208: With Li Mo joining the team, the Tiangong Academy began to take shape.

Xinghai University, next to the temporary activity room of the Hundred Schools Society, the newly opened "Study Area."

This place was originally a wide but cluttered abandoned archive of the School of Literature and Law. In just a few short days, through the collective efforts of many members (mainly assisted by Tiangong Dwarves and some conceptual projections of powerful subordinates), it had been completely transformed.

The dust was swept away, cobwebs cleared, and broken windows were replaced with translucent glass panels. The walls were repainted a simple grayish-white, and the floor was laid with smooth composite stone slabs. The room was cleverly divided into several functional areas: near the door was the Theoretical Discussion Area, furnished with long tables and numerous stone slabs capable of displaying light screens; in the middle was the Core Experiment and Design Area, where several wide alloy workbenches with fixed slots and measuring scales were already in place, holding basic rune carving tools, measuring instruments, and scraps of various Materials; the innermost part consisted of a relatively enclosed "Quiet Reflection Area" and a small material storage room.

The air was filled with the faint scent of fresh wood mixed with metal, as well as a trace of the unique rule resonance—a blend of "logic" and "creation"—left behind after the initial invocation of the Mohist Thought, "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature."

At this moment, a group of people was gathered around the largest workbench in the experimental area.

Lin Zhou stood at the head, his gaze calm. To his left was a stout figure with a braided beard and eyes flashing with the fanatical light of a master craftsman—the Tiangong Dwarf hero unit, Copperhammer Firebeard (LV38). Copperhammer was one of the first dwarves in Lin Zhou's Divine Domain to encounter and practice Mohist Thought. With his outstanding comprehension of "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature" and "Logical Ingenuity," he had been promoted from an ordinary dwarven craftsman to a hero, responsible for leading the Tiangong Workshop and part of the mechanism research and development.

【Tiangong Dwarf Hero: Copperhammer Firebeard】

Rank: LV 38

Race/Class: Tiangong Dwarf / Divine Craftsman (Advanced under the influence of Mohist Thought)

Core Attributes:

Strength: 42 (Dwarven talent + long-term forging)

Agility: 28 (Relatively flexible, especially in hand operations)

Physique: 48 (Dwarven resilient body)

Intelligence: 35 (Excels in logical deduction and structural calculation)

Spirit: 32 (Strong focus, influenced by the Mohist concept of "Non-Aggression," firm will)

Charisma: 25 (High prestige among dwarves and craftsmen)

Talents:

Divine Craftsmanship (Elementary): When creating or researching mechanisms, machinery, or buildings, success rate +15%, finished product quality +10%, and a low chance to trigger a "Flash of Inspiration," resulting in optimized or mutated designs.

Mohist Ingenuity: Deep understanding of Mohist Mechanical Arts principles, allowing for faster mastery of related technologies and the ability to apply knowledge through analogy.

Resilient Forging: When crafting weapons and equipment, durability is increased by an additional 5%.

Core Skills:

Structural Insight (LV4): Can quickly analyze the structural principles, weak points, and optimization directions of items or buildings. Effect is doubled for mechanism-type targets.

Precision Forging (LV5): When performing forging or precision part processing, accuracy is greatly improved, and the error rate is extremely low.

Mechanism Activation (LV3, requires consumption of divine Materials or a large amount of Divine Power): Attempts to bestow a preliminary "spirituality" or "autonomous action logic" upon an outstanding mechanical creation. Success rate is average, but once successful, the mechanism's efficiency significantly increases.

Current Equipment:

Self-Developed Multi-functional Craftsman Belt (Green): Built-in various portable tools, Strength +2, tool usage efficiency +10%.

Spark Rune Hammer (Blue): Attack power +12, with a chance to add a weak "Fire" or "Sturdy" attribute to equipment during forging.

Beside Copperhammer stood several of his prized Disciples and backbones of the Tiangong Workshop, all of whom were dwarven Great Masters of LV30 or higher. At this moment, they were staring eagerly at the items on the workbench, whispering to each other from time to time in amazement or debate.

To Lin Zhou's right, the person standing there had a completely different style—it was his roommate, Li Mo.

