209: Material

[Consciousness Space]

Within the vast, boundless abyss of deep blue data, the light cluster representing Han Chengyu's consciousness flickered with intense ripples of excitement.

A series of dizzyingly complex 3D energy models and genetic helix structures rapidly formed and combined in the Void Realm, finally stabilizing into a highly aesthetic and powerful armor silhouette. Surrounding it were countless scrolling mathematical formulas representing the core principles of "time-sensitive excitation and decay."

“Heh... haha... Hahaha!” Han Chengyu's laughter echoed through the space. “It's finished! Finally finished! The last piece of the Decay Equation puzzle is solved... the basic design framework for the third set of armor is completely finalized!”

After the excitement passed, practical problems surfaced.

“The blueprint is ready, but the Materials... those special alloys, high-purity rare earth compounds, custom polymer bases, and high-precision electronic neural simulation Units... where are we going to get those? We don't have physical bodies to receive goods or make payments.”

[Analyzing feasibility of material acquisition.]

[Proposed Plan: Place orders through anonymous network channels with multiple dispersed industrial material suppliers, laboratory consumable companies, and special component agents. The required items can be explained as being for special research or high-end model making. Payment can be processed virtually.]

[Conclusion: Theoretically feasible, but requires a real-world address for reception and preliminary processing.]

“We can buy them? Then where do we send them? We don't even have hands,” Han Chengyu asked.

[Logical Suggestion: Set the delivery address to the residence of the second Aptitude Holder, Shen Mingyuan, or a secure location designated by him. He possesses the conditions for reception and a motive for confidentiality.]

[Communication is required in advance to obtain permission.]

“Right, find Shen Mingyuan!” Han Chengyu agreed. “I'll talk to him immediately so he can prepare. But even if the goods reach his hands, how do we turn them into armor components? We can't expect him to assemble them himself, can we?”

[Solution: Include a ‘Basic Construction Core’ remotely controlled and encoded by this System within the first batch of core Materials. The appearance of this core can be disguised as a standard industrial module.]

[When the Materials are in close proximity to the armband worn by Shen Mingyuan, this Unit can initiate energy resonance, guiding the ‘Basic Construction Core’ to perform pre-processing and preliminary shape-molding of specific Materials.]

Subsequent precision machining will still require more complex intervention, but this is sufficient for the first step.]

[This is currently the optimal solution.]

“That's great, System! Let's do that!” Han Chengyu's light cluster flickered joyfully.

“However, we need to talk to Shen Mingyuan first. Let me send him a message.”

[Real World · Shen Mingyuan's Apartment]

In the evening, Shen Mingyuan had just returned home after a day's work. He was leaning against the sofa, aimlessly pressing the remote to switch TV channels, letting the noisy background sound dispel some of the quiet of being alone.

Suddenly, the phone screen on the coffee table lit up, and a unique notification sound he had set rang out.

He picked it up and unlocked the screen. On the wechat interface, the user with the starry sky avatar, ".", had sent a new message.

.: There is something I need to discuss with you in advance. In the next few days, several anonymous packages containing special Materials may be delivered to your address. No need to worry about the source, and you don't need to pay; just receive them normally.

Shen Mingyuan's brow furrowed slightly as his fingers quickly tapped out a reply.

Shen Mingyuan: Materials? Sent to my house? Why? Can't they be sent to your place or somewhere else you designate?

.: My current location cannot receive physical packages. This is the most direct and secure method.

.: More importantly, processing these Materials requires using the ‘tool’ on your wrist as an initial processing medium. Keeping them with you is the most convenient.

.: You are only responsible for signing for and storing them. For the subsequent preliminary processing, I will remotely guide the ‘tool’ to complete it. It won't require extra work from you, nor will it take up too much of your time or space.

Shen Mingyuan looked at the explanation on the screen and remained silent for a few seconds.

He naturally understood what The Forger meant by the "tool," and he could roughly guess what these "Materials" might be used for.

Since the other party had put it this way, with clear logic and consideration for his convenience, there seemed to be no reason to refuse.

He sighed softly.

Shen Mingyuan: ...Alright. Once the packages arrive, send me the pickup information. I'll go get them.

.: Okay. I'll notify you in advance. Thanks for your hard work.

