From Abyssal Invasion to Bursting Stars with a Single Sword-Chapter 193 - 160: Metal Mechanical Strengthening Route

"Metal Ion Reduction" combined with "Mechanical Heart," plus three Skill Slots.

This initial template resembled someone, both had Dual Talents and three Skill Slots, with similarly strong Initial Talents.

Combining these two Talents fundamentally determined the development path, which was the metal-mechanical route.

Lu Heng's gaze swept over the Crystal Core list, stopped on a Crystal Core's name, tapped on it with his finger, and said, "Let's go with this one."

The others turned their heads to look, read the Crystal Core's name Lu Heng was pointing at, and said, "Fluid Metal."

Lin Zeyu suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Wait a minute, I just acquired this a few days ago, this number!"

He stretched out four fingers toward Lu Heng.

This "Fluid Metal" Crystal Core, three months earlier, was put up in the Ultimate Auction and had fetched a price of 45 million.

The auction price would be slightly higher, though acquiring it normally could be a bit cheaper, the difference was limited.

"So what?" Lu Heng blinked and asked.

"The thing is, I planned to use this for myself, I wanted to discuss with you if I could use this Skill, it's good for both offense and defense." Lin Zeyu had one empty Skill Slot, and had originally collected several Skill Crystal Cores, planning to consult Lu Heng.

Yuan Hecheng thought Lin Zeyu's four fingers meant four million upon seeing them.

His contract had a ten million upfront payment and he trusted Lu Heng greatly, also feeling the Skill was good, thus he asked, "I can buy this with money, it's written in the contract about the ten million upfront."

Lin Zeyu waved his hand and directly responded, "You can't afford it."

This left Yuan Hecheng stunned, not knowing how to react.

Su Muyu helped explain, "This guy doesn't mince his words, but he doesn't mean any harm. However, this Crystal Core is Grade B, and its buying price is forty million."

Upon hearing this price, Yuan Hecheng's eyes widened, realizing Lin Zeyu's comment about not being able to afford it was truly because he couldn't afford it.

During this period, he had been pleading with consortia to sign a twenty-year indenture just for a ten million upfront payment, but no consortia were willing.

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With ten million, he could actually purchase several decent Grade D or C Crystal Cores.

His original plan was to buy three Grade D or C life-saving Skills for his daughter, which ten million would suffice for.

Unexpectedly, Lu Heng initially recommended a Grade B, and it was among the pricier ones in that category.

He took the Crystal Core and examined it closely, after which he understood why this Skill was so expensive.

"Fluid Metal: Consumes massive Source Energy to enhance the ductility of metal, turning metal into a fluid, thereby altering its shape, and upon retrieving the Source Energy, the metal returns to its original hardness. Skill Consumption: 10 Source Energy per minute; Skill Level: Grade B."

This Skill was simply one of the strongest for a Metal Element Power User.

With this Skill, a Metal Element Power User could create endless possibilities.

Moreover, this Skill could synergize with Yuan Yaoyao's "Metal Ion Reduction" Talent.

There was no need for a detailed analysis, after reading the Skill data, Yuan Hecheng knew this Skill was indeed very suitable for his daughter and was worth spending all their money on.

However, he could not gather such an amount of money even if he sold everything he owned.

Even if he doubled the term of the indenture, he could only buy half.

Without enough money, he didn't have the audacity to ask.

Lu Heng confidently said, "This is the one, bring the Crystal Core over."

Lin Zeyu had with difficulty acquired a Grade B Skill, and really wanted to use it for himself: "I wanted to use this myself."

"You'd be wasting it," Lu Heng blocked him with a sentence, "Let the young lady use it first, and I'll help you find a suitable one later."

"Alright." Lin Zeyu could only agree and asked someone to bring the "Fluid Metal" Crystal Core over.

Yuan Hecheng's face reddened a bit and he said, "Mr. Lu, I can't afford this Crystal Core."

Lu Heng spoke lightly, "It's okay, just take it and use it, nothing is more important than life."

Yuan Hecheng's eyes misted up as he said, "Mr. Lu, I'll work like a horse for you, I'll do whatever you ask."

"I treat people sincerely, as long as they treat me sincerely in return."

Lu Heng continued to go through the Crystal Core list, selected two more Crystal Cores for his daughter, then took out an "Abyss Battlefield Survival Manual" and slid it over, saying, "There's a little more than a day left, reading this material should be helpful to you."

This "Abyss Battlefield Survival Manual" contained experiences and methods for surviving in the Abyss World and some specific data about various Abyss Worlds.

For Power Users being conscripted for the first time, this manual would be very helpful.

"Thank you, thank you..." Yuan Hecheng said gratefully multiple times.

In the week prior, Yuan Yaoyao could see her father had been running around frantically, and he had become haggard.

She knew what her father was doing and knew it was something very difficult.

So today, she realized she had received a grand favor and looked at Lu Heng with a gleam of light shining in her eyes.

After the Skill Crystal Core was brought over and absorbed by Yuan Yaoyao, filling all three Skill Slots, the remaining time was to finish reading the "Abyss Battlefield Survival Manual," then wait for the conscription to arrive.

