Chapter Forty-One: Miss, Please Don't Scare Me

Wan Qi Lianhao gazed at the formula before him. The ingredients were all simple plants, except for one—“Magic Crystal Stone?”

Raising her eyes to meet his, Xuan Xuan replied, “Yes, or perhaps you call it something different?”

Spreading his hands, Wan Qi Lianhao admitted he had no idea what she was referring to.

Xuan Xuan rummaged through her bag and produced a piece of magic crystal stone. She had found this mineral while out with Zhan Yu, but had forgotten to ask him its name. “This is a magic crystal stone. This one is transparent and without any attribute.”

Wan Qi Lianhao took the crystal from her and examined it closely. It was, in fact, an energy stone.

He raised an eyebrow slightly. The use of energy stones was widespread; nearly all fleets and mechas in the Federation utilized them.

Xuan Xuan explained, “This kind is rare. But colored stones are usable too, though they have specific affinities—used according to a person’s attribute.”

Wan Qi Lianhao’s eyes widened. “You mean the green and blue ones can be used as well?”

Xuan Xuan was nearly in tears. Had she said something outrageous again? She ought to have learned more from Zhan Yu before coming to the Jade Tower.

“Yes, specific attributes are for specific uses,” Xuan Xuan admitted honestly. “If you make a special converter, it can be used too.”

She had discovered the attribute-less magic crystal stones inside her own robot and AI core. In certain conditions, energy attributes could be converted. While changing to other attributes was difficult, converting to attribute-less was not so hard.

Wan Qi Lianhao felt overwhelmed by the revelations today. Was this young woman just boasting, or did she truly possess such abilities?

Energy stones had been discovered roughly three hundred years ago. This discovery elevated all of the Federation’s technology.

But their utilization was still limited; only transparent stones could be used. At this rate, in a few thousand years, proven reserves would run out.

That was during peacetime. In war, no one could predict how long the stones would last.

If this technology could be applied in reality, Wan Qi Lianhao couldn’t imagine the possibilities.

At this moment, he only wanted to say to the girl before him, “Miss, please don’t frighten me.”

Glancing at Wan Qi Wu, who had been standing like a statue, Wan Qi Lianhao coughed twice, struggling to regain his composure.

“Is this technology transferable?” he asked thick-skinned, slightly embarrassed as he looked away.

He felt shameless, asking if such a technique could be transferred.

Xuan Xuan shook her head.

“That’s fine, I understand. But could the Jade Tower purchase such equipment?” Wan Qi Lianhao relaxed a little. If she truly wanted to sell it to him, he would feel awkward.

“No, it’s not that the technology isn’t transferable. Even if I gave it to you, no one here could make it,” Xuan Xuan explained.

Alchemy wasn’t just about potions; it involved engraving, refining, and more.

On the Mata Continent, the scholars were certainly alchemists.

For a complex, advanced alchemical product, sometimes a person could spend their entire life unable to craft it. Not to mention those with no foundation at all, wishing to create such high-level items directly.

Now Wan Qi Lianhao finally understood his father’s words. They were indeed sitting and watching the sky from a well, and perhaps what others didn’t even value were things they couldn’t imagine.

Like the two items she had casually produced.

Wan Qi Lianhao smiled wryly at himself, at his own narrow vision, at the Federation’s ignorance. “It’s hard to imagine what your country or organization is like.”

Xuan Xuan disliked seeing that expression on her father’s face. She preferred him energetic and bold, like when he taught her to fight monsters—though a bit arrogant, it was more pleasing.

“It’s not an organization. I am just one person,” Xuan Xuan said.

She had come today to avoid misunderstandings. If she represented a country or organization, who knew what they would think.

“You can think of me as a star wanderer,” Xuan Xuan suddenly recalled a term Zhan Yu had mentioned.

Star wanderers were mysterious figures; throughout the Federation’s history, they had only been rumored—perhaps mere legend. These individuals possessed the strength to travel the stars alone, gifted with abilities unimaginable to others.

“And I am alone.”

Wan Qi Lianhao was surprised, then somewhat relieved. Perhaps he needed a reason to convince himself to trust her, or to believe in himself.

Xuan Xuan said, “I haven’t had time recently. I’ll give you the formula; you can research it. When you’ve selected those to train, prepare the materials as well.”

Wan Qi Lianhao nodded.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Xuan Xuan took out a pile of potions and filled the entire tea table. “These are mid-grade ‘Mana Springs’. Test them yourselves, or auction them if you wish.”

