Chapter 330 Objective: One-word Battle Armor
Ever since he had awakened the weak bluesilver grass as his martial soul, Tang Wulin had no choice but to trudge forward, persevering until he found his path to greatness. Now that one had presented itself, hed be an idiot not to take the risk.
Alright. Lets give it a shot. Luo Guixings eyes brightened with determination like the rest of them. Naturally, he understood the advantage of making their battle armors in the first grade. While this plan was a challenge, it was also an opportunity.
Tang Wulin turned to Gu Yue. Since weve decided on this, we should begin as soon as possible. Well need a place to make the battle armor first. Furthermore, well need to keep what were doing a secret. Even the teachers cant catch a whiff of it. Second, Ill need you all to pick out metals most suitable for your battle armor. We cant use a complete set of battle armor as we are now, so I suggest choosing one metal for the meanwhile. That way, there will be fewer possible complications during process of making them.
Gu Yue, Luo Guixing, and Wu Siduo nodded. Attempting to make battle armor was beyond the scope of their abilities, an additional weight on their shoulders. However, if they settled for mechas, then they wouldnt be challenged at all. Ordinary mecha didnt require rare metals, and only needed to be hundred refined. They understood that without challenge, their improvement would be limited.
That said, they had to exercise caution in the execution of their plan. Battle armor was not to be underestimated.
So, figure out what metal you want as soon as possible, Tang Wulin continued. After youve decided, bring it to me. Ill thousand refine it for you. Im very confident in my thousand refining skills. Gu Yue, begin drafting the designs immediately. We dont have time to waste. But I dont think you should design a whole set at once, since if you did that for everyone it would take too long. We should approach this one part at a time. For example, we should start with a right forearm piece for everyone. Youll design, then Luo Guixing and Wu Siduo will make them. Then once we all have a right forearm piece, we can move on to the next part. That way, well complete each step gradually and methodically. This should be the most efficient method.
While the rest had been voicing their thoughts on Gu Yues proposal earlier, the gears in Tang Wulins head had spun in overdrive. He understood that because they had just been acquainted and forced to cooperate, there was limited trust between them. Making one persons armor first wouldnt appear fair and their motivation would drop.
All four of their professions were required in the battle armor creation process. For example, as a mechanic, Wu Siduo had the crucial job of improving and fine-tuning mechas and battle armor.
Luo Guixing smiled. Class president is really insightful. I think this way is the best as well. Lets quickly begin then. Im sure we all have several metals in mind that might be most suitable for ourselves. Tang Wulin, Ill tell you what metal I choose tomorrow.
Wu Siduo hesitated for a moment, before relaxing her shoulders. Ill tell you tomorrow too.
Gu Yue also made her acceptance clear.. As for Tang Wulin, this wasnt an issue for him. With his years of forging experience, he already knew what sort of metals suited him.
Tang Wulin swept his gaze through the group. Remember, when youre choosing the metal you want to use, take into consideration the extent of your abilities. Five rings is the requirement to use one-word battle armor, and we all fall very short of that. Wu Siduo, your cultivation base is the highest though, so you have some more leeway. However, the other three of us cant choose a metal thats too strong. If we do, we might not be able to use the finished product.
The other three nodded, their spirits blazing with eagerness.
Making one-word battle armor might be a towering challenge to face, but even if they didnt succeed, they would learn far more than they would have by making mechas.
Compared to them, other groups were bustling with discussion. There were far more people in the other groups, so naturally there was more they needed to discuss.
Tang Wulins was the first to wrap up. As he observed the other groups in their heated discussions, he couldnt imagine them finishing before night came. Perhaps this was what the Academy wanted to see.
As for what metal suited Tang Wulin the best, he already knew the answer!
Oftentimes, one had to believe in fate. Heavy silver was the first metal he thousand refined, the first he first-grade thousand refined, and the first he spirit refined.
It could be said that heavy silver was his lucky charm. Even his prized hammers were made of a spirit refined version of this metal.
Heavy silver was considered a lower mid-tier metal. It had decent ductility and soul power amplification. The one-word battle armor he planned to make was a crucial stepping stone on his path to becoming a full-fledged battle armor master. However, his current goal wasnt to create a powerful one-word battle armor, but to succeed in making one in the first place. He had to succeed and find the type of battle armor most suitable for him. After all, only two-word battle armor could fuse with its users body, and only then was it considered to be true battle armor. When that time came, he would need higher quality metals to upgrade his his set. He would walk this path for the rest of his life.
Ill use heavy silver. Tang Wulin didnt bother overthinking things.
Gu Yue, do you know what metal you want to use? Tang Wulin asked.
As he had thought, Gu Yue met his expectations and already had something in mind. Magic silver.
Magic silver? Tang Wulin stared at her, face caught in a mixture of astonishment. Then, he nodded approvingly. Good choice. Its very fitting for you. Although magic silver isnt as ductile or hard as heavy silver, it possesses the property of element connection. Its very suitable for the circuit core of long-ranged soul devices. Its also a mid-grade metal. Relatively speaking, magic silver is more precious than heavy silver. Luckily, its not too expensive. Magic silver is used extensively for circuit cores after all, especially in the equipment of high-ranking army officers. Because your martial soul is Elementalist, the elemental connection property is crucial for you. I cant say it enough how great your choice is.
How about you? Gu Yue asked.
Im choosing heavy silver, Tang Wulin answered. Were already aiming for something beyond our abilities, so maximizing the chances of success is our number one priority.
You dont want to try to spirit refine? Couldnt we try making two-word battle armor immediately? Gu Yue asked.
Tang Wulin shook his head. I dont want to aim too high. Currently, Im still at two soul rings. Itll take me about two months to reach three rings. Even then, three rings is nowhere near the six ring requirement for two-word battle armor. I dont think I could spirit refine anything good enough for two-word armor either. Once its at the two-word level, the armor will likely follow us for life. Well have to connect our hearts with it and treat is as an extension of our bodies. Thats why we need the perfect metal. I had actually thought about going for two-word armor once I have four rings and am a sixth-rank blacksmith. Unfortunately, thatll take at least three years. But your idea has its merits! Once we have some experience making one-word armor, itll be easier to make two-word armor in the future.
So, heres what I think: well complete a full set of battle armor within two years and then master using it. Once we enter the fourth grade, we can probably start on two-word armo. If we can finish a two-word set before the graduation exam, then itll be easy to enter the inner court.
Gu Yue nodded in agreement. That makes sense. We shouldnt bite off more than we can chew. What about Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan? Theyre weaker in their professions. I dont think things will go too well in their groups.