Xing Chen spent a few days organizing the uranium mining development data given by his mentor and the basic nuclear weapon theories he researched, then packed them up and returned to Columbia with Theresa.
Friston was very pleased with Theresa's cart. After being trapped underground for tens of thousands of years, he could finally come out and get some fresh air.
"If only I had a mechanical arm," Friston said, his two large headlights on the turret flashing red back and forth at the two of them, indicating his excitement.
"We are delighted that you are happy," Theresa said, pleased that she could help a lost soul. "The resources we have are still very limited, and there are many areas where we can improve."
The witchcraft engine roared, and Friston drove around on the ground a few times. "Originium Arts are truly interesting. I wonder if the Seer and Prythian anticipated these."
"I don't think the Seer did," Xing Chen said, looking at his lively demeanor, wondering how to maintain him later. "Friston, can you quickly summon your bird?"
---
It would take some time for Mark Max to arrive at Trimounts, so Xing Chen decided to visit Rhine Lab first.
At this time, the Fire Demon incident had already occurred, and Saria and Kal'tsit had both left Rhine Lab. The fallout between the founders had a huge impact on the company.
With Nastya's introduction, they entered the Rhine Lab headquarters without any hindrance.
Her time was limited, and she had a lot of work to do. However, at this time, she had not yet initiated her floating city plan; she was simply working for the General Administrator to find Stasis Chambers.
But she might never find them again, because Xing Chen had already had Friston stop the broadcasts between the stars and activated the shielding device.
This was to prevent the General Administrator's dream of flying from hindering things he considered more practical, such as helping him solve problems he couldn't, like nuclear materials.
Combining his previous conversations with the Rhine Lab exploration team, Xing Chen confirmed that uranium was not present in any of the ores and materials they knew of.
So he had reason to suspect that either the people of Terra had not yet discovered it, or the uranium element had changed its properties under the influence of Originium.
"A large atomic nucleus splitting into two or more smaller atomic nuclei, impacting other large nuclei to cause the same reaction, and releasing a large amount of energy—a very interesting theory. Compared to the energy contained in Originium, which one is greater?"
"Uh, I'm not sure," Xing Chen said, based on his estimates, equal masses of Originium energy should be far greater than Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239, but in actual performance, military-grade Originium charges were only an enhanced version of TNT.
"The energy contained in Originium might be higher, but in terms of energy release speed, I think the two elements I mentioned should be superior."
Nastya had never heard of "Uranium-235" or "Plutonium-239." Perhaps they were "another name" for a certain mineral to the two of them.
"Alright, I'll have the Scientific Exploration Department look for these two substances you mentioned." Nastya glanced at her watch, her brows furrowing. "I have some other matters to attend to. You two can explore Trimounts for now; someone will inform you if there's any news."
"Thank you." Theresa made a traditional Sarkaz gesture of gratitude to Nastya.
"It's nothing. I'm also happy to see compatriots participating in academic research." Nastya stood up and said helplessly, "Except for those liches holed up in unknown spaces, most of our compatriots prefer to have their brains filled with muscles..."
---
"Because it's bread and sausage sold by Pero, it's called a hot dog..."
Theresa had lived on Earth for a while, and many common Earth facts had entered her mind.
"Mmm-hmm-hmm—" Xing Chen's mouth was still full of food, making it hard for him to laugh.
Theresa, holding four packed hot dogs, walked with Xing Chen through the streets of Trimounts.
A clean city, a developed economy, vibrant people—it was truly an era of hope.
For a moment, Theresa felt that Trimounts in this era seemed even better than Xing Chen's world.
"Maybe so—is the animosity really that heavy on our side?" Xing Chen felt his own life was quite good. Columbia, this cannibalistic capitalist society, shouldn't be better than his own side.
"Your emotions are very problematic, Xing Chen," Theresa said, hugging Xing Chen and turning his face towards her. "Can't you feel it at all?"
Before Xing Chen could answer, an unpleasant sound came from the street.
The two turned their heads to see several Sarkaz holding musical instruments, discussing them.
The flat-chested Sarkaz leader among them caught Xing Chen's attention; he seemed to have seen her somewhere before.
"Hello, what are you talking about?" Theresa walked over and kindly asked the group.
"Rock and roll, do you understand? You Kazdel bumpkins."
"Rock and roll?" Theresa scratched her head. She didn't seem to have paid attention to this radical form of music in the past. "Is there an instrument like a violin?"
"Hahaha, it seems she doesn't understand at all," another subordinate began to mock Theresa. "This is the most popular Sarkaz culture in Columbia. You Kazdel people should really get out and see more of this land."
The Vanguard template itself was quite useless; apart from a certain Victoria villager, Xing Chen had never deployed it.
An operator with insufficient strength, hoping to gain his favor?
"Who said Kazdel doesn't have rock and roll?" Xing Chen had Theresa stand behind him; he needed to teach this kid a good lesson.
"I must show you what true music is—give me your bass."
"Bass? But this is a guitar."
Xing Chen took the guitar from Red Bean, tuned the strings according to his memory, and after confirming that Terra's instruments were not much different from Earth's, he immediately got into the zone.
"What I'm about to play is—Free Bird!"
With that, Xing Chen immediately played with abandon, and the passionate music quickly attracted the attention of many passersby.
Coupled with his wild headbanging and swaying, the infectiousness instantly reached its peak.
"Woah woah woah!!! I feel like my Burning Damage is about to explode!!!"
After the song ended, Xing Chen had a hallucination that his brains had been shaken up.
Thunderous applause erupted around them. Red Bean rushed forward, grabbed Xing Chen's hand, "That was so cool, old friend, what kind of music is this... No, what I mean is, I want to form a band with you for life."
Theresa, standing nearby, felt a little jealous and quickly separated Xing Chen from the Sarkaz she didn't know.
But Xing Chen had other ideas; there might be something to this.