Shen Mingyuan finished his brief communication with The Forger, put his phone back on the coffee table, and turned his gaze back to the flickering TV screen.

At that moment, the local news channel had just finished an economic report, and the screen switched to a series of dynamic and energetic shots—martial arts performances, slow-motion replays of exchanges in the ring, and close-ups of contestants dripping with sweat during training.

The Event Host's voiceover began:

“...The highly anticipated ‘17th Traditional Martial Arts Combat Exchange Tournament’ is set to officially kick off in one week at our city's newly completed ‘Hongwu Sports Center.’

It is reported that this year's tournament has attracted over a hundred representative teams and more than three hundred contestants from across the country. The scale of the competition and the level of the participants are the highest in history.”

The screen showed an exterior view of a modern stadium, as well as its spacious and bright training grounds and neat dormitory buildings.

“To ensure the smooth running of the tournament, the organizers and relevant city departments have arranged unified training grounds and accommodations for all participating teams. Currently, the teams have arrived one after another and have entered the final adaptation training and preparation phase.”

Next, the screen switched to pre-match interview clips of several contestants. There was a composed middle-aged boxer, a high-spirited young Sanda athlete, and then, Wei Ziqing's figure appeared on the screen.

He had changed into a clean martial arts hall training uniform and was standing in front of a temporary interview backdrop. Facing the camera, his expression still held a bit of youthful greenness, but his eyes were firm:

“...It is a rare opportunity to represent our ‘Wei Family Martial Arts Hall’ in such a high-level competition.

Master has high hopes for me. I will go all out and strive to show the style and spirit of our martial arts hall.”

His words were simple, yet they carried a sense of unquestionable determination.

The narrator then explained:

“This tournament will use a single-elimination format. Seven days from now, the elimination phase will officially begin in the morning. All contestants will determine their opponents through a draw and advance round by round.

Ultimately, the top performers who survive several rounds of intense competition will enter the highly anticipated finals to compete for the championship trophy, the symbol of highest honor. At that time, our station will also bring you a full live broadcast...”

Looking at the “one week later” timeframe set in the TV news, Shen Mingyuan remembered the competition Wei Ziqing had mentioned during his visit earlier that day. He remembered the seriousness and expectation in the boy's eyes very clearly.

“One week later... that happens to be the weekend.”

He muttered to himself, his finger unconsciously tapping the armrest of the sofa.

“Then I'll go take a look.” He made his decision, reached for his phone, and skillfully opened a commonly used ticketing app to search for the “Traditional Martial Arts Combat Exchange Tournament.”

The page popped up, showing the seating chart of the venue. He browsed through different sections and prices.

The front seats naturally offered the best viewing experience, allowing one to see every subtle expression and movement of the contestants, but the price was high, and it might be too “immersive.”

Although the details would be blurrier from the back, the field of vision was broad, allowing a total view of the entire ring and even the dynamics of the contestants' waiting area. It was more suitable for a spectator with an observational mindset like him.

“I'll sit in the back.” He quickly made his choice. “I'll bring binoculars then, and I'll be able to see just as clearly. Besides... the back row gives a full view, and the sense of the scene is stronger.”

After handling this matter, he stood up and walked to a corner of the living room. There was a professional reptile tank that already seemed a bit cramped, lined with suitable bedding and equipped with temperature and humidity controls.

Through the glass, one could see a Little Green Snake. Its body was a clear azure color and it was already quite large, quietly perched on a bionic tree branch.

Compared to the weak little thing that had just hatched, its current size and length had increased several times over, and its eyes were more spirited.

Most striking were the sides of its body, where the bases of a pair of tender little fleshy wings that had only recently become noticeable were now covered with a layer of fine, soft, grey downy feathers. Although far from full, they were clearly discernible.

Shen Mingyuan crouched down and looked closely. He noticed a complete, translucent snake skin shed in the corner of the tank.

“You're growing so fast...” He couldn't help but sigh. “You've already finished another shed. This tank... will soon be too small for you to move around in.”

He planned to take some time in a couple of days to go to the pet supply market again, or check if there were more professional custom channels. He needed to get this little guy a bigger, more spacious new home.

When raising a creature that was so obviously extraordinary in both color and form, preparation always needed to be done in advance.