187: The ancient forging technique emerges, shocking the Federal Research Institute

The next day, early morning.

Morning light streamed into the kitchen through the sheer curtains, filling the air with the aroma of toasted bread and the sizzle of frying eggs.

Li Xue凝 stood in front of the stove, skillfully flipping bacon in a frying pan.

The golden egg liquid solidified slightly in the hot oil, its edges turning a crispy brown.

She lowered her head slightly, her silver-white hair casually tucked behind her ear, revealing her fair profile, her expression focused and gentle.

Suddenly, a head peeked into the kitchen doorway.

Lin Qianqian blinked, a eager smile on her face.

"Xue Ning-jie, I'm here to help!"

She walked in excitedly, rolling up her sleeves to reveal her slender wrists, ready to show off her skills.

Li Xue凝 glanced at her, a slight curve to her lips: "Are you sure?"

"Of course!"

Lin Qianqian nodded confidently, reaching for a kitchen knife.

"I've watched the chef cook at home!"

—And then, the kitchen instantly descended into chaos.

"Wait, that's not how you cut a potato!"

"Ah! The oil splashed out!"

"Salt... how much salt was I supposed to add?"

"Qianqian, that's sugar, not salt..."

Ten minutes later, Li Xue凝 rested one hand on her forehead, gently pressing Lin Qianqian's shoulder with the other, her tone helpless but with a hint of indulgence: "...How about you step out for a bit?"

Lin Qianqian was 'asked' to leave the kitchen, looking crestfallen, her cheeks flushed, her fingers twined together like a mischievous kitten.

Half an hour later, at the dining table.

The three sat around the dining table, sunlight spilling onto the white tablecloth, the aroma of breakfast lingering in the air.

Su Lei took a sip of coffee, his gaze sweeping over the two beside him, and asked, "How are Yun'er and Qiaoqiao?"

Li Xue凝 gently smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice soft: "They are still too young; their bodies and minds aren't mature yet. I want to wait until they are adults before they go to the Trial Tower."

She paused, "Currently, Young Miss Xiao is helping to care for and teach them."

Su Lei nodded gently: "That's good too."

Li Xue凝 looked up at him, a mischievous smile in her eyes: "You should thank her properly."

"Although she didn't come this time, she worried a lot about the matters in the West. You should thank her properly as well."

Su Lei's lips curved upward: "With Yuwei overseeing the West, I'm at ease."

Just then, Lin Qianqian suddenly put down her chopsticks.

Her cheeks were puffed out, as if she had been holding it in for a long time, and finally couldn't resist speaking.

"Su Lei! When are we going to have a child?"

"Pfft—!" Su Lei nearly choked on his coffee, coughing twice violently.

A vein throbbed slightly on his forehead as he looked at her, speechless.

"This... well..."

He instinctively glanced at Li Xue凝 beside him, awkwardly rubbing the tip of his nose, and let out two dry laughs.

"Let's talk about it later."

Lin Qianqian frowned, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes.

"Next, we're going to the Northern Territory to fight Demonic Beasts, and who knows if we'll even come back..."

As soon as her words fell, the atmosphere at the dining table suddenly froze.

Su Lei's expression slowly turned serious; he put down his cup and said in a deep voice, "You two won't be going on this mission."

The two women looked up simultaneously, their gazes sharp: "Why?"

Su Lei sighed, gently tapping the table with his knuckles: "I don't need to tell you; you both know how powerful Demonic Beasts are."

"Honestly, I'm not confident I can guarantee your safety."

—He had truly faced a Demonic Beast before.

Not a projection, but its true form.

That unparalleled oppressive feeling was so strong that even Venerable Tianhe had to sacrifice himself to Seal it.

Su Lei never even considered killing the Demonic Beast on this mission.

The most ideal outcome would be to Seal it or drive it out of the Northern Territory.

The two women remained silent, both thinking of the moment the Demonic Beast's consciousness descended upon the East Sea—

Just its gaze made them tremble all over, unable to move.

If they truly faced its main body... they would only be a burden.

Li Xue凝 nodded gently, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of her cup: "I understand."

However, Lin Qianqian suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed intently on Su Lei, as if she had made some kind of decision.

"If that's the case, then it's even more necessary!"

Su Lei was startled: "Even more necessary for what?"

Lin Qianqian spoke each word slowly, her voice firm: "To, have, a, child!"

Her eyes were slightly red, her fingers clenched.

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid if something happens to you..."

Before she could finish, Su Lei reached out, gently placed his hand on her head,

Ruffling her hair, he sighed helplessly yet tenderly.

"Silly girl."

...The midday sun was scorching and dazzling, but in the underground hall of Research Institute No. 1, only cold white lights illuminated the metal walls. The air was filled with a faint scent of disinfectant and the hum of machinery.

Su Lei took the elevator all the way down. With a soft 'ding', the elevator doors slowly opened.

Dean Li, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried to greet him.

"The last batch of scarlet refined copper has just arrived."

Dean Li made a welcoming gesture, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement.

"The Materials are all here."

"Please follow me to the forging room..."

Su Lei's gaze, however, passed over him, falling on the huge cylindrical container in the center of the hall.

It was a sealed cabin, a hundred meters long, filled with a pale blue nutrient solution.

And submerged within it was a grotesque Demonic Beast cheliped!

Even though it had been dead for a long time, it still exuded a suffocating oppressive feeling. Its surface was covered with black carapace, and sharp barbs floated slightly in the liquid, as if it could come alive at any moment.

Su Lei shook his head: "No need, let's do it here."

Dean Li was startled, and asked, puzzled: "Forge... here?"

Su Lei smiled faintly, a deep light flashing in his eyes.

"In ancient times, there were no power hammers or plasma reactors."

Dean Li raised an eyebrow slightly, hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded gently: "Very well, let this old man witness it."

Soon, forklifts continuously brought over large metal boxes, arranging them neatly in the center of the hall.

As the box lids were opened one by one, brilliant light instantly illuminated the entire space.

star marrow, blue crystal, mithril, starfall iron, Nether Sand, scarlet refined copper... countless rare Ore emitted strange energy fluctuations.

Their colors were either as deep as a galaxy or as fiery as flames.

Just being exposed to the air caused the surrounding instruments to emit piercing alarm sounds.

More and more researchers were drawn over, standing outside the safety line, curiously peering and whispering amongst themselves.

Su Lei closed his eyes, silently recalling every detail of the ancient forging method.

Suddenly—

He raised his right hand!

"Boom!"

All the Materials were instantly lifted by an invisible force, suspended in mid-air!

At the same time, dazzling pure white energy erupted from Su Lei.

That was the powerful energy produced when he perfectly fused his Protective Aura with his Mental Energy after comprehending the Venerable's techniques!

The next moment, this energy surged like a torrent towards the giant cylindrical container!

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