High Above

  Chapter 701 The Key to the Gate of Hades (7200)

  A beam of sunlight passed through a crevice in the rock and fell on the newly dug nest in the mountainside.

  The newly built dragon's nest is slightly rough, with a huge amount of dust swirling in it with the wind, and a small smog tornado is formed at the entrance.

  Sunlight passes through this storm of dust and shines on the belly of a real dragon lying on its back in its lair—the wind in the cave is his breath, and the tornado is born by itself.

   It can be vaguely seen that the real dragon's skin and almost translucent scales are not as tough as others of the same kind, but a little new and delicate.

  But if anyone thinks it is fragile, it is a big mistake, because on the surface of the delicate scales, there is a shallow layer of spiritual energy shield flowing, which looks as soft as water, but is actually dozens of times harder than steel.

The real dragon Xiou is taking a nap in the afternoon, sleeping very soundly - digging a mountain to build a nest is not a big problem for the third energy level, the difficulty is how to build it beautiful and strong, not to mention that he is not good at physical strength .

Observing the structure of the mountain, digging caves with psychic energy for three days and three nights, and connecting the surrounding natural psychic energy to build a psychic field with the Dragon Nest as the core... This amount of work is no less than that of the same strong It is understandable that He wants to take a rest.

   And at the entrance of the cave, the King of the Mountain stood quietly in front of the door.

  He suppressed almost all the mechanical waves around him, and didn't make a sound, but stuck his head out from time to time to see how Xio was resting.

  When Ian arrived at the Lone Flame Peak, he saw such a scene.

  —After the child lived outside alone, the worried mother quietly came to the door of her child, observed the scene of the other party taking a nap through the window, and was careful not to make a sound...

   All too familiar. While smiling, Ian couldn't help but think of the situation when he was still on the earth, living in a rented house on the moon with his postgraduate roommate...the expression and posture were almost exactly the same.

   I can only say that I feel sorry for the parents of the world.

  When the King of the Mountain saw Ian coming, he shook his head slightly, didn't say much, just took out a small box from the scales on his heart, and handed it to Ian with the wind.

  【This is a boutique I exchanged from Long Island... the best 'Earth Vein Source Crystal' I can find】

  He communicated with psychic power, and the soft female voice expressed gratitude: 【This is my gift to you, Ian. You restarted the Dragon God Sacrifice Fire, made the ancient treasures work again, and cured Siou...you are my forever friend]

   "There is no need to say so strongly, Your Majesty the King of the Mountain."

  Ian just smiled, he didn't plan to repay the favor, and all this was a matter of course for him, and earning a third-level potion material for nothing was already a great gain.

   Not to mention, Xiou is indeed his friend. There is no need to think too much about helping a friend.

   "Compared to this."

  Ian glanced sideways at Xiou, who was sleeping soundly: "Although it was my suggestion, do you really rest assured that he will be placed in my territory?"

  【There is no other better place to go】

The King of the Mountain sighed softly: [Although the steel pterosaur has been forced back by me, my dragon lair has been exposed. Recently, I have to move the lair and report back to Dragon Island—whatever your territory is? No matter how you say it is the territory of the empire, attacking you is no different from starting a war]

[Plus, your territory is nothing else, the defensive measures are solid, and the overall development is thriving, allowing Xiou to bind such a high-quality territory and become the guardian dragon of the territory... Even if it is a mascot, I think it is a good thing 】

  —Dude, mascot, or so my mother would say.

  Ian complained in his heart, he didn't dare to regard Xiou as a mascot.

   Moreover, does the King of the Mountain want to report back to Dragon Island... No wonder he told himself last time that he would take himself to Dragon Island when he had time in the future, probably because the Dragon Kings requested it.

   I don't know what the relationship between Dragon Island and the real dragon is. The historical legends are not credible, and there will be more inquiries in the future.

   Shaking his head, Ian withdrew his thoughts.

In recent days, after the purification of the twilight cradle system, Xiou's body has begun to reactivate and undergo "redevelopment"—from the new skin, it can be seen that Xiou's body is recovering to a normal dragon. physical fitness.

  The reason why he sleeps is not only because he is really tired, but also because of this kind of growth. Xiou's sleep means that he is consuming the energy accumulated in his body for self-recovery and growth, which is a good thing.

  So neither the King of the Hill nor Ian bothered.

   Waiting and waiting, Siou naturally woke up.

