Chapter 445: Temple of Knowledge
The launch ceremony for the first Star Shuttle-class ship was held as scheduled at the Mars orbital shipyard.
After completing the necessary ceremonial procedures, Ryo set off for the Temple of Knowledge located in the equatorial region of Mars.
As a high-ranking Tech-Priest holding Magos titles in both the Forge and Exploration domains, he enjoyed considerably high data access privileges in the Temple of Knowledge.
The surface landscape of Mars flashed past the shuttle's portholes.
The vast, rust-red wasteland was crisscrossed with gullies. Bottomless canyons, like scars on the planet's surface, twisted and stretched to the edge of the horizon.
Massive manufactorums sprawled across the horizon like metallic behemoths. Towering smokestacks continuously spewed thick industrial exhaust, forming pillars of grayish-black clouds in the thin atmosphere.
Countless thick pipes and conveyor belts interwove into a dense network on the surface, as if the entire planet were covered by a giant metallic spiderweb.
The fusion reactors of the power stations emitted a deep blue glow, dotting the reddish-brown background with points of bright light.
Transport craft shuttled back and forth between the factory districts like worker bees, forming a busy yet orderly industrial tableau.
In the distance, the spires of the Temple of Knowledge gradually emerged from the horizon.
The surfaces of those towering spires were covered in intricate mechanical reliefs. Gothic flying buttresses and hydraulic transmission devices were miraculously combined.
The outer walls of the temple's main building were inlaid with giant gear-shaped decorations. Every single gear slowly turned, emitting a low, rhythmic mechanical sound.
The entire building maintained an ancient sense of mystery while highlighting the unique technological aesthetics of the Adeptus Mechanicus, standing like a grand industrial marvel upon the Martian desert.
The shuttle landed smoothly on the designated landing platform.
Ryo's massive mechanical body stepped out of the hatch, immediately feeling the unique dryness and metallic scent of the thin Martian atmosphere.
At the temple entrance, two rows of Skitarii stood at attention, their optical sensors simultaneously focusing on the visitor.
"Identity verification passed," the cogitator array at the temple gates emitted a synthesized voice. "Welcome, Magos Ryo."
The heavy alloy doors slowly opened, revealing the dim and solemn space inside.
Ryo stepped into the temple's main building, first passing through the vestibule area.
Displayed here were many mechanical creations of historical significance, ranging from the most primitive steam-powered devices to precision electronic instruments, showcasing the developmental history of human technology.
Ryo stepped into the main data hall of the Temple of Knowledge.
This was a vast space. A holographic projection simulating a starry sky was cast upon the dome hundreds of meters high.
The hall was surrounded by countless data terminals. In front of each terminal, Tech-Priests were busy reading or uploading data.
The air was filled with the smell of ozone and coolant, and the cogitator arrays emitted a low hum as they operated.
He walked toward a vacant advanced data terminal.
The terminal recognized his identity, and the interface automatically switched to the access level corresponding to his privileges.
As a high-ranking Tech-Priest holding Magos titles in both the Forge and Exploration domains, Ryo enjoyed very high data access privileges in the Temple of Knowledge.
Thanks to the contribution points brought by the warp drive technology, his account possessed an ample data exchange quota.
The terminal screen listed the categories of knowledge available for download: from fundamental laws of physics to advanced starship design, from bio-genetics to material science, covering almost every field of human knowledge.
Every knowledge entry was marked with the required contribution point value and the corresponding access privilege level.
Ryo began browsing the accessible knowledge directory.
He first searched for research materials regarding Genesis Particles, then queried the physical constant databases of multiple dimensions.
Although he had not yet obtained the formal title of Magos Biologis, by virtue of his Genetor qualifications and his experience participating in the Imperial Fists' treatment project, the system had already opened the corresponding level of biological knowledge bases to him.
His mechanical tentacles operated rapidly on the control panel, accessing specialized materials in the field of biology one by one.
From gene editing technology to organ cultivation protocols, from neuroendocrinology to gene-seed stability research, a massive amount of specialized literature was queued for download.
Just as Ryo was focused on filtering materials, a red-robed Forge Magos approached his terminal.
The Magos's mechanical bionic eye swept over the list of literature Ryo was browsing, emitting an electronic sound of interest.
"It seems you have deep research in the field of biotechnology," the Magos said. "These materials are quite specialized. I recall you are primarily responsible for the warp drive project?"
Ryo responded politely, "This is to complete the task assigned by Primarch Dorn. The Imperial Fists' gene-seed restoration project requires a more comprehensive theoretical foundation. We have currently encountered some technical bottlenecks and need to reference more specialized knowledge."
"Gene-seed research is indeed a complex field," the Magos expressed understanding. "I notice you are paying special attention to literature on gene expression regulation. Is this the focus of your current project?"
"Indeed it is," Ryo maintained a professional tone. "We discovered that the gene-seed of the Inductii warriors, operating in the prolonged absence of key organs, has undergone subtle changes in its expression patterns. To resolve the rejection reactions, we must start at the genetic level."
This answer was completely reasonable.
The Magos nodded, emitting binary code indicating comprehension. "May the Omnissiah guide your research. If needed, I know a few Magi specializing in genetics whom I could introduce to you."
"Thank you for your kindness," Ryo replied. "The theoretical foundation for the current project is sufficient. If more professional support is needed later, I will contact you."
The Magos emitted a confirming binary code once more, exchanged contact information with Ryo, and then left.
In fact, Ryo had a deeper purpose for downloading these materials.
After successfully completing the treatment of the Inductii warriors, he was already prepared to implement the second phase of Lady Astarte's legacy project.
The gene-seed restoration work to be conducted next would provide him with an excellent opportunity to seamlessly integrate some of Lady Astarte's research results into the treatment process.
He carefully filtered the download list, ensuring it covered key areas such as gene-seed stability regulation, genetic material repair, and biological tissue regeneration.
This knowledge would not only help him better complete the Imperial Fists' treatment tasks but also provide important references for his Genesis Particle research.
More importantly, they would provide the necessary technical cover for implementing Lady Astarte's gene-seed optimization plan.
The data terminal continued to run, and a massive amount of biological data was stored into Ryo's private database.
During the download process, he paid special attention to collecting research papers regarding gene-seed expression regulation and synergistic organ development.
These fields were precisely the crucial links in Lady Astarte's original designs and also the key directions for the technological breakthroughs he planned to make.
With the transmission of the final document completed, Ryo disconnected from the data terminal.
He now possessed the theoretical foundation needed to implement the next step of his plan.
This biological knowledge would help him silently advance Lady Astarte's unfinished research work while treating the Imperial Fists warriors.