Chapter 98: The Forbidden Artifact, Activating the Blue Crystal

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Li Nanke arrived at the Control Bureau parking lot. Two uniformed vehicle salespeople stood there under umbrellas, nervously waiting, evidently having undergone numerous inspections. Nearby was a small metal container.

“Mr. Li, the heavy-duty motorcycle model ‘Hell Requiem’ you ordered has arrived. Please sign for it...”

“Let me explain the vehicle’s usage and driving precautions...”

Amid the light rain, the metal container automatically opened, revealing a black heavy-duty motorcycle.

The ‘Hell Requiem’ was low-slung with sharp lines, its body painted black with hints of silver trim, evoking a futuristic and technological aura. The overall design was strikingly cool, and its high-powered motor could transform it into a charging metal beast.

After the two salespeople left, Li Nanke started the motorcycle. The display screen lit up, and sensing the raindrops, the bike automatically released a plasma shield to block the rain.

This plasma shield was relatively basic—it couldn’t block deadly solar radiation, only the rain and reduce wind pressure.

To ride the motorcycle out of Redemption City, an extremely expensive advanced plasma protection device would be needed.

He mounted the bike and sped out of the Control Bureau into the rain.

Li Nanke possessed exceptional physical strength and lightning-fast reflexes, so he never used the automatic driving mode, preferring to pilot it manually.

The street scenes blurred rapidly behind him; neon lights streaked by like fleeting streams of color.

The plasma shield kept wind and rain far behind him.

The black heavy motorcycle entered Chinatown and finally stopped in front of a detached building.

The white walls and black tiles of this Chinese-style villa looked even more rustic and elegant in the rain.

Sensing the approach of a personal terminal, the front door opened, and a beautiful female android housekeeper appeared.

“Welcome home, Master.”

As she introduced the details of the residence, she led Li Nanke into the courtyard.

Mist hovered over the pond, green trees framed the scene, lotus leaves and flowers swayed gently in the drizzle and breeze, a small bridge connected to a pavilion, and beyond was the detached villa with two floors above ground and one underground.

Though the villa initially appeared traditionally antique, it was actually fully automated with high-tech decor. Upon entry, the lights turned on, curtains opened, and the climate control and fresh air systems maintained a comfortable environment.

“Master, what would you like for lunch?”

The housekeeper handed him a tablet brain displaying various menus. After ordering, drones would deliver the ingredients, and the villa’s android chef would prepare the meal.

All household services here were handled by androids; the owner only needed to enjoy.

“The life of the wealthy... truly decadent,” he mused.

Yet, ironically, in Redemption City, the wealthy preferred employing human staff over flawless androids, opting for real people to manage their daily lives.

Li Nanke’s life settled into a routine.

Even during holidays, he would spend his days at the research department’s study room, continuing advanced researcher courses, and return home at night to practice meditation techniques to enhance his humanity.

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This fulfilling life did not last long before he received an invitation from Minian.

...

The motorcycle stopped, and Li Nanke stared in awe at the magnificent ancient castle before him.

In this day and age, there were still castles in Redemption City?

A maid in a black-and-white long dress held an umbrella, sheltering Minian, the eldest daughter of the Vistalia family.

The drizzle was cold and gloomy. Minian wore a light camel-colored wool coat, her smooth blonde hair spilling from under a cream-colored beret, and a dark brown long skirt. Her casual attire betrayed no hint of her priceless noble status.

Smiling, Minian took the umbrella and stepped forward to shield him from the rain.

“Mr. Li, long time no see.”

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily flicked to the sleek heavy motorcycle beside him, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

But then she glanced at the maid, who had raised another umbrella with a subtle, cautionary look, and quickly averted her gaze.

Li Nanke accepted the umbrella from her. “Miss Minian, is this castle the humble abode you mentioned?”

Minian smiled slightly. “Mr. Li, what you requested is inconvenient to take out, so it must be kept within the family. That’s why I had to trouble you with this trip—otherwise, I would have brought it for you to inspect myself.”

