Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Zhou Xiao was fascinated by the swirling gold before him.

"Now that the material has taken shape, how long will it take before it can be officially used?" Zhou Ying asked excitedly.

Solving Zhou Xiao's "hyper-sense" issue had also been Zhou Ying's goal for many years. Despite his efforts, previous solutions were only temporary. "Hyper-sense" was seen as an insurmountable hurdle in the current framework of mech piloting, even considered a genetic defect. But if the new material was successful, this so-called "ailment" would no longer be an issue.

Zhou Ying always cared more about Zhou Xiao's condition than Zhou Xiao himself, and he seemed more excited by this development.

Bai Sha waved her hand, and the liquid metal obediently dispersed, "We expect to produce prototypes within the next two years. But for actual deployment, a lengthy testing period is anticipated."

"Due to various constraints, my lab is the only one researching in this direction at the moment. Perhaps, once the new material passes inspection and gets officially registered, I might publish some research on a small scale, inviting more people into this field of study."

Listening to Bai Sha, the excitement in Zhou Ying's heart gradually subsided a bit.

Indeed, as a mech pilot, he understood that no research could be achieved overnight.

Moreover, this new material, while promising, was unlikely to attract many experts to research it. In all fields, the initial pioneers are always just a few. Only when the new material demonstrates tremendous potential will it attract more researchers... but that wouldn't happen until the first successful prototype is created.

In other words, this project is still in its very early stages. Bai Sha was essentially painting a big picture for them. But the fact that she could even envision such a possibility was impressive in itself.

"You're really dedicated," Zhou Ying said slowly, "Thank you."

Is the new material useful? Undoubtedly.

But can it significantly enhance Bai Sha's capabilities or bring her substantial benefits? There's potential, but it's hard to judge at this point.

If Zhou Ying were in charge of this research project, it would make complete sense. He wanted to help his brother and had reason to explore these possibilities at any cost.

For Bai Sha, however, the project seemed rather superfluous. The returns and benefits might not be proportional to the effort, making it unworthy of her full commitment. Her considerable investment in it was largely because Zhou Xiao—her friend—happened to need it.

Bai Sha has always been wholeheartedly devoted to her friends.

"Don't say that. I'm also just following my interests," Bai Sha smiled, "This little thing is very sensitive to psychic energy... Even if the research fails, it can still be used to make some toys, which I guess will be quite popular."

Zhou Ying glanced at the floating golden light. Indeed, this new material, besides its other qualities, had a high visual appeal and an air of mystery. Even if it couldn't be integrated into mech manufacturing, it could be useful elsewhere.

Zhou Ying: "Don't jinx yourself by being idle; your research won't fail."

Bai Sha patted his shoulder: "I'll take your good luck wish."

Zhou Ying: "But if this research succeeds, maybe your empire will have one more export commodity. I have a feeling it'll be even more popular in the Federation."

Given the direction of mech technology development in both countries, this material would likely have more applications in the Federation.

Bai Sha and Zhou Ying continued discussing this topic for another fifteen minutes. Zhou Xiao only understood part of their conversation, and eventually, he couldn't follow at all.

Zhou Yao: "..."

He quietly raised his hand, intending to touch the warm golden shimmer, but as if wary of something, quickly withdrew it, ultimately just bowing his head with a slight smile.

The trio left the laboratory and returned to their original spot. Everyone had noticed their absence and gathered around to ask where they had been.

"I was just checking on my experimental materials," Bai Sha explained.

Cen Yuehuai subconsciously asked, "Your Highness, why did you only take them two and not us?"

"Because my new material is very sensitive to psychic energy," Bai Sha stated matter-of-factly. "If all of you had come with me, it might have exploded on the spot."

Cen Yuehuai twitched his mouth: "It can explode?"

Bai Sha pondered for a moment: "Well, it's not an ordinary explosion. It feels like boiling water or a ripe melon... in short, its state is not very stable."

Cen Yuehuai: "I see."

It sounds like this thing is quite dangerous, isn't it?

……

The group dined in the small banquet hall of Youdu Star and then dispersed like birds and animals.

Cecil Ronin's demeanor was always very amiable. Not until Bai Sha had seen off the last friend did he gradually return to his languid expression.

"Your friends from the Federation aren't bad," the Emperor said. "But those twins are annoying. One is too subdued, and the other too cunning. It's hard to imagine how such different people can be biological brothers."

"That's normal," Bai Sha said nonchalantly.