  【Ian? 】

Opening his eyes, Xiou saw the white-haired boy at his door. He stood up, and just wanted to poke his head curiously to see why Ian came to the door of his nest, and then he saw the head of the King of the Mountain quietly appearing at the door of his nest. Just above Ian: [Mom...Mother? 】

  He was taken aback, and the honorifics came out.

  【I don’t even clean up the ashes in my lair before going to bed】The King of the Mountain opened his mouth to scold him, and he snorted coldly: 【How can I rest assured that you live alone? And there is no vigilance at all, this time it is Ian and I, what if it is the steel pterosaur or the assault force of the Flameland next time? 】

【Yes Yes…】

  Xio admitted quite ashamedly. In fact, he was quite surprised when he saw Ian. He didn't expect that the psionic induction circles all over the dragon's nest didn't respond at all. Shouldn't that be?

  But for Ian, Xiou's spiritual induction line is similar to the banana peel that is placed in front of his eyes, and it is basically impossible to step on it and get caught.

When Xiou knew that Ian was going to try to create his own "Ether Armor" and achieve his own master alchemy (Ian's obvious excuse for needing third-level materials), so after he needed the crystal of the source of the earth's veins, he also immediately Get interested.

  Since my mother gave a gift of gratitude, I must not lose!

  【Ian! 】

  He got up cheerfully and came to the door of his lair: 【I killed a few steel pterosaurs a few days ago, and some of them were of the third energy level—I don’t need the materials for them, so I will give them to you! 】

  Ian also knew those steel pterosaurs. They were the three steel pterosaurs of the dragon hunting team. After they were shot down by Xiou, they became his trophies.

  However, Xiou didn't have any sense of personal property, and it wasn't just his own dragon that hurt them, and he didn't need the magic beast materials of this kind of sub-dragon, so it was very happy to send them out.

  Ian didn't pay much attention to it, but felt a little regretful that he didn't catch up with the time. You know, the soul of the third energy level may be able to condense an "intermediate computing unit". The material may be a little tight, but two are definitely enough.

   Now, Xiou said that he would give the whole steel pterosaur of the third energy level to himself...

  Ian glanced at the King of the Mountain beside him.

The big silver dragon sighed: 【Xio, you can't do this... that steel pterosaur is the common spoils of you and Xiahuiling, it's not your private property, it's not a gift—and Ian healed your void Are you planning to use a third-level steel pterosaur to write off the kindness of poison? 】

  【Oh】Xio's tail dangled behind him, feeling a little embarrassed: 【Then...I...】

"fine."

And Ian laughed, interrupting the embarrassing atmosphere: "From today onwards, the area of ​​Guyan Peak is your territory - as the price, I will use the material of the third-level steel pterosaur Accepted without hesitation."

He gave Xiou a look, and then said: "Next, on the side of the mountain gorge, there is my new alchemy industrial zone... If Roland and the others are busy, you can do it for the sake of the co-owner of this territory. Help them."

【no problem! 】

  Hearing this, Xiou got rid of the embarrassment and said energetically: [It's all easy, I will definitely help! 】

  【And... my territory! I also have territory! 】

  Perhaps this is the essence of the kindling creature—when he heard the words 'own territory', Xiou seemed overjoyed, looking extremely happy.

  Ian seriously suspects that the dragon masters of the Dragon Kingdom also have the same mentality as Xiou.

   As long as you have a piece of your own territory, you can solve it... From this point of view, the real dragon is still a creature that is quite easy to satisfy.

  Looking at this scene, the King of the Mountain couldn't say anything. He just shook his head and looked at Ian: [Please, take care of him more... Xiou is a very capable child, at least he has great potential]

   "No, just very capable."

  Ian was not stingy with praise, he said seriously: "You can't underestimate your child—at least, he can still maintain such a healthy and positive attitude now, which is an excellent proof of his ability."

Although in the view of the king of the mountain, Xiou may have various problems all over his body, which is the so-called "you in the eyes of parents" - but as a friend, Xiou is responsible for his friends and will take action, and his own strength is not inferior , the spirit is also quite tenacious due to the perennial pain and suffering, and the personality is quite sincere and polite. He can soar into the sky with just one chance, and he is the best friend candidate in his eyes.

   After all, where would you find a second true dragon as pure as this?

The material of the steel pterosaur was stored in a cave at the foot of the Lonely Flame Peak, and was sealed and preserved by Siou with psychic energy. After a while, Ian would ask Scott to prepare a team to transport it back to the city and break it down into real materials. .