Li Mo wasn't wearing those heavy crystal glasses today; instead, he had switched to a lighter pair of smart lenses that automatically adjusted focus and displayed auxiliary data according to his line of sight. He wore the standard uniform of Xinghai University's College of Science and Engineering, but his cuffs and lapels were stained with some oil and strange fluorescent powder, making him look a bit disheveled, yet exuding an air of focus from being immersed in research.

Beside him also stood several "people"—or rather, several Mechanical Goblins barely 1.2 meters tall with dark green or grayish-brown skin and large, bulging eyes. They wore "work clothes" patched together from various scrap parts and leather, and their bodies constantly emitted the faint sound of turning gears or steam pressure release.

These were Li Mo's core subordinates and the Foundation of his Divine Domain.

【Mechanical Goblins (Li Mo's Subordinate · Common Unit Sample)】

Rank: LV 28 (Average)

Race: Mechanical Goblin (A mutated goblin subspecies with a natural affinity and fanaticism for machinery, gears, and energy conduction)

Core Attributes (Average):

Strength: 18 (Relatively thin, but skilled in using tools and mechanical assistance)

Agility: 26 (Flexible hands and feet, skilled in fine operations and evasion)

Physique: 22 (Low resistance to toxins and diseases, but mechanical modifications can compensate for some of this)

Intelligence: 41 (Core advantage! Logical calculation, blueprint comprehension, and mechanical principle analysis capabilities far exceed those of the same Rank)

Spirit: 25 (Focus is acceptable, but prone to becoming obsessed with a particular technology)

Charisma: 8 (Usually not considered charismatic by other races...)

Racial Talents:

Mechanical Fanaticism: When learning, researching, or manufacturing machine-related items, efficiency +30%, with a low chance of generating Breakthrough inspiration.

Scrap Utilization Master: Can efficiently identify and extract usable Materials or parts from seemingly useless waste, with a recycling rate +40%.

Steampunk Intuition: Has a natural intuition and understanding of steam power, gear transmission, clockwork structures, etc., reducing the difficulty of related technology research.

Common Skills:

Rapid Disassembly/Assembly (LV3): Fast disassembly analysis or high-efficiency assembly of mechanical creations.

Overload Tuning (LV2): Temporarily increases the output power or operating speed of mechanical devices, but accelerates wear or even triggers malfunctions (risks and benefits coexist).

Simple Explosive Making (LV3): Well... a traditional goblin skill, you know the drill.

Current Common Equipment:

Self-made directional wrench/screwdriver combination tool.

Simple protective goggles (anti-flash and anti-splash).

May carry unfinished experimental products or explosives (Dangerous!).

At this moment, the several Mechanical Goblin Engineers Li Mo brought (one of whom was his hero unit, an old goblin wearing a monocular microscope and carrying a huge toolbox named Giga Bolts, LV35) were staring down the Tiangong Dwarves led by Copperhammer.

On one side were the stout and heavy Tiangong Dwarves, who trusted in tempered craftsmanship and rune enhancements, with a style leaning towards a combination of "ancient precision" and "Tao Follows Nature."

On the other side were the thin and agile Mechanical Goblins, obsessed with gears, steam, and explosive inspiration, with a style that was entirely "wild punk" and "logical explosion."

Two completely different artisan cultures, technical philosophies, and even aesthetic preferences formed a silent collision before this workbench. It was as if sparks were crackling in the air (not the romantic kind, but the kind that could actually cause an explosion).

However, their gazes were all locked tightly onto the few items in the center of the workbench.

Those were several unfurled "blueprints" made of special leather or flexible metal foil, depicting complex structures with extremely fine brushstrokes (featuring both the dwarves' rigorous ruler-and-compass drawings and the goblins' wild inspirational sketches). Beside them were several finished or semi-finished physical models.

The most eye-catching among them was a complex metal construct "core" about half a meter long. It looked like an enlarged, extremely precise combination of a steam engine cylinder and a transmission gear set, but the surface was not engraved with the chaotic runes full of random aesthetics commonly used by goblins. Instead, it bore a simpler, more orderly pale silver pattern that contained a specific sense of "logical circuits" and "energy guidance"—these were the "Logical Runes" and "Psionic Paths" improved by the Tiangong Dwarves under the influence of Mohist Thought, combined with their own rune knowledge.

