69novels Page 106
Page 106
"Sure enough, the style of the Great Kingdom is completely different from that of the current sea."
"Modern naval warfare still mainly relies on flintlock muskets, cannons, and sailing ships, as was the case during the Age of Exploration."
"They transformed an island into something resembling steampunk eight hundred years ago."
Finally, they stopped in a huge circular open space, surrounded by a number of operating instruments and equipment.
Blake glanced around and immediately realized that this was likely the main area where the researchers were active.
For three hundred years, they must have been here wiping the rust off those mechanical creations.
In the center of the open space stands the largest mechanical structure on the entire island.
A huge, perforated metal box lay there, looking like a collapsed boiler.
One end of it was connected to a broken conveyor belt, and the other end extended a bent metal arm with a square grabber hanging on it.
Alright, alright, the answer to the question has finally appeared.
The excavator school clearly has a stronger mechanical heart.
Blake stood beneath the machine, which was hundreds of meters tall, looking up at the massive mechanical ruins.
Hmm... I really can't tell what this is for.
Blake speculated that when the thing was intact, it must have first used a grabber to pick up something, and then transported it to the "boiler" by a conveyor belt.
The group walked halfway around the large boiler and came to a passage that led to the inside of the boiler.
Dr. Carson began his explanation, his voice echoing in the empty metal corridor:
“Lord Black Saint, according to our research, this is very likely the core base of some kind of… large-scale energy conversion device.”
"So it really is a boiler?"
Dr. Carson was momentarily speechless at Blake's question, his face instantly turning bright red.
Although the general level of technology on the high seas is low, some forces possess extremely strong technological capabilities.
Dr. Carson was well-informed and naturally knew what a boiler was.
If those words had come from one of his researchers, Dr. Carson would have been furious and reprimanded him.
How can such a magnificent project be called a "boiler"?!
But the one in front of him was a Celestial Dragon, someone he couldn't afford to offend.
Seeing that the other party was speechless, Blake did not press the matter further and calmly swept his gaze over the steel ruins.
After a while, Dr. Carson seemed to have finally done his mental work.
He took a deep breath and continued his introduction:
"After all these centuries, we still only understand some of its basic structural principles..."
Blake nodded; he understood.
In other words, Dr. Carson and his predecessors, after more than 300 years of research, have achieved the result of being able to disassemble and reinstall part of the boiler's outer shell.
This is not bad at all. At least it's not like the toys Blake played with when he was a child, where every time he took them apart and put them back together, a few extra parts would inexplicably appear.
The group continued forward and walked for a while until they were fully inside the metal ruins.
The entire space was a giant cylinder, and they were standing on a staircase that was close to the wall, spiraling upwards to the top.
Suddenly, a beam of light caught everyone's attention.
About 100 meters ahead, there is a huge blue crystal embedded in the ground.
The crystal is rhomboid in shape and is about the size of a small sailboat.
Unlike the cold, metallic feel of the surrounding area, the interior of this crystal seemed to have a liquid-like radiance flowing slowly, emitting a constant and soft glow.
Blake frowned. He felt a surge of power within him, as if he had developed a certain desire for the crystal.
But when he tried to sense it carefully, the urge to pounce on him disappeared.
"What's happening here?"
Blake stared at the blue crystal, ignoring Dr. Carson's rambling explanations.
Blake wasn't the type of person who, despite sensing something was amiss, dismissed it as an illusion after failing to notice it.
He was certain that the desire he felt in his body just moments ago was real.
That's definitely not a misperception; we just haven't found the reason yet.
It doesn't matter if we didn't find him, because he's a Celestial Dragon.
After Dr. Carson finished his presentation, Blake pointed to the crystal:
"So, what's the use of this thing?"
Dr. Carson's face immediately showed embarrassment:
"Well... this..."
After hesitating for a long time, he finally admitted it:
"I'm very sorry, Lord Black."
"We...haven't figured it out yet."
Blake nodded slightly; this was something he had expected.
"understood."
"In that case, let's take it off."
"My Temple is just missing a decoration of sufficient weight."
That's really significant.
