This is really not mechanical ascension-Chapter 237 - 133 Misunderstandings_2

Elder Chen really has some tricks up his sleeve.

Returning to his room, he continued with his original plan and opened the Black Hole Network, where Sain’s thirty million reward had already been credited to his account.

Of course, he didn’t use the Phantom account.

This vest had made an appearance on Silver Grey Star and was recorded in the City Guard’s archives. It would be troublesome if it caught the attention of someone with ill intentions.

Using the Phantom account, he recommended another vest account named "Justice," a common tactic among Bounty Hunters.

This meant he couldn’t accumulate star-level contribution, but this single thirty million reward had already brought this new account to the status of a three-star hunter.

He still planned to buy the Night Pursuer. Although Elder Chen had obliterated that group from Torch, they were just one Angel Envoy, and Torch might send others.

Better safe than sorry.

After entering his address and paying, only just over twenty million remained.

He hesitated slightly. Currently, his metal energy was one million two hundred thousand. Once the funds were allocated, he would buy forty million worth of Flame Blue Alloy, which would allow his metal energy to accumulate to about two million.

But all the equipment for the underground laboratory added up to two million five hundred thousand. Even without controlling the thing that increased particle concentration, it would still take two million, plus twenty thousand would have to be set aside for the Night Pursuer.

Purchasing metal materials on the Black Hole Network was obviously a loss, but when he needed them right away, there was no choice.

He poured the remaining twenty million directly into buying Flame Blue Alloy, trying to get as little overcharged as possible.

The bullets would take about ten days, while the materials, if quick, could arrive in five days.

"At most, that would be two hundred and twenty thousand, still a substantial shortfall," Li Ming mused.

The next day, Li Ming heard many rumors. Many people were speculating about what had happened that night, with rumors abounding, yet there was no report in the local news.

Li Ming ignored it all and continued developing his gene seeds, while the construction of the laboratory proceeded at a rapid pace.

To meet the deadline, the construction crew worked day and night. The foundation had already been laid, modular metal cabins were transported and then assembled together.

Although Tan Jun had no sense of design aesthetic, Li Ming didn’t care, but Li Ruoning stopped them from stacking it into a large cube.

Without delaying the work schedule, they made it slightly more aesthetically pleasing—transforming it from a cube into an irregular polygon.

Three days later, under the glorious sunshine of midday, the back island gathered quite a few people, all staff from the laboratory, whispering to each other.

"Mission accomplished, we finished one day ahead of schedule..." Tan Jun wiped the sweat from his forehead; his skin seemed to have darkened. Taking out a smart panel, he handed it to Li Ming, "You just need to enter your identity characteristics, and you will have control over this laboratory."

"However, the security of this small laboratory is very rudimentary. If you’re not at ease, you’ll need to overhaul the system later on."

"No problem, we’ll integrate it into the main laboratory’s security system. For the critical rooms, just install a few high-precision detection devices," Luo Chuan interjected with a grand wave of his hand, merging the security and energy systems with the main laboratory.

He even reassigned some security personnel to patrol the perimeter.

Tan Jun couldn’t help but feel moved. Half a year ago, when he built the last small laboratory, the other party was stretched extremely thin.

Forget about a security system, they even cut back a significant portion of the lighting system to save on electricity costs.

The completion ceremony was very simple. Luo Chuan wanted to invite some people to witness it, but Li Ming stopped him.

They simply invited a few familiar faces from the laboratory, gave each construction worker a red envelope, and called it done.

"Do you want to assign some staff over here? You might be able to manage the small laboratory on your own, but would it be too much?" Luo Chuan asked Li Ming.

"No need, I’m used to working alone," Li Ming shook his head, fiddling with his smart terminal.

Luo Chuan curiously peered over and his mouth twitched slightly.

Li Ming was actually applying for research funding, and he went for the maximum amount of forty million in one go.

As for the purchase purpose, it was naturally stated in four bold characters: [Alloy Materials].

"Junior Brother..." Luo Chuan began hesitantly, "Isn’t this a bit too much?"

Li Ming looked up, puzzled, "What’s too much about this? I haven’t taken a cut for myself, and I have to make the purchases through official accounts without any kickbacks."

