CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

"Did you come up with this three-dimensional jet propulsion device on your own? Although it’s just a simple concept, it’s quite stunning. Your foundational knowledge is clearly very solid."

Bai Yuetong was curious about Lu Luo. His relaxed attitude when answering questions made her feel that such an expert shouldn’t be languishing in the Fourth Ring. Perhaps they could become assistants to each other in the future.

"Of course, I figured it out myself. It goes like this, then this way, and then like this..."

The calculation process provided by Observer was incredibly complex and tedious, yet Lu Luo explained a single operational flow for a full minute.

Hearing this, Bai Yuetong finally confirmed that Lu Luo genuinely understood these concepts. This realization made her feel inexplicably irritated. She didn’t know where this irritation stemmed from; she just felt very annoyed. Yet, alongside the irritation, there was a burgeoning excitement. She knew the reason for this excitement: after so many years, she had finally encountered someone who could comprehend her way of thinking. His calculation methods were remarkably precise and refreshingly original—a true genius.

"Could you tell me your address? I find your formula calculation method quite unique. Have you done any research on new-type mechanically integrated construct bodies?"

New-type mechanically integrated construct bodies? Lu Luo didn’t have a clue. But with Observer’s answer right in front of him, all he had to do was recite it.

"Hey, hold on! You’re not trying to get money out of me, are you? Let’s skip any ’exchange.’ I’m not interested in construct bodies."

Bai Yuetong was so amused by Lu Luo’s words that she laughed despite her annoyance. Ask for money? What the hell?

"Do I look like someone who cares about 5,000 yuan?"

"You can’t judge a book by its cover. Let’s forget about the address. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up!"

Lu Luo didn’t want her to know his address or name. Even though I’m a nobody, nobodies still have their own path to follow. Clinging to someone influential, like Ludie, is one thing. But some influential people are best avoided, like prickly thorns—Lan Tian Biotech, for instance.

Bai Yuetong definitely wasn’t going to let Lu Luo slip away so easily. I’ve finally found someone like him; I can’t just let him go. Her mind raced. But there’s something odd about this Lu Luo. He clearly solved the First Tier mechanical refinement formula and even has concepts like the three-dimensional jet propulsion device worked out. How could someone with such academic achievements and research not be interested in construct bodies? Our entire conversation seems to have revolved around getting the Mechanical Arm for free. Why is this guy so obsessed with money? Could someone really be so poor they’d care about a 5,000 yuan piece of equipment?

"Hey, wait a minute! I think if you come and help me, if we collaborate, we might genuinely be able to develop a new type of construct body. Even if you’re not interested in construct bodies right now, we could at least exchange phone numbers for future communication."

For this potential talent, who might become her future assistant, Bai Yuetong decided to swallow her pride. If we share the same ideals and goals, perhaps we could even take things further. Yes, women are prone to such flights of fancy. While Lu Luo was probably wondering what to have for dinner, Bai Yuetong was likely already imagining what their children would look like. Although they had never met, appearances didn’t matter to her.

Lu Luo paused for a moment, then gave Bai Yuetong a number.

"Alright then, make a note of this: 0044-304923."

With Bai Yuetong’s memory, there was no way she’d forget a phone number after hearing it just once.

"Got it. Let’s leave it at that for now. I hope your talent doesn’t go to waste."

"Okay then, talk to you later!" Lu Luo said casually, sounding completely sincere.

Bai Yuetong finally hung up. As she stood on the high wall overlooking the city below, she suddenly noticed an advertisement on a large screen nearby. It was a public service announcement:

[Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. — Circular Purifier Company, the Alliance’s cleanup crew. Phone: 0021-304923.]

"That phone number!"

Bai Yuetong immediately picked up her phone and dialed the number Lu Luo had just given her.

"Circular Purifier Company, Fourth Ring branch. How may I help you?"

"That bastard! I don’t even know his name! Damn it!"

Bai Yuetong was furious; it was the first time she’d been tricked like this. However, she quickly calmed herself. I almost lost my composure. He bought my merchandise and thought he could just disappear? Doesn’t he know a mechanic’s creations always have backdoors? Naive fool.