It's only because the Temple is large enough that a regular ship wouldn't be able to carry it, given the weight of this...this piece...this crystal.
Not to mention using it as a decoration.
That's right, what should the Celestial Dragons do when they see something good?
More than 20 years of life hadn't taught Blake anything, except four words—if you like it, just grab it!
What I set my sights on is mine, perfectly fitting the world's stereotype of the Celestial Dragons.
Blake's words seemed to freeze the air in the room.
"This... Lord Black, this matter... shouldn't we discuss it again?"
Dr. Carson's voice trembled.
Blake turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow and saying:
"Is there something wrong?"
His expression remained unchanged, as if he were genuinely asking a question.
Dr. Carson gritted his teeth and answered under pressure:
“Lord Black Saint, this crystal is like part of the structure itself, and it cannot be removed.”
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing this, Blake seemed even more interested:
"So you spent over three hundred years just to prove that this thing can't be removed?"
Before Dr. Carson and the researchers behind him could feel utterly ashamed, Blake took a few steps forward:
"Since your methods are ineffective..."
"Then, let's try mine."
Chapter 140 Behold my rocket headbutt!
Today, with each improvement in Blake's strength, his various physical functions have reached a terrifying level.
The fact that he feels a genuine need for it now indicates that this crystal is definitely not a simple thing.
Even though he couldn't figure out its use right away, Blake decided to take it with him to avoid any unforeseen complications.
The group followed the winding stairs to the crystal.
Up close, the blue crystal appears extremely large.
It is deeply embedded in a huge curved metal wall, as if it were growing out of the wall itself.
The surface of the crystal is not smooth as a mirror, but is covered with ridges that resemble ice cracks.
At certain points where these edges intersect, a small spark occasionally bursts out, producing a soft "crackling" sound.
These details make it look like both a technological creation and some kind of naturally formed mineral.
However, even though Blake's hand was on the crystal, the desire that came from within him did not reappear.
Blake didn't dwell on it any longer, but turned around to look at the maids behind him:
"Who wants to give it a try?"
His gaze was fixed on the eager Perona:
"It's you I choose! Perona!"
"Hooray hooray hooray..."
Perona let out a mesmerizing laugh, instantly perking up and hopping like a little rabbit to the crystal:
"Look at me!"
As she spoke, she took a few steps back, then suddenly sprinted forward, crashing headfirst into the crystal:
"Behold my rocket header!"
Duang!
Blake's face darkened, and he began to lose his composure.
Was Perona in the original story really this crazy? Did I raise her to be an idiot?
After a muffled thud, the crystal remained motionless. Perona clutched her forehead and crouched down, tears welling in her eyes.
"Your Highness, after my serious and thorough examination, the preliminary conclusion is—"
"It's really, really hard!"
Blake felt a surge of genuine admiration and couldn't help but give him a thumbs up:
"You checked very thoroughly, so don't check again next time."
I can tell it's hard just by looking at it; I don't necessarily have to bump my head against it.
Hancock glanced at Perona with disdain, thinking that this little girl was no match for her at all.
Stella, standing behind Blake, gave an awkward yet polite smile, while the others covered their mouths and chuckled.
"let me try."
Kerla stepped forward.
Since there were still many outsiders present, she did not use the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit, but instead swung her fist directly.
boom! boom! boom!
Amidst a series of continuous explosions, Kera repeatedly attacked the connection between the crystal and the wall, trying to find a way to loosen it.
After several attempts, she stopped and turned around, somewhat bewildered:
"Your Highness, it seems that all my attacks have been... absorbed by it."
Is it absorbed?
Blake stroked his chin, finding Kera's choice of words quite amusing; perhaps it really did relate to the secret of why the crystal was indistinguishable.
Mandy calmly drew her longsword, the tip hovering above the joint.
An aura of extreme cold began to spread from the tip of the sword, instantly causing a thick layer of ice armor to condense on the metal wall.
There are quite a few Devil Fruits with ice-freezing properties. As long as they are not transformed into elements, most people cannot associate them with the Ice-Ice Fruit. Mandy can use it without worry.