Suddenly, the emperor looked at her seriously and asked, "Between the two of them, which one do you like more?"

Bai Sha almost had a question mark written on her face, "What kind of question is that? They're both my friends. Why do I have to choose a favorite?"

The emperor smiled, but Bai Sha felt an unsettling feeling from his smile, "What if you absolutely had to choose one?"

Bai Sha hesitated for a long time before responding, "Then... Zhou Xiao."

"Why?"

"I have a fondness for the familiar, and I've known Zhou Xie for a longer time. Plus, I prefer his looks and temperament."

The Emperor pondered in silence, seemingly contemplating something.

A few minutes later, he activated his light computer and sent a document to Bai Sha.

Bai Sha opened it, puzzled, and discovered it was a list of several hundred names!

"What is this?" Bai Sha widened her eyes slightly and asked her uncle.

"These are applicants to be your crown princess," Cecil Ronin explained.

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough. What did you say?" By the end of her sentence, Bai Sha's voice was weak.

"You're nearing adulthood. It's indeed time to consider a candidate for the crown princess," Cecil Ronin massaged his temples. "I thought it was too early, but since you value old acquaintances, start choosing now. Picking someone early to cultivate affection could count as a childhood sweetheart."

"No way," Bai Sha said in disbelief. "Have the ministers gone mad? Ignoring you, a prime adult in your prime, to urge me to consider marriage candidates?"

"You think they haven't urged me?" The Emperor revealed a sly smile. "But I've already established a crown prince. Their ultimate goal in urging me to marry is to have a crown prince, which I've accomplished. Now naturally, their focus shifts to you."

Bai Sha: "......"

"Don't worry, no one will force you to marry, you haven't even graduated yet," Cecil Ronin spoke in a casual tone. "It's just a look, no harm in that."

Bai Sha opened the list with an indescribable feeling.

The list was comprehensive, detailing family background, names, resumes, personalities, and physical data - it lacked only a comprehensive score (Bai Sha even suspected the maker didn't score due to uncertainty about her preferences).

Hundreds of imperial youths, none with major flaws, the youngest a year younger than her, the oldest a decade her senior - a significant age gap in the Federation, but acceptable in the Empire.

"The Empire isn't strict about the family background for a crown princess. Of course, nobility scores extra points," Cecil Ronin, while being served a bowl of frozen dessert by a servant and scraping the edges of the cup with a spoon, continued with an amused expression, "We're not demanding about looks or personality either; you like it, it scores. Everyone on this list is at least decent-looking. And lastly, high combat talent scores extra. Ah, you can see their psychic power levels in the data. But psychic power is one thing, combat talent is another."

So, choose someone good-looking and capable of fighting?

Very well, that's very Empire.

Bai Sha, with a slightly guilty conscience, quickly flipped through the list. One beautiful face after another passed before her eyes, numbing her until a familiar face flashed by, making her blurt out, "Why is Ji Lun also in this list?!"

"Hmm?" The Emperor frowned, then forced himself to smooth his brow, "He's within the age limit and single. He meets all the criteria, so naturally, he was included."

Bai Sha pointed at the photo in the list. Most people in it were smiling, but Ji Lun's expression was the most impassive. The photo, depicting a slightly younger him in a black uniform with other figures in the background, seemed to be taken during training years ago.

"Are you sure Ji Lun voluntarily joined this list?" Bai Sha questioned.

"Perhaps they included him without his consent," the Emperor said with a forced smile. "If you don't want to see him, just skip it. Don't you like his appearance?"

The Emperor believed he understood Bai Sha's aesthetic preferences, which tended towards the classical.

Bai Sha hesitated for a second while looking at the photo, then spoke, propping her chin.

"That's not it. Actually, he looks quite handsome."

Cecil Ronin: "......"

This child has quite a broad taste, liking everyone.

"But as you said, General Ji Lun was likely included by mistake," Bai Sha flipped the page, continuing, "I was just joking anyway."

The Emperor chuckled lightly, seeming to agree, and then watched Bai Sha continue to browse through the list.

Actually, the Emperor didn't insist on Bai Sha choosing someone she liked. Based on his understanding of her, she would never select her partner in this manner. The list was merely for novelty.

The only reason Cecil Ronin did this was to show Bai Sha the range of promising youths in the Empire—she had a wide array of choices.

"Lest she be too naïve and fall for the charms of the Federation's male fox spirits."