The two walked side by side along a lawn pathway into the castle.

Along the way, Li Nanke sensed several eyes lingering on him. He knew the Vistalia family housed many powerful supernaturals, some so strong he couldn’t detect their gaze.

“Miss Minian, I’ve had a question for some time.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Actually, there’s no need for the young lady herself to handle this. Surely any trusted aide could do the job?”

Minian raised her slender brows, leading him into the castle, and replied softly:

“You must be joking, Mr. Li. If Uncle Frank hadn’t intervened, other research teams would have long tried to poach you.”

She continued candidly, “Every genius researcher like you is sought after by everyone wanting to befriend you, myself included.”

“Moreover, whether this forbidden artifact can be successfully deciphered affects not only the family and company’s interests but also my personal standing.”

“To be frank, there are factions and inheritance disputes within the Vistalia family. The heir who performs best gains more resources and power.”

Li Nanke considered and asked, “Regardless of gender?”

Minian chuckled softly, then quickly covered her mouth and whispered:

“Mr. Li, it’s not me—I’m still young. It’s my father... Actually, it was his idea to get you into Uncle Frank’s team and invite you to decrypt the forbidden artifact.”

“At first, I didn’t want to follow my father’s arrangements, but after meeting you, I think you’re a sincere person, and I believe our cooperation will be pleasant.”

With that, they took the castle elevator to a secret chamber underground.

After a guard in a suit granted them access, they entered the room.

The chamber was brightly lit, containing no equipment, only simple tables and chairs, and the lighting came from candles.

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On the table sat a ‘glass’ containment box typically used for forbidden artifacts, inside which lay a fist-sized deep blue crystal.

The crystal shimmered with specks of blue light, and a slightly rusted gear turned endlessly within it.

Minian handed over a dossier.

[Project Number: 6-1828]

[Project Codename: Drive Blue Crystal]

[Hazard Level: Cautionary]

[Containment Location: ████████████]

[Containment Measures: This project must be secured within a specially designed transparent sealed container to ensure complete isolation from the external environment. Direct contact with any mechanical equipment, including but not limited to electronic devices and machinery, is strictly prohibited. Regular checks of the seal’s integrity must be performed to maintain effective isolation at all times.]

[Project Description: Project 6-1828, codename “Drive Blue Crystal,” was first discovered in Redemption City in October 2135.]

[This project exhibits unconventional physical properties, presenting a highly ordered geometric structure indicating extremely regular internal atomic arrangement. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms it is a naturally formed crystalline material.]

[However, its most notable characteristic is its effect on mechanical devices.]

[Mechanical equipment exposed long-term near the “Drive Blue Crystal” gains what is termed “activity.”]

[This activity not only stimulates autonomous operation but also induces basic self-awareness in robots or androids.]

[Notably, this awareness, though limited, is sufficient to override the Three Laws of Robotics: robots shall not harm humans, must obey human orders, and must protect their own existence.]

[Once mechanical devices acquire this activity, their behavior tends to become highly aggressive and destructive, primarily manifesting as hostile actions toward humans, such as attempts to harm or eliminate them.]

[“Drive Blue Crystal” caused a severe incident wherein an android killed seven family members—men, women, and children alike.]

[Given these circumstances, this project is considered a potential cautionary-level threat, and strict containment measures are implemented to prevent possible malicious consequences. All related research and experiments must be conducted under stringent surveillance to eliminate any risk of leakage.]

[Project Log: …]

Compared to the Control Bureau’s reports, this document was less rigorous in data and detail, likely researched independently by the Vistalia family.

Seeing him finish reviewing the file, Minian smiled, “Mr. Li, are you satisfied with the compensation for this task?”

Feeling the residual pheromones of the forbidden artifact, Li Nanke pondered for a moment and said, “Miss Minian, I have an impertinent request.”

“Please speak.”

“May I board first and settle my fare later?”

(End of chapter)