novelraw Chapter 1305 659: Engineering, Craftsmen, and Tools
Chapter 1305 659: Engineering, Craftsmen, and Tools
It's only been a year or two.
Except for those just repurposing old designs to make a quick buck, developing military-grade armor usually takes more than a year or two just to get started. Even when there are existing plans available for reference, perfecting the details and undergoing repeated evaluations and trials still consume massive amounts of time and resources.
The number of research groups and disciplines involved is countless.
For a massive project like this, even Ye Xian couldn't complete it alone.
But looking at it from another perspective... had the establishment of Sea Tide Military Industry and Guardian Lv's plan started before this?
"Off and on, changing and refining, most of the effort was outside the design phase. After measuring for so long, it's now nearly decided.
What I've done, aside from the engine and transmission, was merely a summary."
Ye Xian glanced at him: "Still need some final optimization, I'll leave it to you."
"No problem, teacher, don't worry!"
Ji Jue patted his chest without hesitation; isn't this his area of expertise?
Speaking of the abundance of talent in the Federation, it's beyond counting; saying they work together like clouds sweating is an exaggeration, but someone like Ji Jue, a second-level engineer, doesn't even rank among them!
Whether in theory, experience, creativity, or ideas, when facing true lifelong talented individuals in this field, Ji Jue might not even match them.
But when it comes to optimization... that's another story!
Go talk to my Mechanical Descent!
Bang!
Ji Jue casually slapped, and the silent steel giant suddenly trembled, fierce light appearing in its eyes.
System initiated, self-check complete, power output...
In the low rumble of steel friction, the Power Armor lifted itself from the ground, as if given life, starting to move.
Let's look at the parameters first...
Unexpectedly light, to increase speed, weight was reduced to the maximum, even abandoning heavy armor. An extra set of auxiliary engines was added, resulting in superior speed compared to peers.
Control sensitivity has clearly been diligently honed; no obvious faults at first glance, though the center of gravity could use some minor adjustment.
This set of Power Armor is clearly not a model meant for direct confrontation, but focuses more on reconnaissance and harassment.
This is the standard style of mass-produced models.
Without the Blessing Chain's support, the armor is like a glass cannon, where evasion often outweighs defense.
Even if the defense is stacked up, there's barely enough cost-effectiveness to survive an extra hit. Better to think about how to widen the gap and avoid locking, solving the opponent beyond visual range.
Those truly able to roam battlefields freely, facing every attack head-on with might, all have Blessing Chains or are custom models of Heavenly Artisan machines.
However, from this perspective, this armor still holds significant potential for upgrades. In fact, if enhancements are made and the Blessing is added, it could potentially compare with other specialized models.
Ji Jue sensed the signals from Mechanical Descent, and what emerged in his mind was the many blessings of the White Deer lineage, even...
"Sunlight lineage?"
He suddenly recalled the Horned Cave Hunter he saw in White Country, coming and going like the wind, engaging with enemies at distance, even killing them from hundreds of miles away.
"Indeed, reference includes the Horned Cave Hunter's combat methods, but it's already quite distant."
Ye Xian said: "There's a long journey from prototype to Blessed Creation; just focus on optimizing."
Ji Jue nodded, then asked again: "Isn't the transmission system's redundancy set too high?"
"Have you considered expanded equipment for different combat environments?"
"Even with it, it's a bit high."
"That's how design works; you must retain some margin. When in use, 'just right' doesn't exist, only excess or deficiency."
Ye Xian calmly reminded: "Not every user is a craftsman, nor is maintenance always impeccable."
A design sufficient to withstand tests must cover all aspects, avoiding extremes."
Ji Jue contemplated for a long time but still insisted on his view:
"It can be trimmed; it's still sufficient."
Consequently, Ye Xian nodded and didn't prevent him.
Optimization is about repeated trials and errors, constant evaluation, ultimately approaching but never reaching the optimal solution."
Testing is harmless.
Power Armor isn't building a car; even a small change can affect the whole system. It's not a task to be resolved overnight.
Moreover, limited by grooves' realities, some faults must be retained when necessary... like some engine flaws, can only be compensated by specific transmission designs, which Sea Tide Military Industry happens to hold the patent for.
Even with Mechanical Descent, achieving the optimal solution is still time-consuming and laborious, limited under many conditions, like dancing with shackles.
By the afternoon, Ji Jue was already exhausted.
Sweat drenched him, mouth dry.
"Alright, a day matches up to half a year of work by two research groups." Ye Xian checked the time: "Let's stop here for today, continue tomorrow."
How did it feel, with troubles within design and petty obstacles outside it?"
"..."
