The ultimate Valkyrie has fallen for me

"Let's go with this one!"

In the equipment research and development laboratory on the 70th floor of the Starry Sky Building, Lu Yuan looked at dozens of blueprints and finally determined the basic type of battle knife he wanted to create.

It has to be said that Lu Diaolong was completely treating him like a donkey.

Analyzing dozens of blueprints using mysterious tattoos, the improvement suggestions within are worth more than just one lord-level piece of equipment for Lu Diaolong; they would be worth eight or ten pieces as well.

After all, creativity and ideas are priceless.

Of course, Lu Yuan didn't lose out either. Besides the Lord-level equipment that Lu Diaolong promised, his mental strength also kept improving and has now reached 450!

It may seem like a struggle, but it's actually a win-win situation.

While researching the equipment, Lu Yuan and Lin Xiangjun spent several days in the laboratory, providing some formula data.

Just like last time, Lu Yuan's skills in drug development have improved significantly.

The data provided this time will be enough for Lin Xiangjun to study for some time.

Lu Yuan slowly let out the line, determined to catch this big fish.

While equipping himself and preparing medicine, Lu Yuan didn't have much time to practice Qi cultivation and open his meridians.

Unlike before, he wasn't in a hurry.

Shen Fengxing, that mad dog, is watching us like a hawk. It's not a good thing to rush to break through to the Battle General level before we have sufficient preparation.

"The earth splits open."

After reviewing the list of Earth-Rank combat skills on the Starry Sky Hall's internal website, Lu Yuan finally made his decision.

Earth-rank low-grade combat skill - Earth Split, sword technique!

There are four levels of combat skills: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Leaving aside the legendary Heaven-level combat skills, the other three levels each have distinct characteristics.

Yellow Rank is about movement and power control, Black Rank is about the use of true qi, and Earth Rank is about attribute bonuses.

However, in reality, not all combat skills strictly follow this framework. So-called combat skills, combat techniques, ultimately depend on the effectiveness of defending against the enemy.

For example, this combat technique called Earth Splitting is actually a sword technique with no attribute bonuses, but it is included in the Earth Rank due to its powerful strength.

In terms of attributes, Lu Yuan's own Blazing Sun Battle Body, combined with the Earth-rank battle skill Heat Wave, makes him extremely strong in the realm of fire and heat.

Learning other fire-attribute combat skills is not very meaningful. Besides, the Star Hall only offers a few Earth-rank combat skills, and there are no other suitable options.

As for other attributes, Lu Yuan believed that it was better to specialize in one area than to be a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. He would simply maximize his firepower when it wasn't absolutely necessary.

Thinking about it this way, he's now better suited to learn a low-level combat skill in physics.

Moreover, once one enters the Star Core Realm, their true energy has reached a certain limit, and they begin to temper their physique and improve their physical body once again. Correspondingly, their physical combat skills become more practical.

This is why, when Liang Hongyun and his generals fought, they mostly engaged in direct hand-to-hand combat, without resorting to many fancy maneuvers.

Once the direction is determined, the next step is to make specific choices.

The same problem remains: there aren't many Earth-rank combat skills available for exchange at the Starry Sky Hall. Fortunately, Lu Yuan lacks any combat skills related to weaponry, so he ultimately settled on the "Earth Splitter" skill.

In fact, he had this idea for a long time, which is why the lord-level equipment that Lu Diaolong customized was also a battle sword.

"Mystic Frost Ore".

Similar to the previous heatwave, in addition to the 14,000 points, there are also additional conditions for exchanging the Earth-Shattering Stone.

It's also a material, but not a monster; it's ore.

Named Xuanshuang ore, as the name suggests, it is a mineral with extremely cold properties, and Xuanshuang iron can be extracted from it through special methods.

Not only is Xuan Shuang Iron indestructible, it also possesses extremely strong freezing properties.

During his time studying combat swords with Lu Diaolong, Lu Yuan had seen this iron ore used many times, mostly for the blade.

Its freezing properties embrittle the target, making it easier to destroy, making it very suitable as a blade.

