After hearing Ming Xiao and Eugene’s explanations, Yun Xingze roughly understood the situation.
The Research Institute had discovered his exceptional mental regulation abilities and wanted his assistance, but couldn’t risk the Federation finding out.
“By the way,” Ming Xiao walked up to Yun Xingze, curling his lips into a smile, “how’s that bouquet of pale-yellow Noah flowers I gave you doing?”
Yun Xingze looked up at him: “You tampered with the flowers?”
“Indeed,” Ming Xiao admitted without hesitation. “But don’t misunderstand, it’s just genetic modification. Their fragrance helps enhance spiritual power, though it only works for those below S-rank for now.”
Yun Xingze asked sharply, “So there are side effects?”
Ming Xiao hesitated visibly for a second.
“There’s only one side effect,” You Jin interjected. “The fragrance reduces pheromone levels in the body, but it’s harmless. My apologies, this was to help you boost your spiritual power faster for the research institute’s experiments. Everything will return to normal after the experiment concludes.”
Such a subtle, nearly imperceptible effect was enough to slip past everyone’s notice.
“Using me like this without my consent,” Yun Xingze sneered. “Why should I help the research institute with their experiments?”
Behind them, a researcher couldn’t help muttering under his breath, “Does this guy not know the status of the research institute? And genetically modified Noah flowers are something many people would kill to get their hands on.”
Others chimed in quietly:
“Exactly, so many are scrambling to work at the institute.”
“Even a single modified Noah flower could fetch a sky-high price. He’s actually getting a huge deal.”
“He’s being a bit ungrateful, isn’t he…”
Ming Xiao and You Jin exchanged a glance.
Then, You Jin turned and said coolly, “Quiet.”
The murmurs ceased immediately.
“I apologize if you feel deceived, but I assure you, if you help the institute complete the experiment, we can give you whatever you want,” You Jin said, meeting Yun Xingze’s gaze word by word. “More importantly, the Empire and the Federation could go to war at any moment. Our technological disadvantage is detrimental to you, to the citizens, and to the entire Star Empire.”
You Jin’s words gave Yun Xingze pause.
Though the institute’s methods left a bad taste in his mouth, he did need their current coating technology. Moreover, joining the institute would give him the opportunity to design better mechs. The only catch was that these people saw him as nothing more than a “test subject.”
“You said you need my help to complete the experiment. What exactly does that entail?” Yun Xingze asked after a moment’s thought, turning to Ming Xiao.
“It’s about research on spiritual power amplifiers,” Ming Xiao replied. “We’ve developed a conduit that can amplify spiritual energy, but we lack someone capable of activating it. As for why it can’t be activated, it’s complicated.”
Before he could finish, Yun Xingze cut in, “It’s because the material backlashes against spiritual power, right?”
Everyone present froze. No one expected Yun Xingze to guess the reason!
You Jin asked in astonishment, “How did you know?”
This was an inevitable hurdle in refining neural bridging technology something Yun Xingze had personally overseen in his past life. He knew it all too well.
Silently, Yun Xingze made a decision.
He said to Ming Xiao and You Jin, “I’ll help with the experiment, but on one condition: I want to speak with the director.”
The moment the words left his mouth, the researchers behind them couldn’t hold back. “You want to talk to the director?” one blurted out.
“Director Cheng is swamped with work, how could he possibly have time for this?”
“To be honest, you do have talent, but the director isn’t someone just anyone can meet. Besides, you’re not the only capable one out there.”
The director of the Imperial Mecha Research Institute was named Cheng Yuan. Though middle-aged, his expertise in mecha technology was profound. He was the creator of cutting-edge mechas like the Shadow Mecha and Storm Mecha.
These new models propelled the Empire’s mecha technology far beyond the Federation’s, ushering in a golden decade of relentless innovation. Cheng Yuan became a national treasure in the process.
The researchers at the institute revered him, which was why Yun Xingze’s bold attitude rubbed them the wrong way.
