RNP Page 252
Page 252
Major Wang, who followed closely behind, added:
"More importantly, it appears to retain some biological activity, which means it may have the potential to self-repair minor damage."
"This requires further research, but if it's true, its value is immeasurable!"
Although Han Ning didn't understand the specific data, judging from the experts' reactions, he knew that the value of the wood had received the most professional affirmation.
"So, Mr. Zhou, Major Wang, what should we do next?"
"Shipbuilding is a systems engineering project; materials are just the foundation."
Old Zhou adjusted his glasses, regaining some of his composure.
"The most crucial step next is the selection and design of the shipyard. We need a location that is sufficiently concealed, safe, and convenient for material transportation and ship launching."
"Let's go, let's go choose a site now!" Major Wang said decisively.
Since the expert team has given their instructions, Han Ning will naturally follow their arrangements.
So, the group left the cultivation area and, accompanied by Han Ning, Chairman Wu, and others, began a detailed survey of several locations previously selected for the Biyun gathering area.
The experts were very professional; they examined many factors, including topography, hydrology, geological structure, wind direction, and concealment.
"This valley is good; it is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a narrow entrance, making it easy to defend and hide."
"However, the terrain is not open enough, which may limit the construction and launching of large ships."
"What about that abandoned river bend to the east? The water is relatively calm, and it's backed by mountains."
“The geology needs to be thoroughly explored to prevent landslides. Also, it’s a bit far from the cultivation area for the Chinese tallow tree, so transportation costs are high.”
After an afternoon of trekking, the group inspected several potential locations, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult to make a decision.
Finally, Old Zhou stood on a high hillside and pointed to a relatively open valley below that connected to a wide, frozen river: "Chief Han, I personally prefer that place."
Han Ning looked in the direction he pointed. The valley was about three kilometers away from the main cave of the Biyun gathering area. One side was a steep mountain wall, and the other side was a frozen forest that was being polluted. In front was a frozen stream with a waterway winding into the distance. The terrain looked flat and the area was large enough.
"What's the reason?" Han Ning asked.
"First, the area is large enough to accommodate a large dock and supporting facilities."
"Secondly, the mountain provides cover, and caves can be carved into the mountain to enhance concealment and defense."
"Third, it is close to a water source. Although it is currently frozen, it will be convenient for boats to launch once the ice breaks."
"Fourth, the geology is initially assessed to be relatively stable. Fifth, although it is a bit far from your main settlement area, it can serve as an outer outpost, forming a strategic triangle with the main settlement area and complementing each other."
One geologist agreed: "Professor Zhou has considered everything very thoroughly. This location is the best overall. We can conduct more detailed geological exploration first. If there are no problems, we will decide on this location."
This place was also one of the locations chosen by Chairman Wu and his group.
Han Ning looked at Chairman Wu and Zhao Kai, and the two nodded in agreement.
"Great!" Han Ning decided. "Let's settle on this spot. Whatever support you need, our Biyun Industrial Zone will provide full cooperation!"
"The first step is a detailed geological survey, which requires soil awakeners to cooperate with our equipment to conduct in-depth exploration."
Mr. Zhou listed the requirements,
"Then we need to clear the site and level the land, while the design work is carried out simultaneously."
With the shipyard site chosen, the entire Biyun industrial cluster started operating at high speed, like a tightly wound spring.
Chairman Wu immediately handed over the compiled blueprints and scale of the Yuanzu shipyard to Elder Zhou.
These drawings contain many details that are difficult for non-professionals to understand.
"In your young people's terms, this shipbuilding method is truly mind-blowing..."
The shipbuilding methods of the Origin Race, which were different from human technology, amazed even the well-informed Elder Zhou and Major Wang.
Old Zhou is currently an ordinary person at the Great Black Stone level, without any awakened abilities. He still retains the habits he had before becoming stronger. He subconsciously pushed up his glasses and sighed.
"They replaced our electronic design with runic structures, and changed the composite materials used for the hull to a combination of wood and runes. Phew... the alien shipyard doesn't have high requirements for ports, but it has higher requirements for energy..."
"The idea of integrating the protective force field with the ship's structure by utilizing the energy conduction of the material itself is very inspiring!"
Upon seeing the blueprints, Mr. Zhou was immediately captivated and led the design team to study them, combining modern naval engineering to research specific construction plans for the shipyard.
Meanwhile, Chairman Wu and others also began processing the ink-fragrant wood.
Because Major Wang's team of experts had not yet learned about the rune technology of the Origin Race.
They are currently observing, watching the processing of materials by Chairman Wu, Lin Qianqian, and Cheng Rui's study group.
While learning the rune techniques of the Origin race.
Chairman Wu stood in front of a dozen or so pieces of *Indiana macrophylla* that had already been processed into main trunks, holding a technical manual on the processing methods of *Indiana macrophylla*.
The study group and the expert team stood around.
