allendalepharm Chapter 432 The "Cocoon" of the Underground Energy Factory in Quan Guan
Chapter 432 The "Cocoon" of the Underground Energy Factory in Quan Guan
Chapter 432 The "Cocoon" of the Underground Energy Factory in Quan Guan
Invited to visit the Quan Guan underground energy plant?
The suggestion startled Xia Chi slightly, and then a sense of absurdity arose in his heart.
Is Lorz out of his mind?
It's like placing a jar of sweetness right in front of a bear cub without any warning.
Given Loz's shrewdness and caution, how could he have made such a move that was almost like revealing core secrets?
Unless... this is an elaborate trap?
Schemes like "catching a turtle in a jar"?
The idea flashed through her mind because the proposal itself was too tempting, but Xia Chi immediately dismissed it.
In the face of absolute power, a simple trap is of little use.
Unless Eterna has already awakened and is completely under its control, it would be almost impossible for Rose to keep himself here given the forces he can currently mobilize.
Even assuming, hypothetically, that legendary Wujitai truly awakens prematurely...
Xia Chi's mind stirred slightly, his consciousness sweeping over the several Poké Balls hanging silently at his waist.
The emotional connection that resides within it receives a reliable response.
Pon, Milton, and even Reshiram, who is currently wandering outside but could provide support...
Even if Mujita were to truly awaken, such a lineup would certainly not be without a fighting chance.
Therefore, the remaining possibilities seem to point to the initial conjecture.
Loz is still trying to convince himself to join his so-called "grand plan" to solve the Galar energy crisis.
Xia Chi raised her eyes and looked at Loz with a probing gaze.
The latter maintained his calm and smiling demeanor, and upon seeing Xia Chi looking at him, even made a rather gentlemanly "please go ahead" gesture, his expression serene.
I can't see through it.
But the opportunity is indeed once in a lifetime.
There is no more direct way to get close enough to observe and even confirm the current state of the Void of All Things.
Regardless of what pieces are actually placed on Loz's chessboard, being there in person to obtain firsthand information is a crucial step in breaking through the fog of uncertainty.
In a flash, Xia Chi suppressed his turbulent thoughts, regained his composure, and after a moment's thought, nodded and said, "Alright, in that case, I will respectfully comply."
No matter what lies ahead, he must go and see.
Loz's smile deepened, as if he was not surprised at all by Xia Chi's answer.
He rose gracefully, smoothing out the fine wrinkles on his suit, his tone full of confidence: "Very good. I believe that once Mr. Xia Chi witnesses it firsthand, he will definitely gain a different understanding of the future we are pursuing."
Xia Chi simply shrugged noncommittally and didn't reply.
Seeing this, Lorze didn't take it to heart. He shook his head and chuckled, then turned to Olive, who stood silently like a shadow, and instructed her, "Olive, go and prepare the vehicle."
"Yes."
Olive bowed slightly, then quietly turned and left the medical center first.
Xia Chi and Luo Zi also got up and walked outside side by side.
On the way from the medical center to the arena, the two tacitly avoided all sensitive topics.
The conversation was limited to trivial matters such as the recent weather in Galar, the historical architectural style of Motogakure, and even the subtle regional differences in curry cuisine.
It must be admitted that, setting aside his stance, Lóz himself is extremely charismatic.
He was erudite, witty, adept at guiding conversation, and always humble and proper in demeanor, like a wise elder who cared for the younger generation.
Even a brief chat like this can make someone feel comfortable and respected.
Xia Chi now understood why even an unruly genius like Qibana held such sincere respect for the Alliance President.
He certainly possesses a leadership quality that can unite people.
As you step out of the imposing main gate of the Quan Guan Arena, a cool breeze from the wilderness washes over you.
Outside the door, two iconic Galarian vehicles, the Steelraven taxis, were already waiting.
These robust Armored Ravens, adorned with gleaming custom saddles, stood quietly in their berths, their eyes sharp yet docile.
Olive was already standing by the door of the lead car, waiting.
Loz naturally walked towards the car behind and gestured for Xia Chi to go with him.
The interior is more spacious and comfortable than it appears from the outside, decorated with dark wood paneling and soft leather seats.
The car doors close automatically, providing excellent sound insulation and instantly blocking out outside noise.
The Corviknight in front let out a powerful cry, its wings suddenly spread out, and under the trainer's guidance, it flapped them vigorously, and the heavy carriage smoothly took off.
Through the large car windows, you can overlook the city of Motogakure, where the architectural complex, which blends classical castles with modern industrial styles, gradually shrinks, and the vast open fields on the edge of the city unfold like a green carpet.
