There can't be a Harvest Moon in the RimWorld.

Flammability: 0%

Aesthetics: -2”

Next to the buried steel was an ordinary piece of slate.

Slate is a metamorphic rock with a platy structure and little recrystallization. Its parent rock is argillaceous, silty, or intermediate tuff, and it can be peeled into thin sheets along the foliation direction.

The color of slate varies depending on the impurities it contains. Slate is a characteristic tabular structure, formed from slightly metamorphosed clayey or silty sedimentary rocks, or intermediate to acidic tuffaceous rocks and sedimentary tuffs through minor metamorphism.

Simply put, slate is a special phenomenon that is slowly formed in geological structures. It has obvious stratification, which is the product of soil compaction and metamorphism at different times.

However, slate is a low-level product of regional metamorphism, with low temperature and isotropic pressure, and is mainly affected by stress. Therefore, the slate buried next to the steel proves that no catastrophic volcanic eruption or earthquake occurred here at any time, nor was there a brief but severe geological disaster.

These steel pieces, perfectly integrated with the slate, must have been slowly deposited here over an unimaginable period of time, quietly awaiting discovery by visitors.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

The fear of the unknown, when faced with geological time measured in tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of years, seems to be washed away like water in the ocean. Compared to the eternal flow of time, the tiny fears of humankind are almost insignificant.

Even if countless years ago, this island contained the ruins of an ancient civilization, or perhaps a spaceship that crashed there, what impact would that have on the present? And who could transcend endless time and still send out a powerful call?

With that thought in mind, I took a few more steps forward and touched a completely different substance.

Item Name: Buried Ceramic Steel

Description: A piece of ore rich in ceramic steel for unknown reasons. These materials are high-strength and highly heat-resistant ceramic materials. Due to their outstanding performance and ease of casting, they were once widely used in interstellar space.

Durability: 4000/4000

Mined material: Ceramic steel

Cover effectiveness: 75%

Flammability: 0%

Something strange has appeared again!

This wall isn't even made of ordinary steel; it's ceramic steel!

In my memory, terracotta should be the favorite armor shell of combat groups led by the Hunter Fleet, accompanying them in their battles against the mechanical insectoids in every corner of the galaxy. But before they used it, the origin of these mysterious materials remained a mystery.

Legend has it that in the prehistoric universe, there once existed a vast empire that spanned almost the entire galaxy. Relying on mysterious substances such as terracotta, it ruled over an unprecedented territory and brought civilization to every corner of the galaxy.

Although there are many different opinions about the relationship between the Hunter Fleet and the Ancient Empire, the Hunter Fleet has been clearing out the fleets of the Machine Race at the edge of the universe for a long time, and has never been steadfast in its commitment. However, it does not have any goodwill towards us, who are ignorant and unaware of the battle, let alone friendly exchanges.

Why is there ceramic steel in this mine?

The puzzle here has stumped me once again.

But my purpose in coming here is to mine. These old problems can be studied later. As long as I mine enough ore to take back and report, today's trip will not have been in vain.

“Select work order: Prioritize the mining of buried steel”

Even in the darkness, the colonist system remains unaffected and has the decisive power to execute the commands I issue.

With a "clang," I swung my pickaxe and smashed it against the hard, ancient iron wall, even sending sparks flying.

As the clanging and clattering sounds continued, my mining work began involuntarily. Since I couldn't see in the darkness anyway, I let my body twist and turn, struggling against the steel.

Soon, I pried a piece of steel off the mine wall. It landed on the ground with a sharp edge, looking like it weighed forty or fifty pounds. It was heavy and dull.

"This much iron should be enough. Why don't I just dig out a piece of ceramic steel as well?"

With that in mind, I continued to issue orders.

“Select work order: Prioritize the mining of buried ceramic steel.”

The durability of calcite ore is three times that of iron ore, so the mining time is exceptionally long. In the darkness, it felt like an eternity had passed; the outside light gradually dimmed before the system's work came to an end.

