Chapter 611: Chapter 552: Prototype Machine Reported
In the laboratory.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s mind sparked with inspiration, accompanied by the slight retreat of Dao Heart, the design blueprints in her eyes were rapidly forming, and with her movements, one drawing after another was continuously being created.
Eventually, looking at the entire Odd Device design drawing, especially the strange patterns on the Magic Remains shell, Magnetic Pole couldn’t help but frown slightly, thinking to herself: "Lately, for the experiment on the Divinity Transformation Remains, I’ve designed quite a few experimental machines."
"But why do I always... tend to draw some strange decorations, strange patterns?"
Magnetic Pole shook her head, struggling to recall the source of these inspirations, yet couldn’t figure it out, making her feel increasingly puzzled.
...
Zhang Yu memorized his design for a stocking-shaped Magic Treasure, then drew out some inspiration from it and began to communicate with Ye Xingli.
After all, the requirement for copying each other’s Dao Seed was for both parties to complete a design of an Artifact Refining product together.
Zhang Yu thought if he simply sent the design blueprint to the other party, it wouldn’t be purely his own design, how could he meet the requirements for copying the Dao Seed?
Upon hearing Zhang Yu’s inspiration, Ye Xingli nodded repeatedly, her eyes lighting up: "Your idea is good, wait a moment, I need to write it down."
Accompanied by a flash of light in her eye, Ye Xingli continued: "But I currently don’t have time to discuss the design you mentioned, I need to finish the design blueprint at hand first."
After exchanging ideas with Ye Xingli, Zhang Yu realized he had misunderstood her thoughts.
"So the senior sister isn’t designing Magic Treasure Remains for herself... but actually designing an Artifact Refining product suited for college students."
From Zhang Yu’s understanding, although Ye Xingli’s fan base had surged recently, her sales were showing little progress.
The main reason was quite simple, Wanfa University and the products she was selling were too high-end, while Ye Xingli’s fans were too poor and couldn’t afford these products.
Ye Xingli sighed: "About 53% of my fans are college students, 35% are lower school students, their income is very low, and their willingness to purchase products over 1 spirit coin is very poor."
"Although I could find some low-end brands to sell, they lack differentiation, core competitiveness, and those companies don’t offer us many benefits."
"I was thinking... if it’s possible to design a product unique to my name, a product more suitable for the poor."
"However, these past few days I’ve been thinking it over and it just doesn’t feel right."
Saying this, Ye Xingli turned to Zhang Yu and smiled: "After just exchanging ideas with you, I suddenly understood."
"What I lack is communication, the exchange of relevant information."
"I don’t have enough understanding of the situation of lower school students and college students, how can I design a product they need?"
Zhang Yu was moved and spoke: "I have quite a few connections in the college and lower school communities, I can help you gather some information and assist you with the design."
Ye Xingli: "Thank you, Zhang Yu."
Yet after saying this, Ye Xingli thought for a moment and sent over another message: [1 spirit coin]
Seeing the message sent by the other party, Zhang Yu thought to himself: "Indeed, a senior sister who sends money always feels more sincere."
As for where to collect information from the poor, it was extremely simple for Zhang Yu, as he knew far too many poor people.
Zhang Yu directly sent out a survey in the hometown group, and every day he received various responses.
Some requested an eye with the performance of the Heavenly Eye, priced at 1 spirit coin.
Some hoped for a mouth devoid of taste, capable of rapidly digesting waste.
Some hoped for an anus that didn’t require toilet visits and didn’t produce waste.
Some hoped to turn both feet into wheels and transform hands into various tools with Magic Remains.
Some hoped to wear the skin of Demon Descendants or Demon Beasts to resist environmental harm to the body.
Zhang Yu glanced casually, noticing all sorts of requests, essentially seeking non-human transformations, as if wanting to gradually turn themselves from living people into animals or tools.
However, Zhang Yu wasn’t quick to employ the power of Heaven’s Workmanship, as that would cause Dao Heart to retreat.
Both he, and Magnetic Pole, had insufficient understanding of the lowest tier of the university ecosystem, and rashly using Heaven’s Workmanship now would likely just be a waste.
Zhang Yu planned to collect more information before using Heaven’s Workmanship to complete the blueprint and then communicate with Ye Xingli.
...
Another week passed in the blink of an eye.
Time reached the beginning of February.
In Jin Jun’s laboratory.
As waves of light shot into the sky, golden flames surged out from the prototype machine, causing the entire prototype machine to slowly float up.
The laboratory instantly erupted with cheers and applause.
Jin Jun looked at this scene and nodded repeatedly with a smile.
"Finally done."
Nearly two months had passed since Jin Jun last completed a Level 5 prototype machine.
During this time, he faced enormous pressure, accompanied by constant financial consumption, and watched as various expenses exceeded the budget, finally refining the Level 11 prototype machine today.