Xia Chi's gaze was fixed ahead in the direction of flight.
A massive architectural complex with striking industrial aesthetics came into view at the edge of the horizon.
That is the above-ground part of the Quan Guan underground energy plant.
Viewed from above, it resembles a colossal silver steel beast lying prone on the earth, with the main building presenting a huge and flowing elliptical structure that reflects a cold light in the sunlight.
Countless pipes and passages extend outwards like blood vessels and nerves, connecting to deeper underground sections, creating a cold yet efficient sense of order.
The factory was located far from the densely populated city center, in a quiet suburb near the wilderness.
This position brought Xia Chi some peace of mind.
In the worst-case scenario, if the awakening of Mugentana causes riots or even disaster, at least the impact on innocent citizens can be minimized.
As for the factory employees...
His eyes narrowed slightly; he could only wait and see how things unfolded.
Just as he was making his calculations, he felt a slight vibration from the carriage beneath him, and the flight speed began to decrease.
Two well-trained Armored Ravens began to circle and descend, landing on a dedicated take-off and landing platform at the edge of the factory.
Upon closer inspection, the above-ground portion of this energy plant appears even more magnificent.
It's hard to imagine that even more amazing spaces are hidden deep underground.
The Steelraven landed smoothly.
Olive had already gotten out of the car and stood by the door, bowing slightly: "President Lotz has informed the research institute that Dr. Arbeloa is ready to receive us."
Thank you for your trouble.
Lodsley stepped out of the carriage, turned to Xia Chi, and gestured an invitation with his smile, "Mr. Xia Chi, please."
.
Xia Chi also stepped out of the carriage. He subconsciously adjusted his breathing, and his wave-guiding power quietly extended to the surroundings.
Besides the massive life activities of the factory itself—
Aside from the "background noise" mainly from humans and a few Pokémon acting as support, such as Gear, he did indeed sense an incredibly deep and vast special energy pulse emanating from the deepest part of his body.
The three walked towards the main entrance of the factory.
The entrance consists of two heavy alloy doors, with a strict security checkpoint in front of them.
Loz clearly had the highest authority; he simply used facial recognition and was able to proceed without any obstacles.
The security personnel and research staff they encountered along the way all bowed respectfully and escorted the three of them inside.
However, at the final checkpoint leading to the core area—a direct elevator that required special authorization to activate—two sharp-looking guards in black uniforms raised their hands to stop Xia Chi.
One of them stepped forward, his voice monotonous and formulaic: "Excuse me, sir, according to the highest security regulations, it is forbidden to bring any unregistered Poké Balls into the underground core area. Please cooperate with the security check."
Xia Chi frowned slightly.
The Poké Balls hanging from his waist were not only his companions, but also his most important safety guarantee at this moment.
Before he could speak, Lorz stepped forward first. "It's alright. This is Mr. Xia Chi, my distinguished guest. This visit will be kept simple, and there's no need for any checks."
The two guards looked at each other in bewilderment.
Although this rule is the highest standard for underground energy plants, what can you do when Loz is the president of the Marocomón Group?
He has the right to interpret everything.
Since they were just two employees, once Loz spoke, the two guards stopped stopping them and returned to their original positions to continue cosplaying as terracotta warriors without looking to the side.
Xia Chi witnessed this scene and gained a more direct understanding of Loz's absolute control over Galar, especially in this core area.
He didn't say much, but simply nodded slightly to Lorz before following him into the elevator car.
Olive was the last to enter, and she turned around to perform iris verification on the control panel.
The elevator doors slid shut silently, and the vibrations during startup were barely perceptible before the elevator began its smooth descent.
The car was unusually quiet, with only the very faint sound of the motor running.
Xia Chi silently counted the time in his mind, while simultaneously sensing the changes in the surrounding rock strata and building structures through the power of waveguide.
The descent lasted for about half a minute, and at this speed, they were now more than 100 meters underground.
This depth is sufficient to shield most external probes and also to contain many astonishing secrets.
"bite""
A crisp notification sound rang out, and the elevator doors slid open to both sides.
Outside the door, a middle-aged man in his early forties, dressed in a pristine white researcher's uniform, was already waiting.
His hair was a little messy, and he had dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating that he often stayed up late, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited, full of the enthusiasm unique to researchers.
"President Loz!"
Upon seeing the three, the doctor immediately strode forward, his tone respectful but lacking the restraint often seen in a subordinate meeting their superior; rather, he seemed more like an old friend seeing a business partner.