Item Name: Ceramic Steel

Item Description: Ceramic steel is a high-strength and heat-resistant ceramic material. High-quality ceramic steel is used in advanced armor. In some marginal areas, it is known as Orichalcum and oriental copper, and is often recorded as the hardest metal bestowed by the gods.

Is ceramic steel the same as Orichalco?!

Director, did I get the wrong script?

Chapter 242 Gan Jiang and Mo Xie

"boom!"

A loud crash, like a heavy object hitting the ground, startled Gray, who was about to drink his medicine. The spoon trembled, and the medicine spilled down his bandage. Gray had intended to blow on the hot medicine before drinking it, but it turned into a horrific burn.

"Ahhhh!"

I pushed open the door and saw Gray trembling and convulsing on the hospital bed.

I watched this scene with relief, sat down in the adjacent ward, and said, "I'm relieved to see you so energetic, Gerfred! You should be able to be discharged tonight, right?"

"Discharged from the hospital?"

Gray looked at me, puzzled, and then noticed the large bag behind me. "Boss, where have you been? You look all dusty and dirty."

I sighed heavily. "It's all because of the ore you used up that I had to go up the mountain and dig some more to make up for it. You don't want your grandfather to fill your house with cement and sink you into Tokyo Bay, do you?"

"But... Boss... weren't you involved in this too?"

"Shut up!" I immediately cut him off from his dangerous remarks. "You'd better put these things back tonight, and this too."

I drew the Rainbow Greatsword and laid it horizontally on the hospital bed. The sword was still exceptionally sharp, its blade shimmering with layers of iridescent light, clearly visible even in the gradually dimming environment. It was hard to imagine that such a strange weapon existed in the world, preserving both its sharpness and its aesthetic appeal.

Wow! Boss!

Gray's expression immediately became excited. "Isn't this the sword Grandpa brought back?! How did you find it?!"

Gray reached out and stroked it lovingly, his face full of emotion. "I thought I had lost it, and I was too scared to go home!"

...Isn't your behavior too much of a risk-averse approach?

I smacked him on the back of the head in exasperation. "Can't you have some backbone? It's just a sword. I found it easily on the mountain. Go take everything back tonight."

Gray nodded heavily. "Okay, boss! Actually, I'm almost fully recovered. If I wasn't afraid of getting beaten up, I would have been discharged already! I'll ask Dr. Dort for permission to go back with my things later."

"Good that you understand."

I looked at the now empty hospital lobby, which looked gloomy and desolate. The constant sound of wind passed through the center of the lobby and flowed between the empty rooms, making the furniture, utensils and curtains inside creak and groan.

At this moment, the dim yellow light seeped in from the roadside, slanting across the empty ground, carrying an infinite sense of desolation.

"This hospital looks terrifying; I wouldn't doubt it's haunted any second now. You should leave as soon as possible." I glanced at the lobby; how could this hospital be built so creepy? "Where's Dr. Dort?"

"He just went upstairs to do an experiment; he said he's developing a new drug."

Doesn't he get creeped out of his skin living alone in such a quiet and eerie place? This doctor must be one in a million, a cursed individual, so unlucky that he's practically invincible, even ghosts can't do anything to him.

"Boss...you're not scared, are you?" Gray asked in a low voice when he saw my expression getting serious.

"Of course not!"

Don't even think about making me back down. I immediately denied it, saying that as Batman, I am fear itself, how could I possibly be afraid of these things?

"I'll show you a treasure!"

I drew two more swords from behind me and placed them in front of Gray.

"Where did I put this sword just now?"

Gray looked me up and down curiously, but I slapped him away. "Don't guess. I just tucked it behind my back. Do you think I have a four-dimensional anus?"

Only then did Gray turn his attention to the two swords.

That's right, these two swords are the gold and silver swords I got from the water elemental.