He realized that at this moment, he was qualified to submit a military application.
"But it’s still not enough."
"The success rate at Level 11 is still too low, it needs to be a bit higher."
With a hint of satisfaction, Jin Jun announced to all the assistants in the lab that they would stop work for half a day. The assistants could take online courses and relax, then return to the lab to continue working.
He knew that several assistants had upcoming final exams, and the pressure from course materials was heavy. Allowing them to take online courses to prepare for exams could effectively relieve their stress.
But just two hours later, Jin Jun, who had recently felt proud and content, suddenly became tense.
"What did you say?" Jin Jun looked at the message from his friend, asking solemnly, "Zhang Yu has already submitted the military certificate for review?"
The friend was named Bei Wufeng, ranked second in the Artifact Refining Department, and a senior who had been a great help to Jin Jun.
Upon hearing this news from Bei Wufeng, Jin Jun’s first reaction was disbelief.
He felt he had increased funding and manpower, enhancing speed, efficiency, and quality to the utmost. It was unimaginable that Zhang Yu could also participate in the review?
"Did Zhang Yu’s prototype machine exceed Level 11? Level 12? Level 13? Or what?"
Jin Jun shook his head, "How could that be possible?"
Jin Jun instinctively didn’t want to believe this.
"Or did he reach Level 11 and want to participate in the military certificate review?"
Jin Jun didn’t think Zhang Yu was foolish either.
"The success rate is too low."
While wavering between two possibilities, Jin Jun also had to hesitate about his next choice.
"Should I participate in the review?"
After thinking it over, Jin Jun decided to gather intelligence first, to investigate what exactly was happening on Zhang Yu’s side.
So he skillfully summoned Su Yuni and explained the situation to her.
Su Yuni was slightly startled upon hearing this and hurriedly sent a message to Zi Yunzhen to inquire, but a reply was delayed.
Jin Jun urged, "Where is she? Just go find her directly."
"As long as she’s willing to disclose specific information about Zhang Yu’s side, money isn’t an issue, I can give it to her."
...
On a construction site somewhere in University City.
The Magnetic Channel was being excavated for renovation.
Similar work had been happening all over University City for the past few months, so Zi Yunzhen was no longer surprised.
Only looking at the construction site in front of her, she still wore an expression of helplessness, recalling Zhang Yu’s instructions.
Zhang Yu smiled slightly, "Little Zi, the work in the lab is complete. For the rest of your work time this month, head to the construction site."
"Ah?" Zi Yunzhen said reluctantly, "The construction site? Boss, how can I go to such a place?"
"What’s wrong with the construction site?" Zhang Yu said, "I’m your boss, I need you to help at the construction site, so you go help."
"I’ve taken on quite a few projects contracted by the Artifact Refining Department at the construction site, you’re helping the Artifact Refining Department too."
"What, don’t you want your name added to the prototype machine project?"
Thinking about the Heavenly Sun Divine project in the other’s hands, and the prototype machine with a high chance of passing review, Zi Yunzhen ultimately went to the construction site.
Ying Xin introduced her to the surrounding environment and today’s job.
At this time, not far away, Fu Xinyao saw Zi Yunzhen and her eyes sparkled, "A student from Artifact Refining Department? Finally!"
As a Dark Spy from Hehuan University remaining at Wanfa University, Fu Xinyao had been silently gathering information from various angles.
However, due to the incredibly complex authority management in University City, along with the devastation of the economic crisis, Fu Xinyao had stopped work for a considerable time.
After finally reconnecting with a Civil Engineering contact, she found Su YanYang from the Civil Engineering Department, who was said to be close to Zhang Yu.
After an in-depth exchange, Fu Xinyao was horrified to find herself growing increasingly lazy, nearly wanting to join the Dual Rest Sect.
Thankfully, she overcame this thought with her astounding willpower, and returned to work once more.
Looking at Zi Yunzhen now, Fu Xinyao thought her ideas were indeed correct. As the Civil Engineering Department revived and various construction projects resumed, students from the Artifact Refining Department gradually got involved.
On the other hand, Zi Yunzhen hadn’t worked long before she saw Su Yuni surprisingly appear at the construction site.
"Su Yuni?" Zi Yunzhen asked curiously, "Why are you here too?"
Su Yuni looked at the slender figure of Zi Yunzhen, whose shell of Magic Remains bore visible wear and tear, and asked, "You’ve been working overtime a lot lately it seems."
Zi Yunzhen smiled slightly, "After all, besides Zhang Yu, I’m the only one left in the project team. There’s so much work, I can’t finish it all. But the chances to practice have increased, bringing substantial progress."
Hearing this, a flash of envy passed through Su Yuni’s eyes, as in Jin Jun’s project team, she didn’t have as many opportunities. Too many experts were vying for work to get a chance.
Su Yuni then asked, "Is the lab not busy today? What brought you to the construction site?"