She set the items down and, without waiting for Wan Qi Lianhao’s reply, patted her face mask—still there—and rose to leave the appraisal room.

Watching her departing figure, Wan Qi Lianhao came back to himself. Though she claimed they could be mass-produced, seeing the tea table full of potions still stunned him. She wasn’t just bold in words, but in actions as well.

Wan Qi Lianhao tapped the table gently. Wan Qi Wu finally reacted.

“Third Young Master, do you truly believe her?”

Wan Qi Lianhao merely smiled. “What use is belief? Take these and test them; we’ll know.”

“But—can energy stones really be converted?”

“I’ve never seen it, so I can’t be sure.” Wan Qi Lianhao casually picked up a potion and removed the stopper.

“Third Young Master, don’t!” Wan Qi Wu trembled in fright. They hadn’t confirmed its authenticity. If something happened to the young master here, he could never atone.

Wan Qi Lianhao said nothing, swallowing it in one gulp. He was confident, and since they were on the star network, any effect wouldn’t be too severe—a risk he could afford.

Wan Qi Wu wiped his cold sweat nervously.

Wan Qi Lianhao squinted, his face serious. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and Wan Qi Wu was dazzled by their brilliance, unable to see anything else.

It was real. That was all Wan Qi Lianhao could think—this thing was actually real. It could restore energy for all three types. Incredible. That meant the formula was likely real too.

If the formula was genuine, he had to believe the device that could convert energy truly existed.

Perhaps this world was indeed mad.

Yet he was one of the madmen in it.

He set down the empty bottle. It was true: his father was the wiser elder, having tasted more salt than he. Now he understood why his father said there was no need to investigate further.

“Pack everything up. I’ll arrange people to help you test it. Don’t let anything leak out,” he instructed Wan Qi Wu.

Wan Qi Wu nodded. “We won’t let anything out, but what about her side?”

Wan Qi Lianhao waved dismissively. “It doesn’t matter.”

They had already gained such a windfall—like a pie from heaven. They couldn’t expect more.

Greed was the greatest danger.

“You are an old hand in the Wan Qi family. You know what’s important,” Wan Qi Lianhao said authoritatively.

Wan Qi Wu nodded quickly. The chance he had waited for a lifetime was here—he would never ruin it. “Understood.”

Wan Qi Lianhao nodded. Since his father trusted Wan Qi Wu, there was no mistake. Use those you trust, and never suspect them. “You’ve handled this well. The next person couldn’t take over; you’ll stay in charge.”

“Yes.” Wan Qi Wu beamed as Wan Qi Lianhao logged offline. This assignment was a wonderful post—people would fight for it, but he wouldn’t give it up, let alone leave it himself.

Even if offered a real-world position in the Imperial Capital, he wouldn’t go. He remembered what the young lady had said: energy stone conversion—the real benefit was yet to come.

Xuan Xuan left the Jade Tower and looked at her palm, surprised to find it damp with sweat. Her father had put her under tremendous pressure. She did not want to lie to him, nor could she be entirely honest.

She scratched her head, frustrated.

She bumped into someone ahead, glanced up gloomily, and moved aside—it was that flamboyant man.

“Hey! You bump into someone and don’t even apologize?”

Xuan Xuan ignored him. She disliked flashy men.

Kuang Shao felt things hadn’t been going well lately. Whenever he tried to meet Zhan Yu, Zhan Yu was busy, and he kept seeing photos of Zhan Yu with the masked girl on the forums. Not very brotherly.

Tonight, he finally climbed onto the star network, only to be bumped by someone. When had anyone dared knock into him and not apologize?

He glanced at the sky. Was the sun rising from the west today?

At last, someone was brash before him?

He called out, but was ignored. Normally he wouldn’t mind, but his mood had been foul these days. Now someone had run right into him—wasn’t it just his luck?

Kuang Shao was tall and quick; in two strides, he reached for Xuan Xuan’s shoulder. “What, bump into me and just walk away without a word?”

Sensing someone behind her, Xuan Xuan immediately cast a small ward on her shoulder.

Originally, she’d considered launching a fireball to see who dared touch her.

But Zhan Yu had told her not to use magic before outsiders. So she conjured a “Wind Shield” and quickly stepped back.

She moved away and glared at Kuang Shao, her expression unfriendly. What did he want?

Kuang Shao’s hand was bounced off by the ward, leaving him puzzled. He hadn’t used much force, but it shouldn’t have been so easy for someone to slip away.

Looking again, his eyes lit up—it was the masked girl.