“If you need someone’s help, you should show sincerity,” Yun Xingze said calmly. “If just anyone could complete this experiment, why go through all this trouble to find me?”
The mocking researchers suddenly fell silent, at a loss for words, their expressions souring.
Ming Xiao and Eugene exchanged a few quiet words.
Finally, Ming Xiao turned to Yun Xingze. “I can’t make this decision. The director has been in meetings lately, but I’ll relay your request when he’s free.”
“Please believe in our sincerity,” Eugene said solemnly, locking eyes with Yun Xingze. “This experiment is of monumental importance. As a mecha pilot, you understand better than anyone. Amplifying psychic energy would be an era-defining breakthrough for the entire galaxy, even if it’s just by 1%.”
Yun Xingze, however, remained noncommittal. Unfazed, he picked up a can of coating from the shelf and asked Eugene, “Time’s up. How much for this? Name your price.”
“Wave-reactive nano-coating. It’s rare on the market since it’s not widely used yet,” Eugene replied. “For you, a special insider’s price: 103,800-star credits, half the market rate.”
“Round it down,” Yun Xingze said with a smile.
For some reason, that smile sent a shiver down Eugene’s spine.
Hesitantly, Eugene countered, “100,000. That’s already a steal, isn’t it?”
Yun Xingze answered breezily:
“10,000.”
Eugene: “…”
Ming Xiao was stunned by Yun Xingze’s “rounding” method.
The other researchers erupted again:
“Hey, don’t push your luck!”
“Even at 100,000, you’d be robbing us blind!”
“Who rounds down like that? This isn’t a flea market.”
Yun Xingze replied coolly, “It’ll depreciate soon enough. Mass production could happen anytime. Besides, after all the trouble you’ve caused me, 10,000 is more than fair, isn’t it?”
“Fair, fair,” Ming Xiao interjected quickly, aware of how crucial Yun Xingze was to the institute. He couldn’t afford to let negotiations collapse. “10,000 it is. Take it.”
Satisfied, Yun Xingze transferred the credits to Eugene and added cheerfully, “Get me a bag for this.”
The researchers collectively muttered, “You—@#%ï¿¥%!”
Eugene hurriedly shushed them, rummaged through a cabinet, and handed Yun Xingze a storage pouch.
After Yun Xingze and Eugene left the materials room, someone asked Ming Xiao:
“Why humor him like that? With that attitude, he’ll probably botch the research.”
Ming Xiao recalled Yun Xingze’s offhand remark about “material backlash on psychic energy,” his eyes glinting with something inscrutable.
Watching the two depart, he said gravely:
“He might be more valuable than we imagined.”
Behind them, the door to the materials room closed.
As Eugene led Yun Xingze out, he said to him, “Think it over carefully. In this era, the Mecha Research Institute is the only place that doesn’t discriminate against Omegas.”
Yun Xingze turned to look at Eugene, slightly stunned. He hadn’t expected Eugene, a Beta, to say such a thing.
The high collar of Eugene’s thin shirt covered his pale neck, and his face looked somewhat weary under the dim lighting. He continued, “We’ve invested too much in this experiment already. I hope you can understand.”
Yun Xingze pursed his lips.
“Besides, even as a volunteer, having this work experience would make it no problem for you to enter a major mecha company in the future,” Eugene said with encouragement in his eyes. “I look forward to your participation.”
Moved by Eugene’s sincerity, Yun Xingze finally responded with a soft “Mm,” saying, “I’ll think it over carefully.”
Exiting the passageway and returning to the shop, they found Luo Wenchuan had been waiting for a long time.
He sat stiffly on the shop’s sofa, his back rigid.
Only when the two emerged did his posture relax slightly.
Then, Luo Wenchuan stood up and walked over to Yun Xingze, asking, “Found it?”
Yun Xingze nodded, holding up the storage bag. “Got it.” He curled his lips into a smile.
