212: Okay, it's finished.

After completing the handover with GUPA at the bank incident, Shen Mingyuan quietly left the scene, transformed back in an unmanned spot, and walked back to his apartment like a genuine ordinary passerby.

This battle was brief and efficient, with minimal consumption. After transforming back, he didn't feel the usual intense energy depletion, just slight fatigue.

He took a bag of chips from the refrigerator, leaned on the sofa, and rested while eating. Then, as if remembering something, he got up and walked toward the study.

In the center of the study, those dark red mechanical arms were still tirelessly working, but the piles of metal and chemical Materials on the floor had decreased significantly. In their place was a white main structure taking initial shape.

The structure was clearly the base of a belt, with smooth lines. Though not fully assembled yet, its unique style was already discernible:

White as the base, adorned with textured golden patterns and components, cleverly outlined with several sharp black stripes. The overall appearance was both elegant and powerful, carrying a strange beauty that combined sacredness and majesty.

Shen Mingyuan squatted down with interest to look. Naturally, he couldn't understand the complex internal structures and energy circuits, but he could confirm that production was steadily progressing.

He tried bringing the armband on his left wrist close to the unfinished belt again.

"Zzz—" Familiar dark red electric arcs once again jumped and flowed between the armband and the belt, as if conducting another data synchronization or energy calibration.

A few seconds later, the electric arcs vanished. The mechanical arms' work seemed to briefly pause and adjust its mode before continuing.

"Looks like it's not finished yet." Shen Mingyuan stood up, no longer disturbing the automated process, and left the study.

Until the next morning.

Shen Mingyuan woke up, finished washing up, and was about to start the new day when his phone screen lit up, showing a message from "." The timestamp indicated it was sent in the early morning when he was already asleep.

.: The basic construction of the Second Collaborative Combat Unit is complete. If you have time, you can transfer it to Lu Jianchuan.

This Unit was originally planned as subsequent support equipment adapted for him, allowing him to restore limited temporary combat capability under specific conditions.

After reading it, Shen Mingyuan felt slightly surprised but then understood. This was indeed something The Forger would do, and for Senior Lu Jianchuan, it was undoubtedly good news.

He immediately found Lu Jianchuan's contact on wechat, summarized the core content of The Forger's message, and sent it over.

Shen Mingyuan: Senior, news from The Forger's side: the 'new equipment' prepared for you has its basics done—it's a belt. They say it can let you temporarily transform back under certain conditions. The item is with me; when are you available?

After sending the message, about half an hour later, Lu Jianchuan's reply came.

Lu Jianchuan: Received. This news... is indeed unexpected. Didn't think there'd be another chance.

Lu Jianchuan: But I'm currently out of town on a periodic monitoring mission; it'll take about two weeks to finish and return.

Keep the item with you for now; it's absolutely safe. I'll come get it from you after my mission ends.

Lu Jianchuan: Sorry for the trouble.

Shen Mingyuan: Understood. I'll keep the item safe. Wishing you a smooth mission, Senior; stay safe. We'll connect in two weeks.

Lu Jianchuan: OK. Keep in touch.

[Consciousness Space]

In the vast data stream, Han Chengyu's consciousness orb slowly circled around two holographic design diagrams.

One was the completed basic construction of the belt-form "Second Collaborative Combat Unit," primarily white and gold. The other was the more complex basic framework of the "Third Set of Armor," filled with new energy circuits.

"Phew... finally got it all done." Han Chengyu's tone carried satisfaction and slight fatigue after completing a major project. "The second Unit is finished, and the design for the Third Set of Armor is finalized. But now isn't the time to bring them out yet."

His orb turned toward the design diagram of the Third Set of Armor, flickering with thoughtful ripples:

"This new set of armor... should wait for the next 'Aptitude Holder' to appear, then match it with their exclusive 'Third Unit.'

For now, this belt goes to Lu Jianchuan as planned, so he at least has an emergency measure.

After that, we'll recycle and optimize the earliest 'Prototype' data to make the base for the 'Third Unit'... This allocation is more reasonable."

[Logic approved. Unit and armor adaptation sequence planning completed.] The System's steady electronic voice sounded.

"By the way, System," Han Chengyu seemed to remember something, his orb floating to the structural diagram representing the second belt Unit, highlighting several energy cores and material conversion modules.

"Those 'Chemical Fuels' and Compressed Energy Storage Materials used this time—though calculations show no issues with energy density and stability—how long can they theoretically last in actual high-intensity combat?

I don't want to have to remind them to find Materials to 'recharge' or replace cores every few fights later; that's too impractical."

[Retrieving 'Temporal Excitation and Decay' formula and High-Density Chemical-Bioenergy Conversion Model data...]

[Simulating based on the completed second Unit structure, combined with preset average combat intensity and peak energy output.]

[Simulation complete. Conclusion: Under current design specifications and the infused First-Generation Concentrated Fuel reserves, this Unit is expected to operate continuously for 270 to 315 years in normal standby and routine energy cycling states.]

[Even maintaining a low-level transformation state long-term or experiencing extremely frequent high-intensity combat, its core fuel's effective support time far exceeds the theoretical natural lifespan limit of any Aptitude Holder.]

[Additional note: This endurance calculation considers natural energy dissipation and theoretical material aging factors.]

"Over 270 years?!" Han Chengyu's orb noticeably brightened, conveying a sense of relief. "That's good; now I'm completely reassured. Long enough that there's no need to worry about energy at all. This is best, avoiding future trouble."

He took one last look at the blueprint representing the future Third Set of Armor, archiving it along with the belt Unit's design diagram deep into the Consciousness Space.

"Energy isn't a problem; what's left... is waiting for the right time and the right person."

[Real World]

After contacting Lu Jianchuan, Shen Mingyuan entered the study. The automatically working mechanical arms had temporarily entered dormancy. The belt with completed basic construction, white and gold with flowing black patterns, lay quietly in the center of the workbench, emitting a restrained yet majestic aura.

He found a suitably sized metal box with a lock, lined the inside with soft shock-absorbing material, carefully placed the belt inside, and locked it.

Then, he stuffed the box into the deepest part of his bedroom closet, covering it with a few rarely worn thick coats.