CHAPTER 379 - Time to Expand and Prepare for War
After over three hours of relentless effort, Li Lin finally completed the construction of an unmanned floating carrier and a satellite equipped with space-based laser weaponry. Due to system requirements, he had to assemble all the components into a cohesive structure to qualify as a finished creation and to earn the initial build reward.
He decided to equip both machines with Hextech teleportation functionality, allowing them to be transported to his exclusive satellite base in the southern part of Twin Cities, where his small rocket launcher factory is located.
The unmanned floating carrier has a shape somewhat resembling a warship and runs on a compact nuclear fusion reactor. It's not very large, about 20 meters in both length and width. Thanks to matter compression technology, the drones stored inside are in folded form, taking up minimal space.
If not for the need to produce new drones on the battlefield and to store construction materials, the carrier could be made even smaller. The carrier is equipped with a main-axis matter disintegration cannon and over ten energy particle lances with 360-degree firing capability.
These designs weren't in the original blueprint; Li Lin added them, anticipating future battles against Void creatures, especially flying types. The onboard drones follow his previous design and are about 30 centimeters in both length and width. Each is powered by an energy crystal core and armed with dual plasma energy cannons.
Compared to the nearly one-meter-tall air combat unit Storm, the drones might seem lacking in individual firepower. However, they are cheaper to produce, more flexible, can form effective formations, and can operate in confined spaces—qualities that make the mini-sized carrier particularly valuable.
The space-based laser satellite, on the other hand, is far larger than the carrier. To ensure its laser beams can instantly strike ground targets from hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away, the satellite itself must be massive, with machinery that can achieve the required power. When fully deployed, the satellite extends 100 meters in length and has a radius of about 15 meters. It also runs on nuclear fusion power, allowing it to unleash both its matter disintegration cannon and energy particle lances to their full potential.
Ordinarily, the energy particle lances can fire continuously for up to 300 seconds, after which the satellite must cool down for a full 12 hours. The matter disintegration cannon can sustain a 60-second firing, but it requires a three-day cooldown period. Despite using zero-element synthesized materials, technological limitations make it impossible for Li Lin to extend firing time or reduce cooldowns at this stage.
With everything complete, Li Lin let out a sigh of relief and checked the notifications in his mind:
[Congratulations! You have completed the Unmanned Floating Carrier (Epic)!]
[Congratulations! You have completed the Space-Based Laser Satellite (Legendary)!]
[Initial Creation Rewards: Level up by 3, 13 skill points, 500 orange essence.]
[Your level has increased to 77, awarding 3 skill points.]
[Health: 34634/34634]
[Mana: 13759/13759]
[Combat Power: 90]
[Skill Points: 166]
[Wealth: 87766 blue essence, 8011 orange essence.]
Due to the complexity of the space-based laser satellite, Li Lin could only construct it at a legendary quality. He used precision engineering to enhance it to epic quality, though this removed any initial rewards for creating an epic machine.
"After leveling up, combat power doesn't increase as quickly, though my physical combat power is comparable to that of Nasus in his base form," he mused, stroking his chin, mindful of the difference.
With ample experience, he knew that combat power was just a reference. Factors such as technique and versatility mattered too. Even if he were to spar with Nasus, a few moves from him would likely lay Li Lin flat. Nasus was not only a scholar of the Shuriman Empire but also an accomplished warrior—this difference lies in sheer combat skill.
Turning back to his skill panel, Li Lin noted that reaching level 75 had unlocked a new set of technologies. He first allocated skill points to max out his other skills, enhancing three core skills and minor skills at level 75. He invested 13 skill points in skills such as Mechanized Soul, Glorious Evolution, Battlefield Commander, along with 4 inventor skills and 3 combat skills.
With these upgrades, Li Lin discovered two newly unlocked technologies in the Inventor line: "Applied Quantum Mechanics" and "Gravity Analysis."
If the level 70 "Quantum Theory" equipped him with systematic quantum knowledge, "Applied Quantum Mechanics" allowed him to put this into practice. Not only could his AI upgrade into a quantum computing system, but communications and data transmission would no longer require satellites, enabling instant transmission across thousands of kilometers. He could even enhance Hextech teleportation with quantum mechanics.
Whereas previous teleportation technology split matter into arcane particles and transmitted them via the mental realm of Runeterra, "Quantum Teleportation" could now quantumize himself, providing more precise, safe, and swift transport even to confined spaces. This aspect alone would take Li Lin some time to study.
And, of course, these are just a few applications of quantum mechanics.
As for Gravity Analysis, simply put, it involves "manipulating" gravitational forces. With the power of quantum mechanics and advanced computational models, Li Lin could now adapt singular structures to withstand diverse gravity environments.