Ji Jue pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Still easier doing it myself, can make it however I want..."
Unfortunately, such thoughts are fleeting.
With Coastal Industry's current capacity, at best they can cobble together an exoskeleton or replicate a generation one armor, maybe build tractors and armored cars; but for high-tech precision models, they wouldn't dare even dream.
"Indeed, the true use of an ability like Mechanical Descent ultimately falls within engineering."
Ye Xian sighed: "Based on this, there's a broader range of applications. The path I couldn't walk before, perhaps you could give it a try."
"Hmm..."
Ji Jue suddenly recalled the dreamscape in the Eternal Paradise and couldn't help but say, "Engineering Alchemy?"
"..."
Ye Xian remained silent for a long time, then shook her head slowly as if amused: "If you can make achievements in the future, it's not wrong to call it that.
However, besides you, who else has this ability? How can a theory that can't be passed down be called an inheritance? And how can we talk about engineering if everyone can't participate?"
Mechanical Descent is excellent, Mechanical Descent is too good.
Its excellency lies in its universality and even more so in that it's usable only by Ji Jue. Otherwise, it might throw the entire world into chaos.
Precisely because of its rarity, it doesn't pose a threat.
Similarly, because it's too rare, it's impossible to spread it. If developed on this basis, in the end, it can only become Ji Jue's exclusive technique.
An inheritance that can't be passed on, alchemy that no second person can learn, what is its significance?
Ji Jue fell into contemplation once more and suddenly asked, "But, conversely, is it also feasible, teacher?"
Conversely.
Ye Xian was silent.
She understood Ji Jue's meaning — if it's centered around the craftsman, Engineering Alchemy wouldn't stand. But what if it focuses on engineering?
Overturn the subject, and let the craftsman, who should reside over all this, instead serve the creation.
Roles reversed.
The focus isn't on the craftsman but on the engineering itself.
Everything revolves around engineering, and the presence of the craftsman becomes insignificant, they might as well be apprentices.
In the prolonged silence, Ye Xian did not answer.
She just looked at him with a strange gaze that made his skin crawl.
As if watching Ji Jue foolishly stuffing a Fusion Bomb into a chrysanthemum...
It was only after a long while that she suddenly mentioned another seemingly unrelated topic:
"The thing you're working on in New Spring, you better not rush."
Noncommittal, she just offered a warning.
Fulfilling her duty as a teacher.
What exactly she was referring to, Ji Jue understood well.
[Fly King]!
Ye Xian fully comprehended that what Ji Jue proposed wasn't just a simple idea or vision.
Because, this damn thing was already in progress!
Only because he was quietly skirting the edges and hid it too well, and what was hidden was so unorthodox that most people didn't think about it.
When it comes to engineering, in the entire Hai Province, what could be more vast and complex than the spiritual engineering of the Fly King?
The iteration and evolution of the Spirit of Creation birthed from Mechanical Descent formed a massive group, which is the perfect example of the 'Engineering Alchemy' proposed by Ji Jue!
Only, the current Fly King is still too small compared to such a vision, and Ji Jue hasn't pushed it in that direction, so it appears harmless.
But theoretically, such a possibility exists... With the craftsman as an accessory, serving and maintaining the Fly King in reverse, the craftsman becomes a component, and the Fly King becomes the main body!
Once such a future approaches, no, once the possibility manifests, even if Ji Jue is a Grandmaster, the Association will have no choice but to face off!
The livelihoods of a million apprentices and countless craftsmen would create waves far more extravagant than the previous White Country.
Forget about its effects, its intention and core essence are undoubtedly the creation of Zhi Fu!
Overturning the primary and secondary positions, making creations instead rule over the craftsman, turning the craftsman from former creators to slaves of their creations...
If he really manages to pull it off, even Jian Yuan would have to step down and let him take the top seat among the Three Masters of You Sui!
"Tools are just tools, Ji Jue, don't forget."
Ye Xian reminded for the last time.
"I know."
Ji Jue nodded respectfully: "But, a tool is just a tool, right?"
He's simply repeating, but the meaning seems entirely different.
Ye Xian didn't continue the topic, just waved her hand.
Signaling him to go on his own.
As if displeased and annoyed, but throughout, no anger showed on her face, she just waved her hand, deleting the recent records from the workshop.
She lowered her head and looked at the pile of scattered manuscripts on the table.
After a while, she chuckled softly.
Her own student, how could she not understand?
Whether she advises or not, it probably wouldn't change anything...
Even if his demeanor of humility is genuine and never pretentious, this almost overflowing arrogance, how is it not also heartfelt?
It's truly the same line of inheritance.
Truly a case of the blue surpassing the indigo!