「...」

After duping Bai Yuetong, Lu Luo had already left the shop. Tempt me? Simply out of the question. She clearly wanted to ensnare me and then extract my valuable... erm... knowledge. Me, Lu Luo, a paragon of integrity! And she dared to try and play me with some quiz-for-prizes scheme? Did she really think she could deceive me with such shameless tactics? Am I that kind of person? Besides, she’s a woman. Women only slow down the speed at which I draw my sword. To become stronger, the most important thing is to stay away from women. Of course, rich women are an exception. They can accelerate my cultivation speed. Otherwise, I’d never associate with women.

[I think Brother Kane was right. You, who were sunk into the crimson river by a woman in your past life, have now become nothing more than a ’king of verbal sparring.’ Pathetic; you’ve gone soft.]

"You’re full of it! How could I possibly have gone soft?"

「...」

Changing shops, Lu Luo continued his search. After some looking around, he stopped in front of a store named "Wasteland’s Shadiest."

Wasteland’s Shadiest? Such a bold claim? I’m not planning to buy anything; I’m just curious to see how ’shady’ this Wasteland’s Shadiest really is.

Entering the shop, Lu Luo saw that the owner was an odd-looking man with gray hair and tattoos. When the shopkeeper saw this clean-cut young man walk in, he lowered his voice and chuckled malevolently, "Young man, what are you looking for? HEH HEH HEH!"

Are you sure this is ’shady’? Isn’t he just a bit daft? Why is he giggling like a stray dog?

"Boss, do you have any powders that can obscure vision, for example..."

The shopkeeper, picking up on the hint, interjected, "Like quicklime? Similar to the legendary ’Lime Martial Saint’ Wei He? Strike first, blind your foe?"

Lu Luo nodded, then shook his head. "I do need something for blinding, but quicklime isn’t potent enough. I’ll be up against some very powerful creatures, like Exotic Species. So, Boss, since your shop is called ’Wasteland’s Shadiest,’ do you have anything stronger?"

The shopkeeper flashed a knowing, sly smile, his nose ring twitching. "Powerful stuff? Of course! This is a technique passed down from the Lime Martial Saint himself. It’s been in my family for hundreds of years, down to my generation."

The sleazy shopkeeper reached under the counter. Lu Luo couldn’t see what he was grabbing, but his movements were decidedly shifty. A moment later, he produced two glass bottles—one dark green, one bright red—and placed them before Lu Luo.

"The green one is ’Tough Guy’s Tears,’ 2,000 yuan. The red one is ’Hero’s Regret,’ 3,500 yuan. This stuff can be smeared on weapons or mixed with quicklime. If you know how to inscribe bullets, you can even coat them with it. Very potent."

As soon as Lu Luo picked up the bottles, Observer provided detailed information:

[The green one is a potent lachrymator mixed with itching powder. The red one contains a paralytic poison mixed with the feces of a Second Tier Exotic Species called Di Kui. Though they sound simple, their concoction is quite difficult. However, for a Fusioner like you, it’s not an issue at all.]

Lu Luo mirrored the shopkeeper’s sly smile. "A lachrymator with itching powder, and a paralytic poison mixed with feces. Quite the creative names you’ve got there, Boss."

Hearing Lu Luo’s breakdown, the shopkeeper’s expression turned sour. "Are you a competitor? Here to stir up trouble?"

"No, I’m genuinely here to buy. But I’ll need a fair price."

The shopkeeper tugged at his nose ring, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright."

Ultimately, Lu Luo bought the two concoctions for 2,500 yuan.

With the remaining money, he bought two second-hand handguns in good condition for 1,000 yuan each, plus a large quantity of ammunition. The workshop is now getting on track, so Brother Kane and Gu Fangyi will naturally need some equipment upgrades. Even though all three of them were now illegally armed, in the Fourth Ring, as long as you didn’t go around shooting people, nobody really cared.

Equipment secured, Lu Luo prepared to head back. On the way, he tested his Mechanical Arm. It worked very well. That woman’s design skills are quite commendable; even Observer acknowledges it.

Unbeknownst to him, the moment he activated his Mechanical Arm, Bai Yuetong, sitting in her car and staring at a green screen, had already locked onto his location.

"Fourth Ring, East Sector!"