83: Pandora's Box

The huge alloy box lay quietly on the deck.

Its surface had no markings, only a perfectly sealed closure line and a high-tech electronic lock that required a special key to open.

"It won't open."

Gu Zhixia circled the box, tapping the casing with her tactical glove, which returned a dull, heavy echo.

"The material density is very high; a forced breach would be extremely difficult."

Lin Mo didn't speak.

He simply reached out and placed his palm on the cold electronic lock.

【Detecting Captain's authority...】

【Receiving temporary key from 'Deep Space' channel...】

【Key verification successful.】

"Click."

A crisp unlocking sound rang out.

The lid of the alloy box slowly rose, accompanied by a slight depressurization sound.

A complex yet pure scent, a mixture of metal, energy crystals, and some unknown material, wafted from the box.

The scene inside the box made all three of them hold their breath for a moment.

It wasn't a chaotic jumble.

Instead, it was neatly arranged, like an art exhibition.

The entire box was divided into hundreds of compartments of varying sizes, and in each compartment lay a rare material emitting a different glow.

On the far left of the box were rows of metal ingots shimmering with a pure blue light.

Their surfaces were smooth as mirrors, yet inside, flowing stars seemed to slowly rotate.

【Purified titan Alloy (Blue)】

【Description: A high-strength, high-toughness memory alloy, an excellent material for manufacturing the core framework of 'titan' mechs, capable of significantly enhancing the mech's structural strength and anti-strike capability.】

Next to them were several irregular, obsidian-deep crystals.

The surface of the crystals was covered with naturally formed golden patterns, as complex as circuit boards, and visible arcs of electricity constantly leaped between the patterns.

【thunderstorm core Shard (Purple)】

【Description: A rare crystal containing violent lightning energy, usable as a high-energy power source for mechs or for manufacturing powerful electromagnetic weapons.】

In the center of the box, a fist-sized liquid metal sphere, emitting a soft golden light, floated.

Under the influence of a force field, it constantly changed shape, sometimes like a water droplet, sometimes like a blade, full of vitality.

【Adamantium Liquid (Gold)】

【Description: A legendary miracle metal with self-repairing capabilities, possessing almost infinite ductility and plasticity, a dream material for manufacturing top-tier equipment and upgrading spaceship armor.】

Besides these, there were also 【Ice Marrow Crystal】 emitting an extremely cold aura, 【Void Prism】 capable of absorbing and converting energy, and dozens of other rare materials they had never seen before, all of which, without exception, were of blue quality or higher according to the system prompts.

A dazzling array, priceless treasures.

"We're rich... we're... we're really rich..."

Gu Nianqiu's mouth formed an "O" shape as she stared blankly at this box of glittering "treasures," feeling her mind was overwhelmed.

She cautiously reached out a finger and poked the 【Purified titan Alloy】 that emitted a blue light; the cold, hard touch from her fingertip confirmed that she wasn't dreaming.

"With these..."

Gu Zhixia's breathing became somewhat rapid.

Her phoenix eyes, always sharp as knives, now burned with an almost fanatical flame.

She quickly walked to the box, picked up the several 【thunderstorm core Shards】, and felt the violent and surging energy contained within them.

"All the materials for that 【Dragon Biometric Mechanical Blueprint】 are complete!"

Her voice carried an irrepressible excitement and tremor.

"No, not just complete! The mech modified with these materials will definitely perform a whole tier better than what was estimated in the blueprint!"

As a Weapon Master, these rare materials, representing ultimate power and destructive force, held a fatal attraction for her.

Lin Mo's mood was also far from calm.

The value of this box of materials had far exceeded his imagination.

That woman named Lan Yue was truly too generous.

This was no longer a simple "welcome gift"; this was like providing timely help, no, it was directly giving them a mountain of gold.

With these materials, not only would the combat power of the two titan mechs undergo a qualitative leap, but even the subsequent upgrades of the Natural Selection would be taken care of.

Especially that 【Adamantium Liquid】; the system prompt clearly stated that it was a dream material for upgrading ship armor.

"She was right."

Lin Mo slowly spoke, his voice carrying a complex emotion.

"We really need it right now."

This "gift" was heavy.

It was both help and an investment, and even a silentspur.

Lan Yue used this most direct way to tell them: I have given you the capital to become stronger; whether you can survive, whether you can become my ally, is up to you.

"Um... Brother Mo, Sister..."

Gu Nianqiu, who was at the side, suddenly raised her hand weakly.

"What's wrong?" Lin Mo looked at her.

Gu Nianqiu pointed to a stone in the corner of the box, emitting a soft white light, like mutton-fat jade, her small face full of curiosity.

"This stone looks so pretty, it's smooth and warm, can it be used to... stew soup?"

【Constant Temperature Jade (Blue)】

【Description: A peculiar jade that can maintain a constant temperature for a long time, often used in the temperature control systems of precision instruments.】

"..."

The air instantly fell silent.

Gu Zhixia suddenly turned her head, staring intently at her younger sister with a terrifying look that seemed to say, "Are you going to use my treasure to line the bottom of a pot?"

"Gu! Nian! Qiu!"

"I, I was just asking..."

Gu Nianqiu shivered, scared by her sister's glare, and quickly put her small hands behind her back, muttering softly.

"I thought since it's warm, it could keep the soup delicious all the time..."

Watching the interaction between the two sisters, the solemnity in Lin Mo's heart, brought on by the unknown enemy, unknowingly dissipated a lot.

He let out a "Pfft," and laughed.

This was the first time he had shown a genuine smile today.

Gu Zhixia and Gu Nianqiu were both stunned, looking at him simultaneously.

"What Nianqiu said isn't entirely without reason."

Lin Mo walked to the box, took out the 【Constant Temperature Jade】, and handed it to Gu Nianqiu.

"This thing is yours from now on."

"Really?" Gu Nianqiu's eyes instantly lit up.

"Mhm."

Lin Mo nodded, then looked at the disapproving Gu Zhixia and explained: "This jade is not essential for current equipment upgrades. But for Nianqiu, it allows her to provide us with a steaming, buff-effect food anytime, anywhere. From a strategic perspective, its value is far greater than if it were left in a warehouse."

Gu Zhixia opened her mouth, finding herself unable to refute.

"Thank you, Brother Mo!"

Gu Nianqiu happily took the 【Constant Temperature Jade】, hugging it tightly as if it were a rare treasure, her small face filled with happiness.

"Alright, don't stand around here anymore."

Lin Mo clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

The smile on his face had faded, replaced by an unprecedented focus and seriousness.

"Zhi Xia, prepare yourself, we're going to the ship's factory."

"Nianqiu, you're in charge of logistics support. This upgrade and modification might take a long time."

His gaze swept over the box of glittering materials before him, then looked towards the boundless cloud sea, where unknown dangers lurked.

"The vacation is over."

"From now on, full preparations for battle."