Near the cylinder's air intake and energy injection points, a small "Psionic Focuser" made of goblin-style crystals and wound wires was cleverly connected in parallel. The combination of the two formed a strange harmony.

This was one of the first collaborative results of the Hundred Schools Society's "Study Group" (mainly led by Li Mo, with the participation of some Tiangong Dwarf backbones led by Copperhammer) over the past week.

"President, Master Copperhammer, colleagues," Li Mo's voice carried an excitement he couldn't hide, though he tried to maintain the calm of a STEM student as he pointed to the core model, "this is the 'Psionic-Steam Hybrid Power Core (Generation 1 Experimental Type)' that we have preliminarily conquered! It perfectly... er, relatively perfectly integrates the Tiangong Dwarves' 'Psionic Orderly Guidance Technology' with our Mechanical Goblins' 'High-Efficiency Multi-Stage Steam Expansion and Gear Transmission Technology'!"

He pulled up his personal terminal and projected a set of dynamic data and structural cross-sections into the air.

【New Technology: Psionic-Steam Hybrid Power System (Experimental Type)】

R&D Team: Li Mo (Mechanical Goblin Divine Domain), Copperhammer Firebeard (Tiangong Dwarf / Lin Zhou's Divine Domain).

Core Concept: Guided by the Mohist Thought of "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature" (maximizing energy utilization and logical structures), it integrates the advantages of "stable and controllable psionic energy" and "strong steam explosive power," while overcoming the disadvantages of "unstable steam power with high energy consumption" and "high cost of pure psionic drive with insufficient burst."

Key Technological Breakthroughs:

Psionic Ignition and Stabilization Device (Dwarf-led): Uses improved Logical Runes to build a small psionic focusing array, achieving "instant high-efficiency ignition" and "stable operation monitoring" for the steam boiler. This replaces the unstable chemical ignition and manual monitoring of goblins, improving safety and reducing energy waste.

Multi-stage Steam Efficiency Circuit (Goblin-led): Applies the complex multi-stage cylinder and gear transmission technology that goblins excel at to significantly increase the utilization rate of steam energy within a limited space, theoretically increasing the work efficiency of a single combustion by 35%.

Hybrid Power Coupler (Joint Research): A special conversion structure is designed so that the psionic and steam Systems are not simply connected in parallel, but can dynamically adjust the output ratio according to demand. Normal operation relies mainly on stable psionic energy; when explosive power is needed (such as a mechanism beast charging or heavy equipment starting), the steam System intervenes rapidly to provide extra torque and power.

Measured data (based on 1:10 scale model):

Overall energy efficiency: Increased by approximately 22% compared to pure Goblin steam engines.

Output stability: Increased by 45% compared to pure Goblin steam engines (fluctuation coefficient reduced).

Peak power: Increased by 18% compared to pure Dwarven psionic mechanisms.

Startup response speed: Increased by 30%.

Material/energy cost per unit power: Reduced by approximately 15%.

Expected application scenarios: Power cores for medium/large mechanical beasts, stationary heavy engineering machinery (such as cranes, mining drills), drive components for defensive facilities, etc.

Current issues: Complex coupler structure with extremely high precision requirements for processing; faint energy dissipation and wear at the psionic and steam interface under long-term high-load operation; costs remain higher than single power Systems (though performance improvement is significant).

Comprehensive evaluation: Successfully verified the feasibility of fusing different technical routes under the guidance of high-level concepts (Mohist Thought). The overall efficiency of the mechanisms is estimated to increase by 15%-25% (depending on the degree of optimization for specific applications).

"Efficiency increased by over 20%!" Copperhammer Firebeard stroked his thick beard, his voice booming with irrepressible excitement. "And it runs much smoother! Before, those green-skinned lads... er, Brother Li Mo's clansmen's steam contraptions would blow a cylinder or run wild at the drop of a hat. Now, with our psionic constraints and logic regulation, it's as steady as a mountain rock!"