"That’s true," Luo Chuan gave a bitter smile, "it’s just that the lab has just been completed, and the experimental equipment hasn’t even been moved in yet. It seems like you’re eager for the research funds."

"I am not afraid if my shadow is crooked as long as I’m standing straight," Li Ming submitted for review.

"You belong to the mechanical experiment laboratory, in addition to the routine funding research room review, you also need a professor-level accompaniment for the review, probably..." At this point, Luo Chuan’s voice paused slightly, his expression becoming increasingly strange, "Professor Xia."

This junior brother’s interpersonal relationships are better than his teacher’s; the University of Science and Technology is soon to become his own backyard.

"I’m not freeloading," Li Ming turned off the smart terminal, "Applying for this kind of laboratory also requires signing a contract. In the future, the mentors, professors, or specially designated individuals from the University of Science and Technology who come to me for weapon fabrication will receive a discount."

"Special Cultivation Contribution Agreement," Luo Chuan was also aware.

Although this kind of small laboratory is funded for training, and no strong contributions are expected in the short term, it must still bring results and benefits.

Everything was progressing methodically, and by evening his review had been approved.

Unlike the high autonomy of large laboratories, small laboratories must go through the college channels for purchases.

Moreover, it wasn’t for them to designate; they could only get the materials they were supposed to receive, and not see any money.

But the prices were internal prices, and even cheaper than the factory prices found by Zhang Huaiyuan.

The delivery would arrive in two days, and all they had to do was wait.

Once the small laboratory was completed, a series of equipment followed: rare element detectors, spectrometers...

These were all equipment recommended to him by Professor Xia, with very high cost performance.

...

With the completion of the lab, the head of the investigating team from the Yitelan Civilization finally arrived.

They had set out from the Yitelan Civilization a month ago, traveling through multiple interstellar gateways and stopping at several civilizations before arriving today.

Blue Star held a grand welcoming ceremony for them, with all the higher-ups in attendance, and representatives from the embassies of various civilizations also came.

In the end, an even more grandiose welcoming banquet was held, where many scrambled to get in. Unfortunately, only a limited number of people were invited, essentially all important figures.

The lighting was gentle, the sound in the hall wasn’t too noisy, everyone spoke in low voices, their faces warm and pleasant.

"Dean Chen, it’s been a long time," a tall, young man dressed in black with pale purple skin approached Chen Jinglong and raised his glass.

Clang!

The two touched their glasses and then pulled away. Chen Jinglong nodded, "Prince Feder, you’ve come a long way. It must’ve been hard."

"It’s necessary," Feder sighed, "Torch has been causing havoc in the Silver Star Cluster, and this time they even killed several important members of the Sela Civilization. They must be after something big."

"Thanks to you, just a few days ago you defeated a Firework Apostle."

Chen Jinglong smiled, "Everyone wants a piece of Torch; it’s only right."

The two chatted idly for a moment when Feder looked puzzled and asked, "I heard Li Ming of the University of Science and Technology has the potential to reach level sixteen in development. His name has even reached the Yitelan Royal Family. Is he here?"

"Your Highness, he didn’t come," someone beside Feder spoke softly, "I’ve checked the guest list, he’s not on it."

"However, it’s worth mentioning he was on the invitation list."

Chen Jinglong glanced at the person and said lightly, "He never likes these kinds of gatherings; he prefers working on gene seed development."

"Haha, that’s how it should be," Feder laughed and whispered, "To be honest, I don’t like these events either, but I can’t not attend without appearing disrespectful to everyone here."

Chen Jinglong shook his head, "Your Highness is overthinking it."

Feder smiled and waved his hand dismissively, "You’re the one who’s mistaken. In a couple of days, I plan to pay him a personal visit. What do you think, would he refuse to see me?"

"Of course not," Chen Jinglong frowned slightly, "Does Your Highness have business with him?"

"Nothing in particular, just curious," Feder emphasized, then added, "Before coming, my father specifically mentioned Fu Zongchen was his old friend and asked me to pay my respects. Would you accompany me when the time comes, Dean?"

"Of course, that’s not a problem," Chen Jinglong couldn’t figure out what this guy was up to and could only agree for now. frёewebnoѵēl.com

Then someone came up to chat with him, and Feder handled it with ease, surrounded by people coming and going.

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