...

Lu Heng knew this was a time Yuan Hecheng definitely wanted to be by his daughter's side and wouldn't have the mind to enter Quenching Castle, so he let them go home.

After the father and daughter left, Lin Zeyu complained, "That was a skill I had prepared for myself."

"Is it necessary to be that stingy?" Lu Heng shot back.

"You don't know how hard it is to collect Crystal Cores when you're not in charge. That was a level B Crystal Core, and I had just gotten one in half a year," Lin Zeyu sighed.

When Lu Heng was looking at the Crystal Core list earlier, he had already noticed another skill and said, "Didn't you collect the 'Hidden Eye'? That skill is quite good."

Lin Zeyu rolled his eyes and said, "That skill is only level C, just level C. And it doesn't move; it's such a useless feature."

Lu Heng shook his head and chuckled, "That skill is a level C Divine Skill. If it were me, I would choose that over 'Fluid Metal.'"

Lin Zeyu frowned skeptically, "Are you sure? A level C skill can compare to a level B?"

According to the logic of a normal Superpower User, wasn't the answer obvious? Of course, you'd blindly choose level B.

Lu Heng reminded him, "As long as you max out your proficiency in this skill, I can turn it into a level B 'Void Eye.'"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zeyu's eyes lit up, "Right, the skill level is just a formality, of course the skill effect is more important. Then I'll learn 'Hidden Eye.'"

Lu Heng and Su Muyu were a bit speechless seeing his sudden change of attitude.

Lin Zeyu started to test out his new skill 'Hidden Eye,' coalescing an energy eyeball on his palm.

"How do I use this?"

"Close your eyes and try," Lu Heng suggested.

Lin Zeyu closed his eyes, and to his surprise, instead of darkness, he saw through the 'Hidden Eye.'

"This is just too amazing."

He began to place 'Hidden Eye' around different spots in the room.

"It's practically an infinite surveillance network; I can place as many eyes as I want."

"Until you run out of Source Energy, or... until your spirit breaks," Lu Heng answered.

"Spirit breaks?"

Lin Zeyu looked puzzled, then he closed his eyes and suddenly stiffened, collapsing onto the sofa with a cry, quickly opening his eyes and gasping for breath.

He had created twenty or thirty energy eyeballs at once, and as soon as he closed his eyes, the visions from all those eyeballs assaulted him, almost overwhelming his spirit.

After testing the skill, Lin Zeyu, holding the Crystal Core list, asked, "Which Crystal Core would Lady Su like? Let's think about this together."

Su Muyu was also considering which skill to choose while looking at the list earlier.

There were a few usable skills, but none particularly suitable.

Lu Heng, having already finished looking at the list, said, "There's nothing particularly suitable, let's wait and see."

Lin Zeyu pointed to a Crystal Core on the list and said, "This 'Source Energy Shield' seems pretty good; it lasts a long time."

Lu Heng evaluated, "'Source Energy Shield' can't stop a sniper bullet, you'd still get your head blown off even with it."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Lin Zeyu changed his tune and said, "This skill isn't really good enough, let's keep looking."

'Source Energy Shield' is a fairly standard defense skill, it can stop a handgun bullet but not a rifle bullet, its defensive power isn't as good as 'Prism Tower Shield.'

Of course, 'Source Energy Shield' also has its advantages, such as a longer duration, which allows it to be activated in advance for a charge.

Su Muyu continued, "By the way, my 'Prism Tower Shield' has maxed out its proficiency. Should I upgrade it now?"

"Upgrade it. You're so rich," Lu Heng casually replied.

"Where am I rich!" Su Muyu suddenly widened her eyes, looking frantic.

"I meant rich in Divine Energy," Lu Heng quickly corrected.

Su Muyu, having returned from Cyber Wasteland, hadn't spent the 2,400 points of Divinity she had gained, plus the 600 points she had left over.

So, her Divinity was indeed a hefty 3,000 points.

Su Muyu pursed her lips, holding back a smile, and quickly changed the subject, "Then I'll start upgrading the 'Prism Tower Shield.'"

"Okay, I'll help you unlock the Skill Lock," Lu Heng used his Talent to unlock her skill.

Su Muyu introduced 300 points of Divinity into the Skill Slot, merging with the 'Prism Tower Shield's energy to form a larger Energy Ball.

"It's done."

"It's finished just like that?" Lin Zeyu blinked, remembering the time he had failed a skill upgrade, ending up spending double the Divinity.

Now Su Muyu's skill upgrade was much faster than his, taking less than a minute to complete.

Lu Heng locked up her Skill Lock and then said, "Everyone's physical constitution is different; this is probably a hidden Talent."

Lin Zeyu, with eyes wide, protested, "Lu Heng, tell me the truth, were you not really focused when upgrading my skill?"

"What could I do if I were?" Lu Heng joked as he continued the banter.

"If that's how you talk, then we can't be friends. From now on… from now on, I can only call you father-in-law!" Lin Zeyu suddenly flipped the script, revealing his goofy nature.