Find a Troubled Girl after leaving the Guild

Chapter 676 - 334: Extraordinary Times

"Attacking Sky Flame... you have some additional plans, don’t you?""At this point, some things can be laid out openly."

In front of Li Ang and Morales, Loken pulled out a scroll.

Upon closer inspection, it was a structural cross-section of a ship. Li Ang, equipped with the knowledge provided by the system, recognized it within seconds and connected it to the Island founder Giant Ship they were on.

"We abandoned life on the ground, became known as the legendary Shadow Shipyard, and despite our arduous dedication, if there was truly no progress, forget about being laughed at, we ourselves couldn’t accept it."

The old man lit a cigarette, taking a deep puff and exhaling a misty cloud.

"In terms of combat, we workers indeed are no match for you Sky Knights, so our actions consist mainly of lurking and working in the shadows. That is where our true expertise lies."

Loken rapped his knuckles on the blueprint he unfurled. While he spoke, Li Ang had already seen all the information written on it: a complete analysis of the Island founder Giant Ship.

The ship’s structure, energy conduit sequence, weapon systems, and functions have all been fully analyzed by the engineers of the Shadow Factory.

This indicated that Li Ang’s previous belief that their progress in deciphering the Ancient Ship was shallow was a misconception, a self-protection strategy in front of outsiders.

Judging by Xiaomo’s expression, Loken hadn’t fully disclosed this part of the truth to him either.

"We each hold some ’commercial secrets,’ and now we might as well lay them bare with each other." Loken said.

"So, aside from the activation mechanism, have you already completed control over this Ancient Ship?" Li Ang asked.

"Although not to one hundred percent, that’s basically the case."

"You sure have a lot of patience," Xiaomo laughed, "A ship this large, don’t you want to make it fly and see?"

Li Ang felt the same way.

For a Sky Knight, even the largest passenger ship seen before was smaller than this Giant Ship, and the various Flying Airships frequently used, especially the combat types, were even smaller.

So, many people have a kind of sentiment for the Giant Ship, but due to technical and world rule restrictions, Li Ang could only choose an 80-meter-long size for his own construction.

Loken inhaled deeply from his cigarette: "Whether other shipyards know about the old matters of Sky Flame, or you let me bring it up myself, the core reason for my disconnect with Sky Flame is a clash of ideologies.

"The biggest part of these ideologies is how to utilize this Giant Ship. As for the Machine Core Tunnel or whether to integrate the city to establish a kingdom, those are secondary.

"Such a massive ancient relic, it’s a miracle and a feat, even if it’s eventually under control, it won’t be something that Karon and I alone can complete. It requires the efforts of many.

"I hope it can benefit those who are hardworking and brave, rather than being turned into a weapon by some people. Over these years, while analyzing its functions, I’ve also pondered how it should serve the people.

"The ancient inhabitants loved life, installing many conveniences for living on this ship, but it also possesses many weapons. Evidently, they considered that there might be strong enemies in this world.

"Now, we have encountered it. I think now is the time to use it."

Li Ang and Xiaomo nodded.

"So you’re hoping we’ll seize the activation mechanism controlled by Sky Flame?" Li Ang concluded.

"Exactly."

Xiaomo chuckled: "Seeing how patient you’ve been over the years, without too aggressive measures against Sky Flame, I didn’t expect you to be so decisive now."

Loken shook his head: "Though Sky Flame has strayed further year by year, their business approaches were problematic, but overall they have operated legally, and minor disputes haven’t reached the level requiring the Guild to investigate them thoroughly or shut them down.

"All along, Karon’s possession of the activation mechanism has been legal. Using any means to seize it instead incriminates us."

In this City of the Ship’s Rudder, the Guild’s influence isn’t large, so some small moves by Sky Flame generally come to nothing.

The real influence here comes only from the Fellowship of Fortunate Stars.

Li Ang once again lamented that without the Guild’s governance, the isolated environment of Nebis’s Sky Island could be more backward than the feudal era. Even now, many places are as civilized as the tribal era.

Speaking of which, Xiaomo had spoken before that their captain had found notes left at home about the research of the Island Builder Civilization, sparking a passion for adventure, decisively entering this sky to become a Sky Knight. It’s unknown which shipyard’s family he belonged to.

The old man rummaged through a cabinet corner in the studio and brought out something that looked like a crystal, handing it over for the two to examine.

"What is this?"

"This is my imitation of the activation mechanism, apparently, I failed."

Li Ang took the crystal chip, noticing the complex energy circuits inside. This thing could already be considered a chip, considering how complex the Mechanical Creation Furnace of the Island Founders was and the gigantic ship below, it seemed reasonable that they could create such things.

Without core technology, a chip like this could not be made.

The inheritance Li Ang previously received was complete, except for the construction of this Giant Ship, and so the blueprint and structure of this chip naturally didn’t exist in his mind.

Yet while looking at it, it seemed to resonate with the knowledge in his mind...

"Let me have a look."

Xiaomo snatched the chip, fiddled with it like a toy for a long while, but couldn’t make out anything, and then handed it back to Loken.

"This is scrap. Before, without much analysis of this thing, I had already broken with Karon. I made it relying only on my initial memory.