"Ink wood is not an ordinary extraordinary wood. It contains natural energy channels inside. Using brute force will only damage the integrity of these channels."
"We need to sense the energy first, and then follow the flow."
He explained,
"By gently penetrating with one's own energy, one can perceive the natural energy circuits within the wood and understand their direction; this is called sensing Qi."
"All cutting and shaping must be done in the direction of these energy circuits, which is called parallel cutting."
"Only in this way can the energy-conducting properties of the wood be preserved to the greatest extent and its cracking caused by internal energy conflicts be avoided."
Major Wang listened intently.
The modern processing tools they brought were almost useless when faced with this magical wood.
This made him realize that this was a completely new field of knowledge.
Chairman Wu tried it himself, placing his palm lightly on a piece of ink-scented wood and closing his eyes to concentrate.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and gestured for Lin Qianqian and Cheng Rui to come forward, each walking to a piece of ink-scented wood.
"Imagine your energy as a stream of water, slowly pouring it in. Don't try to control it, just feel it."
Under Chairman Wu's guidance, the two began to try to use energy to penetrate the interior of the wood.
Chapter 292 Construction and Exploration
Cheng Rui gently placed his hands on the dark wood surface and closed his eyes.
His spiritual energy, like a fine thread, slowly extended and penetrated into the wood.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and pointed to a spot on the wood:
"The energy circuit here is relatively flat and stable, so it can be used as the first cutting point. The internal network is mainly a longitudinal network, with side branches here and here..."
He tapped the wood a few times with his hand.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian took out several crystal slabs engraved with basic energy guiding runes and gently placed them near the node indicated by Cheng Rui.
A soft white light shone from the crystal, spreading along the faintly visible texture of the wood surface, as if giving the ink-scented wood a perspective, making the natural energy veins clearer in everyone's eyes.
"Incredible..."
A naval expert whispered,
"It's just like a neural network in a living organism."
Major Wang frowned, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge:
"In other words, we can't saw or plan it like we would ordinary wood. Any rough or destructive processing will damage this natural grain?"
“That’s right,” Chairman Wu affirmed. “We must cut along the grain. Cheng Rui, it’s up to you.”
Cheng Rui responded, but he did not use his violent power.
Instead, he extended his index finger, and a wisp of extremely pure and refined energy blade condensed at the fingertip.
This energy blade, like a probe, slowly plowed across the path marked by Lin Qianqian.
Wherever it passed, the already deep black patterns on the surface of the blackwood became even brighter, as if they had been activated.
"By utilizing its own energy, we guide and strengthen the energy pathways of the wood itself, making it easier for subsequent processing," Chairman Wu explained to Major Wang.
Then, Chairman Wu stepped forward, took out a specially made wooden wedge engraved with energy-guiding runes from the toolbox next to him, and aimed its tip at the starting point of the path activated by Cheng Rui.
Using skillful force combined with subtle energy fluctuations, the wedge is slowly driven in.
With a soft crackling sound, the ink-scented wood split open along the predetermined energy pathways, revealing a smooth, mirror-like cross-section. The cross-section shimmered with iridescent light, and the energy flowed freely.
"Success!" Cheng Rui carefully examined the cross-section, a look of joy on his face.
"The veins are not damaged."
Major Wang and the experts immediately surrounded him, using various instruments to conduct tests and record this crucial data.
"This processing method is a bit slow, but it can preserve the material properties to the greatest extent. However, we need to develop a standardized process for processing along the grain to improve efficiency."
Just as the processing research made a breakthrough, the construction of the shipyard in the selected valley a few kilometers away was also in full swing.
With his engineering design team, Mr. Zhou finalized a preliminary construction plan by combining the original drawings provided by Han Ning with modern engineering principles.
As the strongest water-type awakener in the gathering area, Ah Long became a key figure in the on-site construction.
The first step is to level the site and excavate the foundation.
Under the command of Elder Zhou's team, a large number of earth-element awakened individuals transformed into efficient humanoid engineering machines, manipulating soil and rocks, clearing debris, and solidifying the foundation.
Ah Long stood at the entrance of the waterway that was about to become a shipyard, arms outstretched, surrounded by a mist of water vapor.
The frozen river in front of him cracked and melted rapidly under his control, and the polluted water began to flow again.
In fact, the stream was not completely frozen; only the surface water was frozen, while the energy-rich black tide below continued to flow.
Otherwise, monsters wouldn't emerge from the bottom of the mountain from time to time to attack living creatures.
Ah Long needs to precisely control the water flow, both to scour and deepen the planned channel and to prevent the water flow from eroding the newly leveled shoreline.
"Ah Long, three meters to the left front, the water flow speeds up, and the impact is concentrated in one spot. Yes, that's it! Wash away the silt and loose gravel below!"
Old Zhou held a megaphone and stood on a high place to direct the operation.
His team members were busy measuring water levels, flow rates, and changes in riverbed topography.
"Understood!" Ah Long replied, fully focused.