In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

During this period, experts Jiang Chengcheng and Xie Qingyan have conducted a lot of preliminary experiments and have collaborated in a rare way.

Yes, for a special existence like "Rust Fog," it is certainly not enough for either side to contribute, and even if both sides cooperate, the result is not as good as imagined.

It's not that "rust fog" is impossible to purify. In fact, in recent years, both the military and medical fields have developed similar methods for dealing with "rust fog." This stuff is difficult to use directly and often requires pretreatment to minimize its risks. Otherwise, if it is used directly on machinery or the human body, the effect will be very poor.

But it only reduces the risk. To this day, no one dares to guarantee that these things will be completely problem-free when they are manufactured. The potions for "Ascended" are still not 100% safe, and many people have lost their lives because of them.

Not to mention completely eradicating it.

To give a simple example, it's like purified water. Treated dirty water might be drinkable, but it's still not clean water that hasn't been polluted; there's an essential difference.

And this crucial step is inseparable from Lu Baiyan, an important figure.

"...So, Brother Xu, you mean you want me to use my ability to rewind and restore the 'Divine Breath'?"

Upon hearing Xu Shi's crazy idea, the man with narrowed eyes was completely shocked.

It was obvious that he had never considered such a thing—restoring the tables, chairs, benches, broken walls and ruins was easy enough, but restoring the "divine breath"?

How did he come up with such a thankless task? Besides, "Divine Breath" has existed for so many years. Even with his half-hour restoration ability, using his ability wouldn't necessarily have any effect. Wasn't "Divine Breath" still "Divine Breath" half an hour ago?

How can you know if you don't try?

Xu Shi smiled, "We have to try eventually. Who knows what the outcome will be if we don't take this step?"

"Oh well?"

Lu Baiyan was actually a little unsure, but he still followed Xu Shi's instructions and activated his ability on the gas tank in front of him that contained the "rust mist".

Then a flash of light appeared.

then.

Jiang Chengcheng, who was staring intently at the dashboard, exclaimed in surprise.

"This method...works!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 315 I think you're just trying to cover it up.

2023-11-10

The initial experiment clearly yielded pleasing results, and for a moment, everyone fell into a brief silence.

To be honest, it's very difficult to use "rust fog," especially the most primitive gaseous form of "rust fog," directly for any purpose.

Whether it's the City of Night Sin or the Hualan Empire, they make more use of other forms of "rust mist," such as ores or corroded seawater.

However, the effect of this experiment will be greatly reduced if the original form of "rust fog" is not performed.

Fortunately, Jiang Chengcheng is reliable enough to have created a simple instrument that can record the changes in the "rust fog" in real time, such as the tilt in concentration or the jump in radiation value, in seconds or even milliseconds.

This also serves as a visualization of the "rust fog" data.

Now, thanks to Lu Baiyan's ability to rewind time, the "rust fog" sample has changed exactly to the data from thirty minutes ago, without the slightest difference.

This also shows that this seemingly outrageous approach is actually feasible!

"It wasn't for nothing that Chengcheng and I worked so hard these past few days."

Xie Qingyan, one of the project leaders, snorted, "Have some people figured out how to reward us?"

"Ladies, you've worked hard."

Xu Shi clasped his hands together, a smile playing on his lips. "Name your conditions, I, as your husband, will fulfill them no matter what."

"Hmph, that's easy for you to say. If I asked you to dismiss everyone else, would you agree?"

Xie Xiaogou rolled his eyes at him, deliberately trying to shut him up.

"You wouldn't be so heartless, would you?"

Xu Shi, true to his scumbag nature, said with a grin.

"Then don't talk big."

The fiancée shrugged, but there was no hint of seriousness in her tone.

She didn't know who Xu Shi was. She hadn't really thought about doing this... or rather, she had tried before, but the consequences weren't very pleasant.

But surely she can spend more time with herself, right? She doesn't lack anything else, but no one can ever have too much companionship.

"Very well, Madam is right."

Xu Shi smiled and apologized to her, having no intention of arguing with her.

These things depend on the time. The arguments that usually happen between them might have started as real fights, but now they're more like playful banter between husband and wife. If they were truly respectful to each other, either he'd lost his mind or Xie Qingyan's fever had made him delirious.

But things are different now—the importance of conducting experiments now is obviously far greater than any fleeting flirtation, and such results, even if they are only a small step, deserve recognition and praise.

However, he also had to admit that Jiang Chengcheng and Xie Qingyan were truly indispensable top-notch helpers to him. He couldn't live without their companionship, whether in life or in his career.

Or rather, who among her companions isn't indispensable? Without them, she certainly wouldn't be who she is today.