A Mechanical Goblin Engineer (Giga Bolts) immediately retorted shrilly, "Hey! Big guy! Without our exquisite multi-stage expansion and variable speed gears, could this thing have such a fierce kick with just your sluggish psionic energy? Who are you calling 'green-skinned lads'? My wrench doesn't have eyes!"

"What? Want to compare forging skills?" A Tiangong Dwarf Great Master glared.

Seeing the two sides about to clash again, Li Mo quickly mediated, "Alright, alright! Technical discussion, focus on the matter, not the person! Great Master Copperhammer's psionic control technology is indeed exquisite, solving our long-standing stability pain points. Elder Bolt's steam structure has also been an eye-opener, significantly improving efficiency. This is the meaning of cooperation—complementing each other's strengths!"

Lin Zhou remained silent, quietly observing the hybrid power core. He felt the subtle balance and synergy formed by the two different technical rules under the integration of the Mohist concepts of 'The Exploitation of the Works of Nature' and 'Logical Ingenuity.' He could sense a unique 'field' beginning to form around this workbench—a rule environment leaning toward 'creation,' 'engineering,' and 'logical optimization.' This was the manifestation of Mohist Thought being put into deep practice.

"Besides this," Li Mo pointed to two other items—a blueprint depicting complex pulley Systems and hydraulic mechanisms, and a small, compass-like object made of crystals and wire. "We have also preliminarily completed the 'Composite Labor-Saving Lifting Mechanism Design (estimated to increase heavy material handling efficiency by 30%)' and the 'Weak Rule Disturbance Detector (prototype, used to detect low-intensity unstable rule regions and warn of certain risks).'"

Three new technologies or prototypes with clear results in just one week! This efficiency far exceeded the speed of working behind closed doors in a single Divine Realm. Especially under the guidance of the shared high-level concept of Mohist Thought, the Tiangong Dwarves and Mechanical Goblins—two races that seemed completely unrelated—had erupted with astonishing complementary advantages and creativity.

Li Mo turned to face Lin Zhou. His face no longer held the usual decadence of a research shut-in but was filled with the radiance of finding a "fellow traveler" and a "direction."

"President Lin Zhou," Li Mo took a deep breath, his tone becoming extremely solemn. "This week of collaborative research has truly shown me the power of 'Mohist Thought.' It's not just words and principles; it's a complete methodology that can guide specific technical R&D, optimize production logic, and even shape a race's spirit! My Mechanical Goblins used to rely more on instinct and scattered experience to 'tinker.' Although they had bursts of inspiration, it was unsystematic, highly wasteful, and risky."

"But after being exposed to Mohist concepts like 'The Exploitation of the Works of Nature,' 'Logical Ingenuity,' and 'Non-Aggression and Frugality,' their... no, our entire Divine Realm's research and development thinking feels as if a new door has been opened! We've begun to consciously pursue 'maximum efficiency,' 'structural optimization,' and 'resource conservation'! This change is fundamental!"

He grew more excited as he spoke: "Furthermore, communicating with Great Master Copperhammer and the others has shown me another path of craftsmanship, equally exquisite but vastly different in style. The collision of ideas and the Fusion of technologies bring progress far beyond working alone! I, Li Mo, used to only know how to bury my head in researching gears and steam, thinking everything else was hollow. But now, I am convinced!"

He took a step back and bowed deeply to Lin Zhou. "I request to formally join the Hundred Schools Society, not as an ordinary member, but in the hope that... you will allow me and my Mechanical Goblin race, together with Great Master Copperhammer's Tiangong Dwarves, to establish a specialized research institution within the society! I am willing to share part of my Divine Realm's technology library and R&D resources, fully committing to this Fusion and innovation! I believe that under the guidance of Mohist Thought and through our concerted cooperation, we will surely create miraculous creations that can change the rules!"

These words were spoken with both sincerity and ambition.

Copperhammer Firebeard also nodded heavily and performed a chest-salute to Lin Zhou. "President! Brother Li Mo's clansmen might be a bit... noisy, but their craftsmanship and brains are truly top-notch! Those whimsical ideas sometimes really inspire us old dwarves! Doing research together is a blast!"

