“Hiss—”
“Kevin, your student is really bold. She’s only just started and she’s already trying to do custom work like a formal mecha engineer?”
Thanks to Ke Yunyao’s previous unusual performance, her livestream footage had been a key focus for many teachers in the office.
So when she asked Yan Chixi and the others to state their weapon requirements, everyone was once again shocked.
Earlier, they had been stunned that she had actually managed to forge a decent-looking weapon using such an unconventional method. Now they were shocked that she was even daring to take custom requests.
Even formal mecha engineers could not always guarantee successful customization. Yet Ke Yunyao hadn’t even passed the mecha engineer assessment, and she was already casually attempting it?
Although Kevin didn’t like the tone, he couldn’t help but worry for her internally.
Could she… actually handle it?
However, he didn’t show it on his face. “Why are you all making such a big deal out of it? My student already said she’d just try it. She never said she’d definitely succeed.”
“…”
Well… that was true, but…
It didn’t really sound like she was “just trying.”
Forget it. They would just wait and see.
Whether she was a genius or not would be clear once she finished everything.
……
Ke Yunyao was fully immersed in her research. She felt that the captain was quite reliable; with him handling things outside, she could focus completely.
The materials she had on hand—including the supply boxes brought back by Duan Yang and the others—didn’t contain many ore types. She had to use everything efficiently without waste, or the entire team might end up short on weapons.
Among them, star iron ore made up the majority. Fortunately, she still had some extension grass and yellow-pattern grass, otherwise she would only be able to use star iron for gun stocks and grips.
She also recognized the other ores and medicinal plants she had collected herself. Thanks to her previous dedicated research, multiple combinations and ratios immediately surfaced in her mind.
Yan Chixi’s twin blades could be improved from the previous weapon design, adjusting both structure and engraved inscriptions.
Yan Zhou’s long sword needed to be lighter. Star iron wasn’t ideal—flowing light ore would be more suitable.
Fortunately, the materials supply box had it.
However, just a long sword alone felt too plain. Should she add some extra function?
Ke Yunyao glanced at the medicinal plants on the ground.
Ah—got it.
Hehe, this should be pretty good.
Next was Yang Qi’s war hammer. Star iron plus heavy iron ore would work.
Then she could add a little “surprise” enhancement. Just a bit more configuration—the hammer alone didn’t feel strong enough. Yes, yes, that should be good.
Next was Markaro’s firearms. If she made it too small, the firepower might be insufficient. Ah—she had it. Make it bigger, add more barrels. That should work well.
Finally, Wang Yelin’s weapon: gauntlets. That would essentially just be a layer over the fist. So at minimum, it shouldn’t harm the user.
Therefore, she decided the gauntlet needed an internal layer of material that could reduce rebound force.
This was slightly difficult.
Forget it—she should finish the earlier ones first.
She checked the remaining materials again. The captain’s and Meng Lingling’s energy guns, as well as Duan Yang’s hoe, should still be sufficient.
With what was left, she could probably also make herself a defensive weapon.
After sorting everything out, she began forging. She was completely focused, to the point she didn’t even notice when the others went out and came back.
Time passed quickly; the entire afternoon slipped away, and Jiang Tian was called back by Vashi to prepare dinner.
Originally, he hadn’t wanted to return.
After going out in the afternoon, he realized he had no luck finding medicinal plants. Instead, he ended up staying near Duan Yang to protect him while using his custom kitchen knife to cut down star beasts.
It had to be said—this blade was extremely comfortable to use. He felt that Ke Yunyao had actually underestimated its power.
It was absurdly sharp. Any star beast below A-rank could be cut down effortlessly, and it even had a weight-increasing function. There were several times he used a bit too much force and ended up slicing beasts cleanly in half.
The first time it happened, he was genuinely stunned. Duan Yang, standing nearby, was even more envious.
“It feels like you’re cutting watermelons. So easy,” Duan Yang said.
Jiang Tian nodded, looking at the two halves of the beast. “Haha, I feel the same. I barely even used any force and it just split like that.”
Duan Yang frowned. “That’s not you being strong. It’s Ke Yunyao being strong.”
“I know,” Jiang Tian admitted freely. “But it still feels amazing to use.”
Duan Yang’s face immediately darkened. Hmph. Show-off. Just wait—I’ll have one too.
Jiang Tian glanced at him and continued his slaughter of beasts.
Only when Vashi sent a message telling him to return and cook did he finally stop. Duan Yang half-dragged him back.
Jiang Tian didn’t want Ke Yunyao to go hungry either, so he returned willingly and immediately started preparing dinner using the star beasts he had just killed.
Duan Yang handed the medicinal plants he found to Vashi. Even though he knew they were meant for Ke Yunyao, he didn’t try to interfere.
Vashi looked at Ke Yunyao, still fully immersed in her work, and didn’t rush to deliver them.
No hurry. She could get them after she finished this round.
Ke Yunyao had already reached her fourth weapon—the firearms for Wang Yelin.
Most of her spiritual energy was focused inside the furnace, carefully shaping the form. Outsiders couldn’t see anything inside; only she knew a multi-barreled gun was gradually taking shape.
This was the hardest one. She had to be extremely careful, step by step, without the slightest mistake.
There weren’t enough materials to waste—she had to be precise.
Soon, a small, compact gun flew out of the furnace, and Ke Yunyao caught it.
But it wasn’t finished yet. She still needed to inscribe runes onto it.
By now, the others had mostly returned, each with some level of harvest. Meng Lingling selectively handed over some medicinal plants, while Wang Yelin and Markaro submitted everything they had collected.
Vashi learned about this from Yan Zhou and didn’t force Meng Lingling to hand over everything. In the end, she was their team’s pharmacist; if she needed medicinal plants, they couldn’t really object.