We all share in the same fate; there's no need for any hierarchy.

Mr. Xu was quite clear-headed about this, and for a moment he was even a little relieved.

He himself did not realize that, as time went by, the initial reckless cold-bloodedness and the tendency to first consider how to use others gradually faded.

All in all, it's great.

"Don't rush to open the champagne yet."

In contrast, Jiang Chengcheng, who loves Xu Shi to the core, is clearer: "One sample from an experiment is not enough; it needs to be repeated several times."

"Mr. Lu, I'm begging you."

She looked at the squinty-eyed man and smiled.

"……it is good."

Now that things have come to this, Lu Baiyan naturally understands Xu Shi's purpose in doing so.

From his perspective, doing this kind of thing is actually quite crazy, crazier than anything he has ever done before.

The most crucial point is that it's a thankless task, isn't it? To be honest, everyone knows that using "Rust Mist," or "Divine Breath," always feels like playing with fire. But faced with absolute power and the convenience and benefits it can bring, no one dares to say that they can completely resist the temptation of "Rust Mist."

Or rather, even if one wanted to, there was no way to refuse it. The "rust fog" has existed for who knows how long, and now it is everywhere. You can't even escape it with every breath. Who can truly remain unaffected?

Therefore, regardless of whether they are "ascended beings" or not, everyone's attitude towards "Rust Fog" has long been set. It can be said that everyone has long accepted the existence of this thing and is willing to develop and live on this basis.

The most obvious example might be the poor people of Sin City. Would they give up taking those blocking drugs because they don't accept the "Rust Fog"?

Obviously not. Compared to clinging to those illusory things, surviving is the more important thing.

The Hualan Empire also faces a similar situation. Although the location has changed, the common elements remain the same.

Therefore, compared to his previous complete affirmation and even admiration for Xu Shi, he actually didn't quite understand this matter.

But even though he didn't understand, he wouldn't raise any objections.

The reason is simple: this kid was deeply influenced by Xu Shi's AFK (away from keyboard) behavior, especially after that previous talk therapy session, which solidified his resolve to follow Xu Shi.

Whether she is a partner or a tool seems to be of little importance.

That was the bitter fruit he had to bear for his own indecisiveness; he had no one else to blame.

Ugh, CPU.

However, this was only part of the reason. More importantly, he wanted to follow Xu Shi to see the wider world outside the empire. The city-state that Xu Shi described was one that he had never even been to.

Even for this reason, he wouldn't give up.

He could actually guess that Xu Shi and his party would soon be heading back home—the research conditions here were far too rudimentary in comparison, that was an indisputable fact.

Getting started is fine, but if we want to conduct deeper and more detailed research, we still need the environment of Night City—more advanced equipment and a more professional technical team to assist us.

Fortunately, he could also play a role in it. After a short rest, he continued to rewind time on the sample in front of him after hearing what Jiang Chengcheng said.

Once, twice, three times...

Each subsequent experiment proved that the previous success was not a coincidence; the meticulous data never lied.

"I knew it! Brother Lu is indispensable in this plan."

Looking at the experimental results, Xu Shi beamed with joy, and didn't forget to flatter his good brother.

"My abilities have always existed."

Lu Baiyan was very modest, saying, "It is Brother Xu who deserves the most credit for coming up with such a thing."

The two began exchanging compliments on a daily basis.

"Now you know what kind of person your master is, right?"

Seeing this, Xie Qingyan couldn't help but tease her, nudging Pan Ling, who was watching from the sidelines.

"I knew it all along..."

The apprentice muttered under his breath, "You actually dared to hit me on the head just because I said you were a bad person? I think you're just trying to cover it up."

However, she didn't care and instead raised another question.

"So... what's next?"

The progress made in the research is certainly cause for celebration, but it seems that all they can do is stay at this stage.

As Lu Baiyan once said, the "rust fog" half an hour ago was still "rust fog," and there was no essential change.

To fully realize Xu Shi's long-cherished wish, it would take at least several hundred years to go back in time.

The chronicles of Night City have recorded the existence of "Rust Fog" for nearly three hundred years, while the records of the Hualan Empire go even further, starting at four or five hundred years.

Lu Baiyan's level is naturally not enough to do this; they are not even in the same league.

"That's true."

Xie Qingyan remained noncommittal. "Do we need to forcibly enhance Lu Baiyan's ability?"

His implication was clearly that he would use drugs or brain-computer interfaces to boost the other person's ability level. S-level was half an hour, but SS-level would definitely take longer.

But the next second, she felt sorry for her unrealistic ideas.

That's such a stupid argument.