Lin Zhou looked at the excited Li Mo, then at Copperhammer and the dwarves and goblins who, though still glaring at each other, all had eyes sparkling with the same thirst for new technology. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Li Mo, I have seen your sincerity and talent," Lin Zhou spoke slowly. "The Hundred Schools Society is all-inclusive, aiming to explore the path of combining civilization and power. Mohist Engineering is one of the cornerstones of civilization. It is the society's fortune that you can identify with and practice this Dao."

He paused, his voice rising with determination. "I grant your request. From this day forward, the 'Tian Gong Institute' is formally established under the Hundred Schools Society! Li Mo will serve as the Director, and Copperhammer Firebeard will serve as the Deputy Director and Chief Grand Craftsman! It will integrate the technical forces and resources of both sides, specializing in R&D, innovation, technical Fusion, and equipment crafting!"

"The initial goals of the Tian Gong Institute: First, to perfect and promote established technologies such as 'Psionic-Steam Hybrid Power'; second, to establish standardized processes for technical exchange, project initiation, and achievement assessment; third, to begin systematically exploring the potential integration of Mohist Thought with other schools of thought (such as Legalist Edicts and Military Strategies) at the level of physical objects."

"The society will provide the Tian Gong Institute with the necessary space and basic resource support, and coordinate with other groups (such as the Combat Readiness Group and the Study Group) to meet their needs. Research results from the Tian Gong Institute can be prioritized for exchange or sharing within the society based on contribution."

Lin Zhou's words settled the matter definitively.

"Tian Gong Institute..." Li Mo repeated the name, his eyes growing brighter. "Good! We'll call it the Tian Gong Institute! Exploiting the works of nature, craftsmanship that rivals nature itself!"

Copperhammer also laughed heartily. "Great name! From now on, we're one family! Green-ski... er, Goblin brothers, please look after us in the future!"

Giga Bolts rolled his bulging eyes and snorted. "As long as you don't keep complaining that we're too noisy or make too much of a racket. By the way, Director, regarding the wear issue of that hybrid power core, I have a new idea. It might require a rare 'Flowing Silver Ore' for a sealing coating..."

"Flowing Silver Ore? I think we still have some stock in the Tiangong Workshop warehouse. Its properties are... let me check..." Copperhammer immediately leaned in.

Watching the two technical leaders, who were almost at each other's throats moments ago, now crouching head-to-head in front of the model and beginning a heated discussion with various technical terms and gestures, the other surrounding dwarves and goblins couldn't help but gather around, joining the discussion all at once. The area around the workbench instantly transformed into a noisy and vibrant technical salon.

The smile on the corner of Lin Zhou's mouth deepened. He knew that the establishment of the Tian Gong Institute was not as simple as just adding a research department to the society.

This marked that the Hundred Schools of Thought were no longer just the power of Lin Zhou's personal Divine Realm but were beginning to truly spread outward, being accepted and applied by others, and starting to produce collaborative results that transcended individuals! Li Mo's joining and the establishment of the Tian Gong Institute were important steps in the expansion of the influence of the 'The Way of the Hundred Schools' and evidence that the seed of civilization was beginning to ignite others.

At the same time, the future research results of the Tian Gong Institute would surely feed back into the entire society and even Lin Zhou's own Divine Realm. More efficient power, better equipment, more marvelous mechanical creations... these would all tangibly enhance the strength of the society's members.

And with Li Mo, a "wisdom anchor" with great potential, formally joining, the core team of the Hundred Schools Society became more complete, possessing a solid Foundation for deep development at the technical level.

Lin Zhou quietly withdrew from the increasingly fanatical technical discussion circle and walked to the window. Outside, the sunlight was just right.

In his mind, the Temple of Civilization seemed to emit a faint, satisfied hum. Within the sanctuary, the area representing Mohist Thought seemed to glow more solidly, and more faint connecting threads were generated between it and the light representing other schools of thought.

"The Tian Gong Institute is established. The next step..." Lin Zhou's gaze turned toward the distance, where the broader sky of Xinghai University lay, and beyond that, the infinite Astral Realm.

Technological progress requires resource support, broader experimental fields, and sources of Materials. And resources and territories need to be contested through 'Boundary Erosion.'

The gears of the Hundred Schools Society began to turn faster. And Lin Zhou knew that more intense challenges and opportunities were waiting ahead.