News of Qi Yuan receiving the Leader's Medal swept through the Black Steel Shelter like a hurricane.
Many people were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events and even thought that someone was deliberately spreading fake news.
"Wasn't it said that the winner was Feng Qian?
Why is it Qi Yuan now? "
"He's only a Rank 2, what right does he have to get the Leader's Medal?
Did the Gate of Truth make a mistake? "
"Why can't Qi Yuan get the Leader's Medal?
So what if he's a Rank 2 researcher?
Why can't he get the Leader's Medal?
Who are you looking down on? "
"I also think that Qi Yuan is quite amazing. He published a paper as soon as he entered the lab and was personally reviewed by Ai Xin. Then, he published three papers consecutively and defeated Xiao Yu. I'm afraid that not many Rank 3 researchers can do this."
"Qi Yuan entered the lab as a wilderness refugee and published four papers in less than half a year. He even won the Leader's Medal. He's simply a miracle!"
"Xiao Yu's defeat is not undeserved!"
"I found something very interesting in Qi Yuan's thesis. On the method of breeding the Tree of Oblivion, he used one of Feng Qian's previous theses. He even specially thanked Feng Qian. How ruthless!"
"Heh, Qi Yuan's first three papers were all stolen from Xiao Yu, and he even thanked Feng Qian for this one. I wonder how Feng Qian feels now."
While everyone was discussing, the undercurrents were quietly moving. In order to avoid a sudden death, Qi Yuan had been hiding in the lab all this time.
In order to protect Qi Yuan's safety, Molin even raised the security level of Qi Yuan's lab. Unless it was a high-level powerhouse, no one would be able to forcefully break into Qi Yuan's lab.
Inside the lab, Qi Yuan was studying Rank 4 talents while waiting for the Rank 4 check-in point to refresh.
Ordinary rank 4 abilities, even if they were slightly stronger than pseudo-rank 4 abilities, did not have much meaning to Qi Yuan. What Qi Yuan really wanted were those powerful core rank 4 abilities.
At this moment, the Tier 3 Talent Points he had accumulated from his previous check-ins finally came in handy.
After some consideration, Qi Yuan finally chose two core Tier 4 abilities based on his current abilities.
The first ability was a comprehensive increase in physical strength, greatly strengthening the Body of Steel in frontal combat.
The second ability was to strengthen the strength of one's consciousness, which was inclined towards the mysterious and perceptual domain.
[Steel Defense] required [Steel Defense], [Steel Strength], [Steel Speed], [Energy Control], [Steel Regeneration], [Steel Thorns], and [Machinery Synergy]. There were a total of seven prerequisites. Among the seven prerequisites, [Steel Defense], [Steel Regeneration], [Steel Strength], and [Steel Speed] had to reach the third tier, while the others only needed to reach the second tier.
The requirements for the Spirit Fortress were not as harsh as the Steel Defense, but it still required six prerequisites: Area Detection, Data Center, Mechanical Intelligence, Mechanical Command, Virtual Intrusion, and Consciousness Storm. The Data Center, Virtual Intrusion, and Consciousness Storm had to be at least Tier 3, while the others only required Tier 2.
After choosing the two core Tier 4 abilities, Qi Yuan went to the warehouse and took out the metal ball he had brought back from the Black Gold Trading Firm.
"I wonder what's hidden inside."
Qi Yuan muttered to himself as he slowly moved a Talent Point closer to the metal ball.
The moment the Talent Point entered the metal ball, something seemed to be released. A low whisper suddenly sounded in Qi Yuan's ears. It was a chaotic, depraved, and distorted consciousness. In just an instant, Qi Yuan felt as if he was being controlled by the existence imprisoned in the metal ball.
The whisper came quickly and left quickly. Three seconds later, Qi Yuan broke free from the chaotic whisper. After completing the fusion, the Tier 3 Talent Point also became a brand new Tier 3 ability — Consciousness Invasion.
The metal ball in his hand did not seem to have any changes, but Qi Yuan knew that the consciousness imprisoned in it had completely disappeared.
"Why would the Black Gold Trading Firm collect such a dangerous item?" Qi Yuan put down the metal ball with lingering fear.
After obtaining this metal ball, if he had not left it idle in the warehouse, Qi Yuan suspected that he would have been affected and controlled by it.
Qi Yuan did not believe that the Black Gold Trading Firm did not know about the danger of this metal ball.