Even the water elemental couldn't explain where the two swords came from, only saying they were found at the bottom of the lake. What's even stranger is that both swords have an inexplicable and peculiar design, and despite being submerged in the water for countless years, they still gleam with a cold light.

I introduced myself to Gray in a very open and straightforward manner.

The golden sword is about 70 centimeters long, with an exceptionally thick blade, almost as thick as a mace. A casual swing could break bones and sever tendons from an enemy. Furthermore, the sword's edges are neatly sharpened on both sides and decorated with unique patterns.

This unique pattern is simple and unadorned; its crisscrossing design ensures both the sharpness of the blade and the destructive power of slashing and thrusting.

I held the sword level and felt its entire body as one, its blade containing a straight central axis, and its center of gravity exceptionally stable. With a gentle swing, after the sound of air being cut, the sword emitted a buzzing vibration, like a soaring dragon moving freely!

The other silver sword was only about fifty centimeters long, more like a dagger than a sword. However, the entire sword was narrow and slender, emitting a faint silver light. When light struck the blade, it formed a dazzling silver gleam that was so bright that it was difficult to see clearly, leaving only a blurry image.

If you gently stroke the blade, you can feel the engraved patterns that cover the entire sword, but they are much more intricate and winding than those on the gold sword.

As I swung the sword, I felt a strange force influencing my strike. As the air rubbed against the blade during the swing, some invisible factors caused an inexplicable effect, turning my horizontal slash into a curved angle and deflecting it to another point.

"Ok?"

I sensed something was wrong and swung again, but the result was the same; the trajectory of the ball still deviated significantly!

“Boss, this sword isn’t straight, and the patterns on it also cause the blade to be unbalanced.” Gray had a lot of experience in weapon forging, and he soon noticed the problem after taking the weapon.

"I think this sword is meant for... stabbing!"

Gray took the sword, held it firmly, and thrust it forward.

This time, the sword still swayed slightly from side to side, the airflow causing friction and affecting its movement. However, this effect vanished instantly after the Moye sword had thrust out the final short distance!

That strange airflow transformed into an invisible force, actually increasing the speed of the thrust to a new level, like a dragon emerging from the sea, turning into a streak of silver light that hit the target precisely!

At this moment, my eyes finally lit up, and I said, "These two swords must be a special pair of weapons. The golden ones are heavy and stable, and their armor-piercing power is sharp. They can pierce through the enemy's heavy armor in one strike, and even break through the opponent's block, knocking away or smashing the opponent's weapon!"

"At this moment, the silver sword can utilize its agility to pursue the enemy. Moreover, the sword's unique attack path has a strong deceptive effect. All the horizontal slashes are deceptive moves to make the opponent careless, while the final straight thrust is the killing move, ending the opponent's life with a calm strike."

"Could this be... Gan Jiang and Mo Xie?!"

Chapter 243 Entering the World of Superstition

"What did you just say, boss?" Gray didn't expect me to have named these two swords so quickly.

I repeated, "I mean, these two swords are called Gan Jiang and Mo Xie!"

I pointed to the two swords and solemnly explained, “The Yang sword is Gan Jiang, and the Yin sword is Mo Xie! You can’t keep calling it the Golden Sword and the Silver Sword, can you? Especially the name Silver Sword, it just sounds awkward.”

"Alright... whatever makes you happy, boss."

Gray nodded indifferently, then said, "But the fact that these two swords were found in the lake seems suspicious. Boss Marcus, aren't you curious?"

I shook my head: "What happened to me today was much stranger than this. Two swords appeared in the lake. It's just that someone deliberately threw something in. At most, we can question the motive for doing this, but it's not strange."

I pointed to the ore outside the door. "What I find even stranger is that there's steel buried in the mines of Mineral Town! Just think, in this impoverished backwater where there isn't even a light industry, there are steel structures that clearly belong to a heavy industrial system, and they're buried underground. Isn't that astonishing?"