160: century

Inside the Time Spire, one year later.

"High-energy Phase Field generation stable..."

"Optimal interference parameters locked..."

"Decay frequency within the expected range... It's finally complete!"

A phantom light projection, constantly adjusting its form under Zhang Huaiyuan's mental construction, was finally perfected.

With a thought, the light projection instantly materialized from phantom to reality.

A ring-shaped hand cannon, about half a meter in diameter, floated before him.

Semi-transparent blue light spots, pulsating like living things, danced within the Phase Emission Field of the cannon's muzzle interlayer, radiating terrifying energy.

Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the weapon before him.

[Unnamed Weapon]

A combat Phase-Type Weapon incorporating multiple styles, comparable to a standard main battle weapon in an ordinary Level 2 Rule World.

Contained Knowledge Rule Level: 2.

Although power cannot be tested in real-time inside the Time Spire, passing the ability certification at least means the design is sound.

"Let's call it 'Wujian Type I'."

Zhang Huaiyuan pondered for a moment and couldn't help but feel satisfied with his naming ability.

He knew that the Star Dome Empire Intelligence Department secretly called the first generation Phase Weapon he designed “Wujian,” so adding two characters now was like dotting the eyes of the dragon.

"The research on Phase Weapons is temporarily concluded."

Zhang Huaiyuan admired his achievement again, stored it in the containment device, and then took out a slightly smaller box.

It was filled with auxiliary potions, including the "inspiration boiling potion," enough for 150 years if he used one every day!

"Praise the Goddess."

Zhang Huaiyuan exclaimed in admiration, reached out, and injected himself with a dozen different types of injections.

Instantly, the fatigue in his body vanished, and inspiration spread through his mind.

He devoted part of his attention to quickly reading the Empire's core technical data, perfecting his fundamental knowledge, and simultaneously, with a thought, summoned dozens of relic items before him.

[Force Field Ripper Base]

Performs special interference on space, distorting and tearing the space of the target area.

Contained Knowledge Rule Level: 2.

Analysis Progress: Complete.

[Spatial Psionic Converter (Damaged)]

Continuously absorbs free-floating energy in space and converts it into psionic energy for storage.

Contained Knowledge Rule Level: 3.

Analysis Progress: Complete.

[...]

Zhang Huaiyuan examined these High-Level Rule Items related to "curvature weapons" and "Spatial Devices."

Due to the unavoidable influence of Phase Field decay, Phase Weapons are more suitable for short-to-medium range, small-scale combat.

Therefore, he planned to research another killer weapon capable of handling large-scale, ultra-long-range combat.

After a quick observation, among these relic items, "curvature weapons" offered the most reference material, and the knowledge that could be connected was relatively complete.

More importantly, Zhang Huaiyuan wanted to use the research on "Curvature" and "Spatial Devices" to perfect the "dematerialized server" project.

Of course, involving two major categories and even Level 3 Rules, the difficulty far surpassed the research into simple Phase Weapons.

"Time is pressing, and there aren't many opportunities for trial and error. I can only use some special methods."

Zhang Huaiyuan took a deep breath and took out all the high-quality Energy Stones he carried.

At the same time, he silently immersed his mind and activated his ability.

"I need to find an accurate path to perfect the research on curvature weapons and the dematerialized server using my current reserves..."

"Not enough energy."

The feedback from the depths of the unknown arrived.

Zhang Huaiyuan frowned slightly and modified the request: "I need a feasible direction... Begin Deduction."

As soon as he finished speaking, countless faint cyan threads spread toward the layers of void, analyzing the underlying logic of the world.

Moments later, those threads either stopped abruptly or snapped directly, leaving only one line glowing faintly.

The ground full of high-quality Energy Stones turned to dust.

In contrast, a massive stream of information poured into his mind.

"Constructing a Mobius Strip in the void..."

"Using psionic energy converted into a special information language for topology..."

"Achieving a disguised form of 'perpetual motion'..."

"Recommended research reference route Item No. 17—No. 9—No. 3..."

"So that's it..."

Zhang Huaiyuan analyzed the knowledge in his mind, and everything became clear.

More importantly, it also provided the research sequence for this batch of relic items, immediately minimizing the difficulty.

"Well then... let's begin."

A flicker of excitement crossed his eyes, and he once again threw himself into the research with full vigor... In scientific research, years are forgotten, and time quietly slips away.

Fifth year in the Spire.

The prototype of the first-generation curvature weapon was completed. Theoretically, the maximum estimated attack range could reach 1 light-year, and the central area of effect could easily instantly kill ordinary SSS-Rank Star River Beasts.

Ninth year in the Spire.

The weapon was perfected, its theoretical strike range limit increased to 3 light-years, its energy output stabilized, and its attack error narrowed to within 100,000 kilometers. Zhang Huaiyuan named it "Heaven's Punishment."

The following year, leveraging the deep research into curvature, he successfully found the inspiration to design the spatial Mobius Strip.

Sixteenth year in the Spire.

After 10,702 failures, he finally constructed a Spatial Ring that did not immediately collapse.

In the same year, he began attempting to use the converted information language to perform topology on it.

Twenty-fifth year in the Spire.

Utilizing the paths found through countless failed attempts, Zhang Huaiyuan successfully designed the first non-physical Spatial Ring, hidden in the void and possessing some functions of a Quantum Server, and began continuously perfecting it.

Twenty-ninth year in the Spire.

The newly constructed special information language was nearing perfection, and the performance of the Spatial Ring was further enhanced, already infinitely approaching the level of a Quantum Server.

However, at the same time, the research hit a bottleneck: current energy supply technology was insufficient to support a higher-performance cycle. Zhang Huaiyuan began focusing his energy on "Energy Class" knowledge research.

Forty-first year in the Spire.

Gaining inspiration from multiple confidential technologies of the Star Dome Empire, the Void Infinite Energy Technology achieved a breakthrough, reaching almost the advanced level of an ordinary Level 2 Rule World under ability evaluation.

Zhang Huaiyuan used this to reset the Spatial Ring structure. With a more advanced energy supply system, the number of topologies the Spatial Ring could support underwent a qualitative leap, and its performance far exceeded the current world's highest-level Quantum Servers.

The "dematerialized server Research" achieved its goal ahead of schedule.

Forty-fifth year in the Spire.

Zhang Huaiyuan began shifting his focus to categories like "Genetics" and "Extraordinary Materials Science."

However, this time, without the energy to perform the "Omniscient Deduction" and with limited understanding of the higher extraordinary ranks, he encountered an unprecedented challenge.

An entire thirty years yielded minimal results.

Seventy-sixth year in the Spire.

Zhang Huaiyuan, who was so immersed in the ocean of knowledge that he hadn't noticed, finally reached the critical point in his extraordinary level and crossed into the SS-Class domain.

Suddenly, endless inspiration and ideas flooded his mind, and the problems that had troubled him instantly became clear.

The long-stalled research progress soared like a rocket...