An ordinary metal ball was not worth the Black Gold Trading Firm keeping in that secret attic.
The only explanation was that the Black Gold Trading Firm knew about the danger of this black metal ball, but Yu Ren deliberately did not tell him.
Black Gold Trading Firm!
Qi Yuan sneered.
If the Black Gold Trading Firm was sincere in wanting to reconcile with him, they might have let bygones be bygones for Wei Jing's sake.
However, Yu Ren took the opportunity of reconciliation and took the opportunity to set him up again. This was simply courting death!
Suppressing his anger, Qi Yuan once again picked up the metal buckle he took from the mechanical body at 77 White Elephant Street.
The Tier 3 Talent Point fused with the hidden Veda and successfully activated a brand new Tier 3 ability — Virtual Intrusion.
Then, Qi Yuan used the Tier 3 Talent Point to upgrade the Data Center to Tier 3. At this point, all the prerequisites for Soul Fortress had been met. As long as Qi Yuan was willing, he could step into Tier 4 and activate the core Tier 4 ability — Soul Fortress.
Suppressing the urge to step into Tier 4, Qi Yuan began to prepare for Body of Steel.
He only had one Tier 4 Talent Point and could only activate one Tier 4 ability at a time. Compared to Soul Fortress, Qi Yuan was more inclined to choose the Invincible Body of Steel first.
The preliminary work was already done. What he needed to do now was to activate the prerequisites for Tier 3 abilities.
After fusing with the shield he had obtained from warehouse No. 27, Qi Yuan obtained the Steel Thorns ability.
After fusing with the Androids he had brought back from the combat division, Qi Yuan obtained the Mechanical Synergy ability.
After that, he upgraded Steel Strength and Steel Speed to Tier 3, easily completing all the prerequisites for Body of Steel.
After completing all the prerequisites for the two core Tier 4 abilities, there was only one Tier 3 ability left. Qi Yuan pondered for a while and casually used it on Area Detection instead of Annihilation Warhead.
Although Tier 2 Area Detection was enough to construct Soul Fortress, Tier 3 Area Detection should bring some additional improvements. In comparison, Annihilation Warhead was only Tier 2. Even if it was upgraded to Tier 3, it would not be of much use to him unless it was upgraded to Tier 4.
After completing all the prerequisites for the two core Tier 4 abilities, the core Tier 4 ability was within reach. Qi Yuan calmed down and stopped his steps toward Tier 4.
There were still nine days until the Trial of Glory arranged by Chief Mo. The spies of the Mechanical Palace and the enemies who wanted to kill him would definitely be making preparations. If they wanted to kill him, these nine days would be their last chance!
If he stepped into Tier 4 now, he might be able to make those people go into hiding again.
The trap Chief Mo had set up was not a clever one. The spies of the Mechanical Palace would definitely be able to sense the danger within. However, this trap was an open one. Even if they knew the danger, they would definitely rush forward like moths to a flame and try to kill him before the Trial of Glory.
This was because once he stepped into Tier 4, he would have the ability to protect himself. Unless a high-tier powerhouse was mobilized, it would be very difficult to kill him in the laboratory.
In comparison, the strength of a Tier 3 expert was like an eggshell. They only needed a small chance to kill him.
Qi Yuan waited in the laboratory for the spies of the Mechanical Palace to make their move. The few people who represented the interests of the New Humans were once again gathered together.
In a dark room, a few hooded men gathered again.
A hoarse voice spoke slowly, "I believe you all have heard the news. The Leader's Medal has been obtained by Qi Yuan!"
"Qi Yuan is indeed a genius!
Obtaining the Leader's Medal will cause his status to soar. Mo Lin is already helping him to register as a Tier 4 researcher. In a few days, he will be the youngest Tier 4 researcher in the Biological and Mechanical Research Laboratory! "another low voice said.
"I originally thought that Feng Qian was very impressive, but compared to Qi Yuan, I think he's just a piece of trash!
Not only did he fail to suppress Qi Yuan's growth, but now Qi Yuan has even surpassed him. The Leader's Medal that was almost in his hands was snatched away by Qi Yuan! "
"Now that we're gathered here, is there a need to change the plan?" someone asked faintly.
"The winner of the Leader's Medal has changed from Feng Qian to Qi Yuan. Of course our plan has to change!"