Another important reason is that Xuan Shuang Iron is extremely rare, and no one would be extravagant enough to forge an entire battle sword, as the materials required for the blade are not many.

This proves the saying: good steel should be used on the blade.

This demonstrates the rarity and value of Xuanshuang ore.

"B154..."

As a special mineral, it often requires a specific environment to form, and the Xuanshuang ore is no exception.

This task also "thoughtfully" provides the location of the Frost Mine.

It's not some mountain or mine outside the city, but the B154 Secret Realm!

Under the influence of cosmic energy tides, many things on Earth undergo changes, but the less reactive the matter, the less likely it is to change.

This can be seen from the monsters themselves; most are animal-based, with very few plant-based monsters.

Therefore, the probability of mineral variation is extremely low.

The minerals that can be used to craft Lord-level equipment are extremely rare on Earth itself; the vast majority of them originate from secret realms.

Because the so-called secret realm was not originally native to Earth.

"We need to enter the secret realm."

It's a widely acknowledged fact in martial arts circles that secret realms are more dangerous than the wilderness outside the city.

Lu Yuan has not been a martial artist for long and has only left the city once, let alone the secret realm.

Setting aside his strength, sending him to explore the secret realm now would put him under considerable psychological pressure.

Although it's just a B-order secret realm.

If we don't go to the secret realm, is it possible to obtain the amount of Frost Ore required to exchange for the Earth-Splitting Rift?

Next, Lu Yuan checked the Starry Sky Club's internal online store.

As the name suggests, there are a large number of goods for sale here, such as equipment, potions, and materials.

As a member of the special operations team, you can directly use points to redeem rewards.

Unfortunately, there was no Xuanshuang ore.

After all, Xuan Shuang ore is scarce, and the equipment research and development department is already short of it, so why would they put it out for sale?

Furthermore, if the guild hall didn't lack this kind of ore, why would it be included in the requirements for exchanging Earth-rank combat skills?

"I'm so stupid."

Lu Yuan shook his head and began searching through other channels.

For example, online shopping...

Regular online shopping platforms only offer some basic materials. As for the black market, I did find a listing for Xuan Shuang Ore, but judging from the picture, its authenticity doesn't seem guaranteed.

After searching on various platforms for more than two hours, Lu Yuan rubbed his eyes and had to give up on the idea.

Rare resources like Xuanshuang ore, like combat techniques, are firmly controlled by major martial arts forces, with very few escaping to the general public.

To get your hands on one, you'd need a special channel!

"In that case..."

Lu Yuan pondered to himself; it seemed he also had several channels.

First, there's Shen Qiubing. With the Shen family's influence, it's uncertain whether she can obtain the Xuan Shuang Mine.

Secondly, Lu Diaolong, as the head of the equipment research and development department, can certainly allocate some Xuanshuang ore.

Third is Lin Xiangjun. This woman is very capable, and she might be able to get some things from her.

However, after pondering for a while, Lu Yuan did not make a decision immediately.

The hardest debt to repay in the world is the debt of gratitude.

He could ask these three for money, but what he would ultimately return would likely be far more valuable than the Xuan Shuang ore.

Unlike Shen Qiubing and Lu Diaolong, Lu Yuan and Lin Xiangjun's relationship was purely transactional.

Regarding the provision of the "ancient formula" for research on Qi and blood strengthening medicine, Lu Yuan had already received benefits through "Elder Liang's" position, so it was not appropriate to add anything more midway.

As for his role as a "bridge," Lin Xiangjun helped him get rid of Zhou Buyi, which can be considered a form of repayment.

Therefore, if he asks Lin Xiangjun for help again, it's still equivalent to owing her a favor.

"We'll see."

Log in to the Martial Arts Association's official website and start looking at the information about Secret Realm B154.

Ring ring!

I had only watched half of it when the Qiming watch's timer rang. It was number 001, and it belonged to Wu Jianming.

"Director, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Get ready, the Star Dou Squad has assembled and will officially rejoin the team in three days!"

"ha?"

Lu Yuan looked surprised; it was faster than he had expected.