Lorz walked up with a smile and patted the doctor on the shoulder affectionately: "Dr. Arbeloa, I'm here to disturb your research again. I hope I haven't interrupted any crucial progress."
"No, that's not true at all. We'd be more than happy to welcome you, Chairman."
Dr. Abeloa quickly shook his head, then his gaze swept past Loz and landed intently on Xia Chi behind him.
"Professor Xia Chi, you really came! I will study every single one of your research papers carefully!"
He excitedly stepped forward, grabbed Xia Chi's hand tightly without saying a word, and shook it vigorously.
Xia Chi was caught off guard by his sudden enthusiasm.
Although Xia Chi knew that Dr. Arbeloa was one of the core technical implementers of the "Infinite Energy Project," he found it difficult to feel pure malice towards a scholar who was so devoted to research.
He adjusted his expression and gave a polite smile: "You flatter me, Dr. Arbeloa. I came here with a learning attitude."
"Professor Xia Chi, you are too modest!"
Dr. Arbeloa released his grip, but his eyes remained fervent. "Your achievements have truly changed the landscape of global combat and the direction of research, however..."
He abruptly changed the subject, his face radiating immense confidence, "I'm not bragging, but the project we're currently undertaking has a potential impact that is absolutely comparable to, or even greater than, Super Evolution and Tai Crystallization. It will solve the energy problem that plagues Galar, and may even plague the entire world in the future!"
Xia Chi: "
""
You all need to wake up Eternatus, whose highest base stats surpass those of an alpaca. How can I possibly compete with you?
Thinking this to himself, Xia Chi forced a smile and nodded, saying, "Doctor's confidence makes me even more excited for the upcoming visit."
Seeing that Abeloa and Xia Chi were chatting happily, Lóz, who felt slightly "neglected," was not angry and spoke with a hint of teasing.
"It seems you two truly appreciate each other. Dr. Abeloa, I know you are very excited to see Mr. Xia Chi, but shouldn't we invite our distinguished guest in first? I think Mr. Xia Chi is eager to see our great research results."
Dr. Arbeloa scratched his head somewhat sheepishly, "Ah, right, right, President, Professor Xia Chi, please come this way!"
He stepped aside to lead the way, walking at the very front.
The three followed Arbeloa through the not-so-long passage.
At the end of the passage was a much heavier metal door with no handles, only a faintly glowing identification panel.
Arbeloa placed his palm on the door, and with a low, rumbling hydraulic hum, the doors slid silently open to both sides.
A unique scent, a mixture of coolant and some indescribable, stardust-like aroma, wafted towards us.
At the same time, an incredibly magnificent underground scene unfolded before Xia Chi's eyes.
This is a vast underground space that is difficult to describe precisely in words.
The ceiling is estimated to be at least fifty meters high, and the space is cylindrical in shape. The walls and the dome are covered with a special alloy that shimmers with a dark silver matte finish.
Countless energy conduits of varying thicknesses climbed and extended like the roots of a giant tree, eventually connecting the center of the space and several key nodes around it.
The space was not completely silent; a deep, steady hum served as the background noise throughout.
The sound wasn't harsh; instead, it carried a strange sense of rhythm, as if the underground factory itself were a giant beast slowly breathing.
Xia Chi could easily sense the strange energy permeating it through his waveguide power.
It shares the same origin as the meteorite given to it by Lotz, but its concentration is many times higher.
If it weren't for the continuous constraint of the entire space's structure and the special metal covering it, it would probably have triggered unimaginable energy tides long ago.
At the far end of the space, several uniquely shaped energy control devices, resembling giant reactors, were rhythmically flashing with a ghostly blue light.
The purpose of the island's attraction to the bay is to reach the end of several passages, where a colossal entity lies deep within the entire space island—
A huge meteorite, estimated to be over 100 meters long and tens of meters high.
It is not a rock formation in the traditional sense, but rather a huge, dark purple crystal.
The surface of the crystal is covered with countless fine and complex patterns. In the dim environment, those patterns emit an extremely faint, yet seemingly life-like, dark red glow.
The inner workings of the crystal are even more profound and unfathomable, with faintly visible, even more concentrated energy flowing and converging like blood.
Even in its dormant state, an indescribable, profound pressure emanated from that colossal creature, making any life facing it instinctively feel its own insignificance.
The mother body of Anuttara, according to the world, is its sleeping cocoon.
It stands there quietly, the final convergence point and source of all the energy pipelines in the underground space, and the cornerstone of the core of Loz's "Infinite Energy Project".