Luo Wenchuan’s cold features softened considerably at that moment. He murmured, “That’s good.”
After speaking, Luo Wenchuan handed Yun Xingze a cup of juice:
“I bought it earlier.”
Yun Xingze thought Luo Wenchuan must have been waiting anxiously and worriedly for him. Even in such a state, he still considered Yun Xingze’s needs.
What a good boss.
Yun Xingze couldn’t help but think that if he really gained access to the Mecha Research Institute’s resources in the future, the first thing he’d do would be to help Luo Wenchuan modify his mecha.
If the research on the psychic amplifier went smoothly, results might be achieved in just a few months.
By then, Luo Wenchuan would become a 3S-level mecha warrior.
At this thought, Yun Xingze’s smile deepened. After taking a sip of the juice, he offered it to Luo Wenchuan. “Want to try some?”
Luo Wenchuan froze.
He glanced at the straw, pursed his lips, and his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
Yun Xingze suddenly realized Luo Wenchuan was a germaphobe. There was no way he’d share a straw.
Embarrassed, Yun Xingze withdrew the cup and scratched his head awkwardly. “Never mind, I’ll buy you another one later.”
Luo Wenchuan, who had been about to lower his head, stiffened mid-motion.
Just then, Eugene behind them suddenly spoke up. “I have a double straw.”
Both of them turned to him in surprise.
Eugene produced a packaged double straw from some corner of the mecha shop and handed it to them.
“Uh,” Yun Xingze blinked, “why do you have—”
“I used to run a juice shop here,” Eugene said nonchalantly. “Is that a problem?”
“No…”
It seemed Eugene had successfully lured quite a few people to the research institute before.
After switching to the double straw, Yun Xingze offered one end to Luo Wenchuan.
Luo Wenchuan hesitated for a moment before lowering his head and taking a sip.
Then, his thin lips curved slightly as he said in a pleased tone, “Tastes good.”
Yun Xingze thought Luo Wenchuan must be happy.
But somehow…
There seemed to be a hint of disappointment?
Maybe he was overthinking it.
After returning to the hotel, Yun Xingze tidied up the items he had purchased at the carnival, his gaze lingering on the bouquet of Noah flowers placed on the refrigerator.
He walked slowly to the refrigerator, looking at the pale-yellow petals. The floral fragrance filled him with a sense of peace and refreshment.
“Boosts mental energy,” Yun Xingze murmured to himself, “but reduces pheromone levels in the body.”
As for that side effect, he didn’t mind it at all.
Although the research institute had given him this flower to participate in the experiment, it could help him rapidly advance to S-class.
This was actually beneficial for the competition.
Over the next few days, Yun Xingze successfully modified the mechanical beast using the purchased coating.
This “wave-sensitive nano-coating material” turned out to be more responsive and effective than he had imagined.
The only drawback was that the material’s wave-sensing diffusion was limited, making it suitable only for very small mechas rather than the main unit.
After completing the modifications, Yun Xingze had already envisioned countless strategies in his mind to defeat his opponents.
Just as he was brimming with confidence for the upcoming match, he noticed his teammates looking rather gloomy.
When Yun Xingze asked Orel for the reason, Orel simply tossed him several links.
Across major forums and news outlets, analyses of the match between Starsea Military Academy and St. Clythus Mecha Academy were popping up everywhere.
And the overwhelming majority of them belittled Starsea while praising St. Clythus.
Even the comments beneath these articles leaned heavily in favor of St. Clythus, often taking jabs at Starsea and even resorting to baseless personal attacks.
As Yun Xingze scrolled through them, he suddenly realized that many of these comments were posted by burner accounts, with a lot of repetitive content.
After patiently reading through them, for some reason, he recalled Richard’s assessment of St. Clythus and a bold speculation formed in his mind.
These news articles and forum comments were very likely the first step in St. Clythus’s strategy to crush Starsea: psychological warfare.
Just as Richard had said it was truly despicable.
