Jing Hongchen was speechless.
Su Ming's question was far too whimsical.
He opened his mouth, about to explain to Su Ming the difficulties involved in making Battle Armor, when suddenly an idea flashed in his mind. His eyes flickered, and the words died on his lips. Instead, he asked, "You pioneered the Battle Armor system. You also understand the prerequisites for its creation. Have you developed some new technique suitable for dissemination?"
Su Ming was, after all, the first to create Battle Armor. Its essence was to channel the spirit within the metal, activate its spiritual characteristics, thereby directly amplifying a Spirit Master's Martial Spirit, achieving enhancement at a fundamental level.
Su Ming cultivated all three subsidiary professions simultaneously, so he naturally understood these principles.
He also knew what Jing Hongchen was puzzled about and waved his hand dismissively. "The Battle Armor techniques are as they are. I haven't improved upon them. What I mean is transforming the spirit formation into a fixed formation. Even if it can't unleash its full power, it can become true Battle Armor after being transformed into a spirit formation by its wearer."
Seeing Jing Hongchen still somewhat confused, Su Ming stated directly, "You design the formations. Let ordinary Spirit Engineers handle the production using traditional spirit tool crafting methods. Remove the anti-reverse-engineering measures entirely. Allow the fusing Battle Armor Master to perceive all the formations. After the user fuses with the entire set of Battle Armor, they communicate with the metal, gradually guide its spirit, and etch in the corresponding formations."
Su Ming explained the entire process. Jing Hongchen was immediately overjoyed, but then frowned again.
He looked at Su Ming, his gaze flickering.
What did this mean?
Open source?
Mingde Hall had researched for so long, expending untold manpower and resources, and now Su Ming seemed to have an attitude of making all these achievements public.
Wasn't that right? Removing the anti-reverse-engineering measures, exposing all the core formations for anyone to see—ain't that making it public?
Jing Hongchen instinctively wanted to refuse, but considering that the source of all these technologies lay with Su Ming's especially the most crucial spirit metal being provided by the Blacksmith Association's began to seriously consider it.
Of course, there were Mingde Hall disciples within the Blacksmith Association who had mastered Thousand Refinements, Spirit Awakened. But most were only at that level. While techniques beyond that like Spirit Refinement and Soul Refinement were open, very few blacksmiths could truly master them.
Up to now, there were indeed a few more Spirit Refinement Grandmasters, reaching double digits.
But that was the total number across the entire continent. Subdivided among various factions, even with Mingde Hall having a high proportion, they only had two Spirit Refinement Grandmasters.
Two Spirit Refinement Grandmasters. Considering the success rate factor, even with Mingde Hall providing them with precious supplements after each forging session and ensuring an unlimited supply of rare metals, getting one piece of Spirit Refined metal every three days would be considered lucky.
At a rate of one piece every five days, that's only six pieces a month.
The success rates of other Spirit Refinement Grandmasters were roughly similar.
Mingde Hall's progress in researching Two-Word Battle Armor and even subsequent Three-Word Battle Armor was, of course, inseparable from the various grades of spirit metal provided by the Su Family, and the Su Family represented Su Ming.
Therefore, Mingde Hall's rapid research into these technologies all originated from Su Ming. If they really had to hand over the technology, Jing Hongchen could accept it.
Full public disclosure...
Jing Hongchen's brows furrowed, then relaxed, then furrowed again, his mind engaged in internal struggle. After a long time, he slowly let out a breath.
What was there to agonize over?!
With this R&D capability, even if all the technology were handed out, his Mingde Hall wouldn't have to fear falling behind the times later.
Moreover, the experience gained during this R&D process was the key.
The subsequent refinement work on the design concepts for Three-Word Battle Armor, and even the design concepts for the core formations of Four-Word Battle Armor, would undoubtedly yield results in Mingde Hall first.
"Since you intend to make Battle Armor technology open, my Mingde Hall naturally supports it. After all, these technologies were pioneered by you in the first place."
Su Ming looked puzzled.
Was this old geezer thinking about this for so long?
"As long as it can be done, that's good. Of course, the technology isn't for public release. It's just that I need to cultivate a batch of Battle Armor Masters in a short time and require this expedient measure."
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen was stunned.
Then, he breathed a sigh of relief.
If the technology didn't have to be handed over, he certainly still preferred not to.
"As for who this batch of Battle Armor is designed and made for, I haven't decided yet. You just focus on training the regular Spirit Engineers within Mingde Hall, having them learn the system of Battle Armor core formations."
"Understood."
"By the way, although the technology won't be disseminated externally, Battle Armor is undoubtedly the future direction of development in the Spirit Master world. I hope the strength of the Spirit Master world can make a leap in the future. Therefore, there still needs to be an opening for Battle Armor technology."
Su Ming looked at Jing Hongchen, speaking earnestly.
Since this old fellow had already come to terms with it earlier, he might as well share some ideas with him now.
Jing Hongchen adopted an attentive listening posture.
Su Ming said, "Mingde Hall is an institution researching spirit tools, but the future clearly belongs to Battle Armor. Ordinary spirit tools no longer hold an advantage against those made from spirit metal. Therefore, Mingde Hall might as well shift its focus to the latter. As for the manifestations of the latter, in my view, the most outstanding is Battle Armor, followed by mecha."
Mecha?
Jing Hongchen was confused. Su Ming explained.
In Su Ming's description, mecha were defined as more universally applicable Battle Armor, sacrificing flexibility for formidable power while reducing the consumption of spirit metal.
A massive mecha actually consumed less spirit metal than Battle Armor of the same level.
Jing Hongchen slowly nodded.
"The Blacksmith Association is the association for the forging industry. I want Mingde Hall to support the establishment of a Mecha Association and a Battle Armor Association."
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen fell silent for a moment.
Was this about splitting Mingde Hall?
Perhaps having been in this position for too long, his thoughts instinctively turned to matters of power.
"Agreed."
He acquiesced.
"If these two associations are to be established, they can be set up on the periphery of the Mingdou Mountain Range. Once the location is chosen, you can negotiate with the Body Sect there."
After speaking, Su Ming left Mingde Hall.
Only after departing from Mingde Hall did he make his way to the imperial city and enter the palace.
Upon learning of Su Ming's arrival, Xu Tianran was also started and immediately went to greet him with Kong Deming.
In the current continent, in terms of strength, Su Ming and Du Busi were absolutely top-tier.
The two were also master and disciple.
This led to an extreme imbalance in combat power across the continent!
Yet, the current Body Sect maintained a stance of complete neutrality, and no faction dared to slight them casually.
Although Kong Deming had researched spirit metal, elevated his Lifebound Spirit Tool to tenth rank, and broken through cultivation limits to reach Super Douluo, boasting of having Limit Douluo-level combat power, he had never publicly claimed the ability to contend with Su Ming and Du Busi.
Mu En was one thing's injuries were severe, and he died. But Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui were genuine Limit Douluos with extraordinary strength, and they were still killed by the master-disciple duo.
Weighing his words carefully, Xu Tianran, seated in his wheelchair, cupped his hands and asked, "Might I ask what important matter brings Sect Master Su to grace us with your presence?"
***
Dive deeper into the story with 50+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(Chapter End)