"This is our latest improved Soul Guidance Mecha. Recently, Mingde Hall's research has achieved a breakthrough, allowing this mecha to be optimized to its current state where it can be manually controlled."
In the most central laboratory of Mingde Hall, Elder Chen introduced to Xu Tianyang, who was by his side.
Before them was a giant humanoid mecha, with numerous core formations visible on its surface alone.
Compared to the first time he saw it, the mecha's overall design was more streamlined and minimalist, with few sharp edges. Its smooth metal surface reflected the light from the surrounding Soul Guidance Lamps.
It gave off a heavy impression, standing there like a towering mountain, unmoving and seemingly unshakeable.
"It is also thanks to the forging method proposed by Your Highness, which has greatly improved the performance of current metals. Metals of the same volume can now carry more Soul Guidance formations, significantly reducing the size of humanoid spirit tools."
"Now, everyone in Mingde Hall is waiting in the forging room for the processed metals. Good metals even cause a scramble, leading to quite a few jokes."
"The current spirit tools are at least 50% more powerful than previous ones, and all of this is due to Your Highness's contributions," Xuan Hongchen said, subtly flattering him.
"I merely proposed a concept. How to achieve it still relies on the continuous research of all you seniors. I dare not take all the credit," Xu Tianyang humbly said, looking at the group of Level Seven and Level Eight Soul Engineers behind him.
Some of them looked at him with kind and fervent gazes. It was precisely because of these unsung, dedicated researchers that the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Guidance strength showed a steady upward trend. They were the pillars of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Your Highness!" After being acknowledged by Xu Tianyang, everyone looked at him excitedly.
"Would Your Highness like to try?" Elder Chen stroked his long beard, looking at this scene with satisfaction, and asked Xu Tianyang expectantly.
"This humanoid spirit tool, named 'Zero', requires at least the spiritual power of an Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo to drive it. With Your Highness's spiritual power, driving it should be more than enough."
Xu Tianyang's gaze, full of interest, surveyed the mecha, this big guy he once yearned for.
Admittedly, the power the mecha could unleash now was not stronger than a Spirit Douluo.
This was also why it had not been widely popularized after its research.
Without it, one had the combat power of a Spirit Douluo. With it, one still had the same combat power. So what was the point of wearing it?
To fully arm a mecha legion, further optimization was needed to allow lower-ranked Spirit Masters to use it, only then could its full power be unleashed.
However, this did not dampen his enthusiasm to control it.
"Good!" Xu Tianyang did not refuse and walked directly to the 'Zero' mecha.
As Xu Tianyang's spirit power was injected, the mecha's surface glowed red and moved slightly. A mechanical sound came from its chest, and the metal on the front chest began to move to both sides. Under everyone's gaze, the mecha's internal space was revealed.
Sitting inside, Xu Tianyang picked up the main control helmet placed nearby and put it on. Then, without hesitation, he called upon his spiritual power to activate the numerous core formations connected in series.
Moments later, the various indicator lights in the control room lit up one after another, followed by the exterior lights.
"It's moving, it's moving!"
Amidst the excited shouts of the crowd outside, the mecha slowly began to move. Its movements were somewhat stiff, but it was indeed moving.
After controlling it for a while, Xu Tianyang exited the control room. Facing everyone's gazes, he slowly said, "The mecha's energy consumption is still too high. Even a Spirit Master of the Spirit Douluo level cannot use it for long, which makes it somewhat impractical."
"Indeed, this is the limitation of the first-generation mecha," Elder Chen sighed regretfully upon hearing this, then said enthusiastically, "Mingde Hall has already proposed a solution, which is to continue reducing the mecha's size. Once its size is reduced, the energy required to drive it will naturally decrease, and the difficulty of control will also be lowered."
"As for how to make it smaller, that comes down to the mecha's materials. With the materials we currently excavate from nature, this is almost impossible. Therefore, the forging method proposed by Your Highness can be called a monumental invention in the history of spirit tools."
Xu Tianyang merely chuckled at this. These were all future development directions, not his own credit, so he had a clear understanding and was not arrogant or complacent; he was merely a transporter of solutions.
"With the accumulated experience of numerous researchers in Mingde Hall, I believe suitable materials will be processed very soon. As long as the basic technological problems that plague us are dismantled and solved one by one, the improvements will be completed sooner or later."
Elder Chen nodded in agreement, then looked at the giant mecha with some regret, "It's just a pity that this old man will not live to see that day."
For a moment, everyone looked silently at Elder Chen's graying hair, their eyes filled with respect.
"Elder Chen's lifespan greatly increased after breaking through to Titled Douluo. According to the lifespan of a Titled Douluo, Elder Chen is currently in his prime, a time for striving. The optimization of Mecha Zero still depends on you," Xu Tianyang said with a light laugh, sensing the sorrowful atmosphere around him.
"Hahaha…" Xu Tianyang's words immediately made everyone's eyes light up, and they burst into hearty laughter.
Elder Chen also looked at Xu Tianyang kindly. His breakthrough to Titled Douluo was thanks to Xu Tianyang's planning.
"Indeed, this old man forgot. In that case, I can still serve Your Highness for a hundred years, and the mecha's optimization will surely be completed."
Watching the spirited Elder Chen, Xu Tianyang smiled knowingly. After taking everyone to visit several other research achievements, he left contentedly… Xu Tianyang looked at the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.
It must be said that the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, as the Sea God's inherited treasure, indeed possessed some extraordinary and quite remarkable qualities.
After his spiritual realm entered the tangible and substantive stage, he more clearly felt the powerful force contained within the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, a power that transcended the level of 'mortals.'
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud emitted a soft blue light, rendering the room in an ocean-like blue, which was very dazzling. He had to admit that the Sea God's aesthetic was impeccable; the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud looked like a work of art.
He had obtained the Sea God's Heart for quite some time, but he had not yet performed the blood-binding ritual, waiting for Electrolux's condition.
Compared to the Sea God, he trusted Electrolux more.
"Is this a divine artifact?" The Ice Empress saw the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud for the first time, her eyes revealing a longing.
"That's right, Bingbing. The first time I felt the aura of a God on little Tianyang, it was because of this thing," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm constantly tried to make his presence felt in front of the Ice Empress.
"Elder Yi, can you discern anything?" Xu Tianyang asked Electrolux, who was deep in thought beside him, with anticipation.