Chapter Fifty-One: Harvest and Distribution (Christmas Eve Bonus)

During the five days spent in the Ancient Testing Grounds, Liu Zong had grown intimately acquainted with every corner of the place. From the staff living quarters, he gleaned information regarding the general divisions among the researchers in their own quarters, which allowed him to easily locate the materials he sought.

Through the daily journals kept by various researchers, Liu Zong unearthed a wealth of records, not to mention those who had brought their research notes back to their dormitories. In this span of five days, he managed to find seven incomplete research logs, three comprehensive research diaries, and two documents that appeared to be stolen by internal spies—intended for smuggling out but ultimately left behind.

Among the assorted materials he uncovered in the staff quarters, there were secrets waiting to be discovered as well. Liu Zong, well-versed in how to utilize such resources, spent the morning of the final day—just before the last operation commenced—meticulously printing out all the documents and comparing, transcribing each piece with care.

This task was considerable, but thanks to his experience handling the Canglong, Liu Zong was able to manage despite the fatigue. At the critical moment, he finally organized every scrap of information and successfully condensed it into five cards:

[Seven Knights IV-Type Experimental Record - Azure Ghost]
[Quality: Lv3 (Blue)]
[Applications: Mechanics, Architecture, Necromancy]
[Description: The research log for the Azure Ghost variant of the Seven Knights IV-Type. It documents the myriad troubles and failures encountered during development. A thorough reading will help avoid these pitfalls when researching one's own mobile fortress.]

[Seven Knights IV-Type Experimental Record - Green Vine]
[Quality: Lv3 (Blue)]
[Applications: Mechanics, Architecture, Botany]
[Description: The research log for the Green Vine variant of the Seven Knights IV-Type. It records the challenges and failure points in its development. Studying this will prevent repeating these mistakes when working on a personal mobile fortress.]

[Guide to Necromantic Fortress Construction]
[Quality: Lv3 (Blue)]
[Applications: Architecture, Necromancy]
[Description: A handbook detailing the priority order for constructing fortresses with shadow attributes. The methods described have been tested and proved effective. Following the guide’s instructions can significantly conserve time and resources during construction.]

[Vine Growth and Energy Conduction]
[Quality: Lv3 (Blue)]
[Applications: Architecture, Energy Studies, Botany]
[Description: Documents a method for channeling energy through vine plants, including cultivation techniques and energy guidance.]

[Necromantic Architectural Blueprints]
[Quality: Lv3 (Blue)]
[Applications: Architecture, Necromancy]
[Description: Contains a wealth of blueprints suitable for necromantic use. Many are mere fleeting ideas, yet these concepts sometimes become crucial to construction.]

These five cards were the fruit of Liu Zong's labor over five days. At any moment, he could transform them into five volumes for study, and depending on the effort dedicated to reading, he would receive evaluations of Familiarity, Understanding, Mastery, or Expertise—corresponding to Lv0 through Lv3 effects.

Of course, these were merely supplementary materials for architecture, necromancy, or other disciplines; they did not affect the basic evaluations within each field. However, for Liu Zong's future growth, these were essentials—sometimes, learning advanced items or skills required meeting certain prerequisites.

It was precisely for this reason that Liu Zong treated the documents with such seriousness, always seeking opportunities to read them thoroughly. Under the influence of these materials, fragments deep within his soul gradually replenished themselves. Knowledge and ideas once beyond his reach slowly integrated into his essence, becoming part of his soul.

That night, Liu Zong waited in the original dining hall, holding a book that appeared cobbled together from various sheets of paper. Xu Linlin had already arrived with her junior apprentice, and three or four other players had gathered.

Soon, Zhu Yan walked over, glanced at the scene, and casually handed something to Xu Linlin, who accepted it silently, checking the time.

About ten minutes later, Liu Chun and the other players eager to join the operation arrived as well. Each found a seat without saying much, awaiting Xu Linlin's instructions.

Once everyone had assembled, Xu Linlin wasted no time. She unfurled a map and began outlining the plan for their operation.

Their target was simple: the main laboratory of the testing grounds, reputedly the site where the Seven Knights V-Type were researched. According to the collected information, the IV-Type was designed for leading the populace in migration, while the V-Type was the true combat fortress.

The V-Type was a design long considered by the Seven Lords of that era. Their thinking was straightforward—by then, there was no longer enough material to craft singularly attributed IV-Types, so to avoid weakening their power, all attributes needed to be combined.

The initial plan was for the V-Type to possess all seven attributes of the Knights, but in practice, every attribute added increased the material and energy consumption tenfold compared to a standard IV-Type. Attempting to combine all seven proved impossible for a single facility to support.

Thus, they lowered their expectations, starting with dual-attribute V-Types. Only nine combinations were successfully recorded; the rest failed for unknown reasons.

Research into triple-attribute V-Types failed from the outset; not a single successful experiment was documented.

Xu Linlin's excitement in spearheading this operation stemmed entirely from one particular dual-attribute V-Type research result that suited her interests perfectly.

Most of the players who had gathered shared similar motivations. They knew Zhu Yan's mission was nearly complete, and if they could glean some benefits from this venture, even dying in battle would be worth it.

As the players clustered around, Xu Linlin explained, "Everyone has learned about the situation here from the available records these past few days. Let me clarify: we're heading to the main laboratory, which is divided into four levels. The bottom two are the fusion labs for five and four attributes—filled with failed products; I'm not interested, but if you are, feel free to sneak in and take a look."

"The upper two are the triple-attribute zone and the dual-attribute zone. Everything in the triple-attribute zone belongs to me—no objections, I assume. As for the dual-attribute area, I want the research records marked with Purple Thunder and Black Stone; the rest you may divide among yourselves."