   After delivering the 'Earth Vein Source Crystal' to Ian, the King of the Mountain is also preparing to leave.

  Before leaving, he cleaned Xiou's lair with his own hands.

   While strengthening the mountain with source quality, he was telling Xio the importance of hygiene and tidiness...

   It can only be said that in terms of parent-child relationship, there is really no difference between dragons and humans.

   And Ian naturally returned to Xiahui City with the crystals of the source of the earth veins early, and opened the small box given to him by the king of the mountain.

  In the box, bright lines of light lit up from the center, and spread in all directions around it. The blue light mixed with pure white light shone gently, forming a small spiritual energy field in an instant.

   In the center of the field, a pure white crystal is surrounded by blue and pure white two-color spectrum, interlaced and staggered, and the color gradually changes outward, like a flickering light.

  【Earth Vein Source Crystal】

  【Third Energy Level·Perfect Species·Authority·Edible】

[Born from the depths of the planet, the rare crystallization of the core node of the natural cycle of source matter is itself a kind of 'entity ether' that is perfectly integrated with natural spiritual energy and source matter, continuously absorbing the spiritual energy and source of the surrounding natural time and space It can be used to recharge itself, which can be used to create core energy for some sustainable alchemy facilities]

[Compared with ordinary similar crystals, the perfect-quality earth vein source crystal has a better affinity for source matter, and can warm and nourish the soul. The radiance it emits can even make the souls of the dead last forever, so it is also called "the lamp of the dead." ']

  【If it is used as a potion material, even if the soul is damaged, it can quickly heal and regenerate, but it cannot reduce pain】

  【Warning: If the user’s basic quality is insufficient, if the user rashly takes the perfect-quality earth vein source crystal, it is very likely that the self-consciousness will be diluted by the mighty natural will in the crystal and become a vegetative state】

  【Contains source quality: 35615.8554 core units】

  【…】

   "Sure enough, it's perfect!"

  Seeing the data of the silver chip, Ian couldn't help but brighten his eyes: "The ability to heal the soul, nourish the soul... is exactly the ability I need most!"

  In the recent period, Ian has been reforming his soul structure. Even if the prophet can make no mistakes, as long as it is reformed, there will definitely be pain and loss.

  Although the calculation power has been greatly improved, in terms of absolute strength, Ian's soul has actually dropped a little.

  After all, even if they are both made of iron, it is obvious who is more likely to be damaged between a solid big iron lump and a tight computer.

   Even the soul structure imitating the calculation unit is still very tough, but if you can cultivate while nurturing, you will definitely get twice the result with half the effort!

  Up to now, the potion materials have been accumulated almost. If it is a simple Lord of Stone, Ian can even say that he has already prepared everything.

  But he has already accumulated enough, and he does not intend to follow the old path so simply.

  Back to his warehouse, Ian points the materials he owns now.

  The heart protection shell of the dust-cleaning dragon, Moran steel, the crystal of the source of the earth veins, a whole third-level steel pterosaur material... and various sublimation materials obtained from Jiamube.

  Basically, he has all the main materials he should have.

   Moreover, the heart-protecting shell of the Jingchen Dragon, as the core center of the 'Super Giant Magnetic Storm Coil', was severely purified by the Dragon God's sacrificial fire.

  Although part of the quality was lost due to this, the structure of the remaining inscriptions became extremely pure, and even an extra sentence was added to the description in the silver chip.

  【Extremely pure protective heart shell, although the physical strength is slightly reduced, but the manipulation of magnetic force is greatly enhanced, it is a special product that exceeds the limit of the original owner's ability】

To be honest, Ian doesn't need any "physical strength" at all—his shield can already cover nine layers, the next door has been buried in the ground, and the grass on the grave is estimated to be two inches tall. Curd Jiamu tried his best to face him Not all of them have been broken. In the true sense, those who have broken through Ian's defense are just a nightmare.

  But the Nightmare Breed is essentially a universe-level super life, even if it is a phantom phantom of the incomplete level, it is not shameful to be defeated by it!

It is precisely because of the consideration that Fudo Fortified City has achieved the ultimate in defense, so some time ago, when Ian built the "Source Quality Furnace Core" centered on the core of the ancient dragon, he had been thinking about whether he really wanted to leave Mr. Hilliard's old way.

  In the future, Ian is destined to open up a new path of practice. Most of the true forms of bloodlines cannot adapt to Ian's next fighting method, and the Lord of Stone is no exception.

