Chapter 4: Hextech Crystal Technology

After reaching an agreement with Lady Carina, Li Lin began staying at the Gilman family's residence.

The Gilman family proved to be quite affluent, providing him with a room consisting of a living area, a bedroom, and even a private bathroom. Lady Carina specifically arranged a spacious workshop for him, equipped with various mechanical facilities. The intention was to encourage interaction and collision of scientific ideas between him and Jace, another genius residing nearby.

However, Li Lin didn't show much initiative in communicating with Jace, as their technological pursuits were entirely different, not to mention that Jace didn't reside in the Gilman household. Due to Li Lin's preference for late-night research, encounters between the two geniuses were rare.

Surprisingly, since Li Lin started living in the Gilman residence, Caitlyn frequently visited him, especially during the evening.

As the sun set and night descended, the gentle moonlight cast a silver-white veil over the long night. With Evolution Day approaching, the streets of Piltover were exceptionally lively during the night.

Knock, knock, knock...

The door to Li Lin's workshop was gently tapped.

It was Caitlyn again.

He reluctantly paused his work, removed his Hextech headlamp, and said, "The door isn't locked; come in."

As the creaking sound of the door being pushed open echoed, Li Lin was surprised to find that tonight's visitor was not Caitlyn.

"Uh, good evening, Li Lin. I apologize for disturbing you so late," a familiar voice of a young man entered his ears.

Li Lin looked towards the door in astonishment, where a tall and well-built young man with a crew cut stood, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Talis? Why haven't you gone home so late?" Li Lin invited him in, "Do you have something to discuss with me?"

"Just call me Jace..." Jace spoke and hesitated for a moment, seeming to have something difficult to express. After closing and locking the door, he explained, "I have something very important to discuss with you."

"With me? Are you sure?" Li Lin sat back in the chair in front of the workbench, full of curiosity. "I've only been here for a few days. Shouldn't you discuss important matters with Lady Carina?"

"No, she doesn't allow me to do what I want..." Jace bit his lip, "I think since you can design something like the 'generator' that can lead an era, you should be able to understand me."

The fact that Jace knew about the generator Li Lin had already manufactured wasn't surprising. Although Lady Carina requested confidentiality until the Evolution Day ceremony, Jace's knowledge wasn't unexpected.

Li Lin resisted the urge to complain and asked, "Alright, spill it. What exactly is the matter?"

"You have to promise not to leak this information."

"Sure, then you might as well leave. I can't guarantee that." Li Lin shrugged and raised his hands, "I'm different from you. Lady Carina hasn't fully trusted me yet. If she finds out later, I won't have an easy time."

Li Lin did have some understanding of Jace's background, but the official biography provided little information. At times like this, he couldn't figure out what the "Riddle Master" had done and why he wanted to secretly avoid detection by the Gilman family.

Noticing Jace's increasingly downcast expression, Li Lin finally sighed, "At least tell me what kind of thing it is."

"I think this is also a method to create a new era, but for now, I don't have many clues," Jace said.

"You mean Hextech crystal technology?" Li Lin guessed his meaning immediately.

Jace's pupils slightly contracted. "How did you know?"

Of course, it's clearly written in your background.

Li Lin smiled and said, "Isn't it simple? Except for steam energy, Piltover only has Hextech crystal energy left. You said it's a method to create a new era, and it can't be known to Lady Carina. Besides Hextech crystal technology, I can't think of anything else. Of course, this is just a guess, but it seems that I guessed right."

Jace was exposed by Li Lin's clever deduction, feeling somewhat discouraged.

He found a nearby chair to sit down casually, supporting his face with both hands, and let out a long sigh.

"I'm curious. You actually want to study Hextech crystal technology? Isn't this technology monopolized by the Ferros family? Aren't you afraid that Lady Camille will come to your house for tea in the middle of the night?"

Li Lin added in his mind, You're not afraid of the Steel Lady coming to you at midnight?

"I've been studying this crystal for a while now. I think I've found a new... um, substance?" Jace continued.

"What? A new substance? Wait... you said you're studying Hextech crystal technology?!" Li Lin was shocked, almost jumping up from his chair and pushing him out, then saying, "Sorry, we're not familiar!"

I thought I was taking a big risk by presenting so many designs for sponsorship at once. I didn't expect you to be even more

audacious, researching Hextech crystal technology.

"Since Lady Carina doesn't support you, where did you get the crystal? Doesn't the Ferros family prohibit individual crystals from circulating in the market?" Li Lin questioned.

"There are many things on the market that aren't allowed. Why can some people still buy them?" Jace retorted.

"Did you go to the black market in Zaun?" Li Lin furrowed his brows tightly. "That's very dangerous, you know?"

"For a better future, what's a bit of risk? Besides, that's not the main point," Jace disdainfully glanced at Li Lin.

"I found many black market traders in the Undercity who buy stolen goods, but I didn't find a complete crystal. I only found a nail-sized fragment in a grocery store in the dark alley. However, the shopkeeper told me that his men could get complete crystals, but I had to wait until after Evolution Day, at the latest until March or April next year."

Give it up, Jace. The whole place outside is filled with Blue Steel Shadows...

Li Lin widened his eyes. He was about to say something to dissuade Jace, but ultimately chose to keep his advice to himself, silently listening.

"During this period, I've been studying this crystal fragment, analyzing its energy composition, trying to find a way to stabilize the crystal. However, after thoroughly analyzing the energy components of the crystal, I found that it couldn't be fully explained from a scientific perspective."

Jace paused for a moment, his expression becoming serious. "It involves magic."

(End of this chapter)