Lin Xia narrowed his eyes.
"That's right. Repairing the Star Radiance Crown requires special materials!"
He suddenly sat upright. Though he was still weak, his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.
"If the Star Luo Empire's treasury doesn't contain them, then as the 'only' person capable of repairing it, my request to travel outside and search for special materials would be completely reasonable! As long as I handle it properly, I can achieve my goal of stalling for time! And perhaps I can 'incidentally' search for Illusory Star Glazed Crystal as well!"
This excuse perfectly exploited Dai Tianxing's eagerness to restore the divine artifact, while also fitting the logic of Lin Xia's identity as a member of the Blacksmith Association.
The key was making the request appear genuine and credible, while cleverly linking the "search for repair materials" with the "investigation of Starcore Fragment properties."
"Little guy, it's time for us to meet His Majesty the Emperor."
Lin Xia took a deep breath, suppressing the lingering dizziness. A desperate determination flickered in his eyes.
"Success or failure depends on this single move!"
Without the slightest hesitation, he endured the dual discomfort tormenting both body and mind and quickly tidied his appearance. He dispersed the floating Soul Power formation projection and carefully returned the Star Radiance Crown to its specially crafted soul tool case.
Larvitar immediately leaped onto his shoulder, vigilantly observing the surroundings as though prepared to guard its master against every possible danger.
Pushing open the quiet chamber's door, Lin Xia straightened his back. The lingering paleness caused by exhaustion instead gave him the appearance of someone who had exhausted himself through relentless effort.
He approached the palace attendant waiting outside the courtyard and spoke calmly, yet with unquestionable seriousness.
"Please inform His Majesty that my preliminary investigation of the Star Radiance Crown has produced some results. I have urgent matters to report in person regarding the crucial special materials required for its repair."
The attendant did not dare delay and immediately left respectfully to deliver the message.
Standing beneath the corridor, Lin Xia gazed toward the palace hall deep within the Star Luo Imperial Palace, the symbol of supreme authority. His expression remained as calm as still water.
Inside the Imperial Study of the Star Luo Palace, sandalwood incense drifted through the air, yet it could not conceal the lingering heaviness between Dai Tianxing's brows caused by the damage to the divine artifact.
When the guards announced Lin Xia's request for an audience and mentioned that progress had been made regarding the Star Radiance Crown's restoration, a sharp light flashed through the emperor's eyes. He almost immediately set down the vermilion brush that symbolized supreme imperial authority.
"Bring him in at once!"
Dai Tianxing's voice carried a rare trace of urgency.
Before long, Lin Xia entered the study under the escort of the guards.
His face still retained a faint paleness from excessive mental exhaustion, but that only added to the image of someone wholly devoted to his work.
Beside him, Larvitar's crimson eyes cautiously swept across the imposing room. The dark golden dragon-pattern mark on its chest emitted faint warmth, instinctively wary of the powerful auras surrounding them.
Dai Tianxing's gaze was sharp as a blade, landing on Lin Xia immediately. Before Lin Xia could even bow, the emperor spoke directly, his tone unable to conceal his anticipation.
"Xia'er, have you already found a method to repair it?"
He understood better than anyone how incomprehensibly complex the Star Radiance Crown was. For Lin Xia to make progress in such a short time regardless of the outcome was already astonishing.
Lin Xia had prepared his response long ago. At this moment, his expression perfectly displayed the humility and caution of someone who had "made progress, but not yet reached certainty." He bowed slightly and answered:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this junior would not dare claim that I have found a definitive solution. However, after my preliminary investigation, I have discovered a possible lead and gained a vague idea regarding the direction of the repair."
Lin Xia paused, then raised his eyes to meet Dai Tianxing's gaze. His expression was open and sincere, carrying the earnestness of a true researcher.
"But this lead still requires verification. This junior boldly wishes to request several specific materials from Your Majesty for experimentation, so I may confirm these ideas. May I ask whether Your Majesty would permit this?"
Hearing this, not only was Dai Tianxing not disappointed, but a trace of approval flashed through his eyes.
In his view, Lin Xia's refusal to make reckless guarantees and his cautious request for experimental materials demonstrated genuine responsibility.
Simply discovering a clue was already an unexpected delight; conducting experiments to verify it was naturally the proper next step.
"Granted! Of course it is permitted!"
Dai Tianxing waved his hand grandly, his imperial bearing carrying unquestionable generosity.
"The fact that you've found a clue is already excellent! Whatever materials you require, simply ask! As long as they are useful for repairing the Star Radiance Crown, no matter how precious they may be, my treasury is at your disposal!"
Even though Lin Xia had already made preparations in his heart, a trace of genuine surprise still flashed through his eyes when he heard those words.
The Star Luo Royal Treasury was the accumulated wealth of the entire empire over a thousand years. The extent of its treasures and the rarity of its collections were beyond imagination.
Yet Dai Tianxing was being this generous. That single phrase "at your disposal" demonstrated a level of boldness and importance placed upon repairing the divine artifact that far exceeded Lin Xia's expectations!
'What incredible generosity!'
Thoughts raced through Lin Xia's mind.
'It seems the significance of the Star Radiance Crown to the Star Luo Imperial Family is even greater than I imagined. In that case…'
A concealed glimmer flashed deep within his dark golden eyes.
'Then there's no need to hold back. Besides searching for clues about Illusory Star Glazed Crystal, I can also use this opportunity to enrich my "private treasury" and gather more resources for the mecha project!'
With that thought, Lin Xia suppressed the waves in his heart and revealed an expression of "gratitude" and "flattered surprise." He immediately bowed.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!
"With Your Majesty's words, this junior will certainly do everything in his power! Since time is of the essence, may I ask whether Your Majesty could bring this junior to the treasury now? If the required materials happen to be there, I can begin the experiments immediately. If not…"
His tone shifted slightly, carrying a perfectly measured sense of urgency.
"This junior may need to depart as soon as possible to search elsewhere, so as not to delay the restoration of the divine artifact!"
Seeing how devoted Lin Xia appeared, and hearing such reasonable logic, Dai Tianxing grew even more satisfied. Without the slightest suspicion, he laughed heartily.
"Good! Xia'er truly acts with decisiveness and efficiency. Very much to my liking! Come, I shall personally take you there!"
He rose to his feet. His black dragon robe fluttered without wind as an invisible pressure spread outward.
"Prepare the procession. We are heading to the Star Luo Secret Treasury!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The chief palace steward standing nearby immediately bowed and hurried away to make arrangements.
Under Dai Tianxing's personal escort, Lin Xia passed through layer after layer of heavily guarded checkpoints and crossed several massive alloy gates guarded by experts above the Soul Emperor Level. Eventually, they arrived before an unremarkable side hall deep within the imperial palace.
From the outside, the hall appeared completely plain and ordinary. But the moment Dai Tianxing produced a secret key embedded with a star gemstone and pressed it into a recessed slot at the center of the hall doors, a sudden change occurred!
Buzz—!
The surface of the palace doors instantly lit up with countless intricate and mysterious soul tool runes, flowing and flickering like veins of starlight.
Accompanied by the deep rumbling of hidden mechanisms, the massive stone-like doors, seemingly made from ordinary rock silently slid apart like liquid metal, revealing a deep passageway behind them that gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.
The inner walls of the corridor were smooth as mirrors, faint ripples of spatial fluctuations shimmering across them.
"Follow me."
Dai Tianxing stepped into the passage first.
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