  This is also why, he wants to upgrade on the basis of Lord of Stone, and create a brand new 'new potion', which is the true form temporarily named 'Lord of Steel'!

  The Lord of Steel is an improved body based on the Lord of Stone with the addition of 'magnetic control ability', and it is very different in terms of positioning.

The Lord of Stone is essentially a fortress builder and giant rock golem creator with specialized material manipulation ability and strong combat ability, and he is also tough, a guardian knight and summoner who protects the formation, enough to dispel everyone A plan to destroy summoned objects by beheading the summoner.

   But Lord of Steel is different.

  Its abilities are biased towards 'research infrastructure' and 'self-strengthening'.

  What Ian needs is to strengthen his own soul, strengthen microscopic and micromanipulation, use the magnetic force and metal manipulation ability to rub the machine tool by hand, and then use the machine tool to manufacture a large number of production equipment, so that the cycle can be repeated to quickly strengthen the productivity of his territory.

Immediately afterwards, although it is impossible to create a large number of golems and rock fortresses, as an existence whose individual defense is harder than the Lord of Stone, the Lord of Steel's magical use of magnetism, with Ian's strong basic knowledge reserve... is definitely much better than Terra Most sublimators who play electromagnetism want to come strong.

   Among other things, Ian can rub a magnetic propulsion engine on the spot to go to outer space, and on the planet, he can also easily use magnetic force to accelerate himself to an unimaginable level.

   Not to mention magnetic offset and magnetic confinement fields.

   Simply put, the Lord of Steel can fly! And the Lord of Stone can't!

   Purely explosive killing belongs to yes.

   "My soul has been transformed, and it is infinitely close to the third energy level, but my body can't bear it yet-this has reached the limit, and it is meaningless to be more diligent."

Looking around at the material in front of him, Ian nodded slightly: "The next research direction is to perfect the potion of Lord of Steel... As long as I can reach the third energy level, even if the war between the Empire and Flame Land spreads to Nanling, I will We are also confident in ensuring the rapid development of the territory."

  However, Ian still has some things to do before going to develop Lord of Steel.

  Ian came to the alchemy laboratory.

  Some time ago, when Ian defeated the Construct Knight, he successfully copied all the structures of the Construct Knight, including the most important "spiritual tool core".

  This kind of technology, of course, he brought it back to the territory immediately, and gave it to Adalbert for analysis to see if this all-round researcher has a unique opinion different from his own.

As a result, after seeing the blueprint of the spiritual weapon, Adbert was astonished. He exclaimed incredulously, grabbed Ian and asked where it came from. The researcher, who hated the flamethrowers, was even happier.

"This 'spiritual tool core' is essentially a soul storage structure that is far superior to our 'dead king's center'! In the simplest terms, it can convert source matter into psionic spiritual matter, strengthening the soul of the dead king. In addition, it can also make the soul in our body live more comfortably, and the frequency of activities can also be greatly increased."

Adbert explained to Ian: "After leaving the subspace and the void, the souls in our bodies are all silent. This is inevitable. After all, the design of the dead king from the beginning is to use the soul as the cornerstone. There is no thought of making these souls develop abilities other than 'masonry'."

   "However, this spiritual tool core can improve this point... Even, without our dead king's effort to maintain it, this spiritual tool core can carry thousands of souls alone!"

Adbert has a very high evaluation of the spiritual tool core. Apart from storing souls, he is also quite optimistic about the other ability of the spiritual tool core, that is, the conversion of "source quality - psionic energy": "According to the original ether In theory, the source quality and psionic energy are indeed integrated, and the ability to freely convert the two is the characteristic of the third energy level powerhouse, and their mind light body is basically the embodiment of this ability."

"The core of the spiritual tool can rely on its strong energy supply to create a spiritual energy shield comparable to the powerhouse of the third energy level, or to increase the source quality of the third energy level. It can be said to be an 'artificial third energy level' .”

"It's a pity that at least it can be supplied by an energy source of the level of the ether core, and the technology of the ether core...even the capital of knowledge has not been able to fully grasp it, and the cost is high, and training a third energy level is also difficult. It makes no difference."

   "Not to mention that if you want to control the core of this kind of spiritual tool, you also need a sublimator who is at least the peak of the second energy level to be the driver to be effective."

  At that time, Adbert shook his head regretfully: "Technology is good technology, but our territory does not have the conditions to make full use of it."

But Ian has a different opinion—indeed, apart from himself, Adbert and Xiou, it is basically impossible to find a sublimator who is at the peak of the second energy level and above in the current Xiahui territory , and all three of them have strengths that surpass the core of spiritual equipment.

