’t distance himself just because he’d become a Beta.
But every time he recalled Luo Wenchuan holding him, his eyes red with desperation, his heart clenched uncontrollably.
By the time Yun Xingze arrived at the park, Luo Wenchuan was already there.
Luo Wenchuan’s aircraft was parked at the park entrance. Dressed in black casual wear, his tall frame and long limbs made him stand out even more strikingly.
He leaned against the aircraft, fingers idly tapping the hatch, his gaze tinged with restless anticipation.
The next second, Luo Wenchuan noticed Yun Xingze’s figure and immediately looked up at him.
The moment their eyes met, the air between them seemed to freeze for a second.
Luo Wenchuan’s features were still as coldly handsome and profound as ever, but Yun Xingze could tell he’d lost some weightperhaps from recent intense training.
The instant Luo Wenchuan saw Yun Xingze, he snapped into motion, striding toward him with long steps.
Yun Xingze’s heart inexplicably tightened with nervousness.
Soon, Luo Wenchuan stood before him, looking down into Yun Xingze’s eyes, his own gaze flickering slightly.
Yun Xingze’s heartbeat quickened, as if falling into those long, beautiful dark eyes.
“You…” Yun Xingze swallowed before speaking slowly, “Why did you insist on picking me up?”
He’d meant it as a way to ease the tension, but the moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. it sounded like such a pointless question.
Given Luo Wenchuan’s personality, he’d probably reply with something like “I had time to spare,” or “I was worried you’d get lost.” At best, he might say “I was concerned about your injuries.”
Likely no more than five words.
Suddenly, Luo Wenchuan took a step forward.
He moved closer to Yun Xingze, giving a slight nod that narrowed the distance between their faces until their eyes could hold nothing but each other.
Then came his deep, magnetic voice:
“Because I wanted to see you sooner.”