In other words, Li Lin had now mastered sophisticated space station technology, enabling him to simulate the gravity of Runeterra and allow people in the station to "walk on solid ground," just like on a planet.
This technology wasn't incredibly powerful, but it wasn't weak either. It primarily served as groundwork for the "anti-gravity technology" unlocked at level 80.
With anti-gravity technology, some mechanical devices, which originally only operated on Runeterra, could now replace costly propulsion engines. By simply manipulating gravity, they could achieve airborne movement.
One of the primary applications of this technology was in unmanned floating carriers, and eventually in the construction of space dockyards and even the powerful cosmic dragon, Aurelion Sol.
He quickly allocated two skill points to the Inventor class skills, causing a rush of knowledge to flood his mind, nearly overwhelming him. It took him over ten minutes to shake off the dizziness.
"Wow—the amount of quantum mechanics knowledge is overwhelming! If I hadn't enhanced my body, would all that information have burst my brain?"
Rubbing his temples, Li Lin steadied himself.
The idea of his brain "bursting" was an exaggeration, of course. Even if he hadn't further strengthened his body, the system wouldn't have allowed him to learn these skills, and if he did, he'd probably end up unconscious for days.
Once he had fully recovered, Li Lin looked over the newly unlocked individual enhancement skills at level 75: "Evolutionary Secrets," "Gene Recombination," and "Advanced Traits."
With these three skills, he could expertly handle gene-editing projects, freely modifying genetic sequences to gain abilities beyond human limits.
He could already achieve basic physical enhancements like super strength, intelligence, and speed. However, to target even stronger "superpowers," like his previously awakened "Iron Body," he'd need the "Gene Chain Unleashing" technique, unlocked at level 80.
When he saw the term "gene chain," he couldn't help but chuckle. Indeed, if he wanted to grow stronger, he couldn't escape the "gene chain" trope classic to infinite progression novels.
And this was all grounded in science, where technology enabled self-enhancement.
Although the knowledge base for these three skills was substantial, it didn't approach the scale of "applied quantum mechanics," so the dizziness faded quickly.
It seemed that further body enhancements were becoming urgent…
Li Lin shifted his focus to the Combat panel.
At level 75, he could unlock three new technologies: "Quantum Bomb," "Mech Zero," and "War Mech Nasus."
The Quantum Bomb was ready for immediate learning since it was an extension of applied quantum mechanics.
War Mech Nasus was an elite model among battle mechs, requiring the construction of earlier mechs, including Skarner, Kog'Maw, Urgot, and Cho'Gath. It specialized in high-stakes missions, combining the strengths of all previous models and making it the ultimate "hex-fighter."
Naturally, its cost was sky-high. At his current wealth, building even ten units would severely strain his finances.
These were the two skills he could unlock immediately, while the requirements for unlocking "Mech Zero"—the ultimate ground mech unit—were much stricter.
Defeating Noxus' secret living weapon, the Undead Juggernaut Sion, wouldn't be enough to unlock its blueprint.
It also required building all previous mechs in the Mech Zero line, such as alien, warrior, beast, and blade demon units.
However, unlike War Mech Nasus, Mech Zero needed a final unlock: the Demonblade Aatrox.
Because it was part of an elite unit, studying the Nasus blueprint, like all large-scale mechs, required 10 skill points and 1,000 Orange Essence.
Li Lin's mind raced as he unlocked every available skill, leaving only the Mechanical Ascendance route in the Individual Enhancement tree. His remaining skill points dropped to 143.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, it was 7:30 PM.
Initially, he had wanted to upgrade his Infinite Armor and buy a few pieces of enchanted gear. However, time was short, and he couldn't fit it in.
He teleported back to the Kiramman estate, surprising Caitlyn just as she was about to leave for work.
After spending a few moments with her, Caitlyn left for her detective agency, while Li Lin returned to his workshop.
He organized his newly unlocked tech and uploaded it to the main database, then began planning the direction of the Zaun factory.
["What are your orders, Master?"]
"Prioritize production of the mechanical army while ensuring we maintain a positive cash flow. Begin construction of essential components for the Mech Behemoth," he said, considering the initial creation bonus. "As for the full mech, I'll build it personally when I return to Piltover."
["As you command, Master."]
Li Lin donned his armor once more, noticing a slight hesitation in the AI's voice. "Is there something you want to ask?"
["Pardon my intrusion, Master, but why the heavy emphasis on building a mechanical army?"]
While the AI inquired, Li Lin pinpointed the coordinates of Demacia on his map, his figure radiating blue and white light.
Taking a deep breath, he replied with gravity, "Time is running out. It's time to prepare for war."
(End of Chapter)
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