  However, one person can’t do it, so what about hundreds or thousands, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands?

"The energy core, I will find a way. Rather, this is the easiest problem to solve. As for the controller...we don't need to let it fight, but let it become a kind of city defense core, sheltering the entire city and key points. area will do.”

Ian made this suggestion to Adalbert: "As long as we can popularize artificial souls, so that the entire Xiahui Territory and even all mountain people have souls... then at critical moments, they can gather in the square or around the defense tower , work together to activate the defensive function of the core of the spiritual weapon."

   "At least these ordinary people will have the power to protect themselves, won't they?"

   "It's like the dead king, but it's not about gathering the power of everyone to give to one person, but gathering the power of everyone to give a 'shelter to protect yourself'!"

   "If everyone has a third-level spiritual shield, then even if there is a fourth-level battle in the territory, the casualties will be greatly reduced!"

  Adbert was deeply encouraged. Although he wanted to protect the weak and ordinary people, he couldn't think of relevant ideas because the people of Terra were too inclined to the thinking mode of individual power.

Ian's words woke him up and made him realize: "Yes...Moreover, in times of crisis, most people's 'consensus' is to 'protect themselves, protect relatives and friends'... This consensus is even stronger than death. You must sign the contract with them from the bottom of your heart!"

   "As long as you skillfully use the dead king technology to strengthen the core of the spiritual weapon, it will become the best shelter!"

  Ian came here this time to talk to Adalbert about his recent work results.

  But he never thought that he was approached by Yadbert the moment he came to the alchemy laboratory.

   "Ian! I have a new achievement!"

The researcher of the dead king was full of enthusiasm—he is the dead king after all, he would not be tired at all, but he was in a full research state 24 hours a day—he took Ian to the deepest underground laboratory, and excitedly told the puzzled Yi En Endao: "I have recreated the artificial soul potion!"

   "Just wait for the cultivation of 'Benign Brain Attachment' to be on the right track, and a large number of related medicines can be produced quickly, and it only takes about half a year to popularize to the whole people!"

   "Oh! It's really a great thing!" Ian's eyes lit up, and the artificial soul can be said to be the basis of all his future plans.

  But soon, the boy was a little puzzled—as for being so excited?

Although the artificial soul is indeed the key technology, the most core "brain attachment" and "pharmaceutical formula" are ready-made...Ian recruited a few days ago, and the Sequoia native with a "benign unactivated brain attachment" in his body took it. A generous salary, it would be strange if it couldn't be reproduced.

   Sure enough, Adbert continued: "In addition, Ian, the 'spiritual tool core' and 'meditation method' you gave me gave me great inspiration."

   "After the core of the spiritual weapon has been modified, it can have a part of the ability of the "dead king"...that is, to draw the wandering souls around it into its own internal shelter."

   "At the same time, as long as the meditation method is fine-tuned to the soul structure, then those who practice meditation can decouple their soul from their body within a certain range!"

"Although they are just ordinary abilities, it's interesting to combine them!" The young researcher waved the proof paper in his hand. He obviously used himself to do experiments, so he said excitedly and firmly: "In this way , if our territory encounters a crisis in the future, the people don’t need to gather around the square at all, but stay in their own homes, leave their souls directly, and be pulled by the core of the spiritual tool, go to the inside of it to activate its shield!”

   "This speed is far faster than gathering by human legs, and even if there is an accident, at least the soul can be preserved!"

  Adelbert is really worried about the survival of ordinary people. This is one of his obsessions, which is why he is so excited.

  Because this idea is also a further optimization of Ian's "shelter" idea, that's why Adbert wanted to find Ian to listen to his views, eager to get approval and opinions.

  However, Ian did not calmly give some opinions he hadn't thought of after praising himself as Adalbert imagined.

  The boy stood there in a daze.

   "...Ian? What's the matter?" The Dead King researcher cautiously greeted Ian.

   “…I’m fine.”

   When Ian came back to his senses, he blinked and looked at Adalbert seriously.

  The young man took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Do you know what you're talking about, Yadbert?"

  The Dead Lord was stunned for a moment. He didn't know why Ian looked so solemn, so his voice became quieter: "I found a new way to protect the people?"

"wrong!"

  Ian stretched out his hand, he grabbed Adalbert's shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "What you found is the gate of Hades!"

   "Adelbert! What you just picked up is the key to the gate of Hades!"

  (end of this chapter)