Chương 96: Metal Storm
Bai Yi glanced over the materials and observed that the primary composition of the Wanji Mechanical Body was a magnetic alloy. The finished product consisted of countless small spheres, each about three centimeters in diameter. Under the mental control of an alchemist, these spheres could change shape, making them ideal for rapid construction of buildings or, more tactically, as weapons for city assaults or defense.
One of the major advantages of the Wanji Mechanical Body was its low cost. A single magnetic mechanical unit could be created for as little as ten silver coins. Even if it took hundreds of thousands of these units to form a proper fighting force, Bai Yi's current wealth would be more than sufficient to fund it.
There were also mechanical mosquitoes, reduced to a mere millimeter in size, primarily used for reconnaissance. These mosquitoes were even more discreet than worker bees, making them perfect scouts for alchemists. With mosquitoes and flies being so common, as long as there was an intelligent brain involved, they could monitor every movement around them without any blind spots.
Finally, there was the gold-eating worm, a mechanical lifeform designed by alchemists based on the characteristics of the Zerg. Measuring only a few microns, these tiny machines were designed with a singular purpose: to devour. They were real living machines, capable of infiltrating the body of a target through the pores or breath and directly consuming their internal organs. Though the worm's creator might have been a master-level alchemist, the body of the gold-eating worm couldn't withstand much energy. After devouring some flesh, they would swell up and eventually explode.
If they reached a critical mass, their destructive potential could be so immense that even legendary dragons might fear them.
This, however, was Bai Yi's goal. He needed a powerful trump card. These creatures weren't something an ordinary person could handle. The price of 600,000 for the knowledge was just the first hurdle. The cost of production was so high that even the Federation couldn't afford it. Made primarily from mithril and gold essence, each gold-eating worm required one gold coin to produce.
To form an effective combat force, Bai Yi would need hundreds of millions of these machines, and a single dragon's breath could wipe out tens of millions in one go. No one could deny their potential in combat, but the expense of mass-producing them, combined with the complexity of their improvement and manufacturing, was the reason most alchemists avoided such projects. After all, spending billions for a single battle was considered extravagant — resources that could instead be used to create entire armies of Gundams.
But Bai Yi was different. With fourteen skill points, he could easily max out his proficiency in these technologies. Maximum proficiency meant more than just a statistical increase — it meant that by investing a skill point in the Gold Devouring Beetle, he could essentially create a high-quality machine that had undergone years of development. This experience would make manufacturing smaller, millimeter- and centimeter-level machines a breeze.
In Bai Yi's mind, combining these three types of mechanical groups — the spheres, mosquitoes, and gold-eating worms — and pairing them with AI algorithms, would result in a deadly, beautifully chaotic metal storm.
After purchasing all three knowledge sets, Bai Yi continued: "Search, Alchemy Transformation, Mechanical Transformation, Micro Transformation."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
As a series of data streams appeared, Bai Yi examined several pieces of knowledge related to micro-machines, which he also purchased.
"Retrieval: Energetics, Solar."
"Okay, please hold on."
The screen flickered and presented several new results.
[Purchased: Solar Energy Collection Core, 50,000 Contribution Points paid.]
[Already purchased: Sun's Tribute, 30,000 Contribution Points paid.]
[Purchased: Solar Energy Compression Device, 70,000 Contribution Points paid.]
[Name: Ode to the Sun.]
Attributes: Explosive.
Effect: Explosives created with solar energy have a high restraint bonus against undead, deformed, and dark creatures. The more solar energy added, the greater the power and size of the Sun's Tribute.
Price: 30,000 Contribution Points.]
"Search, Alchemy and Alchemical Taboo Knowledge: Black Death Curse — Pathogen."
[Warning: Black Death Curse · Pathogen cannot be sold. Confirm the identity of the buyer: Bai Yi, acting lord of Dongwu City.
Potential: SSS.
Confirmed Reason: This knowledge purchase is for research purposes.
Already purchased.]
[Warning: The Black Death Curse once caused the powerful profession, Plague Doctor, to disappear in the annals of history. This virus remains highly contagious and incurable. If this pathogen is discovered within the Federation, you will be stripped of your position and detained until the legend expires.]
[Please conduct research on the Black Death Curse in a fully enclosed laboratory.]
Bai Yi paused. This curse was a terrifying, incurable disease that, once inflicted, caused the victim to wither away from the inside out. In ancient times, only the gods were immune, but with the goddess of life gone, the curse was once again a deadly force.
The warning was clear, but Bai Yi was undeterred. He remembered how the curse had been contained by players in a previous era, and he knew that with the right approach, it could be controlled. For players, who had no souls and were immune to the curse's soul-draining effects, the pathogen wasn't as fatal as it seemed.
Bai Yi could use machinery to contain and isolate the curse, effectively neutralizing its most dangerous effects. If his experiments succeeded, the curse could be adapted into a targeted weapon — a tool of mass destruction. But this would require careful planning and the full use of his alchemical and mechanical knowledge.
After purchasing this critical piece of knowledge, Bai Yi thought for a moment, then ordered: "Search, Alchemy Technology, Mechanics, Alchemical High-Level Energy Replication."
"Please wait."
[Name: Alchemical Energy Furnace. Attribute: Science and Technology Knowledge.
Effect: This furnace temporarily upgrades energy to a higher-level attribute through alchemical means.
Introduction: I am the master of alchemical science, and I will break the bronze barrier — Vickers.
Price: 500,000 Contribution Points.]
Bai Yi wasted no time. "Buy."
As more than fifty books materialized before him, Bai Yi sighed, relieved. Despite the hefty price tag — over two million contribution points, even with a 50% discount — the knowledge he acquired was invaluable.
Now, with the majority of his research complete, Bai Yi knew his next steps involved refining his systems further.
His expertise in AI would allow him to streamline and enhance his combat strategies, and the tools he was acquiring would give him an edge. All he needed now was a little more time and a few more skill points to fine-tune his work.
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