"On my side, I think it's time to stop trying to rope in Feng Qian. After Qi Yuan took away the Leader's Medal, Feng Qian was affected the most. His influence has also decreased a lot. I think it will take some time for him to recover!"
"No!
Not only can we not let go of Feng Qian, we have to continue increasing our bargaining chips!
Go and tell him that as long as he's willing to join us, we're willing to do our best to help him fight for the position of the next chief. Without the support of the three major prizes, there's only one way left for him to compete for the position of chief, and that is to work with us! "
"I know what to do."
"Then what about Qi Yuan?
I've already arranged for people to open a gap in Qi Yuan's position. They can act at any time! "
"Let's put Qi Yuan's matter aside for now. He's in the Glory category now. It's too risky to touch him."
"Should we try to rope in Qi Yuan?
With the halo of the Leader's Medal, Qi Yuan's meteoric rise is already foreseeable. If we can rope him in, it will be very helpful for us. "
"No need!" the low voice said directly.
"Don't forget, Qi Yuan is still only tier 3. He hasn't passed the Glory Trial yet. Although Molin has already applied for a three-star Glory Trial for him, with the current situation, he might not be able to survive until that day!"
"You're saying that the people from the Mech Dynasty might try to kill Qi Yuan before the Glory Trial begins?"
"It's not a possibility, it's a certainty!"
"You don't understand the madness of the Mech Dynasty!
You also don't understand the significance of Qi Yuan's achievement!
Although the Annihilation Weapon helped him obtain the Leader's Medal, at the same time, it's also a death sentence for him!
The Mech Dynasty will do everything in their power to kill him. Although the order department removed two spies from the Mech Dynasty last time, I'm sure that there are still people from the Mech Dynasty in the Sanctuary, and they're in the laboratory. "
"With Qi Yuan's current strength, if there's a single flaw, he won't be able to survive until the Glory Trial begins. In front of the Mech Dynasty, a tier 3 aptitude user is not much stronger than an ant."
"But I heard that Molin has already raised the security level of Qi Yuan's laboratory. Qi Yuan has been hiding in the laboratory recently, and he hasn't taken a single step out. It won't be easy to kill Qi Yuan under such circumstances."
"Don't worry, the people from the Mech Dynasty will definitely think of a way!
If Qi Yuan really survives the revenge of the Mech Dynasty and successfully reaches tier 4, it won't be too late for us to rope him in then. "
"Also, the application for the Source of Life Potion has been approved. Mo Sheng's preparation work can start early. This time, we must force Mo Sheng to make the first move!"
…
Time passed day by day, and on the third day, all the tier 4 checkpoints finally refreshed.
This time, there were a total of four tier 4 talent points. Except for one checkpoint in the Black Steel Shelter, the other three were all outside of the shelter. Qi Yuan only needed to compare the map to find that these three checkpoints had all refreshed at the frontlines of the confrontation with the Mech Dynasty.
"They really don't give me any chance to continue living. I just got a foothold in the Black Steel Shelter, and they're already forcing me to go to the frontlines!"
Qi Yuan shook his head, and then took off the Leader's Medal from his chest.
The Black Steel Shelter's checkpoint did not refresh anywhere else, but directly on the Leader's Medal on his chest.
Is this a reward for me?
Qi Yuan thought silently.
Starting from the first order talent point, every check-in he did was filled with danger and opportunity. There was never a time where he could directly swipe a check-in point on his face without any risk at all.
His finger swept across the beam, and the notification of a successful checkpoint appeared. The second tier 4 talent point merged into his body.
Very good!
No need to make a choice between Steel Body and Soul Fortress!
Qi Yuan put away the Leader's Medal and began to think about how to complete the checkpoints.
By the time he stepped into Tier 4 and obtained both the Body of Steel and the Soul Fortress, his strength would undergo a huge leap. In addition to the Blazing Angel and Leader's Medal, he would have enough strength to protect himself even if he had to go to the frontlines.
The only problem now was what excuse to use to go to the frontlines.
Although there would be researchers stationed at the frontlines, they were all level 1 and level 2 researchers. There were not many level 3 researchers, and there had never been a level 4 researcher personally going to the frontlines.
Even if he took the initiative to go to the frontlines, the board of directors would not agree.
Although the identity of a level 4 researcher could bring a lot of convenience, at this special time, it became a kind of restriction, making him unable to leave the laboratory at will and go to dangerous places.